As CBP shifts its focus from trade facilitation and trade enforcement, conducting reasonable care is no longer enough, and importers must be prepared to do much more, according to the lead analytical content manager for risk management provider Sayari.
Importers seeking review of shipments that have been detained or excluded for forced labor enforcement must submit their review requests via CBP's new forced labor portal that is launching this month, according to CBP.
International Trade Today is providing readers with the top stories from last week in case they were missed. All articles can be found by searching on the titles or by clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.
Two apparel trade experts said the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act had a bigger impact on sourcing shifts than this year's trade war, but if the framework agreements with Guatemala and El Salvador turn into full agreements, the duty-free status for qualifying apparel from those countries could make a difference.
Thirteen House Democrats are asking DHS to explain why there have been fewer detentions since March, why no new entities have been added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List since Jan. 15, and to explain CBP's strategy for enforcing UFLPA in high-priority sectors.
CBP should write a report on whether self-initiation of cases under the Enforce and Protect Act "would allow CBP to pursue more circumvention cases and extend existing investigations deeper into supply chains fully and whether such authority would result in greater enforcement," wrote the Senate Appropriations Committee, in its instructions to CBP as part of its DHS annual appropriations bill. It directed the agency to compile the report within 90 days of the bill's enactment.
Workers' rights activists during a panel discussion this week praised the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act but warned that enforcement is slowing under the Trump administration.
As Chinese auto manufacturers establish outposts in Mexico, U.S. importers will need to ensure that those Chinese manufacturers don't have ties to forced labor situations in the Xinjiang region, supply chain data visibility provider Kharon said in a recent brief.
Data technology provider Kharon said CBP has expanded its agreement with the company for its global risk analytics platform to enforce the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and other customs and trade laws, according to a Dec. 2 release.
Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., sent a letter to Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick demanding information on its involvement with a Chinese company on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List.