Press & Resources
Government Announcements
Official government statements, actions, and enforcement activities
Official government statements, actions, and enforcement activities
Cassidy Introduces Bill to Protect U.S. Markets from Fraud
Senator Bill Cassidy introduces legislation designed to strengthen protections for U.S. markets against trade fraud and unfair trade practices. The bill aims to enhance enforcement mechanisms and provide additional tools to combat systematic customs fraud, tariff evasion, and other forms of trade violations that harm American businesses and workers. This legislative initiative represents growing Congressional recognition of the urgent need for comprehensive trade enforcement reform to address the billions of dollars in lost revenue and competitive harm caused by fraudulent importers who systematically exploit gaps in current enforcement systems.
Department of Justice Selects U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago As Leading Prosecutorial Partner on Trade Fraud Task Force
The Department of Justice selected the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois as a leading prosecutorial partner on the Trade Fraud Task Force. U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announced the office will aggressively pursue enforcement actions against parties evading customs laws and smuggling prohibited goods. The Task Force targets importers of below-market, industry-destabilizing goods who avoid paying duties, as well as smugglers who violate public health, safety, intellectual property, and national security laws. Boutros referenced the landmark "Honeygate" prosecution — the largest food fraud case in U.S. history — as groundwork for the new initiative, noting the Chicago office was "decades ahead" in trade fraud enforcement.
PLASTICS - GUILTY PLEA - $6.8M, COO Faces Up to 5 Years Prison
The Department of Justice announced a major resolution of a criminal trade fraud investigation into MGI International, LLC and its subsidiaries, a leading global plastic resin distributor, for systematically falsifying Country of Origin declarations to illegally avoid Section 301 duties on products of Chinese origin. MGI's former COO was charged with conspiracy to smuggle goods and agreed to plead guilty, facing up to 5 years in federal prison. The company agreed to pay $6.8 million in penalties and restitution, demonstrating DOJ's aggressive pursuit of corporate executives involved in trade fraud schemes.
AUTO PARTS - FCA SETTLEMENT - Misclassification of Chinese Automotive Components
An automotive parts importer agreed to settle False Claims Act allegations that it evaded customs duties through systematic misclassification of Chinese automotive components. The settlement resolves claims that the company deliberately used incorrect tariff classifications to pay lower duty rates on imported auto parts, defrauding the U.S. government and gaining unfair competitive advantages over domestic manufacturers and honest importers. This case highlights DOJ's continued enforcement against customs fraud in the critical automotive supply chain sector.
STONE & WOOD PRODUCTS - INDICTMENT - Uni-tile and Marble Inc. face up to $331M in fines and penalties and 20 years in prison.
Bay Area businessmen, a Chinese national, and three companies have been charged in a scheme to evade customs duties and tariffs. The indictment alleges a conspiracy to import goods while avoiding payment of lawful duties owed to the United States.
METAL PRODUCTS - FCA SETTLEMENT - $54.4M Ceratizit USA for Evading Tariffs on Chinese Tungsten Carbide
Ceratizit USA Inc. agreed to pay $54.4 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it systematically evaded customs duties on tungsten carbide products imported from China. The settlement resolves claims that the company engaged in a scheme to avoid paying antidumping and countervailing duties by misrepresenting the country of origin and classification of imported goods. This case demonstrates the government's commitment to enforcing trade laws and holding companies accountable for customs fraud that harms American manufacturers and workers.
AUDIO ELECTRONICS - FCA SETTLEMENT - $11.8M Harman International for Evading AD/CVD on Chinese Aluminum
Harman International Industries Inc., a leading international audio electronics company, agreed to pay $11.8 million to settle False Claims Act allegations that it evaded antidumping and countervailing duties on items made of extruded aluminum originating from China. The settlement resolves claims that Harman knowingly failed to pay proper duties on electronic components containing Chinese aluminum extrusions, systematically underpaying customs obligations and gaining unfair competitive advantages over domestic manufacturers who complied with trade laws.
INFANT FORMULA - GUILTY PLEA - $2.3M, 76,000 Units Smuggled
Able Groupe Inc., which operated LittleBundle.com, pleaded guilty to smuggling European infant formula using false commodity descriptions to avoid detection.
JEWELRY - INDICTMENT - Indonesian Company Charged with $86M Evasion, Faces Up to 20 Years
An Indonesian jewelry company, its co-owner, and two other employees were charged with engaging in a scheme to illegally evade more than $86 million in customs duties and tariffs on more than $1.2 billion in jewelry imports into the United States.
FASHION - SENTENCED - LA Wholesaler Pays $19M Restitution Plus Prison Time
Si Oh Rhew, 71, of Los Angeles, and Yong Hee Rhew, 67, of Beverly Hills, were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a scheme to evade customs duties and launder money. The defendants conspired to undervalue imported goods and conceal income, resulting in more than $19 million in restitution.
