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ACE In Bond (CBP Shipment Type)

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🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect Shipment Type Guide and the BorderConnect ACE Manifest Guide

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How to create and submit an ACE In-Bond in BorderConnect.

ACE In-Bond (Carrier-Filed In-Bond in ACE)

This guide explains how to create and transmit an ACE In-Bond (carrier-filed in-bond) using BorderConnect ACE Manifest software.

In many cases, in-bond information is filed by a customs broker through ABI (commonly referred to as a “QP in-bond”). Under ACE truck manifest, carriers may also file the in-bond as part of the manifest by entering the required in-bond details (commonly referred to as an “ACE in-bond”).[1][2]

💡 Before you create an ACE In-Bond, confirm with your customer whether a broker has already filed (or must file) the in-bond. Do not have two parties file an in-bond for the same shipment.

Who this applies to

  • Highway carriers using BorderConnect ACE Manifest
  • Carriers who are authorized/bonded to move freight in-bond into/within the U.S. (carrier eligibility and bonding are CBP requirements)[3]

Key compliance timing (don’t skip this)

Some operations teams describe in-bond arrival reporting as “48 hours,” but CBP’s regulation uses within 2 business days for arrival reporting, and also requires a FIRMS code to identify the facility/location within the port where the freight arrived.[4]

For Transportation & Exportation (T&E), arrival at the port of exportation must be reported within 2 business days, and the in-bond record must be updated within 2 business days after exportation.[5]

💡 If there’s any conflict between “48 hours” shorthand and CBP rules, follow the CBP standard of 2 business days.[4]

Quick Start Checklist

Use this checklist before you begin the steps.

Item Why it matters Where you’ll use it
A unique Shipment Control Number (SCN) Required for every ACE shipment BorderConnect → Shipment Details
A unique Trip/Manifest (Trip Number + ETA + Port) The in-bond is transmitted as part of the manifest workflow BorderConnect → eManifest Details
A Paper In-Bond Entry Number (9 digits) issued to you Required to create the in-bond record BorderConnect → In-Bond Information
Correct In-Bond Entry Type (IT vs T&E) Drives which fields become required (destination/export details) BorderConnect → In-Bond Information
FIRMS code for the destination facility (for arrival reporting) Required to report in-bond arrival (facility within the port) BorderConnect → Send In-Bond Arrival Message

Step-by-Step: Create an ACE In-Bond Shipment

1) Start a new ACE eManifest

Create the ACE eManifest the same way you normally would (Trip Number, Port of Arrival, ETA, truck/trailer, driver, etc.). Then proceed to create the shipment.

2) Create the shipment and select “ACE In-Bond”

1. From the manifest, choose to add a new shipment. 2. Select ACE In-Bond as the Shipment Type. 3. Enter a unique Shipment Control Number (SCN). 4. Click Save.

Start New ACE Shipment page with ACE In-Bond shipment type selected

3) Open “Assign In-Bond Information”

After saving the shipment, you’ll see an In-Bond Information section that does not appear on standard shipments.

1. On the shipment page, find the In-Bond Information panel. 2. Click Assign In-Bond Information (top-right of the panel).

In-Bond Information section on the ACE Shipment Details Page

4) Enter the in-bond details

You will be taken to an in-bond entry screen. Use the legend on the page to identify what’s required.

In-Bond entry screen

Field guide (what to enter, and when)

Field What it is When it’s required / tips
In-Bond Entry Type Type of movement (e.g., Immediate Transportation, Transportation & Exportation) Determined by your customer/broker instructions. Choose carefully—T&E adds export obligations.
Paper In-Bond Number The 9-digit in-bond entry number issued to your company Required for highway in-bonds. Use each number only once.
U.S. In-Bond Destination The inland CBP port/destination for the in-bond Required for IT/T&E. Must be the far-side destination (not the Port of Arrival).
Foreign In-Bond Destination Foreign destination after the goods leave the U.S. Only for T&E. Leave blank for IT.
Bonded Carrier IRS# IRS/EIN that CBP has associated with your bonded carrier status Required if applicable to your setup. BorderConnect can store commonly used values.
Estimated U.S. Departure Date Planned date the freight will depart the U.S. Only for T&E. Leave blank for IT.
Subject to FDA Whether the goods require FDA prior notice Only if applicable to the commodity/shipment.
Onward Carrier SCAC Another carrier taking over the movement Optional. Leave blank unless another carrier assumes responsibility.

When finished, click Save. Then proceed with shipper/consignee and the rest of the shipment as normal.

