WASHINGTON — Mandatory use of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) to transmit advance electronic truck cargo info to U.S. Customs will soon be a reality.

Effective 90 days from today, truck carriers entering the U.S. through all ports in Washington, Pembina, Neche, Walhalla, Maida, Hannah, Sarles and Hansboro in North Dakota will be required to file electronic manifests through ACE.

The implementation schedule for the remaining five groups of ports will be announced in the following order:

1. All ports of entry in Michigan, Texas, California, New Mexico and New York. 2. All ports of entry in Vermont and Alaska. 3. All ports of entry in Maine, Idaho and Montana. 4. All remaining ports of entry in North Dakota (those not identified as having a specific compliance date). 5. All ports of entry in Minnesota.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance says it expects the 90-day notice periods will be followed by an as yet undetermined window of “informed compliance.” Once that period expires, monetary penalties for non-compliance will kick in and eventually trucks will not be able to enter the US without ACE.

The e-manifest capability is available at all ports featuring ACE.

To comply with this requirement, truck carriers must file manifests through the web-based ACE secure data portal or via a CBP approved electronic data interchange (EDI), or use third parties, who usually require a fee.

“CTA and the provincial trucking associations have been working directly with carriers, CBP and U.S. customs brokers to resolve technical issues in order to make e-manifest functional. This has been a difficult and long process, but much has been accomplished,” said CTA CEO David Bradley in a press release. “CTA is now of the view that there should be no further delays to making ACE mandatory, unless unresolved systems issues are identified by carriers during the 90-day phase-in periods.

“Many fleets have made the necessary investments over the past two years and want to see some payback. Those carriers that have not taken steps to prepare themselves are obviously going to be up against it, but everyone should have known that ACE was coming.”