How To Check Your PARS or PAPS Clearance

Customs clearance is a complex process, with a lot of moving parts. One way to streamline the cross-border process has been through PARS and PAPS. The PARS and PAPS provide a way to track the movement of goods across borders, which has helped businesses in the cross-border trade process make more informed decisions through real time data. PARS/PAPS tracking is one of the best ways to stay on top of your cargo. Whether you're a new or experienced, there are a few ways you can make the most of your PARS and PAPS data.

Customs clearance and border controls are the biggest challenges for cross-border trade. Customs clearance has been simplified through the introduction of PARS and PAPS labels. PARS and PAPS labels are an essential component to cross-border trade and the pre-arrival processing of goods.

The labels contain a barcode with essential shipment and carrier information, providing necessary information for customs clearance. These labels ensure that shipments and carriers can be identified and assessed, so that customs clearance can occur. You will use PARS for shipments entering Canada and PAPS for shipments entering the US. There are just so many benefits to using PARS/PAPS tracking, but one of the best ways to use it is to track your customs clearance status, whether you are a trucker or importer.

Mistakes To Avoid With PARS/PAPS

When you track your PARS or PAPS clearance status in real time, you can gain insight into the status of a shipment at customs. If you are a trucker, you will know before you even arrive at the border if you are cleared to cross, so that you can plan ahead and not get stuck at the border.

The key to shipping success is taking the time to do it right, and your labels are no different. If you make mistakes when it comes to generating your PARS or PAPS number, or attaching the labels to the right documents, you may face lengthy delays at customs. The best way to avoid this is to take extra time double checking your paperwork and verifying that everything matches, and is up to date. Some of the key mistakes you want to avoid when it comes to setting up your PARS or PAPS include:

• Incorrect Carrier Codes: Your carrier code is the number which identifies you to customs and is also part of your barcode number. Getting this number wrong can lead to long wait times for you.
• Incorrect Shipment Number: Part of your barcode will include a shipment number, which helps identify the shipment to customs, so this is a piece of data you need to ensure is accurate.
• Inconsistent Data: Your shipment information needs to match your PARS or PAPS, so if you are affixing your labels to the wrong paperwork or your shipment does not match information in the system, then you may end up facing a delay having to fix the issues.

How To Handle Port Changes

When customs clearance documents are sent in, port of arrival and contact numbers are also included. It is important to remember that once your release has been accepted, the port code cannot be changed. In order to change the port code for any reason, you will need to cancel the original entry and a new entry has to be made, which may incur additional charges or fees.

How To Check PARS Status/How To Check PAPS Status

The step to tracking your real-time clearance status is pretty simple. The best way to manage all your customs clearance needs is to use the Zipments streamlined digital platform. in addition to having all your customs documents in one place, Zipments allows you to track PARS or PAPS for any broker, and make notes, set tags and even share status updates. You can purchase your PARS and PAPS labels with Zipments, shipped within 1 day. Streamlined communication also allows for easy document and data sharing, so you avoid delays or penalties. 

✔️Simply access the Zipments PARS/PAPS Tracker on your computer or phone device. 

✔️Input the PARS or PAPS number into the search field, and use a comma if you want to track multiple PARS/PAPS at once.

✔️If you find any issues or your clearance is taking too long, you can use the Zipments Customs Broker Directory to contact your broker to resolve the issue.

Protecting the global supply chain is easier than ever with PARS/PAPS data. You can track for any broker or multiple brokers at once, in the same space. 

Whether you are a trucker looking to plan ahead, or an importer needing to keep track of your customs clearance; Zipments can help you make the most out of your PARS/PAPS data to reduce unnecessary stress, save time and money.

Don't let a customs issue ruin your business. By knowing how to turn your PARS/PAPS information into a powerful tool that’s easy to use, you can make the most of it and track multiple products at once, speeding up your import process. At Zipments, we’ve created a streamlined customs clearance platform, to make it easier for you to ship or move products internationally. Our software is simple and accessible, so that you can get the most out of your shipments.