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

Practical onboarding checklist:

1. Identify which brokers or service providers need access
2. Review and approve pending requests in CCP
3. 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.

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

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
• 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. 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

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
• Ensure drivers have trip references and paperwork per your SOP

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