Quick answer: A PAPS (Pre-Arrival Processing System) number links a US-bound truck shipment to the customs entry its broker files with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The carrier creates it, not CBP: its 4-letter SCAC plus up to 12 letters or digits, 16 characters at most. As of October 2026, the ACE eManifest carrying it is due 1 hour before arrival (30 minutes for FAST shipments).
Sources were checked on October 10, 2026: 19 CFR 123.92 on eCFR (current to October 7, 2026), CBP's ACE truck manifest guides (September 2026, October 2025, June 2025 and August 2020), CBP's 2012 ACE eManifest user guide, CBP's 2005 inbound truck FAQ, CBP's FAST program page, the NMFTA label store, and CBSA Memorandum D17-1-4 (December 15, 2025).
For a Canadian carrier, PAPS applies on the southbound border crossing into the United States. CBP's 2012 ACE eManifest user guide says to use the PAPS release type when a customs broker or self-filing importer is filing an entry or in-bond request for the shipment. For freight headed north, PARS is one of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) release options, covered in our PARS number guide.
What is a PAPS number in trucking?
A PAPS number is the reference CBP uses to match a US-bound truck shipment with the customs entry filed for it. PAPS stands for Pre-Arrival Processing System. CBP's 2005 inbound truck FAQ says the system links entry information that a broker sends through the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) with the carrier's Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) and a unique number. The carrier provides that number, such as a bill of lading or PRO number.
CBP's systems now call a PAPS shipment a Simple Bill. The September 2026 ACE truck manifest EDI guide lists bill type code 00, the default, as the "Simple/Regular Bill" that was "formerly known as PAPS." CBP's in-bond guidance, last updated in March 2024, still uses the PAPS name.
PAPS number at a glance
A PAPS number is carrier-made, at most 16 characters long, unique for 3 years and due on the ACE eManifest 1 hour before arrival (30 minutes for FAST shipments).
| Question | Answer as of October 10, 2026 |
|---|---|
| What PAPS stands for | Pre-Arrival Processing System (CBP) |
| Which freight | US-bound truck shipments cleared on an entry or in-bond request filed through ABI |
| Name in ACE today | Simple Bill (EDI bill type code 00); the number is the shipment control number |
| Who creates it | The carrier, or the consolidator on consolidated freight; CBP does not issue it |
| Format | 4-letter SCAC + up to 12 letters or digits; 16 characters maximum; no spaces or symbols |
| Must stay unique for | 3 years |
| Barcode label | Shows the SCAC and shipment number; CBP's 2005 FAQ put it on the invoice and manifest |
| eManifest deadline | 1 hour before the first US port of arrival; 30 minutes for FAST shipments |
| Status before arrival | "Entry Not on File" or "Entry on File" in ACE; neither one is a release |
| Northbound counterpart | PARS, one of CBSA's release options |
What is the PAPS number format?
A PAPS number is the carrier's 4-letter SCAC followed by up to 12 letters or digits, so it is 16 characters at most. CBP's September 2026 guide says CBP "only accepts 4 alpha characters" for the SCAC. For the bill number, the guide says CBP accepts up to 12 alphanumeric characters, with "no spaces in the middle or special characters." CBP's truck FAQ gives the same 16-character maximum.
Illustrative example: a carrier whose SCAC is ABCD (a stand-in for a real code) assigns PRO number 1234567, so the PAPS number is ABCD1234567. In CBP's Truck Manifest Trade Portal, ABCD goes in the Bill Issuer SCAC field and 1234567 in the Bill of Lading Number field. CBP's 2020 portal guide to creating a bill of lading says that field was formerly labelled Shipment Control #.
- Unique for 3 years. The September 2026 guide says the bill number "must be unique for 3 years," so a PRO sequence that restarts each year can collide with an old shipment.
- Agreed by both sides. CBP's 2012 eManifest user guide says the number after the SCAC can be the carrier's PRO number or the broker's entry number, but it "must be a unique number agreed upon by both parties."
- Identical everywhere. The eManifest and the entry must carry the same characters, or ACE cannot link them.
Who creates the PAPS number, and how do you get one?
The carrier creates the PAPS number, so nobody applies to CBP for one; the carrier only needs a SCAC first. CBP's truck FAQ says PAPS requires the carrier to "possess a valid Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) and assign a unique number in combination with this code." The September 2026 guide adds that customs brokers "must obtain this number to file an entry."
- Get a SCAC. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) assigns SCAC codes, as 19 CFR 123.92 notes, and NMFTA says a SCAC stays active through annual renewal.
- Number each US-bound shipment. Add up to 12 letters or digits to the SCAC, never repeating a number within 3 years.
- Send it to the US customs broker early. CBP's truck FAQ says to provide it "in sufficient time to allow for electronic transmission to CBP 1 hour (or 30 minutes for FAST shipments) in advance."
