On May 4, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the seizure of almost 4 million nitrile disposable gloves valued at over half a million dollars. The seizure was made following the receipt of information leading to a March 29, 2021, forced labor finding against Malaysia-based Top Glove Corporation Bhd (Top Glove). The finding determined that disposable gloves produced by Top glove have been mined, produced, or manufactured with the use of convict, forced, or indentured labor.

The Agency’s Press Release included 4 out of the 11 possible forced labor indicators:
• Debt bondage
• Excessive Overtime
• Abusive living and working conditions
• Retention of Identify Documents

Additional forced labor indicators include: Abuse of vulnerability, deception, restriction of movement, isolation, physical and sexual violence, intimidation and threats, and withholding of wages

Accordingly, Port officials were given the authority to seize gloves under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings 3926.20.1020, 4015.11.0150, 4015.19.0510, 4015.19.0550, 4015.19.1010, 4015.19.1050, and 4015.19.5000 made in whole or in part by Top Glove.

Diann Rodriguez, Area Port Director-Cleveland stated that the “seizure sends a strong message that CBP will not tolerate imports made by forced labor, which is a form of modern slavery that hurts vulnerable workers and threatens our economy.”

A copy of the press release is available here.

For more information on actions addressing human rights and forced labor abuses, contact our team and see previous posts below.

Xinjiang Archives | International Trade Law (cmtradelaw.com)

Forced Labor/U.K. Modern Slavery Act Archives | International Trade Law (cmtradelaw.com)

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of John Brew John Brew

John Brew is the former chair of Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Group and a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

John has extensive experience in import and export trade regulation, collaborating with corporations, trade associations, foreign governments, and nongovernmental organizations on…

John Brew is the former chair of Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Group and a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

John has extensive experience in import and export trade regulation, collaborating with corporations, trade associations, foreign governments, and nongovernmental organizations on customs administration, enforcement, compliance litigation, legislation, and policy matters. He represents clients in proceedings at the administrative and judicial levels as well as before Congress and the international bureaucracies that handle customs and trade matters. John advises clients on all substantive import regulatory issues handled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, such as classification, valuation, origin, marking, tariff preference programs, other agency regulations, admissibility, customs brokerage, Section 321, drawback, foreign trade zones, duty recovery programs, import restrictions, quotas, audits, prior disclosures, penalties, investigations, Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and trade compliance programs, importations under bond, the Jones Act, and vessel repairs.

Read more about John Brew
Show more Show less
Photo of Jeffrey L. Snyder Jeffrey L. Snyder

Since 1986, Jeff’s practice has concentrated on the U.S. regulation of international trade. Clients seek him out for troubleshooting and problem solving in cross-border transactions. Jeff advises on import, export, and sanctions laws. He develops approaches for multinationals to manage the impact of…

Since 1986, Jeff’s practice has concentrated on the U.S. regulation of international trade. Clients seek him out for troubleshooting and problem solving in cross-border transactions. Jeff advises on import, export, and sanctions laws. He develops approaches for multinationals to manage the impact of U.S. extraterritorial regulations. Jeff assists companies in day-to-day compliance with these laws, and with interventions — such as audits and investigations, and civil enforcement proceedings.

Read more about Jeffrey L. Snyder
Show more Show less
Photo of Frances P. Hadfield Frances P. Hadfield

Frances P. Hadfield is a counsel in Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Group in the firm’s New York office. Her practice focuses on forced labor and withhold release orders (WRO), import regulatory compliance, and customs litigation. She regularly advises corporations on matters involving…

Frances P. Hadfield is a counsel in Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Group in the firm’s New York office. Her practice focuses on forced labor and withhold release orders (WRO), import regulatory compliance, and customs litigation. She regularly advises corporations on matters involving customs compliance, audits, customs enforcement, as well as import penalties.

Frances represents clients before the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, as well as in proceedings at the administrative level. She advises corporations on both substantive federal and state regulatory issues that involve U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Trade Commission, Food and Drug Administration, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife in matters pertaining to product admissibility, audits, classification, import restrictions, investigations, marking, licenses, origin, penalties, and tariff preference programs.

Read more about Frances P. Hadfield
Show more Show less
Related Posts
Not Worried About Modern Slavery or Forced Labour Laws? Perhaps You Should Be.
October 2, 2024
New Reports Document Best Practices for Avoiding Uyghur Forced Labor in RE Supply Chains
January 25, 2024
You’re Invited: Tuesdays with Trade Webinar Series
February 22, 2023