What is the difference between PARS and PAPS?

PARS is the Pre-Arrival Review System used for commercial shipments entering Canada, keyed to a Cargo Control Number built from a CBSA carrier code plus a unique reference. PAPS is the Pre-Arrival Processing System used for shipments entering the United States, keyed to a Shipment Control Number built from a SCAC plus a unique identifier. One is for CBSA and Canada, the other is for CBP and the U.S., and they are not interchangeable.

Is PARS for Canada or the United States?

PARS is for Canada. It is a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) pre-arrival release option for commercial goods entering Canada, so a Canadian customs broker can request release before the truck arrives.

Is PAPS for Canada or the United States?

PAPS is for the United States. It is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mechanism for shipments entering the U.S., linking the carrier's shipment to the broker's ABI entry before arrival.

Can the same barcode be used for PARS and PAPS?

No. PARS uses a CBSA Cargo Control Number (CBSA carrier code plus a unique reference) and PAPS uses a Shipment Control Number (a 4-character SCAC plus a unique identifier). They are built from different carrier identifiers under different agencies, so a single barcode cannot serve both. A cross-border carrier prepares a separate PARS label for the Canada leg and a separate PAPS label for the U.S. leg.

Do carriers need both PARS and PAPS labels?

It depends on direction. A shipment entering Canada uses PARS; a shipment entering the United States uses PAPS. A carrier that runs both directions, or handles round trips, may need both label types — one PARS number for the northbound Canada crossing and one PAPS number for the southbound U.S. crossing — but each individual crossing uses only the one that matches the country you are entering.

What carrier codes are used for PARS and PAPS?

PARS uses your CBSA carrier code (a CBSA-assigned bond code) as the first part of the Cargo Control Number. PAPS uses your SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code), a 4-character code, as the first part of the Shipment Control Number. They are issued by different bodies and are not interchangeable.

Are PARS and PAPS numbers customs entry numbers?

No. A PARS number is a Cargo Control Number used to match records for pre-arrival release into Canada, and a PAPS number is a Shipment Control Number used to link the carrier's shipment to the broker's entry into the U.S. Neither is itself the customs entry; the entry is the broker's filing (an ABI entry in the U.S.). The PARS/PAPS number is the reference that ties the label, the manifest, and the broker's filing together.

Where should PARS and PAPS labels be placed, and when should the broker receive the number?

Apply the label so the barcode stays flat, clean, and scannable — CBSA guidance is to place the PARS label on the invoice or bill of lading, one label per shipment. Get the number and documents to your broker with enough lead time to file before arrival: CBSA advises sending the invoice and bill of lading to the broker at least two hours before arrival for PARS. U.S. timing has changed over the years, so confirm current PAPS and ACE requirements with your broker and CBP rather than relying on older figures.

Cross-Border Guide

PARS vs. PAPS: What's the Difference?

A plain-English comparison for carriers, dispatchers, owner-operators, brokers, and importers: what PARS and PAPS are, which one you need for each direction, how the numbers and barcodes differ, and how to coordinate with your broker.

Last updated 2026-07-20

In short

PARS is used for commercial shipments entering Canada and is based on a CBSA carrier code plus a Cargo Control Number. PAPS is used for shipments entering the United States and is based on a SCAC plus a Shipment Control Number. They are not interchangeable.

PARS vs. PAPS at a glance

PARS and PAPS solve the same problem in opposite directions: getting a low-risk commercial truckload reviewed before it reaches the border so it can be released on arrival. PARS is the Canadian mechanism (CBSA); PAPS is the U.S. mechanism (CBP). The table below compares them line by line.

