CBP Updates Boring Import Form—Comments Welcome!
Published Date: 12/1/2025
Notice
Summary
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is updating the paperwork for importing goods using CBP Form 3461. This affects businesses and agencies involved in shipping and customs, giving them a chance to comment by December 31, 2025. The update aims to keep things smooth and efficient without adding extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Large estimated paperwork burden for filers
CBP estimates ACE Cargo Release will have 9,810 respondents making 3,041 responses each for a total of 29,832,210 annual responses at 10 minutes per response (total 4,972,035 annual burden hours). For Form 3461 paper/electronic, CBP estimates 12,995 respondents with 12,995 total annual responses at 15 minutes per response (total 3,249 annual burden hours).
New optional Global Business Identifiers
If you import goods or act as a broker, CBP is adding new optional Global Business Identifier (GBI) data fields and expanding the kinds of supply-chain parties that can be identified. The Test adds two new party types called "Intermediary" and "Source," lets filers submit one or more identifiers (LEI, DUNS, GLN) instead of all three, and will add the Altana ID (ALTA) as an available identifier; all participation and data submission are voluntary.
New Russian sanctions data elements added
CBP is adding new data elements to Form 3461/ACE Cargo Release to comply with Executive Order 14114 (published December 22, 2023). The form instructions and text fields have been updated to include these Russian sanctions data elements.
ACE Cargo Release can replace Form 3461 filings
Importers or brokers may file ACE Cargo Release data in place of CBP Form 3461 using 12 required data elements (for example: importer of record, HTS 10-digit number, country of origin, bill of lading) and up to four optional elements. CBP says ACE Cargo Release is intended to reduce transaction costs, expedite cargo release, minimize redundant data submissions, and allow earlier filing in the transportation flow.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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