Start New ACI Shipment Page (ACI eManifest)

🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect Software User Guide

Viewing the **Start New ACI Shipment** page

How to create an ACI shipment in BorderConnect.

The Start New ACI Shipment Page is where users create individual shipments that are reported to the CBSA as part of an ACI eManifest.

Each shipment represents a cargo control document (such as a PARS shipment or in bond movement) that will be electronically transmitted to CBSA and attached to an ACI eManifest trip.

This page is most commonly accessed from:

The ACI eManifest Details Page by clicking Create New Shipment
The Start New ACI eManifest Page by selecting Continue to Start New ACI Shipment Form

It can also be accessed directly from the ACI eManifests menu. When started this way, the shipment will be created as an Unassociated Shipment and can later be attached to a manifest.

🔖 Required fields are clearly marked on the page legend. All required data must be completed before the shipment can be saved or transmitted.

Basic workflow

Create manifest (optional)
        ↓
Create shipment
        ↓
Attach to manifest (if not already attached)
        ↓
Sync / transmit to CBSA

Main action buttons

Button	Purpose
Save	Creates the shipment and opens the ACI Shipment Details Page
Cancel	Discards changes and returns to the previous page
Clear	Clears all entered fields

Core shipment fields

The table below explains the most commonly used fields when creating an ACI shipment.

Field	What it is used for	Key notes
Attached to Trip Number	Links the shipment to an ACI eManifest	Auto filled when started from a manifest. Can be left blank to create an unassociated shipment
Loaded On	Indicates where the cargo is physically loaded	Appears when started from a manifest and defaults to truck, trailer, or container
Shipment Type	Customs clearance type	Defaults to PARS but can be changed (In Bond, CSA, etc.)
Cargo Control Number	Unique shipment identifier for CBSA	Begins with carrier code and must not match the Trip Number
First Canadian Port of Entry	Border crossing location	Defaults from manifest when applicable
Release Office	CBSA office responsible for release	Usually same as port of entry except for in bond shipments
Sub Location	Bonded warehouse or sub location	Required for in bond shipments
Estimated Arrival Date	Expected border arrival date	Cannot be more than 30 days in advance
Estimated Arrival Time	Expected arrival time	Defaults based on manifest or system time
City of Loading	Where goods shipped from	Should match shipper address city
City of Acceptance	Where carrier took possession	Only used when different from shipper location

Special shipment fields

Some fields only appear depending on the shipment type selected.

Importer CSA Business Number: Appears when Shipment Type = CSA. Used to enter the importer’s CSA business number in format 999999999RM9999. Previously entered numbers can be searched and reused.

Uncommon data elements

The Uncommon Data Elements section contains optional fields that are not used on most ACI shipments. These fields are hidden by default.

To display them:

Click Show All Fields at the top right of the page

Once expanded, the following additional options become available.

Field	When to use it	Description
Consolidated Freight	Freight forwarder or consolidator moves	Indicates multiple house bills will follow under one control document
In Transit Indicator	Cargo passing through Canada to another country	Used for international in transit movements by air or sea
Unique Consignment Reference Number	Rarely used	Optional shipment reference number
Special Instructions	Exceptional situations	Used for notes such as overages or shortages

Consolidated Freight

Use only when freight forwarder house bills will be transmitted after the in bond movement.

In Transit Indicator

Use when cargo is moving through Canada to a foreign destination by air or sea using an in transit manifest.

Unique Consignment Reference Number

Normally left blank unless specifically required.

Special Instructions

Use only when CBSA requires special handling notes.

Common tips

🔖 • Cargo Control Numbers must always be unique • Trip Numbers and Cargo Control Numbers cannot be the same • Use Sub Location only for in bond or bonded carrier workflows • Most shipments do not require Uncommon Data Elements

Next steps

After saving the shipment you can:

Review or edit it on the ACI Shipment Details Page
Attach it to an ACI eManifest (if not already attached)
Sync the manifest to transmit the data to CBSA