On June 3, President Trump signed an Executive Order to strengthen U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s enforcement capabilities. While many of the specific requirements will still need to be developed through CBP rulemaking over the coming months, the direction is clear: customs compliance is moving higher on the enforcement priority list.
For importers, this is less about immediate operational changes and more about understanding where CBP scrutiny is likely headed.
What the Executive Order Signals
The order focuses heavily on the role of the Importer of Record (IOR), supply chain transparency, and the collection of duties and fees. Among the proposed changes are:
- Increased bond requirements for Importers of Record.
- Additional ownership and business disclosure requirements.
- More detailed reporting on imported products and supply chains.
- Expanded enforcement against undervaluation, misclassification, transshipment, and forced labor violations.
- Increased audits and stronger penalties for noncompliance.
The order also directs CBP to review importer eligibility requirements and strengthen enforcement mechanisms over the next 180 days.
What Hasn’t Changed Yet
Importantly, this Executive Order is not the same as a new regulation.
Many of the provisions outlined will require additional guidance, policy updates, and implementation procedures before they become operational requirements. CBP will need time to develop and communicate those changes.
For now, importers should view this as an indication of where enforcement priorities are moving rather than an immediate compliance deadline.
What Importers Should Do Now
Rather than waiting for future guidance, importers can begin preparing by reviewing areas that are likely to receive greater scrutiny:
- Verify Importer of Record information is accurate and current.
- Review customs bond levels and discuss adequacy with your broker.
- Confirm ownership and corporate information is properly documented.
- Evaluate classification and valuation procedures.
- Review supply chain visibility and product traceability practices.
- Ensure supporting documentation can withstand audit review.
These are all areas that CBP has highlighted directly or indirectly through this Executive Order.
Compliance Is Becoming a Business Risk Issue
One of the clearest messages from the order is that customs compliance is no longer viewed solely as an administrative function. CBP increasingly frames compliance as a matter of revenue protection, supply chain security, and national interest.
That shift may result in greater scrutiny of importer practices in the months ahead.
Preparing for What’s Next
While many details remain to be finalized, importers don’t need to wait for new regulations to begin evaluating their compliance programs.
At Coppersmith Global Logistics, we help importers stay ahead of regulatory changes by reviewing customs processes, identifying potential exposure areas, and preparing for evolving enforcement requirements.
Questions about how these changes could affect your imports? Contact the Coppersmith team to discuss your customs compliance strategy.
