ACE e-manifest mandatory in NY, Michigan this week

FORT ERIE, Ont. — Staring this Thurs. May 24, 2007, ACE electronic manifests at all land border ports in Michigan and New York will be mandatory.

The ACE e-manifest is part of the 2002 Trade Act regulation for truck carriers.

Carriers or their brokers are required to advance the EDI electronic cargo information to U.S. Customs one hour prior to the arrival of the shipment at the border. FAST-approved truckers are allowed a thirty-minute window.

Phase 1 enforcement “discretion” will occur starting Thursday, the 24th at all Michigan and New York-Canada crossings. For at least 60 days officers working in primary lanes will provide an informed compliance notice to the driver of any conveyance that fails to meet the requirement. Officers will also be able to check for transmission attempts by carriers.

This period may be extended based on system performance issues and operational readiness, CBP notes.

Phase 2 begins on July 23, 2007. At this point CBP will deny a permit to proceed into the U.S. to any carrier that arrives at the border without submitting or attempting an e-manifest. CBP officers may accept the ACE e-manifest cover sheet as initial proof of this attempt.

Beginning on August 23, 2007, phase 3 kicks in. Not only will CBP deny entry to the U.S. for unsuccessful transmission of an e-manifest for that trip, but for egregious violations (carriers that do not make any attempt to comply), a monetary penalty of $5000 for the first offence and $10,000 for subsequent offences may be issued to the driver in care of the carrier.