Freight Pulse & Law Update: CBP Wants Low-Value Entries Filed Before the Freight Lands as USDOT Pushes Real-Time Visibility

CBP wants entry data before arrival, while USDOT is building visibility to anticipate freight delays.

What would CBP change for Type 11 entries?

CBP’s proposed rule would replace the 15-calendar-day post-arrival filing window for Type 11 informal entries, commercial goods valued at $2,500 or less, with electronic filing on or before importation. In CBP’s sample, only about 27% were filed by arrival day, leaving roughly 73% outside the proposed deadline. This is a proposal, not a final rule.

• Sample: 392,473 entries from September to November 2025.

• Bonding: Type 11 and Type 13 filers would need single-transaction or continuous customs bonds.

• Damages: CBP proposes a $1,000 minimum for listed bond breaches. Comments close December 7, 2026.

How could the proposal affect mail shipments?

CBP also proposes a fully electronic Type 13 entry for qualifying international mail, aligning its filing deadline and core data with Type 11. Filers would add mail-specific details, including sender and tracking number. Earlier data would support screening before arrival, pushing the filing work upstream.

• Compliance date: CBP moved Type 13’s date from October 22, 2026, to January 20, 2027.

• Broker fees: CBP estimates an increase of about $30 per postal entry.

• Unfiled mail: Packages without an entry after 15 days could be deemed voluntarily abandoned.

What does USDOT’s FLOW initiative add to visibility?

Separately, USDOT’s October 21 FLOW Annual Meeting convened more than 100 freight stakeholders to anticipate congestion. FLOW enables secure data sharing with USDOT and real-time visibility into incoming container demand. USDOT says 54 million tons of goods worth $68 billion move through the U.S. network daily.

• Participants: ocean carriers, railroads, trucking companies, chassis providers and major shippers.

• The 2026 National Freight Strategic Plan targets the nearly seven-million-mile network.

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