ACI eManifest Software User Guide (CBSA)
Last updated 21 August 2026
On this page
- In-Depth Walkthrough
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History and Chronology of the ACI Program
- Phase I — Marine (2004)
- Phase II — Air, Rail, and Non-Containerized Marine (2006–2007)
- Highway ACI (eManifest) — Informed Compliance (November 2012)
- Mandatory Transition Announcement (May 6, 2015)
- Zero-Rated AMPS Penalties (July 10, 2015)
- Monetary AMPS Penalties (January 10, 2016)
- Ongoing Enhancements
- ACI eManifest Requirements
- Getting Started
- ACI eManifest Instructions
- ACI Shipment Release Types
- ACI eManifest Tutorials
- References
| This article is part of the BorderConnect ACI eManifest Guide |
Advance Commercial Information (ACI) is Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) eManifest program. It provides customs officers with electronic pre-arrival information.[1] For highway carriers, ACI eManifest involves filing an electronic manifest at least one hour before the driver arrives at the border.
BorderConnect ACI eManifest software provides a web-based solution for meeting ACI eManifest requirements, with 24/7 technical support.
In-Depth Walkthrough
For a comprehensive overview of ACI eManifest, including how the program works, how to register, and how to file manifests in BorderConnect, see the full virtual workshop below.
History and Chronology of the ACI Program
The ACI program was introduced by CBSA in phases across the air, marine, rail, and highway modes as part of Canada's broader move to advance electronic reporting of commercial goods. Each phase brought a new mode of transport into the program before highway was added last.
Phase I — Marine (2004)
ACI Phase I launched in April 2004, requiring marine carriers to submit advance electronic cargo data to CBSA at least 24 hours before loading containerized cargo at a foreign port destined for Canada. This was Canada's first mandatory advance electronic cargo reporting requirement and set the foundation for later phases.[2]
Phase II — Air, Rail, and Non-Containerized Marine (2006–2007)
ACI Phase II extended advance electronic reporting to the air and rail modes and to non-containerized marine cargo, with staged implementation between 2006 and 2007. Air carriers were required to transmit cargo data at least four hours before arrival, or at the time of departure for shorter flights, and rail carriers were required to transmit cargo data at least two hours before arrival at the first Canadian port.[3]
Highway ACI (eManifest) — Informed Compliance (November 2012)
Highway ACI, generally referred to as eManifest, entered a period of informed compliance on November 1, 2012. During this period, highway carriers were encouraged but not required to participate. CBSA also announced that it would provide at least 45 days advance notice before mandatory participation was confirmed.[4]
Informed compliance let carriers, brokers, and CBSA staff test their systems, refine business processes, and identify gaps before penalties applied. It also allowed CBSA to publish guidance, run outreach sessions, and support carriers integrating with the eManifest Portal and third-party software providers such as BorderConnect.
Mandatory Transition Announcement (May 6, 2015)
On May 6, 2015, Canada Border Services Agency announced the mandatory transition timeline for highway carriers to comply with ACI eManifest. CBSA published the transition dates in Memorandum D22-1-1 and communicated them through industry associations, giving highway carriers a defined window to complete their preparations before enforcement began.[5]
Zero-Rated AMPS Penalties (July 10, 2015)
On July 10, 2015, carriers who did not comply with ACI eManifest requirements could be issued zero-rated, non-monetary penalties under CBSA's Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS). These penalties did not carry a dollar value but were recorded against the carrier and formed the basis for progressive enforcement.[6]
Monetary AMPS Penalties (January 10, 2016)
Beginning January 10, 2016, carriers who did not comply with ACI eManifest requirements could be issued monetary AMPS penalties. From this point forward, failing to submit a complete and timely ACI eManifest, or filing inaccurate data, could result in real financial penalties against the carrier.[7]
Ongoing Enhancements
Since 2016, CBSA has continued to enhance the ACI program with additional shipment types, exemptions, and updates to the eManifest Portal and EDI specifications. CBSA has also aligned ACI processes with the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) initiative and updated its highway mode guidance to reflect current filing requirements.[1]
ACI eManifest Requirements
One Hour Prior Notice
Under ACI eManifest regulations, highway carriers must ensure that the complete ACI eManifest, including the trip and shipments, is on file with CBSA for at least one hour before the driver arrives at the border.
Failure to meet the one-hour requirement can result in refused entry into Canada and/or an AMPS penalty. BorderConnect provides ACI eManifest Compliance features to help users review prior notice timing and reduce the risk of AMPS.
ACI Lead Sheet
When arriving at the Canadian border, the driver must present an ACI lead sheet to the customs officer. The lead sheet allows the officer to look up the ACI eManifest.
The lead sheet must include one of the following:
- A barcoded Conveyance Reference Number, also known as the Trip Number.
- A barcoded Cargo Control Number and a handwritten Conveyance Reference Number.
- A handwritten Conveyance Reference Number on the lead sheet, presented with a separate page that has a barcoded Cargo Control Number, such as an invoice with a PARS sticker.
The officer stamps the lead sheet as proof of report. Individual shipments are no longer stamped. The carrier is responsible for keeping the stamped lead sheet as proof of report.
