How to Get and Use a PARS Number

What a PARS number is

PARS stands for the Pre-Arrival Review System. It lets a Canadian customs broker submit a release request to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and get a decision before the shipment arrives, so a low-risk load can be released on arrival instead of waiting at the border. The identifier that ties it all together is the shipment's Cargo Control Number (CCN) — when that CCN is used for pre-arrival release and flagged PARS, carriers call it the PARS number.

The CCN is composed of your 4-character CBSA carrier code followed by a unique reference number you assign. Because the same value ties together the barcode on your paperwork, your ACI eManifest cargo data, and the broker's release request, everyone must use the identical CCN. CBSA does not hand out a PARS number per load — the carrier builds it from parts it already controls. [CBSA CCN]

PARS number structure

A PARS number is a Cargo Control Number, so it follows CBSA's CCN rules: the carrier code comes first, then a reference the carrier assigns. Keep it clean and unique — no spaces, and the whole value within CBSA's length limits. [CBSA labels]

How to get and use a PARS number

1. Confirm your CBSA carrier code. Make sure your 4-character carrier code (bond) is active and in good standing before you build any numbers. CBSA context
2. Assign a unique reference. Generate a unique reference for this shipment using a documented, sequential convention so no number is ever reused. Best practice
3. Build the Cargo Control Number. Combine your carrier code and reference into one CCN, no spaces, within CBSA's length limit. Embedding the literal PARS is optional. CBSA requirement
4. Create and test the barcode label. Produce a barcode that encodes the CCN, print it clearly, and confirm it scans. Make sure the word PARS and the human-readable CCN are visible on the label. CBSA context
5. Send the invoice and bill of lading to your broker early. Provide the CCN and commercial documents with enough lead time to request release — CBSA advises at least two hours before arrival. CBSA guidance
6. Broker requests PARS release with the same CCN. The broker submits the pre-arrival release request to CBSA using the identical Cargo Control Number. CBSA context
7. Transmit your ACI eManifest with the same CCN. As the highway carrier, send your conveyance and cargo data through ACI eManifest using the identical CCN so CBSA can match the records. CBSA requirement
8. Arrive after data is received and validated. Your ACI cargo and conveyance data generally must be received and validated no later than one hour before you reach the first port of arrival. CBSA requirement
9. Present the barcode at the border. The officer scans the CCN barcode to pull up the matched release decision and releases or refers the shipment. CBSA context

Workflow and timeline

Two separate workflows run in parallel: the carrier transmits ACI eManifest cargo and conveyance data, and the broker submits the PARS release request from the invoice and bill of lading. Both use the same CCN.

1. Ahead of the load Confirm the carrier code is active; agree on your numbering convention.
2. When the load is booked Assign the unique reference and build the CCN.
3. Create the label Produce and test the PARS barcode; confirm PARS and the CCN are readable.
4. At least 2 hours before arrival Broker workflow: send the invoice and bill of lading so the broker can request release in time.
5. No later than 1 hour before FPOA Carrier workflow: ACI eManifest cargo and conveyance data received and validated by CBSA.
6. At the border CBSA scans the CCN barcode and applies the pre-arrival release decision.

Who does what

Building the CCN (example)

The Cargo Control Number is your carrier code followed by your unique reference, with no spaces. Embedding the literal PARS is optional:

12ABPARS000123

• 12AB — your 4-character CBSA carrier code.
• PARS — optional embedded literal; if you embed it, include it everywhere the CCN appears.
• 000123 — your unique reference for this one shipment.

Best practice Even when the literal PARS is not embedded in the number, the word PARS must still be clearly shown on the label. Use a documented, sequential convention and never reuse a CCN. Where possible, scan or copy the exact CCN rather than retyping it to avoid mismatches.

Barcode and label placement

The barcode encodes the Cargo Control Number that CBSA and your broker use to match their records. It does not contain the invoice, weights, or commodity details — those travel in the ACI eManifest and the broker's release request. A clean, scannable barcode simply saves time at the primary booth. [CBSA labels]

• ✓ Show "PARS" clearly, keep the human-readable CCN beside the bars, print high-contrast, test that it scans, and carry a backup copy.
• × Folds, staples, tape over the bars, low contrast, cropping, poor print quality, or a CCN that differs from the eManifest and release request.

