BorderConnect Onboarding and Readiness Guide: Difference between revisions

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{{note|This article is part of the [[BorderConnect_Software_User_Guide|BorderConnect Software User Guide]] and the [[Customs_Compliance_Guide_(CBP_and_CBSA)|Customs Compliance Guide]]|info}}
=== Driver requirements (Canada) ===


= Onboarding for BorderConnect: Be Ready to File ACI (Canada) and/or ACE (U.S.) =
Before a driver can cross commercially into Canada, ensure:


This guide prepares highway carriers and dispatch teams to complete the government registrations and setup steps required before using BorderConnect to create and transmit:
* Valid passport or approved travel document
* '''ACI eManifest''' (Canada – CBSA)
* Any company credentials required by your operation
* '''ACE Truck e-Manifest''' (United States – CBP)
* Shipment paperwork (BOL, invoice references, PARS numbers where applicable)
* Internal trip or manifest reference (lead sheet, trip number, or BorderConnect confirmation)


The goal is to ensure your manifests can be submitted, accepted, and time-stamped early enough that drivers arrive at the border compliant and ready.
Operational best practices:
* Drivers should know the Port of Entry they are arriving at
* Drivers should understand who to contact if clearance is not on file
* Drivers should arrive only after ACI acceptance and broker clearance are confirmed


__TOC__
=== Equipment requirements (Canada) ===


== Crossing into Canada (CBSA ACI eManifest & CARM Client Portal) ==
CBSA ACI/eManifest submissions require accurate conveyance data, including:


CBSA’s highway ACI/eManifest guidance states that the Highway Cargo Document (and Combined Highway Document) may be submitted up to 30 days in advance, but must be received and validated at least '''one hour prior to arrival''' at the First Port of Arrival (FPOA).<ref>CBSA. "Advance Commercial Information (ACI)/eManifest Highway: Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document (ECCRD) – Highway Mode." https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html</ref> 
* Tractor (power unit) number
CBSA’s eManifest Portal User Guide also states that trade documents must be received and validated at least one hour prior to arrival at the FPOA.<ref>CBSA. "eManifest Portal User Guide." https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/portal-portail/guide-eng.html</ref>
* Trailer number(s)
* Mode of transport (highway)
* Port of entry


=== Step 1: Obtain a CBSA Carrier Code ===
Best practices for equipment data:


A CBSA carrier code is a four-character unique identifier required to transact business with CBSA (highway, marine, air, rail).<ref>CBSA. "Commercial carrier and freight forwarder identification and eligibility." https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carrier-transporteur/menu-eng.html</ref>
* Use consistent tractor and trailer numbering formats
* Avoid special characters not used in company standards
* Confirm numbers match physical equipment markings exactly
* Update manifests immediately if equipment changes after submission


CBSA’s Highway Carrier Code Application guidance explains the process:
Incorrect or missing equipment identifiers can cause inspection delays or manifest rejections.
# Create an account in the CARM Client Portal (CCP)
# Complete the carrier code application in the CCP
# After receiving the carrier code, apply to transmit ACI and complete any required testing<ref>CBSA. "CBSA Guidelines – Highway Carrier Code Application Process." https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carrier-transporteur/hccap-ddctr-eng.html</ref>
 
CBSA also notes that new carriers can request a carrier code when registering in the CARM Client Portal.<ref>CBSA. "Get started with CARM." https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carm-gcra/start-passer-eng.html</ref>
 
=== Step 2: Set up your CARM Client Portal access ===
 
The CARM Client Portal is CBSA’s official platform for business enrollment, user access, and program enrolment workflows.<ref>CARM Client Portal login. https://ccp-pcc.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/</ref> 
CBSA provides onboarding documentation and user guides for portal processes.<ref>CBSA. "CARM Client Portal onboarding documentation." https://ccp-pcc.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/en/onboarding-documentation</ref>
 
Within the portal you must:
# Create and link your business profile 
# Assign internal roles and permissions 
# Complete program enrolments required for carrier operations 
 
CBSA publishes a specific user guide for enrolling in the Carrier program.<ref>CBSA. "User Guide – Enrol in the Carrier program." https://ccp-pcc.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/en/assets/pdfs/onboarding/en/User%20Guide%20-%20Enrol%20in%20the%20Carrier%20program.pdf</ref>
 
=== Step 3: Delegation of Authority (brokers and service providers) ===
 
If a customs broker or third-party service provider will act on your behalf, CBSA requires Delegation of Authority to be managed inside the CARM Client Portal.
 
