This legislation, titled the Customs Facilitation Act of 2025, seeks to significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S. customs operations and trade enforcement. It focuses on creating a more unified government approach at the border, modernizing existing customs processes, and improving data collection and transparency for the trade community. The bill aims to facilitate legitimate trade while simultaneously strengthening efforts to identify and prevent illicit shipments.

Title I establishes a Border Interagency Executive Council to improve coordination among various federal agencies involved in border management. This council will develop common risk management principles, streamline electronic documentation review, and identify opportunities to reduce redundancies and enhance the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The goal is to create a more cohesive and efficient system for processing imported and exported merchandise.

Furthermore, Title I mandates the establishment of a single window import and export cargo processing release system, a scalable, uniform automated platform. This system will integrate whole-of-Government trade processing capabilities within ACE, ensuring data is shared efficiently among agencies and reducing redundant submissions. The bill also requires the continuous modernization of ACE, with development priorities determined in consultation with the trade community and regular feedback meetings.

Title II focuses on modernizing customs processes, beginning with the simplification of drawback procedures. It allows for accelerated payment of estimated duties, taxes, and fees for eligible claimants and removes the requirement for prior notice of export or advance approval for substitution drawback claims. The bill also directs the Secretary of Commerce to streamline export processes by prescribing regulations for advance documentation, considering different business models and avoiding data redundancy.

Additionally, Title II clarifies that clerical errors in export data submission are not violations unless they are part of a pattern of violative conduct. It also mandates a Government Accountability Office report on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) fee schedule, assessing ways to reduce costs for compliant entities and ensure fair payment for services. Improvements are also directed for the Centers of Excellence and Expertise, including developing compliance guidance and assisting importers with post-entry procedures for admissibility issues like forced labor.

Finally, Title III addresses improving customs data and transparency. It sets specific requirements for officials developing new data collection regulations, emphasizing consultation with affected parties, imposing requirements on those with direct knowledge, and considering competitive relationships and technological capacities. The bill also requires regulations for the U.S. Postal Service to transmit international mail shipment data to CBP.

CBP is directed to update its website and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Trade Compliance Handbook, including adding detailed context for mitigating forced labor risks. The Commissioner must also review and potentially revise deadlines for agency responses to trade community requests, aiming for more expeditious processing. A system will also be developed to make contact information for relevant CBP and partner agency personnel more accessible to the trade community.