ACE & ACI e-Manifests for Highway Shipments

For cross-border truck shipments between Canada and the U.S., advance electronic manifest filings are a must. Two systems drive these requirements: ACE in the United States and ACI in Canada. For carriers, an accurate and timely manifest can be the difference between a routine crossing and a costly delay.

What are ACE and ACI?

ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) is U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s platform for receiving advance cargo and conveyance information for shipments entering the United States.

ACI (Advance Commercial Information) is the Canada Border Services Agency’s program requiring advance transmission of cargo and conveyance data for shipments entering Canada.

Both programs support border security and risk assessment by allowing customs authorities to review shipment and transport details before the truck arrives. When the data is complete and consistent, it helps reduce inspections, prevents “data mismatch” issues at the booth, and keeps freight moving.

Who files for highway shipments?

For truck shipments, the carrier is the party responsible for highway e-manifest filing. Depending on how the shipment is structured, other parties may also be involved, but carriers are usually accountable for the core highway transmission.

In practice, carriers often need to coordinate with:

• Shippers for accurate pickup details and commodity information

• Consignees/importers for correct consignee data and references

• Customs brokers for entry/clearance coordination and document alignment

Even when another party provides the commercial paperwork, the carrier’s e-manifest still needs to match what’s being presented for clearance.

When does it need to be filed?

ACE and ACI are advance systems—the e-manifest must be transmitted before arrival at the border. Failure to do so can result in penalties from Customs.

To avoid delays, carriers should build a process that ensures they receive (and validate) key details early enough to file, correct errors, and confirm acceptance before the driver reaches the port of entry.

What information carriers should validate before filing

Highway e-manifest issues often come down to basic data quality. Before transmitting, carriers should confirm:

• Shipper and consignee names/addresses are complete and consistent

• Piece count, weight, and packaging type are accurate and match documents

• Commodity descriptions are clear (avoid vague terms like “parts” or “freight of all kinds”)

• Reference numbers are correct and consistently used across documents

• Pickup/delivery details and routing make sense for the crossing being used

Small mismatches can trigger holds, secondary inspection, or last-minute scrambling to correct the transmission.

How R&R Customs Brokers helps highway carriers

At R&R Customs Brokers, Inc., we work with highway carriers and cross-border shippers to reduce border friction by improving readiness and consistency. We can help by:

• Reviewing shipment details to catch common e-manifest problems before they become border delays

• Coordinating with your team and trading partners so data aligns across documents and filings

• Helping establish repeatable checklists for dispatch and documentation workflows

• Supporting smoother crossings by reducing last-minute corrections and preventable errors

Need support with highway ACE/ACI e-manifest coordination? Contact R&R Customs Brokers, Inc. to discuss your lanes, shipment types, and the best workflow to keep your trucks moving.