Trump signs order to tighten US customs enforcement, target duty evasion

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, June 3, signed an executive order directing federal agencies to tighten customs enforcement, impose stricter requirements on importers, and crack down on duty evasion, as part of his broader trade agenda.

It instructs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to tighten rules for importers of record (IORs), including higher bonding requirements, stricter vetting procedures and a requirement to maintain a minimum level of domestic assets.

However, the order will not take effect immediately, the White House said.
Among the key changes, only US-based importers will be allowed to use informal entry procedures, while foreign importers will face heightened compliance requirements. The administration will also introduce new disclosure and certification mandates aimed at curbing duty evasion and violations of supply-chain rules.

White House trade advisor Peter Navarro remarked that the administration would be able to track “every single ship and shipment that leaves every single port every day” in real time, according to Bloomberg.

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It further directs CBP to step up enforcement of existing customs laws by imposing a minimum penalty floor equal to 50% of assessed fines, limiting the agency’s ability to reduce penalties for customs violations.

“This executive order is really the result of many years of our front-line officers and our trade professionals seeing the tricks and abuse that the companies that were trying to cheat the system have been using,” CBP Chief of Staff James Kernochan told media.

The reforms are intended to close loopholes in the customs system, improve duty collection, and strengthen national security protections against unlawful imports, per the announcement.

The Trump administration also plans to strengthen the seizure and disposal of non-compliant imports, publish annual customs transparency reports, and propose legislation to further enhance customs enforcement.

The move builds on the administration’s broader trade agenda, including efforts to curb duty-free imports under the “de minimis” exemption and crack down on customs fraud and tariff evasion.