UFLPA Enforcement Update: CBP Issues Withhold Release Order on Raw Sugar & Sugar Based Products Produced in the Dominican Republic

To keep you updated on the latest developments related to CBP’s enforcement efforts of the UFLPA, we wish to notify you that US Customs and Border Protection recently announced plans to issue a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against an importer of raw sugar and sugar-based products produced in the Dominican Republic.

During its investigation, CBP obtained information that reasonably indicated that this importer used forced labor in its operations and issued a WRO which effectively allows for the detainment of all raw sugar and sugar-based products produced in the Dominican Republic by this importer.

The United States is expected to continue to ramp up efforts to address forced labor and other human rights abuses around the world through the enforcement of the UFLPA. It should be noted that sugarcane from the Dominican Republic was recently identified on the US Department of Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor. The Dominican Republic has also been placed on the US Department of State’s Tier 2 list of Trafficking in Persons Report.

Questions?

For any questions regarding these upcoming changes please contact the Maersk Customs Services Trade Compliance team in North America at compliance.mcsi.nam@maersk.com.