CBP Says It Will Not Yet Reject ACE e-Manifests Submitted Without WHTI Document Numbers
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection sources, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative informed compliance period that was recently announced will be applied to ACE e-Manifests as well.
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Until further notice, CBP will not reject e-Manifests that are submitted without a WHTI-compliant document number.
(CBP had previously stated that as of June 1, 2009, electronic truck manifests submitted via ACE would be rejected unless the identifying number of at least one of the WHTI-compliant documents is submitted with each crew and passenger record in an ACE e-Manifest.
See ITT's Online Archives or 04/28/09 news, 09042805, for BP summary announcing ACE was modified to accept all WHTI travel documents, with a list of WHTI-compliant documents.)
CBP Has Announced "Informed Compliance" Approach Would be Used for WHTI
CBP recently issued a press release stating that it will be practical and flexible in implementing WHTI, using the same informed compliance approach that proved successful during other major changes at U.S. borders over the last two years.
(CBP's press release addressed travelers but did not address e-Manifests. However, CBP sources have confirmed that CBP is applying the informed compliance benefit to e-Manifests.
See ITT's Online Archives or 06/01/09 news, 09060110, for BP summary announcing CBP would apply an informed compliance approach.)