On October 13, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a proposed rule to require rail carriers to transmit advance electronic traveler information to CBP for any individual (crew or passenger) who is arriving in or departing from the United States on board a train. The rail carrier also would be required to transmit an advance notice of arrival or departure, as applicable, for the train.
Among other things, CBP said that by mandating the transmission of this information in advance, CBP would improve its ability to (1) vet all travelers attempting to cross the U.S. border on board a train, and (2) timely respond to any identified risk or non-compliance with U.S. civil or criminal laws that CBP enforces or administers. CBP also said it “expects that the knowledge that all rail travelers will be vetted in advance would deter travelers planning to use rail travel for illicit purposes.” If CBP’s vetting flags a traveler as having “potential security, immigration, customs, or other law enforcement issues,” the agency “may recommend that the carrier not board the traveler.”
Comments must be received by December 14, 2026, at https://www.regulations.gov/.
