Customs - Service & Expertise

The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commercial trade-processing system aimed at consolidating and automating border processing.

ACE offers a customized web-based system that connects CBP, the trade community and participating government agencies in one centralized, on-line access point.  It has been designed to increase lawful cross-border trade, while enhancing border security by:

• Providing an information-sharing platform for trade data throughout government agencies
• allowing the trade community to access to and management of their trade information via reports;
• improving communication, collaboration, and compliance efforts between CBP and the trade community
• Facilitating efficient collection, processing, and analysis of commercial import and export data

For more information on the ACE system, please visit the US Customs and Border Protection website.

The Customs Self Assessment program is a progressive trade option initiated by the Canada Customs Revenue Agency (CCRA) in 2001.

CSA is designed to streamline accounting and payment processes for all imported goods, eliminating the need for importers to maintain separate and costly customs processes, thereby allowing them to use their own business systems to fully self assess and meet their customs obligations.  It also allows for the delivery of eligible goods prior to release by CCRA, to an importer or their consignee that have been reported by a registered driver and are being transported by an approved carrier.  CSA allows for the clearance of goods based on the identification of the approved importer, approved carrier, and registered driver.

Being an approved CSA carrier is just one more way Challenger Motor Freight is improving service to its customers.  For more information on CSA, please contact the Challenger Customs Department at 1-800-265-6358 ext 2374, or visit the CCRA website.

The Canada Border Services Agency PARS service allows an importer or their customs broker to submit a release request up to 30 calendar days prior to the arrival of goods at the Canada/US border.

Challenger places a unique bar code on each commercial invoice and faxes the bar coded invoice to a Canadian Customs broker. The broker prepares and submits the required documentation via computer. At the Canada Customs entry point, the inspector scans the bar code and customs entry. The official then receives an electronically transmitted "No Exam" or "Referred for Exam" notice and the shipment proceeds without delay into Canada.

To confirm your load has been processed, please verify with PARScheck.com.

The Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) is a US Customs and Border Protection program designed to provide advance information on goods entering the United States from Canada, expedite clearances, and reduce traffic congestion along the US/Canada border. It also allows US Customs and Border Protection to perform risk assessment and clearance in advance of goods arriving at the border.

The Frequent Importer Release System (FIRST) is a Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) service for frequent importers of low risk, low-revenue commodities, who have a high level of compliance with CBSA regulations.

FIRST is a valuable asset for importers who frequently import products into Canada.  It eliminates the manual clearing of goods by a broker as all pertinent information is electronically forwarded to Canada Customs.  Through this process, clearance is secured long before the truck arrives at the border crossing, thereby expediting travel time and increasing traffic flow.

Upon arrival to a Canadian Customs Booth, the carrier will presents the import document with the bar-coded authorization and transaction number, a description of the goods, and related invoices.  The Customs officer then scans and stamps the information package and a copy of the FIRST document is returned to the driver as proof of release. Goods move through quickly and efficiently with an absolute minimum of down time.