US Import Ban On Xinjiang Uyghur Region Of China.

A ban on imports of goods produced in the Xinjiang Uyghur region of China is due to come in to force in June, six months after the bill was originally passed.

Any goods mined, produced, manufactured, wholly or in part, in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) will not be allowed into the United States after 21st June 2022.

Under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, any goods made in the region are considered to be produced under forced labour. This also includes goods imported from other countries that have materials sourced from the region.

To get a sense of the potential issue, and while not exclusive to the clothing and textile industry, it is understood that up to one in five cotton garments in the global market have content from the Uyghur region, and therefore carry a high risk of being deemed to fall under forced labor.

There will be exceptions which allow some import of goods from the region, provided that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) accept that certain criteria has been met. More information from them can be found HERE.

Westbound suggest that businesses sending products to the United States, whether directly from China, the UK, or elsewhere, check their supply chains to ensure they are aware of the origins of their products. If any goods have origin through the region, this could have a MAJOR IMPACT on your business.

According to many reports, forced labor is widespread in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and intersects with other human rights issues.

Westbound will be monitoring the implementation of these new rules closely. In the meantime, should you require any further information, then please do not hesitate to contact us.