USA Unveils Enhanced Strategy To Combat Illicit Textile Trade
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched an enhanced strategy to combat illicit trade and level the playing field for the American textile industry, which accounts for over 500,000 US jobs.
Two of DHS’s agencies, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), will further enhance their work together to safeguard the American textile industry.
The plan strengthens enforcement efforts through intensified targeting of small shipments; joint trade special operation and expansion of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List.
“We are dedicated to ensuring a fair and level playing field for American businesses,” said Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
“The textile industry suffers when competitors use forced labour, violate customs laws, and engage in illegal practices to undercut US businesses and drive prices unfairly low,” Mayorkas added.
“Through strengthened enforcement measures, enhanced inspection and testing, and increased information sharing, we will protect thousands of jobs and the US textile industry,” he stated.
DHS has already begun implementation of this plan, building on ongoing efforts to ensure compliance.
It has launched 15 Trade Special Operations (TSOs) that focus on physical inspection of small shipments and cargo as well as post-release reviews to determine eligibility for preferential treatment under FTA’s.
DHS has examined textile imports, including 300 physical inspections, and reviewed documentation for additional shipments as well as initiated trade audits on more than $10.5 billion in textile imports.
The agency has completed verifications in 44 factories and five raw material suppliers in Mexico and Honduras to ensure compliance of $800 million in textile imports claiming preferential duty treatment.
DHS has further included 10 entities from the textile sector in the UFLPA Entity List, contributing to the stoppage of apparel, footwear and textile shipments.
