Empty ACE Manifest (CBP)

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

An Empty ACE eManifest (sometimes called an “empty trip” manifest) is an ACE Truck eManifest where the carrier transmits only the trip/conveyance information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and does not transmit any shipment bills.

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How to create an empty ACE Manifest in BorderConnect.

CBP’s advance cargo reporting rules are focused on the electronic transmission of cargo data prior to arrival. When a truck is physically empty (including bobtail moves), CBP regulations do not require cargo data to be transmitted, because there is no cargo to report.

That said, CBP guidance and port practice recognize that carriers may still transmit an empty trip eManifest as a best practice in certain situations, such as:

• When a port expects a trip record for operational awareness
• When the driver will be presenting documentation for a shipment type that is not transmitted electronically as a standard ACE shipment release type
• When the carrier wants CBP to have advance notice of the truck’s arrival

CBP’s ACE Truck Manifest guidance emphasizes advance notification of truck arrivals and explains that the eManifest system is used to transmit trip/conveyance information as well as shipment data where applicable.

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 scenarios

ATA Carnet shipments

ATA Carnets are processed under specific CBP carnet procedures at the port of entry and are not typically transmitted as a standard electronic shipment release type in the ACE truck manifest workflow. Carriers should follow current CBP and port instructions for presenting the carnet documentation at arrival. When there are no other shipments on the truck, many carriers transmit an empty trip eManifest so CBP has advance notice of the truck’s arrival.

Department of Defense (DOD) / U.S. Government shipments

Certain U.S. Government or Department of Defense shipments are cleared under specific CBP regulations and certification requirements rather than as standard ACE truck shipment release types. While the treatment depends on the shipment and documentation, carriers should follow the instructions provided by the Government shipper or entry filer and any port-specific guidance. If other commercial shipments are on the truck, those shipments must still be transmitted normally. If the only freight is Government/DOD cargo, an empty trip eManifest is often used to notify CBP of the arrival.

Instruments of International Traffic (IIT) — 19 CFR 10.41a / 10.41b

CBP regulations governing Instruments of International Traffic are found in 19 CFR §§ 10.41a and 10.41b:

• 19 CFR 10.41a covers common IITs such as pallets, skids, racks, lift vans, shipping tanks, and similar articles used in international traffic.
• 19 CFR 10.41b addresses certain serially numbered substantial holders or outer containers released under specific conditions.

Many pooled pallets and returnable transport items (such as CHEP pallets) are commonly designated as IIT under 10.41a when they meet the regulatory criteria. When a truck is transporting only IITs and no other shipments that are transmitted electronically, carriers may transmit an empty trip eManifest and have the driver declare the IIT movement and present supporting documentation at the port, following port instructions.