CBP orders seizure of aluminum from Dominican company

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has ordered personnel at all US ports to seize aluminum extrusion and profile products manufactured by Kingtom Aluminio S.R.L.

The CBP issued the order after it found that Kingtom Aluminio, a Chinese-owned entity in the Dominican Republic, allegedly used forced labor in its production process.

Aluminum extrusions and profiles are used in transportation and construction, furniture, electronics and other products.

CBP said it identified the following International Labour Organization forced labor indicators during its investigation: abuse of vulnerability, intimidation and threats, deception, withholding of wages, physical and sexual violence, restriction of movement, and excessive overtime.

“Trading in goods that were manufactured at the expense of the health, safety, and freedom of another human being is completely antithetical to American values and the American way of life,” CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy A. Miller, said in a statement.

With this latest decision, the CBP currently oversees and enforces 51 Withhold Release Orders and nine Findings. You can find a current list of Withhold Release Orders and Findings here.

Under Customs law, such shipments will be excluded or seized if the importer can’t demonstrate that they fall within regulations.

The International Labour Organization estimates that nearly 28 million workers globally suffer under forced labor conditions, which exploits vulnerable populations to inhumane working conditions and hurts American workers and businesses who cannot compete with forced labor goods that are sold below market value.

Kingtom Aluminio did not respond to a message for comment.