ACI lead sheets can be generated from within BorderConnect, either from the manifest or as a set ahead of time. Carriers may also design and produce their own lead sheets if they meet the barcode requirements listed above.
Getting Started
If you have not already done so, register for ACI with CBSA. Even if you are already set up for ACI with CBSA's eManifest Portal or another software provider, a separate registration is required to use ACI through BorderConnect.
You can generate the registration forms from a BorderConnect account under Account and Company. You can also contact BorderConnect to have the forms emailed or faxed.
Next, create profiles for drivers, trucks, and trailers that may be crossing the border. If you also use BorderConnect's ACE eManifest software, you should not need to enter additional profile data because ACE and ACI share the same driver, truck, trailer, and passenger profiles.
Refer to these profile guides:
Once ACI registration is complete and the required profiles are created, you are ready to create and submit eManifests to Customs.
ACI eManifest Instructions
Refer to the individual sections for complete instructions:
| Task | Guide |
|---|---|
| Create and submit an ACI eManifest | Creating and submitting a new ACI eManifest |
| Generate ACI lead sheets | Generating ACI Lead Sheets |
| Correct a rejected ACI eManifest | Correcting rejected ACI eManifests |
| Update or correct an accepted manifest | Updating or correcting an accepted manifest |
| Understand ACI statuses | ACI eManifest Status Guide |
| Review compliance reports | ACI eManifest Compliance Guide |
| Track a manifest closely | Keeping a close eye on a particular manifest |
| Choose shipment types | Manifesting different types of shipments |
| Prepare partial ACI eManifests in two-carrier scenarios | Preparing an ACI eManifest when taking another carrier's PARS or giving away your own |
| Create an empty ACI eManifest | Creating an empty ACI eManifest |
| Check CFIA inspection status for meat shipments | Checking the CFIA Inspection status of a meat shipment |
ACI Shipment Release Types
Every ACI shipment must be filed under a shipment release type or cargo exemption. The release type tells CBSA how the goods will be released at the border. Choosing the correct type is essential for the manifest to be accepted and for the shipment to clear customs properly. See Shipment Types For ACE and ACI eManifest for a full overview.
Standard Shipment Types
| Shipment Type | Description |
|---|---|
| PARS | Pre-Arrival Review System. Used when the shipment is being released by a Canadian customs broker who has been notified in advance. The most common ACI shipment type for brokered commercial freight into Canada. |
| In-Bond | Used when goods are moving under customs control to an inland warehouse, sufferance warehouse, or other bonded facility, rather than being released at the first port of arrival. |
| CSA | Customs Self Assessment. Used when the carrier, driver, and importer are all approved for the CSA program and the shipment qualifies for streamlined CSA release. |
| A49 Automotive Release | Used for automotive shipments moving under the CBSA A49 automotive release program between qualifying manufacturers and their bonded facilities. |
| ATA Carnet | Used for temporary imports covered by an ATA Carnet, such as commercial samples, professional equipment, or goods for exhibitions and fairs. |
| E29B | Temporary Admission Permit. Used for goods entering Canada temporarily under a CBSA E29B permit. |
| Personal Goods | Used for personal effects being imported into Canada, such as household goods for someone moving to Canada. |
| Goods Astray | Used when previously exported Canadian goods are being returned to Canada because they were shipped in error or missed their original delivery. |
| Military Goods | Used for shipments of military goods entering Canada under applicable defence agreements. |
| Orders In Council | Used for shipments covered by a specific Order In Council, such as certain relief or emergency shipments. |
| Master Provisional | Used for consolidated freight where a master bill is filed at the border and individual house bills are reported separately. |
| Consolidated Freight | Used when multiple shipments are consolidated under a single manifest entry for release at destination. |
Cargo Exemptions
Cargo exemptions are used when the shipment is not required to be reported as commercial cargo but the conveyance still requires an ACI eManifest.
| Cargo Exemption | Description |
|---|---|
| Instruments of International Trade (IIT) | Used for empty containers, pallets, straps, and similar equipment that support international trade and are exempt from full cargo reporting. |
| Emergency Repairs | Used when the conveyance is crossing into Canada for emergency repairs and the goods on board qualify for exemption. |
| Postal Shipment | Used when the conveyance is transporting mail on behalf of a postal authority. |
| Courier LVS | Used when a courier is transporting Low Value Shipments (LVS) under the CBSA Courier LVS program. |
| Flying Truck | Used when the conveyance is carrying goods that arrived in Canada by air and are being transported inland by truck under a flying truck arrangement. |
For a complete overview and to choose the right type for your shipment, see Manifesting different types of shipments.
ACI eManifest Tutorials
Getting Started
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Changes and Corrections
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Standard Shipment Types
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Cargo Exemptions
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Advanced Workflows
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Mobile Workflows
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As always, if you have any questions, contact BorderConnect for assistance and support.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/menu-eng.html
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/menu-eng.html
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/aci-manif-ipec/req-exig-eng.html#tab3
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d22/d22-1-1-eng.html
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d22/d22-1-1-eng.html
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d22/d22-1-1-eng.html