How To Register With BorderConnect

This article is part of the BorderConnect Software User Guide and the Customs Compliance Guide

A step-by-step guide to creating a BorderConnect account, selecting services, entering company information, and completing any government activation steps required before live filing.

Overview

Registering with BorderConnect allows highway carriers to use one web-based portal for cross-border workflows such as ACE eManifest, ACI eManifest, RNS PARS tracking, U.S. In-Bond Manager, and eManifest API. The official BorderConnect registration page offers account creation for companies that want to send ACE Manifest and ACI eManifests from one portal.

BorderConnect's software user guide describes the system as a web-based solution for eManifest requirements with technical support. Before registering, carriers should confirm they have the identifiers needed for the services they plan to use, such as a CBSA carrier code for ACI eManifest or a SCAC for ACE eManifest.

Prerequisites

Before registering, gather the information needed for your company and the services you plan to activate. CBSA states that carriers and freight forwarders need a 4-character CBSA-issued carrier code to do business with the CBSA.

For U.S. ACE truck manifest filing, CBP's ACE Truck Manifest user guide states that truck carrier accounts are organized by Standard Carrier Alpha Codes (SCACs). If using EDI or a service provider for electronic truck manifests, CBP's EDI application guidance says the letter of intent should include the company's SCAC, contacts, ports of entry, crossing volume, and a description of the communications system or third-party service provider.

Have the following ready where applicable:

• legal company name and operating name;
• head office address and contact information;
• primary account administrator information;
• CBSA carrier code for ACI eManifest and PARS/RNS workflows;
• SCAC for ACE eManifest and U.S. PAPS workflows;
• company email access for verification and activation messages;
• CARM/CBSA information if applying for or managing a CBSA carrier code; and
• CBP or filer setup information if using U.S. In-Bond Manager.

See Onboarding for BorderConnect before registration if the company does not yet have its carrier identifiers or is unsure which services it needs.

1 Choose Services

The first step is selecting the BorderConnect services the company intends to use. This determines which workflows are enabled and which activation steps may be required.

Common services include:

• ACE eManifest: for U.S.-bound highway shipments submitted to CBP.
• ACI eManifest: for Canada-bound highway shipments submitted to CBSA.
• RNS (PARS) Tracking: for receiving release status updates on Canadian PARS shipments.
• U.S. In-Bond Manager: for QP in-bond filing, arrivals, exports, status queries, and related in-bond workflows.
• eManifest API: for companies integrating BorderConnect with their own software.

BorderConnect's public service materials describe ACE Manifest, ACI eManifest, RNS PARS Tracking, eManifest API, U.S. In-Bond Manager, and customs consulting as supported cross-border services.

2 Company Information

Enter the company details exactly as they should appear on customs-related records. Inconsistent names, carrier codes, or contact information can delay activation or make it harder to match the company to government systems.

Field	Why it is required
Company Name	Identifies the legal or operating business entity on manifests and account records.
CBSA Carrier Code	Links the company to CBSA for ACI eManifest, PARS, and Canadian carrier workflows.
SCAC Code	Links the company to CBP for ACE eManifest, PAPS, and U.S. carrier workflows.

CBSA issues one carrier code per mode per legal entity, and separate legal entities should apply for their own code. For ACE, the SCAC should match the carrier account and the manifest filings used for U.S.-bound trips.

3 Head Office

The head office section records the company's main business location and contact details. This information may be used for account verification, billing, support, correspondence, and service activation.

Field	Purpose
Address	Used for company identification, billing, support, and administrative correspondence.
Phone and Email	Used for activation, support contact, alerts, and account communication.
Time Zone	Helps align trip planning, estimated arrival times, and filing deadlines.

CBP and CBSA pre-arrival filing timelines are time-sensitive, so the account's time zone and operating information should be accurate. Incorrect office or time-zone information can create confusion when dispatchers review arrival times, acceptance status, or support messages.

4 Primary Contact

The primary contact is the main person BorderConnect can contact about registration, activation, and account administration. This person should have authority to answer company setup questions and coordinate follow-up documents.

Enter:

• name and title;
• email address;
• phone number;
• extension, if applicable; and
• terminal or office, if the company operates from multiple locations.

BorderConnect user-management documentation explains that super users can create or remove user accounts and change company information, while normal users cannot change additional administration information. The first account administrator should therefore be someone trusted to manage company access.

5 Create Login

Create secure login credentials for the initial account user. Use a unique username and a strong password that is not shared with other systems.

Recommended practices:

• use a strong password;
• avoid shared dispatcher logins where individual accountability is needed;
• create separate users for each dispatcher or administrator after setup;
• remove users who leave the company; and
• enable two-factor authentication if available.

After the account is created, additional users can be invited or added from the account-management area. BorderConnect's user-management workflow allows authorized users to create super users or normal users and invite new users by email.

