The official form is the A8A(B) In Bond - Cargo Control Document. It is a CBSA cargo control document that reports a shipment moving in bond (customs duties and taxes not yet accounted for) through Canada, identified by a Cargo Control Number (CCN). It is a paper cargo control document, not an electronic manifest, and it does not replace the ACI/eManifest electronic cargo data you are required to transmit.

When is an A8A(B) required?

A paper A8A(B) can be required for in-bond movements, during a systems outage or other exceptional paper-based processing, and for re-manifesting a shipment. It supports these movements but does not replace the required ACI/eManifest electronic cargo data. Confirm the current requirement with CBSA and your broker, since procedures change.

Is an A8A form the same as an ACI eManifest?

No. The A8A(B) is a paper cargo control document; the ACI eManifest is the electronic advance cargo and conveyance data highway carriers must transmit to CBSA before arrival. As a general current CBSA requirement, highway advance cargo data is due at least one hour before reaching the border. An A8A(B) does not replace that electronic transmission, and you should check current requirements before you ship.

Who can move goods in bond in Canada?

In-bond movement is done by a bonded carrier that holds CBSA authorization and the required security (bond), along with a CBSA carrier code. The bonded carrier is responsible for the goods and for the cargo control document until the shipment is acquitted at the destination office or bonded warehouse.

How is the A8A cargo control number structured?

The CCN is built from your CBSA carrier code followed by a carrier-assigned reference, encoded in the barcode as up to 25 alphanumeric characters: the first 4 are your CBSA carrier code and the remaining up to 21 are carrier-assigned. An illustrative example is carrier code 12AB with sequence A8A000123 giving CCN 12ABA8A000123 - this shape is illustrative only, not a required CBSA pattern. Do not reuse a number for three years.

Where does the barcode label go on an A8A form?

Place one label from the same shipment-number set in the carrier code / cargo control number area of each of the five paper pages, with the human-readable number printed below the barcode. Labels should be self-adhesive, permanent, and smudge-proof, and the bar-coded area should not exceed 5 by 1.5 inches. If the same CCN was already used for a PARS request, reuse it on the A8A so you do not create duplicate release records.

What is the difference between A8A and A8B?

Both are parts of the same A8A(B) In Bond - Cargo Control Document. In practice the A8A is used as the primary in-bond cargo control document, while the A8B is used as an in-transit control document for goods moving through Canada to another country. Use the version and copies appropriate to your movement, and confirm the correct application with CBSA and your broker rather than assuming.

Can an A8A form be corrected or re-manifested?

Yes. Corrections must be made on all paper copies and in the electronic ACI/eManifest data. A rewritten cargo control document keeps the same CCN and states the reason for the change. A re-manifest uses a new A8A(B) with a new CCN and records the original CCN in the "Previous cargo control no." field.

Canada Customs Guide

How to Complete and Use a CBSA A8A Form

A plain-English guide for bonded carriers, dispatchers, drivers, brokers, and warehouse operators on completing and using the CBSA A8A(B) In Bond Cargo Control Document: when it's required, how to fill each field, the cargo control number and barcode, the workflow to acquittal, and corrections and re-manifesting.

Last updated 2026-07-20

In short

The A8A form — officially the A8A(B) In Bond – Cargo Control Document — is a CBSA paper document that reports a shipment moving in bond through Canada, identified by a Cargo Control Number (CCN) built from your CBSA carrier code plus a carrier-assigned reference. It supports in-bond, re-manifest, and exceptional paper processing, but it does not replace the ACI/eManifest electronic cargo data highway carriers must still transmit to CBSA in advance.

When do you need an A8A(B)?

