ACE Manifest Software User Guide (CBP)
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🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect ACE Manifest Guide |
The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) primary trade processing system and includes truck e-Manifest capabilities used to electronically transmit inbound truck cargo/manifest information prior to arrival at a U.S. land border crossing.[1][2]
CBP’s advance electronic truck cargo/manifest requirements are implemented under 19 CFR §123.92, which requires CBP to receive cargo information no later than the required advance timeframes (generally 1 hour prior to arrival, or 30 minutes for qualifying FAST movements).[3]
BorderConnect's ACE eManifest software offers a web-based solution to comply with CBP’s truck e-Manifest requirements, complete with 24/7 technical support.
ACE Manifest Requirements
Advance Notice (1 hour / FAST 30 minutes)
Under 19 CFR §123.92, CBP must receive the required electronic cargo information via a CBP-approved system no later than 1 hour prior to arrival at the first U.S. port of arrival (or 30 minutes for FAST-qualifying movements, as applicable).[3]
CBP’s truck e-Manifest capability was implemented to allow carriers to submit electronic truck manifests prior to arrival, improving efficiency while supporting border security and risk assessment.[2]
How ACE truck e-Manifests are filed (Portal or EDI/Service Provider)
CBP supports filing truck e-Manifests through the ACE Secure Data Portal or via EDI messaging using tested software / service providers.[2]
Driver paperwork / cover sheet (what is presented at the border)
After a manifest is successfully transmitted, carriers can print a manifest cover sheet from the manifest screen (often referred to as a lead sheet). This cover sheet is intended to help link the driver/conveyance to the electronically-filed manifest in CBP systems.[2]
Note: Port procedures and the specific documents requested by officers can vary by location and scenario. Carriers should ensure the driver has the appropriate paperwork for the shipment type and any applicable programs (e.g., FAST, in-bond, etc.).
ACE Truck Manifest Modernization (TMM)
On January 30, 2022, CBP began the multi-release deployment of ACE Truck Manifest Modernization (TMM) – Phase 2, focused on enhancing the CBP user interface (UI) for primary and secondary truck manifest processing. CBP advised that validations previously relaxed in the legacy truck manifest application were enforced in TMM and could generate errors for some trade users. CBP also published a deployment schedule and announced retirement of the legacy truck manifest application (R4).[4]
QR Code ACE Manifest Cover Sheet Requirements
Optional QR codes (introduced in 2020)
CBP announced that it would begin supporting an optional Quick Response (QR) Code in the ACE Truck Portal starting February 29, 2020. CBP stated that the QR code is printed on the Truck Manifest Cover Sheet and highlighted benefits such as better identification of electronically-filed manifest information, fewer driver actions, and improved match probability.[5]
Laredo Field Office mandatory QR requirement (effective Aug 11, 2024)
CBP’s Laredo Field Office issued a trade notice that, effective August 11, 2024, a QR code is required on manifests/cover sheets in the truck environment at the 8 ports of entry within the Laredo Field Office. CBP cited efficiency, speed, accuracy, and identification benefits as reasons for the requirement.[6]
Getting Started
The first step is to create profiles for any drivers, trucks and trailers that may be crossing the border. The information in these profiles will be used to complete mandatory fields on your manifests. It is recommended that you enter the profile information ahead of time to facilitate creating eManifests. Please refer to the individual sections for instructions on entering and maintaining:
Once you are registered to use ACE with BorderConnect and you have created the driver, truck and trailer profiles, you are ready to begin creating and submitting eManifests to Customs!
ACE Manifest Instructions
Please refer to the individual sections for complete instructions on the following:
- Creating and submitting a new ACE Manifest
- Correcting rejected ACE Manifests
- Updating or correcting an accepted manifest
- Updating a manifest when the driver has already arrived at the border
- ACE Manifest Status Guide
- Creating your own bonds in ACE
- Creating and tracking your own In-Bond sequences
- How to create a split shipment in ACE
- Manifesting different types of shipments
- Uploading large volume of shipments using CSV upload feature
- U.S. In-Bond Manager Guide for CBP
- Creating and Managing Insurance Policies
ACE Manifest Tutorial Videos
References:
- ↑ https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2007-01-19/pdf/FR-2007-01-19.pdf
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 https://www.sandersbrokerage.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ACE-Truck-Manifest-User-Guide.pdf
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/chapter-I/part-123/subpart-J/section-123.92
- ↑ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/31d9392
- ↑ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/27bace9
- ↑ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/3e4f415