(02-14-2017, 09:21 PM)hqinmaine Wrote: I just heard today this was being proposed in congress, concerns "USPS advance data to customs as to origin and delivery". This is primarily aimed at synthetic fentanyl from China and India, due to overdose deaths here in US.I doubt this law will pass as will be super cumbersome on private shippers. These companies have powerful lobbying firms with much more resources to stop a law they don't like than anti-drug groups. LE won't like either as it will make them do more work. They are already understaffed and talk of more budget cuts isn't helpful.
Draw your own conclusions, not sure how dangerous for us. Certainly not positive. From Washington Examiner today:
The bill aims to target how the drugs are getting into the U.S. via the mail system.
Unlike UPS or FedEx, the U.S. Postal Service doesn't require advance electronic customs data for "the vast majority of mail entering the United States," according to a statement announcing the bill. "Because of the volume of mail, Customs and Border Protection cannot manually scan these packages and stop illicit goods from crossing our borders."
The bill would require postal shipments from foreign countries to provide electronic advance data such as who and where the package is from, where it is going and what is in it. The data must be provided before the shipments cross the border into the U.S.
All my shipments have been EMS, a private service. Is this a private service and exempt? Just want to get any ideas on this.
Laws like these are proposed daily and make it into news bylines. Congress people usually just talk about it to appease interest groups or individuals with no real power. It like a PR thing to make everyone think they care.
Truth told, those who are making money off of contraband are much more powerful and I doubt a law like this will even make it through a congressional committee, especially with Republicans in charge as they hate regulation that costs big business money.