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 particular month totaled $23 billion, a significant increase from $6 billion in the same month the previous year. However, the most recent data from the U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services for October 2023 indicates that the goods and services deficit was $64.3 billion, with no mention of gross customs duties reaching $23 billion or any previous figure of $6 billion (U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, October 2023).
The report specifies that October imports were $323.0 billion and exports were $258.8 billion, but it does not provide any breakdown of customs duties that would support the claim made. Additionally, there is no reference to a $6 billion figure in customs duties from the previous year in the official release (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis).
Analysis
The claim appears to be misleading or incorrect based on the available data. The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis provide comprehensive statistics on trade, including customs duties, but the figures cited in the claim do not align with the official reports. The absence of a $6 billion customs duty figure in the previous year further undermines the credibility of the claim.
Moreover, the source of the claim is not identified, which raises questions about its reliability. The official reports from the U.S. government agencies are well-documented and are considered credible sources of economic data. In contrast, the claim lacks attribution to a reliable source, making it difficult to verify its accuracy.
The only related mention of customs duties in recent news pertains to a report indicating that customs receipts increased significantly due to tariffs, but this does not support the specific figures of $23 billion and $6 billion as stated in the claim (Reuters).
Conclusion
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. The official data does not support these figures, and there is no credible source that corroborates the claim. The lack of reliable evidence and the absence of the mentioned figures in official reports lead to the conclusion that the claim is inaccurate.
Sources
- U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, October 2023 (https://www.bea.gov/news/2023/us-international-trade-goods-and-services-october-2023)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) (https://www.bea.gov/)
- Reuters - US monthly budget deficit falls as Trump tariffs boost customs receipts (https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-monthly-budget-deficit-falls-316-billion-tariffs-boost-customs-receipts-2025-06-11/)
