Artificial intelligence reshapes US import enforcement

US Customs and Border Protection is increasingly using artificial intelligence to screen imports, aiming to identify tariff evasion, illicit goods and forced-labour risks earlier in the supply chain. The agency is working with private-sector compliance technology firms to enhance data-driven screening, creating closer alignment between commercial tools and regulatory enforcement systems. Importers are coming under greater pressure to improve supply chain visibility and documentation, as enforcement becomes more proactive, automated and risk-based. US customs authorities are stepping up the use of artificial intelligence to police imports, as Washington intensifies efforts to clamp down on tariff evasion, illicit goods and forced labour risks across global supply chains. The move comes amid a broader push to modernise border enforcement, backed by fresh funding and mounting political pressure to ensure trade rules are properly enforced. Officials are increasingly turning to automated systems that can scan vast volumes of shipment data and flag anomalies before goods arrive in the United States. Rather than relying solely on traditional inspections or after-the-fact audits, the new approach uses algorithmic risk profiling to identify patterns that may suggest misdeclared products, complex routing through third countries, or gaps in supply chain transparency. At the centre of this shift is growing cooperation between US Customs and Border Protection and private sector technology firms developing compliance tools. One such company, Tru Identity, is working with the agency on systems designed to streamline goods entry checks and strengthen pre-arrival screening. The partnership reflects a wider trend in which border agencies are seeking access to commercial-grade analytics previously used by importers themselves. By comparing the same underlying datasets and interpretative models, officials say they can improve consistency in decision-making while tightening oversight. For businesses, however, the implications are more complex. Many importers are finding themselves under closer scrutiny even when they believe they are operating within the rules. Shipments can now be flagged more frequently for review, with some firms facing retrospective changes to duty assessments. Companies are being urged to improve visibility over their supply chains, including deeper checks on suppliers and more robust documentation of product origin and ownership structures. The government has also been investing heavily in enforcement technology. Billions of dollars in new funding are expected to expand CBP’s analytical capabilities further, building on earlier partnerships with data platforms that track supply chain risk factors such as forced labour exposure.