The A8A(B) is a cargo control document for goods moving in bond — that is, goods for which duties and taxes have not yet been accounted — as they move under customs control between points in Canada. It is used in a few specific situations, and in none of them does it take the place of your electronic advance cargo data. [CBSA D3-1-1]

Situation	How the A8A(B) is used
In-bond movement	Controls goods moving in bond to an inland CBSA office or a bonded warehouse before release, keeping them under customs control in transit.
Re-manifesting	When a shipment must be placed under a new cargo control document, a re-manifest uses a new A8A(B) and references the original CCN.
Systems outage / exceptional processing	Supports paper-based cargo control when electronic systems are unavailable or when exceptional paper processing is directed.
Not a substitute for ACI/eManifest	The A8A(B) never replaces the required ACI/eManifest electronic cargo data; both may be needed. Confirm current requirements with CBSA and your broker.

A8A vs. A8B

The official form is a single document, the A8A(B) In Bond – Cargo Control Document. In everyday use, carriers distinguish the two parts by the movement they control. Confirm the correct application for your specific movement with CBSA and your broker rather than assuming. [CBSA A8A(B)]

Aspect	A8A	A8B
Document	Both are parts of the same official A8A(B) In Bond – Cargo Control Document.
Typical use	Primary in-bond cargo control document for goods moving under customs control within Canada.	In-transit control document for goods moving through Canada en route to another country.
Cargo control	Reports the in-bond shipment by CCN to the destination CBSA office or warehouse.	Reports the in-transit movement; used where goods transit Canada rather than being released here.
Copies	Use the version and the number of copies appropriate to your movement; see the copies note under "Operational workflow".

Before you start

Have these in place before you complete an A8A(B). Missing any one of them is a common cause of delays at the destination office.

Bonded-carrier authorization and the required CBSA security (bond) are active.
Your 4-character CBSA carrier code is valid and in good standing.
A unique Cargo Control Number (CCN) is assigned for this shipment and not reused.
Shipment documents are ready: invoice, bill of lading, and any release or broker references.
The CBSA destination/release office and the warehouse or sub-location code are identified.
Compliant bar-coded labels from one shipment-number set are on hand for all five pages.

Field-by-field completion

The fields below follow CBSA's Appendix D guidance for completing the A8A(B). Complete every field that applies to your movement; leave inapplicable fields blank rather than guessing. [CBSA D3-1-1]

Field	What to enter
U.S. port of exit	Required for shipments invoiced from the U.S.: the city or town plus the state, or an accepted code.
In transit	The country of final destination when the goods are moving in transit.
Manifest from	The CBSA office where the goods are reported.
To	The CBSA destination/release office, including the warehouse code where applicable.
Consignee	The Canadian consignee for imports, or the ultimate consignee for in-transit / freight remaining on board (FROB).
Shipper	The person or firm shipping the goods.
Acquittal no.	Completed by the importer/broker or by CBSA.
Carrier code / cargo control no.	The carrier assigns the CCN following CBSA Appendix C (carrier code plus a unique reference).
Previous cargo control no.	The original CCN, for secondary cargo control documents and re-manifests.
No. of packages	The quantity of packages reported.
Description and marks	A concise common-trade description, package marks, the container number if containerized, "Shipper's load and count" if applicable, and an ETA where appropriate.
Weight	The total shipment weight plus the unit of measure.
Foreign point of lading	For freight forwarders and marine carriers only.
Location of goods	The warehouse name/address, agent, and sub-location code as applicable.
Name of carrier	The carrier's name.
Conveyance identification (highway)	For highway: the licence number, province/state, year, and the trailer number.

Cargo Control Number (illustrative example)

Illustrative The value below shows the shape of a CCN only. It is not a required CBSA format — use your own carrier code and a unique carrier-assigned reference, and confirm the format with CBSA and your broker.

12ABA8A000123

12AB — the first 4 characters are your CBSA carrier code.
A8A000123 — a carrier-assigned reference (up to 21 more characters), giving CCN 12ABA8A000123.

The barcode carries up to 25 alphanumeric characters in total: the first 4 are the CBSA carrier code and the remaining up to 21 are carrier-assigned. Keep each CCN unique and do not reuse a number for three years. [CBSA labels]

Best practice If the same CCN was already used for a PARS release request, reuse that same CCN on the A8A so you do not create duplicate release records.

