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Empty ACE Manifest (CBP): Difference between revisions

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{{note|This article is part of the [[ACE_Manifest_Software_User_Guide_(CBP)|BorderConnect ACE eManifest Guide]] and the [[Shipment_Types_For_ACE_and_ACI_eManifest|Shipment Release Types Guide]]|info}}
{{note|This article is part of the [[ACE_Manifest_Software_User_Guide_(CBP)|BorderConnect ACE eManifest Guide]] and the [[Shipment_Types_For_ACE_and_ACI_eManifest|Shipment Release Types Guide]]|info}}


{{#ev:youtube|4dk7OFhuUXY|960|center|How to create an empty ACE Manifest in BorderConnect.}}
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Although CBP only recommends to process ACE Manifests for empty loads and are not required, they are however required to be filed for ATA-Carnet's, Military Goods and 10.41B CHEP Instruments of International Traffic as there is no functionality to create those shipments in ACE.
<div class="bc-article-hero">
<h1>Empty ACE eManifest (Trip Only)</h1>
<p>A guide to transmitting conveyance information for empty trucks, bobtails, and exempt cargo in ACE.</p>
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<span class="bc-article-pill"><i class="fas fa-truck"></i> Type: Trip Only</span>
<span class="bc-article-pill"><i class="fas fa-flag-usa"></i> Country: United States (CBP)</span>
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== To process an ACE Manifest in BorderConnect, follow these steps. ==
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=== Step 1 ===
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* Navigate to 'Start New ACE eManifest' under the ACE eManifest menu option.
<h2 style="margin-top: 0;">Overview</h2>
<p>An <strong>Empty ACE eManifest</strong> (often called a "Trip Only" or "Empty Trip" manifest) is a filing where the carrier transmits only the <strong>conveyance and trip information</strong> to CBP and does <strong>not</strong> transmit any shipment bills.</p>


[[Image:Startace1.jpg|800px]]
<p>CBP's advance reporting rules focus on <strong>cargo data</strong>. When a truck is physically empty (including "bobtail" moves), regulations under 19 CFR § 123.92 generally do not require cargo data to be transmitted because there is no commercial cargo to report.</p>


=== Step 2 ===
<div class="bc-did-you-know" style="margin-top: 15px;">
<strong>Why File an Empty?</strong> While not strictly required by regulation for true empties, filing an Empty ACE eManifest is considered a <strong>best practice</strong>. It provides CBP with advance notice of your arrival, allows for faster processing at the booth, and creates a digital record of the crossing for your fleet.
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* Once you have entered your ACE eManifest trip data, navigate to the top left and click 'Save'. This will bring you to your ACE eManifest details page.
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[[Image:Start-new-ace-manifest-empty.jpg|800px]]
<h2 style="margin-top: 40px; border-bottom: 2px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;">How to Process in BorderConnect</h2>


=== Step 3 ===
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<h3><span class="bc-step-circle">1</span> Start New Manifest</h3>
<p>Navigate to <strong>ACE eManifest</strong> in the menu and select <strong>Start New ACE eManifest</strong>.</p>
[[Image:Startace1.jpg|800px]]
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* Once you confirm the data entered for the ACE eManifest, click 'Sync with CBP'. This will transmit your empty ACE eManifest to CBP, and let CBP know that no shipments will be transmitted along with the ACE eManifest.
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<h3><span class="bc-step-circle">2</span> Enter Trip Data & Save</h3>
<p>Enter your standard trip details (Driver, Truck, Port of Entry, ETA). Do <strong>not</strong> create any shipment records. Click <strong>Save</strong> to view the manifest details.</p>
[[Image:Start-new-ace-manifest-empty.jpg|800px]]
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<h3><span class="bc-step-circle">3</span> Sync with CBP</h3>
<p>Once verified, click <strong>Sync with CBP</strong>. This transmits the trip data to Customs and indicates that no shipments are attached.</p>
[[Image:Emanifest-sync-required.png|800px]]
[[Image:Emanifest-sync-required.png|800px]]
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=== Wait For Acceptance ===
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<h3><span class="bc-step-circle">4</span> Wait for Acceptance</h3>
<p>Wait for the status to change to <strong>On File</strong> (often indicated by blue status bars). Your driver is now cleared to proceed to the border.</p>
[[Image:Acemanifest-onfile-status.png]]
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* Once CBP accepts your empty trip ACE eManifest, and the status of your eManifest turns to three blue bars, your driver will be cleared to cross.
<h2 style="margin-top: 40px; border-bottom: 2px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;">Using "Empty Trips" for Exempt Cargo</h2>
 
<p>Certain shipments are exempt from standard electronic shipment reporting but still require the truck to be reported. In these cases, an Empty/Trip-Only manifest is often used to facilitate the crossing.</p>
[[Image:Acemanifest-onfile-status.png]]


