CBP Announces Temporary Closure Of Cargo Booth At Pacific Highway Crossing
Blaine, WA – U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin a construction project at the Pacific Highway crossing in Blaine September 19. The construction will replace the current truck primary processing booth in Lane 1, which is expected to be closed from September 19 to October 17. The other two truck processing lanes will remain fully operational during the construction period. The other two truck processing lanes will remain fully operational during the construction period.
A new “High-Low” primary processing booth is being constructed to allow CBP officers to process both truck traffic and (lower-height) vehicle traffic from the same structure. This will provide CBP with greater flexibility in expediting the processing of vehicle traffic at the Pacific Highway crossing.
During this time, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in southbound cargo wait times at Blaine. As a benefit for Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, Free And Secure Trade (C-TPAT FAST) participants, C-TPAT FAST shipments may use the Lynden Port of Entry between 0800 -1600 daily during the construction period. The Port of Sumas is also available for all cargo shipments 24 hours a day.
For trucking companies, brokers, importer and freight forwarders, it is important to note that the port code transmitted on the e-manifest and the entry must be the same. If the shipper diverts the shipment from Blaine to Lynden or Sumas, CBP can change the port code at the diversion port. However, for all cargo that requires FDA Prior Notice the port code cannot be changed and the shipment must use the port specified in the Prior Notice.
Specific international trade-related questions about the Pacific Highway construction project or CBP importing/manifesting requirements please contact:
Lynn Gardner, Assistant Port Director -Trade Operations (Blaine, WA)
(360) 332-2675
lynn.gardner@dhs.gov