WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Strengthening Customs Enforcement” that requires foreign and domestic importers to meet new transparency standards or risk losing their privileges to bring goods into the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced.
“Importing into the U.S. has for too long been treated as a right and not a privilege,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott. “CBP will execute the priorities in this Executive Order and by doing so we will fortify our trading border just as we have done with our physical border.”
The order compels importers to provide detailed information about their ownership, business operations, and supply chains, and to maintain good standing with CBP. Importers who fail to comply with U.S. customs and trade laws risk losing their importing privileges entirely. Customs brokers face higher standards as well and must conduct greater due diligence on the importers they represent.
“This Executive Order helps CBP better detect when bad trade actors try to break the rules,” said CBP Office of Trade Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan S. Thomas. “These are major advances in protecting our revenue and increasing supply chain transparency — both critical to ensuring fairness for everyone and safeguarding our nation’s economic and national security.”
Bond rules are being updated to set new minimums and leverage against risk, ensuring all importers are financially responsible for their activities and preventing companies from exploiting outdated requirements. Foreign importers are now subject to heightened import restrictions to protect American consumers and revenue owed to the U.S. Treasury.
“The Executive Order provides CBP with critical new tools and authorities to combat nefarious actors attempting to exploit our trade and cargo systems,” said CBP Office of Field Operations Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane J. Sabatino. “Our officers and import specialists are now better equipped to identify, interdict, and penalize those who threaten our economic security and national interests through illicit trade practices.”
The order advances the administration’s America First Trade Policy. CBP has not yet announced a timeline for rulemaking on the updated bond minimums or the new importer-registration requirements, though the agency said it stands ready to begin enforcement immediately.