IAM is pleased to report that late last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1568, the Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act, legislation that would require U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to remove sensitive manifest data for incoming shipments, prior to their sale to commercial interests. These data elements, which can include passport numbers, home addresses and social security numbers will help secure personal information for service members, their families, and all private, not-for-resale household goods shipments entering the country. As many IAM members are aware, these elements are sometimes incorporated into the commercial side of the manifest datasets, leaving them exposed and jeopardizing the privacy and financial security of households moving into the U.S.

IAM's efforts to support this legislation goes back several Congressional sessions, where earlier versions had made significant progress, but failed to ultimately advance. The accompanying House Report for H.R. 1568 provides additional background on the bill. As noted, U.S. CBP has 30 days to make the required changes to shield this sensitive information, once signed into law. 

IAM"s letter of support for the legislation was entered into the Congressional Record as part of last week's bill consideration. While the Senate version of this legislation passed last spring, the House bill will require a final Senate sign-off, prior to being delivered to President Biden for his signature. 

IAM would like to recognize the Congressional support of Senator Steve Daines (MT), Representative Mike Waltz (FL) and Representative Bill Pascrell (NJ), as well as their staff, for their dedication to this issue and  longtime support of this critical initiative. 

For more information, please contact Bryan Vickers (703-403-2882, bvickers@pacellp.com) with IAM's Government and Regulatory Affairs Team.