CBP issues Withhold Release Order on Firemount Group Ltd. - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Garments, apparel, and textiles made with forced labor will be detained
WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a Withhold Release Order against, and will immediately detain, garments, apparel, and textiles manufactured in Mauritius by Firemount Group Ltd., based on information that reasonably indicates forced labor use.
This WRO, the fourth issued in 2025, and the first in Fiscal Year 2026, was issued due to violations of 19 U.S.C. §1307, the law prohibiting goods made with forced labor from entering the United States. When CBP has evidence indicating that imported goods are made by forced labor, the agency issues WROs to detain those shipments.
“CBP issues WROs on companies that use forced labor to the detriment of law-abiding businesses. CBP’s action protects and promotes American economic prosperity,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott.
Forced labor is defined in 19 U.S.C. §1307 as “all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily.” This WRO is the result of a CBP investigation and review of information that Firemount manufactures garments, textiles, and apparel using forced labor. CBP analyzed supporting evidence which included interview questionnaires; audio interview recordings and transcripts; open-source nongovernment organization reports, news media, and academic research.
Taken together, the evidence demonstrated that workers at Firemount are subject to four International Labour Organization indicators: abuse of vulnerability, debt bondage, deception, and intimidation and threats. The facts underlying these indicators show, by reasonable suspicion, that workers are engaged in forced labor (i.e., work performed involuntarily and under menace of penalty). Additionally, CBP trade import data outlined in the recommendation demonstrates that the goods are being, or are likely to be, imported into the United States.
Importers of detained shipments may seek to destroy or export their shipments or seek to demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor.
“Not only is forced labor inhumane, but it also creates unfair competition that harms American businesses and consumers,” said Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan S. Thomas, of CBP’s Office of Trade. “As America’s frontline for border and economic security, CBP stands ready to enforce our laws and ensure a level playing field.”
The WRO against Firemount is the latest action CBP has taken to address forced labor. With this WRO issuance, CBP currently oversees and enforces 54 WROs and nine Findings under 19 U.S.C. § 1307.
CBP receives allegations of forced labor from a variety of sources including government agencies, media, nongovernmental organizations, and members of the public. Any person or organization that has reason to believe merchandise produced with 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.
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Lightweight Thermal Paper From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Third Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order
• Certain Collated Steel Staples From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Lightweight Thermal Paper From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Third Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires from Taiwan: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Raw Honey From India: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Collated Steel Staples From People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order
• Glycine From India: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Calcium Hypochlorite From China: Final Results of the Expedited Second Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Raw Honey From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Light-Based Physiological Measurement Devices and Components Thereof; Notice of a Commission Determination To Institute a Combined Modification and Enforcement Proceeding
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Urine Splash Guards and Components Thereof; Second Notice of Request for Submissions on the Public Interest
• Certain Hydrodermabrasion Systems and Components Thereof; Second Notice of Request for Submission on the Public Interest
• Certain Electrolyte Containing Beverages and Labeling and Packaging Thereof (II); Second Notice of Request for Submissions on the Public Interest
• Certain Photodynamic Therapy Systems, Components Thereof, and Pharmaceutical Products Used in Combination With the Same; Second Notice of Request for Submissions on the Public Interest
• Hexamine from Germany, India, and Saudi Arabia; Revised Schedule for the Subject Proceeding
• Certain Vehicle Telematics, Fleet Management, and Video-Based Safety Systems, Devices, and Components Thereof; Second Notice of Request for Submissions on the Public Interest
• Barium Carbonate From China; Termination of Five-Year Review
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CBP plays major role in HSI, IRS trade fraud probe; two arrested, $13.6 million in gold seized; suspected $86.47 million in duties evaded - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
NEW YORK, N.Y. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers with the John F. Kennedy International Airport partnered with Homeland Security Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service in a multiyear trade fraud investigation that led to two arrests, the seizure of $13.36 million in gold, and the identification of a suspected $86.47 million in evaded duties.
Working with HSI and IRS, CBP officers and import specialists conducted targeted examinations and analysis that revealed a suspected scheme to route gold jewelry shipments through a foreign intermediary and return them to the United States under the guise of “U.S. goods returned,” significantly reducing duties owed. Examinations found discrepancies between outbound materials and inbound finished products and timelines inconsistent with processing.
On Nov. 10, CBP personnel assisted HSI and IRS with the arrests of two individuals on federal charges that include making false statements, wire fraud, and money laundering. The following day, CBP supported the execution of federal search warrants at a commercial facility in Brooklyn and on an outbound shipment, resulting in the seizure of approximately $7.2 million in gold at the facility and $6.16 million in gold from the outbound shipment.
“This case underscores CBP’s role in safeguarding the U.S. economy by enforcing trade laws and holding suspected bad actors accountable,” said CBP’s New York Field Office Director of Field Operations Francis J. Russo. “Our officers and import specialists used data-driven targeting and meticulous examinations to help disrupt this suspected duty-evasion scheme while facilitating legitimate commerce.”
