Client Identification Database (CID)

Frequently asked questions

Find out if you need to register into the new Client Identification Database and the registration process.

Do I need to register in CID?

If you or your organization imports, offers for transport, handles, or transports dangerous goods in Canada, you may have to register.

A Questionnaire can be found in CID Landing Page.

How do I register in CID?

Registration can be started using https://cid-bdic.tc.canada.ca

For more information, please follow the steps in Initial Registration section of CID User Guide.

When should I register?

You have one year from the coming into force of the regulations (October 25, 2023) to register your organization. This timeframe allows for a transition period and provides opportunity for persons and organizations to familiarize themselves with the new regulatory requirements and gather necessary information for registration.

What is Registration Renewal? How long and how often it should be done?

The Registration Renewal is a mandatory yearly update to your organizations and site's information. You have 30 days within your anniversary date to complete your renewal. For more information, please follow the steps in the Registration Renewal section of the CID User Guide.

As a secondary contact, how should I register and sign in?

When the primary contact onboards a secondary contact, an email is sent to the secondary with instructions on how to proceed with registration. For more information, please follow the steps in “Add a secondary contact” of the Initial Registration section of the CID User Guide.

What is a NAICS code and how to add or delete it?

The North American Industry Classification System code is 2-6 digit number that classifies an organizations establishment. During the 4th step of the initial registration, to add a NAICS code, enter at least 2 digits of your known establishment and select one that fits your organization from the drop down list. To delete one, on the actions drop down list on the right, click Deactivate. For more information, please follow the steps in “Add a NAICS code” of the Initial Registration section of the CID User Guide. Additional information: NAICS

What is a Class/Division?

Dangerous goods are classified into 9 classes, based on the substance's characteristics and properties. These criteria are outlined in the TDG Regulations. For more information, please refer to Appendix B in the CID User Guide and Classification.

What can be done after initial registration?

After initial registration, users can add, update, deactivate, reactivate their organization, contacts, or sites. For more information, please refer to the ‘In-year updates' section of the CID User Guide.

What is a GC key?

The GCKey service is provided by the Government of Canada to allow you to securely conduct online business with various governmental programs and services. The GC Key service issues you your GCKey. A GCKey is a unique username and password (electronic credential) that allows you to communicate securely with online government services. The government of Canada, as the service provider, issues these credentials to individuals so that they can access government online services. For more details, please refer to the About GCKey page: https://clegc-gckey.gc.ca/j/eng/AB-01

What do I do if I have problems with my GCKey?

If you are experiencing problems with your GCKey, please review the Frequently Asked Questions as the information you are looking for may already be provided at: https://clegc-gckey.gc.ca/j/eng/HP-01#logon. If you need to report a lost or stolen Username or Password, or have problems accessing the website, please call

  • 1-855-438-1102 (in North America)
  • TTY/TDD: 1-855-438-1103
  • 1-800-2318-6290 (outside of North America)

For questions about Sign-In Partner (SecureKey Concierge), please call:

  • 1-855-433-5397 (in North America)
  • TTY/TDD: 1-855-224-1714

1-800-7328-7358 (outside of North America)

What do I do if I have problems with CID platform?

If you are experiencing problems when accessing and filling in information on CID platform, you can access Online Help to find supportive documents. In addition, use the Contact Us page to submit a request.

With respect to registration related to hazardous waste, is there any alignment with the Provincial frameworks where applicable?

Currently there is no alignment between federal and provincial/territorial on this specific subject. However, you can align your reporting dates with your provincial/territorial requirements.

How often will the information provided need to be updated?

Information can be provided at any time within the year but will need to be attested every year within 30 days of your anniversary date.

What if we have multiple sites in Canada? Are each required to register?

Yes, you are required to register each and every site provided they do not fall under the exemptions listed in the regulations.

Are we still required to use CRA Business Number as part of registration?

Yes, if you have a CRA Business Number you must provide it when registering.

If Gazette II is published in October, how long will companies have to register?

They will have 365 days after publication to complete their registration.

Can you clarify the requirement for registration for goods being received? Is this a "post transportation activity" and therefore not required?

If you are only receiving DG that will be used in your scope of work and not conducting any other dangerous goods activities (import, offer for transport, handle or transport) then you are not required to register.

Is CID still a 2-option platform for chemicals registration? Details or overview types from last year's testing?

No, CID now only requires Basic information and not Extended.

Is registration required for Dangerous Goods only on those that do not meet "Exceptions"?

Yes, registration is required for Dangerous Goods only on those that do not meet "Exceptions".

Are third party entities, such as transporters, supposed to register?

If the third party is never in direct possession of the DG or do not have a site where DG activities takes place, they are not required to register.

Are certain sites, such as farms, required to register for CID?

Although most farms will be exempt, certain farms might need to register such as a farm where transloading or any other handling activities takes place on their site prior to further transportation and final use of products on their land.

What's the difference between a headquarters and an office?

Headquarters denotes the location where most, if not all, of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. A headquarters normally includes the leader of a business unit and their staff, as well as all functions to manage the business unit and operational activities. The head of the business unit is responsible for overall result of the business unit.

At universities, students can register a company, its location, and its business, should we register them?

It depends, they will have to assess if their location fall under the definition of a site and if they are covered under the exemptions or not.

What is considered an Owner operator?

This notion is not in the regulation anymore.

How to resolve unsuccessful Bulk Data Upload during the processing of the Registration in the Transport Canada CID Data Platform when using postal address?

To proceed with the registration, please follow one (1) of these suggested methods:

1. manual entry of duplicate sites:

  • on your current workbook, remove all rows that are deemed to be a shared site
  • save the workbook, and re-upload the Excel file with the valid sites
  • on Step 6 - Sites, select Add+ Site
  • manually enter the sites that were not successfully updated during the bulk upload
  • ensure that the manually entered data matches the information given during the bulk upload

2. differentiate sites using "Address 3" field:

  • use the "Address 3" field with unique identifiers for each site and put your organization name in that field (e.g., if it is an airport public health laboratory locations, airport terminals, etc.)
  • save a copy of the workbook with these updates
  • upload the modified workbook

Additional instructions:

  • if using the "Address 3" field, provide clear and distinct identifiers for each site to avoid further conflicts
  • if any issue persists, please carefully review the error details, and make necessary corrections in the spreadsheet before reattempting the upload

Please address the error, save the modified workbook, and proceed with either of the suggested methods for successful site registration.

For additional information, please visit the bulk upload guide.

What is the definition of a primary contact?

Primary contacts are responsible to initiate the registration and to make administrative changes, and updating the administrative information, as necessary. They will act as the main point of contact between their organization and TC.

What is the difference between a primary and secondary contact?

The difference between a primary and secondary contact is their access level to change/update information on the CID Portal. The primary contact would have the ability to make any changes to all the information on the portal (Organization level, contacts, sites). The Secondary Contact have access to the sites level only; they can only do changes or attest at the sites level (Adding a site, updating site information, attesting a site).