Trucking has been a key way of transporting goods across North America for decades. Many shipments require the transporting of goods across the border between the United States and Canada. Anyone who has crossed the border, for business or personal, knows that delays can arise due to customs and border inspections. If you are a business looking to transport goods across the border, eManifests are a key factor to keeping the border crossing simple and hassle free. Here are a few common questions that are asked regarding eManifests:

What is eManifest? eManifests are a solution to an issue that started when the borders increased security but wanted to keep delays to a minimum. eManifests allow shippers and carriers to submit their information to the border electronically prior to arrival. This allows Customs Agents to process the shipment information and make decisions regarding inspections in advance. This minimizes delays for carriers as they will not have to wait at the border for paperwork to be inspected and questions to be answered. The information will already have been sent and evaluated by the border officials.

When do you need an eManifest? Almost all commercial shipments require an eManifest however the best way to get an answer for your shipment is to contact the border directly.

Can I get assistance with eManifests? eManifest services are offered by many companies and doing a quick query on any search engine will give you many results. It is best to do research into the eManifest service company to make sure they are available to answer questions and explain the process in greater detail for you. They will also be able to provide you with the details on what information will be required to cross the border with your goods.

Once I have an eManifest, do I bring it to the border inspection booth? Yes, you will need to present the electronic manifest cover sheet to the border officer. It is better to be safe and have all your customs paperwork with you in case the border official asks to see it.

What is an Electronic Manifest Cover Sheet? This is a paper with some details regarding your shipment. It includes a trip number, driver name, truck license plate number and shipment details. This cover sheet is sent to you by the eManifest service company that you use for sending the shipment details to customs.

Will I need multiple eManifests for multiple shipments? No. Only one eManifest is permitted per truck per trip. If a carrier has more than one shipment, they only need one electronic manifest. The customs broker will make a separate entry for each shipment and the eManifest will list all shipments with a unique shipment control number assigned to each shipment.