Union Calendar No. 557
115th CONGRESS 2d Session |
[Report No. 115–722, Part I]
To provide for the processing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of certain international mail shipments and to require the provision of advance electronic information on international mail shipments of mail, and for other purposes.
May 15, 2018
Mr. Bishop of Michigan (for himself, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Reichert, and Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
June 8, 2018
Reported from the Committee on Ways and Means with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]
June 8, 2018
Referral to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform extended for a period ending not later than June 11, 2018
June 8, 2018
The Committee on Homeland Security discharged
June 11, 2018
Additional sponsors: Mr. Sessions, Mr. Hill, and Mr. Faso
June 11, 2018
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on May 15, 2018]
To provide for the processing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of certain international mail shipments and to require the provision of advance electronic information on international mail shipments of mail, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
(a) Short title.—This Act may be cited as the “Securing the International Mail Against Opioids Act of 2018”.
(b) Table of contents.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Customs fees.
Sec. 3. Mandatory advance electronic information for postal shipments.
Sec. 4. International postal agreements.
Sec. 5. Cost recoupment.
Sec. 6. Development of technology to detect illicit narcotics.
Sec. 7. Effective date; regulations.
(a) In general.—Section 13031(b)(9) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 58c(b)(9)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(D) (i) With respect to the processing of items that are sent to the United States through the international postal network by ‘Inbound Express Mail service’ or ‘Inbound EMS’ (as that service is described in the mail classification schedule referred to in section 3631 of title 39, United States Code), the following payments are required:
“(II) If an Inbound EMS item is formally entered, the fee provided for under subsection (a)(9), if applicable.
“(ii) Notwithstanding section 451 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1451), the payments required by clause (i), as allocated pursuant to clause (iii)(I), shall be the only payments required for reimbursement of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for customs services provided in connection with the processing of an Inbound EMS item.
“(iii) (I) The payments required by clause (i) shall be allocated as follows:
“(aa) 50 percent of the amount of the payments shall be paid on a quarterly basis by the United States Postal Service to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse U.S. Customs and Border Protection for customs services provided in connection with the processing of Inbound EMS items.
“(bb) 50 percent of the amount of the payments shall be retained by the Postal Service to reimburse the Postal Service for services provided in connection with the customs processing of Inbound EMS items.
“(II) Payments received by U.S. Customs and Border Protection under subclause (I)(aa) shall, in accordance with section 524 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1524), be deposited in the Customs User Fee Account and used to directly reimburse each appropriation for the amount paid out of that appropriation for the costs incurred in providing services to international mail facilities. Amounts deposited in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be available until expended for the provision of such services.
“(iv) Beginning in fiscal year 2021, the Secretary, in consultation with the Postmaster General, may adjust, not more frequently than once each fiscal year, the amount described in clause (i)(I) to an amount commensurate with the costs of services provided in connection with the customs processing of Inbound EMS items, consistent with the obligations of the United States under international agreements.”.
(b) Conforming amendments.—Section 13031(a) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 58c(a)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (6), by inserting “(other than an item subject to a fee under subsection (b)(9)(D))” after “customs officer”; and
(a) Mandatory advance electronic information.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 343(a)(3)(K) of the Trade Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–210; 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) is amended to read as follows:
“(K) (i) The Secretary, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, shall prescribe regulations requiring the United States Postal Service to transmit the information described in paragraphs (1) and (2) to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for international mail shipments by the Postal Service (including shipments to the Postal Service from foreign postal operators that are transported by private carrier) consistent with the requirements of this subparagraph.
“(ii) In prescribing regulations under clause (i), the Secretary shall impose requirements for the transmission to the Commissioner of information described in paragraphs (1) and (2) for mail shipments described in clause (i) that are comparable to the requirements for the transmission of such information imposed on similar non-mail shipments of cargo, taking into account the parameters set forth in subparagraphs (A) through (J).
“(iii) The regulations prescribed under clause (i) shall require the transmission of the information described in paragraphs (1) and (2) with respect to a shipment as soon as practicable in relation to the transportation of the shipment, consistent with subparagraph (H).
