Tip the Scale LLC, a company based in Tacoma, Washington, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today for making false declarations regarding the species and harvest location of timber used in wooden cabinets and vanities.
Tip the Scale, operating under the name L & D Kitchen and Bath, imports and sells various home goods including wooden kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. Court documents reveal that between January and May 2020, Tip the Scale imported five shipping containers of wooden cabinets and vanities. These products were falsely declared as a different species of wood harvested in Malaysia when they were actually harvested and produced in China. This misrepresentation allowed Tip the Scale to evade oversight of Chinese-harvested timber and avoid more than $850,000 in import duties.
The Lacey Act mandates that importers of wood products file declarations detailing the scientific genus and species as well as the harvest country of timber-containing imports. These declarations aim to prevent protected or illegally logged timber from entering the United States. Tip the Scale admitted guilt to one felony count of importing goods by means of false statements.
The company was fined $360,000 and sentenced to three years of probation during which it must implement an environmental compliance plan audited by a third party. Prior to sentencing, Tip the Scale paid over $850,000 in outstanding duties. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seized the cabinets and vanities involved in this case and donated them to a local branch of Habitat for Humanity.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division stated, “The United States was the first nation to criminalize transnational trafficking of plants and plant products, which includes home goods made with wood.” He added that enforcing the Lacey Act is essential for combating timber trafficking.
Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in the Pacific Northwest remarked: “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that companies will be held accountable for violating environmental laws and deceiving customs authorities.” He emphasized their commitment to working with partners to detect deceptive practices ensuring legal adherence by all companies.
Assistant Director Edward Grace from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement highlighted that illegal timber trafficking threatens critical forest ecosystems as well as undermines legitimate timber trade both domestically and internationally.
Brian Humphrey, Director of Field Operations at Customs and Border Protection’s Seattle Field Office stated: “Customs and Border Protection is proud to work with all our law enforcement partners to deliver appropriate consequences to those who violate our country’s laws.”
The investigation was conducted by HSI Seattle along with USFW Office of Law Enforcement. Forensic testing was performed by USFWS National Fish & Wildlife Forensics Laboratory with assistance from CBP.
Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan from Environment & Natural Resources Division's Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted this case.
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