Sponsors (45)
The bill strengthens federal capacity and coordination to detect and disrupt trade-related crime—benefiting consumers, law enforcement, and the financial system—while raising compliance costs, administrative burdens, potential overcriminalization risks for businesses, and increased federal spending.
Law enforcement and the DOJ will have increased, centralized capacity and coordination to investigate and prosecute complex trade-related crimes (new dedicated unit, trial attorneys, training, and clearer statutory language).
Consumers and the public may face fewer harmful or counterfeit imports because prosecutors and partner agencies will more aggressively investigate and disrupt dangerous trade (fraud, smuggling, counterfeit goods).
Financial institutions and investigators gain clearer authority to treat trade-based money laundering as within scope, helping detect and disrupt illicit finance tied to imports/exports.
Small businesses, importers, and consumers could face higher costs and slower shipments as expanded enforcement and inspections increase compliance burdens and processing delays at borders and ports.
Broader, catch‑all definitions and heightened prosecutorial focus risk overcriminalization and greater legal exposure for businesses and individuals over technical or paperwork violations, driving defensive legal costs.
Financial institutions, carriers, and other private-sector partners may face heavier reporting obligations and operational disruption while systems are updated to address newly encompassed offenses.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Directs DOJ to create a specialized task force, hire prosecutors/staff, coordinate with partners, and report annually to Congress on trade-related criminal enforcement.
Official title: To strengthen the Department of Justice’s enforcement against trade-related crimes.
Introduced March 5, 2025 by Ashley Hinson · Last progress September 14, 2026
Requires the Department of Justice to create a dedicated task force or program to investigate and prosecute criminal activity that evades U.S. trade laws, including smuggling, trade-based money laundering, sanctions evasion, and tariff fraud. The bill directs DOJ to add specialized prosecutors and staff, coordinate with federal and foreign partners, and produce annual public reports on enforcement, case statistics, and funding needs. Sets a timeline for standing up the effort after funds are made available, lists the criminal statutes and trade laws in scope, mandates interagency training and multi-jurisdictional cooperation, and requires the Attorney General to report yearly on activity, resource use, and additional funding estimates to relevant congressional committees.