Mandatory e-manifest coming to Michigan, New York

Mandatory e-manifest coming to Michigan, New York Truck drivers will be required to file an electronic rather than paper-based manifest at all land border ports of entry in Michigan and New York, effective May 24, according to a Federal Register announcement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
   This is the third group of ports to be phased in under the agency mandate to automate the manifest process. Truckers can file through electronic data interchange channels or a secure Web portal prior to arrival at the border. Last month ports in Washington, Arizona and selective ones in North Dakota switched from a voluntary to mandatory filing system. In April, ports in New Mexico, Texas and California will come on line for mandatory e-manifest.
   CBP has not yet set a date for the next phase of mandatory e-manifest, which would cover the remaining ports in North Dakota and ports in Vermont.
   Officers will gradually ramp up enforcement too by reminding drivers of the new rules during the initial implementation period and eventually denying them entry if they don’t comply.
   The e-manifest is part of the agency’s Automated Commercial Environment development program.