Truckers must file e-summaries of cargo at borders

[Staff]

The Customs and Border Protection agency has moved forward with a plan to require all truckers entering the United States to file electronic summaries of cargo.

As of Jan. 25, all truck carriers entering through Arizona, Washington and seven ports in North Dakota must file electronic manifests through the Automated Commercial Environment, a processing system being developed to enhance national security and facilitate legitimate trade.

An e-manifest requires the trucker to provide details of the trip, vehicle, shipment, passengers and driver. All of the data goes into the ACE databank or a national CBP database, CBP spokesman Eric Blum said.

Legislation from 2002 gave CBP the authority to require the electronic transmission of advance cargo information. Blum said the goal is to deploy the program into all states within the next year.
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