e-Manifest mandatory at Southern border

Truck carriers entering the U.S. through all land border ports of entry in California, New Mexico, and Texas will be required to transmit advance electronic truck cargo information (e-manifest) through U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s truck manifest system, effective April 19. This expansion means that an e-manifest will be required at all southern land border ports.

“The implementation of a mandatory e-manifest policy is just one of many steps CBP is taking to fulfill its twin goals of ensuring border security and facilitating legitimate trade,” said Lou Samenfink, executive director for CBP’s Cargo Systems Program Office. “With advance access to truck cargo information, CBP officers are able to pre-screen trucks and shipments, and dedicate more time to inspecting suspicious cargo without delaying the border crossings of legitimate carriers.”

“Soft enforcement” will begin on April 19 for a 60-day period before stiffer enforcement actions will be taken against carriers that fail to participate.

The truck manifest system is part of CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment.

For more information, go to CBP’s website.