Customs Compliance Guide (CBP and CBSA)

This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide

The BorderConnect Customs Compliance Guide provides basic information for highway carriers crossing commercially into Canada and the United States. It links to port information, carrier registration topics, trusted trader programs, customs documents, cross-border supplies, and related BorderConnect guides.

For eManifest software instructions, see the BorderConnect ACE Manifest Software User Guide or the ACI eManifest Software User Guide.

For more advanced help getting started at the border, visit BorderConnect Do-It-Yourself Customs Consulting, or contact BorderConnect toll-free at 1-800-596-5176.

Crossing into the U.S.

To cross commercially into the United States, a carrier may need to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FMCSA states that companies may be subject to safety registration, commercial operating authority registration, or both, depending on the operation.

A company may need a USDOT number, and companies transporting federally regulated commodities owned by others in interstate commerce generally need operating authority in addition to a USDOT number.

A highway carrier also needs a valid Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) before processing ACE truck manifests. NMFTA states that it is the official issuing authority for SCAC and that SCACs are issued and renewed annually through NMFTA's official application system.

Once the carrier has the required registration or authority and a valid SCAC, the carrier can order PAPS barcode labels and begin processing ACE electronic manifests.

U.S. BorderConnect Articles

Article	Description
U.S. Customs and Border Protection - General Information	Overview of CBP and its role in processing commercial highway shipments entering the United States.
Standard Carrier Alpha Code (CBP)	Explains SCAC requirements and how the carrier code is used for ACE Manifest processing.
ACE Manifest Software User Guide	Main BorderConnect guide for creating and managing ACE eManifests.
CBP Highway Port Listing	Reference page for U.S. highway ports used by commercial carriers.
Shipment Release Types	Guide to shipment release types used in ACE and ACI eManifest workflows.
PAPS Shipment Type	Explains the Pre-Arrival Processing System shipment type for goods entering the United States.
Customs Glossary Guide	Glossary of common customs, carrier, and cross-border trade terms.

U.S. Resources

Resource	Description
FMCSA Registration	Official FMCSA registration page for carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and other regulated transportation businesses operating in the United States.
FMCSA: Getting Started with Registration	Explains how companies determine whether they need a USDOT number, operating authority, or other FMCSA registration.
FMCSA: Get Operating Authority	Provides information about applying for operating authority, including MC, FF, and MX numbers when required.
NMFTA: SCAC Application and Renewal	Official application and renewal portal for Standard Carrier Alpha Codes used by carriers in ACE and other transportation systems.
CBP Form 3299	Declaration for free entry of unaccompanied articles, commonly used for qualifying personal or household goods.
CBP Form 7523	Entry and manifest form for qualifying merchandise that may be entered free of duty under specific CBP procedures.
CBP Form 3311	Declaration for free entry of returned American products, used when eligible U.S. goods are returned after export.

Crossing into Canada

To cross commercially into Canada, a highway carrier must have a CBSA-issued carrier code. CBSA directs highway carrier code applicants to create an account and complete the application in the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Client Portal.

CBSA states that once a carrier receives its carrier code, it must apply to transmit Advance Commercial Information (ACI) to CBSA and complete the testing process.

Carriers may also need provincial operating authority. In Ontario, commercial vehicle operators may need to obtain a Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) certificate through the Ministry of Transportation.

Once the carrier code is valid, the carrier can obtain PARS barcode labels and register to transmit advance commercial information through ACI eManifest. CBSA requires the cargo control number transmitted before arrival to match the equivalent release documents, such as a bar-coded PARS number presented by the carrier at the border.

Canadian BorderConnect Articles

Article	Description
Canada Border Services Agency - General Information	Overview of CBSA and its role in processing commercial highway shipments entering Canada.
Canadian Carrier Code (CBSA)	Explains CBSA carrier codes and how highway carriers use them for Canadian customs reporting.
ACI eManifest Software User Guide	Main BorderConnect guide for creating and managing ACI eManifests.
CBSA Highway Port Listing	Reference page for Canadian highway ports used by commercial carriers.
Shipment Release Types	Guide to shipment release types used in ACE and ACI eManifest workflows.
PARS Shipment Type	Explains the Pre-Arrival Review System shipment type for goods entering Canada.
Cargo Control Number	Explains cargo control numbers and how they identify shipments reported to CBSA.
Customs Glossary Guide	Glossary of common customs, carrier, and cross-border trade terms.

