Uniform Commercial Code

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is a model code adopted, with variations, by US states to govern commercial transactions such as sales of goods, leases, negotiable instruments and secured transactions. It is US law and has no force in British Columbia, although BC personal property security law is modelled in part on UCC Article 9.

How BC law treats it

In BC, sales of goods are governed by the Sale of Goods Act, RSBC 1996, c 410, or for many international sales by the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods as implemented by the International Sale of Goods Act, RSBC 1996, c 236. Security interests in personal property are governed by the Personal Property Security Act, RSBC 1996, c 359.

What it means for your business

If you contract with US businesses, decide which law governs, because UCC rules on warranties and contract formation differ from BC law.

Risks and common mistakes

Using a US form contract that assumes the UCC can produce terms that do not work as intended under BC law.

Fulcrum's business contract lawyers can help with these issues.

General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.