U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop (R-MI) has proposed a bipartisan bill that would extend current law to give U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) the power to inspect and seize international mail if shipments contain synthetic opioids.
“We all recognize there is no silver bullet, and we all understand the need to coordinate our efforts to combat this public health emergency,” said Rep. Bishop, who added that his measure “will close loopholes in our mail system currently being exploited by drug traffickers.”
Rep. Bishop on May 15 introduced the Securing the International Mail Against Opioids Act of 2018, H.R. 5788, with U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) being among the bill’s original cosponsors.
H.R. 5788 aims to help stop the flow of synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, in the international mail system, according to a summary provided by Bishop’s office, which explains that under current law, CBP requires advance electronic data (AED) to be used on shipments from private carriers and express delivery carriers to the United States. Such data helps CBP personnel target high-risk shipments to be inspected and possibly seized if drugs are found.
However, the same requirements don’t apply to international mail shipments sent through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), giving criminals an easy way to ship synthetic opioids into the United States, according to Rep. Bishop’s staff.
H.R. 5788 would close that loophole by requiring USPS to obtain advance electronic data on its international shipments and transmit that data to CBP, which then could target high-risk international mail shipments.
“No state has been immune from the effects of the devastating opioid epidemic,” said Rep. Bishop, noting that in his home state, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has reported the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths increased more than 17 times from 1999 to 2016.
“These synthetic opioids flowing into our country through the mail system are extremely dangerous,” he added. “While there’s much more we can -– and should do –- to turn the tide on the opioid epidemic, working to keep this poison from ever coming into our communities is an important step.”
Specifically, according to draft text of H.R. 5788, the measure would require USPS by Dec 31 to start transmitting AED on at least 70 percent of international packages and on 95 percent of international packages by Dec. 31, 2022.
Additionally, H.R. 5788 would require CBP and USPS to collaborate on developing new detection technologies for synthetic opioids and a variety of narcotics and harmful substances; would direct multilateral and bilateral diplomatic efforts with foreign postal operators and America’s international partners; and would establish an oversight process to ensure that CBP and USPS are held accountable to Congress, among other provisions.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) applauded Rep. Bishop’s efforts and said he looks forward “to moving swiftly on this vital legislation” now that H.R. 5788 has been referred to his committee for consideration.
“This legislation will protect Americans and make it harder for criminals to bring harmful substances into this country by holding the Postal Service and CBP accountable for more effectively screening international mail,” said Rep. Brady.
H.R. 5788 also has been referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee.