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 walks highway carriers through every required step to become compliant and ready to submit electronic manifests using BorderConnect:

• ACI eManifest — for shipments entering Canada (CBSA)
• ACE Truck e-Manifest — for shipments entering the United States (CBP)

The end goal is simple: your manifests are accepted early, your drivers arrive prepared, and border delays are avoided.

Quick Overview: What Must Be Completed First

Country	Government System	What You Must Have Ready
Canada	CBSA + CARM Portal	Carrier Code, Portal access, ACI authorization
United States	CBP ACE	Ability to transmit accepted truck manifests

Once these are complete, you can begin using BorderConnect live.

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

CBSA requires all highway commercial cargo data to be transmitted electronically and accepted at least one hour before arrival at the First Port of Arrival (FPOA).

Canada onboarding flow (process overview)

Register Business in CARM
        ↓
Request CBSA Carrier Code
        ↓
Enroll in Carrier Program
        ↓
Authorize Brokers / Providers
        ↓
Submit ACI Manifests (1 hour rule)

Step 1 — Obtain a CBSA Carrier Code

A Carrier Code is a four-character identifier required to transact with CBSA (highway, marine, air, rail).

You request this through the CARM Client Portal.

Process overview:

1. Create your CARM Client Portal account
2. Enroll your business
3. Complete the Carrier Code application
4. Receive your assigned 4-character code

CBSA also confirms new carriers can request their code directly during CARM registration.

Step 2 — Set up your CARM Client Portal access

The CARM Client Portal is CBSA’s official system for business enrollment, user access, program registrations, and Delegation of Authority workflows.

You must:

Task	Why It Matters
Create business profile	Links your company to CBSA programs
Assign internal roles	Controls approvals and access
Enroll in Carrier Program	Enables manifest filing

Official enrolment guide:

Step 3 — Delegation of Authority (brokers & service providers)

If brokers or service providers will act on your behalf, you must approve them inside CARM.

CBSA instructions:

Step 4 — Meet the ACI one-hour timing rule

ACI data must be accepted at least one hour before arrival.

CBSA warns late filings may trigger AMPS penalties.

Step 5 — Broker clearance (PARS shipments)

Ensure:

• Broker has your Carrier Code
• Shipment references match
• Clearance is certified before arrival

ACI alone does not release freight.

Step 6 — Driver & equipment requirements (Canada)

Driver

• Passport or approved travel document
• Shipment paperwork
• Trip reference
• Arrival only after ACI acceptance and clearance confirmed

Equipment

Required Data	Example
Tractor number	Unit 4521
Trailer number	Trailer 8873
Mode	Highway
Port of entry	Windsor, Fort Erie, etc.

Crossing into the United States (CBP ACE Truck e-Manifest)

CBP requires ACE Truck Manifests to be submitted and accepted one hour before arrival.

U.S. onboarding flow (process overview)

Prepare Trip & Equipment Data
        ↓
Submit ACE Manifest
        ↓
Confirm Acceptance
        ↓
Driver Arrives with Trip Reference

Step 1 — Follow the CBP one-hour rule

ACE data must be transmitted and accepted before arrival.

Step 2 — Standardize trip & equipment data

Best practice setup:

• Tractor numbers
• Trailer numbers
• Trip references
• Shipment reference workflow

Step 3 — Broker coordination (entries/PAPS)

Ensure broker filings match manifest data.

Step 4 — Driver & equipment requirements (United States)

Driver

• Passport
• CDL (as required)
• Shipment paperwork
• Trip reference

Equipment

Required Data	Example
Tractor number	Unit 4521
Trailer number	Trailer 8873
Trip reference	TRIP-2026-015
Port of arrival	Detroit, Buffalo, Blaine

BorderConnect Go-Live Readiness Checklist

Canada

✔ Carrier Code issued ✔ CARM enrolment complete ✔ Broker authorization complete ✔ ACI one-hour compliance workflow ready

United States

✔ ACE submission workflow ready ✔ Trip/equipment standards defined

Next Steps in BorderConnect

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