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Declaring an Empty ACI eManifest (ACI eManifest): Difference between revisions

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{{note|This article is part of the [[ACI_eManifest_Software_User_Guide_(CBSA)|BorderConnect ACI eManifest Guide]] and the [[Shipment_Types_For_ACE_and_ACI_eManifest|Shipment Release Types Guide]]|info}}
{{note|This article is part of the [[ACI_eManifest_Software_User_Guide_(CBSA)|BorderConnect ACI eManifest Guide]] and the [[Shipment_Types_For_ACE_and_ACI_eManifest|Shipment Release Types Guide]]|info}}
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{{#ev:youtube|X5yKveetLuE|960|center|How to create an empty ACI eManifest in BorderConnect.}}
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<h1>Declaring an Empty ACI eManifest</h1>
<p>A guide to creating and submitting "Empty Conveyance" reports to CBSA.</p>
<div class="bc-article-meta">
<span class="bc-article-pill"><i class="fas fa-truck-loading"></i> Type: Tutorial</span>
<span class="bc-article-pill"><i class="far fa-clock"></i> Time: 5 Minutes</span>
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CBSA guidance indicates that empty conveyances require a conveyance transmission with an indicator identifying the conveyance as being empty. However, highway carriers who arrive at the first port of arrival (FPOA) with empty conveyances and have not transmitted ACI/eManifest data will not receive AMPS for failing to transmit ACI/eManifest for that empty conveyance, until further notice. During this period, carriers arriving with no specified goods will be exempt from the mandatory provision of ACI/eManifest information.<ref name="d3-4-2-empty">Memorandum D3-4-2: Highway pre-arrival and reporting requirements (Empty conveyances): https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d3/d3-4-2-eng.html</ref>
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CBSA also states that for empty conveyances, a Highway Conveyance Document must be provided unless conditions identified in CN15-030 apply.<ref name="eccrd-hiway-empty">CBSA ECCRD – ACI/eManifest Highway (empty conveyances rule referencing CN15-030): https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html</ref>
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== To process an ACI eManifest in BorderConnect with an empty conveyance, follow these steps. ==
<h2 style="margin-top: 0;">Overview</h2>
<p>An <strong>Empty ACI eManifest</strong> is a manifest that contains <strong>Conveyance (Trip) data</strong> but <strong>no Cargo (Shipment) data</strong>.</p>


=== Step 1 ===
<p>Although CBSA guidance indicates that empty conveyances require transmission, highway carriers who arrive at the First Port of Arrival (FPOA) with empty conveyances and have not transmitted ACI data generally do not receive AMPS penalties for failing to transmit, until further notice.<ref name="d3-4-2-empty">Memorandum D3-4-2: Highway pre-arrival and reporting requirements (Empty conveyances): https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d3/d3-4-2-eng.html</ref></p>


* Navigate to 'Start New ACI eManifest' under the ACI eManifest menu option.
<div class="bc-did-you-know" style="margin-top: 20px;">
<strong>Why File Anyway?</strong> Even though exemptions exist, most carriers still file Empty ACI eManifests to ensure faster processing at the booth and to create a clear digital record of the crossing.
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[[Image:Startnewaci1.jpg|800px]]
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=== Step 2 ===
<h2 style="margin-top: 40px; border-bottom: 2px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;">How to Create an Empty Manifest</h2>


* Once you have entered your ACI eManifest conveyance data, navigate to the top left and click 'Save'. This will bring you to your ACI eManifest details page.
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<h3><span class="bc-step-circle">1</span> Start New Manifest</h3>
<p>Navigate to <strong>ACI eManifests</strong> and select <strong>Start New ACI eManifest</strong>.</p>
[[Image:Startnewaci1.jpg|thumb|center|800px|Start New ACI Menu]]
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[[Image:Emptyacisavebutton1.png|800px]]
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<h3><span class="bc-step-circle">2</span> Enter Trip Details</h3>
<p>Enter the standard trip information (Trip Number, Port of Entry, ETA, Driver, Truck, Trailer).</p>


=== Step 3 ===
<div class="bc-warning" style="margin-top: 15px;">
<strong>Crucial Step:</strong> Do <strong>NOT</strong> create any shipments. An empty manifest consists of the Trip information only.
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* Once you confirm the data entered for the ACI eManifest, click 'Sync with CBSA'. This will transmit your empty ACI eManifest to CBSA, and let CBSA know that no shipments will be transmitted along with the ACI eManifest.
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<strong>Action:</strong> Click <strong>Save</strong> at the top of the page.
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[[Image:Emptyacisavebutton1.png|thumb|center|800px|Saving the Trip]]
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[[Image:Sync-required-aci.png|800px]]
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<h3><span class="bc-step-circle">3</span> Sync with CBSA</h3>
<p>Once saved, you will be on the <strong>ACI eManifest Details</strong> page. Since there are no shipments to add, you are ready to transmit.</p>


