CBSA Cargo Descriptions: Acceptable Descriptions and How to Avoid an Expensive Administrative C382 Penalty

Published: November 21, 2025 | ⏱️ 5 Minute Read |

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Key Takeaway

In Q3 alone, 69 AMPS C382 penalties were issued totaling $89,250, with 32% directly related to vague CBSA cargo descriptions. Terms like “pharmaceuticals,” “general cargo,” and “clothing” are no longer acceptable for non-consolidated shipments.

“An AMPS C382 penalty is an Administrative Monetary Penalty issued by the Canada Border Services Agency for a person who submitted information that was not true, accurate, and complete as required by the Reporting of Imported Goods Regulations.”

Click here for the CBSA’s “Detailed commodity descriptions” webpage

CBSA Cargo Descriptions: Why They Matter and How to Avoid AMPS C382 Penalties

In recent quarters, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has significantly tightened enforcement around how cargo is described on manifests and entry documents. This is especially important for freight forwarders, who are often the ones entering these descriptions. In Q3, there were 69 AMPS C382 penalties issued, totalling $89,250. About 32% of these penalties—roughly $28,560—were directly tied to vague or unacceptable cargo descriptions.

In other words, a few careless words in the description field can cost thousands of dollars.

The Problem With Vague Category Words

According to CBSA, a proper description must:

Be clear and concise
Be in plain language
Be detailed enough for CBSA to understand the size, shape, and characteristics of the cargo
Exclude details that belong elsewhere, such as quantity, packaging, or carrier notes

The Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) has specifically highlighted a few problematic terms that keep appearing on manifests:

“Pharmaceuticals”
“General cargo”
“Clothing”

On their own, these words are simply too broad. They do not tell CBSA what the goods actually are. Two examples illustrate the issue clearly:

Apparel / Clothing / Garments

Not acceptable:
“Apparel,” “Clothing,” “Garments,” “Wearing apparel,” “Ladies’ apparel,” “Men’s apparel”
Acceptable:
“Women’s dresses,” “Men’s shirts,” “Boys’ jackets,” “Shoes, footwear”

Pharmaceuticals / Medication

Not acceptable:
“Medication,” “Pharmaceuticals”
Acceptable:
“Insulin,” “Allergy medication”

Key Rules From CBSA Guidance

From CBSA’s document on “Examples of acceptable and not acceptable cargo descriptions,” the following principles are essential for compliant descriptions:

Do Not Include Quantity or Packaging

The description field is for what the goods are, not how they are packed or how much there is. Avoid phrases like:

“1 load of…”
“10 boxes of…”
“3 pallets of…”

Those elements—counts and packaging types—belong in separate data fields on the manifest or entry, not in the description.

Always Specify If the Goods Are Used

If the goods are used, say so in the description. For example:

“Used office furniture”
“Used auto parts”
“Used household effects” (but only if these are genuine personal or household effects accounted under the proper document)

If you omit “used,” CBSA assumes new, which can have compliance implications.

Brand Names Alone Are Not Enough

A description that only includes a brand name is considered vague. CBSA needs to know what the item is, not just who makes it.

Not acceptable: “Bubbles Brand”
Acceptable: “Bubbles Brand laundry detergent”

The second description makes the nature of the goods very clear.

Generic Commercial Terms Are Not Acceptable (Unless Consolidated)

For non‑consolidated shipments, the following types of terms should be avoided:

“STC (Said to Contain)”
“General cargo”
“FAK (Freight of All Kinds)”
“Misc / Miscellaneous”
“Various”
“Unknown / UNK”
“NES (Not Elsewhere Specified)”
“No description”
Random strings like “123456789”

These can only be considered in limited situations for properly documented consolidated shipments where detailed house bills will follow. Used on their own for non-consolidated freight, they are a red flag.

Examples By Category

CBSA provides clear examples of what is and is not acceptable. A few of the most common categories are summarized below.

Electronics

Not acceptable: “Electronics,” “Electronic goods”
Acceptable: “Laptop computers,” “Computer monitors,” “Televisions,” “Mobile telephones,” “Video game consoles,” “Electronic toys”

Chemicals

Not acceptable: “Hazardous chemicals,” “Non‑hazardous chemicals,” “Chemicals”
Acceptable: “Aluminum potassium sulfate,” “Methyl alcohol”

Food

Not acceptable: “Foodstuffs,” “Food preparations,” “Food,” “Meat,” “Fish,” “Produce,” “Pet food,” “Snacks,” “Cases of food”
Acceptable: “Packaged rice,” “Bulk rice,” “Fresh beef,” “Frozen chicken,” “Frozen salmon,” “Canned tuna,” “Fresh oranges,” “Canned peaches,” “Canned dog food,” “Dry cat food,” “Juice,” “Olive oil,” “Soda”

Auto Parts / Spare Parts

Not acceptable: “Auto parts,” “Spare parts,” “Machine parts”
Acceptable: “Automobile brakes,” “Air filters,” “Automotive windshield,” “Cellphone replacement screens,” “Oil pumps,” “Seals,” “Engines”

Medical Supplies

Not acceptable: “Medical supplies,” “Biologicals,” “Laboratory goods”
Acceptable: “Medical gloves,” “Syringes,” “Dialysis machine,” “Blood,” “Plasma,” “Tissue,” “Semen,” “Glass vials for laboratory use”