Bill Overview
Title: UPDATED USPS Act
Description: This bill modifies requirements relating to advance electronic information for cargo. Specifically, the bill eliminates a restriction on the use of advance electronic information for commercial enforcement, and waivers of the requirement to transmit advance electronic information for countries. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must refuse entry for any international mail shipments for which advance electronic information is not transmitted for shipments received after December 31, 2022. By December 31, 2022, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) shall arrange for the transmission to CBP of information for all international mail shipments. The USPS, at least every 30 days, must publish the number of such shipments for which the information was not transmitted to CBP during the preceding 30-day period. The bill requires monthly reports of specified information, including the volume of international mail shipments and other cargo received by the USPS and private sector importers for which advance electronic information is submitted.
Sponsors: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by changes in international postal regulations
Estimated Size: 300000000
- The legislation involves the collection and management of electronic data about international mail shipments, which is typically managed by the customs and postal services of nations. This involves the infrastructure and workforce engaged in international mailing operations.
- Businesses that send or receive large international shipments, especially those heavily reliant on timely mailing of goods, could experience impacts due to potential shipping delays or increased administrative tasks.
- Consumers who rely on international shipping for essential goods like medications or parts could be indirectly affected if there are delays because of non-compliance with new informational requirements.
- International postal services, like in countries that send mail to the US, now will be required to provide comprehensive electronic data which could impact their operating processes and costs, especially if they lack the technological infrastructure.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy primarily includes USPS and CBP employees, large and small businesses involved in frequent international shipping, and individual consumers importing goods from abroad. The degree of impact will vary among these groups, with businesses likely experiencing medium to high impact due to changes in shipping processes.
- The budget allocation suggests that a significant portion of resources will be directed towards technological upgrades and personnel training within USPS and CBP. These improvements could mitigate potential delays in mail delivery, thus reducing the impact on consumers.
- Given the predominantly logistical nature of the changes, the general public is likely to notice only minor, if any, changes in their daily lives unless they are directly involved with international shipping. However, businesses dependent on these services will need to adjust their operations, potentially incurring additional costs or experiencing delays.
- This simulation focuses on representing individuals from different segments of the population to provide a comprehensive view of the policy's impact. We included common profiles like USPS employees, consumers who frequently buy international goods, and small business owners who depend on USPS for international shipping.
Simulated Interviews
USPS employee (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the policy is beneficial for improving the transparency of international shipping.
- There may be increased workload initially, but it should stabilize as we adapt.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Small business owner (New York, NY)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This regulation could mean longer shipping times if partners do not comply.
- However, it might also streamline some processes eventually.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
e-commerce retailer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about initial disruptions but hopeful about long-term benefits of more efficient tracking.
- Increased paperwork could be a pain point.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
USPS operations manager (Detroit, MI)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Streamlining data is a positive step forward.
- There are concerns about the stress of implementing new systems quickly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
individual consumer (Miami, FL)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about potential delays in receiving goods.
- Better tracking is appealing, but service consistency is key.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
tech startup founder (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 33 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional data requirements may slow down logistics initially.
- Could be a net positive if implemented smoothly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
retiree (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about increased shipping fees or potential restrictions.
- My usage is more personal; priority is on dependability over speed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
freelance artist (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hoping for improved consistency with mail delivery times.
- Any added expenses or delays due to policy changes could affect my work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
global supply chain manager (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There's a broadening recognition for the need for enhanced data tracking.
- Systems change might pose logistical nightmares if not handled carefully.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
small business consultant (Seattle, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy introduces an important compliance dimension affecting small businesses.
- Consultation on compliance adaptation will be in demand.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $120000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $140000000)
Year 2: $110000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $130000000)
Year 3: $105000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $125000000)
Year 5: $97000000 (Low: $77000000, High: $117000000)
Year 10: $85000000 (Low: $65000000, High: $105000000)
Year 100: $70000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $90000000)
Key Considerations
- The technological readiness of international postal services to provide the necessary electronic information could affect the implementation timeline and success.
- The potential for operational delays or compliance issues could impact international businesses and consumers relying on timely deliveries.
- Coordination between USPS and CBP is crucial for the seamless flow of information and avoidance of bottlenecks.
- Long-term benefits include improved customs enforcement and efficiency in mail processing.