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Department of Justice (DOJ) Imports

Morrison & Foerster LLP

DOJ Deploys Specialized Criminal Unit to Target Tariff Evaders

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has deployed its Market Integrity and Major Frauds Unit to target tariff evasion, a clear sign of the escalation of trade enforcement. The Criminal Division’s specialized unit,...more

Holland & Knight LLP

Importers Beware: Signals Point to Significant Enforcement Risks for Tariff Evasion

Holland & Knight LLP on

As importers await outcomes from the Trump Administration's trade negotiations, a series of newly imposed tariffs continues to impact a broad spectrum of imported products and related supply chains. Businesses are currently...more

Troutman Pepper Locke

DOJ Ramps Up Enforcement Efforts Targeting Tariff Evasion and Trade Fraud

Troutman Pepper Locke on

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that it is expanding its enforcement priorities to include a focus on import-related fraud — particularly schemes aimed at evading U.S. tariffs and duties. This marks a...more

The Volkov Law Group

Landmark Ninth Circuit Ruling Expands Application of False Claims Act to Trade Enforcement (Part II of II)

The Volkov Law Group on

DOJ’s ability to bring False Claims Act actions against companies for customs fraud was affirmed in a significant Ninth Circuit decision, United States ex rel. Island Industries Inc. v. Sigma Corp., No. 22‑55063, __ F.4th __...more

The Volkov Law Group

The False Claims Act and Trade Enforcement (Part I of II)

The Volkov Law Group on

The Trump Administration intends to leave a strong enforcement mark on fraud and trade enforcement. DOJ is linking together trade enforcement and False Claims Act cases in an unprecedented manner that will open up new...more

DLA Piper

DOJ Expands Enforcement of Trade Fraud and Tariff Evasion

DLA Piper on

On July 10, 2025, officials from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a significant shift in DOJ’s strategy for fraud enforcement, consolidating resources from the Criminal Division and the Civil Division to create a...more

Morgan Lewis

DOJ Shifts Focus of Enforcement Efforts to Tariff Evasion

Morgan Lewis on

As the US administration has imposed and modified tariffs on key trading partners, the US Department of Justice has turned its focus to criminally prosecuting companies and individuals for tariff evasion....more

Hogan Lovells

Imports and the False Claims Act: Recent Ninth Circuit decision reflects trends in increased import fraud enforcement and...

Hogan Lovells on

The Ninth Circuit’s recent decision in Island Industries Inc. v. Sigma Corporation, coupled with recent government pronouncements concerning trade enforcement, are likely to drive an increase in customs fraud FCA...more

Mintz

Dodging Duties: The Ninth Circuit Affirms an Expansive Application of the False Claims Act Consistent with Trump Administration...

Mintz on

On June 23, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court judgment in a case in which the jury found the defendant knowingly made false statements on customs forms to avoid paying...more

Stinson LLP

Possible Relief from New Tariffs — and Risks to Avoid

Stinson LLP on

Tariffs have been in the news almost daily. Not only have tariff rates changed repeatedly, but the deadlines around implementation are subject to change. Meanwhile, the list of new commodities that are subject to additional...more

Blank Rome LLP

Tariffs, Treble Damages, and Trade Enforcement: Surviving the New Era of Customs Crackdown

Blank Rome LLP on

The American trade landscape has transformed rapidly as the United States’ “America First” national-security platform reshapes international relations. New executive orders, proclamations, and memoranda issued under the...more

Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP

The Department of Justice's Criminal Division is Now Prioritizing Enforcement Related to Trade, Tariff, and Customs Fraud:...

