The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) was signed into law in the United States in June 2020. The act prohibits the importation of goods produced using forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China. Recently, there have been new developments in UFLPA enforcement and applicability review. This blog post will discuss the UFLPA and the new resources available for enforcement, as well as the UFLPA region alert and postal code requirements.
What is the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act?
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is a U.S. law that prohibits the importation of goods produced using forced labor in the XUAR of China. The UFLPA aims to hold accountable those who are complicit in the use of forced labor in the XUAR, as well as to prevent U.S. businesses from unknowingly importing goods produced using forced labor. The act also requires companies to disclose their supply chain due diligence measures and to demonstrate that they are not using forced labor.
New Resources for UFLPA Enforcement & Applicability Review
Recently, the U.S. government has released new resources to help with UFLPA enforcement and applicability review. In February 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a bulletin warning of the risks associated with forced labor in the XUAR. The bulletin also provides information on how to report suspected instances of forced labor in the region.
Additionally, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued guidance for importers on how to comply with the UFLPA. The guidance provides information on the due diligence measures that importers should take to ensure that their goods are not produced using forced labor in the XUAR. The guidance also outlines the penalties for non-compliance with the UFLPA.
CBP UFLPA Guidance for Importers
The CBP guidance for importers provides detailed information on the steps that importers should take to ensure compliance with the UFLPA. The guidance recommends that importers conduct due diligence on their supply chains and implement internal controls to ensure that their goods are not produced using forced labor in the XUAR. The guidance also outlines the documents that importers should maintain to demonstrate compliance with the UFLPA.
UFLPA Region Alert and Postal Code Requirements Deployment Date
As part of the UFLPA, the CBP has issued a region alert and postal code requirements for goods originating from the XUAR. The alert requires that all goods produced in the XUAR undergo a heightened review by the CBP. Additionally, the alert requires that all goods produced using labor from the XUAR be detained at the port of entry.
The CBP has also issued new postal code requirements for goods produced in China. Under the new requirements, importers must provide the postal codes for all of the factories and suppliers involved in the production of their goods. These requirements will go into effect on March 29, 2021.
Contact Abady Law Firm For Help
Ensuring compliance with the UFLPA can be a complex process, and failure to comply can result in significant penalties for importers. If you need assistance with UFLPA compliance or have questions about the UFLPA region alert and postal code requirements, contact Abady Law Firm for help. Our experienced attorneys can provide guidance on UFLPA compliance and help you avoid the risks associated with non-compliance.
