United States Finds Forced Labor for Serbian Copper Producer

Jun. 18, 2026
By: Chaney A. Finn

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against copper and copper products made by Serbia Zijin Copper D.O.O., effective immediately. CBP will detain shipments from the company at all U.S. ports of entry due to evidence suggesting forced labor was used in production.

Products made with forced labor are strictly prohibited from entering U.S. Commerce. CBP's investigation reviewed worker statements, photographs, field notes, text messages, NGO reports, media coverage, and academic research. The agency found evidence of six International Labor Organization indicators of forced labor:

• Abuse of vulnerability
• Withholding of wages
• Intimidation and threats
• Restriction of movement
• Retention of identity documents
• Excessive overtime

CBP concluded there is reasonable suspicion that workers were performing labor involuntarily under threat of penalty. Trade data also indicates these products are being, or are likely to be, imported into the United States.

CBP stated that enforcing forced-labor laws protects both human rights and U.S. manufacturers from unfair competition. This rationale is also presented in the Section 301 forced labor enforcement investigation currently underway by the USTR. In light of that investigation importers should expect more aggressive enforcement by Customs.

The Zijn Copper WRO is the fourth WRO issued in fiscal year 2026, totaling to 56 WROs the agency now enforces related to forced labor. Serbia is the only country in Europe with a WRO applied to any of its products (there are two against Serbian goods).

WRO’s issued under 19 U.S.C. § 1307 allow importers whose shipments are detained to either export or destroy the goods or provide evidence that the products were not made with forced labor. Should you have any questions about Withold Release Orders, forced labor, or any other trade-related questions, do not hesitate to contact any attorney at Barnes, Richardson & Colburn, LLP.