CBP Extends ACAS Full Enforcement Phase to May 1, 2027

Key Points

• CBP announced on August 10, 2026 that the Enhanced Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) full enforcement phase is extended to May 1, 2027.
• The extension applies to the phased enforcement period established under Section IV.I. of the ACAS Interim Final Rule (IFR), published at 90 FR 52796 (November 21, 2025).
• The ACAS program requires air carriers and other eligible filers to submit specific cargo data elements as early as practicable, and no later than prior to loading.
• Air carriers and filers who have not yet achieved full compliance have additional runway, but the May 1, 2027 deadline is now the hard enforcement date.

On this page

1. What changed: the enforcement extension
2. What ACAS requires
3. Who is affected
4. Dates and applicability
5. What importers, brokers, and compliance teams should do
6. Key references

CBP has extended the Enhanced Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) full enforcement phase deadline from its previously scheduled date to May 1, 2027. This gives air carriers and other eligible filers more time to achieve full compliance with the ACAS data-submission requirements established in the 2025 Interim Final Rule, but the new deadline is firm. Filers who have not yet aligned their systems and processes with ACAS requirements should use this window to close those gaps.

The links in this article go to the primary documents: the Federal Register notice and the official CBP messaging service bulletin. Read the source.

What changed: the enforcement extension

CBP published CSMS #69486540 on August 10, 2026, notifying the trade community that the phased enforcement period described in Section IV.I. of the ACAS Interim Final Rule has been extended. The prior enforcement timeline was set out in the IFR published at 90 FR 52796, 52817 (November 21, 2025). The new full enforcement date is May 1, 2027.

What ACAS requires

Under the ACAS program, air carriers and other eligible filers must submit specific data elements for air cargo shipments. Submissions must be made as early as practicable, but no later than prior to loading of the cargo onto the aircraft. The data is used by CBP to conduct advance risk targeting on inbound air shipments before they depart for the United States.

The required data elements and filing mechanics are defined in the IFR at 90 FR 52796. Filers should review Section IV.I. specifically for the phased enforcement provisions that are now extended.

Who is affected

The ACAS requirements apply to air carriers operating flights bound for the United States and to other parties eligible to file ACAS data. Freight forwarders, express consignment operators, and any other entities that participate in advance air cargo filing should assess whether this extension affects their compliance timelines and system-readiness plans.

Dates and applicability

• November 21, 2025: ACAS Interim Final Rule published (90 FR 52796).
• August 10, 2026: CBP issues CSMS #69486540 announcing the enforcement extension.
• May 1, 2027: New deadline for full enforcement of the ACAS phased enforcement period.

What importers, brokers, and compliance teams should do

• Review the ACAS IFR at 90 FR 52796, paying particular attention to Section IV.I. to understand the specific data elements and submission timing requirements that will be fully enforced by May 1, 2027.
• Audit your current ACAS filing practices against the IFR requirements and identify any data-element or timing gaps before the new enforcement date.
• Coordinate with your air carriers, freight forwarders, and technology providers to confirm that systems will be compliant well in advance of May 1, 2027.
• Monitor CBP's Cargo Systems Messaging Service at cbp.gov for any further updates to ACAS enforcement guidance.

Key references

• CSMS #69486540 (August 10, 2026) - CBP bulletin announcing the ACAS full enforcement phase extension to May 1, 2027.
• 90 FR 52796 (November 21, 2025) - Enhanced Air Cargo Advance Screening Interim Final Rule, including Section IV.I. on the phased enforcement period.
• CBP Cargo Systems Messaging Service - Official channel for CBP trade-community notices.