On May 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Criminal Division released a memorandum containing the Trump Administration’s new white collar enforcement priorities. Consistent with the Administration’s heightened...more

Foley & Lardner LLP

Customs Fraud Makes the Big Leagues: DOJ’s New White-Collar Priorities Confirm Heightened Risk

Foley & Lardner LLP on

Last month, the Department of Justice put trade, customs, and tariff fraud squarely in the spotlight. This isn’t just another line item on the compliance checklist, it’s a loud-and-clear signal that import-related enforcement...more

The Volkov Law Group

Episode 372 -- DOJ Applies False Claims Act to Tariff and Trade Violations

The Volkov Law Group on

What if your trade compliance misstep became tomorrow’s federal prosecution headline? In this episode, Michael Volkov issues a powerful warning to corporate leaders and compliance professionals: the DOJ is no longer treating...more

The Volkov Law Group

Criminal Liability and Tariff and Trade Enforcement

The Volkov Law Group on

Tariff and trade violations are on DOJ’s radar screen.  No question but starting with Customs and Border Patrol we can expect that regulatory investigations and enforcement actions will increase.  Along with that — you can...more

The Volkov Law Group

False Claims and Trade Compliance: Enforcement Examples (Part III of III)

The Volkov Law Group on

In the prior post, I cited three significant risk areas for False Claims Act (“FCA”) risks and trade compliance: (1) Valuation; (2) Misclassification and (3) Country of Origin. On April 18, 2025, the United States filed a...more

The Volkov Law Group

A Dangerous Combination: False Claims Act and Trade Violations (Part II of III)

The Volkov Law Group on

As in every Administration, the Trump Department of Justice has made clear its enforcement priorities — government fraud, immigration and national security to include tariff and trade violations.  DOJ fully recognizes the...more

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Customs Fraud Investigations Will Be a DOJ Area of Focus

On May 12, 2025, Department of Justice (DOJ) Criminal Chief Matthew Galeotti issued a memorandum addressing the “Fight Against White-Collar Crime.” The memorandum lists several priorities for white-collar criminal...more

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

DOJ Intervenes in Customs False Claims Act Case, Consistent with Administration’s Focus on Foreign Trade

The United States has intervened and filed a superseding complaint in a False Claims Act case originally filed by a whistleblower in the Eastern District of California. The Government’s complaint alleges that an importer and...more

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

Department of Justice Tariff Enforcement Likely to Surge After Tariff Increases and the Administration’s Increased Focus on...

A serious step up in civil and criminal enforcement of customs laws, including tariff evasion, is imminent. In a May 12 memorandum, the Department of Justice’s new Chief of the Criminal Division, Matthew Galeotti, counted as...more

Foley & Lardner LLP

What Every Multinational Company Should Know About … Customs Enforcement and False Claims Act Risks (Part III)

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Our previous article on What Every Multinational Company Should Know About … Customs Enforcement and False Claims Act Risks (Part I) outlined how import-related risks have substantially increased given the combination of the...more

Cranfill Sumner LLP

DOJ Invites Whistleblowers to Report Tariff Fraud

Cranfill Sumner LLP on

On May 12, 2025, head of the Department of Justice Criminal Division Matthew Galeotti delivered a speech in which he stated that the Department augmented its corporate whistleblower program to prioritize the following subject...more

Foley Hoag LLP - White Collar Law &...

Are There Legitimate Ways to Achieve More Advantageous Tariff Classifications?

With recent increases in U.S. tariffs and the increasing complexity of determining applicable duties for different products, importers are looking for ways to reduce their tariff exposure. Since a product’s tariff treatment...more

Alston & Bird

Look Ahead to the Week of May 12, 2025: House Republicans Rush to Advance Reconciliation Package

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Both chambers are in session this week. Beginning on Tuesday, House Republicans plan to hold legislative markups of their reconciliation proposal within the Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Agriculture committees,...more

Cooley LLP

Complaint Against Uniform Company for Customs Duties Underpayment Highlights False Claims Act Risks for Tariff Compliance

Cooley LLP on

As we discussed in this April 7 blog post, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) can pursue civil penalties for tariff evasion under the False Claims Act (FCA), including against companies that are aware of tariff evasion by...more

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