US CBP Bans Import of Seafood by Fleet Suspected of Using Forced Labor

In another sign of the increasing commitment of the United States to curtail the importation of goods made by forced labor, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against a Chinese fishing fleet for suspected use of forced labor in its fishing operations.  The WRO instructs CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry to detain tuna, swordfish, and other seafood that has been harvested by a fleet of 32 vessels owned and operated by Dalian Ocean Fishing Co., Ltd.  This marks the first time CBP has banned imports from an entire fishing fleet, as opposed to individual vessels.  The WRO import ban also applies to other end-use products containing seafood from the company, such as canned tuna and pet food.  This order is the latest in a string of trade and import bans that have been placed on companies with suspected forced labor in their operations, and highlights the increasing risk to companies that import goods into the U.S. that are made from forced labor in supply chains.  More information related to this Order can be found here.