BorderConnect Onboarding and Readiness Guide

🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect Software User Guide and the Customs Compliance Guide

Onboarding for BorderConnect: Be Ready to File ACI (Canada) and/or ACE (U.S.)

This guide prepares highway carriers and dispatch teams to complete the government registrations and setup steps required before using BorderConnect to create and transmit:

• ACI eManifest (Canada – CBSA)
• ACE Truck e-Manifest (United States – CBP)

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.

Crossing into Canada (CBSA ACI eManifest & CARM Client Portal)

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). 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.

Step 1: Obtain a CBSA Carrier Code

A CBSA carrier code is a four-character unique identifier required to transact business with CBSA (highway, marine, air, rail).

CBSA’s Highway Carrier Code Application guidance explains the process:

1. Create an account in the CARM Client Portal (CCP)
2. Complete the carrier code application in the CCP
3. After receiving the carrier code, apply to transmit ACI and complete any required testing

CBSA also notes that new carriers can request a carrier code when registering in the CARM Client Portal.

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. CBSA provides onboarding documentation and user guides for portal processes.

Within the portal you must:

1. Create and link your business profile
2. Assign internal roles and permissions
3. Complete program enrolments required for carrier operations

CBSA publishes a specific user guide for enrolling in the Carrier program.

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)
• Official walkthrough for delegating authority to a third party service provider

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.

CBSA Memorandum D3-4-2 explains that submissions with insufficient review time may trigger warnings and possible AMPS enforcement.

Step 5: Broker coordination (PARS shipments)

Many Canadian imports require broker clearance prior to release. Confirm that:

• Brokers have your correct CBSA carrier code
• Shipment identifiers align between ACI filings and broker entries
• Clearance timing supports arrival schedules

Step 6: Driver and equipment requirements (Canada)

Driver requirements

Before a driver crosses commercially into Canada, ensure:

• Valid passport or approved travel document
• Shipment paperwork (BOL, invoice references, PARS numbers where applicable)
• Internal trip or manifest reference

Drivers should:

• Know the port of entry
• Arrive only after ACI acceptance and broker clearance are confirmed

Equipment requirements

ACI eManifest requires accurate conveyance data including:

• Tractor (power unit) number
• Trailer number(s)
• Mode of transport (highway)
• Port of entry

Best practices:

• Use consistent numbering formats
• Match physical equipment markings exactly
• Update manifests if equipment changes

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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. CBP maintains official guidance for the Truck e-Manifest program.

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.

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

Step 3: Broker coordination (entries / PAPS workflows)

Ensure broker entry data aligns with manifest submissions to avoid delays or rejection.

Step 4: Driver and equipment requirements (United States)

Driver requirements

Before a driver crosses commercially into the United States, ensure:

• Valid passport or approved travel document
• Commercial driver’s license (CDL) as required
• Shipment paperwork (BOL, invoice references, PAPS numbers)
• Internal trip or manifest reference

Drivers should:

• Know their tractor and trailer numbers
• Arrive only after ACE acceptance is confirmed

Equipment requirements

ACE Manifests require accurate conveyance data including:

• Tractor number
• Trailer number(s)
• Trip/manifest reference
• Port of arrival

Best practices:

• Keep identifiers consistent
• Match physical equipment markings
• Update trips immediately if equipment changes

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BorderConnect Go-Live Readiness Checklist

Canada

✔ CBSA carrier code issued ✔ CARM Client Portal enrolment complete ✔ Delegation of Authority handled where required ✔ Ability to meet ACI one-hour requirement

United States

✔ Ability to meet CBP one-hour ACE Manifest requirement ✔ Trip/equipment data standards defined

Next Steps in BorderConnect

• Create your first ACI eManifest
• Create your first ACE Manifest
• eManifest Processing Guide