Crossing the U.S. border is a lot easier than most carriers think, but it can be confusing with recent changes in reporting systems. CrimsonLogic Inc’s Jeff Bielmann, who advises carriers on the best methods for hauling goods into the US from Canada and Mexico, says that a new reporting system should help streamline carrier entry.

After the September 11 terrorist attacks, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implemented new systems for tracking what’s coming into the USA. The original Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) barcode tracking system required that barcode stickers be placed on a cargo manifest, ready for scanning. Additionally, carriers needed to work through a customs broker to pre-register a “brokers entry summary” and obtain an entry number  with U.S. Customs prior to arrival.

The system proved awkward for many carriers, but fortunately it was only a temporary security stopgap while the real electronic system, the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE ) was put in place. ACE has now become the new shipment reporting regulatory system for anyone delivery inward cargo manifests to US Customs.

More simply, ACE is now the way you file your manifest online before arriving at the US border. If you don’t get it right chances are you won’t get into the US with your load, and in some cases, you could wind up paying fines as high as $10,000.

CrimsonLogic is the first ACE service provider officially accredited by US Customs and Border Protection. TransCore has partnered with CrimsonLogic to make ACE easy for carriers in a few easy steps:

• First, get rid of your PAPS stickers. From now on, you’ll use Shipment Control Numbers (SCNs) within the ACE e-manifest system.
• Second, sign up for CrimsonLogic’s ACE help forum, which provides a 24x7 team of ACE experts to help you understand and use the ACE system. CrimsonLogic’s experts can help you submit e-manifests correctly and avoid lengthy delays at the border.
• You don’t need to buy expensive equipment or software for your computer—the CrimsonLogic forums are Web-based and user-friendly. You don’t need stickers, either—it’s all done electronically. Use the CrimsonLogic systems to efficiently (and successfully) submit your ACE e-manifests to the CBP for quick and painless clearance into the US.

Need more information? Visit TransCore's ACE website or call CrimsonLogic at 1-866-456-0053.