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.
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.
Basic Workflow
- Open the Start New ACI eManifest page.
- Enter the trip number and 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.
Action Buttons
- Save Button
- 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 Button
- 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 Button
- Clears data from all fields on the page.
Fields
- Trip Number (also known as Conveyance Reference Number)
- 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 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.
Examples of common formats include:
- carrier code plus date;
- carrier code plus internal load number; or
- carrier code plus a sequential manifest number.