House Passes Bill to Help USPS Block International Shipments With Illegal Opioids

June 14, 2018

The House on Thursday easily approved a measure to overhaul the international mailing system in an effort to shed the U.S. Postal Service’s reputation as an unwitting drug courier and reduce its role in the nation’s opioid crisis.

Many lawmakers and stakeholders have for years pushed the reform, which would require USPS to receive “advanced electronic data” on the contents of international packages before they reach the United States, but the Securing the International Mail Against Opioids Act (H.R. 5788) was only brought to a vote after a bipartisan, bicameral agreement broke through last week. Supporters of the measure were hopeful it would help stem the flow of illicit, synthetic opioids from foreign manufacturers through the mail system.

USPS Statement on HR 5788 – Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act of 2018

The Postal Service shares the deep concern of the Congress and the Administration about America’s opioid crisis.  As the legislation continues to make its way through the Congress, the Postal Service will continue to work collaboratively with other key stakeholders, and to offer helpful suggestions on the bill text.  As we have done throughout our history, the Postal Service is committed to taking all practicable measures to ensure our nation’s mail security, and provide the American public the best, most efficient service possible.