UK exporter accused of dodging US customs duty agrees to settle case

It won’t be the last company to try to get around de minimis customs duties – but the fine imposed by the US Attorney’s Office, of more than $908,000 on UK knitwear company Pure Collection could deter others.

Pure Collection was accused of structuring its shipments so that the value of items it sent to customers in the US stayed under the then $200 threshold – it increased to $800 in March 2016. Breaking down orders into smaller chunks to avoid duty ...