 CBP Proposes New Rules for Low-Value Shipments; Comments Due Dec. 7 |
Source |
American Shipper |
Post Date |
10/14/2026 |
|
Key Points
? CBP would require electronic filing for informal entries valued at $2,500 or less on or before the date of importation.
? A new Entry Type 13 would replace the current informal postal entry process for eligible mail shipments.
? Entry Type 11 filers would report the final deliver-to party when different from the ultimate consignee.
? Entry Type 13 filings would include the shipper or ser and foreign postal tracking number, which carriers would also report on the inward manifest.
? Entry Type 11 and 13 filers would need a basic importation and entry bond.
? CBP could require formal entry based on the importer, manufacturer, seller, or category of goods.
? Comments are due December 7, 2026. Submit feedback through Regulations.gov under docket USCBP-2026-0298.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has proposed changes to entry filing, data reporting, and bonding requirements for imported shipments valued at $2,500 or less. According to the Federal Register notice issued on October 8, 2026, the proposed rule would require electronic filing on or before the date of importation and introduce a new electronic entry process for eligible shipments arriving by international mail. It would also require additional shipment information and bonds for certain informal entries. CBP is accepting public comments through December 7, 2026.
What Are The Proposed Changes to Low-Value Shipment Entries?
Mandatory Electronic Filing and Earlier Deadlines
CBP proposes requiring electronic filing for informal entries (Entry Type 11, or ET11) covering merchandise valued at $2,500 or less. Filers would need to submit entries on or before the date of importation, rather than within the current general deadline of 15 calar days after arrival.
The earlier deadline would give CBP shipment information sooner to review imports and assess compliance with customs requirements.
New Entry Type for International Mail
The proposal would introduce Entry Type 13 (ET13), a new electronic informal entry process for eligible merchandise valued at $2,500 or less arriving through the international mail tem.
ET13 would replace the current informal mail entry process. CBP also proposes additional data requirements for mail entry filers and carriers, along with procedures for shipments that lack a completed entry.
Unentered Informal Postal Entries
Under the proposal, international mail shipments valued at $2,500 or less would not be released from CBP custody until an entry is filed. If no entry is filed within 15 days of importation, the shipment would be considered voluntarily abandoned. The U.S. Postal Service would then handle the shipment under its applicable procedures, which may include returning it to the ser or destroying it.
Additional Recipient Information
For ET11 entries, CBP proposes requiring the final deliver-to party? name and address when that party differs from the ultimate consignee listed on CBP Form 7501. Also, ET13 filings would include the final deliver-to party information required for ET11, along with additional details specific to international mail shipments.
Customs Broker Requirements
CBP proposes requiring a consignee who is neither the owner nor purchaser of the merchandise to appoint a licensed customs broker to act as the importer of record for covered informal entries, subject to applicable exceptions. The proposed requirement would apply to ET11 and ET13 entries.
Changes to Informal Entry Eligibility
The agency also proposes to remove the $250 limit on informal entry eligibility for certain goods classified under Chapter 99, Subchapters III and IV, of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). If finalized, eligible goods valued above $250 and up to $2,500 could qualify for informal entry.
Expanded Authority to Require Formal Entry
Currently, CBP generally applies this authority on a case-by-case basis. Under the proposal, CBP could require formal entry on a blanket basis for shipments involving a specific importer of record, types or categories of merchandise, or goods produced by a specific manufacturer or seller, based on criteria the agency considers relevant.
Bond Requirements and Liquidated Damages
Under the proposal, every ET11 and ET13 filer would need a single transaction bond or a continuous bond with the conditions in 19 CFR 113.62. Bonds are required for informal entries only in certain situations today. The change would affect ET11 filers more than postal filers, since the current postal process already requires a bond. If a consignee appoints a broker as importer of record, the broker? bond would apply.
CBP would also set a minimum for liquidated damages. For a breach of a bond condition on these entries, damages would be the greater of the merchandise value or $1,000. For restricted or prohibited goods and alcoholic beverages, they would be the greater of three times the value or $1,000.
Why Is CBP Proposing These Changes?
According to CBP, the proposed changes would help the agency identify high-risk shipments, prevent illegal imports, and improve compliance with customs requirements. Earlier electronic filing and additional shipment details would give CBP more reliable information to screen goods, particularly international mail shipments, which have historically had higher seizure rates than other entry types.
Who Would Be Affected?
?Importers of record. From August 2025 to July 2026, about 2.3 million type 11 entries were filed without a bond. That is 3.31% of CBP? projected annual type 11 entries for 2026. CBP found a single transaction bond would be cheaper for 86% of the 68,701 importers behind those entries, and a continuous bond cheaper for the other 14%. That 14% filed 96% of the bondless entries. For the 59,148 importers better suited to single transaction bonds, CBP estimates the bond cost would have equaled 72.66% of the duties, taxes, and fees on their type 11 entries. Because of this, CBP says it cannot certify that the rule avoids a significant impact on a substantial number of small businesses.
?Customs brokers and filers. Filers would need to collect entry data earlier and gather the new data elements. CBP says most entry data is usually available before arrival, but it acknowledges that filers who read package labels after arrival would need a different process. It adds that some filers may need to invest in more staff overseas.
?Postal importers and sers. CBP assumes brokers would ge about $30 more per postal entry. It also estimates a time burden of $9.72 per entry for the added data.
?Carriers. Carriers would add the tracking number to manifests. CBP estimates this adds about one minute per postal entry.
How to Submit Comments
CBP will accept comments on the proposed rule through December 7, 2026. Submit comments through Regulations.gov using docket number USCBP-2026-0298.
Comments should identify the specific provisions being addressed, explain the reasons for any recommed changes, and include supporting data, information, or legal authority where relevant.
|
|
|
|
