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How Do I Become A Bonded U.S. Highway Carrier (DIY Customs Consulting)

Last updated 21 July 2026

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This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide
A CBP Form 301 Customs Bond application

A bonded U.S. highway carrier is a carrier that has posted the appropriate customs bond with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) so it may transport bonded or in-bond merchandise under CBP control. Under 19 CFR 18.2, merchandise transported from one U.S. port to another in-bond must generally be delivered to a common carrier, contract carrier, freight forwarder, or private carrier bonded for that purpose.[1]

A customs bond is a contract that helps ensure compliance with CBP laws and regulations and payment of duties, taxes, and fees where applicable. For highway carriers, bonded status is important when transporting in-bond shipments, moving goods through the United States, or moving merchandise to an inland airport, rail yard, seaport, CBP office, or bonded warehouse before final clearance or export.

Video Tutorial

How to become a U.S. bonded highway carrier

Training video: How To Become a U.S. Bonded Highway Carrier.[2]

Why Become Bonded

A bonded highway carrier may be needed to transport commercial goods under bond from the first U.S. port of arrival to an inland destination. Bonded status may also be needed to move goods through the United States for export or transit, handle transportation and exportation or immediate exportation movements, support customer requirements for bonded transportation, and participate in certain ACE in-bond workflows.

Bonded status does not replace ACE eManifest, in-bond filing, carrier registration, SCAC, USDOT, FMCSA, port, or other compliance requirements. It only addresses the customs bond and security side of the operation.

In-Bond Responsibility

CBP states that bonded carriers are subject to liquidated damages when merchandise is not properly transported to and/or delivered at selected CBP destinations.[3] CBP also states that the carrier's bond represents an obligation to provide proper delivery of the merchandise.[3]

Carriers moving bonded merchandise must safeguard in-bond documentation and ensure that shipments are delivered properly. CBP notes that the bond of the carrier is liable for the carriage and disposition of an in-bond shipment and that the carrier is responsible for maintaining in-bond documentation to comply with CBP recordkeeping requirements.[3]

How to Obtain a Bond

CBP guidance for bonds directs carriers and importers to work through CBP bond processes and approved sureties. CBP's bond resources explain that continuous and single transaction bonds are handled by CBP's Office of Finance, Revenue Division.[4]

The surety or customs broker agent will help determine the correct bond activity code, bond type, bond amount, and supporting documents for the carrier's operation. CBP publishes a list of active sureties with assigned CBP surety codes, which may be used when preparing bond documentation.[5]

Common Forms

The main customs bond form is CBP Form 301 - Customs Bond. CBP states that CBP Form 301 remains valid for use even though the OMB date is under review.[6]

Depending on the bond and the carrier's situation, the application package may include:

  • CBP Form 301 for the customs bond;
  • CBP Form 301A if an addendum is required;
  • CBP Form 5106 if CBP needs importer, consignee, or other party identification information;
  • the legal business name and address;
  • IRS/EIN or CBP-assigned identification information, if applicable;
  • ownership or corporate documentation requested by the surety or CBP;
  • surety information, signatures, seals, powers of attorney, and witness information; and
  • any other supporting documents requested by CBP, the surety company, or the customs broker agent.

CBP Form 301 includes bond activity and regulatory-condition information, including Activity Code 3 for international carriers under 19 CFR 113.64.[7]

Submitting the Bond

CBP's Bond Centralization Program states that all new bond applications should be submitted directly to the Surety Bonds & Accounts Team by email at bondquestions@cbp.dhs.gov.[4] CBP also states that port personnel are no longer involved in processing new bonds.[4]

Surety or broker procedures may vary, so carriers should follow the current instructions from their surety, customs broker agent, and CBP. Carriers should not rely on a fixed generic bond amount without confirming current CBP and surety requirements.

After Approval

Once the bond is approved, the carrier can begin using the bonded authority that applies to its bond and operation. Before moving in-bond freight, the carrier should confirm that its other required setup is complete, such as ACE access or EDI transmission through a service provider, SCAC, USDOT/FMCSA requirements, and any customer or port-specific instructions.

The carrier may then review trusted-trader or expedited commercial programs such as FAST and CTPAT if those programs fit its business. CBP's CTPAT highway carrier eligibility requirements state that participants must be active international border-crossing U.S./Mexico or U.S./Canada highway carriers.[8]

BorderConnect Usage

In BorderConnect, U.S. bonded carrier status matters most when filing or moving ACE In-Bond shipments. A bonded carrier may be responsible for the bonded movement, the in-bond control number, and the proper arrival, export, or closure of the in-bond movement in ACE.

BorderConnect users should confirm the in-bond type, bonded carrier, shipment control number, port of destination, foreign port of destination where applicable, and expected arrival or export reporting requirements before transmitting. If the movement is not correctly arrived, exported, or closed, the bonded carrier may remain responsible for the in-bond movement.

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming bonded status replaces ACE eManifest or in-bond filing requirements.
  • Filing the wrong bond activity code or bond type.
  • Using a surety that is not active or properly listed with CBP.
  • Moving bonded freight before the bond and ACE setup are complete.
  • Failing to arrive, export, or close the in-bond movement in ACE.
  • Losing in-bond documentation or failing to maintain required records.
  • Delivering bonded merchandise to the wrong destination or without CBP authorization.

Official Resources

References

  1. ↑ 19 CFR 18.2: Carriers, cartmen, and lightermen
  2. ↑ BorderConnect: How To Become a U.S. Bonded Highway Carrier
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 CBP: Notice to Carriers of Bonded Merchandise
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 CBP: Bond Centralization Program
  5. ↑ CBP: Surety Names and Codes
  6. ↑ CBP Form 301 - Customs Bond
  7. ↑ CBP Form 301 PDF
  8. ↑ CBP: Highway Carrier CTPAT Eligibility Requirements
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