| Reward | Up to 25% of net recovery |
|---|---|
| Cap | $250,000 per claim |
| Jurisdiction | Federal — applies nationwide |
| Administered by | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
| Legal authority | 19 U.S.C. § 1619 |
| Fraud covered | Customs & trade |
| Eligibility / shares | Government must make a net recovery from your original information. Discretionary. |
| Anonymous filing | No — Anonymous e-Allegations are accepted, but a moiety award requires that you provided your name with the allegation. |
| Attorney | Optional. Not required. |
| Status | Active. For large-dollar evasion, FCA qui tam (15–30%, uncapped) usually pays far more. |
Key takeaways
- Whistleblowers can receive Up to 25% of net recovery (capped at $250,000 per claim).
- Administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- Anonymous e-Allegations are accepted, but a moiety award requires that you provided your name with the allegation.
- You can file this one yourself — no attorney required.
- Government must make a net recovery from your original information. Discretionary.
How to report and claim your reward
- Report the violation via CBP's e-Allegations portal with your name attached
- After the government recovers, file the moiety claim on DHS Form 4623 to CBP's Enforcement Policy Branch
Track record
Up to 25% of recovery, capped at $250,000. Newly prominent amid the 2025–26 tariff-enforcement surge and the DOJ–DHS Trade Fraud Task Force.
Good to know
For big customs fraud, compare with the False Claims Act route (uncapped). The moiety program is faster and simpler for smaller cases.
Anonymity: Anonymous e-Allegations are accepted, but a moiety award requires that you provided your name with the allegation.
Should you talk to a whistleblower attorney first?
Not strictly required here — you can file on your own.
Statistically, represented whistleblowers recover awards far more often than unrepresented ones, and reporting through the wrong channel — or second — can forfeit your reward entirely. Because whistleblower attorneys work on contingency, a consultation costs nothing.
Last verified: July 4, 2026 against official government sources. Program rules change — always confirm on the official site before filing.