Carrier Code (CBSA)

This article is part of the Customs Glossary Guide

A PARS barcode label. The first four characters are the CBSA carrier code.

A Carrier Code is a four-character unique identifier issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to identify a carrier or freight forwarder. Highway carriers use the code when reporting commercial goods to CBSA, including ACI eManifest trips and shipments.

For highway carriers, the carrier code is the first four characters of both the Cargo Control Number (CCN) and the conveyance reference number or trip number. The remaining characters are assigned by the carrier as unique references for a shipment or trip.

Why a Carrier Code Matters

Carriers and freight forwarders need a CBSA-issued carrier code to do business with CBSA. The code identifies the company in CBSA commercial systems and is used to:

Transmit ACI eManifest cargo and conveyance data
Create PARS barcode labels and CCNs
Create conveyance reference numbers for trips
Identify the carrier responsible for transporting commercial goods
Link CBSA notices, release-status messages, and compliance history to the correct carrier

Bonded and Non-Bonded Carrier Codes

Non-Bonded Carrier Code: A non-bonded carrier code allows a carrier to transport commercial goods to Canada when the goods will be released at the first Canadian port of entry. Non-bonded carriers generally cannot move unreleased goods inland without another permitted process, such as a single-trip bond or another approved arrangement.

Bonded Carrier Code: A bonded carrier code allows a carrier to transport goods that remain under CBSA control, such as in bond shipments moving to an inland sufferance warehouse or shipments moving in transit through Canada. Bonded operations require CBSA approval and posting security under CBSA's bonded-operations rules.

The right code type depends on how the carrier operates. Carriers that only haul PARS shipments released at the border may only need a non-bonded code, while carriers that move freight inland before release need bonded authority or another approved in bond process.

Applying for a Carrier Code

CBSA now directs carriers and freight forwarders to enrol for a new carrier code through the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Client Portal. The portal is also used to confirm or update information associated with an existing carrier code.

Before applying, a carrier should be ready to provide business identity information and confirm the mode of transport and type of code needed. Bonded applications require additional security and approval steps.

Carriers should keep their profile information current. Changes to legal name, address, contact details, or business status should be updated through the appropriate CBSA/CARM process.

Carrier Code, CCN, and CRN

The carrier code is not the entire shipment or trip number. It is the prefix used to build those numbers.

Carrier code: 8080
Cargo reference: PARS123456
Cargo Control Number: 8080PARS123456

Carrier code: 8080
Trip reference: TRIP98765
Conveyance Reference Number: 8080TRIP98765

The CCN and CRN must be unique and must match the information transmitted to CBSA. If the broker receives a PARS label with letters or numbers after the carrier code, those characters must be included exactly in the broker's release request.

Usage in BorderConnect

In BorderConnect, the CBSA carrier code is part of the company's ACI eManifest setup. It is used to:

Prefix new ACI shipment numbers and trip numbers
Generate PARS labels and lead sheets
Validate ACI shipments and trips before transmission
Support sequential numbering for shipments and trips when configured in company settings

If a company has multiple modes, legal entities, or operating authorities, the correct CBSA code should be confirmed before transmitting manifests.

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