ACE Manifest Software User Guide (CBP)

This article is part of the BorderConnect ACE Manifest Guide

The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) electronic manifest and trade processing program. For highway carriers, ACE eManifest is used to electronically file truck, conveyance, crew, and shipment information before arriving at a U.S. land border crossing.^[1]^[2]

Since 2007, highway carriers have had to comply with ACE eManifest requirements when bringing goods into the United States. BorderConnect's ACE eManifest software provides a web-based way to create, submit, update, and track ACE manifests, with 24/7 technical support.

ACE Manifest Requirements

Under ACE Manifest requirements, carriers must ensure the ACE Manifest is on file with CBP before the driver arrives at the border. For PAPS shipments, the customs broker entry or release information must also be on file with CBP before arrival.

Topic	Requirement or guidance
Standard advance filing	CBP must receive required truck cargo and conveyance information at least one hour before arrival at the first U.S. port of arrival.^[2]
FAST shipments	Qualifying FAST shipments have a reduced advance filing timeframe of at least 30 minutes before arrival.^[2]
Early filing	Users can create and submit an ACE Manifest before the day of crossing. BorderConnect supports filing in advance so the manifest can be ready before dispatch.
Driver paperwork	The driver should carry customs paperwork, such as the customs invoice and/or bill of lading, with a legible trip number or Shipment Control Number. A PAPS barcode and/or ACE lead sheet can help the CBP officer locate the manifest.
Release proof	CBP officers do not stamp paperwork on release of the shipment. A signed proof of delivery document is commonly used to prove that the shipment was released.

ACE Manifest lead sheets can be generated from within BorderConnect, either from the manifest or as a set ahead of time. Carriers can also design and produce their own lead sheets if they meet CBP requirements.

ACE Truck Manifest Modernization

On January 30, 2022, CBP began the multi-release deployment of Enhancements to ACE Truck Manifest - Phase 2, also known as ACE Truck Manifest Modernization (TMM). This modernization focused on the CBP user interface for primary and secondary truck manifest processing.^[3]

As part of modernization, validations that were relaxed in the legacy truck manifest application may now produce errors for trade users. To avoid errors, review CBP's ACE truck manifest implementation guides and make sure manifest data is complete and valid before submitting.^[4]

QR Code Driver Lead Sheet as seen in BorderConnect.

QR Code ACE Manifest Lead Sheet Requirements

In 2020, CBP announced optional ACE Truck QR Barcode specifications for truck manifest cover sheets. QR codes help CBP identify the electronically filed manifest associated with the conveyance and reduce manual lookup at primary inspection.^[5]

CBP later included additional discussion of QR barcodes and RFID technology in its September 2023 ACE Modernization privacy impact assessment update.^[6]

In 2024, CBP announced that the Laredo Field Office would require QR code ACE Manifest lead sheets for its ports of entry effective August 11, 2024.^[7]

Getting Started

The first step is to create profiles for any drivers, passengers, trucks, and trailers that may be crossing the border. The information in these profiles is used to complete mandatory fields on ACE manifests, so it is recommended to enter profile information before creating eManifests.

Please refer to the individual sections for instructions on entering and maintaining:

Once you are registered to use ACE with BorderConnect and the driver, truck, and trailer profiles are created, you are ready to begin creating and submitting eManifests to CBP.