U.S. Customs steps up enforcement of transshipped textile imports

U.S. Customs steps up enforcement of transshipped textile imports

   The U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection encourages its port offices to increase their vigilance against illegal transshipments of imported textiles.

   Transshipment is used by some overseas producers to get around rigid U.S. textile quotas. “The illegal transshipment of textiles and textile articles undermines the administration of our bilateral textile agreements,” said a Sept. 5 memo from Customs’ executive director of compliance and facilitation.

   To verify specific textile shipments, inspectors may request additional shipping documents, such as certificates of origin.

   “If the requested documents are not provided and the lack of such documentation precludes verification of the claimed country of origin or proper resolution of admissibility, the goods may be excluded from entry into the United States,” the Customs memo said.