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On Thursday, U.S. Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA), Rob Wyden (D-OR), Cynthia Lummus (R-WY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced legislation to combat illicit goods, including fentanyl, from entering the country.
The legislation, the Fighting Illicit Goods, Helping Trustworthy Importers, and Netting Gains (FIGHTING) for America Act, would crack down on smuggling fentanyl, counterfeits and products made with forced labor, and work to prevent them from entering the country through tightened import restrictions on packages.
In recent years, shipments to consumers from foreign corporate giants have quadrupled, the lawmakers said, and those retailers have abused the customs process to avoid tariffs and inspection. The legislation would help Customs and Border Protection officials target shipments containing illicit goods, and help to prevent them from entering the country.
“Far too many families across Pennsylvania have lost a loved one to the fentanyl crisis. We need to fight back against foreign corporations and traffickers that take advantage of holes in our trade laws to allow dangerous goods—including fentanyl and products made with forced labor—to enter our country undetected and free of tariffs, duties, or inspection,” Casey said. “This legislation is a critical step to crack down on fentanyl crossing our borders, and I will continue to fight like hell to stop the fentanyl crisis.”
Casey’s office said the legislation would effectively stop unlawful imports by tightening rules for de minimis entry which allows packages under $800 to enter the country tariff free and under a streamlined process. Increased volumes of low-value packages also increased the risk that illicit goods including fentanyl can cross into the country unnoticed. The legislation, officials said, would require CBP to collect more information about commercial packages, increase penalties for bad actors and facilitate targeting and seizure of illicit goods.
“Foreign corporate giants are inundating our borders with millions of low-value packages, making it tough for customs agents to stop dangerous goods like fentanyl from falling into Americans’ hands,” Wyden said. “Americans should feel confident that anything arriving on their doorstep is safe, legal, and ethically produced. Our legislation would crack down on foreign companies abusing the law and make sure they play by the rules.”