US Tightens Customs Procedures

(Mike Young — IFW Net)

Trade with the US will be subject to more stringent Customs procedures for e-manifests from 25 April.

US Customs and Border Protection said individuals transporting goods across land and sea borders under an e-manifest must comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative’s rules on identification documents from 26 April.

The agency will issue a warning message to shippers which fail to comply with the new regulations.

From 1 June the warning message will be replaced by a rejection of the e-manifest if it is submitted without the correct documentation, such as a US passport or passport card.

Previously US borders could be cleared using a range of documents including birth certificates and driving licenses. Read more here (subscription)