🔖 This article is part of the BorderConnect Software User Guide

Start New ACI Shipment Page

Create individual cargo entries (PARS, In-Bond, CSA) to attach to an ACI eManifest.

Type: Shipment Entry System: ACI eManifest

Overview

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 or In-Bond) that will be electronically transmitted to CBSA.

How to Access:

From a Manifest: Click Create New Shipment on the ACI eManifest Details Page.
From Menu: Navigate to ACI eManifests → Start New ACI Shipment. (This creates an unassociated shipment).
During Creation: Select Continue to Start New ACI Shipment Form when starting a new manifest.

Workflow & Action Buttons

The standard process for reporting a shipment involves:

1. Create Manifest (optional step). 2. Create Shipment (Enter CCN, Type, Shipper/Consignee). 3. Attach to Manifest (if not already linked). 4. Sync/Transmit to CBSA.

Main Action Buttons

Button	Purpose
Save	Creates the shipment and opens the ACI Shipment Details Page for further editing (e.g., adding commodities).
Cancel	Discards changes and returns to the previous page.
Clear	Clears all entered fields to start fresh.

Core Shipment Fields

Required fields are clearly marked on the page legend. These are the most commonly used fields for standard PARS or In-Bond shipments.

Field	What it is used for	Key Notes
Attached to Trip Number	Links the shipment to a manifest.	Auto-filled when started from a manifest. Leave blank for unassociated shipments.
Loaded On	Indicates where cargo is physically loaded.	Defaults to truck, trailer, or container. Only appears if started from a manifest.
Shipment Type	Customs clearance type.	Defaults to PARS. Change this for In-Bond, CSA, etc.
Cargo Control Number (CCN)	Unique identifier for CBSA.	Must begin with your Carrier Code. Cannot match the Trip Number.
First Canadian Port of Entry	Border crossing location.	Defaults from the manifest if applicable.
Release Office	CBSA office handling the release.	Usually matches the Port of Entry, except for In-Bond shipments (which use the inland office).
Sub Location	Bonded warehouse code.	Required only for In-Bond shipments or RNS notifications.
Estimated Arrival Date	Expected border arrival.	Cannot be more than 30 days in the future.
City of Loading	Where goods were shipped from.	Should match the Shipper's address city.
City of Acceptance	Where carrier took possession.	Only required if different from the City of Loading.

Special Fields

Importer CSA Business Number: Appears only when Shipment Type = CSA. Used to enter the importer’s CSA number (Format: 999999999RM9999).

Uncommon Data Elements

Selecting Uncommon Data Elements

The Uncommon Data Elements section contains optional fields that are not used on standard shipments (e.g., Consolidated Freight). These fields are hidden by default.

To display them, click Show All Fields at the top right of the page.

Field	Description & Usage
Consolidated Freight	Indicates multiple house bills will follow under one control document. Used for freight forwarder or consolidator moves.
In Transit Indicator	Used for cargo moving through Canada to a foreign destination by air or sea (international in-transit).
Unique Consignment Ref	Optional secondary reference number. Rarely used.
Special Instructions	Used only when exceptional handling notes (e.g., overages/shortages) are required by CBSA.

Common Tips & Next Steps

Unique Numbers: Cargo Control Numbers (CCN) must always be unique and cannot match the Trip Number.
Sub Location: Only use this field for In-Bond shipments or if you are a bonded carrier requiring specific warehouse notifications.
Completion: After clicking Save, you must add Commodities and Shippers/Consignees on the Details Page before the shipment is valid.

Next Steps:

1. Review or edit on the ACI Shipment Details Page. 2. Attach to an ACI eManifest (if unassociated). 3. Sync the manifest to transmit data to CBSA.