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Automotive Line Release (CBSA Shipment Type)

Last updated 13 July 2026

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This article is part of the Shipment Release Types Guide
Automotive carrier.

Automotive Line Release is a Canadian shipment type for eligible automotive production or service goods to clear through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on an ACI eManifest.[1]

The program is used for eligible goods connected to automotive manufacturers such as General Motors of Canada Limited, Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited, and Chrysler Canada Limited.[1] Complete vehicles, non-automotive goods, and goods that do not meet the CBSA requirements for the New Automotive System do not qualify for Automotive Line Release and must use the appropriate release process instead.[1]

To use the Automotive Line Release option, the carrier must be authorized for the movement and must have the required automotive release information for the shipment. The shipment must also be transmitted electronically as part of the carrier's ACI eManifest before the driver arrives at the border.[2]


Declaring an Automotive Line Release in ACI eManifest

Automotive Line Release shipments must be reported electronically on an ACI eManifest. In BorderConnect, the carrier should:

  1. Create an ACI Shipment.
  2. Select Automotive Line Release as the shipment type.
  3. Provide a unique Cargo Control Number.
  4. Enter the required shipper, consignee, and commodity information.
  5. Transmit the ACI eManifest to CBSA before the driver arrives at the border.
Selecting Automotive Line Release in ACI.

Required Border Documents

At the border, the driver should present:

The A49 form is the automotive report and release document used under the New Automotive System.[3] It should include the release information required by CBSA and the automotive participant.

Goods that do not qualify for Automotive Line Release may need to move as another shipment type, such as:

See also

Official Resources

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Canada Border Services Agency, Memorandum D17-3-1: The New Automotive System - Highway Mode.
  2. ↑ Canada Border Services Agency, ACI/eManifest Highway Electronic Commerce Client Requirements.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Canada Border Services Agency, Form A49 - Automotive Report and Release Document.
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