CBP Seizes $800k of Human Hair From China Alleging Forced Labor
On July 1, 2020, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Newark, New Jersey seized an import from China of roughly 13 tons of beauty products and accessories, discovered products made of human hair. The shipment, which came from the Xinjiang Region of China is estimated to be worth over $800,000.00.
The import was seized as a result of a June 17, 2020, Withhold Release Order (WRO) for “imported merchandise made wholly or in part with hair products produced by Lop County Meixin Hair Product Co. Ltd. (Meixin) in Xinjiang, China”.
According to CBP’s Executive Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Trade, there had already been evidence that reasonably indicated that the Chinese hair product company had been using prison labor to produce their merchandise, which is prohibited by Federal statute 19 U.S.C. 1307.
During the weeklong series of 10 informative webinars on trade regulations, we heard TOP TIPs from numerous federal agencies, including U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Division of Southeast Imports, Miami’s CBP Fines, Penalties & Forfeitures (FP&F) Office, Miami CTPAT Field Office and more! Each webinar was produced to assist importers and exporters understand compliance and hot issues. Below are summaries of two webinars – FDA Import Operations Associated with COVID-19 Efforts and CTPAT – State of the Program / Minimum Security Criteria Updates: