Trump EO Expands U.S. Customs Enforcement Rules for Importers
Multinational importers, foreign importers of record, and customs brokers must prepare for stricter U.S. customs eligibility, disclosure, and penalty requirements under a new executive order that will reshape import compliance rules within 180 days.
A new Trump administration executive order directs DHS and CBP to implement a broad overhaul of U.S. import rules within 180 days, with 45- and 90-day interim milestones for legislative recommendations and preliminary documentation requirements. Key provisions include barring most foreign importers of record from filing informal entries or using continuous bonds, requiring all importers to maintain minimum domestic tangible assets or higher bond coverage, mandating expanded beneficial ownership, affiliate, and import volume disclosures, and tying import eligibility to the good compliance standing of both the importer and all its affiliates. The order also establishes a 50% minimum penalty floor for customs violations and loosens rules for seizing and disposing of noncompliant goods. Frequent importers should review their entity structuring, bond levels, and group-wide customs compliance history immediately, even before final implementing rules are issued, to mitigate supply chain disruption and enforcement risk.