What does Preamble of CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled 'A bill to identify and evaluate the compliance of foreign free trade zones with international standards, and for other purposes.' The bill aims to identify and evaluate the compliance of foreign free trade zones with international standards.

What does SHORT TITLE. of CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the ``Containing and Limiting the Extensive Abuses Noticed in Free Trade Zones Act of 2025''.

What does DEFINITIONS. of CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. The term 'Commissioner' refers to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Illicit international trade” is defined as practices violating U.S. law or international standards, related to goods' production, shipment, etc. “Non-United States free trade zone” and “zone” refer to designated areas in foreign countries treated as outside the customs territory for duty purposes. Synonymous terms for free trade zones include 'free zones', 'special economic zones', 'export processing zones', 'free economic zones', and 'freeports'. The term 'person' encompasses both individuals and entities.

What does IDENTIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL FREE TRADE ZONES. of CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 do?

This section directs the Commissioner to identify and publish a list of non-United States free trade zones. The list must include the identity, location, and administrators of each zone and be published on a publicly accessible website within two years of the Act's enactment. The Commissioner must periodically review the list, at least annually, to ensure accuracy, add new zones, and remove defunct zones.

What does CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTRIES INTO TIERS. of CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes a system for classifying countries based on the compliance of zones located within them with standards related to illicit trade. The Commissioner, in consultation with several Secretaries and the United States Trade Representative, will publish a classification of countries into four tiers (I-IV) within 180 days of a list of zones being published. Tier classifications are based on factors including the level of transnational criminal activity, government efforts to counter illicit trade, and compliance with international guidelines and standards. Tier I countries have zones that fully comply with the standards, while Tier IV countries do not comply and are not making efforts to improve. Countries can be reclassified based on progress or decreasing compliance with the established standards. The Commissioner must publish the assessment criteria and methodology used for classification. The government of each country will be notified of its classification within 240 days of the initial publication. Periodic reviews, at least annually, will be conducted to ensure accurate classification.

What does ASSISTANCE WITH RESPECT TO TIER II, TIER III, AND TIER IV of CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 do?

The Commissioner is authorized to provide recommendations and best practice methodologies to tier II, tier III, and tier IV countries to improve law enforcement and combat illicit international trade within their zones. The Commissioner shall consider a list of zones (as defined in section 3) when developing strategies for foreign commercial service officers in tier II, tier III, and tier IV countries. The Commissioner will monitor tier II, tier III, and tier IV countries to determine if the President can impose measures (under section 6) to improve standards implementation within those countries' zones. A dedicated telephone hotline and secure website will be established for entities operating in zones located in tier I, II, III, or IV countries to report illicit international trade. Reports to the hotline or website may concern instances impacting operations or potentially justify a country's reclassification under section 4(e).

What does IMPOSITION OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AND VISA RESTRICTIONS WITH of CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 do?

This section authorizes the President to impose economic sanctions and visa restrictions on foreign persons involved in illicit international trade within tier II, tier III, or tier IV countries as classified under section 4. The President may block property and prohibit transactions involving foreign persons determined to have participated in illicit trade, organized it, or provided support for it. Noncitizens found to be involved in illicit international trade are rendered inadmissible to the United States, ineligible for visas, and subject to revocation of existing visas. The President has authority to investigate, regulate, or prohibit foreign exchange transactions, credit transfers, and currency imports/exports to implement these measures. Penalties for violating these provisions align with those outlined in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. An exception exists for admitting or paroling noncitizens if it furthers law enforcement objectives or is necessary to comply with international obligations, such as the United Nations Headquarters Agreement.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 do?

This section authorizes appropriations to the Commissioner to carry out the Act. The appropriations are without fiscal year limitation. Amounts appropriated can remain available until expended. The appropriations are intended to supplement, not supplant, other available funds.

Back to bills

CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025

Last updated: 4/3/2025 · Introduced: 4/3/2025

Author: Bill Cassidy (R-LA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner to identify and publish a list of foreign free trade zones, regularly updating it to ensure accuracy.
The bill establishes a tiered system (I-IV) to classify countries based on their free trade zones’ compliance with international standards related to illicit trade.
The Commissioner is authorized to provide recommendations and best practices to countries with lower-tier free trade zones to improve law enforcement and combat illicit trade.
The President is empowered to impose economic sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals involved in illicit trade within designated foreign free trade zones.
The bill authorizes indefinite appropriations to the Commissioner to carry out these activities and establish a reporting hotline for illicit trade concerns.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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