Here’s an email from US Customs and Border Protection explaining the e-Manifest messaging issues over the last days.

——-Original Message——-
From: Howard, Dawne N
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 2:38 PM
Subject: Fw: TRADE USERS OF eMANIFEST!

To trade users of eManifest.

On the evening of January 25, 2007 CBP experienced some network problems
(cause still unknown) that impacted our ability to exchange messages
with the trade. It appears that most of the eManifests were received
but the return messages were not sent for unknown reasons. Due to these
messaging problems, many carriers did not send their trucks to the
border in a timely way or were stopped at the border for correction.

I have sent out some interim instructions to CBP Officers at ACE ports
instructing them to expedite eManifest shipments using the same
procedures CBP uses when our interfaces go down. This will allow them
to verify that all entries are on file and allowed to be released. If
entries are not in ACS, trucks will be stopped at the border until the
entry is transmitted and accepted. We will work to expedite the
clearance of all carriers that are filing eManifests.

Carriers must do their part as well by continuing to send correct and
timely eManifests. CBP has been encouraged by the threefold increase in
eManifests that occurred yesterday and will continue to work with all
parties to resolve it. We hope you continue to send in your eManifests
and we will do everything we can to release them if we are able.

When we resolve the situation we will reach out through every available
means to inform you that we are back to normal processing.
———————————————————————————————————————————

(Check our homepage for a green message box as soon as we hear. It’ll stay yellow until things change.)