The investigation remains ongoing. HSI and IRS are leading the criminal investigation with continued support from CBP’s New York Field Office. The charges and allegations are merely accusations; the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
For additional case updates, please refer to the appropriate prosecutorial authorities. CBP will have no further comment at this time.
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Put Safety on the Menu: Consumer Product Safety Commission Offers Safe Cooking Tips for a Joyful Holiday Season - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As families across America prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing an urgent reminder that the holiday season marks the most dangerous time of year for cooking-related fires and injuries.
Forty-five percent of annual residential fires are cooking-related, according to CPSC's report on Residential Fire and Loss Estimates. Cooking fires spike on Thanksgiving Day, with an average of 1,400 cooking fires. That’s more than three times the daily average of cooking fires.
“Every year, we see preventable fires and injuries caused by cooking accidents during the holidays,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman. “We’re urging everyone to stay focused when in the kitchen because a few minutes of attention can make the difference between a happy holiday and a heartbreaking one.”
Follow CPSC’s practical holiday cooking safety tips:
• Never leave cooking food unattended. Stand by your pan!
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the cooking area.
• Keep flammable items, like oven mitts, wooden utensils and food packaging, away from the stovetop.
• Turn pot handles inward to prevent accidental spills and burns.
• If a grease fire starts, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Never use water on a grease fire.
• Have a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.
Turkey fryers create particular risks, causing fires, injuries and property damage. Remember COOK when using one.
C: Carefully follow manufacturer’s instructions.
O: Overheat–Never overheat oil and use an oil with high smoke point.
O: Overfill–Never overfill the oil in your turkey fryer.
K: Keep the fryer out of the garage, off the deck and away from the house.
Finally, make sure you have s working smoke alarm on each level of your home, outside sleeping areas and inside bedrooms.
Visit CPSC’s Holiday Safety Information Center for more holiday safety tips.
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FMC Collects $1,350,000 in Penalty Payments - Federal Maritime Commission
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC or Commission) investigates and negotiates settlements and informal compromises of civil penalties in relation to potential violations of the Shipping Act and Commission regulations. Recently, the Commission completed two compromise agreements recovering a total of $1,350,000 in civil penalties. The agreements were reached with a vessel-operating common carrier (VOCC) and a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC).
One compromise agreement was reached with Hyundai Glovis, Co. Ltd. (Hyundai Glovis), a VOCC headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, that operates in the U.S.-foreign trades and globally. The compromise agreement resolved allegations that Hyundai Glovis violated the Shipping Act through activities that included: (1) providing service in the liner trade that was not in accordance with the rates, charges, classifications, rules, and practices contained in Hyundai Glovis’ tariff, and (2) providing services as a common carrier without publishing the appropriate tariffs showing all its active rates and charges. FMC staff alleged that these practices persisted for over a year and involved numerous shipments. Hyundai Glovis made a payment of $1,300,000 in compromise of these allegations.
A compromise agreement was also reached with NVOCC Olympiad Line LLC (Olympiad) for allegations that Olympiad violated the Shipping Act by providing service in the liner trade that was not in accordance with the rates, charges, classifications, rules, and practices contained in its published tariff. Olympiad made a payment of $50,000 in compromise of these allegations.
The parties compromised and agreed to the payment of civil penalties, but did not admit to violations of the Shipping Act or Commission regulations.
Penalty payments are deposited into the U.S. General Fund of the United States. The Federal Maritime Commission receives no portion of these payments.
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Who’s eligible for a refund from Amazon? - Federal Trade Commission
You might have heard that Amazon agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle the FTC’s charges that it enrolled millions of people in Prime subscriptions without their consent – and then made it hard for those unwilling Prime subscribers to cancel. Since $1.5 billion of that amount goes back to consumers, you might be wondering: who gets it? How? And what do I need to do?
Last question, first: right now, do nothing. The refunds are automatic and will go out starting November 12, 2025. If you’re eligible for a refund, you’ll get an email from Amazon to claim your refund through PayPal or Venmo. (Learn more about the process at ftc.gov/Amazon.)
Now for the answers to those other questions. If you meet all three of these requirements, you may be eligible for an automatic refund of your Prime membership fees, up to $51:
1. You’re a US-based Amazon Prime customer.
2. You signed up for a Prime membership between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025 through one of the enrollment flows the FTC challenged in its case.
3. You used fewer than three Prime benefits, such as watching a Prime video or listening to Amazon Music, in any 12-month period after you enrolled in Prime.
One more important thing. Scammers often use the names of well-known companies and big FTC settlements to contact people to “help” with your account or refund. How do you know it’s a scam? Because the FTC will never contact you about this refund. And no one from the FTC or Amazon will ask you for money to get a refund. And only scammers say they can get you special access or a guaranteed refund.
If you get an unexpected call or text from someone who claims to be the FTC or Amazon, it’s probably a scam. Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. And learn more about these refunds at ftc.gov/Amazon.
Updated November 12, 2025 with refund details.