Product Information

Descartes Customs Highway Solution

Cross-border Security for ACE and ACI Highway

American and Canadian highway carriers are constantly seeking ways to automate processes to reduce the cost of operations, streamline document management and, most importantly, keep cross-border freight moving. Without the proper tools in place or visibility into shipments, internal costs can escalate.

Bringing More Effective Solutions to Market

Descartes Customs Highway solution streamlines business processes and interaction between highway carriers and government agencies. This collaborative solution automates customs security filings for CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) and CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency). It helps organizations make more effective use of internal resources, improves document accuracy for delivery to the appropriate authorities, and manages the final release of goods by customs.

As a Web-based, on-demand offering, the Customs Highway solution enables organizations to leverage advanced automation features without the need to invest in the capital costs associated with in-house systems, integration, licensing and upgrades. Potential benefits include:

Real-time Visibility

Carriers can gain real-time visibility into shipment status and deliver/receive data electronically to reduce the need for manual entry. Users can opt for full or partial management, depending on their own infrastructure and needs.

Collaboration Carriers can access and share information with appropriate partners, enhance visibility and speed filing and approval processes.

Descartes as a Provider of Choice

Since 1981, Descartes has been focused on addressing the needs of global transportation and logistics providers. It has built its reputation on delivering results for organizations around the world that operate logistics-intensive businesses and require visibility and control over multi-channel networks of trading partners and shipment management processes.

Leveraging the Global Logistics Network (GLN), Descartes provides carriers with a range of solutions that enable real-time visibility, facilitate the lifecycle management of shipments and support collaboration between global trading partners.

Customs Highway Solution Features

• Connecting carriers to U.S. CBP – provides increased visibility and control over secure e-manifest filings (including pre-arrival processing system, pre-filed in-bonds, low-value shipments and more) via the Web interface or back-office electronic integration.

• Customs documentation management – facilitates the delivery and receipt of imaged documents, shipment reports, security filings, customs releases, bills of lading and invoices. It also enables the delivery of driver documentation for customs clearance, including ACE e-manifest cover pages, inward cargo manifests and CBP 7512 in-bond forms; and facilitates the sharing of delivery status and broker acceptance information.

ACI for Northbound Shipments Entering Canada:

Descartes also enables carriers to meet the requirements for inbound manifest and export cargo and conveyance information to the CBSA’s Advance Commercial Information (ACI) system for ocean, air and highway shipments. Features include:

• Simplified messaging format – the portal enables one single data set for all filings (ACE, CSA, and ACI Highway) to facilitate multiple users and simplify integration for carriers. A unified XML schema supports requirements on both sides of the border, and is forward compatible with new customs regulations, including the ACI Highway Program for entering Canada.

• Connecting carriers to Canada’s CBSA – provides increased visibility and control over secure e-manifest filings either through the Web interface or via back-office electronic integration.

• Enhanced track and trace – these capabilities include the above (ACE) features; automated processes include detailed trace of shipment and trip history; diverse search and sort options; driver notifications and e-mail alerts.

• Manage customs documentation – uses knowledge-based engine technology to automate the broker selection process based on history, confidence levels and specified variables, as well as harmonizes parties when entered into the system from eManifest. Maintains imaged documents alongside associated shipment reports, while clearance is streamlined through the electronic routing of bills of lading and commercial invoices. Organizations can track document delivery status and broker acceptance/rejections; and generate, print and fax bar-coded driver documentation for customs clearance.

• Simplified messaging format – enables one single data set for all filings (ACE, CSA, ACI Highway) to facilitate multiple users and simplify integration.