CBP turns up spotlight on forced labor in supply chains

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has stepped up its industry outreach to ensure that the country’s importers aren’t running afoul of legislation that prevents the importation of merchandise made by North Korean nationals under force.     U.S. Customs and Border Protection has stepped up its industry outreach to ensure that the country’s importers aren’t running afoul of legislation that prevents the importation of merchandise made by North Korean nationals under force.
   Under the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act, which was passed by Congress on Aug. 2, any significant merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured entirely or in part by North Korean nationals or citizens is prohibited from entry into the United States unless CBP finds through clear and convincing evidence that the merchandise was not produced with a form of prohibited labor.
   If CBP finds evidence of North Korean labor, the agency will deny entry, which may include seizure of the merchandise, and refer the issue to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with a request to initiate a criminal investigation for violation of U.S. law.
   “CBP is committed to establishing a strong and effective interagency response to human trafficking and forced labor, and we are an active participant in the DHS-led Forced Labor Interagency Work Group,” Acting CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said in a statement Tuesday.
   “CBP undertook a comprehensive review of our approach to exclude goods made with forced labor, consulting with numerous public and private sector stakeholders, resulting in a number of changes in our approach,” he added.  
   The agency has worked with the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) Forced Labor Work Group and has acted on many of its recommendations. CBP also participates in civil society organizations dialogue to stay informed about stakeholder concerns and developments. 
   To assist importers in understanding their obligations to the new forced labor legislation, CBP recently updated and published an Informed Compliance Publication, What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know: Reasonable Care. The agency also published on its website seven fact sheets related to forced labor and importer due diligence.
   CBP said it welcomes allegations on forced labor at its eAllegation portal. Parties who provide original information that leads to the recovery of any penalty, fine, or forfeiture of merchandise are eligible to seek compensation of up to $250,000.