Do I apply to CBP for each PAPS number?

No. You do not apply to CBP for individual PAPS numbers. You obtain a SCAC once from NMFTA, create your own unique identifier for each shipment, and combine them into one Shipment Control Number (SCN). That same value goes on the broker's entry, your ACE e-Manifest, and the barcode.

What is the PAPS number format?

CBP's Inbound Truck FAQ describes the identifier as your four-character SCAC plus up to 12 additional alphanumeric characters, for a maximum of 16 characters total.

How early must my shipment data be in CBP's system?

CBP requires the e-Manifest and related data to be on file at least 1 hour before arrival, or 30 minutes for qualifying FAST shipments.

Why was my shipment not matched at the border?

ACE links your e-Manifest to the broker's entry only when the Shipment Control Number matches exactly. A typo, a mismatch between the broker filing and your manifest, or a reused number can prevent automatic linking.

Where do I get a SCAC?

From NMFTA, the official issuing authority. Applications are usually validated within 1 to 2 business days and require annual renewal.

Cross-Border Guide

How to Get and Use a PAPS Number

A plain-English guide for carriers, dispatchers, owner-operators, brokers, importers, and logistics teams on creating a PAPS number and using it correctly across your broker filing, ACE e-Manifest, and barcode paperwork.

Last updated 2026-07-20

In short

A PAPS number (Pre-Arrival Processing System) is a unique shipment identifier that lets U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) match your truck shipment to your customs broker's entry before you reach the border. It combines your carrier's SCAC with a unique reference you assign, forming one Shipment Control Number (SCN). You do not apply to CBP for each PAPS number: you get a SCAC once, create your own unique identifier per shipment, and use the same exact value on the broker's entry, your ACE e-Manifest, and the PAPS barcode on your paperwork.

What a PAPS number is

A PAPS number links a customs broker's ABI entry information with a carrier's SCAC and unique identifier. CBP scans a barcode containing those parts to identify the shipment at the border. The carrier, broker, and driver paperwork must use the identical Shipment Control Number, which the carrier builds rather than receives per load from CBP.

PAPS stands for the Pre-Arrival Processing System. According to CBP's Inbound Truck FAQ, PAPS links the customs broker's ABI entry information with a carrier's SCAC and a unique identifier. At the border, CBP identifies the shipment by scanning a barcode that contains the SCAC plus that unique identifier.

Because the value ties together the broker's filing, the carrier's manifest, and the paperwork the driver carries, everyone involved must use the identical Shipment Control Number. The number itself is not something CBP hands out per load — the carrier builds it from parts it already controls.

Step 0: Get a SCAC first

A SCAC is the four-character code at the start of every Shipment Control Number and is required before a carrier can transmit ACE e-Manifests. NMFTA is the official issuing authority. Its application collects business, contact, and operating details; NMFTA usually issues the code within 1 to 2 business days, and the SCAC requires annual renewal.

A SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) is the four-character code that begins every Shipment Control Number. You obtain it from NMFTA (the National Motor Freight Traffic Association), the official issuing authority. In ACE, carrier accounts are organized by SCAC, so you need one before you can transmit e-Manifests.

An application typically asks for your legal business name and any DBA, primary address and contact, and applicable operating details such as your USDOT number, mode, and carrier type, with identity verification where applicable. NMFTA usually validates and issues the code within 1 to 2 business days, and a SCAC must be renewed annually. [NMFTA]

Step-by-step process

The process starts with an active SCAC and a unique reference for each shipment. Combine the four-character SCAC and reference into a Shipment Control Number, send the exact value to the broker, and file matching entry and ACE e-Manifest data. Put the barcode on the commercial invoice and arrive only after the data is in CBP's system.

