Somali Frankincense Ban

Magi planning their holiday gift-giving may have to reconsider choices in light of a recent CBP finding of forced labor in the Frankinsense trade.

Effective November 1, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain frankincense and frankincense-based products sourced from Somalia by Asli Maydi.

CBP issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against Asli Maydi based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor in violation of 19 U.S.C. § 1307 in the production of that merchandise.

Frankincense is a hardened gum-like resin derived from the trunk of the Boswellia tree. People use its oil on the skin and in aromatherapy.  It is commonly used as a fragrance in soaps, lotions, and perfumes

CBP currently oversees and enforces 50 WROs and eight Findings under 19 U.S.C. § 1307. This law prohibits the importation of “[a]ll goods, wares, articles, and merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in any foreign country by convict labor or/and forced labor, or/and indentured labor under penal sanctions . . . ,” which includes forced or indentured child labor. When CBP has information reasonably indicating that imported goods are made by forced labor in violation of 19 U.S.C § 1307, the agency will order personnel at U.S. ports of entry to detain shipments of those goods. Such shipments will be excluded or subjected to seizure and forfeiture if the importer fails to demonstrate proof of admissibility in accordance with applicable regulations.

CSMS # 62829623 - Withhold Release Order on Frankincense and Frankincense-Based Products Sourced from Somalia by Asli Maydi