Customs law and criminal law intersect more often than many importers realize. While most customs violations begin as civil matters, they can quickly escalate into criminal investigations when willful violations or fraud is suspected. Agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) work together to identify patterns of evasion, false statements, and schemes designed to avoid duties or import restrictions.
This webinar takes a deep dive into the intersection of customs enforcement and criminal law through the lens of a real-world tobacco-related case study. Tobacco imports are subject to some of the most complex, highly regulated, and heavily enforced rules in international trade.
Presenters will discuss:
- Overview of tobacco import regulations and why the product category carries heightened enforcement risk
- How CBP identifies irregularities and the roles of key agencies in enforcement actions
- The escalation pathway from civil customs violations to criminal investigations
- Common compliance failures in tobacco imports and how importers can avoid them
- Strategies for mitigating exposure