FORKLIFTS - INDICTMENT - $1M+ Evaded, Executives Face Up to 20 Years Prison
Endless Sales Inc. and Octane Forklifts, Inc., along with their executives, allegedly conspired to import Chinese forklifts, disguise their origin, and sell them to federal agencies as U.S.-manufactured products. The indictment claims they also fraudulently undervalued the forklifts to avoid over $1 million in tariffs and fees.
CBP Uncovers More Than $400 Million in Duty Evasion by Bad Actors Who Undercut American Workers
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced two major trade enforcement wins under the Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA). From January 20 to August 8, 2025, CBP uncovered more than $400 million in unpaid trade duties through EAPA investigations. CBP also investigated the largest EAPA case in its history — a sweeping investigation into 23 U.S. importers and a network of Chinese shell companies funneling goods through Indonesia, South Korea, and Vietnam. The scheme identified more than $250 million in revenue owed, a figure expected to rise as the probe expands. Every importer investigated was found in violation, and new evasion tactics were uncovered through port inspections, trade data analysis, and on-the-ground verifications in Indonesia and Taiwan.
PATIO FURNITURE - FCA SETTLEMENT - $4.9M Grosfillex for Evading AD/CVD on Chinese Aluminum
Grosfillex Inc., a patio furniture company, agreed to pay $4.9 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it evaded antidumping and countervailing duties on items made of extruded aluminum originating from China. The settlement resolves claims that Grosfillex knowingly submitted false customs forms claiming furniture parts made of extruded aluminum were not subject to duties, and attempted to camouflage aluminum extrusions by packaging parts as sham furniture "kits." The company also failed to correct previously submitted false customs forms even after learning they were inaccurate.
PLASTICS - FCA SETTLEMENT - $6.8M for Voluntary Self-Disclosure of Unpaid Customs Duties
Two plastic resin importing companies—Global Plastics LLC and Marco Polo International LLC—have settled civil charges by agreeing to pay $6.8 million to resolve violations of the False Claims Act. Beginning in May 2019, the subsidiaries failed to declare the correct country of origin and value on certain entries of plastic resin products manufactured in the PRC and consequently underpaid required customs duties. The companies received credit for their settlement because they voluntarily disclosed the misconduct to authorities, conducted an internal investigation, and implemented remedial compliance measures. This case demonstrates how voluntary self-disclosure can reduce penalties while still holding companies accountable for systematic customs fraud that disadvantaged honest competitors and cost the U.S. Treasury millions in lost revenue.
FLOORING - FCA SETTLEMENT - $8.1M for Evading Customs Duties on Chinese Wood Flooring
A laminate flooring importer agreed to pay $8.1 million to resolve allegations that it evaded antidumping and countervailing duties on Chinese wood flooring products. The settlement resolves False Claims Act allegations that the company engaged in schemes to circumvent customs duties through misclassification and false country of origin declarations. This enforcement action demonstrates the government's commitment to protecting American flooring manufacturers from unfair trade practices and holding importers accountable for customs fraud.
JEWELRY - SENTENCED - India/NJ Jeweler Gets 30 Months Prison for Multimillion Dollar Fraud
A jeweler operating in India and New Jersey was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar customs fraud scheme. The defendant was convicted of evading customs duties through false declarations and misrepresentation of imported jewelry values.
TRUCK TIRES - GUILTY PLEA - Miami Importer Faces Up to 5 Years for Evading Chinese Tariffs
A Miami-based importer pleaded guilty to participating in an elaborate scheme to systematically evade U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made truck tires, facing up to 5 years in federal prison. The defendant admitted to conspiring to avoid customs duties through fraudulent import declarations and deliberate misrepresentation of the country of origin on customs documentation. The case demonstrates DOJ's intensified criminal enforcement against tariff evasion and serves as a warning to importers that customs fraud will result in serious criminal consequences including imprisonment.
WOMENSWEAR - FCA SETTLEMENT - $7.6M Alexis LLC for Underpaying Customs Duties on Imported Apparel
Alexis, LLC, a womenswear company, paid $7.6 million to resolve a civil False Claims Act lawsuit for systematically underpaying customs duties on imported women's apparel. Between January 2015 and December 2022, Alexis materially misreported the value of imported apparel to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, thereby avoiding payment of the full amount of customs duties and fees owed. The settlement demonstrates DOJ's commitment to holding companies accountable for customs fraud that harms honest importers and American manufacturers.
CABLE ASSEMBLIES - FCA SETTLEMENT - $10M+ Brookfield Wisconsin Companies for Evading Customs Duties
Two Brookfield, Wisconsin-based companies and their owners paid over $10 million to resolve allegations that they evaded customs duties on goods imported from China. The settlement resolves False Claims Act allegations that the companies failed to pay millions of dollars in customs duties by submitting false import documentation and undervaluing merchandise. This case highlights DOJ's enforcement against importers who systematically defraud the government by avoiding proper duty payments.
