# 2025-20606: Air Cargo Shippers Must Spill More Secrets Before U.S. Landing

2025-20606, Enhanced Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS), is a Federal Register rule from Homeland Security Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published 2025-11-21, effective 2025-11-21; deemed significant under Executive Order 12866 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20606
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-20606
- Title: Enhanced Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS)
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Homeland Security Department; U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Citation: 90 FR 52796
- Published: 2025-11-21
- Effective: 2025-11-21
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: yes (OIRA_API)
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1651-AB61
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Air Cargo Shippers Must Spill More Secrets Before U.S. Landing

## Summary

Starting November 21, 2025, air cargo companies shipping goods to the U.S. must send more detailed info about their shipments before planes take off. This helps Customs spot risky cargo early and keep flights safer. If you’re in the air cargo business, get ready for these new rules and share your thoughts by January 20, 2026!

## Abstract

To address ongoing aviation security threats, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is amending its regulations pertaining to the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) program to require the transmission of additional data elements. The ACAS program enhances the security of flights carrying cargo into the United States by requiring the transmission of certain air cargo data and performing targeted risk assessments based on the transmitted data prior to an aircraft's departure for the United States. These risk assessments identify and prevent high-risk air cargo from being loaded onto an aircraft that could pose a risk to an aircraft during flight.

## Effects PRIA read

- New ACAS data transmission rules: cost, medium. Starting November 21, 2025, air cargo carriers and other eligible filers must send an expanded set of ACAS data to U.S. Customs and Border Protection before cargo is loaded onto a U.S.-bound aircraft. The rule keeps the ACAS timing requirement that data be sent "as early as practicable, but not lat…
- More parties can be ACAS filers: cost, medium. The rule confirms that eligible ACAS filers include ABI filers (importers or brokers), Container Freight Station/deconsolidators, Express Consignment Carrier Facilities, air carriers that arranged transport, and foreign indirect air carriers (freight forwarders). If an eligible party does not file…
- Do-Not-Load orders and penalties risk: cost, medium. CBP (working with TSA) can issue Do-Not-Load (DNL) instructions that prohibit loading cargo onto an aircraft if the targeting assessment shows an immediate or lethal threat. The IFR restates that failure to comply with ACAS obligations may result in liquidated damages and/or penalties, and TSA may…
- New types of data required (marketplaces, finances): cost, medium. The enhanced ACAS data elements add information about the parties involved, their relationships, financial data related to shipments, and additional identifying details for certain online marketplaces and shipments from individuals with unknown risk profiles. CBP and TSA say these new elements help…
- ACAS data protected from public disclosure: benefit, low. The IFR includes a provision on exemption of ACAS data from disclosure and CBP is required by statute to protect business proprietary and other confidential cargo information. This means certain ACAS submissions will be shielded from public disclosure.

## Related documents

- [2026-21600](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21600): Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments and New Postal Informal Entry Process; Delayed Compliance Extension, 2026-10-22
- [2026-20884](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20884): Advance Traveler Information for Rail, 2026-10-13
- [2026-20650](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20650): Low-Value Shipments, 2026-10-08
- [2026-17390](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17390): Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Electronic Export Manifest for Rail Cargo, 2026-08-26
- [2026-12670](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12670): Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Merchandise Arriving Through All Modes Other Than the International Postal Network, 2026-06-24
- [2026-12669](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12669): Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments and New Postal Informal Entry Process, 2026-06-24

## Sources
- [2025-20606 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/21/2025-20606/enhanced-air-cargo-advance-screening-acas)
- [2025-20606 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-11-21/pdf/2025-20606.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2025-20598, Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20598)
- [Next: 2025-20612, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Big Skates in the Central…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20612)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20606 (as of 2026-06-11).