Customs Will Launch Pilot Program for Export Manifests
The two-year pilot for electronic export manifests begins on October 23, 2026, for nine truck carriers.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in International Trade
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Customs and Border Protection will launch a two-year pilot program for electronic export manifests on October 23, 2026. Nine truck carriers will participate in the test, which covers freight moving from the United States to Canada and Mexico.
Why it matters
The program aims to assess risk and improve cargo security while ensuring compliance with U.S. export laws. It is expected to reduce border delays and lower operational costs for both the agency and the trade community.
Trucks moved 55.7% of trade with Canada and 73.6% of trade with Mexico in 2025. Participating carriers must submit limited data 24 hours before departure and complete manifests two hours before reaching export ports.
The players
Customs and Border Protection
This federal law enforcement agency is responsible for regulating international trade and securing United States borders.
The details
Truck carriers are currently not required to submit manifests for exports, but the pilot mandates that data be submitted electronically through the Automated Commercial Environment. This test involves nine truck carriers and covers freight crossing international borders via ground transportation.
Timeline
In 2025, trucks moved significant shares of trade with Canada and Mexico.
The pilot program launches on October 23, 2026.
Market Dynamics
The initiative follows broader industry trends toward digitizing supply chain logistics to enhance border efficiency. By adopting the Automated Commercial Environment, authorities aim to modernize trade security to match the high volume of daily land-based commerce.
The transition to electronic manifests may streamline logistics for freight companies, potentially reducing wait times and improving shipping efficiency for businesses. Retailers and manufacturers relying on cross-border supply chains could see improved shipment predictability.
The takeaway
This pilot program marks a significant shift toward mandatory electronic reporting for land-based international freight. Businesses operating in the North American trade corridor should prepare their systems for the new 24-hour data submission requirement.
Further reading
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Will mandatory electronic manifests for trucks crossing U.S. borders improve supply chain efficiency by October 2028?
