Generate and print Code 128 barcodes for your PARS or PAPS shipment control numbers. 100% free, no account required.
PARS: 14-digit number. PAPS: SCAC code + number (4-30 alphanumeric characters).
Understanding shipment control numbers for cross-border trucking.
The Pre-Arrival Review System is used by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Customs brokers file the entry using the 14-digit PARS number, and CBSA releases the shipment electronically before the truck arrives at the border. The driver presents a printed barcode of the PARS number to the customs officer, who scans it to verify release status.
The Pre-Arrival Processing System is used by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The PAPS number typically starts with the carrier's 4-letter SCAC code followed by a unique reference number. The customs broker files the entry, CBP processes it, and the driver presents the barcode at the border for scanning and verification.
The customs broker submits the commercial entry to CBSA (PARS) or CBP (PAPS) using the shipment control number before the truck arrives.
Generate and print the barcode for the PARS or PAPS number. The driver keeps a copy in the truck along with the shipping documents.
At the border, the customs officer scans the barcode to instantly look up the shipment's release status and clear the truck to proceed.
A PARS (Pre-Arrival Review System) number is a 14-digit shipment control number used by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to track and release Canada-bound commercial shipments. The customs broker enters it into CBSA systems, and when the shipment is cleared, the release status is updated so the driver can present the barcode at the border.
A PAPS (Pre-Arrival Processing System) number is a shipment control number used by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for US-bound commercial shipments. It typically starts with the carrier's 4-letter SCAC code followed by a unique number. The customs broker files the entry using this number, and CBP releases the shipment electronically.
Drivers present a barcode of the PARS or PAPS number at the border crossing. The customs officer scans the barcode to look up the shipment's release status instantly. Without a scannable barcode, the officer must manually type the number, which slows down processing and increases the chance of errors.
Both PARS and PAPS barcodes use the Code 128 barcode symbology. Code 128 supports the full ASCII character set, including both numbers and letters, making it suitable for PAPS numbers that include the carrier's SCAC code. This generator creates standard Code 128 barcodes that are compatible with border scanning equipment.
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