CBP Uncovers Record $1 billion in Duty Evasion Under EAPA - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Investigations target illicit imports and protect U.S. businesses from unfair competition
WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that it has uncovered more than $1 billion in additional duties owed under the Enforce and Protect Act, which authorizes CBP to investigate and stop duty evasion schemes like illegal transshipment, misclassification, and undervaluation. This milestone is a first in the program’s 10-year history and is 300% above the program’s annual average.
“CBP’s EAPA program supports the America First Trade Policy, which focuses on protecting American businesses and workers,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott. “By enforcing antidumping and countervailing duty laws, we are creating a level playing field for domestic industries.”
CBP issued 14 notices of determination in 2026 involving a variety of products such as solar cells, tow-behind lawn groomers, lumber, pipes, xanthan gum, metal lockers, and wooden furniture imported from countries across the globe. Investigators traveled to Mexico, Thailand, India, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to inspect production facilities and verify that importers are importing from legitimate businesses.
Every day, illicit actors attempt to exploit U.S. trade laws to increase their own profits at the cost of the U.S. government and American people. EAPA investigations are one of many enforcement tools CBP uses to combat duty evasion and enforce U.S. trade laws. The process is transparent and efficient, with investigations required by statute to conclude within one year. Throughout each investigation, CBP works closely with allegers, including small businesses and those with limited legal resources, to help them submit complete, well-supported allegations.
“For the past 10 years, the Enforce and Protect Act has empowered us to crack down on duty evasion—and the results speak for themselves,” said Office of Trade Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan S. Thomas. “By working closely with the trade community and encouraging them to report violations, CBP is delivering record-breaking cases and holding more bad actors accountable than ever before.”
CBP’s investigations protect honest American businesses and legitimate importers from unfair trade practices across critical sectors. Trade specialists from the Office of Trade, Office of Field Operations, and CBP legal advisors collaborate to conduct comprehensive reviews, detect duty evasion, protect U.S. economic interests, and uphold fair competition.
The EAPA program relies on tips from businesses and vigilant American citizens. If you have information regarding any violations of U.S. trade law, report it to CBP to help us keep our economy safe and fair for everyone.
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Treasury Announces Second Round of Sanctions Removals, Updates in Modernization Initiative - US Department of Treasury
Data-Driven Updates Ensure Sanctions Remain Targeted, Effective, and Current
WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took the second major action in its sanctions modernization efforts, announced by Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent in May. Today’s action removed 84 individuals and entities and improved identifying information for 22 list entries to facilitate compliance.
Those removed from OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) today include individuals and entities no longer considered U.S. national security or foreign policy priorities: some deceased individuals, defunct entities, and targets sanctioned more than 20 years ago, some of whom lack sufficient information for effective compliance screening. As with any removal from its sanctions lists, OFAC conducted appropriate interagency review to ensure that such removal would not harm U.S. foreign policy or national security interests.
PRIORITIZING SANCTIONS IMPACT AND SUCCESS
As Secretary Bessent has outlined, the goal of Treasury’s sanctions modernization effort is to ensure U.S. sanctions remain targeted, effective, and aligned with U.S. economic, foreign policy, and national security priorities. The Trump Administration is measuring the success of its sanctions in terms of effect, impact, and benefit—not just based on the number of names Treasury places on a list.
APPLYING MODERN STANDARDS TO SANCTIONS DATA
OFAC’s sanctions review has thus far prioritized scrutiny on older sanctions entries, which sometimes lack identifying information that is now routine for new sanctions actions. While OFAC identified some such entries as appropriate for removal, in some cases, updating list entries by adding identifiers (e.g., place and date of birth, unique identification numbers, nationality, or gender) is more appropriate. With the inclusion of more robust identifying information, compliance-related screening of these names will prove less burdensome for financial institutions.
OFAC also identified a small number of duplicate entries on its sanctions lists, where the same person or property was inadvertently included more than once under separate list entries. Today’s action resolves 18 sets of duplicates by removing extra entries and updating relevant identifiers.
TREASURY MODERNIZES DELISTING PROCESS WITH RECONSIDERATION PORTAL
The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to sanction individuals, entities, and their identified property, but also from its willingness to remove them from OFAC’s sanctions lists, when appropriate and consistent with the law.
On June 29, 2026, as part of Treasury’s ongoing sanctions modernization efforts, OFAC launched an online portal that streamlines the process to request removal for persons and property (via authorized representative) added to an OFAC sanctions list.
The Reconsideration Portal enables persons and property on an OFAC sanctions list—or their authorized representatives—to submit delisting petitions and request certain information underlying their sanctions determinations. To streamline the petitions process, the portal asks for the key biographic and baseline information required to efficiently adjudicate petitions. It also provides important guidance on how petitioners should organize their submissions as they seek to demonstrate either an insufficient basis for designation or a change in circumstances to satisfy the requirements for removal, as described in 31 C.F.R. § 501.807.
