Happening Now
Beginning March 18, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will require customs entries to include a China postal code when China is the manufacturer or seller’s country of origin. The new data requirement, which will be integrated into CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system, is part of the agency’s implementation of the UFLPA – the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
Here is CBP’s trade user notice on the new data requirement.
CBP will use the China postal codes to trigger early notification to importers and their customs brokers that goods may have been produced in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), which would be subject to UFLPA restrictions.
CBP will begin using the China postal code in the MID number transmitted at the time of entry to determine whether goods might be detained upon arrival. If the postal code is in Xinjiang province, the goods will be detained. If an invalid postal code is transmitted, or the postal code is missing, the goods will not be released until a valid code is provided to CBP.
Recommendation
To get ready, importers should vet their suppliers to ensure they are not importing goods that originate in Xinjiang province. And they should communicate with suppliers located in China. Be sure they understand that a valid postal code must be listed on all commercial documents as part of their complete address in China, and they must provide their valid China postal code to the freight forwarder or steamship line when booking cargo.