The Justice Department has announced a $549.5 million settlement with Perfectus Aluminum Inc. and related companies to resolve allegations that they evaded customs duties on imported aluminum products by submitting false entry paperwork. The recovery stands out both for its size and for what it signals about the government’s continued willingness to use the False Claims Act as a tool in trade and customs enforcement.

According to the government, the misconduct centered on false statements and documentation affecting duties owed on aluminum imports.