President Trump signed an executive order on June 3, 2026, directing sweeping reforms to how U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforces import compliance rules.
Titled “Strengthening Customs Enforcement,” the order targets the prevention of unlawful and dangerous goods entering the United States through tighter importer of record requirements.
The order directs the Department of Homeland Security and CBP to increase bonding requirements and require importers of record to maintain a minimum level of tangible domestic assets at all times.
Foreign importers of record are identified as a specific enforcement concern, with the order directing CBP to revise regulations so they can no longer use informal entry procedures.
Instead, foreign importers of record must use formal entry processes and cannot rely on a continuous bond to meet requirements unless CBP determines that revenue would be fully protected.
Foreign importers of record must also be validated through CBP’s Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programme, or use a CTPAT-validated and licensed customs broker to file entries.
Within 180 days, CBP must establish a formal “good standing” requirement for all importers of record, based on their compliance history with U.S. customs laws and payment of duties.
The order is explicit that any importer found to have illegally brought fentanyl, nitazene, or other illicit substances into the country shall not be considered in “good standing” with CBP.
Importers not meeting the good standing threshold will be barred from importing into the United States or conducting any activities directly related to the importation of goods.
The executive order also explicitly targets entities using “shell companies, sham transactions, or artificial corporate or organizational structuring” to qualify as a U.S. importer.
Expanded disclosure requirements form another pillar of the order, including certification of compliance with the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act, known as CAATSA.
Importers will also be required to disclose foreign tax and global business identifiers, along with detailed supply chain information including manufacturer product identifiers and production methods.
Within 90 days, DHS must establish requirements for foreign exporters to submit documentation required by their own customs administrations before goods are shipped to the United States.
On penalties, the order directs DHS and CBP to establish a minimum penalty floor of not less than 50 percent of any assessed penalty, alongside a minimum liquidated damages floor.
Customs brokers who fail to conduct due diligence, repeatedly represent non-compliant clients, or fail to cooperate with CBP information requests face maximum penalties under the new framework.
The order does not impose immediate compliance obligations, as DHS and CBP must first develop formal regulations through the standard rulemaking process, giving affected parties time to adjust.
DHS must also submit legislative recommendations to the President within 45 days on further changes that could strengthen customs enforcement authorities across the board.
Businesses importing through non-U.S. entities are advised to monitor forthcoming regulatory developments closely, given the order’s clear signal of increased scrutiny on foreign importers.