Fact Check: Gross customs duties for the month totaled $23 billion, up from $6 from the same month a year ago

Fact Check: "Gross customs duties for the month totaled $23 billion, up from $6 from the same month a year ago"

What We Know

The claim states that gross customs duties for a specific month amounted to $23 billion, a significant increase from $6 billion in the same month the previous year. However, according to the U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report for October 2023, the total customs duties collected were not reported as $23 billion. Instead, the report indicates that customs duties were approximately $80.3 billion for the fiscal year, which reflects a decrease of $20 billion compared to 2022. This suggests that the figure of $23 billion for a single month is not accurate.

Additionally, the report does not provide any monthly breakdowns that would support the claim of $6 billion in customs duties from the same month the previous year. The U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis provide comprehensive data on trade, but no evidence was found to support the specific monthly figures cited in the claim.

Analysis

The claim lacks credible support and appears to be a misrepresentation of actual customs duty figures. The source of the claim does not specify which month is being referenced, making it difficult to verify its accuracy. The official reports from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis provide detailed statistics on trade, including customs duties, but do not corroborate the claim of $23 billion in gross customs duties for any month, nor do they support the figure of $6 billion from the previous year.

Furthermore, the Census Bureau's October 2023 report indicates that the goods and services deficit was $64.3 billion, with no mention of customs duties reaching the claimed amounts. The lack of specificity in the claim and the absence of supporting data from reliable sources raise significant doubts about its validity.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that gross customs duties for the month totaled $23 billion, up from $6 billion from the same month a year ago, is false. There is no evidence from reliable sources to support these figures, and official reports indicate that customs duties were significantly different from what was claimed.

Sources

1. U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, October 2023
2. Trade Statistics | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
3. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
4. PDF U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services October 2023
5. Joint Statement of Janet L. Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury, and ...
6. Monthly Budget Review: Summary for Fiscal Year 2023
7. Economic Impact of Section 232 and 301 Tariffs on US ...
8. International Trade - Census.gov