Canada to U.S. by road · ACE eManifest and customs entry
Need a PAPS number today? Request a same-day PAPS and clearance
You are at the Canadian border, or on the way, with goods or a vehicle for the United States. You have no carrier PAPS and no customs entry. Allied CHB, a licensed U.S. customs broker, files both on the same day for selected requests with complete documents. CBP decides the release.
Pre-Arrival Processing System
What is a PAPS number, and why does the border send trucks back without one?
Under 19 CFR 123.92, every truck with commercial cargo must send the cargo data to CBP before it arrives: at least 1 hour before, or 30 minutes for a shipment that qualifies for FAST processing. The data includes the truck and trailer, the driver, the shipper, the consignee, the goods, the weight and the arrival time.
Normally the trucking company sends the eManifest under its own carrier code (SCAC) and gives the PAPS number to the customs broker. A driver who moves their own goods, or a buyer who rents a trailer, has no carrier and no SCAC. That is the gap we close.
No PAPS and no entry: CBP sends the truck back
If CBP has no eManifest, or the entry is not on file, the officer can refuse the truck. The driver then returns to Canada, often after hours in line. Send your request before you drive to the border.
One request, both filings
What does Allied file for you?
- You
You send the request
Use the form on this page. Give the goods, the border crossing and the time you expect to arrive.
- Allied
We review and accept
Staff check the goods and the parties. If we accept, we send the price and the list of documents for your shipment.
- Allied
We file the PAPS
We send the ACE eManifest to CBP and give you the PAPS number and a barcode sheet for the driver.
- Allied
We file the customs entry
We check the importer number at CBP, arrange the customs bond and file the entry with the same PAPS number.
- You
The driver crosses
Wait for our confirmation that CBP accepted the filings and for the earliest arrival time. The driver then reports to CBP with the barcode sheet. CBP decides the release.
ACE eManifest and PAPS number
With the barcode sheet for the driver.
Customs entry
Filed with the same PAPS number before the truck arrives.
Importer number
We check it at CBP. If the importer has none, we apply for it (CBP Form 5106).
Customs bond
A single transaction bond or a continuous bond, at the surety's price.
Vehicles
NHTSA HS-7 and EPA 3520-1 declarations, sent to CBP with the entry.
Documents after release
The entry summary (CBP Form 7501) and the support documents, for your records or the state DMV.
Estimates
How much does a same-day PAPS and clearance cost?
| Item | Estimate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| PAPS (ACE eManifest) | $500 | One truck trip with one shipment |
| Customs entry | $125 | One entry |
| Customs bond | At cost | Set by the surety. It depends on the value and the type of goods. |
| Duties, taxes and CBP fees | At cost | Paid to CBP. They depend on the goods and their origin. |
These are estimates. We confirm the price in writing before we file.
Data for CBP
What information does the filing need?
Driver
Full name, date of birth, citizenship and travel document (passport).
Truck and trailer
Plate and state or province, VIN of the truck, and the trailer number and plate.
Goods
Description, quantity, weight, value and country of origin. The invoice or bill of sale.
Shipper and consignee
Name and full address of the seller or shipper in Canada and of the receiver in the United States.
Importer
EIN or other importer number, and a signed customs power of attorney.
Crossing and time
The port of entry and the date and time the truck arrives.
Case study
How did one same-day PAPS and clearance work?
A buyer bought a classic sports car at an auction in Montreal. A driver towed it on a rental trailer behind an SUV to Champlain, New York. The car had no PAPS and no customs entry. The importer had an importer number at CBP, but no customs bond.
| Time | Step | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 9:02 AM | PAPS (ACE eManifest) | Accepted by CBP |
| 9:32 AM | Importer number check | On file, no bond |
| 12:26 PM | Continuous customs bond | Issued by the surety |
| 1:32 PM | Customs entry with NHTSA and EPA data | Accepted. The CBP cargo message said "admissible", and the NHTSA and EPA messages said "may proceed". |
| About 6:00 PM | Truck at the border | Arrived with the PAPS barcode sheet |
Selected requests
Which requests do we not accept?
Hazardous materials
In-bond moves through the United States
Food for FDA prior notice, unless the prior notice data is complete
Goods under quota or antidumping and countervailing duty orders, unless we quote first
Mixed loads of goods from different owners
Loads that the driver cannot show to us in photos
The driver and the truck
Customs filing does not replace the road transport rules. A truck or SUV with a trailer can have a weight rating or a weight of 10,001 pounds or more combined. Such a vehicle in trade into the United States can need a USDOT number (49 CFR 390.5 and 390.201). The motor carrier, the driver and the owner of the truck are responsible for these rules, and the driver for their own admission to the United States.
Estimates: PAPS $500, entry $125
How do I request a same-day PAPS and clearance?
Request: Same-day PAPS and U.S. customs entry
PAPS $500 and entry $125 (estimates)
Questions
What do people often ask about a PAPS number?
How do I get a PAPS number in Canada?
The carrier that sends the ACE eManifest gives the PAPS number. If you have no carrier, request a same-day PAPS on this page. After we accept the request, we send the eManifest and give you the PAPS number and the barcode sheet.
What does a PAPS number look like?
It starts with the carrier's 4-letter code (SCAC), followed by a shipment number. The barcode sheet shows the number as a barcode that the CBP officer scans.
What is the difference between PAPS and PARS?
PAPS is for trucks that go into the United States (U.S. CBP). PARS is for trucks that go into Canada (CBSA). This service is for the PAPS direction only.
How long before arrival must the PAPS be filed?
CBP must receive the eManifest at least 1 hour before the truck arrives at the first U.S. port, or 30 minutes for a shipment that qualifies for FAST processing (19 CFR 123.92). Use 1 hour unless the shipment qualifies for FAST. The customs entry must also be on file before arrival.
Do I always need a PAPS?
A truck with commercial cargo usually needs the eManifest. Some informal entries are exempt: goods that are free of duty (unconditionally or conditionally) and worth $2,500 or less on CBP Form 7523, goods entered on CBP Form 368 or 368A, and U.S. goods returned on CBP Form 3311 (19 CFR 123.92(b)). We check this for you.
Can I cross with a rental trailer, such as a U-Haul?
Yes, if the trailer company allows the trip to the United States. The eManifest lists the trailer number and plate. In our case study, the car crossed on a rental car trailer.
Do I need a customs bond?
Most formal entries need a bond. If the importer has no continuous bond, we arrange a single transaction bond or a continuous bond through a surety. The surety sets the price.
Do you accept every request?
No. We file the eManifest as the carrier of record, so staff review each request first. We decline loads that we cannot check, and the types of goods listed on this page.
On the way to the border without a PAPS?
Call (908) 291-8001 or email info@alliedchb.com
Last reviewed September 26, 2026. This page explains customs rules in general terms. It is not legal advice. Duty rates and CBP procedures change often, and we confirm the figures for your shipment in writing before you commit.