What is "PARS" in trucking?
PARS (Pre-Arrival Review System) is the Canadian customs pre-clearance program for commercial truck shipments entering Canada. In practical terms, PARS is the barcoded sticker — the carrier's SCAC code plus a unique shipment number — that the customs broker uses to pre-file an entry with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before the truck arrives at the northbound border. PARS pairs with the ACI eManifest: ACI tells CBSA the truck is coming; PARS tells CBSA exactly which shipment is on it. Done right, a PARS-cleared truck waves through primary inspection in under 5 minutes. Done wrong, the load sits in secondary for 4 to 8 hours.
- Dispatcher checklist: What PARS actually is
- PARS vs PAPS vs ACI vs ACE
- How the PARS workflow runs
- Most common PARS rejects (and how dispatchers fix them)
- FAQ coverage: What does PARS stand for? · What is a PARS number? · What is the difference between PARS and PAPS?