Sime Darby Palm Oil, Seafood From Taiwanese Vessel Named in New Forced Labor Findings

Imports of palm oil and palm oil products from Sime Darby Plantation in Malaysia may be seized by CBP starting Jan. 28 under a finding that the company uses forced labor, CBP said in a notice. "Through its investigation, CBP has determined that there is sufficient information to support a Finding that Sime Darby Plantation and its subsidiaries are using forced labor on Sime Darby’s plantations in Malaysia to harvest fresh fruit bunches, which are used to extract palm oil and produce derivative products, and that such palm oil and derivative products produced by the company are likely being imported" into the U.S., the agency said. CBP's finding follows a December 2020 withhold release order aimed at the company's palm oil (see 2012300007).

The finding covers "palm oil and derivative products made wholly or in part with palm oil," it said. Such products are included in subheadings "1207.10.0000, 1511.10.0000, 1511.90.0000, 1513.21.0000, 1513.29.0000, 1517, 3401.11, 3401.20.0000, 3401.19.0000, 3823.12.0000, 3823.19.2000, 3823.70.6000, 3823.70.4000, 3824.99.41 and any other relevant subheadings under Chapters 12, 15, 23, 29 and 38, which are produced or manufactured wholly or in part by Sime Darby Plantation, its subsidiaries and joint ventures," CBP said.

Based on the finding, the port director may seize any covered goods and begin forfeiture proceedings, it said. The finding applies to goods imported on or after Jan. 28 and “merchandise which has already been imported and has not been released from CBP custody before” that date, the agency said. The company didn't comment.

The agency also issued a finding that the Taiwanese fishing vessel Da Wang, "owned by Yong Feng Fishery Ltd., is using forced labor in its fishing operations" and seafood from the vessel may be subject to seizure as of Jan. 28, it said. The finding covers seafood, mainly tuna, of "subheadings 0304.87.0000, 0304.99.1190, 1604.14.4000, 1604.14.3059," CBP said.