The FIGHTING for America Act of 2024 tightens oversight of low-value shipments that enter the United States duty-free under what's known as the "de minimis exemption." Currently, packages valued under a certain threshold can skip normal tariff duties, but the bill requires importers to provide detailed documentation to U.S. Customs and Border Protection about items, sellers, and shipment details within 180 days of enactment. The legislation aims to combat smuggling of fentanyl and other illicit drugs hidden in small packages while protecting U.S. government revenue. It establishes new civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for violating the documentation requirements and creates a $2 fee per low-value shipment to help pay for processing costs. The bill also gives customs officials broader authority to exclude certain product categories from the exemption if they detect fraud or significant increases in problematic imports, and it requires the Treasury Department to submit annual reports to Congress detailing enforcement actions and trends in low-value imports.
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