The addition of caustic soda as a high priority sector for forced labor enforcement through the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act represents an entirely new compliance challenge for importers because of its ubiquity and difficulty to trace, according to an Oct. 6 report by risk intelligence firm Kharon.
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Citing forced labor indicators, CBP has issued a withhold release order blocking imports of bicycles, bicycle parts and accessories from Taiwanese manufacturer Giant Manufacturing.
CBP has issued a withhold release order blocking imports of bicycles, bicycle parts and accessories from Taiwanese manufacturer Giant Manufacturing amid forced labor allegations. A Sept. 24 CBP release said CBP found five forced labor indicators during its investigation of Giant: abuse of vulnerability; abusive working and living conditions; debt bondage; withholding of wages; and excessive overtime. CBP says this WRO is the third issued in 2025 and the fourth issued in fiscal year 2025, which ends on Sept. 30.
CBP failed to explain its finding that Dominican exporter Kingtom Aluminio made its aluminum extrusions with forced labor, the Court of International Trade held on Sept. 23. Vacating and remanding the forced labor finding, Judge Timothy Reif said the agency failed to "articulate a satisfactory explanation for its action” based on a “rational connection between the facts found and the choice made" in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act's arbitrary and capricious standard.
A former FDA overseas inspector told a Senate committee that in India and China fraud is common, including with falsified purity tests, and at times, lies about where pharmaceutical drugs are made.
The end of the de minimis exemption could favor larger importers that are able to handle the additional data requirements while maintaining fast deliveries to consumers, according to Vince Iacopella, president of trade and government relations for Alba Wheels Up.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., issued a report that he said shows how the president is using agencies in a "pay-to-play scheme," including in the case of a lifted withhold release order for forced labor.
CBP is planning to release a separate forced labor portal in FY 2026 that importers will be required to use, according to a document the agency prepared for the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee's forced labor working group ahead of the COAC's Sept. 17 meeting.
CBP posted the following documents for the September 17 Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) meeting: