Customs Fraud

Customs fraud involves any knowing or negligent misrepresentations to the Customs agency that polices a national border. It can be committed by an importer or an exporter. It often involves misclassifying a product or good or by understating (or, in rare cases, overstating) its value. The line between Customs fraud and simple carelessness is often diffuse, and great care must be taken to avoid crossing it.

How to report customs fraud depends on the country you’re in. In the United Kingdom, Customs fraud can be reported to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. In the United States, customs fraud can be reported to the Department of Justice. Every nation will have a law or customs enforcement agency who can take a report about ongoing Customs fraud.