Reposted from the Campaign for America’s Future blog

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Another Trade Scam – “Duty Evasion”

Dave Johnson  |  April 30, 2013  |  Campaign for America’s Future

“Duty evasion” is when foreign competitors undermine American producers using fraudulent schemes to avoid paying the duties they owe. The foreign companies get a competitive advantage from lower prices that come from avoiding duties imposed for “dumping” by selling under cost to drive competitors out of business, trade violations, exploited workers, substandard parts, etc.

The ENFORCE Act — Enforcing Orders and Reducing Customs Evasion Act of 2013 — (HR 1440) is a bipartisan bill introduced by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-38), along with Rep. Billy Long (R-MO). It would help U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforce trade rules and prevent illegal imports by establishing new procedures for investigating claims against foreign manufacturers for evading anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders.

Under the ENFORCE Act, domestic producers will be able to petition U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to investigate possible anti-dumping and countervailing duty evasions. H.R. 1440 puts in place timelines for CBP to make preliminary and final determinations about whether an importer is engaged in duty evasion.

The ENFORCE Act is also part of the Democrats’ “Make It In America” plan to grow manufacturing jobs.

The Coalition for a Prosperous America has an action out on this, asking people to Email your Representative to support the ENFORCE Act.