Starting in April, trucks entering the United States in California, Texas and New Mexico will be required to file electronic manifests. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the change Friday, Jan. 19, effective 90 days from that date.
The Automated Commercial Environment Truck Manifest System, or ACE, is meant to protect the United States from terrorism and was mandated by the Trade Act of 2002. The e-manifest is an electronically filed version of the paper manifest carriers already are required to submit before crossing the U.S. border.
This is the second group of ports where e-manifests will be mandatory. They become mandatory at all ports in Arizona and Washington and seven ports in North Dakota on Thursday, Jan. 25. Eventually, e-manifests will be required at all land border ports of entry, so the federal government is encouraging all truckers to begin using the system.
As mandatory use is phased in, U.S. Customs will continue to provide 90 days’ notice through publication in the Federal Register. Truckers can submit e-manifests themselves or via third parties, which usually require a fee.
For more information on ACE, e-mail [email protected] or go to www.cbp.gov/modernization.
