EEM – Export Electronic Filing Is Now Mandatory: What Exporters and Carriers Need to Know

Effective December 1, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is ending the use of the Document Image System (DIS) for submitting outbound cargo declarations. This means exports leaving the US can be filed electronically as the Electronic Export Manifest (EEM) via the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) or, in some cases, submitted in hard copy.

What the New CBP Requirement Means

Under the CBP mandate:

• DIS will no longer be accepted for submitting outbound cargo manifests — including CBP Form 1302A, or other supporting documents — after December 1, 2025.
• Electronic Export Manifest (EEM) via ACE is the preferred submission method.
• Vessel masters and agents must file complete outbound manifests within the required timeframe.

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in liquidated damages.

Why EEM Matters

The EEM requirement is part of CBP’s broader strategy to modernize export reporting and improve data quality, visibility, and security for outbound cargo. Filing export manifests electronically allows CBP and other government agencies to:

• Process cargo data more efficiently
• Enhance risk assessment and security screening
• Reduce paper-based errors
• Streamline port clearance procedures

CBP’s ACE system centralizes export information and helps the trade community transition to a digital first-filing environment.

Who Must Comply

This mandate affects:

• Ocean carriers and vessel agents
• Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs)
• Freight forwarders
• Customs brokers and third-party logistics providers

If your organization handles export cargo from the U.S., you must transition away from legacy systems like DIS and adopt electronic filing workflows by the December 2025 deadline.