Background

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced a new benefit for Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism members with respect to the forced labor requirements under CTPAT Trade Compliance.

Specifically, CBP will provide, to the best of its ability, 48 hours advance notice of new withhold release orders, which require detention at U.S. ports of entry of designated products due to concerns about the use of forced labor. This notice will be provided by the Trade Compliance inbox to the points of contact within the Trade Compliance account who have the “email notification (Trade Compliance)” box marked “yes”.

CTPAT has more than 11,000 members, including importers, exporters, customs brokers, carriers, 3PLs, foreign manufacturers, and others. The program includes CTPAT Security, in which partners take steps to ensure supply chain security, and CTPAT Trade Compliance, which allows importers to assume responsibility for monitoring their own compliance with trade laws and regulations.

To be approved to participate in CTPAT, companies must meet minimum security criteria across 12 categories, including those related to forced labor that were added in 2022. In return, participants receive benefits that can reduce regulatory burdens and mitigate enforcement actions.

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