CBP Proposes Mandatory Advance Traveler Information for Rail Crossings

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has proposed requiring rail carriers to transmit advance electronic traveler information to CBP for all passengers and crew arriving in or departing from the United States by train. The rule, which also requires advance notice of arrival or departure, is not yet final and CBP is accepting comments until December 14, 2026.

Key points

• Rail carriers would have to transmit advance electronic information for every traveler, including crew, arriving, departing, or transiting the U.S. border by train.
• Notices of arrival or departure would be due no later than 24 hours before the train reaches the U.S. border crossing point.
• Required traveler data includes name, date of birth, citizenship, travel document details, itinerary, U.S. address, and seat information.
• CBP will vet the information and may ask a carrier to contact CBP, or recommend that a flagged traveler not be allowed to board.
• Carriers may transmit data through a CBP-certified system or an approved system such as eAPIS.
• This is a proposed rule, not yet in effect, and public comments are due by December 14, 2026.

Who is affected

Rail carriers operating international train service to or from the United States, and the passengers and crew traveling on those trains, would be affected.

What to do