CBP Issues New Forced Labor Findings on Sime Darby Palm Oil From Malaysia, Fishing Vessel
Imports of palm oil and palm oil products from the Sime Darby plantation in Malaysia may be seized by CBP starting Jan. 28 under a finding that the company uses forced labor, CBP said in a notice. "Through its investigation, CBP has determined that there is sufficient information to support a Finding that Sime Darby Plantation and its subsidiaries are using forced labor on Sime Darby’s plantations in Malaysia to harvest fresh fruit bunches, which are used to extract palm oil and produce derivative products, and that such palm oil and derivative products produced by the company are likely being imported" into the U.S., the agency said. CBP's finding follows a December 2020 withhold release order aimed at the company's palm oil.
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The agency also issued a finding that the Taiwanese the Da Wang fishing vessel, "owned by Yong Feng Fishery Ltd., is using forced labor in its fishing operations" and seafood from the vessel may be subject to seizure as of Jan. 28, it said.