For information on the process for seeking removal from an OFAC sanctions list, including the SDN List, please refer to How to Request Removal from an OFAC Sanctions List | Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Click here for a complete list of the entries updated or removed from OFAC’s sanctions lists in today’s action.
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OTEXA Announcements - ITA
[07/28/2026] – On August 4-6, OTEXA staff will attend Techtextil North America where they will meet with clients to discuss export services, business-to-business matchmaking, OTEXA data, and the Made in the USA Sourcing and Product Directory. Come find us at Booth #831. We hope to see you there!
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Monomers and Oligomers From the Republic of Korea: Antidumping Duty Order
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Notice of Initiation of Changed Circumstances Reviews, and Consideration of Revocation of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, in Part: Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders on Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, From the People's Republic of China; and Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders on Certain Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Products From the People's Republic of China
• Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Glyphosate From China; Termination of Investigations
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Ripe Olives From Spain: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
• Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From Egypt: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
• Raw Honey From Argentina: Amended Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Notice of Correction; 2023-2024
• Large Diameter Welded Pipe From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
• Large Diameter Graphite Electrodes From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination, and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination
• Hydrofluorocarbon Blends From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2023-2024
• Large Diameter Graphite Electrodes From India: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Fiberglass Door Panels From China; Determinations
• Certain TOPCon Solar Cells, Modules, Panels, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same; Notice of a Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination Granting the Motion To Intervene of IC Star Solar (USA) LLC D/B/A Imperial Star
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Circular Welded Carbon Steel Pipes and Tubes from Thailand: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With the Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; Notice of Amended Final Results
• Certain Vertical Shaft Engines Between 99cc and Up to 225cc, and Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Truck Bed Covers From China: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
• Certain Vertical Shaft Engines Between 99cc and Up To 225cc, and Parts Thereof (Small Vertical Engines) From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order
• Mattresses From Cambodia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, the Republic of Türkiye, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Reviews of the Antidumping Duty Orders
• Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet From the Sultanate of Oman: Amended Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024; Correction
• Certain Preserved Mushrooms From Chile, the People's Republic of China, India, and Indonesia: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Orders
• Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepackaged for Sale From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order
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In the News:
• Why Trump’s new tariff blitz is very different this time around [CBS News]
• Legal group that won IEEPA lawsuits takes aim at latest Section 301 tariffs [Seafood Source]
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Treasury Announces Second Round of Sanctions Removals, Updates in Modernization Initiative - U.S. Department of the Treasury
Data-Driven Updates Ensure Sanctions Remain Targeted, Effective, and Current
WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took the second major action in its sanctions modernization efforts, announced by Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent in May. Today’s action removed 84 individuals and entities and improved identifying information for 22 list entries to facilitate compliance.
Those removed from OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) today include individuals and entities no longer considered U.S. national security or foreign policy priorities: some deceased individuals, defunct entities, and targets sanctioned more than 20 years ago, some of whom lack sufficient information for effective compliance screening. As with any removal from its sanctions lists, OFAC conducted appropriate interagency review to ensure that such removal would not harm U.S. foreign policy or national security interests.
PRIORITIZING SANCTIONS IMPACT AND SUCCESS
As Secretary Bessent has outlined, the goal of Treasury’s sanctions modernization effort is to ensure U.S. sanctions remain targeted, effective, and aligned with U.S. economic, foreign policy, and national security priorities. The Trump Administration is measuring the success of its sanctions in terms of effect, impact, and benefit—not just based on the number of names Treasury places on a list.
APPLYING MODERN STANDARDS TO SANCTIONS DATA
OFAC’s sanctions review has thus far prioritized scrutiny on older sanctions entries, which sometimes lack identifying information that is now routine for new sanctions actions. While OFAC identified some such entries as appropriate for removal, in some cases, updating list entries by adding identifiers (e.g., place and date of birth, unique identification numbers, nationality, or gender) is more appropriate. With the inclusion of more robust identifying information, compliance-related screening of these names will prove less burdensome for financial institutions.
OFAC also identified a small number of duplicate entries on its sanctions lists, where the same person or property was inadvertently included more than once under separate list entries. Today’s action resolves 18 sets of duplicates by removing extra entries and updating relevant identifiers.
TREASURY MODERNIZES DELISTING PROCESS WITH RECONSIDERATION PORTAL
The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to sanction individuals, entities, and their identified property, but also from its willingness to remove them from OFAC’s sanctions lists, when appropriate and consistent with the law.
On June 29, 2026, as part of Treasury’s ongoing sanctions modernization efforts, OFAC launched an online portal that streamlines the process to request removal for persons and property (via authorized representative) added to an OFAC sanctions list.