Obtain and maintain a SCAC. Apply through NMFTA and keep the annual renewal current. CBP context
Establish a unique identifier sequence. Decide how you will generate a unique reference for every shipment. Best practice
Build the Shipment Control Number. Combine your four-character SCAC with your unique identifier — up to 12 more alphanumeric characters, 16 characters maximum. CBP requirement
Send the exact SCN to your broker early. Provide the exact combination to the broker or ABI filer in sufficient time to file and correct before CBP's minimum timing. CBP requirement
Broker files the ABI entry (QP) with the same SCN. The entry or in-bond filing must carry the identical Shipment Control Number. The QP can be filed before or after your e-Manifest. CBP context
Submit your ACE e-Manifest with the PAPS release type. Use the same SCN. ACE then searches for a matching entry/in-bond filing; automatic linking waits until the manifest is completed. Submit via the ACE portal, tested EDI software, or a third-party service provider. CBP requirement
Place the PAPS barcode on the commercial invoice. The barcode encodes the SCAC + unique identifier so CBP can scan it at arrival. CBP context
Arrive after your data is on file. Data must be in CBP's system at least 1 hour before arrival, or 30 minutes for qualifying FAST shipments. CBP requirement

Workflow and timeline

A PAPS workflow begins before the load: confirm the SCAC is active and agree on a numbering convention. When booked, generate the unique identifier and build the SCN; before dispatch, send the exact SCN and paperwork to the broker. The broker files the QP entry and the carrier transmits the ACE e-Manifest with identical SCNs before arrival.

Ahead of the load Confirm your SCAC is active; agree on your numbering convention.
When the load is booked Generate the unique identifier and build the SCN.
Before dispatch Send the exact SCN and paperwork to the broker with time to validate and correct.
Broker + carrier filing Broker files the QP entry; carrier transmits the ACE e-Manifest — identical SCN on both.
At least 1 hour before arrival Data on file (30 minutes for qualifying FAST shipments).
At the border CBP scans the barcode and matches it to the entry.

Who does what

PAPS responsibilities are divided across the shipment team. The carrier holds the SCAC, builds the SCN, transmits the ACE e-Manifest, and applies the barcode; the broker files the matching ABI entry. Dispatch distributes the exact SCN, the importer supplies commercial documents, and CBP matches the e-Manifest and entry by exact SCN at arrival.

Role	Responsibility
Carrier / owner-operator	Holds the SCAC, builds the SCN, transmits the ACE e-Manifest with the PAPS release type, and applies the barcode.
Dispatcher / logistics	Generates the unique identifier, distributes the exact SCN, and gets paperwork to the broker early enough to validate.
Customs broker	Files the ABI entry (QP) using the identical Shipment Control Number.
Importer	Supplies commercial documents and coordinates with the broker so the entry is ready on time.
CBP	Matches the e-Manifest to the entry in ACE by exact SCN and releases or refers the shipment at arrival.

Building the SCN (example)

A Shipment Control Number combines your SCAC and unique identifier with no spaces, for a total of up to 16 characters. In the example, ABCD is the four-character SCAC and 0000001542 is the unique identifier. Use a documented sequential convention, never reuse an identifier, and copy, paste, or scan the exact SCN instead of retyping it.

The Shipment Control Number is simply your SCAC followed by your unique identifier, with no spaces, up to 16 characters total:

ABCD0000001542

ABCD — your 4-character SCAC.
0000001542 — your unique identifier (up to 12 alphanumeric characters).

Best practice Use a documented, sequential numbering convention and never reuse a shipment identifier. Where possible, copy/paste or scan the exact SCN instead of retyping it to avoid mismatches.

PAPS barcode placement

Place the PAPS barcode on a clean, flat, unobstructed area of the commercial invoice, with the human-readable SCN beside or beneath it. Use high-contrast print and keep a backup copy on hand. Avoid folds, staples, tape over the bars, low contrast, cropping, and poor print quality.

Best practice A scannable barcode saves time at the primary booth. Place the PAPS barcode on a clean, flat, unobstructed area of the commercial invoice, and keep the human-readable SCN beside or beneath it.

