NCTO applauds DHS plan to fight textile fraud.

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) in the US applauds the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) new plan to crack down on import fraud and illegal trade practices harming American textile companies.

Plan targets fraud and forced labor

The five-point plan focuses on:

Stronger enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) to block goods made with forced labor.

Increased inspections and audits of free trade agreements (FTAs) and shipments to ensure products originate from the claimed countries.

Scrutiny of small, duty-free packages to prevent abuse of a loophole that strains enforcement resources.

Expansion of the UFLPA Entity List to identify companies using forced labor.

Public awareness campaigns to deter future violations.

The NCTO highlights the industry's role in pushing for the plan and welcomes DHS's swift action. They particularly appreciate pre-emptive measures like increased inspections already underway.

While the plan tackles textile-specific issues, the NCTO emphasizes the need for broader reform of "de minimis" shipments, which currently allow millions of duty-free packages daily. They urge the administration to close this loophole further and support congressional action for comprehensive reform.

The NCTO pledges continued communication with DHS and CBP to ensure effective enforcement. They see this plan as a crucial step towards a stronger domestic textile industry and look forward to working with DHS to make it a success.