U.S.: Press report signals possible tightening of customs controls against tariff evasion

According to a report from South Korean media outlet Asiae, the Trump administration has reportedly stepped up its fight against tariff evasion by implementing stricter customs controls. The news, lacking official confirmation, emerges amid heightened trade barriers and increased scrutiny on imports seeking to avoid tariffs through under-invoicing, misclassification, or triangulation. As of this writing, no regulatory instrument (executive order, CBP regulation, etc.) supporting these measures has been identified.

The United States has intensified its use of trade remedy tools in recent years, including Section 301, Section 232, and anti-subsidy measures. A potential tightening of customs controls would align with this trend, but without an official document, it is impossible to specify its scope, affected sectors, or effective dates.