24 April 2009

US tightens Customs procedures

The following was reported on in today's issue of "International Freighting Weekly".

Trade with the US will be subject to more stringent Customs procedures for e-manifests from 25 April.

US Customs and Border Protection said individuals transporting goods across land and sea borders under an e-manifest must comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative’s rules on identification documents from 26 April.

The agency will issue a warning message to shippers which fail to comply with the new regulations.

From 1 June the warning message will be replaced by a rejection of the e-manifest if it is submitted without the correct documentation, such as a US passport or passport card.

Previously US borders could be cleared using a range of documents including birth certificates and driving licenses.