Prominent U.S. Democratic senators have called on the Biden administration to tighten regulations around the de minimis customs rule, following reports that it is being exploited by drug traffickers to smuggle Chinese-made fentanyl chemicals into the United States. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse, Richard Blumenthal, and Sherrod Brown have urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to prohibit e-commerce shipments under the de minimis rule, which allows goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free with minimal checks. This programme is extensively used by retailers and online platforms, but it is also being abused to facilitate the illicit drug trade.

The de minimis rule is a crucial component of international e-commerce, with nearly four million packages arriving daily, primarily from China. While many of these contain everyday items, the sheer volume makes it challenging to detect illegal substances like fentanyl precursors. Critics argue that restricting the rule could disrupt e-commerce, increase prices, and overwhelm customs services. Nonetheless, the call for reform is gaining traction, with President Joe Biden already taking steps to limit de minimis eligibility for certain Chinese imports. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are pushing for legislative changes, though bipartisan efforts have struggled amidst the political climate. The initiative by the senators represents a significant move to combat the opioid crisis and safeguard public health. Eddy Wang, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent, noted, “It’s unfortunate and ironic how they’re using the U.S. trade system to come back full circle and then kill Americans.” See more

Concerns over fentanyl smuggling have led lawmakers to push for stricter regulations. While some worry that changing the de minimis rule could impact online shopping, supporters feel that tighter controls are necessary to protect public safety.

Source: Reuters