“(iv) Regulations prescribed under clause (i) shall allow for the requirements for the transmission to the Commissioner of information described in paragraphs (1) and (2) for mail shipments described in clause (i) to be implemented in phases, as appropriate, by—
“(v) (I) Notwithstanding clause (iv) and except as provided in subclause (II), the Postal Service shall, not later than December 31, 2018, arrange for the transmission to the Commissioner of the information described in paragraphs (1) and (2) for not less than 70 percent of the aggregate number of mail shipments described in clause (i).
“(II) (aa) The requirements of subclause (I) may be waived for a period of not more than 180 days if, not later than December 31, 2018—
“(AA) the Secretary and the Postmaster General, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, determine that meeting those requirements is not feasible because of the lack of capacity of foreign postal operators to provide the Postal Service with the information described in paragraphs (1) and (2);
“(BB) the Secretary and the Postmaster General, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, determine that meeting those requirements is not feasible because of extraordinary reasons other than lack of capacity of foreign postal operators that are outside the control of the Postal Service; or
“(CC) the Secretary of State determines that such a waiver is in the national security interests of the United States.
“(vi) (I) Notwithstanding clause (iv) and except as provided in subclause (II), the Postal Service shall, not later than December 31, 2022, arrange for the transmission to the Commissioner of the information described in paragraphs (1) and (2) for not less than 95 percent of the aggregate number of mail shipments described in clause (i).
“(II) The requirements of subclause (I) may be waived for a period of not more than one year if, not later than December 31, 2022—
“(aa) the Secretary and the Postmaster General, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, determine that meeting those requirements is not feasible because of—
“(AA) the lack of capacity of foreign postal operators to provide the Postal Service with the information described in paragraphs (1) and (2); or
“(BB) extraordinary reasons other than lack of capacity of foreign postal operators that are outside the control of the Postal Service; or
“(vii) Not later than 15 days before making a determination under clause (v) or (vi) that meeting the requirements of that clause is not feasible, the Secretary and the Postmaster General shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a notification of the determination. The notification shall include—
“(I) in the case of a determination under clause (v)(II)(aa)(AA) or (vi)(II)(aa)(AA)—
“(aa) a list of which foreign postal operators lack the capacity to provide the information described in paragraphs (1) and (2) to the Postal Service;
“(viii) The Secretary and the Postmaster General may, in consultation with the Secretary of State, as necessary, take all appropriate remedial measures necessary to ensure compliance with regulations prescribed under clause (i) and consistent with the obligations of the United States under international agreements, including refusal of shipments for which the information described in paragraphs (1) and (2) is not transmitted as required under this subparagraph.
“(ix) Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary to obtain information relating to international mail shipments from private carriers or other appropriate parties.
(2) JOINT STRATEGIC PLAN ON MANDATORY ADVANCE INFORMATION.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Postmaster General shall develop and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a joint strategic plan detailing specific performance measures for achieving—
(b) Capacity building.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 343(a) of the Trade Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–210; 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(5) CAPACITY BUILDING.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, and in coordination with the Postmaster General and the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate, may provide technical assistance, equipment, technology, and training to enhance the capacity of foreign postal operators—
“(B) PROVISION OF EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY.—With respect to the provision of equipment and technology under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may lease, loan, provide, or otherwise assist in the deployment of such equipment and technology under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, including nonreimbursable loans or the transfer of ownership of equipment and technology.”.
(2) JOINT STRATEGIC PLAN ON CAPACITY BUILDING.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Postmaster General shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State, jointly develop and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a joint strategic plan—
(c) Report and consultations by Secretary of Homeland Security and Postmaster General.—
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until 3 years after the Postmaster General has met the requirement under clause (vi) of subparagraph (K) of section 343(a)(3) of the Trade Act of 2002, as amended by subsection (a)(1), the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Postmaster General shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State, jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on compliance with that subparagraph that includes the following:
(A) An assessment of the status of the regulations required to be promulgated under that subparagraph.
(B) An update regarding new and existing agreements reached with foreign postal operators for the transmission of the information required by that subparagraph.