5) Add commodity details (in-bond-specific fields)

Click Create Commodity. For in-bond shipments, some extra fields appear.

Commodity screen with in-bond fields
Commodity Field Required for IT Required for T&E Notes
Value (USD) Yes Yes Enter the shipment value in USD.
Harmonized Code (6 digits) No Yes Use the first 6 digits of the HTS classification. If unsure, confirm with your customer/broker.
Country of Origin No No Not required for all in-bond types (may still be useful for internal records).

6) Submit the manifest

Once your shipment is complete, submit the full ACE eManifest as normal. The in-bond record is created in ACE when the manifest is transmitted successfully.

Optional: Print CBP Form 7512

If you or your customer needs a printed copy, use Print CBP Form 7512 from the shipment page.

CBP Form 7512 when printed from the ACE Shipment Details Page

After the shipment moves: Arrival and Export reporting

What “in-bond opened” looks like

When CBP authorizes the movement, you’ll typically see an “In-bond Movement Authorized” style message in history/status.

Example (authorized/open)
In-bond Movement Authorized; bill of lading open: Shipment [AAAA6575589], Quantity [4320], Entry Number [123456789], Port [3801]

Report In-Bond Arrival (close out IT; required step for all in-bonds)

When the freight arrives at the port of destination (IT) or the port of exportation (T&E), you must report arrival via CBP-approved EDI, and the arrival message must include the FIRMS code for the facility/location within the port where the freight arrived.[4]

💡 CBP requires the arrival to be reported within 2 business days and the arrival notification must include the FIRMS code of the location within the port.[4]

How to send the arrival message in BorderConnect

1. Open the ACE Shipment Details Page for the in-bond shipment. 2. From the top dropdown Shipment Only Send to CBP, select Send In-Bond Arrival Message. 3. Enter:

  • FIRMS Code (destination facility)
  • Arrival Date
  • Arrival Time

4. Submit, then confirm an “arrival” response in History/Status.

Shipment Only Send to CBP menu → Send In-Bond Arrival Message
Send In-Bond Arrival Message page
Example (sent)
In-Bond Arrival message for Shipment [AAAA6575589] Port [4320], Arrival Date [04/25/2017 09:00 PM] sent to CBP by Demo User
Example (CBP response)
Arrival of in-bond - bill of lading: Shipment [AAAA6575589], Quantity [4320], Entry Number [123456789]

Export reporting (T&E only)

For Transportation & Exportation (T&E), after the freight is physically exported, the in-bond record must be updated within 2 business days after exportation.[5]

How to send the export message in BorderConnect

1. Ensure the in-bond shows as arrived first. 2. From Shipment Only Send to CBP, select Send In-Bond Export Message. 3. Enter export date/time and submit.

Shipment Only Send to CBP menu → Send In-Bond Export Message
Export message page
Example (CBP response)
Export of in-bond - bill of lading: Shipment [AAAA040329], Quantity [2040]

Visual: In-Bond lifecycle (simple flow)

Use this as a quick mental model of what you’re trying to achieve. 

Create ACE Manifest + ACE In-Bond Shipment
          |
          v
Transmit / Sync with CBP (in-bond created)
          |
          v
CBP authorizes movement (in-bond opens)
          |
          v
Freight arrives at destination (IT) or port of export (T&E)
          |
          v
Send In-Bond Arrival Message (include FIRMS)  <-- within 2 business days
          |
          +--------------------+
          |                    |
          v                    v
  IT complete (closed)   T&E: Export happens
                               |
                               v
                    Send In-Bond Export Message  <-- within 2 business days after export
                               |
                               v
                        T&E complete (closed)

References

  1. ↑ CBP – Bonds General Guidelines (CBP Form 301 instructions and bond filing guidance): https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Bonds%20General%20Guidelines.pdf
  2. ↑ CBP – CBP Form 301 (Customs Bond) landing page: https://www.cbp.gov/document/forms/cbp-form-301-customs-bond
  3. ↑ CBP – Bonds General Guidelines: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Bonds%20General%20Guidelines.pdf
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 19 CFR §18.1 (In-bond application and entry; general rules) – Arrival notification includes FIRMS code and must be reported within the prescribed period: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2023-title19-vol1/pdf/CFR-2023-title19-vol1.pdf
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 19 CFR §18.24 (Transportation & Exportation) – Notice of arrival and proof of exportation timing: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2023-title19-vol1/pdf/CFR-2023-title19-vol1.pdf
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