Faster Truck Crossing at the Mexican Border Is in the Works

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Mexican Customs is moving to speed cargo truck processing at Otay Mesa, the second busiest port on the U.S. Southwest border. The crossing normally processes between 2,500 and 3,000 cargo trucks each day. Although it will eventually expedite the movement of shipments at the border, CBP has converted to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) processing system that allows for electronic manifests. However, during the transition process from the old Automated Commercial System, cargo border crossing operations have been slowed.

As a temporary solution, CBP has moved officers from other ports to Otay Mesa and opened three temporary entry lanes to supplement the eight existing gates. Now in the design phase, the port will add two permanent lanes next year. Meanwhile, truckers are encouraged to become familiar with ACE and to become eligible for more trade benefits under the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) programs

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