WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection has uncovered more than $1 billion in additional duties owed under the Enforce and Protect Act, a record in the program’s 10-year history and 300% above its annual average, the agency announced.
“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 covering products including 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 sourcing from legitimate businesses.
The EAPA program, enacted 10 years ago, authorizes CBP to investigate and stop duty evasion schemes such as illegal transshipment, misclassification, and undervaluation. Investigations are required by statute to conclude within one year. The agency said it 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.”
Trade specialists from CBP’s Office of Trade, Office of Field Operations, and CBP legal advisors collaborate on each case to detect evasion and protect U.S. economic interests. The agency said the $1 billion milestone reflects duties owed by illicit actors who attempted to exploit U.S. trade laws to increase their own profits at the cost of the federal government and American businesses.
CBP urged businesses and citizens with information about violations of U.S. trade law to report tips to the agency, which it said are the foundation of new EAPA investigations.