Start New ACI eManifest Page (ACI eManifest)

This article is part of the BorderConnect Software User Guide

The Start New ACI eManifest Page is the page in BorderConnect ACI eManifest software where a user begins a new Canada-bound manifest. It allows the user to enter the main trip and conveyance information, save the manifest, and continue to the ACI eManifest Details Page or directly to a new ACI shipment.

Video Tutorial

How to create ACI eManifest trip information in BorderConnect

The page can be opened from the ACI eManifests menu by selecting Start New ACI eManifest. It can also be opened from the ACI eManifest Search Page by clicking Start New ACI eManifest.

Required fields are identified by the legend at the bottom of the page. If a required field is missing, the user should complete it before saving or continuing to the shipment workflow.

Basic Workflow

Open the Start New ACI eManifest page.
Enter the trip number, also known as the conveyance reference number.
Select the first Canadian port of entry.
Enter the estimated arrival date and time.
Add the sublocation or warehouse if required.
Assign the truck, trailer, and driver if they are known.
Choose whether to continue directly to the Start New ACI Shipment form.
Save the manifest.
Add shipments and review the full manifest before transmitting to CBSA.

Action Buttons

Button	Description
Save	Saves the data entered on the page. This button can only be used when all required fields have been completed. Saving creates the manifest and brings the user to either the ACI eManifest Details Page or the Start New ACI Shipment Page, depending on whether Continue to Start New ACI Shipment Form is checked.
Cancel	Cancels the attempt to start a new ACI eManifest. Clicking this button disregards data entered on the page and brings the user back to the ACI eManifest Search Page.
Clear	Clears data from all fields on the page.

Fields

Field	Description
Trip Number	Also known as the Conveyance Reference Number. This is a unique number used to identify the manifest for CBSA. The trip number begins with a Canadian carrier code, selected from the drop-down menu, followed by 4 to 21 letters or numbers entered in the text field. The trip number must be unique and must not be a PARS number or other cargo control number. Common strategies include using an internal load number, the date, or a sequential number.
First Canadian Port of Entry	The Canadian port of entry where the driver will enter Canada. Typing the city name or port code will bring up matching ports. In many cases, typing the name of the city on the U.S. side of the border will bring up the corresponding Canadian port of entry.
Sub Location/Warehouse	The location that in-bond shipments will be bonded to. This field is required for in-bond shipments or to allow failed PARS shipments to move in-bond. Non-bonded carriers generally leave this field blank. Bonded carriers should complete it. Typing the warehouse name or sublocation code will bring up matching locations.
Estimated Arrival Date	The date the driver is expected to arrive at the Canadian border. The field defaults to the current date. To enter another date, type it in mm/dd/yyyy format or use the calendar tool. The currently entered date can be cleared with the eraser icon. A manifest cannot be transmitted more than 30 days in advance of arrival.
Estimated Arrival Time	The time of day the driver is expected to arrive at the Canadian border. The field defaults to the current time plus two hours. The drop-down menus can be used to set the hour, minute, and am/pm value.
Quick Assign Truck	Selects the truck for the manifest. This field can only be used for existing truck profiles; it is not used to create a new truck. Typing the unit number or license plate will bring up matching trucks. The field is optional while starting the manifest, but a truck must be added before transmitting to CBSA.
Quick Assign Trailer	Selects the trailer for the manifest. This field can only be used for existing trailer profiles; it is not used to create a new trailer. Typing the unit number or license plate will bring up matching trailers. In the case of a double-drop trailer, only one of the two trailers can be entered here. The other must be added from the ACI eManifest Details Page. The field is optional while starting the manifest, but any trailer being used must be added before transmitting to CBSA.
Quick Assign Driver	Selects the driver for the manifest. This field can only be used for existing driver profiles; it is not used to create a new driver. Driver information is not currently required in ACI and will not be transmitted to CBSA. Entering the driver is optional and for ease of reference only. Typing the driver's first or last name will bring up matching drivers.
Continue to Start New ACI Shipment Form	Skips directly from creating a new manifest to creating a new shipment. Clicking Save with this box checked brings the user directly to the Start New ACI Shipment Page instead of passing through the ACI eManifest Details Page first. This option is recommended only for users already familiar with the system.

Trip Number Tips

The trip number must be unique and must not match a PARS number or other cargo control number. A consistent format can help dispatchers avoid duplicates and make manifests easier to find later from the ACI eManifest Search Page.

Examples of common formats include:

carrier code plus date;
carrier code plus internal load number; or
carrier code plus a sequential manifest number.

The selected Canadian carrier code should match the carrier responsible for the ACI eManifest. If the wrong carrier code is selected, the trip number and cargo control information may not match the carrier information expected by CBSA, the customs broker, or other parties involved in the shipment.

Sublocation Notes

The Sub Location/Warehouse field is mainly used when goods may need to move inland in-bond or when a bonded carrier needs to identify the warehouse or sufferance location associated with the movement. If the manifest only contains regular PARS shipments and the carrier is not bonded, this field is normally left blank.

Bonded carriers should confirm the correct sublocation or warehouse before transmitting. Selecting the wrong warehouse can create problems if a shipment fails release at the border and must move inland under bond.

After Saving

After the manifest is saved, the user can continue from the ACI eManifest Details Page to add or edit trucks, trailers, drivers, passengers, and shipments. Shipments can also be added from the details page using the Start New ACI Shipment Page.

Once the required trip, conveyance, equipment, and shipment information is complete, the manifest can be transmitted to CBSA. Users should review the manifest details before transmission to confirm the port, arrival date and time, trip number, carrier code, equipment, and shipment information are correct.

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