U.S. Customs Intensifies Enforcement of Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, Detaining China-Origin Shipments
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) has led to a significant increase in detentions of China-origin shipments by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) since June 2022. This act establishes a rebuttable presumption that goods from Xinjiang, or those produced by entities listed under the act, are made with forced labor. The burden of proof now rests with the importer, who must provide clear evidence that their goods are not a product of forced labor. The UFLPA explicitly prohibits attempts to circumvent the law, such as routing goods through third countries, relabeling, or altering documentation to conceal a connection to Xinjiang or listed entities. Such actions are considered fraud and carry severe penalties. While the UFLPA is a U.S. law, the European Union and the United Kingdom are developing their own proposals concerning forced labor and human rights in import regulations.