(C) A summary of deliberations between the United States Postal Service and foreign postal operators with respect to issues relating to the transmission of that information.
(D) A summary of the progress made in achieving the transmission of that information for the percentage of shipments required by that subparagraph.
(E) An assessment of the quality of that information being received by foreign postal operators, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, and actions taken to improve the quality of that information.
(F) A summary of policies established by the Universal Postal Union that may affect the ability of the Postmaster General to obtain the transmission of that information.
(2) CONSULTATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter until the Postmaster General has met the requirement under clause (vi) of section 343(a)(3)(K) of the Trade Act of 2002, as amended by subsection (a)(1), to arrange for the transmission of information with respect to not less than 95 percent of the aggregate number of mail shipments described in clause (i) of that section, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Postmaster General shall provide briefings to the appropriate congressional committees on the progress made in achieving the transmission of that information for that percentage of shipments.
(d) Government Accountability Office report.—Not later than December 31, 2020, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report—
(1) assessing the progress of the United States Postal Service in achieving the transmission of the information required by subparagraph (K) of section 343(a)(3) of the Trade Act of 2002, as amended by subsection (a)(1), for the percentage of shipments required by that subparagraph;
(2) assessing the quality of the information received from foreign postal operators for targeting purposes;
(3) assessing the specific percentage of targeted mail presented by the Postal Service to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for inspection;
(4) describing the costs of collecting the information required by such subparagraph (K) from foreign postal operators and the costs of implementing the use of that information;
(5) assessing the benefits of receiving that information with respect to international mail shipments;
(6) assessing the feasibility of assessing a customs fee under section 13031(b)(9) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended by section 2, on international mail shipments other than Inbound Express Mail service in a manner consistent with the obligations of the United States under international agreements; and
(7) identifying recommendations, including recommendations for legislation, to improve the compliance of the Postal Service with such subparagraph (K), including an assessment of whether the detection of illicit synthetic opioids in the international mail would be improved by—
(e) Technical correction.—Section 343 of the Trade Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–210; 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) is amended in the section heading by striking “advanced” and inserting “advance”.
(a) Existing agreements.—Any regulations prescribed under section 343(a)(3)(K) of the Trade Act of 2002, as amended by section 3(a)(1), shall be consistent with the obligations of the United States under international agreements.
(b) Future agreements.—
(1) CONSULTATIONS.—Before entering into, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, any postal treaty, convention, or other international agreement related to international postal services, or any amendment to such an agreement, that could restrict the ability of the United States to secure the provision of advance electronic information by foreign postal operators, the Secretary of State should consult with the appropriate congressional committees (as defined in section 3(f)).
(2) EXPEDITED NEGOTIATION OF NEW AGREEMENT.—To the extent that any new postal treaty, convention, or other international agreement related to international postal services is necessary to secure the provision of advance electronic information by foreign postal operators as required by regulations prescribed under section 343(a)(3)(K) of the Trade Act of 2002, as amended by section 3(a)(1), the Secretary of State should expeditiously conclude such an agreement.
(a) In general.—The United States Postal Service shall, to the extent practicable and otherwise recoverable by law, ensure that all costs associated with complying with this Act and amendments made by this Act are charged directly to foreign shippers or foreign postal operators.
(b) Costs not considered revenue.—The recovery of costs under subsection (a) shall not be deemed revenue for purposes of subchapter I and II of chapter 36 of title 39, United States Code, or regulations prescribed under that chapter.
(a) In general.—The Postmaster General and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in coordination with the heads of other agencies as appropriate, shall collaborate to identify and develop technology for the detection of illicit fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances entering the United States by mail.
(b) Outreach to private sector.—The Postmaster General and the Commissioner shall conduct outreach to private sector entities to gather information regarding the current state of technology to identify areas for innovation relating to the detection of illicit fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances entering the United States.
Union Calendar No. 557 | |||||
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[Report No. 115–722, Part I] | |||||
A BILL | |||||
To provide for the processing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of certain international mail
shipments and to require the provision of advance electronic information
on international mail shipments of mail, and for other purposes. | |||||
June 11, 2018 | |||||
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to
be printed |