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What Cross-Border Supplies Do I Need And What Are PAPS Barcode Labels (DIY Customs Consulting)

Last updated 31 July 2026

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This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide

Crossing into the United States as a commercial highway carrier involves providing the required documentation and barcode labels at the first U.S. port of entry. For standard commercial loads, the driver will normally need an ACE Manifest lead sheet and a PAPS barcode label, or at minimum the typed or written trip number and shipment control number.

An ACE Manifest lead sheet can be printed, faxed, or emailed directly to the driver using BorderConnect ACE eManifest software. PAPS barcode labels can be ordered and shipped to the highway carrier from BorderPrint.

Video Tutorial

What Barcodes and Documents Are Required When Crossing Into The U.S.?

What Are PAPS Barcode Labels?

[[Image:Paps-barcode-labels.png|250px|thumb|right|PAPS barcode labels from BorderPrint]Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) is a U.S. shipment type for commercial goods to clear through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on an ACE Manifest and through a customs broker. Most commercial goods are cleared as a PAPS shipment unless they qualify for another release type or are exempt from PAPS, depending on the scenario.

PAPS numbers use a Shipment Control Number (SCN). The SCN normally consists of the carrier's SCAC, followed by a unique number assigned by the carrier. Highway carriers are recommended to use sequential PAPS barcode labels when assigning numbers to shipments that require clearance by a customs broker.

The carrier places the PAPS barcode label on the invoice or bill of lading and provides the number to the customs broker. The broker uses that number to file the entry, and the carrier transmits the matching ACE eManifest before arrival at the border. PAPS is designed as a pre-arrival cargo release process where the broker prepares the entry before the truck arrives and CBP can retrieve the shipment by the barcode or shipment control number at the port of entry.[1]

BorderPrint PAPS barcode labels can be ordered with the carrier's company name, SCAC, and sequential shipment control number range.

ACE Manifest Lead Sheets

An ACE Manifest lead sheet gives the driver and CBP officer a clear reference for the ACE trip and shipment information. BorderConnect users can generate lead sheets from the ACE Manifest and print, fax, or email them to the driver.

The ACE eManifest data must be transmitted to CBP before arrival. Under 19 CFR 123.92, truck cargo information must be received by CBP through an approved electronic data interchange system no later than either 30 minutes or 1 hour before the carrier reaches the first U.S. port of arrival, depending on the shipment and program eligibility.[2]

For standard non-FAST highway shipments, carriers should plan to transmit the ACE eManifest at least one hour before arrival. The driver should confirm the manifest has been accepted before approaching the border.

Other Release Types and Forms

If a U.S.-bound shipment is arriving under a release type other than PAPS, other documentation may be required in addition to the ACE Manifest lead sheet. The carrier should confirm the required shipment type and documents with the importer, customs broker, shipper, or CBP before dispatching.

CBP Form 7512
Used for in-bond shipments and other goods moving under bond. CBP lists Form 7512 as the "Transportation Entry and Manifest of Goods Subject to CBP Inspection and Permit."[3] See also QP In-Bond.
Customs Form 7512B / A8B In-Transit Manifest
Used when a U.S. bonded carrier brings commercial goods through the United States, such as a Canada-to-Canada in-transit movement through the U.S. A8B in-transit manifest forms can be ordered from BorderPrint.
CBP Form 3299
Used for certain personal goods or household effects entering the United States. CBP lists Form 3299 as the "Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles."[4]
CBP Form 7523
Used for certain merchandise that qualifies for free entry. CBP lists Form 7523 as the "Entry and Manifest of Merchandise Free of Duty, Carrier's Certificate and Release."[5]
NCAP / FAST Carrier Lead Sheet
Used when the highway carrier and driver are both Free and Secure Trade (FAST) approved and the driver is crossing with a FAST load. This is mainly used during downtime of the National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) system. NCAP/FAST lead sheets can be ordered from BorderPrint.

For more information on shipment release types, see Shipment Types for ACE and ACI eManifest.

Documents to Give the Driver

Before the driver leaves for the border, the dispatcher should confirm that the driver has the documents needed for the shipment type. For a standard PAPS shipment, this normally includes the ACE Manifest lead sheet, commercial invoice or bill of lading with the PAPS barcode, and any supporting documents required by the broker or government agency.

The driver should also know the trip number, Shipment Control Number, port of arrival, and broker contact information. If the ACE Manifest or broker entry is not ready, the driver should wait for confirmation before approaching CBP.

BorderConnect Workflow

In BorderConnect ACE eManifest software, the carrier creates the ACE Manifest, adds the driver, truck, trailer, port, ETA, and shipment information, then transmits the manifest to CBP. Once accepted, the user can generate the ACE Manifest lead sheet and send it to the driver.

The PAPS barcode number used on the invoice or bill of lading should match the shipment control number entered on the ACE shipment in BorderConnect. If the number does not match, the customs broker's entry and the carrier's ACE Manifest may not link properly at the border.

Common Mistakes

  • Sending the driver with a PAPS barcode but no accepted ACE Manifest.
  • Entering a shipment control number in ACE that does not match the PAPS barcode on the invoice.
  • Reusing a PAPS barcode number that has already been used on another shipment.
  • Sending the driver to the border before the broker has filed the entry.
  • Using PAPS for a shipment that should be entered under another release type.
  • Forgetting supporting documents for in-bond, personal goods, FAST, or free-entry shipments.

Supplies and Downloads

References

  1. ↑ CBP - Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS)
  2. ↑ 19 CFR 123.92 - Electronic information for truck cargo required in advance of arrival
  3. ↑ CBP Form 7512 - Transportation Entry and Manifest of Goods Subject to CBP Inspection and Permit
  4. ↑ CBP Form 3299 - Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles
  5. ↑ CBP Form 7523 - Entry and Manifest of Merchandise Free of Duty, Carrier's Certificate and Release
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