E-manifests for trucking to go into effect
By 11 February, trucks entering Alaska will have to submit e-manifests detailing their cargo — and do so before the truck arrives at the border crossing; by 11 May, no truck will be allowed into the U.S. unless the shipper has filed an e-manifest with DHS
Beginning 11 February, truck carriers will be required to submit electronic manifests detailing cargo and carrier information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) before arrival at Alaska land border ports, marking nationwide implementation of mandatory e-manifest filing. The submission of e-manifests is already required in fifteen states. After the new requirement for Alaska goes into effect, e-manifests will be required at all ninety-nine 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 11 April, 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 which attempt to file e-manifests. Following this period of transition, but beginning no earlier than 11 May, 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.
