Your Next Train Across the Border May Need a Passenger List

US Customs and Border Protection has proposed a rule that would require international rail carriers to submit passenger and crew information before a train reaches the US border. It is a proposal only, with no effective date, and current carrier instructions still apply. Public comments are due December 14 in docket USCBP-2026-0992 on Regulations.gov.

The rule would cover trains arriving in or departing from the United States that carry travelers, including through-trains that simply cross the border. The Seattle-to-Vancouver corridor is the example most often cited. Carriers would have to give notice at least 24 hours before a crossing and send each traveler’s data, generally no later than 60 minutes before departure or border arrival.

The traveler data list will look familiar to anyone who has flown internationally: full name, date of birth, sex, citizenship, country of residence, passport or other approved document details, itinerary, and a US address where applicable. Carriers would also report schedules, border crossing points, route information and station stops, with penalties proposed for noncompliance and an exemption for military movements.

For riders, the practical effect would be closer to flying: details given at booking, and less room for last-minute document surprises at the platform. Because the plan is still a proposal, the final details could change after comments are reviewed, and one report notes the 60-day comment window does not quite line up with the stated deadline, so confirm the date in the docket before filing.

Sources: Deep Arrival