Bonded Highway Carrier (Customs Glossary)
| This article is part of the Customs Glossary Guide |
In North American trade, a Bonded Highway Carrier is a transportation company authorized by customs authorities to transport goods under bond between designated locations. A customs bond acts as a financial guarantee that the carrier will comply with customs requirements and that duties, taxes, or penalties can be recovered if bonded goods are not properly controlled.
Bonded carriers are commonly used when goods must move inland for clearance, transit through a country, move to a bonded warehouse, or move under an in-bond program before final release or export.
How Bonded Carriers Are Used
| Scenario | Use of a Bonded Highway Carrier |
|---|---|
| Inland Clearance | Goods enter at one port and move under bond to an inland customs office, sufferance warehouse, or bonded warehouse for clearance. |
| In-Transit Movement | Goods move through one country to reach another destination without being entered for consumption in the transit country. |
| In-Bond Shipment | Goods move under bond before duties and taxes are paid or before final customs clearance is completed. |
| Foreign Trade Zone or Bonded Warehouse | Goods move to or from a controlled facility where customs treatment depends on later release, export, or processing. |
| Temporary Imports or Event Freight | Goods move under bond for a temporary purpose, such as a trade show, and are later exported or otherwise accounted for. |
U.S. Bonded Carrier Operations
In the United States, bonded carriers may move goods under in-bond procedures. Common U.S. in-bond movement types include:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Immediate Transportation (IT) | Goods move from the port of arrival to another U.S. port for entry. |
| Transportation and Exportation (T&E) | Goods move through the United States for export to another country. |
| Immediate Exportation (IE) | Goods are exported from the same port where they arrived. |
In BorderConnect, U.S. in-bond movements are handled through the U.S. In-Bond Manager and related QP in-bond workflows.
Canadian Bonded Carrier Operations
In Canada, bonded highway carriers may move goods beyond the first port of arrival to a sufferance warehouse, bonded warehouse, or other authorized destination before final customs release. Common Canadian documents and references include:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| A8A Cargo Control Document | A cargo control document used for commercial goods moving under customs control. |
| A8B In-Transit Manifest | A manifest used for certain in-transit movements through Canada. |
| Sub-location or Warehouse Code | Identifies the authorized warehouse or location where goods will wait for release. |
In BorderConnect, Canadian bonded shipments can be prepared using ACI eManifest shipment types and warehouse or sub-location details when applicable.