How To Check Your PARS Status

The US and Canada have a long history of friendship and trade—but the border can be confusing. When you're importing commercial goods into Canada, it's helpful to know what you'll need to submit before any goods even reach the border. If you are shipping to Canada, then the PARS number is a significant part of your process. A PARS label is one of the most important pieces in your cross-border planning, and can make a significant difference in your transport efficiency. Are you looking to get your PARS sticker, and track status with ease? Here's how it works. 

In the new technological age, importing commercial goods is becoming even more efficient. Technology allows for early submission of required import or export documentation, so that goods can be cleared to cross before the driver even arrives at the border. The ability to submit data to customs before goods arrive helps speed up the process of examination or release at customs, allowing for identification and the addressing of any issues ahead of time, so that there is no delay. For shipments heading into Canada, you will need the PARS number.   

Canada has its own version of an advance screening system, and it is the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) eManifest. It is an online portal where you can register and submit documents into the system so that they can be processed by customs before goods arrive at customs. A PARS number is used by importers and brokers to request for the release of a shipment, so a PARS is one significant piece of information needed for this online portal. The PARS label is attached to the commercial invoice and helps in key identification processes. For ground transport, your ACI eManifest needs to be submitted minimum one hour before the truck arrives at the border.

What Is a PARS Number In Customs Clearance?

The Pre-Arrival-Review-System, PARS, is a Canadian version of an advanced clearance process that shipments go through, where documentation is submitted to Canada Border Services Agency, CBSA, for processing and review before the goods even arrive at the border. It is mandatory for commercial shipments entering Canada.

In the past, shipments would arrive at the border and truckers would have to wait for review and examination to take place, which is quite a lengthy process. With technology, PARS now allows for early review and processing of shipments, so that drivers can get cleared to cross before they even arrive at the border, saving them time waiting at customs. 

How Do I Find My PARS number?

The PARS label itself is a combination of the cargo control number (CCN) and the carrier code. The combination of characters and numbers on this label is used to identify the carrier and shipment to CBSA. The PARS number begins with the carrier code. The total length of a PARS number is between a minimum of 5 characters to a maximum of 25. . 

You can purchase your PARS labels quicker using Zipments. The labels ship within 1 business day. In case of emergencies where you need labels today, you can contact the support team at Zipments and be sent emergency use labels via email.

Purchase Your PARS Stickers On Zipments.io: 

What Role Does The Carrier Play In Getting The PARS Number? 

While a lot of the paperwork responsibility may fall on the shipper or customs broker, carriers do still have an integral role in the process. The carrier will assign a PARS number to a shipment and then place a PARS sticker onto the commercial documents at the time of freight pickup. The documentation will then be forwarded to a customs broker so that they can submit the paperwork for advance screening with customs, referencing the PARS in their submission.

It is the carrier’s responsibility in this instance, to make sure that there is transparency between them and the customs broker or importer when completing this step, in the case of any issues arising. When forwarding the information, the carrier needs to be sure to provide information on their port of crossing, ETA (estimated time of arrival) and their contact information.

PARS Tracker 

The process of using a PARS label is simple for drivers, if they have the right tools. The truck driver will usually arrive at customs and present their paperwork, where officials will check the documentation. The PARS sticker comes into play in this process because the cargo control number is found on the PARS sticker, which grants customs officials access to information on the shipment, and determination on whether it is to be released or not.

Tracking Your PARS Number 

Technology also allows for more ease in the transportation process, because truck drivers can also access the clearance status using the PARS number. This step is extremely helpful to truckers or carriers, because they can use a PARS tracker to see whether a shipment is cleared to cross before their arrival at the border, which allows for them to plan for a speedier transport process.

Sometimes there can be miscommunication on who is expected to file an ACI eManifest or set up a PARS, so it is important that carriers check their status before heading to the border. The carrier can also use the PARS number to track and identify that the shipment is set up and ready to clear at the border,  if they don’t want to call the broker directly.

Delays do occur at the border, most often due to missing or incorrect paperwork. If the shipment has been held up at customs for any reason, then carriers can reach out to relevant parties such as the customs broker or importer, to address the issue.

You can access real-time PARS data and track your PARS status using Zipments. You can track any PARS for any broker, with unlimited PARS tracking capability. Through Zipments you can also quickly contact any parties involved and organize your PARS by adding tags. There is no need to worry about whether you are cleared to cross, as everything is at your fingertips! 

If you're shipping goods across the border, it's important to get your PARS in advance, to avoid delays or issues with your shipment. PARS labels  are a method of tracking your shipment status as it journeys across the border.  Your PARS will help you navigate your crossing, and tracking can inform you on whether you may need to fix any documentation errors early on.  With PARS, you'll know when your goods will be crossing the border, so you can plan accordingly.