CBP Issues Withhold Release Order on Linglong International for Forced Labor

CBP Trade RSS

Filed December 18th, 2025

Detected March 1st, 2026

Summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against automobile tires manufactured by Linglong International Europe D.O.O. Zrenjanin in Serbia. This action, effective immediately, will detain all such tires at U.S. ports of entry due to evidence of forced labor in their production.

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What changed

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against automobile tires manufactured in Serbia by Linglong International Europe D.O.O. Zrenjanin. This order, effective immediately, mandates the detention of all shipments of these tires at U.S. ports of entry. The WRO is based on evidence reasonably indicating the use of forced labor, citing nine International Labour Organization indicators of forced labor, including retention of identity documents, intimidation, isolation, excessive overtime, debt bondage, and abusive working conditions. This is the fifth WRO issued in 2025 and the second in Fiscal Year 2026, bringing the total number of active WROs and Findings to 55 and nine, respectively.

Importers of detained tires have the option to export or destroy the shipments, or to demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor. This action underscores CBP's commitment to preventing goods made with forced labor from entering U.S. commerce and ensures American workers and businesses compete on a level playing field. Companies are encouraged to report any suspected forced labor allegations through CBP's e-Allegations Online Trade Violations Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.

What to do next

Review supply chains for potential forced labor indicators, particularly for goods originating from Serbia.
Prepare to address detained shipments by either exporting, destroying, or providing evidence of compliance.
Report any suspected forced labor allegations through CBP's e-Allegations system or hotline.

Penalties

Detention of shipments. Importers may seek to destroy or export detained shipments or demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor.

Source document (simplified)

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CBP issues Withhold Release Order on Linglong International Europe D.O.O. Zrenjanin

CBP issues Withhold Release Order on Linglong International Europe D.O.O. Zrenjanin

Release Date Thu, 12/18/2025 Agency will detain imports of tires manufactured using forced labor

WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a Withhold Release Order against automobile tires manufactured in Serbia by Linglong International Europe D.O.O. Zrenjanin (Linglong). Effective immediately, CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain shipments of these tires due to evidence reasonably indicating the use of forced labor in their production.

“The message is clear—the United States will not tolerate forced labor in supply chains,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott.

This WRO, the fifth in 2025 and the second 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 that imported goods are made by forced labor, the agency acts to detain those shipments through WROs.

“Americans should not have to compete with products made through exploitation,” said Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan S. Thomas of CBP’s Office of Trade. “By preventing forced-labor goods from entering U.S. commerce, CBP helps ensure American workers and businesses compete on a level playing field.”

This WRO is the result of a CBP investigation and review of information that Linglong manufactures automobile tires using forced labor. CBP analyzed the following supporting evidence: worker statements, photographs, employment contracts, 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 Linglong are subject to nine International Labour Organization indicators of forced labor: retention of identity documents, intimidation and threats, isolation, excessive overtime, withholding of wages, debt bondage, abusive living and working conditions, deception, and abuse of vulnerability. 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 Linglong highlights CBP’s continued efforts to combat forced labor. With this action, CBP now oversees and enforces 55 WROs and nine Findings under 19 U.S.C. § 1307.

Importers of detained shipments may seek to destroy or export their shipments or seek to demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor.

CBP receives allegations of forced labor from a variety of sources including government agencies, media, non-government organizations, and members of the public. Any person or organization that has reason to believe merchandise produced with forced labor is being, or is likely to be, imported into the United States can report allegations through CBP’s e-Allegations Online Trade Violations Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.

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