Who Is Responsible For Generating The PARS and PAPS Labels In Cross-Border Shipping?

If you are in the business of international trade, then you will have a familiarity with PARS and PAPS labels. These barcodes and labels are significant in the customs clearance process, as they help expedite the movement of goods across borders. However, preparing for customs clearance and getting your labels sorted does require understanding of the the requirements for customs clearance and the key players responsible for generating these labels.

PARS Labels

A PARS label is used by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), for goods imported into Canada. Canada uses the Pre-Arrival-Review-System, as it allows customs to review a shipment before it even arrives at the border. In Canada, highway carriers need to be approved by a provincial transport authority, before they can obtain their PARS number.

A PARS label is attached to the customs or commercial invoice, when the shipment is picked up for transport. The invoice is sent to the customs broker who inputs the information including the PARS number, to customs for release.  The PARS is used with the ACI eManifest system (Advanced Commercial Information System), and helps Canadian customs officials assess shipments more efficiently.

At the border, customs will scan the PARS barcode and see whether the shipment is good to clear or needs further review and inspection. You can also track your PARS status in real time, so that you know whether goods are cleared to cross, before  even arriving at the border.

PAPS Labels

A PAPS label is used by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for goods imported into the United States.  The united States uses the Pre-Arrival-Processing-System, from which you get PAPS. You may also find it referred to as a shipment control number (SCN), as a PAPS is a type of SCN. You will find the PAPS on both the invoice and ACE cover page.

The PAPS barcode or label is attached to the customs or commercial invoice, when the shipment is picked up for transport. The invoice is also again sent to the customs broker assigned to the shipment, and then the broker will submit the information into the online system for a release request.

The United States uses the ACE manifest system (Automated Commercial Environment) for submission of pre arrival documents for customs clearance. You can also track your PAPS in real time to see if the shipment is ready to cross and whether any additional steps need to be taken. Usually, US Customs will check for the ACE eManifest cover page, but drivers should still have the documentation including invoices in their possession at the border.

Say goodbye to the hassle of managing your PARS and PAPS labels, and welcome the efficient solution offered by Zipments! 

With our streamlined platform, you can now purchase your PARS and PAPS labels seamlessly and track the customs progress in real-time. No more waiting in the dark for clearance updates!

✔️Our user-friendly interface allows you to set tags, make notes, and easily share status updates, all in one place. Stay organized and keep everyone in the loop effortlessly.

The best part? You can track PARS and PAPS for any broker and even monitor multiple shipments simultaneously! Never lose sight of your cargo again.

How Are PARS/PAPS Labels Different From Other Shipping Labels?

The use of PARS and PAPS labels is different from other shipping labels because these labels are used for facilitating customs clearance.  Other shipping labels usually contain information on the sender, receiver and destination, but PARS/PAPS deals with customs clearance documentation. The barcode found on your PARS/PAPS label links to essential customs documentation and allows customs to review the shipment before it arrives at the border, meanwhile other shipping labels may not contain all this necessary information. 

PARS and PAPS labels are designed to meet regulatory compliance for customs systems and contain identification information that is more specific to what customs is looking for.  A scan of the PARS or PAPS barcode can reveal key information that customs needs, about the shipment, as well as whether it is ready to clear customs. These labels help streamline customs clearance and are used to help assess shipments coming in, through a more efficient method.

Who Is Responsible For Generating and Attaching a PARS/PAPS Label?

For both the US and Canada, the PARS and PAPS system is quite similar. Most of the time, it is the carrier who assigns the PARS  or PAPS number to a shipment, and who will be responsible for generating and attaching the PARS or PAPS label to the shipment. The PAPS and PARS process is taken care of when a shipment is picked up by the carrier, who attaches is to the documentation, and sends over the information to the customs broker for submission. The customs broker also has a role to ensure that all the documentation and barcodes are present so that the shipment can move through customs.

The carrier also prepares the listing to be submitted through the online portal. These ACE and ACI eManifest systems require documentation pertaining to the shipment and carrier, thus they need to be submitted ahead of time. Both the ACE and ACI eManifest should be submitted minimum one hour prior to arrival at the border. All carriers need to file under the eManifest system, even when crossing empty.

Forgot your PARS/PAPS Label?

If you happen to find yourself with no PARS/PAPS label and in a time crunch, you can still make sure your shipment gets across the border. Zipments provides emergency same-day emailed labels for instant use, for those who need to get through quicker. You can contact support@zipments.io to get your labels and ensure a smooth crossing. You just need to print and cut out the labels and tape them to the documents, so they can be scanned.

If you are involved in international trade, it is crucial to be familiar with PARS and PAPS labels. By ensuring you have the necessary knowledge and resources for your customs documents, you can streamline your trade operations and navigate the customs process more efficiently.

It is advisable to invest time in familiarizing yourself with PARS and PAPS labels, in order to reap the rewards of a more streamlined international trade experience. Once you are ready, you can conveniently track the status of your crossings in real-time or acquire prompt labels through Zipments. We have the tools you need, for a smooth border crossing.