ACI eManifest Price: What Does ACI Filing Actually Cost?

CBSA charges zero. The price you pay is for software, brokerage, or a missed-filing AMPS penalty.

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The honest breakdown

CBSA does not charge a per-filing fee for ACI eManifests. The number you actually pay is whatever software, brokerage, or service you choose to file through. The government side is free.

That reframes the real question. Cost isn't "how much does ACI cost" — it's "what's the cheapest way to stay compliant given my volume?" Below that question sits one important wrinkle: AMPS penalties for late, missing, or inaccurate ACI filings can dwarf the per-manifest cost of any tool.

Three ways to file, three cost profiles

Filing path Per-manifest cost Best for
CBSA eManifest Portal (free) $0 — no fee from CBSA Very low volume, occasional manual filer
BorderPro early access Published Free plan: up to 5 prepared shipments/month; agency transmission pending Teams testing preparation and validation
Customs broker (bundled service) Per-entry fee, includes cargo entry + other services Carriers who want filing bundled with broker advisory

BorderPro's planned tiers and limits are published on the pricing page. Production CBSA transmission will not be offered until certification is complete.

The hidden cost: AMPS

CBSA enforces ACI through AMPS — the Administrative Monetary Penalty System. Per-incident penalties depend on the contravention code and the carrier's compliance history. Some contraventions use occurrence-based schedules, while others do not. Teams should identify the exact contravention and consult the current CBSA framework for the amount and treatment that apply.

Workflow tools may help reduce operational risks such as late filing, missing data, conveyance-cargo mismatches, and port-code errors. See the AMPS guide and verify the applicable entry in CBSA's current Master Penalty Document.

FAQ

What is the CBSA fee for an ACI eManifest?

Zero. CBSA does not charge carriers a per-filing fee. Any cost you pay is for software, brokerage, or service — not for the filing itself going to CBSA.

What's the cheapest way to file ACI?

For low volume, the CBSA eManifest Portal is a free filing option. Compare approved third-party providers and brokers for your volume and support needs. BorderPro's production CBSA transmission is pending certification, so it is not currently a filing alternative.

What does an AMPS penalty actually cost?

It depends on the contravention code, circumstances, and compliance history. Consult the current CBSA framework for the amount that applies. Preparation and validation tools may reduce some input risk but do not guarantee a particular compliance outcome.

Why isn't third-party ACI software free?

Third-party software pricing can cover engineering, hosting, certification, support, and workflow tools such as preflight validation, saved profiles, batch preparation, lead sheets, webhooks, mobile-friendly access, and audit trails.

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Test ACI data preparation and validation while production CBSA transmission completes certification.

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