U.S. Customs and Border Protection has extended from Nov. 21, 2026, to May 1, 2027, the phased enforcement period for an interim final rule establishing additional data elements under the Air Cargo Advance Screening program.
ACAS requires air carriers and other eligible filers to submit specific data elements for air cargo shipments as early as practicable but no later than prior to loading the cargo onto an aircraft destined for the U.S. This data is analyzed as part of a joint CBP-TSA targeting operation that identifies high-risk cargo for further interventions before the cargo can be loaded onto an aircraft bound for the U.S.
In November 2025 CBP established additional mandatory, conditional, and optional data elements under ACAS after having concluded that it needed a more complete understanding of the evolving threat environment, including the parties involved in cargo shipment transactions, the nature of their relationships, financial data related to cargo shipments, and additional identifying information for certain online marketplaces and shipments originating from individuals with unknown risk profiles.
However, CBP now states that it will continue to delay full enforcement of these requirements until May 1, 2027, to allow the trade community additional time to complete system integrations, refine compliance procedures, and resolve data quality issues. During this time CBP will continue to focus on stakeholder outreach, technical assistance, and data quality monitoring, while air carrier and filers will be expected to (1) continue submitting ACAS data in accordance with existing regulatory requirements, (2) promptly address any data quality issues identified by CBP, (3) confirm that internal systems can meet the technical specifications required for full enforcement, and (4) maintain coordination with CBP representatives to support timely resolution of implementation concerns.
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