CBP Updates PGA Flag Enforcement Table for ACE Entries
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a draft update to the PGA Flag Enforcement Table (Publication 5340-0226) on April 24, 2026. This guidance document, organized by Reasonably Anticipated Growth Account (PGA) and entry type, helps importers and customs brokers understand CBP's automated compliance screening in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The update clarifies how CBP flags entries for review based on PGA classifications, affecting brokers, freight forwarders, and e-commerce exporters who rely on ACE for entry processing.
Photo: Martijn Stoof / Pexels# CBP Updates PGA Flag Enforcement Table for ACE Entries
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a draft revision to the PGA Flag Enforcement Table (Publication 5340-0226) on April 24, 2026. The updated guidance document outlines CBP's automated flagging methodology within the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), organized by PGA classification and entry type.
What is the PGA Flag Enforcement Table?
The PGA (Reasonably Anticipated Growth Account) system is a CBP risk-management tool used to automatically route and prioritize customs entries for examination. The Flag Enforcement Table specifies which entry types trigger automated holds or examination requests based on their assigned PGA category. This impacts how quickly entries clear customs processing.
Who Is Affected
This guidance directly affects:
- Freight forwarders and customs brokers processing entries through ACE
- E-commerce exporters shipping goods internationally and managing inbound entries
- SMB importers relying on automated entry clearance timelines
- Third-party logistics providers coordinating customs compliance
Because this is a draft publication, stakeholders should monitor for the final version, which may refine flagging criteria or entry type classifications.
Key Details
The PGA Flag Enforcement Table—available as a PDF attachment (243.43 KB, dated 04/24/2026)—maps specific PGA categories against entry types to show which combinations trigger automated CBP holds, exam requests, or expedited clearance. Understanding your entry's PGA classification helps predict clearance timing and compliance review intensity.
While the source document itself is not fully detailed here, the draft status indicates CBP is actively refining its automated risk-targeting rules within ACE. Organizations should review the complete PDF guidance and consider how their entry profiles align with the flagging table when planning customs clearance workflows.
What this means for shippers
Your entry's PGA flag status directly affects how quickly goods clear customs and your total landed cost timeline. Entries flagged for examination may experience delays, increasing carrying costs and reducing supply chain predictability. Review CBP's updated guidance to understand your entry classification and plan contingency time for examination holds. For detailed cost modeling, visit Landed Cost Estimation.
