To amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to increase accountability relating to articles receiving exemptions from duties for de minimis entries and to require regulations on enhanced data collection with respect to such entries, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · April 9, 2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
This bill tightens oversight of low-value imports that currently enter the United States duty-free under a "de minimis" exemption, which allows small shipments to skip tariffs and certain inspections. The legislation restricts who can use this exemption by requiring that only the actual buyer, owner, or a licensed customs broker can claim the exemption for most goods, taking effect 60 days after passage. The bill significantly increases penalties for importers who repeatedly violate customs rules related to de minimis entries, imposing civil fines of up to $10,000 and establishing clearer definitions of negligence in customs violations. Within 18 months of enactment, the Treasury Department must issue new regulations requiring importers to provide detailed data about de minimis shipments, including the origin of materials, to prevent entry of items made with forced labor, counterfeits, or illegal drugs, with fines up to $5,000 for violations. The law also requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to report annually to Congress on illegal goods seized in low-value shipments and directs the Government Accountability Office to assess federal agencies' information-sharing gaps within one year.
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