Canadian Customs

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) uses a commercial freight identification system that calls for a cargo control number to be encoded on various labels and customs forms for products that are exported from or imported into Canada. The cargo control number consists of a carrier code (a unique character string that is assigned to each carrier by CBSA) and a unique shipment number that the carrier assigns to the shipment. The cargo control number is the main component of the CBSA's optional but recommended Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS).

PARS (and the US equivalent, which is called the Pre-Arrival Processing System [PAPS]) were created to make the passage of goods between Canada and the US more efficient.

Cargo control number

The cargo control number data stream comprises the following components: 

  • Four numeric or alphanumeric characters that are the carrier's unique Canadian Carrier Code

  • Optionally, the acronym "PARS"

  • A unique shipment number. Shipment numbers must not be repeated within a three-year period

Whether or not the PARS system is used, the symbologies that are used to encode the cargo control number are Code 128 with a modulo 103 check digit or Code 39 - Full ASCII with a weighted modulo 10 check digit (use of a modulo 43 check digit is prohibited).

Code 39 may not be suitable for cargo control numbers that are longer than 18 characters, due to a maximum allowable length of 4.5 inches (11.43 cm) for the barcode symbol.

The human readable interpretation must be left-justified along the left edge of the symbol.

PARS labels

If the PARS system is used, the shipping label must contain the cargo control number, the company name, the acronym "PARS," and a barcode that encodes this information.

PARS labels must be printed in sets of two so that one label is attached to the documents that are forwarded to the CBSA and the other label is attached to the documents that the driver carries.

For more information about Canadian cargo control, refer to the CBSA website: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carrier-transporteur/codes-labels-etiquette-eng.html