Whitehouse, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Close “First Sale” Customs Loophole - whitehouse.senate.gov
Bipartisan bill introduced to close the 'first sale' customs loophole, which could increase import duties for affected importers.
Aforeworn detected this change in the Small Cross-Border Importers space on August 14, 2026 and published this briefing so affected operators are forewarned rather than caught off guard. It is rated Medium urgency. Importers who use the 'first sale' valuation method, particularly those sourcing from China and other countries with lower export prices. should confirm how it applies to their specific situation before acting. There is a time constraint attached: No deadline specified; bill is in early legislative stage.. Acting after that point can mean penalties, a lapsed licence, or lost eligibility — exactly the kind of surprise Aforeworn exists to prevent. Aforeworn monitors Small Cross-Border Importers continuously and turns every detected change into a plain-English briefing like this one, so you always know first. Forewarned is forearmed.
What changed
A bill has been introduced to eliminate the 'first sale' rule, which currently allows importers to pay duties on the lower of the first sale price in the manufacturing chain rather than the final sale price to the U.S. buyer.
Who it affects
Importers who use the 'first sale' valuation method, particularly those sourcing from China and other countries with lower export prices.
What you must do
Monitor the bill's progress and assess potential duty increases on current import valuations.
Deadline
No deadline specified; bill is in early legislative stage.
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