Barcode placement and specifications

Place one label from the same shipment-number set on each of the five pages, in the carrier code / cargo control number area, with the human-readable number printed below the barcode. [CBSA labels]

Specification	CBSA requirement
Accepted symbology	Standard Code 3 of 9 without the optional modulo 43 checksum, or Code 128 with the mandatory modulo 103 checksum. Either is acceptable — Code 128 is not universally mandatory.
Characters	Up to 25 alphanumeric characters: first 4 are the CBSA carrier code, remaining up to 21 are carrier-assigned.
Human-readable number	Printed below the barcode.
Reuse	Do not reuse the number for three years.
Label material	Self-adhesive, permanent, smudge-proof labels.
Bar-coded area	No larger than 5 × 1.5 inches.
Scan quality	A 95% average first-read target.
Placement	One label from the same shipment-number set on each of the five pages, in the carrier code / CCN area.

Operational workflow

For non-marine carriers, the A8A(B) is prepared in five paper copies, each with its purpose: mail, station, longroom, warehouse operator, and CBSA delivery authority. [CBSA D3-1-1]

Dispatcher prepares the document. Assign a unique CCN, complete the applicable Appendix D fields, and apply a label from the same set to each of the five pages.
Transmit ACI/eManifest. Send the required electronic advance cargo and conveyance data to CBSA — generally at least one hour before reaching the border for highway, as the current general requirement. The A8A(B) does not replace this.
Driver carries the copies. The driver presents the cargo control document and the shipment paperwork, with a scannable barcode on each page.
Report at the office of destination. Goods move in bond to the destination CBSA office or bonded warehouse identified in the "To" field.
Acquittal / release. The shipment is acquitted against the CCN at destination; the importer/broker or CBSA completes the acquittal, and the goods are released or placed in the warehouse.

Note Copy counts and distribution can depend on carrier type and movement. Confirm the copies and offices for your specific movement with CBSA and your broker.

Corrections and re-manifesting

If details change, keep every record consistent. Corrections must be made on all paper copies and in the electronic ACI/eManifest data — a change in one place but not the others breaks the match. [CBSA D3-4-2]

Rewritten cargo control document: keeps the same CCN and states the reason for the change.
Re-manifest: uses a new A8A(B) with a new CCN, and records the original CCN in the "Previous cargo control no." field.
Correcting the paper but leaving the eManifest unchanged (or vice versa).

Common mistakes

Mistake	Why it hurts
Treating the A8A as a substitute for ACI/eManifest	The electronic advance cargo data is still required; the paper document does not replace it.
Reusing a CCN	Numbers must be unique and not reused for three years; duplicates create matching and acquittal problems.
Labels missing from some pages	One label from the same set must appear on each of the five pages in the CCN area.
Correcting paper but not the eManifest	Corrections must be applied to all paper copies and the electronic data together.
Using a new CCN when rewriting	A rewritten document keeps the same CCN; only a re-manifest gets a new CCN with the original in "Previous cargo control no."
Wrong or missing destination office / sub-location	The "To" and location fields route the in-bond movement; errors cause misdirection and delay.
Poor-quality or oversized barcodes	Labels must scan reliably; keep the bar-coded area within 5 × 1.5 inches with the number readable below.

Printable checklist

This checklist is print-friendly — use your browser's print option to put it on paper. No download required.

Bonded-carrier authorization and CBSA security (bond) active; carrier code valid.
Unique CCN assigned; not reused within three years.
Applicable Appendix D fields completed; inapplicable fields left blank.
Destination CBSA office and warehouse / sub-location code entered in "To" and location fields.
One compliant label from the same set on each of the five pages, in the CCN area.
Human-readable CCN printed below each barcode; bar-coded area within 5 × 1.5 inches.
If a PARS CCN exists for this shipment, the same CCN reused on the A8A.
ACI/eManifest electronic data transmitted (generally at least 1 hour before the border for highway).
Five copies distributed: mail, station, longroom, warehouse operator, CBSA delivery authority.
Any corrections applied to all paper copies and the eManifest; re-manifests carry the original CCN in "Previous cargo control no."

