U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a new regional withhold release order on all cotton and tomato products grown and produced by entities operating in China’s Xinjiang province. The action comes after an investigation discovered forced labor in the supply chains of tomato, textile and apparel from the region.
WITHHOLD RELEASE ORDERS (WRO)
Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1307) prohibits the importation of merchandise mined, produced or manufactured, wholly or in part, in any foreign country by forced or indentured labor – including forced child labor.
When information reasonably but not conclusively indicates that merchandise within the purview of this provision is being imported, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may issue withhold release orders pursuant to 19 C.F.R. § 12.42(e).
The WRO takes effect on January 13, 2021 and also applies to products that use inputs from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region but are manufactured in another country.
These actions were based on information obtained and reviewed by CBP that reasonably indicated that the products were produced, in whole or in part, using forced labor.
Under U.S. law, it is illegal to import goods into the United States that are made wholly or in part by forced labor, which includes convict labor, indentured labor, and forced or indentured child labor.
CBP Withhold Release Orders and Findings
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