=== Wait For Acceptance ===
<div class="bc-cleanlist">
* Click <strong>Sync with CBSA</strong>.
* This tells CBSA that a conveyance is arriving with <strong>zero</strong> shipments.
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[[Image:Sync-required-aci.png|thumb|center|800px|Sync Button]]
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* Once CBSA accepts your empty conveyance ACI eManifest (i.e. it is accepted/on file), the driver can proceed to report at the border with the required lead sheet. Note: submission/acceptance does not replace the requirement to physically report to the CBSA officer at the FPOA.<ref name="eccrd-reporting-note">CBSA ECCRD – ACI/eManifest Highway (submission does not constitute reporting; lead sheet requirement): https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html</ref>
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<h3><span class="bc-step-circle">4</span> Verify Acceptance</h3>
<p>Wait for the status to change to <strong>On File with CBSA</strong>.</p>
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* <strong>Paperwork:</strong> The driver must present a standard ACI Lead Sheet with the <strong>Trip Number (CRN)</strong> barcode.
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[[Image:Aciacceptedonfile.png|thumb|center|400px|Accepted Status]]
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[[Image:Aciacceptedonfile.png]]
<h2 style="margin-top: 40px; border-bottom: 2px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;">CSA Approved Carriers</h2>


== Declaring an empty conveyance as a CSA Approved carrier ==
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[[Image:Csaleadsheetempty.jpg‎|thumb|right|200px|CSA Empty Truck Conveyance]]
<div>[[Image:Csaleadsheetempty.jpg‎|thumb|right|CSA Empty Lead Sheet]]
CSA participants must present the required CSA bar codes using an approved format (commonly a CSA lead sheet), and the driver’s registration is validated through their FAST or CDRP/driver registration credentials as applicable.<ref name="d23-2-1">Memorandum D23-2-1: Customs Self-Assessment Program for Carriers (CSA lead sheet/bar code presentation; driver registration references): https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d23/d23-2-1-eng.html</ref>
<h3>CSA Empty Workflow</h3>
<p>For carriers participating in the <strong>Customs Self-Assessment (CSA)</strong> program:</p>
<div class="bc-cleanlist">
* <strong>Paperwork:</strong> Drivers must present the required CSA barcodes (CSA Lead Sheet).
* <strong>Validation:</strong> The driver's registration is validated via FAST or CDRP credentials.<ref name="d23-2-1">Memorandum D23-2-1: Customs Self-Assessment Program for Carriers: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d23/d23-2-1-eng.html</ref>
* <strong>Timing:</strong> If transmitting ACI data, it must be received and validated at least <strong>one hour prior</strong> to arrival (unless an exemption applies).<ref name="eccrd-1hr">CBSA ECCRD – ACI/eManifest Highway: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html</ref>
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If a CSA-approved carrier is also transmitting ACI/eManifest data for an empty conveyance, the Highway Conveyance Document must be received and validated at least one hour prior to arrival (unless an exemption applies).<ref name="eccrd-1hr">CBSA ECCRD – ACI/eManifest Highway (1 hour prior requirement): https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html</ref>
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== References ==
== References ==
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<references />


[[Category:ACI eManifest Guide]]
</div> [[Category:ACI eManifest Guide]] [[Category:Shipment Type Guide]]
[[Category:Shipment Type Guide]]

Latest revision as of 16:59, 9 February 2026

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

Declaring an Empty ACI eManifest

A guide to creating and submitting "Empty Conveyance" reports to CBSA.

Type: Tutorial Time: 5 Minutes

Overview

An Empty ACI eManifest is a manifest that contains Conveyance (Trip) data but no Cargo (Shipment) data.

Although CBSA guidance indicates that empty conveyances require transmission, highway carriers who arrive at the First Port of Arrival (FPOA) with empty conveyances and have not transmitted ACI data generally do not receive AMPS penalties for failing to transmit, until further notice.[1]

Why File Anyway? Even though exemptions exist, most carriers still file Empty ACI eManifests to ensure faster processing at the booth and to create a clear digital record of the crossing.

How to Create an Empty Manifest

1 Start New Manifest

Navigate to ACI eManifests and select Start New ACI eManifest.

Start New ACI Menu

2 Enter Trip Details

Enter the standard trip information (Trip Number, Port of Entry, ETA, Driver, Truck, Trailer).

Crucial Step: Do NOT create any shipments. An empty manifest consists of the Trip information only.

Action: Click Save at the top of the page.

Saving the Trip

3 Sync with CBSA

Once saved, you will be on the ACI eManifest Details page. Since there are no shipments to add, you are ready to transmit.

  • Click Sync with CBSA.
  • This tells CBSA that a conveyance is arriving with zero shipments.
Sync Button

4 Verify Acceptance

Wait for the status to change to On File with CBSA.

  • Paperwork: The driver must present a standard ACI Lead Sheet with the Trip Number (CRN) barcode.
Accepted Status

CSA Approved Carriers

CSA Empty Lead Sheet

CSA Empty Workflow

For carriers participating in the Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) program:

  • Paperwork: Drivers must present the required CSA barcodes (CSA Lead Sheet).
  • Validation: The driver's registration is validated via FAST or CDRP credentials.[2]
  • Timing: If transmitting ACI data, it must be received and validated at least one hour prior to arrival (unless an exemption applies).[3]
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References

  1. ↑ Memorandum D3-4-2: Highway pre-arrival and reporting requirements (Empty conveyances): https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d3/d3-4-2-eng.html
  2. ↑ Memorandum D23-2-1: Customs Self-Assessment Program for Carriers: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d23/d23-2-1-eng.html
  3. ↑ CBSA ECCRD – ACI/eManifest Highway: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html
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