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ACI eManifest Software User Guide (CBSA)

From BorderConnect Wiki

🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect ACI eManifest Guide

ACI eManifest

A comprehensive guide to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) advance commercial reporting program for highway carriers.

Country: Canada (CBSA) Time: 15 Minutes

Overview

Advance Commercial Information (ACI) is the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) eManifest 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 data, supported by [24/7 technical support].

⏱️ The 1-Hour Rule

For highway carriers, CBSA requires that cargo and conveyance data be received and validated at least one (1) hour prior to arrival at the Canadian port of entry.[2]

🚀 Quick Start Checklist

Use this workflow to get compliant quickly:

  • Registration: Confirm you have a valid CBSA Carrier Code and are registered in BorderConnect.
  • Profiles: Set up Driver, Truck, and Trailer profiles to speed up data entry.
  • Transmit: Submit your manifest early enough to meet the 1-hour prior requirement.
  • Paperwork: Print a bar-coded ACI Lead Sheet for the driver.
  • Maintain: If details change (e.g., different trailer), correct the transmission as soon as you become aware.

Requirements & Penalties

What CBSA Expects

  • Conveyance (Trip): Driver, truck, trailer, and seal details (CRN).
  • Cargo (Shipments): Shipper, consignee, and commodity details (CCN).
  • Validation: All data must be in "Accepted" status 1 hour before arrival.

⚠️ AMPS Penalties

CBSA may assess monetary penalties for non-compliance under the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS).[3]

Contravention C378: Failure to submit prescribed pre-arrival information. Penalty amounts escalate by occurrence.[4]

Driver Documentation (Lead Sheets)

The ACI Lead Sheet

At the First Port of Arrival (FPOA), the driver must present a lead sheet so CBSA can retrieve the data.[5]

Acceptable Options:

  • A bar-coded Conveyance Reference Number (CRN).
  • A bar-coded Cargo Control Number (CCN) with the CRN handwritten.
  • A handwritten CRN if presented alongside a bar-coded PARS document.

Tip: You can generate lead sheets directly in BorderConnect.

BorderConnect ACI Lead Sheet

Getting Started in BorderConnect

1 Registration & Carrier Codes

Before transmitting, you must have a valid CBSA-issued Carrier Code. If you are new to ACI, you must also complete the ACI registration forms (available in BorderConnect under Account Settings).[6]

2 Create Profiles

Set up your assets once to populate manifests automatically. These are shared with ACE eManifest if you use both.

Tutorial Library

Step-by-step videos for common ACI scenarios.

Related Guides

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/manif/eccrdhi-deccerout-eng.html
  2. ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/aci-manif-ipec/req-exig-eng.html
  3. ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/amps/menu-eng.html
  4. ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/amps/contraventions-infractions/c378-eng.html
  5. ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d3/d3-4-2-eng.html
  6. ↑ https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carrier-transporteur/hccap-ddctr-eng.html
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