U.S. Customs New Regulation: Impact of the "Controlled Transportation" Policy on Cross-Border E-Commerce and Logistics

Starting from August 25, 2025, the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach will implement a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulation, requiring all Full Container Load (FCL) shipments selected for inspection by CBP to be transported exclusively by authorized Centralized Examination Station (CES) truck operators. This new regulation will have far-reaching impacts on the cross-border e-commerce and logistics industries. This article will break down the core elements of the policy, its implementation background, and the challenges and strategies to adapt.

1. Core Content of the New Regulation

1. Mandatory Adjustment for Full Container Load (FCL) Shipments

Starting August 25, 2025, for FCL shipments selected for inspection by CBP's Merchandise Enforcement Team (MET) or Agriculture Operational Inspection (AOI), customs brokers and importers will no longer have the flexibility to choose their truck carriers. These shipments must follow the CBP-controlled transportation process and be handled by authorized CES truck operators. The aim of this change is to standardize the transportation process, ensuring that goods are traceable and monitored from the port to the inspection station.

2. Definition and Qualification of CES Truck Operators

A CES truck operator is a motor carrier that is directly affiliated with or has an exclusive service agreement with a CES operator, and has passed CBP's qualification audit. These operators must comply with strict transportation regulations, including real-time tracking, route pre-reporting, and complete status record keeping to ensure the entire transportation process is traceable and verifiable.

3. Exceptions for Less-than-Container Load (LCL) Shipments

For LCL shipments, if selected for CBP inspection, customs brokers and importers may still choose their own truck carriers to transport the goods from the container freight station (CFS) to the designated CES. This exception aims to balance regulatory efficiency with the cost-effectiveness of transporting smaller shipments.

2. Background and Necessity of the New Regulation

1. Evolution and Upgrade of the Regulatory Framework

The public notice LA14-013, released on June 19, 2014, established the "exam permit transfer" mechanism in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), which was the first step in digitalizing and standardizing the cargo inspection process. However, with the rapid increase in global trade and the complexity of supply chains, the existing framework was no longer sufficient to manage emerging risks.

2. Addressing Emerging Risks in the Current Trade Environment

In recent years, customs authorities have discovered that some shipments selected for inspection bypassed CBP's procedures during transportation from the port to the inspection station. These shipments were intentionally rerouted, with vehicles swapped, cargo markings altered, or routes changed, allowing unchecked goods to enter the market. Such practices pose significant threats to public health, safety, and market fairness. The new regulation eliminates this risk by centralizing transportation under authorized CES truck operators, ensuring full compliance with inspection procedures.

3. Core Value and Necessity of the New Regulation

The joint evaluation by the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach and CBP highlighted the need to strengthen controls at the origin of transportation to prevent illegal rerouting. This adjustment not only enhances the regulatory framework established by LA14-013 but also adapts to the increasingly complex global trade environment, achieving the goal of zero regulatory gaps, traceable processes, and manageable risks.

3. Impact of the New Regulation on Cross-Border E-Commerce and Logistics

1. Increased Transportation Costs

The new regulation means that cross-border e-commerce companies and logistics providers will lose the flexibility to choose truck carriers, as CES truck operators are now required for FCL shipments subject to inspection. Due to the additional qualification requirements and service standards, transportation fees for CES operators may be higher than the market average, leading to increased costs. For example, a shipment from Asia to the U.S. that originally cost $1000 may now rise to $1500, a 50% increase. E-commerce businesses may pass these additional costs on to consumers, affecting their price competitiveness.

2. Challenges in Transportation Timeliness

Under the new regulation, the transportation process must follow the CBP-controlled CES mechanism. While this ensures regulatory compliance, it may result in longer transportation times. Especially during peak seasons, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, limited CES truck capacity may lead to delays in transporting goods from the port to CES, extending delivery times from 2-3 days to 5-7 days. This could negatively impact customer satisfaction, harming brand image and market reputation for cross-border e-commerce businesses.

3. Business Adjustments for Logistics Companies

Logistics companies must rethink their business models and operational strategies. For those previously handling FCL shipments independently, they need to assess their business direction, possibly expanding into LCL shipments or partnering with CES truck operators to adapt to the new regulations. Smaller logistics companies may struggle to meet the new requirements and could be forced out of the market, while larger companies with resource advantages may strengthen their cooperation with CES operators, offering additional value-added services like warehousing, sorting, and packaging to improve market competitiveness.

4. Reshaping the Cross-Border E-Commerce Supply Chain

The new regulation will require closer collaboration and information sharing between e-commerce companies, logistics providers, customs brokers, and CES operators. E-commerce businesses should work with logistics providers to plan transportation in advance, while logistics providers should promptly pass information to customs brokers and CES operators. Additionally, e-commerce companies may adjust their inventory management strategies to ensure they maintain sufficient stock levels and avoid stockouts caused by transportation delays.

4. Strategies and Recommendations to Adapt to the New Regulation

1. Partner with Compliant CES Truck Operators

Cross-border e-commerce businesses and logistics companies must establish partnerships with CBP-approved CES truck operators ahead of the regulation’s implementation to ensure smooth transportation once the rules take effect. Collaborating with experienced operators can mitigate the risks associated with non-compliance and transportation delays.

2. Adjust Transportation Plans in Advance

Considering the potential delays caused by the new transportation model, cross-border e-commerce businesses need to proactively plan their transportation routes and inventory management. Preparing for peak seasons and maintaining a flexible inventory strategy will help prevent stockouts due to delayed shipments.

3. Invest in Smart Monitoring Tools

Businesses can utilize intelligent monitoring platforms and systems to track the transportation process in real-time, ensuring that all stages of the process comply with the new regulation. This will allow early detection and resolution of any issues that may arise during the transportation of inspected goods.

Conclusion

The new U.S. Customs regulation will have a significant impact on the cross-border e-commerce and logistics industries, particularly regarding transportation costs and timeliness. However, by partnering with compliant CES truck operators, adjusting business strategies, and enhancing collaboration across the supply chain, businesses can successfully adapt to the changes and maintain their competitive edge in the market.

For more information on how to navigate the new U.S. Customs regulation, Passionship International Logistics provides comprehensive solutions to help ensure smooth and compliant cross-border shipments.

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