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  4. CBP Commissioner Issues Detention Order on Potassium Products Produced in China with Forced Labor

CBP Commissioner Issues Detention Order on Potassium Products Produced in China with Forced Labor

Release Date
Wed, 04/13/2016

WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske has directed the issuance of a withhold release order against imported potassium, potassium hydroxide, and potassium nitrate manufactured or mined by Tangshan Sunfar Silicon Company, a.k.a. Tangshan SunFar Silicon Industries Co. Ltd. in the People’s Republic of China.  The order will require detention at all U.S. ports of entry of any such merchandise manufactured by this company.

The withhold release order is based on information obtained by CBP indicating that the Tangshan Sunfar Silicon Company utilizes convict labor in the production of the merchandise.

Under 19 U.S.C. § 1307, it is illegal to import into the United States goods made, in whole or in part, by forced labor, including child labor, indentured labor, and convict labor. CBP issues withhold release orders when there is information available that reasonably indicates merchandise in violation of this statute is, or is likely to be, imported into the United States.

This is the second withhold release order issued by CBP since the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 was signed by the President on February 24, 2016.

 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Oct 06, 2021