Lummis Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Halt the Flood of Illicit Packages Into the United States

August 14, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced bipartisan legislation to help Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stop the flow of illicit goods, including fentanyl, counterfeits and products made with forced labor, into the country by tightening import requirements for low-value packages. This legislation is an important first step in addressing the fentanyl crisis plaguing Wyoming communities.

"Whether through the southwest border or in packages mailed into the United States, China is using any tool available to get illicit drugs across our border," said Lummis. "It is time for CBP to crack down on shipments from China to ensure drugs and products made using slave labor are encountered before making it into our communities."

In recent years, the number of direct-to-consumer shipments from foreign corporate giants like Shein and Temu into the U.S. has quadrupled. These retailers are abusing a customs process called "de minimis" entry, which allows packages under $800 to enter the country tariff-free and under a streamlined process. As the volume of packages has increased, CBP has struggled to effectively target shipments and keep out packages containing illicit drugs, counterfeits, products made with forced labor and other goods that voilate U.S. law.

The Fighting Illicit Goods, Helping Trustworthy Importers, and Netting Gains (FIGHTING) for America Act would tighten the rules for de minimis entry and help CBP more effectively stop unlawful imports. The legislation would ensure that Chinese corporate giants cannot use the de minimis process to avoid paying tariffs on textiles, shoes and apparel or evade trade penalties imposed because of Chinese trade cheating. Reducing the overall volume of low-value packages entering under de minimis would promote enforcement of U.S. trade laws and level the playin field for U.S. manufacturers and works.

For text of the bill, click here.

###