ARTICLE
12 December 2024

CBP Takes Forced-Labor Action Against Chinese-Owned Extruder In The Dominican Republic

WR
Wiley Rein

Contributor

Wiley is a preeminent law firm wired into Washington. We advise Fortune 500 corporations, trade associations, and individuals in all industries on legal matters converging at the intersection of government, business, and technological innovation. Our attorneys and public policy advisors are respected and have nuanced insights into the mindsets of agencies, regulators, and lawmakers. We are the best-kept secret in DC for many of the most innovative and transformational companies, business groups, and nonprofit organizations. From autonomous vehicles to blockchain technologies, we combine our focused industry knowledge and unmatched understanding of Washington to anticipate challenges, craft policies, and formulate solutions for emerging innovators and industries.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a forced-labor finding against Kingtom Aluminio S.R.L. ("Kingtom"), a Chinese-owned aluminum extruder in the Dominican Republic.
United States International Law

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a forced-labor finding against Kingtom Aluminio S.R.L. (“Kingtom”), a Chinese-owned aluminum extruder in the Dominican Republic. CBP determined that aluminum extrusions, profile products and derivatives manufactured by Kingtom in the Dominican Republic were produced using convict, forced, or indentured labor and then imported into the United States in violation of Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1307).

CBP's December 3 determination follows mounting evidence of Kingtom's apparent violations of the Tariff Act including a joint forced-labor petition that Wiley filed with CBP and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on behalf of the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) and the United Steelworkers (USW) union.

CBP has now authorized agency personnel at all ports of entry in the United States, including Puerto Rico, to immediately seize imports of aluminum extrusions, profile products, and derivatives manufactured by Kingtom.

CBP's decisive action demonstrates the effectiveness of U.S. law in excising goods manufactured with forced labor from U.S. supply chains and insulating U.S. industries and workers from the effects of unethically and illegally produced and imported merchandise. This development also sends a strong signal that the United States has both the means and motivation to remove forced-labor goods from U.S. supply chains.

The domestic producers represented by Wiley will remain vigilant in their efforts to ensure that U.S. law is fully enforced.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Mondaq uses cookies on this website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy.

Learn More