Aspect	PARS	PAPS
Direction / country	Shipments entering Canada	Shipments entering the United States
Customs agency	Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)	U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Full name	Pre-Arrival Review System	Pre-Arrival Processing System
Carrier identifier	CBSA carrier code (4-character bond code)	SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code, 4 characters)
Shipment identifier	Cargo Control Number (CCN): carrier code + unique reference	Shipment Control Number (SCN): SCAC + unique identifier
Broker workflow / system	Canadian broker requests release from CBSA using the CCN	U.S. broker files an ABI entry with CBP linked by the SCN
Electronic manifest	ACI eManifest (highway)	ACE truck eManifest
Barcode & symbology	Encodes the CCN. BorderPrint prints PARS labels in Code 128.	Encodes the SCN. BorderPrint prints PAPS labels in Code 39.
Label / document placement	On the invoice or bill of lading; one label per PARS shipment	On the shipment paperwork so the barcode scans cleanly
Number matching	CCN must match exactly across label, ACI eManifest, and broker request	SCN must match exactly across label, ACE eManifest, and broker entry
Timing	CBSA advises the invoice/BOL to the broker at least 2 hours before arrival; highway ACI generally due up to 1 hour before the first port of arrival	Confirm current CBP/ACE and broker timing; older CBP FAQ figures should not be relied on
Reuse / uniqueness	Each CCN must be unique; CBSA says numbers are not reused within three years	Each SCN must be unique to the shipment
Common failure	No matched release at the booth, usually a CCN mismatch or late broker filing	No matched entry at the booth, usually an SCN mismatch or late broker filing
BorderPrint product	PARS labels	PAPS labels (or the PARS/PAPS combo sheet for both directions)

Which label do I need?

The rule is simple: match the label to the country you are entering, not the country you are leaving.

Entering Canada (northbound)

Use PARS. Build a Cargo Control Number from your CBSA carrier code, mark the label PARS, and give the CCN and documents to your Canadian broker so they can request pre-arrival release from CBSA.

Entering the U.S. (southbound)

Use PAPS. Build a Shipment Control Number from your SCAC, mark the label PAPS, and give the SCN to your U.S. broker so they can file the ABI entry linked to your shipment before arrival.

Note Cross-border carriers that run both directions may need both label types — a PARS label for the Canada crossing and a separate PAPS label for the U.S. crossing. Each individual crossing still uses only the one that matches the country being entered; they are never combined into a single number.

Carrier identifiers: CBSA carrier code vs. SCAC

The biggest structural difference is the carrier identifier each number starts with, because the two are issued by different bodies for different customs systems.

Identifier	Used for	Notes
CBSA carrier code	PARS (Canada)	A CBSA-assigned 4-character carrier code (bond). It must be active and in good standing, and it forms the start of the Cargo Control Number. [CBSA CCN]
SCAC	PAPS (U.S.)	A Standard Carrier Alpha Code — a 4-character code identifying the carrier. It forms the start of the Shipment Control Number, followed by the carrier's unique identifier. [CBP FAQ]

Because a CBSA carrier code and a SCAC are different codes from different programs, a PARS Cargo Control Number and a PAPS Shipment Control Number can never be the same value — which is the core reason a single barcode cannot serve both directions.

Worked examples

Illustrative The values below are made-up examples to show the shape of each number. Use your own carrier code / SCAC and a unique reference, and confirm the exact format with your broker.

PARS (Canada) — Cargo Control Number

12ABPARS000123

12AB — your 4-character CBSA carrier code.
PARS — embedding the literal PARS is optional; if embedded it must appear everywhere the CCN is used.
000123 — your unique reference for this one shipment.

No spaces, letters and digits only, up to about 25 characters total. Exact matching across the label, ACI eManifest, and the broker's release request is what makes it work.

PAPS (U.S.) — Shipment Control Number

ABCD123456

ABCD — your 4-character SCAC.
123456 — a unique identifier you assign for this shipment.

Per the cited CBP inbound-truck FAQ, the SCN is the 4-character SCAC plus up to 12 alphanumeric characters, for a maximum of 16 characters in total. Each SCN must be unique to the shipment. [CBP FAQ]

Workflow side by side

The players are the same on both sides — carrier, dispatcher, broker, driver, importer — but they work with a different agency, manifest, and broker filing depending on direction.

