The CBSA defines the Primary Cargo Control Number as the original Cargo Control Number (CCN) used to reference the carrier’s primary cargo document in the submission of the House Bill, with the carrier code preface. For example, ocean carriers use 9000, and air carriers use the Master Airway Bill. Truck and railroad companies also use Primary Cargo Control Numbers. 

The 9000 CCN is provided by the carrier, but the format may differ from carrier to carrier, and it is important to request the CCN in writing. For instance, the Hapag Lloyd B/L starts with their SCAC code, HLCU, but the HLCU part is not included in the CCN.

Overseas agents or offices typically receive the primary CCN from the carrier at the time of booking. Co-Loaders must provide the primary carrier CCN to each freight forwarder to whom they are providing space in an ocean container or airline unit. The primary carrier’s cargo control number is required for every tier of forwarder on the eHBL transmission.

It’s important to note that the Housebill Close message is always filed “up” to the previous CCN, not to the Primary CCN.