Follow up # 3 on US CBP forced labour seizures

Not a whole lot has happened related since my last post on the subject (Click to see last post on topic), but there have been some developments which are worth mentioning:

First, there has been a new detention order issued for Peeled Garlic from Hongchang Fruits and Vegatbles[i]. That makes for 4 so far this year after a period of none in 21 years.

Second, US CBP has begun a new TFTEA web page, which (among other things) covers the repeal of the consumptive demand clause[ii]. (The banner from that page is atop this blog post).

Third, the issue of forced labour and enforcement was given a spot in the most recent quarterly enforcement newsletter from US CBP[iii].

Lastly, forced labour is specifically listed as a topic at the upcoming US CBP East Coast Trade Symposium[iv].

Overall I still maintain my position that this trade issue will not go away, and will only become more important. I encourage anyone with overseas supply chains to pay attention. A good starting place is the Department of Labor list of goods produced by forced labor. While not directly binding, CBP alludes to it multiple times and I would say any item on that list is at high risk of enforcement from CBP[v].

Stay tuned….

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[i] https://www.cbp.gov/trade/trade-community/programs-outreach/convict-importations

[ii] https://www.cbp.gov/trade/trade-enforcement/tftea

[iii] https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2016-Jul/Quarterly%20CBP%20Trade%20Enforcement%20Bulletin-%20FY%202016%2C%20Quarter%203.pdf

[iv] https://www.cbp.gov/trade/stakeholder-engagement/trade-symposium

[v] https://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/list-of-goods/