Track Your PAPS or SCN Number The Easy Way

The right plan can make all the difference when it comes to bringing commercial goods into the United States. It's crucial to keep note of important documents, as well as making sure you have your PAPS labels. A PAPS number is essential in the cross border process, ensuring that truck drivers are not held up waiting at the border for too long. With PAPS, you can track your shipment’s release status and speed up customs clearance. In order to guarantee a smooth customs clearance process, it is important to understand how to check your PAPS, why you need it and how it works. 

Crossing international borders with commercial goods is no easy feat. As a shipment makes its journey across the border, there are steps which need to be taken to ensure release for the shipment. The PAPS number is one common factor in both a customs broker’s entry and the eManifest filing, both essential in the clearance process. A customs broker files a formal entry with the ABI (Automated Broker Interface) and selects the shipment type, while a carrier will prepare an ACE eManifest using the PAPS number. Information provided by the importer and broker is essential in this clearance process.

ACE eManifest and PAPS 

The ACE eManifest portal (Automated Commercial Environment) is used by CBP (US Customs and Border Protection) to simplify the customs clearance process and ensure security in the international trade of goods. The ACE eManifest portal is used to submit relevant shipment information to customs for review and processing ahead of time. Carriers entering the United States via land/truck, must submit their ACE eManifest. Early submissions allow customs officials to flag shipments which are high risk early on and address them, which reduces congestion at the border.

PAPS is a part of the eManifest system. All PAPS shipments need to have an ACE eManifest accompanying them, and the carrier has to indicate that the shipment is a PAPS shipment on their eManifest. Shipments must be entered a minimum of one hour before arrival at the port of entry, through the ACE eManifest, while FAST shipments details can be entered minimum 30 minutes before arrival.

Shipment Control Number (SCN) vs. PAPS Number

A shipment control number (SCN) is a unique number which is assigned to shipments entering the United States, and helps identify the carrier and shipment to CBP. A PAPS number is a type of SCN. The most common mandatory shipment control number or type of SCN, is considered to be the PAPS number. Shipments which have pre-arrival clearance are required to have a PAPS number assigned to them.  

The PAPS, or Pre-Arrival Processing System, is a method used by the CBP to expedite customs clearance for commercial shipments entering the US.  The PAPS number is a unique identifying number, containing information about the shipment and carrier, and is used for customs clearance in the United States. It is the equivalent of the PARS in Canadian customs.

How Do I Find My PAPS Number?

Those participating in the pre-arrival processing system are able to submit documentation online ahead of time, so that customs can review and process the shipment. This process is meant to reduce customs clearance time, because if there are no issues then shipments would be cleared before the driver even reaches the border.

To find your PAPS number, you will want to check your paperwork. The PAPS number is a combination of the Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) and the pro-bill number or filer code. The PAPS barcodes are usually printed on a label or sticker, and attached to the shipping invoice and eManifest.  

It is important to remember that every shipment requires a unique PAPS number, and the numbers cannot be reused within a 3 year period.  To order your PAPS labels, you can use Zipments. With rapid shipping and emergency use labels for those needing their labels last minute, all of your customs clearance needs are covered in one space. 

How Does PAPS Work In Customs Clearance?

Carriers generate PAPS numbers and forward the relevant documentation to customs brokers, who will use the number to request release of the shipment at customs.  All truck drivers need to have their PAPS number on their cargo documents as they arrive at the port of entry. Customs officials will check to see if the shipment requires additional examination, and they use the PAPS number to verify the broker’s entry or eManifest listing. In order for goods to make it across the border, the broker’s entry and eManifest need to be accepted by CBP.

Once at the border, the driver needs to present the cover sheet with the PAPS on it. 

Do I Need a PAPS Number?

PAPS is mandatory for commercial shipments entering the United States via truck. When shipment details are submitted through the ACE eManifest system, then a barcode can be generated which helps provide necessary details regarding a shipment. The PAPS number is linked to the customs brokers entry, so customs can review the cargo. 

The PAPS number needs to be the same across all documents, meaning the cargo documents, ACE portal and customs broker’s entry should all match with the same PAPS number. CBP uses the PAPS number when assessing whether a shipment can be released or if it needs to be sent for further processing and inspection, which makes the PAPS labels an essential part of the customs clearance process. 

How Do I Track My PAPS?

Tracking your PAPS number is now easy. Once you have been assigned a PAPS number, you can order your PAPS labels and attach them to your documentation. The PAPS number can provide information on clearance status to drivers and shippers, so that any issues can be addressed before the driver arrives at the border, making the process quicker and more efficient. Drivers can check their PAPS status and know if they are cleared to cross ahead of time, by using the easy Zipments PAPS tracker. 

Zipments makes cross-border logistics easy. You can track PAPS for over 25 brokers, including AN Deringer, Livingston, DHL, and FedEx. Our easy to use platform allows you to track your clearance status, make notes, set tags or even share status updates. 

Don’t wait to be notified if there are delays at the border. With Zipments, you can see your PAPS status right away, and stay informed every step of the way.

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Getting goods into the United States can be a complicated and time-consuming process. However, if you have a PAPS number, it makes everything so much easier. Gone are the days of truckers having to wait at the border for inspection and review, with technology now allowing for pre-arrival processing and clearance.

Planning for customs clearance? Getting your shipment through customs can be a hassle, but Zipments can help you. We provide fast, secure shipping for PARS and PAPS labels, real-time PAPS and PARS tracking, customs invoice forms, a customs broker directory and more. At Zipments, we believe in transparency and shared responsibilities, which is why we've streamlined communication between brokers, shippers and carriers allows for an easier customs clearance process, saving both time and money. You can get started or learn more, at Zipments.io