Ensuring Safe and Lawful E-Commerce for U.S. Consumers and Businesses
Feb 5, 2020
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Jan 31, 2020
Published on: Feb 5, 2020
Feb 5, 2020
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: Jan 31, 2020
Published on: Feb 5, 2020
Summary
Aims to stop illegal items like drugs and fake goods from entering the U.S. through online shopping and international mail.
What problem does this solve?
Criminals use online shopping to send illegal items like drugs and counterfeit goods into the country, often without paying the required taxes. This order creates new rules to stop these bad actors, holds shipping companies accountable, and blocks packages from uncooperative international postal services.
What does this order do?
Reference
Text:
Section:
Header:
Criteria for the Importer of Record Program, Including Exclusion of Trade Violators.
Creates new rules for importers
Directs the Department of Homeland Security to establish criteria for who can be an importer. Prevents anyone suspended or banned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from importing goods.
Establishes a scoring system for international mail
Creates a compliance score for each country's postal service based on how often illegal goods are sent from them. Posts with low scores face increased inspections and potential blocks on their shipments.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Header:
Responsibilities of Express Consignment Operators, Carriers, Hub Facilities, and Licensed Customs Brokers.
Holds shipping companies accountable
Requires express carriers, customs brokers, and other shipping companies to report any attempts by banned importers to ship goods using a different name or address.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Header:
Publication of Violation Information; Enhanced Enforcement Efforts.
Increases prosecution of import crimes
Directs the Attorney General to make prosecuting crimes related to illegal imports a high priority, ensuring violators are held accountable.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Header:
Publication of Violation Information; Enhanced Enforcement Efforts.
Publishes information on seized goods
Requires federal agencies to regularly publish information about seizures of illegal goods, especially those involving fake products, drugs, and other contraband.
Reviews customs fees
Orders a study to determine if the fees collected by customs are enough to cover the costs of inspecting the large volume of packages from e-commerce.
Who does this affect?
- E-commerce businesses and importers
- Online shoppers
- International shipping companies and postal services
What is the real world impact?
•
Protects consumers and businesses
Stops dangerous items like synthetic opioids and counterfeit goods from reaching American consumers. It also protects legitimate businesses from unfair competition from sellers of illegal and untaxed products.
•
Secures government revenue
Ensures that proper taxes and fees are paid on goods imported into the country, preventing financial losses from importers who try to avoid these payments.
When does this start?
This order takes effect immediately on January 31, 2020, and sets several deadlines for government agencies to complete specific actions.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Header:
Publication of Violation Information; Enhanced Enforcement Efforts.
Enhanced Prosecution of Import Violations
Within 60 days (by April 1, 2020), the Attorney General must assign resources to prioritize prosecuting offenses related to illegal imports.
Reference
Text:
Section:
Header:
Items Sent to the United States through the International Postal Network.
Report on International Mail Security
Within 90 days (by May 1, 2020), a report must be submitted to the President on measures to stop illegal goods from entering through the international postal system.
Guidance on Non-Compliant Posts
Within 90 days (by May 1, 2020), CBP must publish guidance on how it will identify and handle non-compliant international postal services.
Report on Customs Fee Sufficiency
Within 210 days (by August 28, 2020), a report must be submitted to the President analyzing whether customs fees are high enough to cover inspection costs.