On May 20, 2026, the DOJ announced a settlement under the False Claims Act (FCA) with two Canada-based steel companies, Farjess Inc. and Royal Canadian Steel Inc., and their part-owner and president, Feroz Jessani. They agreed to pay $19 million to resolve allegations that they knowingly and improperly misrepresented the country of origin and failed to pay duties owed on flat-rolled steel manufactured in Europe and Asia. The settlement underscores the government’s continued and aggressive use of the FCA to pursue Trump administration policy priorities, including the active implementation of tariffs and customs duties, and reinforces the importance of accurate country-of-origin declarations when importing foreign materials and products.
Read on to learn more about the settlement and its implications for companies engaged in importing goods into the United States.