U.S. Department of Justice Intensifies Crackdown on Duty Evasion with New Task Force
Tokyo, Japan – September 4, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a significant step to bolster its efforts in combating the evasion of import duties, establishing a dedicated task force to target businesses that unfairly avoid paying required tariffs. This initiative, reported by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), signals a heightened commitment from the U.S. government to ensure fair trade practices and protect domestic industries.
The newly formed task force will focus on identifying and prosecuting businesses that engage in deliberate schemes to circumvent customs duties. Such practices can include the misclassification of goods, undervaluation of imported items, or the use of fraudulent documentation to bypass legitimate tariff assessments. These actions not only undermine the integrity of the U.S. customs system but also place honest businesses at a competitive disadvantage.
The establishment of this task force underscores the growing concern within the U.S. government regarding the economic impact of duty evasion. By failing to pay applicable tariffs, companies can gain an unfair cost advantage, potentially leading to lost revenue for the U.S. government and detrimental effects on American businesses that adhere to trade regulations.
While the specifics of the task force’s operational methods have not been fully detailed, it is understood that it will leverage advanced data analytics, intelligence gathering, and cross-agency collaboration to identify non-compliant entities. This may involve working closely with agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other relevant law enforcement bodies.
For businesses operating internationally, particularly those importing or exporting goods to the United States, this development serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of meticulous adherence to U.S. customs laws and regulations. Companies are strongly advised to ensure the accuracy of their import declarations, including product classifications, valuations, and country of origin information.
This proactive stance by the U.S. Department of Justice is expected to foster a more equitable trading environment and reinforce the principles of fair competition in the global marketplace. Businesses are encouraged to review their import compliance procedures and seek expert advice if necessary to ensure full conformity with U.S. trade requirements.
米司法省、関税を不当に払わない事業者の取り締まり強化へ、タスクフォース設置
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日本貿易振興機構 published ‘米司法省、関税を不当に払わない事業者の取り締まり強化へ、タスクフォース設置’ at 2025-09-04 05:20. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.