CBP Proposes Bonds and Earlier Filing for Low-Value Informal Entries: Comments Due December 7 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Low-Value Shipments that might change casual entry necessities for shipments valued at $2,500 or much less, together with shipments arriving via cross-border mail. The proposal would add a bond requirement for casual entries, transfer the Type 11 submitting deadline earlier, and create a brand new digital Entry Type 13 for mail. Importers, e-commerce sellers, licensed customs brokers, and carriers that deal with low-value shipments are affected, and feedback are due December 7, 2026. 

Key Takeaways 

• CBP proposes that each one Type 11 (casual) and new Type 13 (casual mail) entry filers get hold of a fundamental importation and entry bond, single transaction or steady, earlier than launch. 
• The proposed Type 11 submitting deadline strikes from “inside 15 calendar days after touchdown,” to “upon or earlier than the date of importation”, and Type 11 entries can be filed electronically. 
• A brand new Entry Type 13 for cross-border mail of $2,500 or much less can be filed electronically by the proprietor or purchaser in ACE or by a licensed customs dealer. 
• Carriers submitting inward manifests would report the mail monitoring quantity, and unentered mail of $2,500 or much less can be thought of deserted after 15 days. 
• Comments are due December 7, 2026, below docket USCBP-2026-0298 on rules.gov. 

Low-Value Shipments Face New Entry Requirements 

CBP revealed the discover within the Federal Register on October 8, 2026 (FR Doc. 2026-20650; RIN 1685-AA38). The proposal would amend 19 CFR components 113, 128, 141, 143, and 145. 

The NPRM arrives after duty-free de minimis therapy was suspended for all international locations efficient August 29, 2025, below Executive Order 14324. The NPRM additionally notes that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act terminates de minimis therapy efficient July 1, 2027. CBP said that the proposed adjustments are made in accordance with the Strengthening Customs Enforcement Executive Order, and that, collectively, they’re supposed to modernize low-value cargo processing, enhance knowledge availability and submitting timeliness, assist constant enforcement, shield the turnover, and strengthen nationwide safety. 

For background, see our prior articles, De Minimis No More: What it Means for Importers and Consumers, De Minimis, Codified: CBP Finalizes the Postal Suspension Rule, and New Executive Order on Strengthening Customs Enforcement. 

What CBP Is Proposing 

Bonding Comes to the Informal Entry Lane 

Under the proposed 19 CFR 113.62 and 143.29, each Type 11 and Type 13 filer would wish a fundamental importation and entry bond, both a single transaction bond or a steady bond. CBP proposes that shipments not be launched and not using a bond assembly 19 CFR 113.62. The NPRM doesn’t describe a worth threshold or different exemption from this bond requirement. 

The proposal additionally units a $1,000 minimal liquidated damages quantity for every breach of listed bond situations on Type 11 and Type 13 entries. That minimal doesn’t apply to the situations in paragraphs (a), (g), (i), (j), (okay)(2), (okay)(3), (l), and (m) of 19 CFR 113.62. Separately, in its regulatory evaluation, CBP famous that the only transaction bond minimal is presently $100 and that below the proposed rule CBP might increase that flooring to $1,000. 

DTL’s learn: For importers which have relied on casual entry and not using a bond, the price of a bond, and the surety’s underwriting of the importer, turns into a part of each low-value cargo. Importers ought to anticipate sureties to ask extra questions on financials and compliance historical past, and we anticipate that to weigh most closely on small companies and newer importers. 

International Mail Gets Its Own Electronic Entry Type 

The NPRM would set up Entry Type 13, Informal Mail Entry, for mail shipments valued at $2,500 or much less. Mail shipments in that vary can be entered electronically via a CBP-authorized EDI system, upon or earlier than importation, changing the present worksheet and pay.gov course of. 

• Filers. The proprietor or purchaser could self-file in ACE, or use a licensed customs dealer. A consignee who is just not an proprietor or purchaser would wish a licensed customs dealer appearing as importer of file. 
• Data. The filer would supply the shipper or sender identification and tackle and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) S-10 monitoring quantity to safe launch. The proposal would additionally require the ultimate deliver-to get together and tackle for Type 11 and Type 13 entries when it differs from the final word consignee on the entry abstract. 
• Carriers. The monitoring quantity can be offered on the inward manifest below the prevailing vessel, air, rail, truck, or specific consignment manifest guidelines (19 CFR 4.7a, 122.48a, 123.91, 123.92, or 128.21). 
• Unentered mail. Mail of $2,500 or much less not correctly entered inside 15 days of importation can be thought of voluntarily deserted, and USPS processing could embrace destruction or return to the sender. 

CBP additionally said that its voluntary digital Entry Type 13 course of for postal shipments, introduced in June 2026, stays accessible for participation, and that this NPRM is a separate rulemaking. 

How Importers and E-Commerce Sellers Should Prepare 

Nothing within the NPRM is in impact at this time. DTL’s learn is that firms transferring items at or below $2,500 ought to use the remark interval to mannequin the proposal towards their very own cargo profile, so {that a} last rule doesn’t catch them and not using a bond, a dealer relationship, or clear knowledge. 

1. Map your casual entry quantity. Identify what number of shipments transfer as Type 11 entries or via the mail, by worth and by mode. 
2. Price the bond. Talk to your surety now about single transaction versus steady bond choices for casual entries, and in regards to the proposed $1,000 liquidated damages minimal. 
3. Confirm who’s the importer of file. If your mannequin depends on a consignee that isn’t the proprietor or purchaser, the proposal would require a licensed customs dealer to behave as importer of file. 
4. Test the info. Confirm you’ll be able to seize the shipper or sender identification and tackle, the ultimate deliver-to get together, and, for mail, the S-10 monitoring quantity earlier than importation. 
5. Talk to your provider and dealer. Ask how they’d deal with the sooner Type 11 deadline and manifest-level monitoring numbers. 

Make Your Voice Heard Before December 7 

CBP said that public feedback will assist it consider potential prices, advantages, operational impacts, and implementation earlier than transferring ahead with a last rule. The NPRM requests touch upon all facets of the rule, and particularly on the price of the sooner submitting deadline, its impact on delivery instances by mode, and the price of returning undeliverable mail. 

Comments could also be submitted at regulations.gov below docket quantity USCBP-2026-0298 by December 7, 2026. 

Diaz Trade Law has been participating CBP on how its enforcement rulemakings have an effect on smaller importers, together with on the small-business listening session on the 2026 CBP Trade Summit. We might help you assess your publicity below the proposal and put together a remark that places your operational knowledge in entrance of CBP. 

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