Customs Delays Controversial Residue Rule

For the second time in the past several months, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have delayed implementation of a controversial plan requiring motor carriers and exporters to report even small amounts of cargo residue when returning from deliveries in Canada and Mexico.

CBP’s proposal, first announced in 2009, would require that carriers stipulate on electronic manifests the amount of residue in tanks crossing the border.

Customs officials said the requirement is needed to “ensure homeland security and the safety of inspectors.”

The requirement was set to go into effect on Sept. 29, said Margaret Irwin, director of cross-border operations for American Trucking Associations.

 “It’s at a standstill right now,” Irwin told Transport Topics. “We haven’t heard anything about when it will be implemented.”