FIGHTING for America Act of 2025
FIGHTING for America Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# FIGHTING for America Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would change the "de minimis" rule for small package imports into the U.S. Currently, packages worth $800 or less can enter the country without paying tariffs (import taxes). The bill would eliminate this tax-free pass for certain categories of goods, requiring tariffs to be paid on these items even if they're in small shipments. The targeted goods include: items already subject to trade penalties or tariffs, sensitive products like textiles and apparel, and goods that are deemed unsafe or problematic. **Who It Affects:** The bill would primarily affect online shoppers (especially those buying from foreign retailers), e-commerce companies, and small importers who benefit from the current exemption.
It could also impact consumers through potentially higher prices on imported goods. Legitimate businesses that follow trade rules would be less affected than those importing restricted or tariff-protected items. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. It remains in the early stages of the legislative process.
CRS Official Summary
Fighting Illicit Goods, Helping Trustworthy Importers, and Netting Gains for America Act of 2025 or the FIGHTING for America Act of 2025This bill makes changes to the de minimis exemption, including by eliminating the exemption for certain U.S. imports. (Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930 allows for U.S. imports under a de minimis threshold of $800 per shipment to enter free of tariffs, fees, and taxes.)The bill prohibits U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from applying the de minimis exemption to certain goods, such as goods that are subject to specified trade remedies, such as safeguard measures (Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974), actions in response to unfair trade practices (Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974), or actions for national security purposes (Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962);designated as import sensitive under the Generalized System of Preferences (e.g., textiles and apparel); oridentified as presenting persistent and significant evidence of illegal importation.The bill directs CBP to collect additional information on goods that may qualify for the de minimis exemption. The bill establishes penalties for related violations, including a civil penalty for providing a false statement to CBP and a minimum penalty for aiding unlawful importation.The bill establishes a specific fee for each shipment entering under the de minimis exemption. CBP must designate as a priority trade issue the smuggling of fentanyl and other drugs by abusing entry procedures for goods qualifying for the de minimis exemption.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.