US Customs and Border Protection - General Information

This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seal

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for customs services and border management in the United States. CBP describes itself as the United States' first unified border entity, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection responsibilities at and between ports of entry.^[1]

All individuals and goods entering the United States must be authorized to do so by CBP at the first point of entry. Being familiar with CBP regulations and procedures is important for highway carriers crossing the border, because non-compliance can result in delays, penalties, seizures, and refused entry.

Requirements

SCAC: Standard Carrier Alpha Code. Motor carriers operating in the United States are required to maintain a SCAC. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association issues SCACs to carriers. The SCAC is then used to identify the carrier to CBP.

Customs Clearance: In order for goods to enter the United States, they must either be customs cleared or authorized to move in bond. Customs clearance will usually require a formal entry under the PAPS process, but a variety of other shipment clearance types exist for exceptions. Moving goods in bond also requires a formal process.

ACE eManifest: Highway carriers bringing commercial goods into the United States are required to transmit ACE eManifest data to CBP in advance of arrival at the border. Under 19 CFR 123.92, CBP must receive truck cargo information through a CBP-approved electronic data interchange system no later than either 30 minutes or 1 hour before the carrier reaches the first U.S. port of arrival, depending on the shipment and program eligibility.^[2] Carriers can file ACE through a service provider, such as BorderConnect, or through the ACE Secure Data Portal.

How CBP Relates to BorderConnect

BorderConnect is a software service provider that helps highway carriers transmit ACE eManifest and related shipment data to CBP. BorderConnect's ACE Manifest portal allows carriers to send ACE Manifests to CBP and receive eManifest tracking, status updates, and lead sheets for border processing.^[3]

CBP is the government agency that receives, processes, accepts, rejects, arrives, and releases ACE eManifest and shipment data. BorderConnect is not CBP; it is the software used by the carrier to prepare and transmit information to CBP and to display CBP responses in a carrier-friendly format.

BorderConnect also provides U.S. In-Bond Manager tools for in-bond activity with CBP. BorderConnect's U.S. In-Bond Manager helps carriers track, arrive, and export U.S. in-bond shipments, and our QP In-Bond Filing software allows users to electronically transmit QP in-bonds to CBP.^[3]^[4]

CBP function	How BorderConnect supports the carrier
Receives ACE eManifest data before arrival	BorderConnect helps the carrier create and transmit ACE eManifests to CBP.
Accepts or rejects eManifest transmissions	BorderConnect displays CBP responses and manifest statuses so users can correct errors before the driver arrives.
Uses trip, equipment, driver, passenger, and shipment data for border processing	BorderConnect stores reusable profiles for trucks, trailers, drivers, shippers, consignees, and commodities to speed up ACE filing.
Processes shipment release and in-bond activity	BorderConnect lets carriers report shipment types such as PAPS and QP In-Bond on ACE manifests.
Tracks U.S. in-bond status, arrivals, and exports	BorderConnect's U.S. In-Bond Manager helps users track, arrive, and export U.S. in-bond shipments with CBP.^[3]
Supports electronic trade processing through ACE	BorderConnect connects carrier-entered data to CBP's ACE processing environment through supported electronic filing workflows.

ACE and Electronic Filing

ACE stands for Automated Commercial Environment. CBP describes ACE as the U.S. electronic Single Window platform for trade processing, including manifest, cargo release, post-release, export, and partner government agency data.^[5]

Trade users can access ACE through the ACE Secure Data Portal or through ACE Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).^[5] BorderConnect fits into this process by giving carriers a web-based workflow for preparing ACE manifest information and transmitting it electronically to CBP.

Trusted Trader Programs

CTPAT: Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. CTPAT is a voluntary supply-chain security program in which member carriers, importers, and other trade partners agree to work with CBP to protect the supply chain, identify security gaps, and implement specific security measures and best practices.^[6] For carriers, this can reduce the likelihood of CBP inspections and support trusted-trader processing.

FAST: FAST, which stands for Free and Secure Trade, is a commercial clearance program for known low-risk shipments entering the United States from Canada or Mexico.^[7] To use FAST lanes into the United States, participation generally requires that the supply chain, including the manufacturer, carrier, driver, and importer, meets CTPAT program requirements.^[7]

Glossary of Terms

ACE: Automated Commercial Environment. CBP system designed to facilitate legitimate trade and strengthen border security. CBP describes ACE as a centralized way to connect CBP, the international trade community, and partner government agencies.^[8]

Commodity Description: Plain language description of the cargo sufficient to identify it for customs purposes.

Commodity Quantity: Count of the total number of packages for the shipment.

Commodity Weight: Total gross weight of the goods for the shipment.

Consignee: For eManifest purposes, this is the "delivery to party" from the contract of carriage that brings the goods to the United States. Additional distribution may take place after the fact, but it is not the responsibility of the arriving carrier to report the ultimate consignee or consignees.

eManifest: Electronic document used by CBP to risk assess commercial goods bound for the United States based on information provided ahead of time by the carrier.

Port of Arrival: CBP port where the carrier is expected to arrive in the United States.

Shipment: Portion of an eManifest which specifies shipper, consignee, and commodity information. One manifest may include several shipments if multiple stops are involved. A shipment can be a PAPS or another shipment type.

Shipment Control Number: A number that uniquely identifies a shipment to CBP. It consists of a carrier's SCAC, followed by a unique reference number assigned by the carrier. For PAPS shipments, the Shipment Control Number is the PAPS Number.

Shipper: Party shipping the goods as stipulated on the bill of lading or shipping document.

Trip Number: Unique reference number given by the carrier to a manifest. It consists of a carrier's SCAC, followed by a unique number assigned by the carrier.

Trip: Portion of an eManifest which specifies which driver, truck, and trailer will arrive in the United States, as well as a complete list of all shipments aboard. Carriers should only submit one trip for each time a truck crosses the border, making sure that it accounts for all freight.

General

Carrier: Owner or person in charge of a conveyance that is engaged in international commercial transportation of specified goods.

Customs Broker: Agent authorized to transact business with CBP on behalf of the importer of goods. The customs broker prepares formal entries which allow the goods to enter the United States, as well as accounting documents to handle any duties and taxes payable.

Importer: Party importing commercial goods into the United States. The importer is ultimately responsible for securing the release of the goods and the payment of duties and taxes, usually through the hiring of a customs broker.

In Bond: Goods that are authorized by CBP to move inland into the United States but have not been released are moving in bond. Bonds are most commonly used when goods transit through the United States to another country.

PAPS: Pre-Arrival Processing System. Clearance option that involves having a formal entry for the clearance of commercial goods accepted by CBP prior to the arrival of the goods in the United States. PAPS is the default process for bringing commercial goods into the United States by truck and is mandatory unless otherwise exempt.

Release: Commercial goods that have met their import requirements for entry into the United States, passed or been waived from CBP examination, and have been authorized to move beyond CBP control are said to be released.

Official Resources

Related Pages

References

[cbp-about-1] About CBP

[cfr-123-92-2] 19 CFR 123.92 - Electronic information for truck cargo required in advance of arrival

[borderconnect-home-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 BorderConnect - ACE and ACI eManifest Portal

[borderconnect-qp-4] BorderConnect - QP In-Bond Filing for CBP

[cbp-ace-how-5] 5.0 ^5.1 How to Use the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)

[cbp-ctpat-6] Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT)

[cbp-fast-7] 7.0 ^7.1 FAST: Free and Secure Trade for Commercial Vehicles

[cbp-ace2-8] Envisioning ACE 2.0

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