- Add the shipment to the ACE eManifest as a Simple Bill with the same number. If you use broker download, ask the broker for its filer code and the US port code it will use.
- Label the paperwork and transmit the eManifest before the deadline.
If you ship or import the goods, you do not create the PAPS number. Ask the carrier hauling the load for it, and check that the carrier has sent it to your US customs broker.
Where do you get PAPS labels, and where do they go?
PAPS barcode labels, or stickers, go on the shipment's invoice and paper manifest, according to CBP's 2005 truck FAQ. One place to get them is the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), which assigns SCACs. Its online store sells PAPS barcodes in sets of 300, 500 or 1,000, delivered by email as a PDF.
The FAQ says a PAPS shipment "is identified at arrival by a barcode containing the SCAC code and unique identifier." It also says that, for PAPS shipments, this information must be placed "on the manifest (CBP Form 7533) and invoice in a bar coded format for presentation to CBP at the time of arrival."
That FAQ predates the ACE eManifest: it says CBP would use existing systems "until an electronic manifest process is available for truck cargo." Today the ACE portal lets the filer print a manifest cover sheet after submission, according to CBP's October 2025 portal guide. The newer CBP guides cited here do not repeat the label placement, so ask your broker where it wants the label, and check two things:
- The number matches the eManifest, character for character.
- The barcode format suits your broker. The CBP documents cited here describe what the barcode contains, not a barcode type.
How does the customs broker use the PAPS number?
The US customs broker reports the PAPS number in the entry, and ACE uses it to link the entry to the carrier's eManifest shipment. CBP's 2012 eManifest user guide says every entry filed through ABI must report the shipment control number in the master bill of lading field. The number "must match in order for the manifest shipment to link to the entry or QP In-bond, and this link must occur for your truck to be released."
When the carrier submits the eManifest, ACE looks for an entry or in-bond request with the same shipment control number, CBP's in-bond guidance explains. One entry can cover more than one shipment, but each shipment's number must be reported on it. Broker download sends the broker a copy of the shipment record, yet the user guide warns: "This is not sufficient information for a Customs broker to prepare an entry." Keep sending the broker the full shipment documents.
When must the ACE eManifest with the PAPS number be filed?
CBP must receive the ACE eManifest at least 1 hour before the truck reaches the first US port of arrival, or 30 minutes before for shipments that qualify for FAST. 19 CFR 123.92 requires the data "by means of a CBP-approved electronic data interchange system" and sets "either 30 minutes or 1 hour" depending on the system used. CBP's truck FAQ ties the 30-minute window to shipments that qualify for the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program.
The shorter window belongs to the shipment, not the driver. CBP's FAST page says participation "requires that every link in the supply chain, from manufacturer to carrier to driver to importer, is certified" under the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program. CBP's 2024 truck manifest flyer words it as "shipments qualifying for CTPAT." Drivers still waiting on a card can check FAST card processing times.
| Crossing | Filing | Minimum lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Into the US, standard shipment | ACE eManifest | 1 hour before the first US port |
| Into the US, FAST-qualified shipment | ACE eManifest | 30 minutes before the first US port |
| Into Canada by highway | ACI eManifest | 1 hour, received and validated by CBSA |
For the Canadian side, CBSA says it "must receive and validate cargo and conveyance data a minimum of one-hour before the shipment arrives at the border."
How do you check PAPS status?
The carrier checks PAPS status in ACE, in the Truck Manifest Trade Portal or through EDI status messages. CBP's October 2025 portal guide says the Bill of Lading tab lists bills saved as drafts or added to manifests in the last 30 days, with each bill's manifest and entry status. A Simple bill with no matching entry shows "Entry Not on File," then "Entry on File" once an entry with the matching bill number is in Cargo Release. Each manifest has a progress bar with four statuses: Created, Submitted, Arrival and Released.
- Carriers filing by EDI get status notifications (X12 350) "as entries are filed and releases obtained," according to the September 2026 guide.
- Other parties get status messages when the carrier names them. CBP's 2012 eManifest user guide says a secondary notify party named on the shipment receives the customs status messages. Broker download only sends the entry filer a copy of the shipment record through ABI.
- Shippers and drivers who do not use ACE can ask the customs broker that filed the entry, or the carrier's dispatcher, for the current status.
- "On file" is not a release. CBP's June 2025 status message guide labels "Entry on file" and "Bill on file" advisories "Not a release." It says the release message is triggered by the conveyance arrival message when the truck crosses the border.
Before the driver leaves for the border, confirm that every bill on the trip shows Entry on File, or In-bond on File for a shipment moving in bond. Call the broker about any bill that does not. To budget the crossing itself, use the truck toll calculator or the Gordie Howe bridge truck toll calculator.
