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E-Manifest Template Feature (ACE and ACI eManifest)

Last updated 20 July 2026

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This article is part of the BorderConnect Software User Guide

The eManifest Template Feature in BorderConnect helps users create ACE and ACI eManifests faster by saving frequently used trip, driver, equipment, and shipment information. Templates are especially useful for recurring Canada-bound and U.S.-bound trips where the same data is reused often.

Overview

The eManifest Template Feature is designed to reduce repetitive data entry and help minimize manual keying errors when creating recurring manifests or shipments. By saving commonly used information, users can apply a template with a single click to populate details such as the port, driver, truck, trailer, shipper, consignee, broker, shipment type, and commodity information.

Templates should only be used when the saved information will be reused for multiple trips. Users should always review and update the loaded data before submitting an ACE or ACI eManifest to customs.

Only use templates when you are certain the saved data is appropriate for the trip or shipment being created. Incorrect manifest data can cause border delays, customs holds, rejected filings, or penalties.

Video Tutorial

Video tutorial

When to Use Templates

Templates are best suited for predictable, recurring freight operations where the same data is used repeatedly. They are not recommended for freight where the shipper, consignee, commodity, route, equipment, or shipment details change frequently.

Good Uses Avoid Using Templates
  • Dedicated or recurring routes: Shipments moving between the same shipper and consignee on a regular basis.
  • Empty crossings: Drivers returning empty on a predictable route.
  • Consistent driver and equipment combinations: A driver regularly using the same truck or trailer.
  • Single-commodity haulers: Operations where only the weight, piece count, or seal number changes from trip to trip.
  • LTL freight: Mixed freight with frequently changing shippers, consignees, quantities, and weights.
  • Spot market loads: One-off loads where the routing and parties change often.
  • High-risk or hazmat freight: Shipments requiring exact descriptions, UN numbers, and emergency contact details.
  • Blind submitting: Workflows where users may submit without checking variable fields such as ETA, weight, piece count, seal number, or shipment number.

Enabling Templates

Enabling Use Trip and Shipment Templates

The eManifest Template Feature is turned off by default. It must be enabled in the company settings before users can create and use templates.

  1. Go to the Company Settings page.
  2. Scroll to the Shared eManifest Settings section.
  3. Turn on Use Trip and Shipment Templates.
  4. Save the company settings.

Once enabled, templates can be created and managed from the Templates page.

Accessing Templates

Accessing the Template Search Page

The Templates page is used to search, edit, create, use, or deactivate existing templates.

  1. From the top menu, hover over Manage Data.
  2. Click Templates.
  3. Use the Template Contains field to search by keyword, customer name, route, commodity, or other saved description.
  4. Click Search to view matching templates.

From the template list, users can select options such as Edit, Start Trip from Template, Start Shipment from Template, or Deactivate. Deactivating a template removes it from normal use without deleting the historical trips or shipments that may have been created from it.

Creating a Template

Fill From Template buton on Start New ACI eManifest page

Templates can be created for either ACE Manifest or ACI eManifest workflows. Choose the template type based on the direction of travel.

  1. From the Templates page, click New ACE Template for U.S.-bound manifests or New ACI Template for Canada-bound eManifests.
  2. Enter a clear Template Name.
  3. Enter a useful description so other users can identify the template.
  4. Use the + Add menu to add the fields that should be saved in the template.
  5. Complete the selected fields.
  6. Click Save.

Use a naming format that makes the template easy to identify later. For example, a template name could include the customer, lane, shipment type, or direction, such as ABC Auto Parts - Windsor to Detroit - ACE.

Template Fields

The available fields differ depending on whether the template is for ACI eManifest or ACE Manifest. Only add fields that are expected to stay consistent for the recurring trip or shipment.

ACI Template Fields ACE Template Fields
  • Add ETA Date Rule
  • Add Carrier Code
  • Add Port of Entry
  • Add Truck
  • Add Driver
  • Add Passenger
  • Add Trailer
  • Add Shipment Type
  • Add Release Office
  • Add Sub Location
  • Add Is Consolidated Rule
  • CSA Business Number
  • Shipper
  • Consignee
  • Add Commodity
  • Add SCAC Code
  • Add ETA Date Rule
  • Add U.S. Port of Arrival
  • Add Truck
  • Add Driver
  • Add Driver Address
  • Add Passenger
  • Add Trailer
  • Add Shipment Type
  • Shipper
  • Consignee
  • Broker
  • Add Commodity
Do not save data that changes on nearly every trip unless the template is meant to be edited before each submission. Common fields that may need review include ETA date and time, trip number, shipment number, seal number, weight, quantity, trailer, driver, and commodity details.

Using a Template

Using Fill eManifest from ACI Template

When templates are enabled and available, BorderConnect will show a Fill From Template button on supported trip and shipment creation pages. This may appear on pages such as Start New ACE Manifest, Start New ACI eManifest, Start New ACE Shipment, or Start New ACI Shipment.

  1. Click Fill From Template.
  2. Search for the template by name or keyword.
  3. Select the template.
  4. Review the data that will be loaded.
  5. Click Use Template.
  6. Update any fields that are different for the current trip or shipment.
  7. Save or continue creating the eManifest.

After applying a template, the user is still responsible for verifying that the information is correct before submitting the manifest to CBP or CBSA.

Best Practices

  • Use templates for repeat lanes, repeat customers, and repeat shipment patterns.
  • Use clear template names that include the customer, route, direction, or shipment type.
  • Keep templates simple by saving only the fields that are truly reusable.
  • Review all imported fields before transmitting the manifest.
  • Update variable information such as ETA, trip number, shipment number, quantity, weight, seal number, driver, and trailer.
  • Deactivate old templates that are no longer accurate.
  • Avoid using templates for one-time shipments or loads with constantly changing details.

Common Mistakes

Using a template without reviewing it.

  • Templates save time, but they do not replace the need to check the manifest before transmission.

Saving too much information.

  • If many fields change from trip to trip, the template may create more correction work than it saves.

Using the wrong country template.

  • ACE templates are for U.S.-bound manifests, while ACI templates are for Canada-bound eManifests.

Leaving old customer or commodity data in place.

  • Always confirm the shipper, consignee, commodity description, quantity, and weight before submitting.

Forgetting to update variable fields.

  • ETA, trip number, shipment number, driver, truck, trailer, seal number, and weight often change and should be reviewed every time.
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