Who	PARS (into Canada)	PAPS (into the U.S.)
Carrier	Holds the CBSA carrier code, builds the CCN, prints the PARS label, and transmits the ACI eManifest with the same CCN.	Holds the SCAC, builds the SCN, prints the PAPS label, and transmits the ACE eManifest with the same SCN.
Dispatcher	Assigns the unique reference, coordinates documents, and confirms the broker has what they need in time.	Assigns the unique identifier, coordinates documents, and confirms the broker has the SCN in time.
Broker	Canadian broker requests pre-arrival release from CBSA using the CCN.	U.S. broker files the ABI entry with CBP, linked to the shipment by the SCN.
Driver	Carries the labelled paperwork and presents the scannable PARS barcode at the Canadian booth.	Carries the labelled paperwork and presents the scannable PAPS barcode at the U.S. booth.
Importer	Supplies accurate commercial documents so the Canadian broker can prepare the release request.	Supplies accurate commercial documents so the U.S. broker can prepare the entry.

What the barcode means

On both labels the barcode encodes the shipment identifier — the CCN for PARS, the SCN for PAPS — that the agency and broker use to match their electronic records. The barcode does not contain the invoice, weights, commodity data, or the full manifest. Those details travel in the eManifest (ACI or ACE) and the broker's filing. [CBSA labels] [CBP FAQ]

Keep the human-readable number beside the bars, print high-contrast, test that it scans, and carry a backup copy.
Folds, staples, tape over the bars, low contrast, cropping, or a number that differs from the eManifest and broker filing.

BorderPrint spec BorderPrint prints PARS labels using Code 128 and PAPS labels using Code 39. That is BorderPrint's product specification for its label sheets, not a universal regulatory requirement — always follow your broker's and the agency's current instructions.

Broker coordination and timing

Whichever direction you run, the number is only useful if the broker has it in time to file before you arrive. For PARS, CBSA advises sending the invoice and bill of lading to the broker at least two hours before arrival, and highway ACI cargo/conveyance data is generally due up to one hour before the first port of arrival. [CBSA labels] [CBSA D3-4-2]

For PAPS, the carrier provides the SCN to the broker in time to file the ABI entry. The cited CBP inbound-truck FAQ is older, and U.S. timing and eManifest requirements have changed over the years, so treat any specific figure cautiously and confirm the current PAPS, ACE, and filing deadlines with your broker and CBP before you ship. [CBP FAQ] [CBP manifest]

Label placement and document consistency

CBSA's bar-coded label guidance is to apply the PARS label to the invoice or bill of lading, with one label per PARS shipment, and to show the word PARS clearly. Whichever direction you run, place the label so the barcode stays flat and unobscured, and make sure the number printed on the label is identical to the number in your eManifest and the broker's filing — a single mismatched character is enough to break the match at the booth. [CBSA labels]