What delays PAPS clearance at the border?
PAPS clearance stalls when the number does not link, when no entry is on file, or when manifest data fails CBP's requirements. Every cause in this table comes from the CBP documents cited in this guide.
| Problem | What CBP says | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Number differs between eManifest and entry | The link "must occur for your truck to be released" | Paste the exact number; never retype it |
| No entry filed | The portal shows Entry Not on File | Check status before the driver leaves |
| Late eManifest | Due 1 hour before arrival, 30 minutes for FAST | File at dispatch, not at the border |
| Wrong format | 4-letter SCAC, up to 12 letters or digits, no spaces or symbols | Strip hyphens and spaces from PRO numbers |
| Reused number | Must be unique for 3 years | Use a sequence that never restarts |
| Vague description | "Freight of all kinds," "general cargo" and "said to contain" are not acceptable | Use a precise description or a 6-digit HTS number |
| Wrong quantity | Count the smallest external packaging unit: 2 pallets of 50 pieces is 100 | Count pieces, not pallets |
| Exam or hold | Code 1A requires an intensive exam; CBP, USDA and other agency holds deny release until removed | Ask the broker which agency placed the hold |
CBP's 2024 truck manifest flyer warns that manifest violations, including failure to file, incorrect information, overages and shortages, "may result in enforcement action, including penalties and liquidated damages, holds for examination, or seizure."
PAPS vs PARS: what is the difference?
PAPS is CBP's pre-arrival system for truck freight entering the United States; PARS, the Pre-Arrival Review System, is one of CBSA's release options for goods entering Canada.
| PAPS | PARS | |
|---|---|---|
| Agency and direction | CBP, into the United States | CBSA, into Canada |
| Number | SCAC + unique shipment number | CBSA-issued carrier code + unique shipment number (cargo control number) |
| Release request | Customs broker or importer entry through ABI | Importer or customs broker, up to 45 calendar days before arrival |
| eManifest deadline | ACE: 1 hour, or 30 minutes for FAST | ACI: 1 hour, received and validated |
CBSA's cargo control label rules say the carrier code "is combined with a unique shipment number (chosen by the carrier) to create a cargo control number." Memorandum D17-1-4 says PARS "allows importers and customs brokers to submit pre- or post-arrival interim accounting documentation to CBSA to obtain release of goods." For more, see our PAPS vs PARS comparison, the PARS number guide and the ACE and ACI eManifest page.
How does TruckerPro handle PAPS numbers?
TruckerPro's TMS keeps the PAPS number on the cross-border load and, when a company turns on Customs Validation, can hold dispatch while the load's customs number is missing. On the load form, the customs fields for a cross-border load include a PAPS number field marked US-bound and a PARS number field marked Canada-bound.
Customs Validation is an optional setting that stays off until a company turns it on. When it is on, it holds dispatch of a cross-border load that has neither number. It also holds a load whose delivery state makes it US-bound but that has only a PARS number. A dispatcher with manage permission can override the hold by entering a reason.
The PAPS number also prints on the commercial invoice PDF the TMS generates for a US-bound load. From the load's Documents menu, a dispatcher can email the customs paperwork, including that invoice, to the PAPS email address saved for the load's customs broker. When no PAPS email is saved, it goes to the broker's general email.
Frequently asked questions
What does PAPS stand for in shipping?
PAPS stands for Pre-Arrival Processing System. It is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) method that links a truck shipment entering the United States to the customs entry a broker files. CBP's current ACE truck manifest guides call a PAPS shipment a Simple or Regular Bill.
Who provides the PAPS number?
The carrier provides it; CBP does not issue PAPS numbers. The carrier puts its four-letter SCAC in front of a unique shipment number, such as its PRO number. It gives the full number to the US customs broker and lists it on the ACE eManifest. The broker reports the same number in the entry so CBP can link the two.
How do I get a PAPS number?
You do not apply to CBP for one. The carrier makes each PAPS number by adding up to 12 letters or digits to its own four-letter SCAC, a code the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) assigns. Every number must stay unique for 3 years. If you ship or import the goods, ask the carrier hauling the load for the number and check that your US customs broker has it.
Where do I get PAPS barcode labels?
One source is the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), which assigns SCACs. Its online store sells PAPS barcodes in sets of 300, 500 or 1,000, delivered by email as a PDF. CBP's 2005 truck FAQ put the barcode on the invoice and the paper manifest. Ask your broker where it wants the label, and print the number exactly as it appears on the ACE eManifest.
Do Canadian carriers need a PAPS number?
Yes, when a US-bound shipment is cleared on an entry or in-bond request filed by a customs broker or importer. The Canadian carrier builds the number from its own SCAC, sends it to the US broker and lists it on the ACE eManifest. For freight going into Canada, PARS is one of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) release options.