Motor carriers will be required to electronically submit cargo manifests to Customs and Border Protection prior to arrival at Alaska land border ports beginning Feb. 11, marking nationwide implementation of the mandatory e-manifest filing. E-manifests are 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, Customs said. During the initial enforcement phase in Alaska, Customs 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 carriers to a violation of the Trade Act of 2002, which requires submission of advance electronic cargo information.
On April 11, Customs will begin full enforcement, although the agency said it plans to continue exercising limited enforcement discretion for carriers that attempt to file e-manifests for a short period of time during this phase. Following this period of transition, but beginning no earlier than May 11, Customs 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. Fines of up to $10,000 may also be issued.
Journal of Commerce
