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  4. Trade News Snapshot - Volume 6, Issue 10

Trade News Snapshot - Volume 6, Issue 10

  • EAC's Message

    Official Photo of AnnMarie Highsmith. Woman with short hair, wearing dark glasses posing in front of an American flag wearing a black suit

    While our kids were putting together their festive articles, er, Halloween costumes in October, the CBP team was working hard to make sure goods reaching U.S. consumers are free from less festive trade violations. On a more serious note, we’ve had some notable successes with our vital forced labor enforcement efforts.

    I’m happy to share that this month, we reached an exciting development thanks to these efforts. CBP modified its Withhold Release Order on Brightway Group after the company proved it remediated ten previously present indicators of forced labor. This is the second modification we’ve issued in 2024, and an awesome example of how CBP’s forced labor enforcement actions can improve the working and living conditions of workers around the world. I always say that our goal is not to stop these goods at the border – it is to prevent them being made with forced labor in the first place. Plus, we made some big upgrades to our Forced Labor webpage, adding new features, expanded resources, and a modernized layout to ensure information is easily accessible for various users.

    While we love to tout our successes when it comes to forced labor, there’s a whole lot more to talk about when it comes to our trade mission. Read about it below!

    ~ Executive Assistant Commissioner AnnMarie R. Highsmith

Contents

  • EAC's Message
  • Office of Trade Activity
    • CBP modifies Withhold Release Order on Brightway Group following forced labor remediation
    • CBP and FDA seize $76 million in illegal e-cigarettes in joint operation
  • Outreach
    • EAC Highsmith talks trade priorities at U.S. Court of International Trade Judicial Conference
    • CBP leaders forge key partnerships at Industry Day
  • News You Can Use
    • U.S. signs Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement with El Salvador
    • CBP Commissioner advances bilateral cooperation with El Salvador
    • Norfolk CBP officers seize over $450k in Baltimore-bound dental supplies lacking country of origin markings
    • Dulles CBP agriculture specialists seize slithery sustenance
    • Brownsville CBP agriculture specialists intercept first in port pest at Brownsville Seaport
  • Trade Statistics
    • Monthly Trade Statistics

Office of Trade Activity

CBP modifies Withhold Release Order on Brightway Group following forced labor remediation

CBP modified its Withold Release Order on disposable gloves produced by Brightway Group in Malaysia. Originally issued in December 2021 due to findings of forced labor, the modification allows Brightway’s products to enter the U.S. again after the company took steps to address these labor issues. This change, effective October 11, 2024, is part of CBP’s broader efforts to eliminate forced labor from supply chains, which has led to improved working conditions for tens of thousands of workers globally and the repayment of over $62 million in withheld wages.

To learn more, read the Department of Homeland Security press release.

CBP and FDA seize $76 million in illegal e-cigarettes in joint operation

Packaging for electronic smoking devices
Image courtesy of the FDA.

CBP continues to combat the illegal distribution and sale of illicit e-cigarette products and is participating in a multi-agency task force, led by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Justice, to coordinate and streamline efforts to against the illegal distribution and sale of e-cigarettes.  

During a recent task force enforcement operation, CBP, in coordination with the FDA, seized over 3 million unauthorized e-cigarette products with an estimated value of nearly $76 million. 

Vapes, e-cigarettes, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems that are unapproved by the FDA may contain higher levels of nicotine and other unknown, toxic chemicals, making them extremely hazardous to one’s health.  

CBP encourages buyers to purchase FDA-approved electronic nicotine products to protect themselves from potential health hazards. For information and resources on ordering goods online, visit CBP’s Internet Purchases webpage.

To learn more, read the FDA press release.

Outreach

EAC Highsmith talks trade priorities at U.S. Court of International Trade Judicial Conference

On October 10, Office of Trade Executive Assistant Commissioner (EAC) AnnMarie R. Highsmith participated in a panel discussion at the 22nd Judicial Conference of the U.S. Court of International Trade. Approximately 150 attendees, including judges from the U.S. Court of International Trade, members of the Bar, academia, and representatives of several government agencies, assembled to discuss pressing trade issues and set the stage for future policy advancements.

The panel, titled “The Current Priorities of, and Challenges Faced by Government Agencies,” gathered insights from EAC Highsmith, Rhonda Schmidtlein, Commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission, and Ryan Majerus, performing the non-exclusive duties of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance at the International Trade Administration. The conversation covered a range of key issues, including customs modernization, green trade, forced labor enforcement, budget priorities, and the use of technology such as artificial intelligence.

CBP leaders forge key partnerships at Industry Day

On October 24, leaders from CBP’s Office of Trade (OT) attended CBP’s first Industry Day event. The event brought together over 300 industry representatives, offering a valuable opportunity for participants to familiarize themselves with OT programs and their trade portfolio within CBP. It was also a great opportunity to explore collaboration opportunities and to build crucial partnerships between CBP and industry.

EAC Highsmith kicked off the event with an overview of OT’s diverse portfolio and key initiatives. Then, leaders from across OT’s directorates provided further details about their respective roles in achieving the mission of facilitating legitimate trade, enforcing U.S. laws, and protecting the American economy. The event provided an opportunity for businesses to connect with OT, paving the way for stronger cooperation toward shared objectives.  

News You Can Use

 Trade Statistics

Month Trade Statistics

In September 2024, CBP processed more than 2.9 million entry summaries valued at more than $296 billion, identifying estimated duties of nearly $7.6 billion to be collected by the U.S. government. Trade via the ocean environment accounted for 41.6 percent of the total import value, followed by air, truck, and rail. CBP identified 425 entries valued at more than $65 million for further examination based on the suspected use of forced labor, and which may be subject to a Withhold Release Order, Forced Labor Finding, or the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act’s rebuttable presumption prohibiting importation into the United States.

CBP seized 1,873 shipments that contained counterfeit goods valued at more than $366 million. CBP also completed 105 audits that identified $68 million in duties and fees owed to the U.S. government for goods that had been improperly declared. CBP collected over $6.5 million of this identified revenue and from previous fiscal years’ assignments.

Last Modified: Oct 29, 2024