== Creating an empty trip for other shipment types ==
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<h3><i class="fas fa-passport"></i> ATA Carnet Shipments</h3>
<p><strong>ATA Carnets</strong> are processed via physical paperwork at the port. Because they are not a standard ACE shipment type, carriers often file an empty trip to notify CBP of the arrival, while the driver presents the Carnet booklet manually.</p>
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;Creating an ATA-Carnet
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:In ACE eManifest there is presently no functionality to declare a Carnet Shipment. As such, highway carriers can simply leave the Carnet Shipment off when preparing their manifest, and have the driver verbally declare the shipment and present the Carnet document to the officer. If there are no other shipments on the truck, it is recommended that the carrier still prepare an empty truck manifest so that prior notice requirements are still met.
<h3><i class="fas fa-shield-alt"></i> Department of Defense (DOD)</h3>
<p><strong>DOD Shipments</strong> (exempt under 19 CFR 10.102) do not always have a corresponding ACE shipment release type. If the truck is carrying <em>only</em> Government/DOD freight, an empty trip manifest allows the carrier to declare the conveyance, while the driver declares the cargo verbally and presents the DCMA certificates.</p>
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;Creating Military Goods
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:Department of Defense Shipments are not required to be (and cannot be) reported on an ACE eManifest. If the carrier has other shipments aboard they should report all other freight on their ACE eManifest, leaving the DOD shipment off. If the only freight loaded on the truck is the DOD shipment, it is still recommended that the carrier create an "empty truck" ACE eManifest in order to notify CBP to expect the driver's arrival.
<h3><i class="fas fa-box-open"></i> Instruments of International Traffic (10.41b)</h3>
<p>While <strong>10.41a IITs</strong> (standard pallets/containers) can be declared as an IIT shipment type, <strong>10.41b(b) reusable shipping devices</strong> (often called "CHEP" pallets or similar pooled containers) are frequently moved under an empty manifest with a notation. Carriers transmit an empty trip and the driver declares the 10.41b instruments upon arrival.</p>
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;Creating Instruments of International Traffic Under 10.41b (CHEP)
{{AppPromo}}
:Presently there is no functionality to create Instruments of International Traffic that qualify under a 10.41b such as CHEP pallets. As a result it's recommended to create an ACE Manifest without a shipment (if there are no other shipments on the ACE).


== References ==
<references />


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[[Category:ACE Manifest Guide]]
[[Category:ACE Manifest Guide]]
[[Category:Shipment Type Guide]]
[[Category:Shipment Type Guide]]

Latest revision as of 15:41, 5 February 2026

🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect ACE eManifest Guide and the Shipment Release Types Guide

Empty ACE eManifest (Trip Only)

A guide to transmitting conveyance information for empty trucks, bobtails, and exempt cargo in ACE.

Type: Trip Only Country: United States (CBP)

Overview

An Empty ACE eManifest (often called a "Trip Only" or "Empty Trip" manifest) is a filing where the carrier transmits only the conveyance and trip information to CBP and does not transmit any shipment bills.

CBP's advance reporting rules focus on cargo data. When a truck is physically empty (including "bobtail" moves), regulations under 19 CFR § 123.92 generally do not require cargo data to be transmitted because there is no commercial cargo to report.

Why File an Empty? While not strictly required by regulation for true empties, filing an Empty ACE eManifest is considered a best practice. It provides CBP with advance notice of your arrival, allows for faster processing at the booth, and creates a digital record of the crossing for your fleet.

How to Process in BorderConnect

1 Start New Manifest

Navigate to ACE eManifest in the menu and select Start New ACE eManifest.

2 Enter Trip Data & Save

Enter your standard trip details (Driver, Truck, Port of Entry, ETA). Do not create any shipment records. Click Save to view the manifest details.

3 Sync with CBP

Once verified, click Sync with CBP. This transmits the trip data to Customs and indicates that no shipments are attached.

4 Wait for Acceptance

Wait for the status to change to On File (often indicated by blue status bars). Your driver is now cleared to proceed to the border.

Using "Empty Trips" for Exempt Cargo

Certain shipments are exempt from standard electronic shipment reporting but still require the truck to be reported. In these cases, an Empty/Trip-Only manifest is often used to facilitate the crossing.

ATA Carnet Shipments

ATA Carnets are processed via physical paperwork at the port. Because they are not a standard ACE shipment type, carriers often file an empty trip to notify CBP of the arrival, while the driver presents the Carnet booklet manually.

Department of Defense (DOD)

DOD Shipments (exempt under 19 CFR 10.102) do not always have a corresponding ACE shipment release type. If the truck is carrying only Government/DOD freight, an empty trip manifest allows the carrier to declare the conveyance, while the driver declares the cargo verbally and presents the DCMA certificates.

Instruments of International Traffic (10.41b)

While 10.41a IITs (standard pallets/containers) can be declared as an IIT shipment type, 10.41b(b) reusable shipping devices (often called "CHEP" pallets or similar pooled containers) are frequently moved under an empty manifest with a notation. Carriers transmit an empty trip and the driver declares the 10.41b instruments upon arrival.

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References


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