# 2026-22735: Foreign Importers Face Tougher Rules at America's Border

2026-22735, Heightened Requirements for Foreign Importers of Record, is a Federal Register rule from Homeland Security Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published 2026-11-06, effective 2027-01-05; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-06).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22735
- As of: 2026-11-06
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-22735
- Title: Heightened Requirements for Foreign Importers of Record
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Homeland Security Department; U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Citation: 91 FR 69977
- Published: 2026-11-06
- Effective: 2027-01-05
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1685-AA48
- Last updated: 2026-11-06

## In one line

Foreign Importers Face Tougher Rules at America's Border

## Summary

Starting January 5, 2027, foreign importers of record and their customs brokers must follow new, stricter rules when bringing goods into the U.S. These changes aim to boost customs enforcement and hold importers and brokers more accountable. Brokers have until May 6, 2027, to fully comply, or they could face penalties.

## Abstract

This document amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, consistent with Section 2 of Executive Order 14411, "Strengthening Customs Enforcement," by establishing new requirements for foreign importers of record (IORs) when making entry, and corresponding responsibilities for licensed customs brokers with regard to their clients. The new regulations also set forth consequences for foreign IORs and customs brokers who fail to comply with the new requirements.

## Effects PRIA read

- New rule starts Jan 5, 2027: cost, medium. The rule becomes effective January 5, 2027. Licensed customs brokers may request delayed compliance before that date, but all customs brokers must be in full compliance no later than May 6, 2027; failure to comply could lead to consequences under the rule.
- No informal entries for non‑CTPAT foreign IORs: cost, medium. Starting January 5, 2027, foreign importers of record (IORs) are prohibited from making informal entries (e.g., shipments valued $2,500 or less) unless the foreign IOR is a CTPAT validated participant or uses a CTPAT validated and licensed customs broker. CBP will monitor informal entries by foreig…
- Formal entry requires CTPAT validation or broker: cost, medium. To make formal entry, a foreign IOR must either be a CTPAT validated participant or use a CTPAT validated and licensed customs broker to enter merchandise for consumption. If a foreign party is not the owner or purchaser of the merchandise, a designated licensed customs broker who is CTPAT validate…
- Brokers must verify client IOR status: cost, medium. Licensed customs brokers will have new responsibilities to verify and declare that their client qualifies as a U.S. importer of record before reporting the client as a U.S. IOR. Brokers may request delayed compliance prior to January 5, 2027, but must be fully compliant by May 6, 2027; noncomplianc…
- Tighter test for U.S. importer of record: cost, medium. CBP defines a U.S. importer of record (U.S. IOR) as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or an entity organized under U.S. law, located in the United States that maintains at all times either (i) at least 51% beneficial owner(s) who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents with contr…
- CBP verification and record requests: cost, low. CBP will verify whether an entity qualifies as a U.S. IOR and may request records such as proof of citizenship, corporate charters, financial statements, purchase receipts, or documents of title under 19 U.S.C. 1508. The rule also imposes a requirement on U.S. IORs to declare their qualification as…

## Related documents

- [2026-21600](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-21600): Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments and New Postal Informal Entry Process; Delayed Compliance Extension, 2026-10-22
- [2026-20884](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20884): Advance Traveler Information for Rail, 2026-10-13
- [2026-20650](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20650): Low-Value Shipments, 2026-10-08
- [2026-17390](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17390): Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Electronic Export Manifest for Rail Cargo, 2026-08-26
- [2026-12669](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12669): Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments and New Postal Informal Entry Process, 2026-06-24
- [2026-12670](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12670): Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Merchandise Arriving Through All Modes Other Than the International Postal Network, 2026-06-24

## Sources
- [2026-22735 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/06/2026-22735/heightened-requirements-for-foreign-importers-of-record)
- [2026-22735 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-11-06/pdf/2026-22735.pdf)

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- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22735 (as of 2026-11-06).