CBP opens EAPA case against Star EV for golf-cart duty evasion
On April 10, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiated an Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) investigation into Star EV Corporation for suspected evasion of antidumping and countervailing duties on low-speed personal transportation vehicles (golf carts) from China. CBP found reasonable suspicion that Star EV misclassified merchandise and transshipped covered goods through Vietnam. Effective immediately, CBP has imposed interim measures requiring Star EV to post all duties before release, submit live entries for all covered imports, and accept suspension of liquidation on affected shipments. CBP reserves the right to pursue civil penalties or criminal investigations.
Photo: Mikhail Nilov / PexelsOn April 10, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the initiation of investigation and interim enforcement measures in EAPA Case 8282 against Star EV Corporation, targeting suspected evasion of antidumping duty (AD) order A-570-176 and countervailing duty (CVD) order C-570-177 on low-speed personal transportation vehicles (LSPTVs)—commonly known as golf carts—originating from the People's Republic of China.
CBP's investigation centers on two alleged evasion schemes: misclassification of covered merchandise and transshipment through Vietnam to mask the Chinese origin of goods subject to existing AD/CVD orders. According to the agency's determination, Star EV Corporation entered merchandise that should have been subject to these duties without proper classification or duty assessment.
CBP found there was a reasonable suspicion that Star EV Corporation had been misclassifying covered merchandise and entering covered merchandise from China that was transshipped through Vietnam.
Immediate interim measures are now in force and apply to all of Star EV's imports of covered merchandise:
Live Entry Requirement: Star EV must now file complete import documentation and deposit all applicable duties before CBP will release any shipment. No release-pending-liquidation will be granted.
Liquidation Suspension: CBP will suspend or extend entries without final duty computation, preventing Star EV from obtaining closure on duties owed pending the full investigation outcome.
Bond Review: CBP has flagged Star EV's continuous bonds and single-transaction bond applications for review and potential modification.
Low-speed personal transportation vehicles fall under Chapter 87 (vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof). Importers of these goods from China should review their supply chains immediately to confirm proper origin declaration and classification.
CBP emphasizes that these interim measures do not foreclose additional enforcement action. The agency retains authority to pursue civil penalties or refer cases for criminal investigation under EAPA or other statutory authorities.
What this means for shippers
If you source or handle golf carts or similar LSPTVs from China, verify immediately that your supplier is not subject to these AD/CVD orders and that your merchandise is not being transshipped to mask origin. Any importer using Star EV as a vendor or consolidator must conduct due diligence now: if duties are being evaded upstream, your entries may be targeted next. Review HS classification on Chapter 87 vehicles to ensure compliance. Report suspected evasion to CBP's online portal before enforcement finds you. The cost of inaction is retroactive duty assessments, penalties, and potential criminal liability.