Frequently asked questions

What is an A8A form?: The official form is the A8A(B) In Bond - Cargo Control Document. It is a CBSA cargo control document that reports a shipment moving in bond (customs duties and taxes not yet accounted for) through Canada, identified by a Cargo Control Number (CCN). It is a paper cargo control document, not an electronic manifest, and it does not replace the ACI/eManifest electronic cargo data you are required to transmit.
When is an A8A(B) required?: A paper A8A(B) can be required for in-bond movements, during a systems outage or other exceptional paper-based processing, and for re-manifesting a shipment. It supports these movements but does not replace the required ACI/eManifest electronic cargo data. Confirm the current requirement with CBSA and your broker, since procedures change.
Is an A8A form the same as an ACI eManifest?: No. The A8A(B) is a paper cargo control document; the ACI eManifest is the electronic advance cargo and conveyance data highway carriers must transmit to CBSA before arrival. As a general current CBSA requirement, highway advance cargo data is due at least one hour before reaching the border. An A8A(B) does not replace that electronic transmission, and you should check current requirements before you ship.
Who can move goods in bond in Canada?: In-bond movement is done by a bonded carrier that holds CBSA authorization and the required security (bond), along with a CBSA carrier code. The bonded carrier is responsible for the goods and for the cargo control document until the shipment is acquitted at the destination office or bonded warehouse.
How is the A8A cargo control number structured?: The CCN is built from your CBSA carrier code followed by a carrier-assigned reference, encoded in the barcode as up to 25 alphanumeric characters: the first 4 are your CBSA carrier code and the remaining up to 21 are carrier-assigned. An illustrative example is carrier code 12AB with sequence A8A000123 giving CCN 12ABA8A000123 - this shape is illustrative only, not a required CBSA pattern. Do not reuse a number for three years.
Where does the barcode label go on an A8A form?: Place one label from the same shipment-number set in the carrier code / cargo control number area of each of the five paper pages, with the human-readable number printed below the barcode. Labels should be self-adhesive, permanent, and smudge-proof, and the bar-coded area should not exceed 5 by 1.5 inches. If the same CCN was already used for a PARS request, reuse it on the A8A so you do not create duplicate release records.
What is the difference between A8A and A8B?: Both are parts of the same A8A(B) In Bond - Cargo Control Document. In practice the A8A is used as the primary in-bond cargo control document, while the A8B is used as an in-transit control document for goods moving through Canada to another country. Use the version and copies appropriate to your movement, and confirm the correct application with CBSA and your broker rather than assuming.
Can an A8A form be corrected or re-manifested?: Yes. Corrections must be made on all paper copies and in the electronic ACI/eManifest data. A rewritten cargo control document keeps the same CCN and states the reason for the change. A re-manifest uses a new A8A(B) with a new CCN and records the original CCN in the "Previous cargo control no." field.

Sources

CBSA — Memorandum D3-1-1 (Cargo — import movements) In-bond cargo control, the A8A(B), Appendix D field-by-field completion, and the five paper copies for non-marine carriers.
CBSA — Form A8A(B), In Bond – Cargo Control Document The official form and its purpose as an in-bond cargo control document.
CBSA — Memorandum D3-4-2 (Highway pre-arrival) Highway cargo control, corrections and re-manifesting, and keeping paper and electronic records consistent.
CBSA — Cargo control and bar-coded labels Barcode symbologies, 25-character CCN structure, label placement, dimensions, materials, and the three-year no-reuse rule.
CBSA — ACI / eManifest requirements Electronic advance cargo data requirements; the general highway timing of at least one hour before reaching the border. Check current requirements.

Disclaimer. This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. Border procedures, systems, forms, and timing can change. Always confirm current requirements with your customs broker and CBSA before you ship; their instructions control.

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