Common mistakes

Mistake	Why it hurts
Using the wrong label for the direction	PARS is for Canada and PAPS is for the U.S.; the wrong one has no matched pre-arrival record at the booth.
Assuming one number works both ways	A CBSA carrier code (CCN) and a SCAC (SCN) are different codes; one value cannot serve both crossings.
Mismatched number across records	The label, eManifest, and broker filing must carry the exact same number, or matching fails.
Reusing a number	Each CCN or SCN must be unique; reused numbers get rejected and break matching.
Getting the number to the broker late	The broker cannot request release or file the entry in time, so the truck waits.
Relying on old timing figures	U.S. requirements have changed; confirm current CBP/ACE and broker deadlines rather than trusting older FAQs.
Assuming the barcode holds all data	The barcode only encodes the shipment identifier; cargo details still come from the eManifest and the broker filing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between PARS and PAPS?: PARS is the Pre-Arrival Review System used for commercial shipments entering Canada, keyed to a Cargo Control Number built from a CBSA carrier code plus a unique reference. PAPS is the Pre-Arrival Processing System used for shipments entering the United States, keyed to a Shipment Control Number built from a SCAC plus a unique identifier. One is for CBSA and Canada, the other is for CBP and the U.S., and they are not interchangeable.
Is PARS for Canada or the United States?: PARS is for Canada. It is a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) pre-arrival release option for commercial goods entering Canada, so a Canadian customs broker can request release before the truck arrives.
Is PAPS for Canada or the United States?: PAPS is for the United States. It is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mechanism for shipments entering the U.S., linking the carrier's shipment to the broker's ABI entry before arrival.
Can the same barcode be used for PARS and PAPS?: No. PARS uses a CBSA Cargo Control Number (CBSA carrier code plus a unique reference) and PAPS uses a Shipment Control Number (a 4-character SCAC plus a unique identifier). They are built from different carrier identifiers under different agencies, so a single barcode cannot serve both. A cross-border carrier prepares a separate PARS label for the Canada leg and a separate PAPS label for the U.S. leg.
Do carriers need both PARS and PAPS labels?: It depends on direction. A shipment entering Canada uses PARS; a shipment entering the United States uses PAPS. A carrier that runs both directions, or handles round trips, may need both label types — one PARS number for the northbound Canada crossing and one PAPS number for the southbound U.S. crossing — but each individual crossing uses only the one that matches the country you are entering.
What carrier codes are used for PARS and PAPS?: PARS uses your CBSA carrier code (a CBSA-assigned bond code) as the first part of the Cargo Control Number. PAPS uses your SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code), a 4-character code, as the first part of the Shipment Control Number. They are issued by different bodies and are not interchangeable.
Are PARS and PAPS numbers customs entry numbers?: No. A PARS number is a Cargo Control Number used to match records for pre-arrival release into Canada, and a PAPS number is a Shipment Control Number used to link the carrier's shipment to the broker's entry into the U.S. Neither is itself the customs entry; the entry is the broker's filing (an ABI entry in the U.S.). The PARS/PAPS number is the reference that ties the label, the manifest, and the broker's filing together.
Where should PARS and PAPS labels be placed, and when should the broker receive the number?: Apply the label so the barcode stays flat, clean, and scannable — CBSA guidance is to place the PARS label on the invoice or bill of lading, one label per shipment. Get the number and documents to your broker with enough lead time to file before arrival: CBSA advises sending the invoice and bill of lading to the broker at least two hours before arrival for PARS. U.S. timing has changed over the years, so confirm current PAPS and ACE requirements with your broker and CBP rather than relying on older figures.

Sources

CBSA — Cargo control and bar-coded labels PARS for Canada; PARS marking on the label; one label per shipment applied to the invoice or BOL; invoice/BOL to the broker at least two hours before arrival; numbers not reused within three years.
CBSA — Cargo Control Number help The CCN begins with the CBSA carrier code, 5–25 characters, no spaces, exact match; embedding PARS is optional.
CBSA — Memorandum D3-4-2 (Highway pre-arrival) PARS as a release option for commercial goods; carriers need their own CBSA carrier code; the barcode links to ACI/eManifest data; unique numbers not reused for three years; highway ACI generally due up to one hour before the first port of arrival.
CBP — Inbound truck mode FAQ (PDF) PAPS for U.S. CBP; links the broker's ABI entry using the SCAC plus a unique identifier; 4-character SCAC plus up to 12 alphanumeric characters (16 max); the barcode contains the SCAC plus the unique identifier. Timing guidance in this older FAQ should be confirmed against current CBP requirements.
CBP — Truck manifest guidance Current CBP guidance on creating a truck (ACE) manifest.
BorderPrint — PARS/PAPS combo label sheets BorderPrint product spec: PARS labels use Code 128 and PAPS labels use Code 39 (a product specification, not a universal regulatory rule).

Disclaimer. This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. Border procedures, systems, and timing can change, and U.S. requirements in particular have changed over the years. Always confirm current requirements with your customs broker, CBSA, and CBP before you ship; their instructions control.

Need both PARS and PAPS labels?

Print-ready PARS and PAPS barcode labels on one combo sheet, in the formats highway carriers use every day.

Shop PARS/PAPS combo sheets