PARS Tracker: What It Is & How To Use It

In 2023, the value of Canada’s annual imports rose 1.4% to an impressive $770.2 billion. These goods made their way across the border on trucks and carriers each day, with large items like cars and furniture moving through customs together with scores of smaller goods, like clothing, toys, and handheld electronics. With such a high volume of items and containers all facing the same bottleneck, even the slightest issue could lead to delays in customs clearance and, ultimately, getting goods to their final destination on time.

PARS tracking helps prevent this from happening. In fact, these days, The Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) is the most common shipment type for commercial goods transported by trucks bound for and transiting Canada; most imports must clear under PARS. This blog post will cover everything you need to know about PARS tracking to make sure your Canadian imports clear customs smoothly and without a hitch.

What is PARS in Shipping?

For businesses regularly shipping goods into Canada, PARS is an essential part of keeping operations on schedule and avoiding costly delays. PARS, or the Pre-Arrival Review System, used by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), allows brokers and importers to streamline customs clearance for shipments entering Canada. Instead of waiting until goods reach the border to start the review, all the necessary paperwork is submitted ahead of time. This means when the shipment reaches the border, it’s already been reviewed, so the broker or importer can focus on completing last-mile delivery.

PARS tracking also provides brokers and importers with updates on their shipment’s status, so they can track its progress through customs, pay any duties or tariffs, and fulfill their orders – right and on time.

What is a PARS Number?

A PARS number is a unique identifier assigned to each shipment entering Canada under the Pre-Arrival Review System. This number is a type of Cargo Control Number (CCN) that is made up of the carrier’s Canadian Carrier Code, followed by a unique set of alphanumeric characters. In many cases, carriers will print the word “PARS” on the label, though it’s not mandatory. 

To avoid reuse, carriers request a sequence of PARS numbers and print them on barcoded labels or stickers, which are attached to the shipment’s customs documents and sent to the CBSA ahead of the shipment. These numbers cannot be reused for at least three years, ensuring that each shipment is tracked individually and efficiently.

How to Perform a PARS Check

1. Get your PARS number: When the carrier picks up the shipment, they’ll assign a unique PARS number to the shipment and attach the PARS sticker to the customs documents.
2. Submit documents to your broker: The shipping documents, including the PARS number, must be sent to your customs broker. Make sure everything is sent well before the shipment reaches the border. These documents typically include:

• Bill of Lading (BOL): This contract between shippers and carriers should include your customs broker’s name and contact information. 
• Commercial Invoice or Canada Customs Invoice (CCI): When submitting documents to a customs broker, the invoice must include the buyer’s and seller’s names, country of origin, price, and a detailed merchandise description. The CBSA requires customs brokers to provide as much detail as possible to ensure a smooth clearance process.
• CUSMA Certificate of Origin (COO): If applicable, this document qualifies your goods for preferential tariff treatment if they were produced in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. 

1. Track the status: Once the paperwork has been submitted, you can check your shipment’s status by entering the PARS number into a PARS tracker. Status message options include:
   1. Acknowledged: The CBSA has received and accepted your shipment for processing.
   2. Transmitted: The customs broker has sent the information, but it hasn’t been acknowledged yet. Wait until the status changes to “Acknowledged.”
   3. Released: The shipment has been cleared and has crossed the border.
   4. Blank status: The shipment is still being processed. Don’t proceed until you see “Acknowledged.”
   5. Cargo control not found: The shipment hasn’t been processed yet. Check back later.

Complete last mile delivery: Once your shipment has crossed the border, you can move your items to their Canadian warehouse, local stores, or buyers’ home addresses.

What is the Difference Between PARS and PAPS?

PAPS, like PARS, aims to make customs clearance more efficient, but it’s specifically for shipments from Canada into the U.S., and each label is tailored to the requirements of their respective countries. Understanding the differences between the two can help ensure smooth cross-border shipping between Canada and the U.S.

Using the Clearit PARS Tracker

Clearit makes it easy to track your shipment with our PARS tracker. Once you’ve submitted all the necessary documents, simply enter your PARS number into the tracker. In just a few clicks, you’ll see your shipment’s current status. It’s a simple way to keep everything on track and avoid any unexpected delays at the border.

Ready to start tracking?

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