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Tomorrow, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) division of the Department of Homeland Security will implement new rules designed to better identify and monitor freight shipped into and out of the United States.

Railroads will be required to electronically submit to CBP certain incoming cargo data no later than two hours before freight arrives in the United States. Failure to comply could delay shipments or increase border inspection requirements.

The data includes container or rail-car numbers and the numbers on seals affixed to containers and/or cars; the shipper's complete name and foreign street address (CBP will not accept the name of a carrier, consolidator, freight forwarder or broker); the consignee's complete name and street address; the shipment's piece count; the cargo's description and weight; and an internationally recognized hazardous-material code (if applicable).