Creating and Submitting a New ACE Manifest (ACE Manifest)
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🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect ACE Manifest Guide |
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for creating and submitting an ACE eManifest to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) using BorderConnect's ACE Manifest software.
This guide assumes:
- You have an active BorderConnect subscription
- You are authorized to file ACE manifests on behalf of the carrier
If you are not yet set up with a BorderConnect account, please contact BorderConnect.
ACE eManifest Workflow Overview
The ACE eManifest process follows a consistent workflow. Understanding this sequence helps prevent common errors and delays.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Create Trip | Enter trip, driver, vehicle, and border details |
| Add Shipments | Declare all freight aboard the truck |
| Add Parties | Assign shipper and consignee for each shipment |
| Add Commodities | Describe goods being transported |
| Transmit | Send the manifest to CBP |
| Verify Acceptance | Confirm CBP acceptance and broker clearance |
Start a New ACE Manifest
From the top menu bar, select ACE eManifests and then click Start New ACE eManifest.
Enter ACE Trip Details
On the Start New ACE Manifest page, enter all required trip-level information, including:
- Trip number
- Port of entry
- Estimated time of arrival (ETA)
- Driver
- Truck
- Trailer
When all required fields are completed, click Save.
Review ACE Trip Details
You will now be taken to the ACE Manifest Details page. This page allows you to:
- Review and correct previously entered information
- Add additional trailers (if applicable)
- Add additional drivers (if applicable)
- Add passengers (if applicable)
- Declare Instruments of International Traffic (IIT)
If IITs are aboard, you must indicate whether they are loaded on the truck or trailer.
Start a New ACE Shipment
If the truck is not crossing empty and is transporting freight (other than IIT only), you must create at least one shipment.
To add a shipment:
- Click Create New Shipment near the bottom of the ACE Manifest Details page
Enter ACE Shipment Details
On the Start New ACE Shipment page, enter shipment-level information and click Save.
Add a Shipper
You will now be on the ACE Shipment Details page.
Assign a shipper by:
- Using Quick Assign Shipper for a previously used shipper, or
- Selecting Assign Shipper to create a new shipper
If the shipper was already assigned on the previous page, this step may be skipped.
Add a Consignee
Assign the consignee using one of the following options:
- Quick Assign Consignee for an existing consignee
- Assign Consignee to enter a new consignee
If the consignee was already assigned earlier, this step may be skipped.
Add Commodity
Each shipment must include at least one commodity.
To add a commodity:
- Click Create Commodity
Enter Commodity Details
On the Add/Edit Commodity for ACE Shipment page, enter:
- Description of goods
- Quantity
- Weight
When complete, click Save.
Additional Commodities
If the shipment contains goods not adequately covered by the first commodity entry:
- Click Back to Shipment
- Add additional commodities as needed
In most cases, CBP recommends using a single general commodity description that accurately represents all goods on the shipment rather than multiple detailed lines.
Return to ACE Manifest Details
Click Back to ACE eManifest to return to the ACE Manifest Details page.
Add Additional Shipments
If multiple shipments are aboard the truck, repeat the shipment creation process for each one.
All freight on the truck must be declared on a single ACE manifest.
Transmit the ACE Manifest to CBP
Once all shipments have been entered and reviewed, transmit the manifest.
To transmit:
- Click Sync with CBP at the top of the ACE Manifest Details page
The trip status will change from Draft to Transmitted to CBP, and the transmission record will appear in the History/Status Messages section.
Verify ACE Manifest Acceptance
CBP response times vary, but acceptance is typically received within approximately one minute.
Verify acceptance by:
- Refreshing the ACE Manifest Details page, or
- Searching for the manifest using the ACE Manifest Search Page
Once accepted:
- The status updates to Complete Manifest On File with CBP
- An accepted response appears listing the number of shipments on file
ACE Manifest Status Guide
BorderConnect uses clear visual indicators to display ACE manifest status.
For a full list of possible statuses, see the ACE Manifest Status Guide.
Verify PAPS and QP In-Bond Entry Numbers
For shipments filed as PAPS or QP In-Bond, verify that all broker entries are cleared.
- Broker entry numbers will appear in History/Status Messages
- The trip status updates to Complete Manifest and Entry Numbers On File with CBP once all entries are cleared
| To comply with ACE Manifest requirements, both the ACE manifest and broker clearance for any PAPS shipments must be on file with CBP before the driver arrives at the border. |