CBP Proposes 24-and-2 Electronic Export Manifests for Vessels, Effective March 01, 2026

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is proposing a rule effective March 1, 2026, to shift vessel export manifests from paper to electronic submission via the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) with a "24-and-2" schedule: data must be filed at least two hours before departure and no later than 24 hours after the vessel is expected to clear the port. The change aims to enhance cargo security by enabling earlier identification of high-risk shipments through CBP’s Automated Targeting System (ATS), reduce mid-voyage disruptions, and improve communication and examination efficiency. Penalties of $5,000 per violation, with a $100,000 cap per departure, are provided for noncompliance. CBP estimates annual cost savings of $57 million over 2026–2030, with total savings of $285 million during the period.