US Import Ban – Chinese Uyghur Region

Effective from the 21st June, a US import ban will be in place for goods originating from the Xinjiang Uyghur region of China.

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act was actually passed in December 2021, but will be implemented from next month.

It is important to note that while the ban focuses specifically on Chinese origin goods, it is applicable for products arriving from anywhere in the world, if any part of the product has been sourced or manufactured in the region.

This does suggest that, along with Asia to North American shipments, exports from the UK to the US could be impacted.

The act states that 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.

If certain criteria are met, there will be exceptions to the rule, which will be governed by the CBP (US Customs and Border Protection). They provide information of the ruling HERE.

The act was created due to the belief that forced labor is commonplace in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, along with numerous human rights issues.

Our recommendation to any customers exporting to the US, whether from the UK or other countries directly, is to check whether their supply chain may be impacted by this new ruling.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Atlantic Pacific team.