Creating and Submitting a New ACI eManifest (ACI eManifest)
Last updated 15 July 2026
On this page
| This article is part of the BorderConnect ACI eManifest Guide |
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for creating a new ACI eManifest and submitting it to CBSA using BorderConnect ACI eManifest software. It assumes that you have an active software subscription and that your Carrier Code is already registered for ACI with CBSA. If you are not yet registered, please refer to the registration instructions.
Video Tutorial
Overview
An ACI eManifest reports the truck, trailer, driver, and shipment information for commercial highway trips entering Canada. In BorderConnect, the user creates the trip, adds the required shipment information, and then transmits the completed manifest to CBSA.
Before the driver arrives at the border, the ACI eManifest must be accepted by CBSA. Any PARS shipments on the manifest must also have broker clearance on file before arrival.
Start a New Manifest
On the top menu bar, under ACI eManifests, select Start New ACI eManifest.
Enter Trip Information
Enter the information on the Start New ACI eManifest Page, including the trip number, port of entry, ETA, driver, truck, and trailer.
Click Save and Start New ACI Shipment when finished.
Enter Shipment Information
Enter the information on the Start New ACI Shipment Page.
For uncommon shipment data elements, such as marking a shipment as consolidated freight, adding special instructions, or assigning a unique consignment reference number, click the Show link at the bottom of the shipment details in the legend.
Add Shipper Details
On the ACI Shipment Details Page, enter the shipper for the shipment using Quick Assign Shipper for shippers you have used before, or use the Add New Shipper shortcut to enter a new one.
Add Consignee Details
Select the consignee for the shipment using Quick Assign Consignee for consignees you have used before, or Add New Consignee to enter a new one.
Delivery Destination
If you are delivering to a destination other than the consignee, or if the consignee address lists a PO Box instead of a physical address, it is mandatory to enter a Delivery Destination.
To add a Delivery Destination from the Start New ACI Shipment page, click Save at the top left. BorderConnect will open the ACI Shipment Details page. Select the destination under Add 3rd Party.
You may enter a Notify Party in the same manner, but adding a Notify Party is always optional.
Add Commodity Details
To add the commodity, click Save and Add Commodity.
Enter the information on the Add/Edit Commodity for ACI Shipment Page. When all required fields have been entered, click Save and Back to ACI eManifest.
If you have additional commodity information for this shipment that is not covered by the previous entry, you may click Create Commodity again to add additional commodities to the shipment.
Otherwise, the shipment is complete. It is usually recommended to provide a general description, total quantity, and weight that covers all of the goods on the shipment at once, rather than entering multiple commodities separately.
Return to Manifest
Click Save and Back to ACI eManifest to return to the ACI eManifest Details Page.
If you have additional shipments to add to the manifest, use the Create New Shipment button below the driver information. All shipments on the truck must be accounted for on one manifest.
Transmit to CBSA
When the manifest is complete and all shipments aboard have been entered, click Sync with CBSA at the top of the eManifest Details page.
The Current Status should update from Draft to Transmitted to CBSA, and the send request for the manifest and the appropriate number of shipments should appear in the History/Status Messages.
Verify Acceptance
Check back to verify that the manifest has been accepted by CBSA. Current response times vary, but the average is about 2 to 4 minutes.
It is important to return to the manifest and make sure it was received and accepted by Customs. You can do this by leaving the manifest page open and refreshing your browser, or by looking up the manifest on the ACI eManifest Search Page and selecting View.
BorderConnect also leaves a link to the last manifest and shipment viewed, which makes it easier to return after accessing another part of the system.
Once the manifest is accepted, the Current Status will update to On File with CBSA. You will also see an accepted response for the trip and the appropriate number of shipments. This means the manifest is accepted and on file with CBSA.
Status Guide
BorderConnect ACI eManifest software provides a visual way to determine the status of your eManifest.
For a list of all statuses an ACI eManifest may encounter, see the ACI eManifest Status Guide.
Verify Broker Clearance
Verify that all PARS shipments aboard are cleared by the customs broker.
If you also use BorderConnect PARS, you will see acceptance messages in the History/Status Messages. Individual shipment statuses will update to On File With Transaction Numbers as they are cleared, and the trip's Current Status will follow once all PARS listed on the trip are cleared by the broker.
If you do not use BorderConnect's PARS checking software, you can verify a PARS is cleared by the broker using other methods, including checking the broker's website, calling the broker directly, or using other PARS checking software.
| In order to comply with ACI eManifest requirements, you are required to ensure that both your manifest and the broker clearance on any PARS shipments are on file with CBSA for at least one hour before the driver arrives at the border. |
Best Practices
Create the ACI eManifest before the driver is close to the border. This allows time to correct missing details, shipment issues, or CBSA reject responses before arrival.
Review the trip number, port, ETA, truck, trailer, driver, cargo control numbers, and shipment details before sending. These fields are common sources of manifest rejects when entered incorrectly.
Do not send the driver to the border until the manifest is accepted by CBSA and any required PARS broker clearance is on file. A manifest that is only drafted or transmitted is not complete until CBSA has accepted it.