Customs Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer in New Jersey

The joint Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port of entry on the East Coast. It accounts for a significant portion of the United States’ fashion, technology, oil, food, medical, and vehicle trade. However, the high volume of imports and exports at Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal in New Jersey also makes it a hub for customs fraud.

Customs fraud is on the rise due to recent tariff changes, but not every attorney understands the complex coding laws and sanctions applicable to the industry. If you suspect your employer, client, or overseas contact is committing violations, you can trust our experienced whistleblower claims attorney, Peter Katz.

Defining Customs Fraud

From airplanes to screws, every product entering or exiting the United States is classified using an international customs code. This code identifies the product and applicable tariffs. These tariffs eat at corporate profits, which is why employers are pressuring brokers to misclassify certain goods to get around import duties.

This is a type of customs fraud, as it misclassifies products to export them to sanctioned nations – such as sending microchips to China – or lies about the country of origin/destination on customs forms. If you uncover potential customs fraud, confidentially contact NJ whistleblower protection lawyer Peter Katz.

Options for Blowing the Whistle on NJ Customs Violations

Customs violations involve both federal criminal and civil penalties. Prosecutors can charge individual brokers and employees with the following:

• False classification (18 U.S.C. § 541)
• Falsifying official statements (18 U.S.C. § 1001)
• Underpaying tariffs (18 U.S.C. § 543)
• Importing goods with false statements (18 U.S.C. § 542)
• Smuggling (18 U.S.C. § 545)

Additionally, the government may go after corporate entities for widespread fraud under the False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733, especially for underpayment claims.

The FCA has specific whistleblower provisions protecting insiders who come forward with information about suspected customs fraud in New Jersey. You can file a private ‘qui tam lawsuit’ under the FCA on the government’s behalf, with our firm guiding you through the process.

The first whistleblower becomes the ‘relator’ and can recover a portion of any eventual financial recovery. Relators can recover between 15% and 25% of the overdue customs award (plus attorneys’ fees and costs) if the government takes over the lawsuit. This increases to between 25% and 30% if the government allows your lawyer to continue with the litigation.

Whistleblower Protections under the False Claims Act

The current administration takes customs violations seriously, which is why you should protect yourself by exposing potential fraud immediately. Any good faith attempt to blow the whistle entitles employees to certain anti-retaliation and harassment protections. It also helps protect whistleblowers from potential federal or state criminal prosecution.

New Jersey Customs Fraud Whistleblower Attorney

With increasing tariffs and international sanctions against major economies, many customs brokers and their associates are being pressured to misclassify imports and exports from New Jersey. Protect yourself from potential federal criminal charges and employer retaliation by contacting NJ customs fraud Whistleblower lawyer Peter Katz immediately at (609) 849-3179 or online.