Cargo Systems Messaging Service

CSMS # 65176258 - Withhold Release Order (WRO) on Seafood, Including but Not Limited to Squid, Harvested by Zhen Fa 7, a Chinese Flagged Vessel

Effective May 28, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain seafood, including but not limited to squid, harvested by Zhen Fa 7.

CBP issued a WRO against Zhen Fa 7 based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor in violation of 19 U.S.C. § 1307 in the production of that merchandise.

CBP currently oversees and enforces 52 WROs and nine Findings under 19 U.S.C. § 1307.  This law 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 under penal sanctions . . . ,” which includes forced or indentured child labor.  When CBP has information reasonably indicating that imported goods are made by forced labor in violation of Section 1307, the agency will order personnel at U.S. ports of entry to detain shipments of those goods.  Such shipments will be excluded or subjected to seizure and forfeiture if the importer fails to demonstrate proof of admissibility in accordance with applicable regulations.

Importers of products detained may contest the exclusion of the products’ release pursuant to 19 C.F.R. § 12.43 by providing sufficient information to CBP or by moving to export the products pursuant to 19 C.F.R . § 12.44.

Any person or organization that has reason to believe merchandise produced with the use of forced labor is being, or is 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 questions, please contact forcedlabor@cbp.dhs.gov.