Duty Evasion Through Origin Marking Violation Nets Penalty
Source
American Shipper
Post Date
02/26/2021
The Department of Justice reports that a U.S. company has agreed to pay $160,933 to resolve allegations that it violated U.S. customs laws by importing roofing underlayment product manufactured in China without country of origin markings. As a result, the company evaded customs duties owed on those goods. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which permits a private individual (relator) to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and to share in any recovery. In this case the relator will receive approximately 20 percent of the settlement and the company at issue will pay the relator¡¯s attorney fees.
