How to renew manifest confidentiality (and what happens if it lapses)

Vessel manifest confidentiality is valid for two years. When it expires, new shipments under your name are published again, and the data sites pick them up like nothing ever happened. Renewal is simple, but only if you start early.

When to renew

The regulation asks for renewals at least 60 days before your current approval expires, and CBP's guidance is 60–90 days. A practical calendar:

• Day −90: review your names and suppliers and prepare the renewal
• Day −75: your authorized signer signs the certification
• Day −60: submit it

Your expiry date is two years from the effective date on your CBP acknowledgement.

Update your list before you renew

Two years is a long time in a supply chain. Before renewing, check for:

• New DBAs, brands or affiliated companies importing under their own names
• A new office or warehouse address
• New suppliers you want withheld
• Any spelling of your name that appeared on a shipment since your last filing

The name you file must exactly match how you're entered in CBP's systems, so confirm spellings with your customs broker if anything changed.

How to submit a renewal

Renewals go through the same channels as the original request: CBP's online application, email to vesselmanifestconfidentiality@cbp.dhs.gov, or mail. For email and mail requests, CBP replies with an acknowledgement letter that confirms the renewal and its effective date. Keep it with your records.

If your protection already lapsed

File as soon as you can. Shipments that arrive while you're unprotected can be published, and confidentiality isn't retroactive, so those records may stay online. Search your names afterwards to see what went public during the gap; some data sites accept removal requests.

Never think about it again

Every Supplier Privacy plan includes renewal autopilot: we track your expiry, prepare the renewal at 90 days, send it to you to e-sign and file by day 60. See how it works.

Sources

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection — Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality
• 19 CFR 103.31 — Information on vessel manifests and summary statistical reports

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Supplier Privacy is not affiliated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.