CBSA guidance includes:
* Delegation of Authority user guide (PDF)<ref>CBSA. "User Guide – Delegation of Authority in the CARM Client Portal." https://ccp-pcc.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/en/assets/pdfs/onboarding/en/User%20Guide%20-%20Delegation%20of%20Authority%20in%20the%20CARM%20Client%20Portal.pdf</ref>
* Official walkthrough for delegating authority to a third party service provider<ref>CBSA. "How to set up a delegation of authority for a third party service provider in the CARM Client Portal." https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/multimedia/carm-gcra/portal-portail-r1-4-eng.html</ref>
 
Practical onboarding checklist:
# Identify which brokers or service providers need access 
# Review and approve pending requests in CCP 
# Confirm permissions are correctly assigned 
 
=== Step 4: Meet the ACI highway timing requirement ===
 
CBSA requires highway cargo and conveyance data to be received and validated at least one hour prior to arrival at the FPOA.<ref>CBSA. "Advance Commercial Information (ACI)/eManifest Highway: ECCRD – Highway Mode." https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html</ref>
 
CBSA Memorandum D3-4-2 further explains that submissions with insufficient review time may trigger warnings and possible AMPS enforcement.<ref>CBSA. "Memorandum D3-4-2: Highway pre-arrival and reporting requirements." https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d3/d3-4-2-eng.html</ref>
 
Dispatch readiness tips:
* Submit early enough to ensure acceptance before the one-hour window 
* Update submissions when ETAs change 
* Keep manifest and paperwork data consistent 
 
=== Step 5: Broker coordination (PARS shipments) ===
 
Many Canadian imports require broker clearance prior to release. During onboarding:
 
* Confirm brokers have your correct CBSA carrier code 
* Ensure shipment identifiers align between ACI filings and broker entries 
* Build timing into dispatch so clearance is completed before arrival 
 
=== Step 6: Driver readiness (Canada) ===
 
Before dispatch:
 
* Confirm ACI acceptance at least one hour before arrival<ref>CBSA. "Advance Commercial Information (ACI)/eManifest Highway: ECCRD – Highway Mode." https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html</ref> 
* Ensure paperwork matches manifest data 
* Provide drivers with your internal trip or lead sheet references 
 
== Crossing into the United States (CBP ACE Truck e-Manifest) ==
 
CBP requires carriers to submit the ACE Truck Manifest at least one hour prior to arrival into the United States.<ref>CBP. "ACE Truck Manifest User Guide (PDF)." https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACE%20Truck%20Manifest%20User%20Guide.pdf</ref> 
CBP maintains official guidance for the Truck e-Manifest program.<ref>CBP. "e-Manifest: Trucks User Guide." https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/e-manifest-trucks-user-guide</ref>
 
=== Step 1: Understand the CBP one-hour prior submission rule ===
 
Carriers must submit and receive acceptance of the ACE Manifest no later than one hour prior to arrival at the U.S. border.<ref>CBP. "ACE Truck Manifest User Guide (PDF)." https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACE%20Truck%20Manifest%20User%20Guide.pdf</ref>
 
=== Step 2: Prepare consistent trip and equipment data ===
 
Before using BorderConnect:
 
* Standardize tractor numbers 
* Standardize trailer numbers 
* Define trip/manifest reference formats 
* Confirm shipment reference workflows with brokers 
 
This reduces rejections and delays.
 
=== Step 3: Broker coordination (entries / PAPS workflows) ===
 
For many U.S. commercial shipments:
 
* Broker entry data must align with manifest submissions 
* Shipment control numbers should be consistent across systems 
 
Confirm alignment during onboarding.
 
=== Step 4: Driver readiness (United States) ===
 
Before dispatch:
 
* Confirm ACE Manifest acceptance prior to the one-hour cutoff<ref>CBP. "ACE Truck Manifest User Guide (PDF)." https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACE%20Truck%20Manifest%20User%20Guide.pdf</ref> 
* Ensure drivers have trip references and paperwork per your SOP 
 
== BorderConnect Go-Live Readiness Checklist ==
 
=== Canada ===
✔ CBSA carrier code issued<ref>CBSA. "CBSA Guidelines – Highway Carrier Code Application Process." https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carrier-transporteur/hccap-ddctr-eng.html</ref> 
✔ CARM Client Portal enrolment complete<ref>CBSA. "User Guide – Enrol in the Carrier program." https://ccp-pcc.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/en/assets/pdfs/onboarding/en/User%20Guide%20-%20Enrol%20in%20the%20Carrier%20program.pdf</ref> 
✔ Delegation of Authority handled where required<ref>CBSA. "User Guide – Delegation of Authority in the CARM Client Portal." https://ccp-pcc.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/en/assets/pdfs/onboarding/en/User%20Guide%20-%20Delegation%20of%20Authority%20in%20the%20CARM%20Client%20Portal.pdf</ref> 
✔ Ability to meet ACI one-hour requirement<ref>CBSA. "Advance Commercial Information (ACI)/eManifest Highway: ECCRD – Highway Mode." https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html</ref>
 
=== United States ===
✔ Ability to meet CBP one-hour ACE Manifest requirement<ref>CBP. "ACE Truck Manifest User Guide (PDF)." https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ACE%20Truck%20Manifest%20User%20Guide.pdf</ref> 
✔ Trip/equipment data standards defined 
 
== Next Steps in BorderConnect ==
 
* [[Creating_and_Submitting_a_New_ACI_eManifest_(ACI_eManifest)|Create your first ACI eManifest]]
* [[Creating_and_Submitting_a_New_ACE_Manifest_(ACE_Manifest)|Create your first ACE Manifest]]
* [[EManifest_Processing_Guide_(ACE_and_ACI_eManifest)|eManifest Processing Guide]]
 
== References ==
<references/>