🔖 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 prepares highway carriers and dispatch teams to complete the government registration and setup steps required before using BorderConnect to create and transmit:

ACI eManifest (CBSA, Canada)
ACE Truck e-Manifest (CBP, United States)

The objective is simple: ensure your manifests are accepted on time, and your drivers arrive at the border ready and compliant.

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

CBSA requires highway cargo and conveyance documents to be received and validated no later than one hour before arrival at the First Port of Arrival (FPOA). :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Suggested screenshots to add (Canada)

Add these images to visually guide onboarding. Use screenshots from your own environment where possible.

CARM Client Portal landing page (screenshot)

File:Carm-portal-landing.png

CARM Client Portal: login/landing page

Enrol in the Carrier program (screenshot of the CCP menu path)

File:Carm-enrol-carrier-program.png

CARM: Enrol in a CBSA program → Enrol in the Carrier program

Delegation of Authority screen (screenshot)

File:Carm-delegation-of-authority.png

CARM: Delegation of Authority (approve broker/service provider access)

BorderConnect ACI acceptance/status screen (your UI screenshot)

File:Borderconnect-aci-accepted-status.png

BorderConnect: ACI submission accepted and time-stamped

Driver lead sheet example (your document screenshot)

File:Aci-driver-leadsheet-example.png

Example: ACI lead sheet / trip summary provided to drivers

Step 1: Obtain a CBSA Carrier Code

A carrier code is a four-character identifier issued by CBSA. CBSA’s Highway Carrier Code Application guidance explains the process and that you apply via the CARM Client Portal (CCP). :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Practical onboarding notes:

Have your legal business information ready (legal name, address, primary contacts).
Complete the carrier code application inside the CCP (CBSA describes the high-level steps). :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Step 2: Set up your CARM Client Portal (CCP) access

CBSA’s CARM Client Portal is the login/registration point for portal access. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} CBSA also publishes user guides for enrolling in CBSA programs (including the Carrier program). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Do this in CCP:

Create portal user access and ensure your business is enrolled correctly
Assign internal roles so the right people can manage program enrolment and authorizations
Prepare to approve broker and/or service provider access via Delegation of Authority (next step)

Step 3: Delegation of Authority (brokers and service providers)

If a customs broker or a third-party service provider needs to act on your behalf, CBSA provides Delegation of Authority guidance and a user guide for completing this in the CARM Client Portal. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Practical onboarding notes:

Confirm who will file what (your team vs broker vs service provider).
Review any pending third-party requests inside CCP before approving. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Step 4: Be ready to meet the ACI highway timing requirement

CBSA’s ACI/eManifest highway rules state highway cargo and conveyance documents must be received and validated no later than one hour before arrival at the FPOA. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} CBSA’s Memorandum D3-4-2 also discusses system warnings and potential AMPS applicability when submissions occur with insufficient review time. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Operational checklist for dispatch:

Build your dispatch workflow so ACI is submitted early enough to be accepted and time-stamped before the one-hour window.
If an ETA changes significantly, update timing and ensure compliance still holds.

Step 5: Broker coordination (PARS shipments)

For many Canadian imports, broker release is required and must align with the carrier’s reporting. Ensure your broker has your correct carrier identifier and shipment references so entries can be matched to the shipment.

(If you want this section to be fully “cite-backed,” tell me which CBSA page you prefer as your canonical PARS reference and I’ll align to that source; many carriers use internal SOP + broker instructions.)

Step 6: Driver readiness (Canada)

Before dispatch, ensure the driver has:

Port of entry and ETA (matching what was transmitted)
Shipment paperwork per your SOP
Any internal trip/lead sheet references used to retrieve the manifest at the border
Confirmation the ACI submission is accepted in time (one-hour rule) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

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

CBP requires inbound truck cargo information be received in CBP electronic systems at least one hour prior to arrival (general rule; FAST exceptions may apply). :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Suggested screenshots to add (United States)

ACE Truck Manifest User Guide cover page / relevant section (excerpt screenshot from the CBP PDF)

File:Cbp-ace-truck-manifest-user-guide.png

CBP: ACE Truck Manifest User Guide (reference)

ACE Secure Data Portal login page (your screenshot)

File:Ace-portal-login.png

ACE Secure Data Portal login

BorderConnect ACE acceptance/status screen (your UI screenshot)

File:Borderconnect-ace-accepted-status.png

BorderConnect: ACE trip accepted and time-stamped

Driver trip summary / trip number reference (your document screenshot)

File:Ace-driver-trip-summary.png

Example: ACE trip summary provided to drivers

Step 1: Understand the CBP 1-hour e-Manifest requirement

CBP’s ACE Truck Manifest User Guide states carriers are required to submit an e-Manifest one hour prior to arrival into the United States. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} CBP’s Inbound Truck Mode FAQs also state cargo information must be received at least one hour prior to arrival (with FAST-related context). :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Step 2: Obtain identifiers and ensure your trip data is consistent

Before go-live, ensure your operation has a consistent method to capture:

Tractor and trailer identifiers used on the ACE trip
Driver/trip references your team uses internally
Shipment control references (as required by your process and broker workflow)

(Your BorderConnect ACE guide can document which exact fields your team must gather every time.)

Step 3: Broker coordination (PAPS / entries)

For many U.S. commercial shipments, broker entries must align with manifest data. During onboarding, confirm:

Your broker has your correct carrier identifiers (and any shipment control numbering rules you use)
The trip/shipment details you transmit match what the broker will file

Step 4: Driver readiness (United States)

Before dispatch, ensure:

ACE trip is submitted and accepted in time (general one-hour rule) :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Driver has trip references your operation provides (trip summary/lead sheet) to support a smooth border interaction

BorderConnect Go-Live Checklist

Canada (ACI/eManifest)

✔ CBSA carrier code issued and on file :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
✔ CARM Client Portal access and carrier program enrolment complete :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
✔ Delegation of Authority handled for brokers/service providers where needed :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
✔ Dispatch process supports the CBSA one-hour validation rule :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}

United States (ACE Truck e-Manifest)

✔ Dispatch process supports CBP’s one-hour e-Manifest requirement :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
✔ Internal trip/shipment data capture is consistent (tractor/trailer/trip references)

Next Steps in BorderConnect