Empty ACE Manifest (CBP)

This article is part of the BorderConnect ACE eManifest Guide and the Shipment Release Types Guide

Although CBP does not require ACE Manifests to be filed when crossing empty or bobtailing, certain ports have been requiring ACE Manifests be filed, they are also required to be filed for other shipments that do not have functionality in ACE such as ATA-Carnet's, Military Goods and 10.41B CHEP Instruments of International Traffic as there is no functionality to create those shipments in ACE.

How to create an empty ACE Manifest in BorderConnect.

To process an ACE Manifest in BorderConnect, follow these steps.

Step 1

Navigate to 'Start New ACE eManifest' under the ACE eManifest menu option.

Step 2

Once you have entered your ACE eManifest trip data, navigate to the top left and click 'Save'. This will bring you to your ACE eManifest details page.

Step 3

Once you confirm the data entered for the ACE eManifest, click 'Sync with CBP'. This will transmit your empty ACE eManifest to CBP, and let CBP know that no shipments will be transmitted along with the ACE eManifest.

Wait For Acceptance

Once CBP accepts your empty trip ACE eManifest, and the status of your eManifest turns to three blue bars, your driver will be cleared to cross.

Creating an empty trip for other shipment types

Creating an ATA-Carnet: In ACE eManifest there is presently no functionality to declare a Carnet Shipment. As such, highway carriers can simply leave the Carnet Shipment off when preparing their manifest, and have the driver verbally declare the shipment and present the Carnet document to the officer. If there are no other shipments on the truck, it is recommended that the carrier still prepare an empty truck manifest so that prior notice requirements are still met.

Creating Military Goods: Department of Defense Shipments are not required to be (and cannot be) reported on an ACE eManifest. If the carrier has other shipments aboard they should report all other freight on their ACE eManifest, leaving the DOD shipment off. If the only freight loaded on the truck is the DOD shipment, it is still recommended that the carrier create an "empty truck" ACE eManifest in order to notify CBP to expect the driver's arrival.

Creating Instruments of International Traffic Under 10.41b (CHEP): Presently there is no functionality to create Instruments of International Traffic that qualify under a 10.41b such as CHEP pallets. As a result it's recommended to create an ACE Manifest without a shipment (if there are no other shipments on the ACE).