CBP Issues New Forced Labor Finding on Disposable Gloves From Malaysia

Imports of disposable gloves made by Top Glove Corporation in Malaysia may be seized by CBP as of March 29 under a finding that the company uses forced labor, CBP said in a notice released March 26. CBP's finding follows a withhold release order aimed at the company's gloves in July last year (see 2007150032). A CBP official recently said more findings are likely to come (see 2103120051).

The finding covers disposable gloves classified in “subheadings 3926.20.1020, 4015.11.0150, 4015.19.0510, 4015.19.0550, 4015.19.1010, 4015.19.1050, and 4015.19.5000, which are mined, produced or manufactured wholly or in part by Top Glove Corporation Bhd in Malaysia,” CBP said. Based on the finding that the goods made through forced labor “are being, or are likely to be, imported” into the U.S., the port director may seize any covered goods and begin forfeiture proceedings, it said. The applies to goods imported on or after March 29 and “merchandise which has already been imported and has not been released from CBP custody before” that date, the agency said.

The company submitted an audit to CBP last year to show no forced labor was used (see 2009080041), but that apparently was not sufficient. Skepticism over the use of such audits as evidence against the use of forced labor has grown in recent years (see 2009090057). CBP issued its first forced labor finding in decades in October (see 2010190017), and this finding marks the second one issued since 1996. Top Glove didn't respond to a request for comment.