DENIED Act

The DENIED Act (S 5435) prohibits U.S. Customs from granting duty-free entry under the de minimis exemption to shipments involving "covered entities" - importers or shippers penalized more than twice in one year for violations like forced labor, counterfeit goods, or illegal drugs. It requires Customs to publish a list of these entities every 90 days, detailing their violations, and allows them to petition for removal after one year if they cease violating laws. Violating the act subjects entities to civil penalties up to $5,000 per offense, and Customs must share listed entities with the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force. The law directly affects importers and freight forwarders with repeated violations of specific import regulations.