Canadian Resources

Resource	Description
CBSA: Highway Carriers	Main CBSA information page for highway carriers moving commercial goods into Canada.
CBSA: Highway Carrier Code Application Process	Explains how highway carriers apply for a CBSA carrier code through the CARM Client Portal.
CARM Client Portal	CBSA portal used for carrier code applications, CARM account access, and other CBSA account functions.
CBSA: Cargo Control and Bar-Coded Labels	Provides CBSA requirements for cargo control numbers and bar-coded labels, including PARS label formatting.
CBSA eManifest Portal	Official CBSA portal for carriers that transmit ACI eManifest data directly to CBSA.
Memorandum D3-4-2	CBSA memorandum covering highway pre-arrival and reporting requirements for commercial goods entering Canada.
Ontario CVOR Certificate	Ontario Ministry of Transportation page explaining how to apply for a Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration certificate.

Cross-Border Supplies

Highway carriers normally need barcoded control numbers and lead sheets that match the shipment and manifest process being used. For Canada-bound PARS shipments, CBSA states that if the word PARS appears on the bar-coded label, it may be printed above the barcode or in the barcode itself.

Carriers should ensure the barcode or lead sheet number given to the driver matches the number transmitted in ACE or ACI and the number sent to the customs broker. If the PARS number or PAPS number does not match the broker's release or entry filing, the shipment may be delayed at the border.

Supply	Description
PARS barcode labels	Used for many commercial shipments entering Canada under the PARS process.
PAPS barcode labels	Used for many commercial shipments entering the United States under the PAPS process.
ACI eManifest lead sheets	Used by drivers to present the ACI trip number at the Canadian border.
ACE Manifest lead sheets	Used by drivers to present the ACE trip number at the U.S. border.
CSA lead sheet cards	Used by approved CSA carriers for CSA highway clearance processes.

Carriers can order common cross-border supplies from BorderPrint.

Trusted Trader Programs

Trusted trader programs are designed for approved low-risk participants that meet government security, compliance, or clearance requirements.

Program	Description
FAST	Free and Secure Trade is a commercial clearance program designed to maintain safety and security while expediting legitimate trade across the Canada-U.S. border.
CSA	Customs Self Assessment is a CBSA program for low-risk, pre-approved importers, carriers, and registered drivers moving eligible goods into Canada.
PIP	Partners in Protection is a voluntary CBSA program with no membership fee where businesses and CBSA work together to enhance border and trade chain security.
CTPAT	Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism is a voluntary public-private supply chain security program led by CBP to strengthen international supply chains and improve U.S. border security.

Trusted Trader Resources

Resource	Description
CBSA: Free and Secure Trade Program	Official CBSA information page for the FAST trusted trader program.
CBSA: Customs Self Assessment Program	Official CBSA information page for CSA importers, carriers, and registered drivers.
CBSA: Partners in Protection Program	Official CBSA information page for the PIP trusted trader security program.
CBP: CTPAT Program	Official CBP information page for the CTPAT supply chain security program.

DIY Customs Consulting

The DIY Customs Consulting Guide explains how to cross commercially into the United States and Canada as a highway carrier, including what documentation is required and which programs a carrier may need to register for.

Crossing into Canada

Article	Description
Steps to start crossing into Canada	Overview of the main registrations, documents, and setup tasks for a U.S.-based highway carrier crossing into Canada.
CVOR and IRP	Explains provincial operating authority and registration requirements such as CVOR and IRP.
Highway Carrier Code	Explains what a CBSA highway carrier code is and how carriers apply for one.
Bonded and non-bonded Canadian carriers	Explains the difference between bonded and non-bonded carrier status for Canadian highway movements.
PARS barcode labels and supplies	Covers common Canada-bound supplies such as PARS labels and lead sheets.
Driver documents for Canada	Explains what drivers should have ready before arriving at the Canadian border.
ACI eManifest registration	Explains ACI eManifest and how carriers register to transmit ACI data to CBSA.
Customs broker documents	Explains the broker's role and the documents carriers or shippers may need to send.
Canadian bonded carrier setup	Explains the process and considerations for becoming a bonded Canadian highway carrier.

Crossing into the United States

Article	Description
Steps to start crossing into the U.S.	Overview of the main registrations, documents, and setup tasks for a Canadian-based highway carrier crossing into the United States.
USDOT and MC Number	Explains U.S. motor carrier authority, USDOT numbers, and MC numbers for Canadian highway carriers.
SCAC application	Explains what a Standard Carrier Alpha Code is and how carriers apply for one.
Bonded and non-bonded U.S. carriers	Explains the difference between bonded and non-bonded carrier status for U.S. highway movements.
PAPS barcode labels and supplies	Covers common U.S.-bound supplies such as PAPS labels and ACE lead sheets.
Driver documents for the U.S.	Explains what drivers should have ready before arriving at the U.S. border.
ACE Manifest registration	Explains ACE Manifest and how carriers register to transmit ACE data to CBP.
Customs broker documents	Explains the broker's role and the documents carriers or shippers may need to send.
U.S. bonded carrier setup	Explains the process and considerations for becoming a bonded U.S. highway carrier.