Bill > HR1284

This bill proposes significant changes to U.S. customs law to combat trade fraud and increase penalties for violations. It introduces a presumption that if a person purchases merchandise from multiple affiliated entities that have been found to commit customs fraud, the purchaser is presumed to have knowledge of the violation. The bill dramatically increases civil penalties for fraudulent and grossly negligent customs violations, tripling the domestic value penalty and introducing new prohibitions on importing merchandise. For fraudulent violations, violators would be banned from importing goods for five years, and their affiliated persons would be similarly prohibited. The bill also establishes a new private enforcement mechanism allowing interested parties (such as U.S. manufacturers, unions, or trade associations) to bring civil actions against those who commit customs fraud, with potential damages up to three times the compensatory amount. Additionally, the bill modifies the Importer of Record Program to exclude persons who have committed customs fraud, including affiliated persons, and allows Customs and Border Protection to revoke import privileges based on fraudulent activities. These provisions aim to strengthen enforcement of customs laws, protect U.S. businesses, and discourage trade fraud by imposing more stringent consequences for violations.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1284/all-info