Clean, flat, high-contrast print; human-readable SCN alongside; a backup copy on hand.
Folds, staples, tape over the bars, low contrast, cropping, or poor print quality.

Note on older guidance: an older CBP FAQ mentions a barcoded identifier on both the manifest and the invoice. Treat that as older operational guidance and follow your broker's and the port's current instructions. Legacy downtime procedures (for example ACS, CBP Form 3461Alt, or 7533 workflows) are not presented here as current requirements.

Troubleshooting

Most PAPS problems result from an SCN mismatch, an incomplete manifest, late data, poor barcode printing, or a reused identifier. Compare the SCN with the broker character by character, confirm the manifest is fully submitted, and reprint an unreadable barcode. Use the next number in your sequence instead of reusing an identifier.

Symptom	Likely cause	What to do
No match found in ACE	SCN on the e-Manifest does not exactly match the broker's entry.	Compare characters one-for-one with the broker; correct and retransmit. Exact matching is required.
Match appears late	Automatic linking waits until the manifest is completed.	Confirm the manifest is fully submitted; the QP can be filed before or after the manifest.
Held for timing	Data was not on file early enough.	Ensure data is in CBP's system at least 1 hour before arrival (30 minutes for qualifying FAST).
Barcode won't scan	Fold, tape, low contrast, cropping, or poor print.	Reprint cleanly; keep the human-readable SCN visible so it can be keyed if needed.
Reused or duplicate number	The same identifier was used on more than one shipment.	Never reuse an identifier; move to the next number in your sequence.

Pre-border checklist

SCAC is active and not expired.
Unique identifier generated; not reused from a prior load.
SCN is 16 characters or fewer (SCAC + identifier).
Exact SCN sent to the broker with time to validate and correct.
Broker's entry and your ACE e-Manifest carry the identical SCN.
e-Manifest submitted with the PAPS release type and marked complete.
Data on file at least 1 hour before arrival (30 minutes for qualifying FAST).
Clean, scannable barcode on the commercial invoice with the SCN visible; backup copy carried.

Frequently asked questions

Do I apply to CBP for each PAPS number?: No. You do not apply to CBP for individual PAPS numbers. You obtain a SCAC once from NMFTA, create your own unique identifier for each shipment, and combine them into one Shipment Control Number (SCN). That same value goes on the broker's entry, your ACE e-Manifest, and the barcode.
What is the PAPS number format?: CBP's Inbound Truck FAQ describes the identifier as your four-character SCAC plus up to 12 additional alphanumeric characters, for a maximum of 16 characters total.
How early must my shipment data be in CBP's system?: CBP requires the e-Manifest and related data to be on file at least 1 hour before arrival, or 30 minutes for qualifying FAST shipments.
Why was my shipment not matched at the border?: ACE links your e-Manifest to the broker's entry only when the Shipment Control Number matches exactly. A typo, a mismatch between the broker filing and your manifest, or a reused number can prevent automatic linking.
Where do I get a SCAC?: From NMFTA, the official issuing authority. Applications are usually validated within 1 to 2 business days and require annual renewal.
Where should the PAPS barcode go?: As an operational best practice, place it on a clean, flat, unobstructed area of the commercial invoice with the human-readable SCN beside or beneath it. Avoid folds, staples, tape, low contrast, cropping, and poor print quality.

Sources

CBP — Inbound Truck FAQ (PDF) PAPS structure, SCAC + identifier, barcode, timing. Includes some older operational guidance.
CBP — ACE PAPS matching (Three Methods) PAPS release type, exact Shipment Control Number matching, QP timing.
CBP — ACE Truck Manifest User Guide (PDF) Filing timing, submission methods, SCAC-based accounts.
NMFTA — Apply for a SCAC Official issuing authority, application details, 1–2 business days, annual renewal.

Disclaimer. This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. Border procedures, systems, and timing can change. Always confirm current requirements with your customs broker and CBP before you ship.

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