Military Goods (CBSA Shipment Type)

🔖 This article is part of the Shipment Release Types Guide

Military Goods Consigned to the Department of National Defence (DND) refers to shipments of goods consigned to Canada’s Department of National Defence that are transported by a commercial highway carrier.

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How to create a Military Goods Shipment in BorderConnect.

Canada Department of National Defence

Unless a specific CBSA exception applies, these shipments must be reported in advance to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) using ACI/eManifest.

CBSA policy provides an exception for military goods transported on a military-owned or military-leased conveyance. However, military goods moved by commercial carriers are generally subject to ACI/eManifest requirements.

Military Goods shipments must therefore be entered as a shipment in an ACI eManifest.

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When ACI Is Required for Military Goods

Transport Scenario	ACI/eManifest Required?
Military-owned or military-leased conveyance	No (exception applies)
Commercial highway carrier	Yes
Mixed load on commercial carrier	Yes (all shipments reported)

💡 Do not assume military cargo is exempt from ACI. The exemption applies to the conveyance, not the goods themselves.

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Declaring Military Goods in ACI eManifest

Military Goods consigned to DND and transported by a commercial carrier must be reported on an ACI eManifest.

To declare a Military Goods shipment:

1. Create an ACI Shipment
2. Select Military Goods as the shipment type (when using BorderConnect)
3. Transmit the shipment as part of the ACI eManifest

If the conveyance is carrying additional (non-military) shipments, those shipments must also be reported on the same ACI eManifest.

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Required ACI Shipment Information

Although Military Goods shipments may be subject to special handling, standard ACI data elements are still required.

Required Element	Notes
Cargo Control Number (CCN)	Unique CCN must be provided
Shipper	Originating party or supplier
Consignee	Department of National Defence
Description of Goods	Military goods or equipment

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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 examples include:
   * A bar-coded Conveyance Reference Number (CRN)
   * A bar-coded Cargo Control Number (CCN) with the CRN handwritten

• Any additional documentation provided by the importer or CBSA, if requested

CBSA requires that highway cargo and conveyance data be received and validated no later than one (1) hour prior to arrival at the FPOA.

This is a compliance deadline — it does not mean the driver must wait one hour after acceptance.

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Responsibilities

Party	Responsibility
Importer / DND	Provide accurate shipment details and instructions
Carrier	Transmit ACI data and present lead sheet
CBSA	Verify reporting compliance and permit entry

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Summary: Military Goods at a Glance

Topic	Key Point
Consignee	Department of National Defence
Commercial Carrier	ACI required
Military Conveyance	ACI exception may apply
ACI Deadline	At least 1 hour prior to arrival
Mixed Loads	All shipments must be reported

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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. Any PARS shipments on the conveyance must also meet standard ACI timing requirements.