Electronic manifest filing goes mandatory in Texas

A new trucking regulation that started Thursday has begun without too many problems, Joe Uribe, assistant port director in charge of trade operations.Effective Thursday, truck carriers entering the United States through all land border ports of entry in California, New Mexico, and Texas are required to transmit advance electronic truck cargo information or e-manifest through U.S. Customs and Border, according to Rick Pauza, CBP public relations officer.

Good first day

“I’m really impressed with the cooperation we’ve had from Mexican transportation companies, the U.S. brokers, Mexican brokers and the trade in general, actually,” he said on the first of the requirement. “Today’s been a good start-up day, to be honest. There’s been a lot of compliance, with well over half the trucks complying already with the electronic manifests.” “We’re doing pretty good. We have a few delays. We’re having to search some screens, and there is a little delay in primary (inspection). We’re processing trucks, and a good turn out of e-manifests. For our first day, we’ve had a real good response. “We’re having an informed compliance period. Over the next 60 days or so, we will work with carriers that are having a bit of a time presenting us with e-manifests. We’re not going to issue any penalties. We’re going to work with them to get compliance. After those 60 days, anyone that is resisting and not even attempting to comply will deal with them as the law see’s fit.” These actions will take the form of a denial of permission to proceed into the United States or monetary penalties of up to $10,000 for violation of the Trade Act of 2002.

Pauza said there is a rumor among drivers that that driver would be liable for any fines, but he said that is not true. Only the company charged with the load would be fined.

Uribe did not see any major problems with compliance in the future, based on today’s response.

“We’re definitely going to see more improvement, especially on minor clerical errors. There is a bit of a learning curve on the part of some of these office people in dealing with the electronic manifests,” he said. “It takes a while to get the hang of providing us with the correction information. It can only get better.” Until now truck drivers have arrived at the border and presented CB officers with a paper manifest that details information on the cargo being transported, the truck and trailer carrying the cargo and the driver.

The manifest must then be processed by CBP while the driver waits. However when a carrier files an electronic manifest, CBP officers can begin processing the truck before it arrives at the port.

The e-manifest capability is available at all ports featuring the Automate Commercial Environ-ment, the commercial trade processing system being developed by CBP.

Since January 2007 e-manifest filing rates at Arizona California, Texas and New Mexico land border ports have grown steadily from approximately 5,500 e-manifests filed in January to more than 32,000 in March.

This significant increase in the e-manifest participation rate by carriers on the southern border illustrates that they have been planning and preparing for the mandatory use of e-manifests. Now that the policy is in effect, CBP expects e-manifests to further facilitate and expedite the crossings of legitimate southern border carriers.

Requiring manifest information to be submitted electronically greatly reduces the potential for errors and improves efficiency, resulting in faster border crossings for legitimate carriers, the CBP said.

With e-manifests time-consuming paper processes are eliminated, truckers spend less time waiting at the border, and goods make their way to market faster — all of which provide positive economic benefits for both the United States and Mexico, the CBP said.

What is ACE?

The truck manifest system is part of CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment. This expansion means that e-manifest will be required at all southern land border ports.

Future requirements of e-manifest filing for other land border ports of entry will be announced through the Federal Register at least 90 days in advance of implementation.

“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,” he said.

No related posts.