Cargo Systems Messaging Service

CSMS # 62603019 - Modification of Withhold Release Order Against Disposable Gloves Manufactured in Malaysia by Brightway Holding Sdn Bhd, Laglove (M) Sdn, and Bio Pro (M) Sdn Bhd (Collectively Brightway Group)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) modified the Withhold Release Order (WRO) issued on December 20, 2021 against disposable gloves produced by Brightway Holdings Sdn. Bhd., Laglove (M) Sdn., and Biopro (M) Sdn. Bhd. (collectively, Brightway Group) in Malaysia. Effective October 11, 2024, CBP will no longer detain disposable gloves produced by the Brightway Group at U.S. ports of entry and will allow shipments to enter the U.S. provided they are otherwise compliant with U.S. laws.

On December 20, 2021, CBP issued a WRO against imported disposable gloves produced using forced labor, wholly or in part, by the Brightway Group. CBP issued the WRO against Brightway Group based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor in the entity’s manufacturing operations. CBP identified 10 of the 11 International Labour Organization’s indicators of forced labor during its investigation.

Since the implementation of the WRO, the Brightway Group has taken actions to fully remediate the forced labor indicators within its manufacturing process. Title 19 U.S.C. § 1307 prohibits the importation of “[a]ll goods, wares, articles, and merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in any foreign country by convict labor or/and forced labor, or/and indentured labor, including forced or indentured child labor[.]” When CBP has information reasonably indicating that imported goods are made by forced labor, the agency will order personnel at U.S. ports of entry to detain shipments of those goods. Such shipments will be excluded and subject to seizure and forfeiture if the importer fails to demonstrate proof of admissibility, in accordance with 19 CFR §12.43, or, alternatively, exports the shipment. 

CBP has established a process through which interested parties may request the modification or revocation of a WRO or Finding. The required evidence and timeline for modification or revocation may vary depending upon the specific circumstances of each case. CBP does not modify WROs or Findings until the agency has evidence demonstrating that the producer of subject merchandise no longer produces, manufactures, or mines the subject goods using forced labor. 

Additional information is available in the CBP website for WROs and Findings published here: Media Releases | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov) or Forced Labor | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov).

Any person or organization that has reason to believe merchandise produced with the use of forced labor is being, or likely to be, imported into the United States, can report detailed allegations by contacting CBP through the e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT. 

For additional questions, please contact forcedlabor@cbp.dhs.gov.