Secure Revenue Clearance Channel Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 7224

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Foreign Trade and International Finance

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-22: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Last Updated

2026-03-09T18:27:19Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Secure Revenue Clearance Channel Act of 2026 aims to simplify the customs entry process for low-value shipments of goods arriving via express delivery services. It creates a streamlined, electronic-based pathway for these shipments to enter the U.S. informally, while ensuring revenue collection through fees, to balance efficiency with security and trade compliance.

Key Provisions

• Informal Entry Process (Secure Revenue Clearance Channel):
• Allows express consignment carriers (e.g., companies like FedEx or UPS) or operators to handle shipments valued at $600 or less without full formal entry requirements under existing customs law.
• Requires submission of an electronic advanced manifest (a pre-arrival document listing shipment details) to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with CBP approval of both the format and content.
• This process applies only to carriers operating under "closely integrated administrative control" (meaning tight coordination between pickup, delivery, and customs data reliability, often through ownership or strong contracts) and meeting specific security agreements with CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on narcotics sharing and enforcement.

• Exceptions:
• Does not apply to shipments subject to antidumping/countervailing duties (penalties on unfairly priced imports), tariff-rate quotas (limits on import volumes at reduced rates), certain taxes collected outside CBP (e.g., on alcohol or tobacco), or non-waived fees from other federal agencies.

• Fee Structure:
• Importers can choose a fee of 20% of the shipment's value, the equivalent of formal entry tariffs, or rates based on the country of origin (similar to postal shipments).
• This fee replaces other import charges, duties (including most-favored-nation rates from trade agreements and national security duties under Section 232), and certain processing fees.
• Carriers collect and remit fees quarterly to CBP, which deposits them into the U.S. Treasury's general fund.

• Effective Date:
• Takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 484 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (which governs formal entry procedures) by allowing informal entry for qualifying low-value express shipments via electronic manifests, bypassing traditional paperwork.
• Adds a new provision to Section 498(a) of the Tariff Act, explicitly including these shipments as eligible for simplified processing.
• Introduces a new fee mechanism in place of various existing duties and charges under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act and other trade laws, potentially standardizing revenue collection for express shipments.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: CBP and ICE may see reduced administrative burden from electronic processing, leading to faster clearance times, but will need to update systems for manifest approvals and fee remittances. The Treasury benefits from streamlined revenue deposits without loss from replaced duties.
• Citizens and Businesses: Importers and consumers could experience quicker delivery of low-value goods (e.g., e-commerce packages), potentially lowering costs through efficiency, though fees might slightly increase prices for some shipments.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but could facilitate smoother U.S. trade with partners by easing express delivery logistics, indirectly supporting e-commerce growth without altering broader tariff policies.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Express Consignment Carriers/Operators: Primary beneficiaries, as they handle entries and collect fees, gaining competitive edge through faster processing (e.g., major firms like DHL, UPS).
• Importers and Exporters: Small businesses and individuals importing low-value goods via express services, who gain simplicity but must navigate fee options.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Responsible for approvals, oversight, and revenue collection, requiring internal adjustments.
• U.S. Treasury and Other Agencies: Receive fees in lieu of other revenues; agencies like the IRS (for certain taxes) are unaffected due to exceptions.
• Consumers: Indirectly affected through potentially faster and cheaper access to imported goods.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Enhances customs efficiency under the Tariff Act without compromising security (via required agreements with CBP/ICE), but exceptions preserve protections against unfair trade practices. The fee-in-lieu structure ensures revenue neutrality, avoiding challenges to congressional taxing authority.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's enumerated powers over foreign commerce and taxation (Article I, Section 8), promoting uniform trade regulation without infringing on states or individuals.
• Political: Supports pro-business streamlining of trade processes, potentially appealing to e-commerce stakeholders, while maintaining safeguards on sensitive imports (e.g., duties, quotas). No major controversies evident, as it builds on existing express shipment rules without broad tariff changes.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-22: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
• 2026-01-22: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-22: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Secure Revenue Clearance Channel Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-22 — PDF (7 pages)