Farrow PARs Tracker: Complete Importer's Guide

The Farrow PARs Tracker is a shipment-status tool that lets importers, carriers, and freight coordinators check whether a commercial truck shipment has received Pre-Arrival Review System (PARs) clearance from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before the vehicle reaches the border. For anyone moving goods by road between the United States and Canada, understanding how this system works — and how to use it correctly — is the difference between a smooth crossing and an expensive border delay.

What Is the Farrow PARs Tracker?

PARs Tracker: A digital tool offered by Farrow International, one of Canada’s largest licensed customs broker firms, that displays the real-time clearance status of a PARs transaction — the pre-arrival customs filing required for commercial truck shipments entering Canada.

Farrow has operated as a customs broker since 1911 and maintains offices at major US-Canada border crossings including Detroit/Windsor, Buffalo/Fort Erie, and Blaine/Surrey. Their PARs Tracker is accessible through Farrow’s client portal and allows users to input a PARs barcode number and instantly see whether CBSA has approved, flagged, or placed a hold on that specific shipment’s documentation.

The tracker does not clear goods — that is a CBSA function. What it does is give all parties in the supply chain a single source of truth on clearance status before a carrier commits a driver and truck to the border crossing.

Why it matters for US exporters: In 2023, Canada was the United States’ largest trading partner, with bilateral goods trade totaling over $773 billion according to the International Trade Administration. The vast majority of that freight moves by truck. A PARs rejection or documentation hold at a major crossing like Ambassador Bridge — which handles roughly 25% of all US-Canada trade — can ripple into missed delivery windows, accessorial charges, and strained buyer relationships.

How the PARs System Works: Step by Step

PARs (Pre-Arrival Review System) is a Canada Border Services Agency program under the Customs Act, R.S.C. 1985 that enables customs brokers to transmit commercial shipment data electronically before a truck arrives at the border. Here is how the full process unfolds:

Step 1: Shipper Prepares Export Documentation

The US shipper (exporter) prepares a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. The invoice must include: seller and buyer names/addresses, a detailed product description, HS tariff classification (Canadian HS code), country of origin, currency and declared value, and incoterms.

Step 2: Carrier or Broker Initiates the PARs Transaction

A Canadian customs broker — such as Farrow — receives the shipment documentation and enters the data into CBSA’s Accelerated Commercial Release Operations Support System (ACROSS) or an equivalent EDI platform. The broker generates a unique PARs barcode number tied to that specific shipment.

Step 3: PARs Barcode Is Applied to Shipping Documents

The carrier prints the PARs barcode and attaches it to the bill of lading or conveyance document. This barcode is what the CBSA officer scans at the port of entry to match the physical shipment to the pre-submitted electronic data.

Step 4: CBSA Reviews the Pre-Arrival Data

CBSA reviews the submitted data for compliance — checking tariff classifications, declared values, admissibility of goods, and whether the importer has any outstanding compliance issues. This review typically takes 30 minutes to 2 hours for routine shipments submitted well in advance.

Step 5: Clearance Status Is Assigned

CBSA assigns one of three statuses:

• Release approved — the shipment may cross; the driver presents documents and the barcode is scanned
• Examination required — the load must go to secondary inspection before release
• Hold or refusal — documentation is incomplete, goods are inadmissible, or additional permits are needed

Step 6: Carrier Checks PARs Status Before Dispatch

This is where the Farrow PARs Tracker becomes operationally critical. The carrier or dispatcher enters the PARs barcode number into the tracker and confirms clearance status before the truck departs for the border. Sending a driver to the border on an uncleared or flagged PARs is a costly mistake.

Step 7: Border Crossing and Release

At the port of entry, the CBSA officer scans the PARs barcode. If the status is “release approved,” the shipment clears. If the shipment has been flagged since the carrier last checked, it proceeds to examination.

Regulatory Framework: PARs Under Canadian and US Law

PARs operates under Canadian customs law, not US law — but both sides of the transaction have compliance obligations.

Canadian side: The PARs program is authorized under the Customs Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.1 (2nd Supp.) and administered by CBSA under the D3-1-1 Policy on Non-Intrusive Inspection and the Release Prior to Payment memorandum. Importers of record in Canada are responsible for accurate data submission and bear liability for any duty underpayments or misclassifications, even when a broker submits on their behalf.

US side: US exporters shipping goods to Canada must comply with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security, and in some cases the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Certain goods require a US export license before they can lawfully be shipped across the border, regardless of Canada’s PARs approval.

Automated Export System (AES): Under 15 CFR Part 30, US exporters must file Electronic Export Information (EEI) through the Automated Export System for commercial shipments exceeding $2,500 in value or requiring an export license. A PARs approval from CBSA does not substitute for AES compliance on the US side.

For US importers bringing goods back from Canada (e.g., after Canadian processing), US Customs and Border Protection rules under 19 CFR Part 143 and 19 USC 1484 govern the import entry. If your operation involves both cross-border directions, working with a broker licensed on both sides is essential. You can search all CBP-licensed customs brokers on our directory to find brokers who handle US-Canada trade lanes.

