Set up a user account
What you will need to register and get started using the web application.
Technical requirements
Access the ACE web application via the internet using one of the following supported web browsers:
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Safari
The web browser must use Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption and have both JavaScript and browser cookies enabled. Refer to your web browser's help section for more information to enable these features.
Note Access to the web application through other web browsers and recently released versions of supported browsers is possible, but they may not have been fully tested with the CBSA sign-in services. If you have trouble, try accessing with one of the supported browsers or an earlier version of a supported browser.
Register for a user account
Anyone who wants to submit or access information related to CBSA SIMA proceedings must register for an ACE web application user account.
To register for a user account, you will need:
- A valid Government of Canada GCKey or Sign-In Partner authentication
- A 15-digit business number (BN15) for the associated company/organization, which includes the 9-digit business number (BN9) and the 6-digit CBSA import-export program account (RM)
- User information
GCKey
A GCKey is a unique credential that protects your communications with online Government of Canada programs and services. You may use an existing GCKey to create your user account for the ACE web application, with some exceptions such as MyCRA. In this instance, and for those wanting to create a GCKey for the first time, a prompt can be found on the ACE web application sign in.
More information
Sign-In Partner
The Sign-In Partner option allows you to sign in via your financial service provider. Sign-In Partners are financial institutions and banks that have partnered with SecureKey Technologies to enable their customers to use their online credentials to log in to other secure sites. Learn more About Sign-In Partners.
Business number
To register for an ACE web application account, you must have a valid BN15 that contains the 9-digit business number (BN9) assigned to the entity and the 6-digit import-export program account (RM). The unique BN15 must correspond to the business or organization under which you will submit documents to the CBSA.
More information
- How to register for a business number or Canada Revenue Agency program accounts
- Getting or making changes to a nine-digit business number for importing and exporting
- Register for or modify an import-export program account
Important Before an account is created, you must have the 9-digit business number (BN9) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the 6-digit import-export program identifier (RM). Your user account must be properly linked to your associated company as part of the registration process on the ACE web application.
Step-by-step how to register for a user account
- Navigate to the ACE web application sign in
- Select Sign in to your account
- Click Continue
- Select sign in either using GCKey or with a Sign-In Partner
- Whether you decide to use GCKey or Sign-in Partner, follow the instructions of the credential relevant to you
- For GCKey: Create a GCKey credential or use an existing GCKey
- For Sign-in Partner: Select your participating financial institution and provide your existing online credential with that institution
- Once signed in with your credentials, using Sign-In Partner or GCKey, you will be re-directed to register for multifactor authentication (MFA)
- Enter your email address
- Review the MFA privacy and consent statement and check the box that you agree with the terms
- Retrieve the one-time passcode from your email account
- Enter the passcode into the Security Code field
- Click Submit
- The registration will inform you of successful registration for the MFA
- Click Continue to ACE web application and accept the terms and conditions of use
Note Once MFA has been set up, when you sign in to the ACE web application using GCkey or Sign-In Partner, you will be taken to the MFA page where you can prompt the security code to be sent to your email address. Your MFA passcode will change each time you try to sign in to the ACE web application and each time you press the resend button. Always use the most recent MFA passcode sent to you.
User reference number
Once your user account is created, you will be assigned a user reference number (URN) which is distinct for each user's account. You can locate your URN under account information.
Creating a user profile
When you first sign in to your ACE web application user account, you will be prompted to create your user profile. Your user profile will contain your details and preferences.
To create the profile:
- Enter the account details
- Enter the contact details
- Review the certification and click Submit
Your ACE web application user profile is created.
Making changes to your user account
Follow these steps to sign in to your ACE account where you can update your contact and account details:
- Navigate to the ACE web application sign in
- Select Sign in to your account
- Click Continue
- Log in with your GCKey or Sign-In Partner and complete the MFA steps to continue to the ACE web application
- Accept the terms and conditions of use
- From the secure e-filing page select the Account information icon
- Select Edit account
- Adjust details where required
- Check the certificate and click Submit
- Your details have been updated
Any update to your contact and account details may prompt a change to your authorization level to access and download documents, where applicable.
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