ARGO Customs Brokers: Marine Mode Carrier Code Eligibility.
Carriers, regardless of how often they cross the Canadian border with commercial goods, require a carrier code in order to transact business with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
The party that is eligible to obtain a carrier code in the marine mode is the carrier who operates a conveyance used to transport specified goods to or from Canada. This party is hereafter known as the “conveyance operating carrier” (COC).
In order to obtain a carrier code, the conveyance operating carrier must have legal custody and control of the conveyance(s) listed on the carrier code application form. Control means being liable for decisions related to how and where the conveyance(s) is (are) employed.
On April 30, agent codes will be rendered invalid unless the agent has entered into a compliance action plan with the CBSA, in which all the COCs for which a new carrier code is requested are identified.
Those carriers who have applied by April 30 but whose applications are incomplete or have not been processed, and who have a voyage imminent, will be given a preliminary code. This preliminary code will become a permanent code upon completion of the application and/or process.