CHEMICALS - GUILTY PLEA & FCA SETTLEMENT - $3.1M NJ Company Owner Admits Evading Customs Duties
The owner of a New Jersey company admitted to evading U.S. customs duties by mislabeling hazardous chemicals imported from China, and his company agreed to a $3.1 million civil settlement to resolve False Claims Act allegations. The defendant pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges related to deliberately mislabeling hazardous chemicals to evade duties, demonstrating DOJ's commitment to prosecuting both criminal conduct and recovering civil damages from customs fraud schemes.
AUTOMOTIVE - CIVIL PENALTY - $365M Ford Motor Company Settles Customs Misclassification Claims
Ford Motor Company agreed to pay $365 million to settle allegations that it violated the Tariff Act of 1930 by misclassifying and understating the value of hundreds of thousands of Ford Transit Connect vehicles imported from Turkey. From April 2009 through March 2013, Ford told CBP officials that cargo vans it was importing were passenger vehicles, allowing the company to pay significantly lower duty rates. This major settlement demonstrates that even large multinational corporations face substantial penalties for systematic customs violations.
AUTO ACCESSORIES - FCA SETTLEMENT - $3M Yakima Products for Failing to Pay Antidumping Duties
Yakima Products Inc., an automobile accessory company headquartered in Oregon, agreed to pay approximately $3 million to resolve allegations that it knowingly failed to pay required antidumping duties on imported products. The settlement resolves False Claims Act allegations that Yakima Products evaded duties on certain automotive accessories, demonstrating DOJ's commitment to enforcing trade remedy laws that protect American manufacturers from unfairly priced imports.
IMPORTER - FCA SETTLEMENT - $798K for Underpayment of Customs Duties
An importer agreed to pay $798,334 to resolve allegations of underpaying customs duties. The settlement resolves False Claims Act allegations that the company systematically undervalued imported merchandise to reduce duty payments owed to the United States, demonstrating that DOJ pursues customs fraud cases regardless of settlement size to maintain integrity of the customs system.
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS - FCA SETTLEMENT - $2.5M Dallas Importer and Chinese Companies for Underpaying Duties
A Dallas-based importer of industrial products, along with two Chinese companies and two individuals, agreed to pay $2.5 million to resolve allegations of underpaying customs duties. The settlement resolves False Claims Act allegations that the defendants conspired to evade duties on imports from China through false documentation and undervaluation schemes, highlighting international coordination in customs fraud prosecutions.
TRADING COMPANY - FCA SETTLEMENT - $1M Samsung C&T America for Underpaying Footwear Duties
Samsung C&T America, Inc., a global trading and investment company, settled a civil lawsuit for $1 million for underpaying customs duties on imported footwear. The settlement resolves False Claims Act allegations that Samsung C&T systematically underreported values of imported goods to avoid paying proper duties, demonstrating that even subsidiaries of major multinational corporations face enforcement actions for customs violations.
APPAREL - FCA SETTLEMENT - $1.3M High Life LLC for Underreporting Value of Apparel Shipments
High Life LLC, a New York City apparel company, agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle allegations that it underreported the value of 67 apparel shipments to avoid paying full customs duties. The settlement resolves False Claims Act claims that between January and June 2016, High Life materially underreported values of previously ordered apparel in order to evade proper duty payments, harming honest competitors in the competitive apparel import market.
CLOTHING - GUILTY PLEA & FCA SETTLEMENT - South Korean Manufacturer Anyclo Evading Customs Duties
A South Korean clothing manufacturer, Anyclo International Inc., admitted to evading U.S. customs duties on clothing and apparel manufactured abroad and imported into the United States. From October 2012 through August 2019, Anyclo evaded duties through false declarations and misrepresentation. The company entered into a civil settlement agreement in addition to the guilty plea, demonstrating DOJ's use of both criminal and civil enforcement tools against international customs fraud.
CUSTOMS FRAUD - $1.83 BILLION RESTITUTION - Six Southern California Companies Ordered to Pay for Scheming to Avoid Tariffs
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that six Southern California companies have been ordered to pay a staggering $1.83 billion in restitution for orchestrating elaborate schemes to avoid paying U.S. customs duties and tariffs. This landmark enforcement action represents one of the largest trade fraud penalties in U.S. history, sending a powerful message that systematic customs evasion will result in severe financial consequences. The companies engaged in coordinated fraudulent practices to circumvent legally required duties on imported goods, depriving the U.S. Treasury of billions in revenue while gaining massive unfair competitive advantages over law-abiding American businesses and importers. The case underscores the Department of Justice's intensified commitment to prosecuting trade fraud at the highest levels and recovering stolen revenue.