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FIGHTING for America Act of 2025
4/10/2025, 1:53 AM
Summary of Bill S 1185
One of the key provisions of the bill is to require that all shipments seeking an administrative exemption from duties for low-value entries must provide detailed information about the contents of the shipment, the value of the goods, and the country of origin. This information will help customs officials to better assess the legitimacy of these exemptions and prevent any potential abuse of the system.
Additionally, the bill aims to enhance communication and cooperation between customs officials and other relevant agencies in order to improve the oversight and regulation of these exemptions. This will help to ensure that all shipments seeking exemptions are properly vetted and that any potential risks are identified and addressed. Overall, the Low-Value Shipment Regulatory Modernization Act seeks to modernize and improve the process for granting exemptions from duties for low-value entries in order to increase transparency, accountability, and oversight. By making these changes, the bill aims to ensure that the system is fair, efficient, and effective in protecting the interests of the United States.
Congressional Summary of S 1185
Fighting Illicit Goods, Helping Trustworthy Importers, and Netting Gains for America Act of 2025 or the FIGHTING for America Act of 2025
This bill makes changes to the de minimis exemption, including by eliminating the exemption for certain U.S. imports. (Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930 allows for U.S. imports under a de minimis threshold of $800 per shipment to enter free of tariffs, fees, and taxes.)
The bill prohibits U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from applying the de minimis exemption to certain goods, such as goods that are
- subject to specified trade remedies, such as safeguard measures (Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974), actions in response to unfair trade practices (Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974), or actions for national security purposes (Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962);
- designated as import sensitive under the Generalized System of Preferences (e.g., textiles and apparel); or
- identified as presenting persistent and significant evidence of illegal importation.
The bill directs CBP to collect additional information on goods that may qualify for the de minimis exemption. The bill establishes penalties for related violations, including a civil penalty for providing a false statement to CBP and a minimum penalty for aiding unlawful importation.
The bill establishes a specific fee for each shipment entering under the de minimis exemption.
CBP must designate as a priority trade issue the smuggling of fentanyl and other drugs by abusing entry procedures for goods qualifying for the de minimis exemption.
