CCRA bar code and unique carrier code requirements take effect April 1

Highway carriers must use barcodes to clear Canada Customs

OTTAWA (March 18, 2002) — Canada Customs and Revenue Service is reminding trucking companies that effective April 1 they are required to have their cargo control number in a bar-coded format, using their own unique carrier code on the cargo control document.

This procedure also applies to highway carriers clearing commercial shipments at the border, as well as to freight forwarders for secondary reporting and control of in-bond cargo that is consolidated or deconsolidated in Canada.

Failure to comply will result in clearance delays and penalties of up to $1000 under the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) once the existing grace period expires on April 15.

More information about bar-coding requirements for reporting commercial shipments is contained in Customs Notice 417.

The CCRA posts cargo control documents and bar-code specifications on its Web site, or you can request the specifications from the Carrier and Cargo Policy Section by fax at 613/957-9717.