Moylan, Terrirotires & Commonwealths Caucus Press Administration for De Minimis Relief

(Washington D.C.) — Congressman Moylan, along with fellow members of the Congressional Territories & Commonwealths Caucus, sent a letter to key federal officials pressing for a meeting with the Administration to address recent de minimis changes affecting residents and businesses across the U.S. territories.
 

Moylan was joined by Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández (D-Puerto Rico), Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands), and Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-CNMI).

Together, the members requested a meeting with representatives from the White House, Department of the Treasury, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Postal Service to discuss recent duty collection requirements affecting mail originating from the territories and work toward a resolution for their constituents.

The Caucus raised concerns over the elimination of the $800 de minimis exemption and the resulting changes to customs processing requirements. While the suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment was intended to address broader trade concerns, the members said its application is now affecting individuals and businesses in U.S. territories outside of the U.S. customs territory.

“This is affecting people across the territories, not just Guam,” said Congressman Moylan. “That is why we are raising this issue together. Our residents and businesses already deal with higher shipping costs and fewer options. We should be looking for ways to make things easier for them, not adding another hurdle. We want to sit down with the Administration, work through these concerns, and find a solution that recognizes the realities our communities face.”

The members noted that Guam, the CNMI, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands already face unique logistical and economic challenges, including higher shipping costs, geographic isolation, and limited transportation options. They expressed concern that federal trade and customs policies can place an added burden on territorial residents and businesses when those circumstances are not taken into account.

Through the requested meeting, the Caucus is seeking to better understand how the new requirements are being implemented, identify possible administrative solutions, and discuss a path toward restoring de minimis treatment for the territories.

Moylan is also backing a legislative solution. Last November, Congresswoman King-Hinds introduced H.R. 5960, the Territorial De Minimis Exemption Act, alongside Moylan, Congresswoman Radewagen, and Congresswoman Plaskett. The legislation would permanently provide a de minimis exemption for U.S. territories outside of the U.S. customs territory.
 

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View the full press release and attached letter here.