Automotive Line Release (CBSA Shipment Type)

🔖 This article is part of the Shipment Release Types Guide

Carrier hauling automotive production goods

An Automotive Line Release is a Canadian Shipment Type used for qualifying automotive production and service goods arriving by highway for:

• General Motors of Canada Limited
• Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited
• Chrysler Canada Limited

The program is part of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) New Automotive System (ASN-based) and is designed to provide line release at the Primary Inspection Line (PIL) for eligible automotive parts.

Complete vehicles do not qualify under this automotive release and accounting system.

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What Qualifies for Automotive Line Release

Only goods that meet the definition of automotive production or service goods are eligible.

Eligible Goods	Examples
Production Parts	Assembly-line components, OEM production parts
Service Parts	Warranty parts, dealer service parts

Goods That Do NOT Qualify

Goods that are not directly used for automotive production or service must be released using another CBSA process.

Not Eligible	Examples
Complete Vehicles	Finished cars or trucks
Miscellaneous Goods	Office supplies, computers, furniture
Equipment	Tooling, machinery, non-production equipment

💡 If a shipment includes non-qualifying goods, it cannot be released using Automotive Line Release procedures.

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Role of Form A49 (Automotive Report & Release Document)

To use Automotive Line Release procedures in the highway mode, qualifying goods must be documented on a properly completed:

• Form A49 – Automotive Report & Release Document

CBSA policy states that Form A49:

• Replaces the standard highway cargo control document for these shipments
• Is used to report the goods and obtain release
• Contains the unique automotive release number used by CBSA and the automotive manufacturers for control purposes

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Declaring an Automotive Line Release in ACI eManifest

Automotive Line Release shipments must be reported electronically on an ACI eManifest.

To declare an Automotive Line Release shipment:

1. Create an ACI Shipment
2. Select the shipment type Automotive Line Release
3. Transmit the shipment as part of the ACI eManifest prior to arrival

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Required ACI Shipment Information

Although Automotive Line Release uses specialized automotive procedures, standard ACI data elements are still required.

Required Element	Notes
Cargo Control Number (CCN)	Unique CCN must be provided
Shipper	Automotive supplier
Consignee	GM, Ford, or Chrysler facility
Description of Goods	Automotive production or service parts

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At the Border (Highway Mode)

At the First Port of Arrival (FPOA), the driver must present:

• A lead sheet with a machine-readable bar code

 * Acceptable bar codes include:
   * Conveyance Reference Number (CRN)
   * A bar-coded Cargo Control Number (CCN)

• A properly completed Form A49 for the shipment

CBSA uses the A49 to:

• Verify eligibility under the New Automotive System
• Release qualifying goods at the Primary Inspection Line

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Responsibilities

Party	Responsibility
Importer / Automotive Company	Ensure goods qualify and A49 is completed correctly
Carrier	Transmit accurate ACI data and present lead sheet and A49
CBSA	Verify eligibility and grant line release

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Summary: Automotive Line Release at a Glance

Topic	Key Point
Purpose	Line release for automotive production/service parts
Eligible Importers	GM, Ford, Chrysler (Canada)
Complete Vehicles Allowed	No
ACI Required	Yes
Special Document	Form A49

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⚠️ To comply with ACI eManifest requirements, highway carriers must ensure that electronic cargo and conveyance data is transmitted and accepted by CBSA at least one (1) hour prior to arrival at the border. For mixed loads, any non-automotive goods must be released under another appropriate CBSA process.