April 23 (Reuters) - Williams-Sonoma ( WSM ) will pay a

$3.18 million civil fine to settle U.S. Federal Trade Commission

charges it violated a July 2020 order by falsely claiming that

some of its products were "Made in USA."

An order describing the settlement was filed late Monday in

the federal court in San Francisco, where the kitchenware and

home furnishings retailer is based, and requires a judge's

approval. The original order included a $1 million fine.

Some consumers are willing to pay more for products made in

the United States.

The FTC said that between April 2022 and August 2023,

Williams-Sonoma ( WSM ) falsely advertised PBTeen mattress pads as

"Crafted in America from domestic and imported materials" though

they were in numerous instances imported from China.

It also found six products were advertised on

Williams-Sonoma's ( WSM ) website as "Made in USA" though they had been

imported or contained significant imported content.

At least three were being marketed deceptively in July 2021,

when Williams-Sonoma's ( WSM ) deputy general counsel signed a report

describing the company's compliance with the 2020 order.

Williams-Sonoma ( WSM ) admitted that the latest FTC allegations are

true. It must certify its compliance with the new order for five

years.

The company did not immediately respond to requests for

comment on Tuesday. Williams-Sonoma brands also include Pottery

Barn ( WSM ) and West Elm.

In January 2023, the FTC settled a similar case accusing

Instant Brands of advertising Pyrex kitchenware as "Made in USA"

though they often came from China.