Import Detention Order Targets Palm Oil from Malaysian Company
Source
American Shipper
Post Date
10/02/2020
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a new withhold release order that, effective Sept. 30, requires the detention at all U.S. ports of entry of (1) palm oil produced in Malaysia by FGV Holdings Berhad and its subsidiaries and joint ventures and (2) any palm oil products or derivatives traceable to such palm oil. CBP states that palm oil is a common ingredient in products U.S. consumers encounter every day in grocery and convenience stores, including processed foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, soap, and biodiesel. According to CBP, this order was based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor, including physical violence, intimidation and threats, debt bondage, withholding of wages, and abusive living and working conditions. An investigation also raised concerns that forced child labor is potentially being used in FGV¡¯s palm oil production process. However, importers of detained shipments will have an opportunity to export their shipments or submit proof to CBP that they were not produced with forced labor.
