As a key member of AAEI’s US-China Trade Policy Subcommittee, Christopher Smith of IKEA Purchasing Services (US) Inc. is helping AAEI’s effort to address and resolve importers’ difficulties surrounding enforcement of forced labor laws.
Chris is a trade advisor in Ikea’s Customs Coordination Center. His role involves establishing and maintaining corporate compliance with all US Customs and other Government agency regulations.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is issuing Withhold Release Orders (WROs) on imports of cotton, silicon, tomatoes, tobacco and fishing vessels that may have been sourced in regions where forced labor is known to be used, including China’s far west region of Xinjiang.
Currently, AAEI’s US-China Trade Policy Subcommittee is developing talking points to better coordinate importer requirements for CBP and eventually eliminate shipping delays currently caused by WROs.
