Customs tweaks cargo stow plans for OMB approval
Published Date: 8/3/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). The information collection is published in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Enhanced ACAS Requires More Cargo Data
CBP's Enhanced Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) adds mandatory data elements such as consignee email and phone, shipment pickup location, ship-to party, and several conditional elements like IP/MAC addresses and customer account details; additional optional data elements are also listed. CBP estimates very large submission volumes (e.g., Enhanced ACAS non-verified consignors total annual responses 187,377,263 with an estimated 3,122,954 annual burden hours).
Importer Security Filing Remains Required
For most cargo arriving by vessel, the importer or its authorized agent must submit the data elements listed in 19 CFR 149.3 via a CBP-approved electronic system within the timeframes in 19 CFR 149.2. CBP estimates 240,000 respondents providing 8,100,000 total annual ISF responses with an estimated 8,100,000 total annual burden hours (1 hour per response).
Voluntary Entry Type 13 Mail Test
CBP is launching a voluntary Entry Type 13 test for mail shipments valued at $2,500 or less sent to the United States by mail. Carriers may elect to report the foreign postal operator tracking number on their manifest so CBP can match that tracking number to the entry filing and determine precise time of arrival and whether an entry was timely filed.
Vessel Stow Plans and Container Status Messages
Incoming carriers for containerized vessels must submit an electronic vessel stow plan no later than 48 hours after the vessel departs the last foreign port (or prior to arrival if voyage is under 48 hours). If the carrier creates or collects Container Status Messages (CSMs) in its tracking system, it must transmit those CSMs to CBP via an approved electronic data interchange system. CBP estimates vessel stow plan reporting generates 17,767 annual responses (31,803 burden hours) and CSMs generate 257,100,000 annual responses (23,996 burden hours).
Electronic Export Manifest Timing Rules
Under CBP pilots for electronic export manifests (ocean, air, and rail), carriers or their agents must provide initial '7+1' export data at least 24 hours before the conveyance departs the final U.S. port of export, and the remaining export manifest data at least 2 hours before departure, transmitted via ACE's Export Information System. CBP lists estimated annual burdens for these electronic export collections (for example, Electronic Air Export Manifest: 1,466,400 responses and 121,711 burden hours).
Mail Importers Can Get Precise Arrival Times
If your shipments arrive by mail with value $2,500 or less and your carrier participates in the Entry Type 13 test, CBP can match manifest tracking numbers to entry filings to determine the exact time of arrival and confirm timely entry of the mail article.
Option to Request Manifest Confidentiality
An importer or consignee (inward) or a shipper (outward) may request confidential treatment of its name and address contained in manifests by following the procedure in 19 CFR 103.31. CBP lists an estimated 5,040 annual confidentiality requests with 1,260 total annual burden hours (15 minutes per response).
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17390, Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Electronic Export Manifest for Rail Cargo
Starting October 26, 2026, all rail cargo leaving the U.S. must have its export info sent electronically through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). This new rule helps Customs keep cargo safe and makes trade smoother for rail exporters. Rail companies and exporters should get ready because enforcement begins a year later, on October 26, 2027.
2026-12669, Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments and New Postal Informal Entry Process
Starting July 24, 2026, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is stopping the $800 tax-free rule for mail shipments coming into the U.S. Instead, a new process will handle these packages to better track and tax imports. This change affects anyone sending or receiving international mail and aims to protect U.S. revenue from unpaid duties.
2026-12670, Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Merchandise Arriving Through All Modes Other Than the International Postal Network
Starting June 24, 2026, small shipments worth $800 or less arriving by anything but the international postal network will no longer skip customs checks. This means everyone importing these goods must follow formal or informal entry rules, which could mean more paperwork and possible fees. If you’re a shopper, seller, or shipper using other delivery methods, get ready for this change and share your thoughts by July 24, 2026!
2026-19073, Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision; Exportation of Used Self-Propelled Vehicles
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is updating the paperwork rules for exporting used self-propelled vehicles, like cars and trucks. If you export these vehicles, you’ll need to follow the new info collection process, which aims to make things clearer and easier. Comments on these changes are open until November 16, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
2026-18834, Accreditation and Approval of Bennett Testing Service, Inc. (Rahway, NJ), as a Commercial Gauger and Laboratory
Bennett Testing Service in Rahway, NJ, is officially approved to measure and test petroleum products for customs starting August 28, 2025. This means they can help make sure fuel shipments are accurate and meet standards for the next three years. Businesses dealing with petroleum can rely on Bennett’s services without any extra costs or delays right now.
2026-17926, Heightened Import Disclosures for Supply Chain Visibility
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is considering amending its regulations to give CBP greater visibility into the supply chains of goods imported into the United States. CBP is seeking comments on new requirements enhancing visibility into the parties involved in the importation of goods; integrating innovative technical solutions for the tracing of supply chains of those goods; and collecting foreign export documentation that foreign exporters are required to submit to the foreign customs authority prior to the exportation of those goods to the United States. With these proposals, CBP seeks to more effectively detect and interdict illicit importations, especially those that are illegally transshipped to evade compliance with U.S. customs and trade laws.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15608, Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request on U.S. Tax-Exempt Organization Returns and Related Forms.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the IRS is inviting comments on the information collection request outlined in this notice.
Next: 2026-15610, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension; Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). The information collection is published in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.