U.S. CBP issues withhold release orders on Indonesian palm oil imports over forced labor
The orders direct CBP personnel to detain palm oil and derivative products produced by two Indonesian companies over forced labor concerns.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today issued two withhold release orders (WROs) directing personnel at all U.S. ports of entry to immediately detain palm oil and derivative products produced by two companies in Indonesia.
The WROs were issued following a CBP review of evidence, including interview transcripts, payroll slips, harvest quota information, photographs, government and non-governmental organization reports, news media, and academic research. CBP determined that workers are subjected to multiple International Labour Organization (ILO) indicators of forced labor, including withholding of wages, debt bondage, deception, excessive overtime, intimidation and threats, abusive working and living conditions, and abuse of vulnerability.
Importers of detained shipments may choose to export or destroy their shipments, or they may seek to demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor.
Read the CBP release (September 29, 2026).