ACE

If the 200 guys working for Accord and crossing the border are any indication then ACE is a big hit. It is really rare to find a change in legislation or procedure that actually benefits drivers and I am so surprised this one does. We have been using ACE for the majority of our loads for about 4 weeks now and so far, not a single driver has complained about the new process. This is a real gift to have a piece of legislation that actually makes a driver’s job simpler. And while this particular part of the driver’s job is simpler, the driver’s life has just gotten a little more complicated.

First a little background. On January 25, 2006 PAPS is dead at Blaine, Pembina and several other crossings. The rest of the ports will kill PAPS in favor of ACE on a timed schedule that may depend on how well it works at these ports.

ACE stands for Automated Commercial Environment. It was mandated as part of the trade act of 2002. It requires trucking companies to file an inbound manifest electronically at least 1 hour before (1/2 hour for fast) you arrive at the border primary inspection booth. Note: there is a $5000 fine for arriving at the border without your ACE manifest being submitted at least 1 hour earlier.

Ace works by the driver showing up at the border. His transponder is read (or the tractor plate if no transponder) and all the information for the load, truck, trailer, and driver pops up on the border guard’s computer screen. It pops up because it has been electronically submitted by your company at least one hour before you get there. This means that you definitely need to work with your dispatch to make sure you have the okay to head for the border.

Drivers like this program for 2 main reasons. Depending on how your fleet deals with ACE you won’t need to do any paperwork. You heard it right. There is no longer a requirement for drivers to fill out an inbound manifest. There is no fussing with PAPS stickers. No need to make sure the customs officer scans all of the individual shipments. Your company has to submit all this information via computer to US customs and since it is in the computer anyway, they can print it out for you. If you can’t get to the terminal to pick up the printout or if they can’t print it, you can simply take a form and write down your plate number, your trip number your name and your ACE shipment number that you get from your dispatch.

The second reason drivers like the ACE system is because it forces just about all border problems to be fixed before Customs accepts the submissions. The US government has computers check all the ACE information before they accept it. I have had submissions refused for simple reasons like the consignee zip code is missing, the pieces type was incorrect or the driver’s license had expired. This eliminates surprises for drivers who arrive at the border to discover these small errors need to be corrected. Our drivers are happy they no longer have to solve these errors, especially in the middle of the night.

Here is what you need to think about though. The US government wanted ACE so they could have advance notice of who and what was heading to the border. Now you, Mr. Pro-trucker and your record, can be targeted simply and easily. Your record will determine your ability to earn a living in a cross border environment. Any border offences you accumulate will stay on your record, like a speeding ticket on an abstract

I don’t want to make you extra nervous as crossing the border is stressful enough. However, you need to realize that this is another sign of how the times are changing in trucking. Declare everything, even personal items you purchase. If you don’t already have one, get a FAST card. Back in the day, a load or driver that was refused entrance at Pacific highway could run 20k down the road to Sumas and cross there without a problem. Not only are those kinds of things not possible anymore, the fines and charges from these marginal activities can stain your record and affect your ability to earn a living as a cross border driver.

The reigns just got a little tighter on the old style of cowboy drivers.