U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced plans to revise de minimis rules in response to the surge in e-commerce shipments, aiming to streamline administrative processes and crack down on illegal goods entering the U.S.

The proposed changes, revealed yesterday, include mandatory submission of additional shipment information and the establishment of a fully electronic process for data filing prior to shipment arrival.

These updates, under the Entry of Low-Value Shipments (ELVS) rule, reflect mounting calls from lawmakers and regulators for stricter oversight of de minimis shipments—those valued under $800, which currently bypass duties and receive minimal scrutiny compared to higher-value imports.

CBP stated that the enhanced data collection would ease the workload for officers processing high volumes of shipments, improving their ability to identify and intercept high-risk cargo. “This data will reduce the burden for CBP officers who process these large volumes of shipments, leading to more accurate targeting,” CBP said.

The volume of de minimis shipments processed daily by CBP has more than doubled, climbing from 1.9 million per day in 2022 to over 4 million in 2024. This dramatic increase has highlighted challenges in identifying and stopping shipments containing illicit drugs like fentanyl, counterfeit goods, and other contraband.

“The overwhelming volume of low-value shipments and lack of actionable data inhibit CBP’s ability to interdict high-risk shipments,” CBP explained.

Under the proposed enhanced entry process, advanced electronic data submission will become mandatory. Filers will need to provide details about the shipment’s contents, value, origin, and destination to verify eligibility for duty-free entry.

CBP emphasized that these changes are part of broader efforts to safeguard public safety and address vulnerabilities in international trade. By targeting high-risk shipments more effectively, the new rules aim to prevent smuggling of dangerous goods such as synthetic opioids and counterfeit merchandise.

The ELVS rulemaking represents the first of two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) announced by the Biden-Harris Administration in September 2024. CBP plans to release the second NPRM in the coming days and is urging Congress to advance statutory reforms to address the challenges posed by the rapid growth of de minimis imports.

The e-commerce boom has been a significant driver of growth for the air cargo industry in recent years. However, some industry stakeholders have raised concerns that stricter regulations on e-commerce shipments could impact air cargo volumes.

CBP’s proposed changes are open for public comment for 60 days following the announcement, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to weigh in on the implications of these reforms.

 

Source: aircargonews.com