PARS and PAPS, explained.
Updated September 27, 2026 · City DD Dispatch Desk
PARS and PAPS are shipment numbers, printed as barcode labels, that let customs pre-clear a load before the truck reaches the border. PARS is for loads going into Canada (CBSA); PAPS is for loads going into the US (CBP). The customs broker files the entry against that number, and the carrier sends its eManifest at least an hour before the truck arrives.
- PARS = into Canada
- PAPS = into the US
- eManifest at least 1 hour before arrival
PARS vs PAPS.
Six steps before the driver reaches the line.
- 1Make the label
The carrier creates a PARS or PAPS number and barcode label from its own carrier code.
- 2Send it to the shipper
The label goes to the shipper, who passes it to their customs broker with the commercial invoice.
- 3The entry is filed
The customs broker submits the entry to the CBSA or CBP against that number.
- 4Send the eManifest
The carrier sends the ACI or ACE eManifest: truck, trailer, driver and shipment, including the PARS or PAPS number.
- 5Check the status
Before the driver leaves, confirm the entry is filed and the manifest was accepted.
- 6Cross
The driver presents at the border, and the officer can pull everything up by the number.
The usual delays.
- The customs broker hasn't filed the entry yet.
- The eManifest went in late, or not at all.
- A typo in the PARS or PAPS number, so the manifest and the entry don't match.
- Shipment details on the manifest don't match the paperwork.
- Using the FAST timeline when the load or driver doesn't qualify.
Labels, manifest and a status check on every crossing.
On every cross-border load we make the labels, send them to the shipper with a note for their customs broker, prepare the eManifest in your account, and check the entry and the manifest are both in before your driver heads for the line. You stay responsible for what's filed under your codes.
Cross-border dispatch- CBSA Memorandum D3-4-2: Highway pre-arrival and reporting requirements
- CBSA: Highway carrier code application
- CBP: Inbound truck mode FAQ (Trade Act of 2002 final rule)
General information, not advice. Check the rules with the agency before you run.
Why we say this
Requirements change and this page may not be current: confirm anything regulatory with the relevant agency or your own advisor before you run. We'll flag what we see during setup, but the obligation sits with the carrier and its authority.
Answered straight.
What does PARS stand for?
Pre-Arrival Review System. It's the CBSA's system for pre-clearing commercial shipments coming into Canada.
What does PAPS stand for?
Pre-Arrival Processing System. It's CBP's system for pre-clearing commercial shipments coming into the United States.
How early do I have to send the eManifest?
Into Canada, the CBSA must receive and validate the ACI eManifest at least one hour before the truck arrives. Into the US, CBP needs the ACE eManifest at least one hour before arrival, or 30 minutes for qualifying FAST shipments.
Do I need both PARS and PAPS?
Only one per crossing: PAPS for a load going into the US, PARS for a load coming into Canada. A round trip with a load each way uses one of each.
What are a SCAC and a CBSA carrier code?
Your carrier's identifiers. The SCAC is a two-to-four-letter code issued by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association; the CBSA carrier code is a four-character code issued by the Canada Border Services Agency. Your PAPS and PARS numbers start with them.
Can a dispatcher do my eManifests?
A dispatcher can prepare them in your account on your instructions, which is what we do. They're filed under your carrier codes, so you remain responsible for them.
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