How do you think gear from China has been getting in so easily? It's not special smuggling routes, submarines, or secret airports. It's just the mail. Or more accurately, large containers filled with tiny packages, that are relabeled with US postage once they arrive in the US. Customs is sent an electronic list of contents, senders, and recipients which customs just green lights (because they're overwhelmed and they can't charge duties on any of it), and bam, it's in.
That's all about to change.
The "De minimus" rule allowed packages with a declared value under $800 to enter the country without going through customs in most cases. Volume has gone up from a hundred million to a BILLION packages a year. Everyone from trade unions screaming about cheap goods putting them out of work to the police saying this is a primary way drugs are smuggled into the country have been demanding something be done.
And of course, it's a huge potential source of $$$ for the government, the primary motivation.
In anticipation of new legislation to revamp de minimus, they've been laying the groundwork to build the capacity to inspect every parcel coming into the country. JFK has a huge new facility, run by a contractor, with high speed conveyors and AI run scanners, on site drug identification lab, that will go on line in January. It'll primarily be staffed by contractors and the company overseeing this operation will be paid based on performance...ie duties charged and packages seized. This is not your typical "I don't GAF" government worker,
No more skipped inspections.
And now the end game, legislation to flip the switch enabling this new regime is about to be put into place. Will probably he law within weeks, though I assume won't take effect until January.
You can stick your head in the sand, call me a "fear monger", pretend gear will be smuggled in "because drugs get smuggled in", blah blah. Yeah, it'll get in somehow, but it sure won't be like it is now, ordering from a huge selection at incredibly low prices.
If you're smart, especially if you're in self directed TRT and really need the stuff, you'll get on it NOW, and stock up on essentials. All gear begins and ends with raws that come from China, there are no US sources.