Labor unions, domestic manufacturing groups launch coalition to reform de minimis import loophole

• Labor unions, business associations and other stakeholders have formed a coalition against certain de minimis imports with the help of a bipartisan group of lawmakers.
• The group is pushing for the passage of a bill that will stop non-market economies from exploiting the de minimis "loophole."
• Members include the AFL-CIO, the Alliance for American Manufacturing and the National Council of Textile Organizations.

WASHINGTON — Labor unions, domestic manufacturers, business associations and other interest organizations on Wednesday announced a bipartisan coalition to target an import loophole allowing billions of un-taxed goods into the U.S.

"The coalition we have assembled is a testament to the mounting pressure to close the de minimis loophole," Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said. The ranking member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade is working in conjunction with the new Coalition to Close the De Minimis Loophole.

The group will call attention to a so-called "de minimis" provision of Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which waives import tariffs for shipments with a fair retail value of less than $800.

"De minimis is not just a threat to American businesses and consumers, as if that weren't enough, but it is increasingly contributing to the fentanyl crisis ravaging our communities," Blumenauer added. "It is past time for Congress to act. We will not take 'no' for an answer." 

The announcement comes only days after Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wisc., chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, released a statement denouncing an increase in de minimis imports during FY '23-'24, according to data received from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

"According to CBP, more than 485 million de