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As shown in the image below, the USB port's metal enclosure is touching the copper clad of the PCB (which is a ground plane).

Can Bad Things Happen™ if the port's enclosure is grounded?

I beep-tested the 4 pins with the enclosure, and none of them are connected to it. However, could some shorts be made when plugging something into the port?

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    \$\begingroup\$ It should be grounded. However, which ground it should be connected to (chassis/safety/signal/power) could be a different matter. \$\endgroup\$
    – SomeoneSomewhereSupportsMonica
    Commented Nov 30, 2018 at 4:54
  • \$\begingroup\$ @SomeoneSomewhere -- Thanks for the comment! We only have one ground in our design (both our signals and power share the ground plane). Would it have to be a different ground? \$\endgroup\$
    – Fine Man
    Commented Nov 30, 2018 at 5:08
  • \$\begingroup\$ @SomeoneSomewhere -- I presume we'd need a chassis ground. Since its the only thing in our project that could be considered a "chassis", would we still need one? \$\endgroup\$
    – Fine Man
    Commented Nov 30, 2018 at 5:13
  • \$\begingroup\$ It depends on what kind of product we're dealing with. \$\endgroup\$
    – SomeoneSomewhereSupportsMonica
    Commented Nov 30, 2018 at 5:31
  • \$\begingroup\$ Regarding shielding/grounding, see here: electronics.stackexchange.com/a/408044/117785 \$\endgroup\$
    – Ale..chenski
    Commented Nov 30, 2018 at 5:37

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Assuming that there are not more than one GND then yes it is recommended to Ground the USB port enclosure.

For more information please look at this thread. USB Shield. To ground or not to ground?

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