Customs Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer

An invoice arrives showing one value, but the customs declaration filed with the government reflects another. A supervisor instructs employees to classify imported goods under a tariff code carrying lower duties than the product actually qualifies for. Shipping cartons identify one country of origin while the import paperwork lists another to avoid tariffs. For the employees responsible for processing these transactions, these discrepancies are more than accounting errors or paperwork mistakes. They can be evidence of customs fraud that deprives the United States of lawfully owed duties and violates the federal False Claims Act. Employees, vendors, competitors, and others who report customs duty evasion may be eligible for a substantial financial reward if the government recovers money, and federal law protects whistleblowers from retaliation for coming forward.

At Teller Law, I represent whistleblowers in customs fraud and tariff evasion cases brought under the federal False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733. These lawsuits are filed in federal court, and I represent clients throughout the United States, associating with local counsel when required by a particular federal district. I have represented a whistleblower in a customs undervaluation case involving imported vehicles and bring more than twenty-five years of experience representing employees who report fraud and other unlawful conduct. Additional information about my background and experience is available on my attorney profile.

If you have information that an importer is evading customs duties, misclassifying goods, undervaluing merchandise, or engaging in another form of customs fraud, call Teller Law at (206) 324-8969 for a free, confidential consultation. Consultations are conducted by telephone or video, so there is no need to travel regardless of where you or the importer are located. During that initial conversation, we will discuss the conduct you have observed, the documentation that may support your concerns, and whether the facts appear to satisfy the requirements for bringing a qui tam action under the False Claims Act.

What Is a Customs Fraud Whistleblower Case?

A customs fraud whistleblower case is a lawsuit brought by a private individual on behalf of the United States, alleging that an importer avoided duties owed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection by submitting false information. The False Claims Act permits a private person, known as a relator, to file the action. The complaint is filed under seal under 31 U.S.C. section 3730(b), which means the defendant does not learn of it while the government investigates.

These cases differ from most fraud claims against the government in one structural way. Instead of a false request for payment, the false statement reduces an amount the importer owes. Importers submit entry documentation describing what is being imported, where it was manufactured, and what it is worth, and duty is assessed on that description. When that description is knowingly false and duty goes underpaid, the False Claims Act may apply to the conduct. My overview of how qui tam lawsuits work explains the general framework in more detail.

Who Can Bring a Customs Fraud Whistleblower Claim?

Customs fraud is rarely visible from outside a company. It shows up in documents, and the people who handle those documents are usually the only ones positioned to recognize a discrepancy. Individuals who have brought or could bring these claims include:

• Import and export compliance staff who review entry summaries and classification decisions
• Licensed customs brokers instructed to file documentation they believe to be inaccurate
• Logistics, freight forwarding, and supply chain personnel who see origin or valuation inconsistencies
• Accounting and finance employees who reconcile supplier invoices against declared values
• Former employees who retained knowledge of how a company handled duties
• Competitors and suppliers with direct knowledge of an importer’s practices

A relator does not need to have been personally harmed and does not need to be a United States citizen. What matters is having specific, non-public information about the conduct.

Why Does Timing Matter in a Customs Fraud Case?

Only the first relator to file information on a given set of facts can ordinarily pursue the claim, so delay carries real cost. Waiting also risks the information becoming public through an audit, a news report, or a government proceeding, which can bar the claim entirely. Consequently, a brave whistleblower can miss out on a substantial reward, if they fail to report the incident first. My qui tam frequently asked questions page addresses filing deadlines and the first-to-file rule.

Two decisions in particular are worth making with counsel rather than alone. Confronting a supervisor or compliance department about a suspected discrepancy can compromise a case before it is filed. Resigning before speaking with an experienced False Claims Act attorney can weaken a retaliation claim that might otherwise be available. Individuals weighing either step are better served by a confidential conversation first. At Tell Law, we offer a free consultation where you can discuss the specifics of your case, learn about your legal options, and find out how I can tenaciously fight to protect your whistleblower filing and rights.

What Happens When Someone Contacts Teller Law About Customs Fraud?

The initial call is confidential and carries no cost or obligation. It typically covers what the person observed, how the information was learned, what documents or communications exist, and whether anyone else inside or outside the company appears to know. No documents need to be gathered before the call, and the conversation can take place by telephone or video at a time that does not conflict with a work schedule.

If the matter appears viable, the next stage is a more detailed review to assess whether the conduct fits the statute, whether the loss to the government can be quantified, and whether the case is likely to have been filed already by someone else. Qui tam cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning no legal fee is charged unless there is a recovery. No attorney can predict an outcome, and nothing about an initial consultation commits either side to proceeding.

Has Teller Law Handled a Customs Fraud Case Before?

Yes. As an experienced False Claims Act lawyer with decades of legal experience, I regularly handle whistleblower lawsuits. For example, I represented a whistleblower in a False Claims Act matter involving undervalued light trucks imported into the United States from Canada, where duties owed to Customs were underpaid. The case resolved through settlement and the whistleblower received a substantial award from a share of the government’s recovery. My clients have cumulatively received millions of dollars as rewards for reporting wrongdoing. To learn more about some of the additional matters that I have handled, please visit my False Claims Act and qui tam results page. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any other case.

I have also discussed how these schemes tend to surface in practice, including invoice discrepancies, unexplained country-of-origin claims, and questionable tariff categories, in a video conversation on customs fraud and whistleblower actions.

Why Does Retaliation Experience Matter in a Customs Fraud Case?

Most customs fraud whistleblowers are still employed when they come forward, and many are the person whose job it was to catch the problem. That combination makes retaliation a practical risk rather than a theoretical one. 31 U.S.C. section 3730(h) protects employees from discharge, demotion, harassment, and other discrimination for lawful acts taken to stop a False Claims Act violation, and it provides for reinstatement, double back pay, and special damages.

A retaliation claim is legally separate from the fraud claim and follows a different procedural path. Because my practice has centered on representing employees in discrimination, wrongful termination, and retaliation matters for more than two decades, both halves of the situation can be handled together rather than referred out.

How Can Teller Law Help With a Customs Fraud Whistleblower Claim?

My role begins with an honest assessment of whether the information supports a viable case, because not every discrepancy amounts to knowing fraud, and a weak filing can foreclose a stronger one later. Where a case is viable, I prepare and file the complaint under seal, present the evidence to the Department of Justice in a form that investigators can act on, and work to keep the client’s identity protected for as long as the seal allows.

From there the work involves cooperating with the government’s investigation, responding to requests for additional information, and advocating for the relator’s share at the resolution stage. If retaliation occurs during that period, the employment side of the matter can be pursued in parallel.

Individuals with information about customs fraud, tariff evasion, or underpaid import duties are encouraged to call Teller Law at (206) 324-8969 for a free and confidential consultation.