Baltimore CBP officers seize $142k in clandestinely imported plywood from China

BALTIMORE - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized a shipment of over 8,500 falcata plywood sheets in Baltimore on Aug. 27 that were imported using a stolen identity, were undervalued, and were clandestinely imported from China.

CBP valued the shipment at $142,372.

CBP officers initially inspected the shipment on July 9. The importer declared that the shipment was sourced from Indonesia and was valued at nearly $19,000. It was destined to an address near Denver. Officers detained the shipment for further investigation.

CBP officers learned that the importer of record used a fraudulent identity on import documentation and tampered with the shipping invoice. The victim of the identity fraud confirmed that they did not order the plywood, and they were not associated with the importing company. Officers also determined that the plywood originated in China and was subject to antidumping and countervailing duties.

Importing China-origin goods transshipped through third countries to evade anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) laws is illegal.

CBP officers seized the falcata plywood as smuggled or clandestinely introduced merchandise [19 USC 1595a(c)(1)(A)].

An investigation continues.

"Customs and Border Protection officers continue to crack down on illegal trade practices, such as commodities imported using stolen identities to mask the true importer, and transshipping misclassified and undervalued imports through third nations in a duty evasion scheme," said Adam Rottman, CBP's Area Port Director in Baltimore. "CBP remains committed to protecting our nation's economic security, and American businesses and workers by combatting criminal enterprises that brazenly violate our nation's trade laws."

Antidumping and countervailing duty laws level the playing field for U.S. companies by preventing foreign producers from flooding U.S. markets with goods sold below fair value or that are propped up by unfair subsidies.

CBP officers conduct a robust trade enforcement approach to detect shipments that dodge antidumping and countervailing duties and third country transshipment practices that attempt to circumnavigate duty.

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 for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, and other prohibited items that threaten public safety and our nation's economic vitality.

Learn more at www.CBP.gov.

Follow the Director of CBP's Baltimore Field Office on X @DFOBaltimore and CBP's Office of Field Operations on Instagram @cbpfieldops.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 70,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.

• Topics
• Antidumping and Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD)
• Enforcement
• Office of Field Operations
• Trade Enforcement