Order directs stricter checks and penalties for goods importers

The Secretary of Homeland Security must revise importer rules and policies, subject to applicable law. The requirements cover all importers of record and people or businesses involved in importing goods, including foreign importers, brokers, freight forwarders, and bonded-goods custodians. Importers must maintain domestic assets, a bond, or both at levels CBP considers necessary. Foreign importers may not file informal entries, and formal entries generally may not rely on a continuous bond unless CBP allows it after showing that revenue and legal compliance will be protected. CBP must define good standing using compliance history, customs debts, and other relevant factors. Importers not in good standing may not import or appoint a broker to act for them. Implementation must follow applicable law and the Administrative Procedure Act and depends on available appropriations. The Secretary must take the main actions within 180 days after June 3, 2026; foreign-importer restrictions must be issued promptly.

Homeland Security and Justice must take enforcement steps, while Homeland Security must revise penalty, seizure, and disposal practices. The directions cover imports involving forced labor, misclassification, undervaluation, illegal transshipment, unsafe or otherwise noncompliant goods, and brokers that fail required checks. Importers may have to provide supply-chain information, foreign customs documents, business identifiers, and certifications required by CBP. Penalty mitigation must generally leave at least 50 percent of the assessed penalty, except in exceptional circumstances that materially affect national security; repeat offenders would lose mitigation. Actions must stay within applicable legal authority, including limits on sensitive disclosures. Disclosure and penalty revisions, faster disposal measures, and transparency steps are due within 90 days after June 3, 2026.

The Secretary of Homeland Security must submit legislative recommendations and an effectiveness report to the President. The recommendations concern stronger customs enforcement, and the report covers the measures directed by this order. The legislative recommendations must be prepared with the Office of Management and Budget and other relevant agencies. The order only directs recommendations and reporting; it does not itself enact those proposed laws. Recommendations are due within 45 days after June 3, 2026. The effectiveness report is due within one year.