ACI eManifest Software User Guide (CBSA)
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🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect ACI eManifest Guide |
Advance Commercial Information (ACI) is the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) eManifest / advance commercial reporting program. It provides customs officers with electronic pre-arrival information to support risk assessment and border processing.[1]
BorderConnect ACI eManifest software provides a web-based solution to transmit ACI/eManifest data, with [24/7 technical support].
Quick Start (Highway Carriers)
Use this checklist to get compliant quickly:
- Confirm you have a valid CBSA carrier code and required registrations
- Set up driver/truck/trailer profiles in BorderConnect
- Create and transmit your ACI/eManifest early enough to meet the 1-hour prior requirement
- Print a bar-coded ACI lead sheet for the driver to present at the First Port of Arrival (FPOA)
- If anything changes, correct the transmission as soon as you become aware
| Step | What you do in BorderConnect | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Registration/Setup | Complete CBSA setup; enable ACI in BorderConnect | You’re authorized to transmit ACI |
| Profiles | Create driver/truck/trailer profiles | Faster manifest creation |
| Transmit | Submit cargo + conveyance early | CBSA validation on file |
| Driver paperwork | Print lead sheet with bar code | CBSA can retrieve your trip |
| Corrections | Update ASAP if details change | Reduced delays/penalties |
ACI eManifest Requirements (Highway)
1-hour prior notice rule
For highway carriers, CBSA requires that cargo and conveyance data be received and validated by CBSA at least one (1) hour prior to arrival at the Canadian port of entry.[2][3]
| This is a compliance deadline (data must be validated at least 1 hour before arrival). It is not a requirement to “wait 1 hour after acceptance.” |
CBSA notes that incomplete/inaccurate data, or missing the required timeframe, can lead to delays and potential monetary penalties under AMPS.[3]
What CBSA expects on file (highway)
| Submission | What it includes | Must be validated? |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyance (Trip) | Driver/tractor/trailer and trip details (CRN) | Yes |
| Cargo (Shipments) | CCNs and shipment details (shipper/consignee/commodities) | Yes |
| Lead Sheet | Bar-coded reference for the officer at FPOA | Presented at border |
ACI Lead Sheet (Highway)
At the First Port of Arrival (FPOA), the driver must present a lead sheet (sometimes called an eManifest lead sheet or portal lead sheet) so CBSA can retrieve the ACI/eManifest data already on file.[4][5]
Acceptable lead sheet options (CBSA)
CBSA describes the following lead sheet options:[5][4][1]
- A bar-coded Conveyance Reference Number (CRN) (trip number), or
- A bar-coded Cargo Control Number (CCN) with the CRN handwritten, or
- A handwritten CRN where an alternate bar-coded document associated with the shipment is also presented (for example, a bar-coded PARS document).
Best practices
- For non-PARS releases, CBSA recommends printing "eManifest Lead Sheet" or "Portal Lead Sheet" on the document presented as the lead sheet.[4]
- CBSA indicates the officer may stamp and return the lead sheet; carriers should retain the stamped lead sheet as part of their records/proof of reporting.[1][4]
Lead sheets can be generated from within BorderConnect either per-manifest or in batches ahead of time. Carriers may also create their own lead sheets if they meet CBSA’s barcode requirements above.[5][4]
Corrections and Changes
CBSA requirements and guidance for highway transmissions include:[3]
- Corrections must be sent as soon as you become aware of them
- Changes do not restart the 1-hour clock (only cancelling and re-submitting restarts it)
- If a driver is using a different port of entry than originally transmitted, update the ACI/eManifest data accordingly
AMPS Penalties (Examples)
CBSA may assess monetary penalties under the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS) for non-compliance.[6][7]
Example contravention:
- C378 – failure to submit prescribed pre-load/pre-arrival information relating to cargo and/or conveyance (penalty amounts escalate by occurrence).[8]
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🔖 CBSA penalty structure and related contraventions are detailed in the AMPS overview and the Master Penalty Document. |
Program Rollout and Enforcement (Highway)
ACI/eManifest for highway carriers entered an informed compliance period beginning November 1, 2012.[9][10]
CBSA guidance and penalty references identify a grace/zero-rated period from July 10, 2015 to January 10, 2016 for certain eManifest-related contraventions, after which monetary penalty levels apply.[7][6]
Getting Started
CBSA registration / identifiers (highway carriers)
Before transmitting ACI/eManifest, highway carriers must have a valid CBSA-issued carrier code and complete the required setup steps (for example via CBSA registration processes and/or portal setup, depending on transmission method).[11][12][13]
If you have not already done so, the first step is to register for ACI with CBSA. Even if you are already set up for ACI with CBSA's eManifest Portal or another software provider, you will need a separate registration in order to use ACI through BorderConnect. You can generate the registration forms at any time when logged into your BorderConnect account under Account and Company. You can also contact BorderConnect support to have the forms emailed or faxed to you.
Set up profiles in BorderConnect
Next, create profiles for drivers, trucks, and trailers that may cross the border. These profiles populate mandatory manifest fields and reduce repeated data entry. If you also use BorderConnect ACE, these profiles are shared between ACE and ACI.
Once you are registered for ACI with BorderConnect and your profiles are set up, you are ready to begin creating and submitting eManifests to CBSA.
ACI eManifest Instructions
Use the articles below for step-by-step instructions:
- Creating and submitting a new ACI eManifest
- Generating ACI Lead Sheets
- Correcting rejected ACI eManifests
- Updating or correcting an accepted manifest
- ACI eManifest Status Guide
- ACI eManifest Compliance Guide
- Tracking a particular manifest
- Manifesting different types of shipments
- Preparing an ACI eManifest in two-carrier scenarios
- Creating an empty ACI eManifest
- Checking CFIA inspection status for meat shipments
ACI eManifest Tutorials
Need Help?
If you have questions about ACI setup, timing rules, rejections, or lead sheets, please [contact BorderConnect support].
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/aci-manif-ipec/req-exig-eng.html
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/aci-manif-ipec/hcc-ctr-eng.html
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d3/d3-4-2-eng.html
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/portal-portail/guide-eng.html
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/amps/menu-eng.html
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/amps/mpd-dmi-eng.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/amps/contraventions-infractions/c378-eng.html
- ↑ https://cscb.ca/sites/default/files/legacy/uploads/Preparing_for_eMan_Chklist_for_Hwy.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agence/consult/manif/comm-eng.html
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/portal-portail-eng.html
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carrier-transporteur/hc-tr-eng.html
- ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carrier-transporteur/hccap-ddctr-eng.html