U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) aimed at enhancing enforcement measures for low-value shipments, also known as de minimis shipments. The proposed Entry of Low-Value Shipments (ELVS) rule seeks to improve supply chain visibility and assist CBP in interdicting illegal shipments at U.S. ports of entry.
"Every day, the men and women of CBP interdict goods that threaten the health and safety of Americans as well as the economic vitality of our country," stated Pete R. Flores, CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner. "We see illicit drugs, dangerous toys, fake medicines, and other counterfeit goods shipped direct to American homes impacting the lives of our neighbors, friends, and families. This proposed rule will help to give us some of the tools we need to address more of these threats."
On average, over 4 million de minimis shipments are processed by CBP daily in the United States. Current regulations mandate minimal information from importers for these shipments compared to other cargo types. The high volume combined with insufficient data collection hampers CBP's ability to identify high-risk items potentially containing illegal drugs like fentanyl or counterfeit goods.
The new rule is part of a broader initiative to prevent exploitation within this segment of international trade by bad actors smuggling dangerous goods into the country. It aims to allow more effective targeting of high-risk shipments and requires additional data elements for verifying eligibility for duty- and tax-free entry through an electronic process before shipment arrival.
This proposal marks one step in ongoing efforts underlined by two NPRMs introduced by the Biden-Harris Administration in September 2024. ELVS provides necessary tools for implementing further reform proposals while reinforcing existing strategies involving automation improvements and textile law enforcement.
Public comments on this proposed rule will be accepted for 60 days via www.regulations.gov following submission guidelines requiring inclusion of agency name and docket number.
For detailed information regarding this initiative visit www.cbp.gov.