6 Verify Account

After submitting the registration, verify the account using the email sent during the registration process. Account verification confirms that the email address is valid and allows BorderConnect to continue with any required service activation steps.

Some services may be available quickly after account creation, while others require government approval, testing, or third-party setup. Carriers should not wait until a truck is already at the border to complete registration, because ACI, RNS, ACE, API, or in-bond activation may require additional steps.

7 ACI and RNS

If ACI eManifest or RNS/PARS tracking is selected, BorderConnect may require additional CBSA-related forms or setup information before the service can be activated. CBSA states that once a carrier receives its carrier code, it must apply to transmit Advance Commercial Information (ACI) to CBSA and undergo the testing process.

CBSA also states that, with eManifest, highway carriers transporting goods into Canada are required to transmit cargo and conveyance data electronically to CBSA before arrival. BorderConnect's ACI eManifest guide covers creating, submitting, correcting, and tracking Canadian ACI eManifests.

Typical activation steps include:

• completing any required CBSA or BorderConnect authorization forms;
• confirming the carrier code and company information;
• returning completed forms to BorderConnect;
• completing CBSA registration or testing where required; and
• waiting for confirmation that ACI and/or RNS service is active.

Activation timelines can vary depending on government processing, testing requirements, completeness of forms, and whether the company already has a CBSA carrier code. Carriers should plan ahead and confirm service activation before dispatching live ACI shipments through BorderConnect.

8 ACE Activation

If ACE eManifest is selected, the company must have the correct SCAC and be set up to transmit electronic truck manifests to CBP. CBP's ACE Truck Manifest materials identify SCAC as the organizing code for truck carrier accounts.

For carriers filing through EDI or a third-party service provider, CBP states that the letter of intent should include the company's principal contacts, SCAC, ports of entry, approximate crossing volumes, and a description of the company's communication system or third-party service provider. BorderConnect can then be configured so the carrier's ACE manifests are transmitted using the proper SCAC and account setup.

Typical activation steps include:

• confirming the SCAC;
• confirming company and contact details;
• completing any required CBP or service-provider setup;
• verifying that BorderConnect is authorized to transmit for the carrier; and
• testing or confirming transmission readiness where required.

9 In-Bond Manager

To use BorderConnect's U.S. In-Bond Manager or QP in-bond filing, the company must have the appropriate CBP setup for in-bond filing. BorderConnect's U.S. In-Bond Manager guide covers QP in-bond filing, arrivals, exports, status queries, and diversions.

If a CBP filer code or Letter of Intent is required, complete the forms provided during the activation process and return them as instructed. CBP's EDI application procedures describe Letter of Intent requirements for electronic truck manifest filing, including company contacts, SCAC, ports, crossing volume, and communications method or third-party provider.

Typical activation steps include:

• confirming the company wants U.S. In-Bond Manager or QP filing;
• completing and signing the required Letter of Intent or filer setup documents;
• returning the documents to BorderConnect;
• waiting for CBP processing or filer approval where required; and
• confirming that the service is active before filing live in-bond movements.

After Registration

After registration, the company should complete its basic setup before filing live manifests. BorderConnect's software user guide recommends creating profiles for drivers, passengers, trucks, and trailers before creating eManifests because profile data is used to complete mandatory manifest fields.

Recommended next steps:

• create or import driver profiles;
• create truck and trailer profiles;
• add common shippers, consignees, and brokers;
• confirm carrier code and SCAC settings;
• confirm user permissions and add additional users;
• test printing or emailing lead sheets;
• review ACI and ACE filing timelines; and
• submit the first manifest only after the applicable service is active.

Common Mistakes

• Registering before obtaining the required CBSA carrier code or SCAC.
• Entering a company name that does not match carrier-code or SCAC records.
• Selecting ACI, RNS, ACE, API, or in-bond services but not completing the follow-up activation forms.
• Using a shared login instead of creating separate users.
• Dispatching a live shipment before ACI, ACE, RNS, or in-bond activation is confirmed.
• Forgetting to create driver, truck, and trailer profiles before the first manifest.
• Assuming account registration alone completes government approval or testing.

Official Resources

• BorderConnect: Create your BorderConnect Account
• BorderConnect Software User Guide
• BorderConnect ACI eManifest Software User Guide
• BorderConnect ACE Manifest Software User Guide
• BorderConnect U.S. In-Bond Manager Guide
• CBSA: Get a CBSA-issued carrier code
• CBSA: Highway Carrier Code Application Process
• CBP: Application Procedures for Electronic Truck Manifest via EDI
• CBP: ACE Truck Manifest User Guide

Related Guides

• BorderConnect Onboarding and Readiness Guide
• BorderConnect Software User Guide
• Submit your first ACI eManifest
• Submit your first ACE Manifest
• U.S. In-Bond Manager Guide
• CBSA Carrier Code
• SCAC Code
• PARS Tracking
• PAPS Tracking