Garment samples are being subjected to isotope testing in the US to determine the origin of the cotton used in their production and this could spell problems for Vietnam garment manufacturing, garment and apparel trade publication, Just-Style, is reporting. The publication cites a study in which 19 percent of samples tested contained traces of Chinese cotton banned as part of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act–the UFLPA.
For context, it has become common for Chinese firms to try and circumvent US trade barriers–antidumping and countervailing duties and what not–by rebranding their goods ‘made in Vietnam’ and shipping them to the US through their neighbour to the south. This also extends to products, particularly cotton, that contravene the UFLPA.
Of note, between October of last year and May of this year, US Customs stopped 950 shipments entering the US from Vietnam under the UFLPA valued at US$520 million. Of those 528 were released, 207 are still pending an outcome, and 215 were denied entry. Those denied shipments were worth a collective US$20.9 million with 46 shipments of apparel, footwear, and textiles among them valued at US$496,485.
See also: Vietnam Clothing Suppliers 2024: ESG in Production