Add/Edit Commodity for ACI Shipment Page (ACI eManifest): Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:05, 29 January 2026

🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect Software User Guide

Viewing the Add/Edit Commodity for ACI Shipment page

The Add/Edit Commodity for ACI Shipment Page is where you enter and manage the detailed goods information for an ACI shipment in BorderConnect’s ACI eManifest system.

Each shipment must include at least one commodity describing what is being transported. This information is required by CBSA for risk assessment and release processing.

You can access this page from the ACI Shipment Details Page by:

Clicking Create Commodity to add a new commodity
Clicking Edit beside an existing commodity

Use the legend at the bottom of the screen to identify which fields are required.

Main action buttons

Button	What it does
Save	Stores the commodity information and returns to the shipment
Delete	Removes the commodity (only when editing an existing one)
Cancel	Discards changes and returns to the shipment

🔖 All required fields must be completed before the Save button becomes available.

Commodity information fields

Field	Purpose	Key rules
Description	Plain language description of the goods	1 to 300 characters, no special characters such as ' : + !
Quantity	Number and type of packages	Whole number plus package type (boxes, drums, skids, etc.)
Weight	Gross weight of the goods	Supports decimals up to 4 places, select lb or kg
Marks and Numbers	Optional shipment identifiers	Use if markings appear on freight

Smart description matching

When you begin typing a commodity description, BorderConnect will:

Suggest previously used descriptions
Automatically apply the package type and weight unit used before

Stored descriptions can be managed from the ACI Commodity Description Search Page.

Hazardous materials (Hazmat) section

Complete this section only if the commodity contains regulated hazardous goods.

Field	When required	Purpose
Hazmat UN Code	Required for hazardous shipments	Identifies the hazardous material classification
Hazmat Contact Name	Required when UN Code is entered	Emergency contact person
Hazmat Contact Phone Number	Required when UN Code is entered	Emergency contact phone number
Hazmat Handling Instructions	Required when UN Code is entered	Safety and handling directions

Hazmat profile matching

When entering a UN Code, BorderConnect will:

Suggest previously stored hazardous goods profiles
Automatically populate contact details and handling instructions

Hazmat profiles can be managed from the ACI Hazardous Goods Search Page.

Example commodity entry

Field	Sample value
Description	Automotive engine parts
Quantity	12 skids
Weight	3,200 kg
Marks and Numbers	PO#45873
Hazmat UN Code	(blank if non hazardous)

Recommended workflow

Open ACI Shipment Details
   ↓
Click Create Commodity
   ↓
Enter description, quantity, and weight
   ↓
Add hazmat info if applicable
   ↓
Save commodity

Best practices

🔖 • Use clear, specific commodity descriptions (avoid “freight” or “general goods”) • Match weight units to shipping documents • Save frequently used descriptions for faster entry • Always complete hazmat fields when shipping dangerous goods

