E-Manifest Template Feature (ACE and ACI eManifest)

🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect Software User Guide

eManifest Template Feature

Streamline the creation of both ACE (U.S.) and ACI (Canada) eManifests by saving frequently used trip, driver, equipment, and shipment information.

Type: Data Entry System: eManifests

Overview

The eManifest Template Feature in BorderConnect is a powerful tool designed to drastically reduce data entry time and minimize the risk of costly manual keying errors.

By allowing users to save frequently used information, templates can be applied with a single click to automatically populate recurring trip, equipment, driver, and shipment data into new manifests.

⚠️ Important Notice: The Template feature should only be used if you are absolutely certain that the data will be reused for multiple trips. Always double-check the information before submitting. Drivers arriving at the border with incorrect data can be delayed, held, or given a penalty for inaccurate information on an ACE or ACI eManifest.

How to Reach the Templates Page:

• From the top menu, hover over Manage Data and select Templates.

When to Use Templates (and When Not To)

While templates are a massive time-saver, they are not suited for every type of freight operation. Using templates incorrectly or blindly can lead to severe consequences at the border.

✅ IDEAL Scenarios (Use Templates)

❌ BAD Scenarios (Avoid Templates)

Dedicated/Recurring Routes: Delivering the same commodity between the exact same Shipper and Consignee daily or weekly (e.g., auto parts or groceries). Empty Crossings: Drivers returning empty on a regular, predictable basis. Consistent Driver/Equipment Combos: If a driver always drives the same truck and pulls the same trailer, creating a template for the Trip data saves repetitive entry. Single-Commodity Haulers: Hauling bulk goods (like lumber or grain) where only the exact weight or piece count changes from trip to trip.

LTL (Less-Than-Truckload): Carriers hauling mixed freight with constantly changing shippers, consignees, piece counts, and weights. Brokerage/Spot Market Freight: Where every load is unique and the routing changes frequently. High-Risk or Hazmat Loads: Shipments requiring exact, unique descriptions and UN numbers that must be verified fresh on every trip to avoid severe penalties. Inattentive Dispatching: If users are prone to blindly clicking "Submit" without updating variable fields (like piece counts, weights, or seal numbers) on the loaded template.

Enabling the Template Feature

The eManifest template setting is turned off by default. To begin utilizing templates, it must first be enabled in your company's settings.

Enabling Templates in the Company Settings page

1. Navigate to the Company Settings page.
2. Scroll down to the Shared eManifest Settings section.
3. Toggle on Use Trip and Shipment Templates.

Accessing and Managing Templates

Once the feature is enabled, you can manage all your existing templates and search for specific ones from a centralized location.

Template Search page

1. From the top menu, hover over Manage Data and click Templates. This will bring you to the Template Search page.
2. To find a specific template, type a keyword into the Template Contains field and click the Search button.
3. Below the search area, view a list of all existing ACE or ACI templates. From this list, you can quickly Edit, Start Trip from Template, Start Shipment from Template, or Deactivate the existing template.

Creating a New Template

From the Template Search page, you can easily build new templates for your recurring manifests or shipments.

1. Click either the New ACE Template button (for US-bound trips) or the New ACI Template button (for Canada-bound trips).
2. You will be brought to the Template Editor for that specific country.
3. Enter a recognizable Template Name.
4. Enter a description that others might use to search for or identify the template. Note: If this is left empty, an AI-generated description will be added automatically once details are populated.

Adding Template Details

Once your template is named, the next step is adding the specific data points. Click the + Add drop-down menu to preload a comprehensive list of trip and shipment fields.

Adding a New ACI eManifest Template

ACI Template Fields (Canada-bound)	ACE Template Fields (U.S.-bound)
Add ETA Date Rule Add Carrier Code Add Port of Entry Add Truck Add Driver Add Passenger Add Trailer Add Shipment Type Add Release Office Add Sub Location Add Is Consolidated Rule CSA Business Number Shipper Consignee Add Commodity	Add SCAC Code Add ETA Date Rule Add U.S. Port of Arrival Add Truck Add Driver Add Driver Address Add Passenger Add Trailer Add Shipment Type Shipper Consignee Broker Add Commodity

Simply select the fields that remain consistent for your specific route or customer, fill in the data, and click Save at the top of the editor. Your template is now ready to use to save time on future eManifests!

Using a Template

When ACE or ACI templates exist, starting a new trip or shipment will automatically display a Fill From Template button at the top of the creation pages (Start New ACE Manifest, Start New ACI eManifest, Start New ACE Shipment, etc.).

Fill from Template

1. Click the Fill From Template button to open the "Fill eManifest from Template" modal.
2. Enter the template name in the search bar and select it. This will reveal the data that the template is going to load.
3. Click the Use Template button to instantly import that data into your eManifest or Shipment.

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