WASHINGTON —Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds has joined delegates from Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands to introduce H.R. 5960, a bipartisan bill to restore duty-free treatment for low-value shipments from the U.S. territories after the recent suspension of de minimis privileges under Executive Order 14324.
King-Hinds, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Congresswoman Amata Radewagen of American Samoa, and Congressman James Moylan of Guam say the bill is aimed at fixing mail delays, unexpected charges and other disruptions created by recent federal tariff changes that treated territorial shipments as if they were foreign.
The measure would restore the tariff treatment Congress previously set for Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands and clarify that the territories should not be swept into trade restrictions intended for foreign countries.
King-Hinds said the legislation reaffirms the territories’ distinct status under U.S. law.
“The Northern Mariana Islands and our sister territories have a clearly defined status under U.S. law,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “We are not foreign countries, but neither are we part of the customs territory. Our relationship is unique, and that is reflected in the laws that govern how our goods move through the American market. This bill restores that balance and makes sure federal policy honors the intent of Congress.”
Plaskett called the bill an important step toward fairness and consistency in federal trade policy for territorial residents.
“For too long, U.S. territories have been treated as afterthoughts in trade policy—swept into restrictions meant for foreign countries despite being integral parts of the United States,” she said, adding that the legislation “permanently protects the de minimis exemption for our territories and requires federal agencies to consider territorial impacts before enacting trade restrictions.”
Radewagen said the bill reinforces the principle that island communities should receive federal services at the same rates as the rest of the United States, including shipping that supports local small businesses.
Moylan said the suspension of the de minimis exemption under the executive order has had a real impact on residents in Guam and other territories.
“Through this legislation we’re making our voices clear: Americans in the Territories should be treated equally to those in the States,” he said.
Under H.R. 5960, the U.S. Department of the Treasury would be required to admit goods originating in the covered territories duty-free, consistent with the treatment Congress intended before January 1, 2025. The bill would also add the Northern Mariana Islands to the list of areas eligible for the “bona fide gifts” exemption under the Tariff Act of 1930, restoring parity among the territories.
The legislation includes a new requirement that federal agencies consult on the territorial effects of any future trade or tariff changes, reflecting shared concerns that federal decisions can unintentionally apply rules designed for foreign countries to the territories. Agencies would have to consider how proposed policy changes might affect residents, local businesses and the cost of essential goods and services in the territories.
“Territorial economies are deeply integrated with the broader U.S. market,” King-Hinds said. “When federal policy overlooks our legal status or disrupts the systems that connect our islands to the rest of the country, the impact is immediate. This legislation provides a clear, permanent fix.”
