[The Epoch Times, March 16, 2022](The Epoch Times reporter Takasugi compiles and reports) U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced on Tuesday (March 15) that China’s Li Ning Sporting Goods Company allegedly used North Korean laborers to make its products. It will face U.S. sanctions and its products will be seized by U.S. customs.
According to a statement released by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on its official website, starting from March 14, 2022, the US will inspect and detain Li-Ning sporting goods at all ports of entry Products manufactured by the company.
The enforcement decision was made based on the results of an investigation conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the statement said. The findings show that Li-Ning Sporting Goods uses North Korean labor in the manufacture of the goods it supplies.
Over the years, North Korea has reportedly sent tens of thousands of its citizens to perform manual labor in places like Russia and China. It earns more than $500 million in foreign exchange annually for the country.
“Counting America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)” stipulates that the United States prohibits the import of any goods produced, manufactured, mined in whole or in part by North Korean nationals or citizens of North Korea, anywhere in the world, Goods and items. Unless there is clear and convincing evidence that forced labor was not used in the production and manufacture of these imported goods.
Under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, Customs and Border Protection will seize Li-Ning products at all U.S. ports of entry, the statement said. Li-Ning’s merchandise will not be authorized to enter the United States unless the importer, within 30 days of receiving the detention notice, can provide clear and convincing evidence that the merchandise was not labored by criminals, forced labor, or indentured labor subject to criminal sanctions produced. If the company fails to provide clear and convincing evidence within this period, the items may be subject to seizure.
“The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act is another tool in CBP’s trade enforcement arsenal,” said CBP Administrative Assistant Commissioner for Trade Affairs AnnMarie Highsmith. , so that we can uphold the fundamental value of human dignity and ensure that goods entering the United States do not involve forced labor.”
More information on the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act can be found on the DHS.gov website. Questions about U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s enforcement actions, and related authorizations, may be directed to [email protected].
Responsible editor: Ye Ziwei#