- Agency will detain imports of copper and copper products manufactured using forced labor
WASHINGTON, USA — US Customs and Border Protection issued a Withhold Release Order against copper and copper products manufactured in Serbia by Serbia Zijin Copper D.O.O. (Serbia Zijin). Effective immediately, CBP personnel at all US ports of entry will detain shipments of these copper products due to evidence reasonably indicating the use of forced labor in their production.
This WRO, the fourth 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 imported goods are made with forced labor, the agency acts to detain those shipments through WROs.
“US manufacturers face unfair competition when foreign companies cut costs by using forced labor,” said CBP office of trade executive assistant commissioner Susan S. Thomas. “By enforcing our laws against forced labor, CBP safeguards human rights as well as our nation’s economic security.”
This WRO is the result of a CBP investigation and review of information that Serbia Zijin manufactures copper and copper products using forced labor. CBP analyzed the following supporting evidence: worker statements, photographs, focus group field notes, text message screenshots, open-source non-government organization reports, news media, and academic research.
Taken together, the evidence demonstrated that workers at Serbia Zijin are subject to six International Labour Organization indicators of forced labor: abuse of vulnerability, withholding of wages, intimidation and threats, restriction of movement, retention of identity documents, and excessive overtime. 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 demonstrates that the goods are being, or are likely to be, imported into the United States.
The WRO against Serbia Zijin highlights CBP’s continued efforts to combat forced labor. With this action, CBP now oversees and enforces 56 WROs and eight Findings under 19 U.S.C. § 1307.
Importers of detained shipments may either destroy or export their shipments, or they may seek to demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor.