# 2024-31331: Government Finally Notices Trains Cross Borders, Demands Electronic Paperwork 2024-31331, Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Electronic Export Manifest for Rail Cargo, is a Federal Register proposed rule from an unnamed agency published 2025-01-13 (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-31331 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2024-31331 - Title: Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Electronic Export Manifest for Rail Cargo - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: unknown - Citation: unknown - Published: 2025-01-13 - Effective: unknown - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line Government Finally Notices Trains Cross Borders, Demands Electronic Paperwork ## Summary Starting soon, rail companies exporting cargo from the U.S. will have to send their export info electronically through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) before their trains leave. This new rule helps Customs keep cargo safe and speeds up the export process. Rail operators and exporters should get ready to meet these new electronic filing deadlines to avoid delays or fines. ## Abstract This document proposes a new regulation pursuant to the Trade Act of 2002 requiring the submission of export manifest data electronically to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) for cargo transported by rail for any train departing the United States. The proposed regulation would mandate the electronic transmission of rail export manifest information, identify the parties eligible to transmit information, and describe the time frames prior to departure of the train in which the information is due. This rule would enable CBP to address important cargo security concerns while providing efficiencies to the trade. ## Effects PRIA read - Mandatory ACE electronic filing for rail exports: cost, medium. If you export cargo by rail from the United States, the rule would require you to submit an electronic export manifest (EEM) in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). An initial set of seven data elements must be filed at least 24 hours before the train departs, and the remaining manifest data… - Who may file and carrier responsibility: cost, medium. The outbound rail carrier must submit transportation and empty-car data and must submit the initial filing and cargo data if no other eligible party does. Other eligible filers include the USPPI or FPPI (or their agents), customs brokers, ABI filers, NVOCCs, and freight forwarders. - New pre-departure holds and Do-Not-Load powers: cost, medium. CBP may hold rail cargo flagged by risk assessment until more information is submitted or a physical inspection is completed, and CBP can issue Do-Not-Load (DNL) instructions that prohibit a carrier from transporting a rail car. If cargo is cleared, CBP will send a release message to the filer. - Bond changes and liquidated damages for noncompliance: cost, medium. CBP proposes amending bond regulations (19 CFR 113.62, 113.63, 113.64) so it may assess liquidated damages on parties that fail to provide mandatory EEM data in the required manner and time frames. Parties transmitting EEM data must be in possession of an applicable CBP bond. - Security and efficiency gains from ACE EEM: benefit, medium. CBP says the EEM will let it screen all rail export data with its Automated Targeting System, reduce paper-manifest storage, improve interagency coordination, and let filers get faster examination decisions and easier electronic corrections. The Test showed nearly 94% of transmissions occurred more… - CBP's estimated aggregate costs and savings: cost, medium. CBP estimates present-value (2016–2030) total costs to CBP and trade members of about $9.3 million (2% discount rate, annualized $0.7 million) and present-value total cost savings of about $59.1 million (annualized $4.6 million). CBP also states present-value total net costs of about $49.8 million… ## Related documents - [2026-20735](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20735): Extensions of Credit to Insiders, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20790](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20790): Application of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to the Refunded Portion of Certain Federal Refun…, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20721](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20721): Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods: Enforcement Policy for Certain Retail Food Establishments and Restauran…, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20650](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20650): Low-Value Shipments, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20660](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20660): Optional Practical Training Fees, 2026-10-08 - [2026-20677](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20677): Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopters, 2026-10-08 ## Sources - [2024-31331 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/13/2024-31331/automated-commercial-environment-ace-electronic-export-manifest-for-rail-cargo) - [2024-31331 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-01-13/pdf/2024-31331.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2024-30621, Federal Acquisition Regulation: Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Clim…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-30621) - [Next: 2024-31357, Privacy Act of 1974; Implementation](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-31357) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-31331 (as of 2026-06-11).