A business desiring to be responsible for in-bond merchandise must, when initially applying for their first Activity Code 2 bond, submit an application, in letter format, to Customs & Border Protection in the district where the bond is to be filed. The application must contain the following information:

• A statement indicating operation or intent to operate as a common carrier, etc.
• Type of merchandise and number of trucks to be operated, if applicable
• A detailed description of the terminal facilities employed by the principal at the points of origin and destinations on the routes it covers
• A certified extract of Articles of Incorporation or Charter showing authorization to engage in common carriage
• A statement showing that facilities are available for the segregation and safeguarding of the packages designated by the District Director for examination for a particular shipment
• A list of all officers, their social security numbers and dates of birth
• A list of all employees who have access to cargo, their social security numbers and dates of birth

The letter of application should be accompanied by a properly executed Activity Code 2 Customs form 301 bond. The District Director shall approve an Activity Code 2 provided these satisfactions are met:

• All documents required have been submitted and are in proper form
• The non-refundable application fee has been paid