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ARTICLE · 07 JANUARY 2026

DOJ Continues To Use False Claims Act To Address Customs Violations

Mayer Brown
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On December 4, 2025, Ceratizit USA LLC agreed to pay $54.4 million to resolve False Claims Act ("FCA") allegations tied to the evasion of customs duties on tungsten carbide products imported from China...

GlobalInternational Law
Julyana C. Dawson
Julyana C. Dawson
Glen A. Kopp
Glen A. Kopp
Kelly Kramer
Kelly Kramer
Matthew McConkey
Matthew McConkey
Sydney Mintzer
Sydney Mintzer
Arun G. Rao
Arun G. Rao
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On December 4, 2025, Ceratizit USA LLC agreed to pay $54.4 million to resolve False Claims Act ("FCA") allegations tied to the evasion of customs duties on tungsten carbide products imported from China, concluding approximately three years of litigation. The 2022 qui tam filing by the relator/plaintiff alleged that Ceratizit evaded duties and violated country-of-origin marking rules applicable to tungsten carbide rods imported into the United States. This settlement stems from a coordinated effort between the Department of Justice ("DOJ") and the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS"), through the United States Customs and Border Protection ("CBP"). The relator/plaintiff will receive approximately $9,750,000 of the settlement proceeds.

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This Mayer Brown article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The foregoing is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed herein.

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