August 6, 2007

Beginning today, all truck carriers are required to electronically submit manifests detailing cargo and carrier information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prior to arrival at Idaho and Montana land border ports. A period of initial enforcement discretion will be followed by full enforcement of the mandatory electronic manifest (e-manifest) policy effective October 5, 2007.

CBP intends to exercise discretion during the initial enforcement phase 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 October 5, 2007, CBP will begin fully enforcing the mandatory e-manifest policy by denying a permit to proceed to any carrier that arrives at an Idaho or Montana land border port without submitting or attempting to submit an e-manifest.

For a short period of time during the full enforcement phase, CBP plans to continue exercising limited enforcement discretion for carriers that attempt to file e-manifests. Following this period of transition, but beginning no earlier than November 5, 2007, CBP will deny a permit to proceed for any truck that arrives at an Idaho or Montana land border port without first successfully transmitting an e-manifest for that trip. Monetary penalties of up to $10,000 may also be issued.