CBP posted multiple documents ahead of the June 29 Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) meeting:
CBP has 30 days following import to issue a redelivery notice for goods suspected of violating the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, said JoAnne Colonnello, director of the Pharmaceuticals Center of Excellence and Expertise, on June 16 during a webinar on UFLPA compliance. "CBP, by law. can request redelivery of items up to 30 days after the goods have been imported," she said. "So, if CBP finds that those goods are wholly or part made in the Xinjiang, CBP can request redelivery." The UFLPA takes effect on June 21.
DHS posted the Forced Labor Enforcement Strategy document from the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force on June 17. The document was required under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which creates a rebuttable presumption that as of June 21 goods connected to the Xinjiang region in China are made with forced labor. Included in the document is "comprehensive assessment of the risk of importing goods mined, produced, or manufactured, wholly or in part, with forced labor," the task force said. Also included is an "evaluation and description of forced-labor schemes, UFLPA-required lists (including the UFLPA Entity List), UFLPA-required plans, and high priority sectors for enforcement."
DHS posted the Forced Labor Enforcement Strategy document from the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force on June 17. The document was required under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which creates a rebuttable presumption that as of June 21 goods connected to the Xinjiang region are made with forced labor. Included in the document is "comprehensive assessment of the risk of importing goods mined, produced, or manufactured, wholly or in part, with forced labor," said the task force. Also included is an "evaluation and description of forced-labor schemes, UFLPA-required lists (including the UFLPA Entity List), UFLPA-required plans, and high priority sectors for enforcement."
CBP's operational guidance for importers about complying with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (see 2206140037) left too many importer subjects unanswered, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) Forced Labor Working Group said in a document released ahead of the June 29 COAC meeting. "While CBP’s Importer Guidance provides general information, it disappointingly does not reflect incorporation of the many practical recommendations that have been submitted over the years," the group said. "CBP must increase transparency, engagement, and communication, early and often, with the Trade community regarding the current process for enforcement as well as the detention or release of goods believed to be linked to forced labor."
A new report from Sheffield Hallam University researchers alleges that about 25% of flooring sold in the U.S. includes PVC, a type of plastic, made in China, and that "the lion's share" of the resins come from China's Xinjiang Uyghur region.
FORT LAUDERDALE -- With one week remaining, importers find themselves in the position of having to already comply with still unreleased policies as CBP begins enforcement of the rebuttable presumption under the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act, speakers said June 14 at a conference. The rebuttable presumption takes effect on June 21.
CBP released an "operational guidance for importers" June 13 that explains the processes involved in Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act enforcement. The guidance puts in writing much of what was described in recent webinars (see 2206080033, 2206010034 and 2206020055) hosted by CBP on the UFLPA rebuttable presumption that goods involving the Xinjiang region of China are made with forced labor and illegal to import unless the importer can prove otherwise. The rebuttable presumption goes into effect June 21, and CBP plans to issue a more detailed "strategy" document on that day.
A top official in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said that opposition to extending a moratorium on tariffs on sales of intangible goods has surfaced before, but that the e-commerce moratorium has been renewed at every World Trade Organization ministerial conference since 1998. "There are a few countries, despite benefiting from e-commerce and digital trade, who continue to resist an extension of the moratorium," she said, but most countries, including in the developing world, see the tariff-free status as important.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced June 10 that it and the Dominican Republic have formed a working group to improve labor law enforcement in the sugar growing sector in the DR. "The group will be composed of representatives from both countries' responsible trade, labor, and foreign affairs ministries, with other agencies involved as needed. This joint endeavor takes into account the commitment of the two countries to enforce labor laws, including those regarding forced labor, improve labor conditions under the CAFTA-DR and in accordance with international standards, and continue their long-standing partnership on addressing these issues," the joint statement said.