Seeking Clarity on Tariff Application to the Marianas
Reliable, fair mail service is essential for our families, businesses, and government. That is why I wrote to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem this week to raise concerns about how Executive Order 14324 is being applied to shipments from the Marianas. Under a new arrangement between USPS, CBP, and a third-party provider, residents may soon be required to file extra information before mailing packages, with tariff charges potentially even applied to goods produced in the CNMI. In my letter, I outlined six major issues, including how tariff rates are being calculated, the risk of double taxation, whether duties collected will be returned to the CNMI Treasury as required by the Covenant, and whether territorial shipments should have been included in this order at all. I will continue pressing until we have clear answers and assurance that the Marianas are treated consistent with U.S. law and our Covenant. Read my full letter here.