U.S. Customs and Border Protection Mandates Electronic Manifests Nationwide

Truck carriers will be required to electronically submit manifests detailing cargo and carrier information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection prior to arrival at Alaska land border ports beginning Feb. 11, marking nationwide implementation of mandatory e-manifest filing. CBP Modernization Web site. The submission of e-manifests is already required in 15 states. After the new requirement for Alaska goes into effect, e-manifests will be required at all 99 U.S. land border ports.

During the initial enforcement phase in Alaska, CBP intends to exercise discretion by issuing "informed compliance" notices to carriers that arrive without submitting or attempting to submit an e-manifest. These notices will alert truck carriers to a violation of the Trade Act of 2002, which requires submission of advance electronic cargo information.

On April 11, CBP will begin full enforcement of the e-manifest policy. For a short period of time during this phase, CBP plans to continue exercising limited enforcement discretion for carriers that attempt to file e-manifests. Following this period of transition, but beginning no earlier than May 11, CBP will deny a permit to proceed for any truck that arrives at an Alaska land border port without first successfully transmitting an e-manifest for that trip. Monetary penalties of up to $10,000 may also be issued.

For further information on ACE, e-mail CBP.CSPO@dhs.gov or visit the CBP Modernization Web site. ( ACE: Modernization Information Systems )