Failed PARS and troubleshooting

A "failed" PARS usually means CBSA had no matched pre-arrival release at the booth. The fix depends on the cause — and the driver should follow the officer's instructions.

Common mistakes

Pre-border checklist

• CBSA carrier code is active and in good standing.
• Unique reference generated; CCN not reused from a prior load.
• CCN uses letters and digits only, no spaces, within CBSA's length limit.
• If the literal PARS is embedded, it appears everywhere the CCN is used.
• "PARS" and the human-readable CCN are clearly shown on the label.
• Barcode printed cleanly and confirmed to scan; backup copy carried.
• Invoice and bill of lading sent to the broker at least 2 hours before arrival.
• ACI eManifest transmitted with the identical CCN and validated no later than 1 hour before FPOA.

Frequently asked questions

What is a PARS number?

PARS stands for the Pre-Arrival Review System. A PARS number is the shipment's Cargo Control Number (CCN) flagged for PARS so a Canadian customs broker can request release before the truck reaches the border. It is not a separate number issued by the government; the carrier builds it from its own CBSA carrier code plus a unique reference.

How do I get a PARS number?

You do not apply to CBSA for each one. Obtain your 4-character CBSA carrier code once, then create a unique reference number for every shipment and combine them into one Cargo Control Number. Make sure PARS is clearly identified on the label, give the CCN and invoice to your broker, and transmit your ACI eManifest with the same CCN.

What does a PARS number look like?

It is your 4-character CBSA carrier code followed by a unique reference, with no spaces, up to 25 characters total. For example 12ABPARS000123, where 12AB is the carrier code, the optional literal PARS is embedded, and 000123 is the unique reference. Embedding the word PARS in the CCN is optional, but PARS must be clearly shown on the label.

Is PARS the same as a cargo control number?

The PARS number is a Cargo Control Number used for the Pre-Arrival Review System. Every highway shipment has a CCN; when that CCN is used for pre-arrival broker release and marked PARS, carriers call it the PARS number. The value is the same CCN across the label barcode, your ACI eManifest, and the broker's release request.

Do PARS numbers expire?

The CCN itself is tied to a specific shipment rather than to a calendar expiry, but a PARS release request is only useful for the arrival it was created for. Confirm your CBSA carrier code (bond) is active and in good standing, since an inactive carrier code can stop you from transmitting.

Can I reuse a PARS number?

No. Each Cargo Control Number must be unique. Reusing a CCN causes duplicate-number rejections and matching problems at the border. Use a documented sequential convention and move to the next reference for every load.

Does the PARS barcode contain all my shipment details?

No. The barcode encodes the Cargo Control Number, which CBSA and your broker use to match their records. It does not carry the invoice, weights, or commodity data. Those details travel in your ACI eManifest and the broker's release submission.

When should I send paperwork to my broker?

CBSA's bar-coded label guidance advises sending the invoice and bill of lading to the broker at least two hours before arrival so the broker can request release in time. This is separate from your ACI eManifest, which must be received and validated by CBSA no later than one hour before you reach the first port of arrival.

Sources

• CBSA — Cargo control and bar-coded labels Bar-coded label requirements, PARS marking, and sending the invoice/BOL to the broker at least two hours before arrival.
• CBSA — Cargo Control Number help How the CCN is composed: carrier code plus a unique carrier-assigned reference, allowed characters, and length.
• CBSA — Highway carriers Highway carrier obligations and ACI eManifest cargo/conveyance transmission and validation timing.
• CBSA — Memorandum D3-4-2 (Highway pre-arrival) Highway pre-arrival and reporting requirements, cargo control, and release processing.

Related resources

• Canada CBSA Cross-Border Requirements
• How to Get and Use a PAPS Number (U.S.)
• PARS Barcode Labels Explained
• PARS Rejections Explained
• All cross-border resources