ACI eManifest Requirements For Tow Truck Operators

Tow truck operators towing a vehicle across the border into Canada are classified as carriers by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Therefore in some cases, like other highway carriers, tow truck operators and towed equipment owners may be required to transmit cargo and conveyance data in the form of an ACI eManifest to CBSA.

CBSA has implemented an Interim Policy for ACI requirements for empty tow truck conveyances and tow trucks hauling disabled commercial vehicles.

Interim Policy Guidelines

• An empty tow truck Requires only a verbal report at the First Port of Arrival (FPOA) from the tow truck operator. No ACI eManifest is required.
• Towing a disabled private vehicle Requires only a verbal report at FPOA from the tow truck operator. No ACI eManifest is required.
• Towing a disabled tractor A verbal report by the tow truck operator can be made at FPOA. Additionally, the empty conveyance data may be transmitted to CBSA by the carrier/owner of the disabled tractor.
• Towing an empty trailer A verbal report by the operator can be made at FPOA. Additionally, the carrier/owner of the disabled trailer may transmit empty conveyance data to the CBSA.
• Towing a loaded trailer with tractor The carrier/owner of disabled trailer must transmit cargo and conveyance data to CBSA. Both the Cargo Control Number (CCN) and the Conveyance Reference Number (CRN) (one of which must be bar-coded) must be provided to the tow truck operator to provide to the Border Services Officer (BSO) at the FPOA.
• Towing a loaded trailer with no tractor The carrier/owner of the disabled trailer can transmit cargo data to CBSA. The bar-coded CCN must be provided to the tow truck operator for reporting to the BSO at the FPOA.

5 Frequently Asked Questions About ACI eManifest | Part 1