Sub Location (Canadian Shipments)

This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide

In Bond shipments may move to a bonded warehouse or continue on for export.

A sublocation code is a CBSA code used to identify the location of goods within a sufferance warehouse or other approved warehouse location. CBSA defines a sub-location code as the code that identifies the location of goods within a sufferance warehouse, and states that carriers, freight forwarders, and agents must include sufferance warehouse sub-location codes on cargo control documents.^[1]

For In Bond shipments into Canada, the sublocation code tells CBSA where the goods will be bonded to while they await release, movement, or export. CBSA also requires sub-location codes so it can provide electronic release notification to participating sufferance warehouse operators through the Release Notification System.^[1]

Use in ACI eManifest

In ACI eManifest, the sublocation is required to be transmitted for in-bond shipments. It is also recommended for PARS shipments that may fail and move in-bond, so that an amendment is not required at the border to allow the in-bond move.

Carriers using BorderConnect's ACI software can find a sublocation code by typing either the warehouse name or the code itself. BorderConnect's Start New ACI Shipment Page includes a Sub Location field used to indicate the location that in-bond shipments will be bonded to, and that field is required for in-bond shipments or to allow failed PARS shipments to move in-bond.

Entering a sublocation code in BorderConnect ACI eManifest

Uses in BorderConnect

In BorderConnect, sublocation codes are primarily used when creating or editing Canadian ACI shipment data. The code is entered in the Sub Location field on ACI shipment forms when the shipment is an in-bond movement or when a bonded carrier wants to allow a shipment to move in-bond if PARS fails.

Sublocation codes may also be relevant when reviewing ACI shipment details, correcting rejected shipment data, or amending a shipment before arrival. If the sublocation is missing or incorrect on a shipment that needs to move in-bond, the carrier may need to update the ACI shipment before the driver can proceed.

BorderConnect area	How the sublocation code is used
Start New ACI Shipment Page	Used in the Sub Location field when starting an in-bond shipment or preparing a shipment that may need to move in-bond.
Edit ACI Shipment Page	Used when changing or correcting the bonded destination after the shipment has already been created.
ACI Shipment Details Page	Used to review the selected bonded destination and confirm that the shipment is prepared correctly before transmission to CBSA.
ACI eManifest Details Page	Used indirectly through the shipments attached to the manifest, since in-bond shipment data must be complete before the eManifest is transmitted.
PARS shipments handled by bonded carriers	Used when a carrier wants a PARS shipment to be able to move in-bond if release is not available at the border.

Generic Sublocation Codes

CBSA also publishes generic sub-location codes for customs offices. CBSA states that the generic 9000-series sub-location code is a four-digit identification number used to identify the location of goods, namely the sufferance warehouse where goods are destined or will be destined if referred, and that CBSA uses the code to send appropriate electronic notifications.^[2]

The generic sub-location code is formed by placing 9 before the CBSA port code; for example, CBSA gives Toronto port code 495 as generic sub-location code 9495.^[2] CBSA maintains a separate list of customs office generic sublocation codes by province, port, code, and location.^[3]

Finding Approved Codes

CBSA maintains official sufferance warehouse and sublocation code lists. Carriers should use valid CBSA-approved codes when completing cargo or eManifest data.

Common Issues

A shipment may be delayed if the wrong sublocation code is used, especially where the goods are supposed to move to a specific bonded warehouse or sufferance warehouse. The carrier should confirm the correct code with the broker, warehouse, importer, or bonded carrier instructions before transmitting the ACI shipment.

If a code cannot be found in BorderConnect by name, try searching by the numeric code or by the city or warehouse operator name. If multiple results appear for the same city, choose the code that matches the exact bonded warehouse or destination shown on the shipment instructions.

Related Pages

References

[cbsa-sufferance-1] 1.0 ^1.1 CBSA - Sufferance warehouses

[cbsa-cn19-04-2] 2.0 ^2.1 CBSA Customs Notice 19-04 - The use of the generic sub-location (9000) code in all modes

[cbsa-generic-3] CBSA - Customs office generic sublocation codes

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