In Bond (CBSA Shipment Type)

🔖 This article is part of the Shipment Release Types Guide and the BorderConnect ACI eManifest Guide

This article is about the Canadian In-Bond Shipment Type. For information on the U.S. Shipment Type visit In-Bond Shipment (CBP Shipment Type)

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How to create an In-Bond shipment in ACI using BorderConnect.

An A8A In-Bond Cargo Control Document as seen from BorderPrint.com

An In Bond (in-bond movement) is a Canadian Shipment Type/movement for imported goods reported to the CBSA that allows goods to move beyond the First Port of Arrival (FPOA) to another CBSA office or a licensed facility (such as a sufferance warehouse) before final customs release is obtained.

In highway mode, carriers must electronically transmit the Highway Cargo Document (and the related Highway Conveyance/Trip data, where applicable) in advance. CBSA must receive and validate this data at least 1 hour prior to arrival at the FPOA.

At the border, drivers are generally required to present a lead sheet containing a bar-coded CRN or a bar-coded CCN (with a handwritten CRN) so CBSA can quickly scan and link the arrival to the transmitted eManifest data.

Carriers moving commercial shipments in-bond must also use a Cargo Control Number (CCN) in bar-coded format on the cargo control document (CCD). A carrier may use CBSA’s standard A8A(B) In Bond form or a privately printed CCD that meets CBSA specifications. When using the fillable A8A(B), CBSA requires that bar-coded CCN labels be applied once printed.

Only bonded highway carriers are permitted to transport in-bond goods beyond the FPOA and between points in Canada. If a non-bonded carrier needs to move a single shipment inland under bond, the carrier may obtain a single trip authorization (security) at the FPOA (often arranged through a broker).

When should I use In Bond? (Quick guide)

Use an in-bond movement when the goods are not being released at the border and must move under CBSA control to an inland CBSA office or licensed facility (for example, a sufferance warehouse) for later release.

Common scenario	Is In Bond appropriate?	Why
Goods will be released at an inland CBSA office / warehouse	Yes	In Bond allows movement beyond FPOA prior to final release
Shipment is not being released at the border (release will occur later)	Yes	Goods can move under CBSA control to destination/warehouse office
Carrier is not bonded but must move one shipment inland under bond	Sometimes	May require a single trip authorization at the FPOA
Goods are fully released at the border	No (typically)	In Bond is intended for goods moving beyond FPOA before final release

In Bond process overview (highway)

The steps below summarize what typically happens for an in-bond highway move.

Step	What happens	What you need to have ready
1. Report electronically in advance	Transmit Highway Cargo + Trip/Conveyance data (as applicable)	ACI trip + shipment(s) prepared; required in-bond fields completed
2. Meet the 1-hour rule	CBSA must receive and validate before arrival	Transmit early enough to be validated at least 1 hour prior to arrival
3. Present lead sheet at the border	CBSA links arrival by scanning bar code	Lead sheet with bar-coded CRN/CCN (and handwritten CRN if applicable)
4. Move under CBSA control to destination	Goods proceed to CBSA office / licensed facility	In-bond documentation with bar-coded CCN on CCD (A8A(B) or compliant private CCD)
5. Release obtained after arrival	Broker/importer obtains release inland	Expect no transaction/clearance at border for in-bond goods (release occurs later)

Declaring In Bond shipments in ACI eManifest

In Bond shipments must be reported on an ACI eManifest. In BorderConnect, create an ACI Shipment designated as non-CSA (or In-Bond if using BorderConnect's ACI eManifest software) and transmit it as part of the ACI Trip.

ACI fields that matter for In Bond (what changes vs a standard shipment)

When reporting an In Bond shipment in ACI, the Sub Location becomes mandatory and must be completed on both the manifest and shipment sections. Planned in-bond movements also require a Port of Destination/Exit and the related Sublocation (Warehouse Office Code).

An In Bond is also the only Shipment Type in which the Release Office should be different from the First Canadian Port of Entry. In this case, the Release Office should be the customs office where the goods are expected to obtain release (for example, the office overseeing the destination warehouse).

Data element	Standard shipment (typical)	In Bond shipment
First Canadian Port of Entry	Set at trip/shipment	Must match trip and shipment as usual
Release Office	Often same as FPOA (typical border release)	Usually different from FPOA; set to inland release office/warehouse office
Sub Location (Warehouse Office Code)	Often optional	Mandatory on both manifest and shipment
Port of Destination/Exit	Not always used	Required for planned in-bond movements

Documentation requirements (in-bond CCD)

In addition to transmitting the ACI eManifest, carriers must comply with CBSA documentation requirements for in-bond cargo control. For in-bond commercial shipments, a bar-coded CCN is required on the cargo control document (CCD). The carrier may use the A8A(B) (with a bar-coded CCN label if using the fillable form) or a CBSA-acceptable privately printed CCD.

What to expect for broker release / transaction numbers

Because In Bond goods are not released prior to arrival in Canada, the carrier will not receive a Transaction Number or other clearance information from the Customs Broker until after the goods have crossed the border and the broker (or importer/authorized party, as applicable) has obtained release.

⚠️ Highway cargo and conveyance data must be received and validated by CBSA at least one hour prior to arrival at the First Port of Arrival. Planned in-bond movements must include a Port of Destination/Exit and the related Sublocation (Warehouse Office Code).