Farrow PARs Tracker vs. Alternatives: What Are Your Options?

Farrow is not the only customs broker offering PARs tracking. Here is how the major options compare:

The right choice depends on your shipment volume, existing broker relationships, and technology stack. Shippers moving 10 or fewer cross-border loads per month may find Farrow’s portal sufficient. High-volume shippers with TMS platforms should evaluate API-based options. Browse brokers by U.S. port of entry to find licensed brokers operating at specific crossing points who may offer comparable tracking tools.

Real-World Scenarios: PARs in Practice

Scenario 1: The Last-Minute Submission Problem

A Michigan auto parts manufacturer ships urgent replacement components to an Ontario assembly plant. The shipping coordinator emails the invoice to their broker at 3:00 PM for a 4:30 PM crossing at the Windsor border. The broker submits the PARs at 3:45 PM. CBSA’s review is still pending at 4:15 PM when the driver reaches the plaza. The truck is directed to secondary while CBSA completes its review — a 90-minute delay. The assembly line waits.

Lesson: PARs submissions should be made at least 3–4 hours before the expected crossing time for routine shipments. For controlled goods, perishables, or high-value electronics, submit the prior business day.

Scenario 2: HS Code Mismatch Triggers Examination

A California electronics company ships consumer drones to a Canadian distributor. The invoice describes the goods as “consumer unmanned aerial systems” with a broadly applied HS code. CBSA flags the shipment because drones may be subject to Canadian import controls under the Export and Import Permits Act. The shipment is held for 48 hours while the Canadian importer obtains the required import permit.

Lesson: Drones, encryption-capable electronics, and dual-use goods require careful classification and often require permits before shipping. A licensed customs broker who specializes in electronics can identify permit requirements before the goods leave the US warehouse.

Scenario 3: Value Declaration Error

A Texas food manufacturer ships specialty sauces to a Canadian grocery chain. The invoice declares value in USD but does not specify the exchange rate or currency. CBSA requires declared values in Canadian dollars or with a specified exchange rate under CBSA’s D13-4-2 Memorandum on Valuation. The broker must resubmit corrected documentation, delaying release by four hours.

Lesson: Currency, incoterms, and value declarations must be precise. Commercial invoices should always specify the transaction currency and — for Canadian customs — the applicable exchange rate or instruction for the broker to apply the Bank of Canada rate.

Common PARs Mistakes That Cause Border Delays

Even experienced shippers make PARs errors. These are the most frequent problems, based on patterns at high-volume US-Canada crossings:

1. Submitting too close to crossing time. CBSA does not guarantee instant processing. Submissions made less than two hours before arrival frequently result in drivers waiting at the border for a release that has not yet been issued. Best practice is four hours minimum; overnight for controlled goods.

2. Incorrect or vague product descriptions. “Machine parts,” “consumer goods,” and “various items” are not acceptable descriptions for PARs submissions. CBSA requires specific, descriptive commodity names. Vague descriptions trigger manual review.

3. Wrong HS code for the Canadian Customs Tariff. The US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (available at hts.usitc.gov) and the Canadian Customs Tariff share the same 6-digit HS chapter structure but diverge at the 8-digit level. Using a US HTS code on a Canadian PARs submission can cause misclassification. Always use the Canadian tariff code.

4. Barcode number mismatch. If the PARs barcode on the bill of lading does not match the number in CBSA’s system — due to a typo or a last-minute broker change — the CBSA officer cannot match the pre-approval to the physical shipment. The load goes to secondary examination.

5. Ignoring antidumping and countervailing duty orders. Certain goods shipped from third countries and transiting through the US to Canada may be subject to Canadian SIMA (Special Import Measures Act) measures. Failing to account for additional duties at the PARs stage creates liability for the Canadian importer. Check enforcement.trade.gov/adcvd for US orders and the CBSA SIMA database for Canadian measures.

6. Not verifying restricted or prohibited goods status. Food products, agricultural goods, pharmaceuticals, and certain chemicals require Canadian import permits, phytosanitary certificates, or CFIA approval separate from PARs clearance. PARs can be approved while an admissibility issue remains unresolved. For guidance on broker responsibilities in complex shipments, see 10 Core Duties of a Customs Broker Explained.

Tools and Resources for Cross-Border Shippers

Managing US-Canada cross-border shipments effectively requires familiarity with several official resources:

• CBSA website — Canada Border Services Agency publishes D-Memoranda (policy guidelines) on valuation, tariff classification, origin, and admissibility. Essential reading for anyone shipping to Canada regularly.
• CBP.gov — U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s official site for US-side export requirements, importer security filings, and CTPAT enrollment.
• hts.usitc.gov — The official US Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Use this as a starting reference, but confirm the Canadian tariff chapter separately for PARs submissions.
• rulings.cbp.gov — CBP binding rulings database. While US-specific, rulings on product classification provide insight into how customs authorities on both sides view ambiguous goods categories.
• NCBFAA — The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America. Their membership directory and resources help US shippers identify licensed brokers with cross-border expertise.

For US companies that need a broker licensed to handle the US side of cross-border shipments — including ISF filings, US import entries,