🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect ACI eManifest Guide

Preparing ACI eManifests (Two-Carrier Scenarios)

A guide to handling "Referenced Shipments" when one carrier contracts another to transport goods into Canada.

Type: Tutorial Time: 15 Minutes

Overview

In ACI eManifest, a Referenced Shipment occurs when a primary carrier hires a secondary carrier to physically transport goods into Canada.

This process requires two separate filings that link together in CBSA's system:

Primary Carrier: Owns the shipment and submits the Cargo Data.
Secondary Carrier: Transports the goods and submits the Conveyance (Trip) Data.

Authorization: No formal authorization letter is required for this specific linkage; the electronic link between the Trip Number and Cargo Control Number (CCN) serves as the authorization.

🤝 Roles & Responsibilities

Role	Responsible For	Carrier Code Used
Primary Carrier	Shipment (Cargo) Information	Used in the Cargo Control Number (CCN)
Secondary Carrier	Trip (Conveyance) Information	Used in the Trip Number

Role 1: The Primary Carrier

The Primary Carrier must submit the shipment data without attaching it to a trip.

1 Create Unassociated Shipment

Navigate to ACI eManifests → Start New ACI Shipment.
Crucial: Leave "Attached to Trip Number" BLANK.
Enter the Port of Entry where the Secondary Carrier will cross.
Complete all Shipper, Consignee, and Commodity details normally.
Click Save.

2 Transmit to CBSA

Inside the shipment, locate the Send to CBSA menu.
Select Send New Shipment Request.
Wait for the status to change to On File with CBSA.

Next Step: You must provide the Secondary Carrier with the Cargo Control Number (CCN) and the Port of Entry you used.

Role 2: The Secondary Carrier

The Secondary Carrier creates the trip and links to the Primary Carrier's existing shipment.

1 One-Time Setup

Before starting, ensure your account is configured to allow this.

Go to Account → Company Settings.
Under ACI eManifest Settings, set Allow ACI "Reference Only" Shipments to Yes.
Go to Account → Canadian Carrier Codes and add the Primary Carrier's code (so the system recognizes it).

2 Create the Trip

Navigate to ACI eManifests → Start New ACI eManifest.
Enter your Trip Number, Driver, Truck, and Trailer.
Crucial: Ensure the Port of Entry matches the Primary Carrier's shipment exactly.
Click Save.

3 Link the Shipment

Click Create New Shipment.
Check the box: ☑ Shipment Reference Only.
Enter the Cargo Control Number (CCN) provided by the Primary Carrier.
Click Save.

4 Transmit

Click Sync with CBSA on the manifest page.
Once accepted, the status will update to On File with CBSA.

Verifying Release (PARS)

Using Status Queries

Because the shipment uses another carrier's code, transaction numbers (PARS updates) will not auto-populate on your board. You must request them manually.

Open the Shipment Details Page.
Click Send Status Query.
CBSA will return the current status (e.g., Transaction Number) if available.

See: Status Query Guide

❌ Common Rejects

Reject Message	Meaning / Fix
Invalid Status of Related Request	The Shipment is not on file yet. Confirm the Primary Carrier has accepted their shipment first.
CCN Cannot Be Related to 2 Conveyances	The shipment is already linked to another trip. Ask the Primary Carrier to "De-link" it from any previous trips.
Port Code Must Match	The Trip Port differs from the Shipment Port. Correct your trip port or ask the Primary Carrier to update the shipment port.