CBP textile teams to visit Hong Kong factories

CBP textile teams to visit Hong Kong factories    Teams of U.S. Customs officers will visit factories in Hong Kong beginning Dec. 2 to verify that suppliers are complying with laws regarding the importation of apparel and textiles, Hong Kong’s Customs and Excise department said.
   U.S. and Hong Kong inspectors will conduct a series of factory observations to check whether products are being misdescribed to evade duties and quotas, or are illegally transshipped through third countries using false documents and labels.
   The visits will help U.S. Customs and Border Protection determine if Hong Kong Customs has adequate systems in place for verifying that clothing and textile goods are manufactured in Hong Kong and do not originate from another country.
   The joint inspection teams will visit factories that have given their prior consent. No enforcement action will be taken during the information-gathering events. Hong Kong Customs said enforcement actions will be taken afterwards if necessary.
   The factory observation tour is expected to take about two weeks, the statement said.