CBP Seizes ‘Clandestinely Imported’ Chinese Plywood

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have seized a “clandestinely imported” shipment of plywood from China valued at more than $142,000.

CBP officers in Baltimore initially inspected the shipment of falcata plywood, destined for an address in Denver, on July 9. The importer declared the shipment was coming from Indonesia and was valued at less than $19,000. Officers detained the shipment for further investigation.

CBP officers then learned the importer allegedly used a fraudulent identity on the documentation and tampered with the shipping invoice. The victim of the identity fraud told investigators they had not ordered the plywood and were not associated with the importer.

The plywood was also found to have originated in China, not Indonesia, and was subject to anti-dumping and countervailing duties. Importing Chinese goods through third-party countries to avoid anti-dumping and countervailing duties is illegal.

On Aug. 27, CBP officers seized the shipment, which was valued at $142,372. The investigation remains ongoing.

“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.”