A US rule requiring electronic export manifests for rail cargo takes effect Oct. 26, 2026, but enforcement is not scheduled to begin until a year later. The rule requires data for rail shipments leaving the US for Canada and Mexico, including empty rail cars, to be filed electronically in Customs and Border Protection’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). KPMG identifies Oct. 26, 2027, as the enforcement date.
The outbound rail carrier is responsible for filing by default and must submit the data if no other eligible party does so. Exporters, foreign parties to the transaction, authorized agents, customs brokers, freight forwarders and non-vessel-operating common carriers can also submit the data. Filers need a CBP bond that covers advance export information. Existing bonds without that coverage will no longer suffice after a one-year transition.
The rule sets two main filing deadlines, both measured from the train’s departure from the US port of export:
Seven initial data elements, including the bill of lading number, cargo quantity and weight, description, shipper and consignee, are due at least 24 hours before departure.
The remaining transportation, cargo and empty-container data are due at least two hours before departure.
Violations can trigger $5,000 in liquidated damages per violation. An international carrier bond has a $100,000 cap per departure.
CBP has tested electronic rail export manifests since 2017. Nearly 94% of test transmissions arrived more than 24 hours before departure. Sea, air and truck export manifests are the subject of separate CBP rulemakings.
