Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Securing Accountability in Foreign Entries Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose new and strict requirements on importers of record in the United States. It requires individual importers of record to be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents, and places specific physical and operational requirements on corporate entities acting as importers. The legislation mandates that importers of record pay all duties, taxes, and fees directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection through specific electronic fund transfers from verified domestic deposit accounts. Additionally, the bill increases the minimum continuous import bond requirement to not less than $100,000 for importers using a continuous import bond. It also directs the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to establish regulations, verification measures, and penalties for false statements related to these new requirements.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +3
Does this tighten control of the border?
The legislation strengthens oversight and accountability of foreign entries and import documentation.
- Scored +2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal customs oversight and regulatory authority over importers.
- Scored +2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The legislation establishes stricter verification and compliance reporting standards for import entities.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The higher bonding requirements and strict entity rules impose administrative and financial burdens on smaller importers.
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Small business importers face increased compliance costs and higher minimum bond thresholds.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 requires importers of record to have a physical location in the United States and at least one owner or full-time employee who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or meet strict criteria regarding continuous operation and employee count. This ensures greater accountability for foreign entries coming into the country.
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Section 3 mandates that importers of record must pay duties, taxes, and fees directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection via electronic fund transfers from a deposit account verified under anti-money-laundering customer identification programs. This protects public revenue by ensuring proper financial tracking and accountability.
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Section 4 increases the minimum continuous import bond requirement to not less than $100,000 for importers of record. This helps ensure compliance with applicable laws and adequately protects public revenue.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 2 limits individuals from serving as the importer of record for more than one entity, with narrow exceptions for certain customs brokers. This could create administrative burdens or restrict business operations for sole proprietors and individuals managing multiple small importing entities.
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Section 4 requires a minimum continuous import bond of not less than $100,000, which may impose a higher financial burden on smaller businesses and individual importers attempting to operate in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation establishes stricter verification and compliance reporting standards for import entities. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal customs oversight and regulatory authority over importers.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The legislation strengthens oversight and accountability of foreign entries and import documentation.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Small business importers face increased compliance costs and higher minimum bond thresholds.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill enhances financial tracking and accountability for import duties, protecting public revenues. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The higher bonding requirements and strict entity rules impose administrative and financial burdens on smaller importers.
- 3/5/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.