Air freight from the Far East to the US is slowing up because US Customs is detaining cargo to check every e-commerce parcel. That’s because a lot of drugs and fentanyl-manufacturing equipment has been discovered in shipments of smaller e-commerce packages, mostly from China.
The de minimis rule, which says that packages of value less than $800 and smaller size are subject to different import rules, is a loophole drug paraphernalia shippers are exploiting, and Customs is trying to close it.
The enhanced inspections are slowing down package deliveries. Carriers are complaining and shippers too.
I think they should shut up and follow the rules for qualifying shipments, and help with the detection and prevention of illegal transports. Fentanyl alone, according to the article, is responsible for over 100,000 deaths in the US per year.
Everyone in the e-commerce supply chain has a responsibility to stand up and follow the rules. They need to know their customers and suppliers, and their customers and suppliers. Make sure they aren’t doing anything illegal. That’s a basic tenet of sustainability guidelines.
This Freightwaves-Thompson-Reuters webinar explains a lot about how to interact with US Customs. Do your due diligence, and keep the records handy. Start taking responsibility for who you are dealing with.
By Alex Lennane 31/05/2024
https://theloadstar.com/transpac-ecommerce-freighters-on-pause-as-us-customs-checks-every-parcel/
Supply Chain and Logistics 