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Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 11 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural Legal Services Innovation Award. The firm has been recognized by the National Law Journal as a Legal Technology Trailblazer and featured by Bloomberg for its innovative service delivery models, which drive accuracy and predictability. The firm’s commitment to innovation is embodied in Thompson Hine SmartPaTHTM – a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals. For more information, please visit ThompsonHine.com and ThompsonHine.com/SmartPaTH.

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On February 3, 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) issued a <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-02-03/pdf/2023-02286.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">determination</a> in the Federal Register providing notice that it has determined that palm oil and various derivatives thereof &ldquo;are no longer being mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part with the use of convict, forced, or indentured labor by the Sime Darby Plantation, its subsidiaries, and joint ventures.&rdquo;&nbsp;
CBP issued its original Notice of Finding against Sime Darby Plantation (Sime Darby) on January 28, 2022, which immediately subjected such covered merchandise imported into the United States to seizure by port directors and possible forfeiture.&nbsp;See Update of <a href="https://www.thompsonhinesmartrade.com/2022/01/cbp-issues-notice-of-finding-that-certain-palm-oil-and-derivative-products-from-malaysia-involve-forced-labor/">January 27, 2022</a>.&nbsp;The January 2022 finding came after CBP had, in December 2020, issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against such palm oil products made by or traceable to Sime Darby.&nbsp; In announcing that it was lifting the January 2022 Finding, CBP stated that, &ldquo;Since that time, the Sime Darby Plantation has provided additional information to CBP, which CBP believes establishes by satisfactory evidence that the subject palm oil and derivative products are no longer mined, produced, or manufactured in any part with forced labor.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
This determination takes effect on February 3, 2023, and allows shipments containing Sime Darby-produced palm oil and derivatives to enter U.S. commerce, provided the imports are otherwise in compliance with U.S. law.

core/freeform

SmarTrade

Senior Legislative and Regulatory Policy Advisor

Scott E. Diamond

Partner

Francesca M.S. Guerrero

Samir D. Varma

International Trade

CBP Removes Forced Labor Finding Pertaining to Palm Oil and Derivatives Produced by Malaysia’s Sime Darby Plantation