The Reconsideration Portal enables persons and property on an OFAC sanctions list—or their authorized representatives—to submit delisting petitions and request certain information underlying their sanctions determinations. To streamline the petitions process, the portal asks for the key biographic and baseline information required to efficiently adjudicate petitions. It also provides important guidance on how petitioners should organize their submissions as they seek to demonstrate either an insufficient basis for designation or a change in circumstances to satisfy the requirements for removal, as described in 31 C.F.R. § 501.807.
For information on the process for seeking removal from an OFAC sanctions list, including the SDN List, please refer to How to Request Removal from an OFAC Sanctions List | Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Click here for a complete list of the entries updated or removed from OFAC’s sanctions lists in today’s action.
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Cornucopia of Unapproved Medications Intercepted by Chicago CBP - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
CHICAGO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team at O’Hare International Airport seized a shipment containing 10,412 tablets and 2,144 vials of unapproved medications, human growth hormones, and steroids.
This shipment originated from China and was heading to Syracuse, New York. It is an example of a shipping method known as a master carton smuggling scheme, wherein a single shipment contains many smaller, unmanifested, individual shipments. These unmanifested shipments were prelabeled with shipping labels and would later be sent through a domestic parcel carrier to the intended recipient.
“The illegal importation of unsafe or unregulated prescription drugs like these are known to pose a significant risk to patients and consumers,” said Chicago Field Office’s Acting Director of Field Operations Michael Pfeiffer. “CBP is responsible for ensuring that all goods entering and exiting the United States do so in accordance with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations. Our CBP officers and agriculture specialists in Chicago consistently showcase their quality training and commitment to the CBP mission. They are exceptional at what they do and are part of the best frontline defense in the world.”
The shipment contained various unapproved medications used to treat serious medical conditions like cancer, thyroid disorders, and breathing illnesses. Other seizures included Human Growth Hormones vials, weight loss medications, erectile dysfunction treatments, and steroids. The shipment was turned over to Homeland Security Investigation, a criminal investigative agency within DHS.
CBP's border security mission is led at our nation’s Ports of Entry by CBP officers and agriculture specialists from the Office of Field Operations. CBP screens international travelers and cargo and searches for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, invasive weeds and pests, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nation’s safety and economic vitality.
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CBP Officers at IAH Seize nearly $9 million in Counterfeit FIFA World Cup 2026™ Merchandise - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
HOUSTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that officers from the IAH Trade Enforcement Team have seized nearly 20,000 items including jerseys, shorts, shot glasses, hand fans, soccer balls, whiskey decanters and even soccer jerseys for dogs, all of which were Intellectual Property Rights violations, including trademarks owned by FIFA. The total Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price of the counterfeit merchandise totaled just under $9 million. These CBP efforts to enforce our nation’s laws protect American consumers and businesses from intellectual property rights violations.
Specific counterfeit FIFA items identified and seized were national jerseys representing the United States, Mexico, Portugal, France, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, and Ecuador.
“CBP has a significant role in protecting American consumers from low quality and potentially dangerous counterfeit items,” said CBP Area Port Director Roderick Hudson. “Consumers should always be informed and know where they are buying their products. Too many global criminal networks are very deceptive in scamming sports fans and harming American consumers and businesses. CBP works tirelessly every day to protect the public, our local economy, and those who play by the rules.”
CBP routinely utilizes intelligence gathering and analysis of past trends before, during, and after major events such as the Super Bowl and World Cup. This enforcement action focused on recipients who accept shipments of goods that violate intellectual property rights of companies owning trademarks and copyrights associated with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and related merchandise. Similar operations across the country have resulted in the seizure of thousands of items infringing on intellectual property rights.
Most shipments originated from China and were destined for locations both within and outside of the United States.
The rapid growth of e-commerce enables consumers to easily purchase millions of products online, but this access also gives counterfeit and pirated goods more ways to enter the U.S. economy. Counterfeit commodities fund smugglers and organized crime. Consumers often believe they are buying genuine products but soon realize the items are substandard.
In addition to sports-related merchandise, commonly counterfeited items include fake medications, perfumes, cosmetics, children’s toys and costumes, fashion, jewelry, luxury products, and unsafe electronics and automotive parts, which can pose serious health and safety risks to American consumers due to inferior or harmful materials.
CBP reminds consumers to shop from reputable online sources. E-commerce sales have contributed to large volumes of low-value, small packages being imported into the United States. Over 90% of all counterfeit seizures occur in the international mail and express environments, which are channels for small, e-commerce packages destined for the U.S. Many of these shipments contain counterfeit goods that pose the same health, safety, and economic security risks as large, containerized shipments.
To learn more about what CBP is doing every day to protect Americans from counterfeit goods, and more about the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign, please visit the The Truth Behind Counterfeits webpage.
CBP protects the intellectual property rights of American businesses through an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program, safeguarding them from unfair competition and malicious intent while upholding American innovation and ingenuity. Suspected violations can be reported to CBP here. Intellectual property rights violations can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060.