Related pages

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{note|This article is part of the [[BorderConnect_Software_User_Guide|BorderConnect Software User Guide]]|info}}
-[[File:Commodityhazmat1.png|400px|thumb|right|Viewing the '''Add Commodity for ACI Shipment''' page]]The '''Add/Edit Commodity for ACI Shipment Page''' is a page in BorderConnect [https://www.borderconnect.com/aci-e-manifest/index.htm ACI eManifest software] where the user enters or modifies the commodity information for an ACI Shipment. It can only be accessed from the [[ACI Shipment Details Page (ACI eManifest)|ACI Shipment Details Page]] by clicking either the 'Create Commodity' button or the 'Edit' link of an existing commodity. Please note the legend located at the bottom of the page, as it can be used to determine which fields are required to be filled out.</onlyinclude>
+[[File:Commodityhazmat1.png|400px|thumb|right|Viewing the Add/Edit Commodity for ACI Shipment page]]
-;Save Button
+The '''Add/Edit Commodity for ACI Shipment Page''' is where you enter and manage the detailed goods information for an ACI shipment in BorderConnect’s ACI eManifest system.
-:Used to save the entered commodity information to the shipment. Can only be used when all of the required fields have been completed. Clicking the button will save the commodity information to the shipment and return the user to the [[ACI Shipment Details Page (ACI eManifest)|ACI Shipment Details Page]].
-;Delete Button
+Each shipment must include at least one commodity describing what is being transported. This information is required by CBSA for risk assessment and release processing.
-:Only appears when editing an existing commodity. Clicking on this button will remove the commodity from the shipment and return the user to the [[ACI Shipment Details Page (ACI eManifest)|ACI Shipment Details Page]].
-;Cancel Button
+You can access this page from the [[ACI_Shipment_Details_Page_(ACI_eManifest)|ACI Shipment Details Page]] by:
-:Used to cancel entering or editing commodity information. Clicking on this button will disregard any entered or changed commodity information and return the user to the [[ACI Shipment Details Page (ACI eManifest)|ACI Shipment Details Page]].
-;Description
+* Clicking '''Create Commodity''' to add a new commodity
-:Used to provide a description of the goods that make up the shipment. The description must be plain language and sufficient to identify the cargo for customs purposes. The description can be between 1 and 300 characters and cannot contain special characters such as ', :, + or !. When the user begins typing the description in the field, the system will check to see if it matches a previously entered ACI Commodity Description. If so it will come up to be selected,  which will automatically set the package type and weight unit used previously. Otherwise the description will be recorded for the next time. Please note that the user can also edit and delete stored ACI Commodity Descriptions on the [[ACI Commodity Description Search Page (ACI eManifest)|ACI Commodity Description Search Page]].
+* Clicking '''Edit''' beside an existing commodity
-;Quantity
-:Used to indicate the number and type of packages of the goods that make up the shipment. The number of packages can be entered in the text field, and must be a whole number between 1 and 9999999. The drop down menu is used to select the package type from the list. e.g. boxes, barrels
+Use the legend at the bottom of the screen to identify which fields are required.
-;Weight
-:Used to indicate the gross weight of the goods that make up the shipment. The  weight can be entered in the text field, and must be 1 to 9 digits. Decimal values are optionally allowed with up to 4 digit decimal precision. The drop down menu is used to select the weight unit from the list. e.g. pounds, kilograms
+__TOC__
-;Marks and Numbers
-:Optional field. Used to indicate and marks and numbers that identify a shipment or parts of a shipment.
+== Main action buttons ==
-;Hazmat UN Code
-:Required if the shipment contains hazardous materials. Used to indicate the UN Code for the hazardous materials. When the user begins typing the UN Code in the field, the system will check to see if it matches a previously entered UN Code. If so it will come up to be selected, which will automatically set the Contact Name, Contact Phone Number and Handling Instructions used previously. Otherwise these selections will be recorded for the next time. Please note that the user can also edit and delete stored ACI Hazardous Goods Profiles on the [[ACI Hazardous Goods Search Page (ACI eManifest)|ACI Hazardous Goods Search Page]].
+{| class="wikitable"
-;Hazmat Contact Name
+! Button !! What it does
-:Required if the shipment contains hazardous materials. Used to indicate the contact name for the hazardous materials.
+|-
-;Hazmat Contact Phone Number
+| Save || Stores the commodity information and returns to the shipment
-:Required if the shipment contains hazardous materials. Used to indicate the contact number for the hazardous materials.
+|-
-;Hazmat Handling Instructions
+| Delete || Removes the commodity (only when editing an existing one)
-:Required if the shipment contains hazardous materials. Used to specify handling instructions for the hazardous materials. e.g. "handle with care" or "keep away from eyes"
+|-
+| Cancel || Discards changes and returns to the shipment
+|}
+{{note|All required fields must be completed before the Save button becomes available.|info}}
+== Commodity information fields ==
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Field !! Purpose !! Key rules
+|-
+| Description || Plain language description of the goods || 1 to 300 characters, no special characters such as ' : + !
+|-
+| Quantity || Number and type of packages || Whole number plus package type (boxes, drums, skids, etc.)
+|-
+| Weight || Gross weight of the goods || Supports decimals up to 4 places, select lb or kg
+|-
+| Marks and Numbers || Optional shipment identifiers || Use if markings appear on freight
+|}
+=== Smart description matching ===
+When you begin typing a commodity description, BorderConnect will:
+* Suggest previously used descriptions
+* Automatically apply the package type and weight unit used before
+Stored descriptions can be managed from the [[ACI_Commodity_Description_Search_Page_(ACI_eManifest)|ACI Commodity Description Search Page]].
+== Hazardous materials (Hazmat) section ==
+Complete this section only if the commodity contains regulated hazardous goods.
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Field !! When required !! Purpose
+|-
+| Hazmat UN Code || Required for hazardous shipments || Identifies the hazardous material classification
+|-
+| Hazmat Contact Name || Required when UN Code is entered || Emergency contact person
+|-
+| Hazmat Contact Phone Number || Required when UN Code is entered || Emergency contact phone number
+|-
+| Hazmat Handling Instructions || Required when UN Code is entered || Safety and handling directions
+|}
+=== Hazmat profile matching ===
+When entering a UN Code, BorderConnect will:
+* Suggest previously stored hazardous goods profiles
+* Automatically populate contact details and handling instructions
+Hazmat profiles can be managed from the [[ACI_Hazardous_Goods_Search_Page_(ACI_eManifest)|ACI Hazardous Goods Search Page]].
+== Example commodity entry ==
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Field !! Sample value
+|-
+| Description || Automotive engine parts
+|-
+| Quantity || 12 skids
+|-
+| Weight || 3,200 kg
+|-
+| Marks and Numbers || PO#45873
+|-
+| Hazmat UN Code || (blank if non hazardous)
+|}
+== Recommended workflow ==
+<pre>
+Open ACI Shipment Details
+   ↓
+Click Create Commodity
+   ↓
+Enter description, quantity, and weight
+   ↓
+Add hazmat info if applicable
+   ↓
+Save commodity
+</pre>
+== Best practices ==
+{{note|
+• Use clear, specific commodity descriptions (avoid “freight” or “general goods”)
+• Match weight units to shipping documents
+• Save frequently used descriptions for faster entry
+• Always complete hazmat fields when shipping dangerous goods
+|info}}
+== Related pages ==
+* [[ACI_Shipment_Details_Page_(ACI_eManifest)|ACI Shipment Details Page]]
+* [[ACI_Commodity_Description_Search_Page_(ACI_eManifest)|ACI Commodity Description Search Page]]
+* [[ACI_Hazardous_Goods_Search_Page_(ACI_eManifest)|ACI Hazardous Goods Search Page]]
 [[Category:BorderConnect Software User Guide]]