CBP Modifies Withhold Release Order on FGV Holdings Berhad

CBP Trade RSS

Filed January 15th, 2026

Detected March 1st, 2026

Summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has modified a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against FGV Holdings Berhad of Malaysia, allowing its palm oil and palm oil products to enter the U.S. effective January 15, 2026. This modification follows FGV's remediation of forced labor practices in its production processes.

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What changed

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has modified the Withhold Release Order (WRO) originally issued on September 30, 2020, against FGV Holdings Berhad, its subsidiaries, and joint ventures for their production of palm oil and palm oil products. As of January 15, 2026, FGV's palm oil and related products will no longer be detained at U.S. ports of entry, and will be allowed entry provided they comply with all other U.S. laws. This action signifies CBP's determination that FGV has remediated the forced labor indicators previously identified.

This modification means that importers and exporters dealing with FGV Holdings Berhad can resume trade of these products into the United States, subject to standard compliance checks. Companies that were previously impacted by the WRO should ensure their supply chain documentation reflects the updated status. While no specific compliance deadline is mentioned for entities to resume trade, the effective date for the modification is January 15, 2026. CBP's actions underscore the agency's commitment to combating forced labor in global supply chains, with previous enforcement actions in this sector resulting in over $85 million in repaid wages and fees to affected workers.

What to do next

Verify compliance of FGV Holdings Berhad products with U.S. import laws effective January 15, 2026.
Update internal supply chain monitoring and compliance protocols regarding FGV Holdings Berhad products.

Source document (simplified)

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CBP modifies Withhold Release Order on FGV Holdings Berhad in Malaysia

CBP modifies Withhold Release Order on FGV Holdings Berhad in Malaysia

Release Date Thu, 01/15/2026 FGV Holdings Berhad remediates forced labor in its production of palm oil and palm oil products

WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection today took a decisive step to address forced labor in global supply chains by modifying the Withhold Release Order issued Sept. 30, 2020, against palm oil and palm oil products produced in Malaysia by FGV Holdings Berhad, its subsidiaries and joint ventures (collectively known as FGV).

As of Jan. 15, 2026, the U.S. will no longer detain at ports of entry palm oil and palm oil products produced by FGV and, effective immediately, will allow palm oil and palm oil products produced by FGV to enter the United States, provided they are otherwise compliant with U.S. laws.

“Responsible trade must protect the people behind the product, not put them at risk,” said Rodney S. Scott, CBP Commissioner. “When our review showed that FGV’s shipments weren’t meeting U.S. standards, we took action to stop them. The company has now made the corrections we required, and this modification helps keep our supply chains fair, secure and accountable.”

This is the agency’s first modification in fiscal year 2026. Since 2019, CBP has issued and modified eight WROs and Findings in the palm oil and glove manufacturing sectors of Malaysia. As a result of these enforcement actions, companies have repaid over $85 million in withheld wages and recruitment fees to workers trapped in debt bondage. These changes have led to a more level playing field for American businesses and workers.

CBP does not modify WROs or Findings until the agency has evidence demonstrating that the producer of subject merchandise no longer produces, manufactures or mines the subject goods using forced labor.

“By restoring the true value of labor through these reimbursements, we are doing more than leveling the playing field for American businesses. We are affirming the inherent dignity of workers who have been exploited by these companies,” said Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner for CBP’s Office of Trade Susan S. Thomas. “On this Human Trafficking Prevention Month, this action helps to demonstrate the effectiveness of CBP’s forced labor enforcement.”

On Sept. 30, 2020, CBP issued a WRO against imported palm oil and palm oil products produced using forced labor, wholly or in part, by FGV, based on evidence reasonably indicating that the working conditions at FGV exposed workers to all 11 International Labour Organization forced labor indicators. Since implementing the WRO, FGV has taken actions to identify, correct and prevent forced labor using the established process that allows interested parties to request that CBP modify a WRO or Finding.

Any person or organization with reason to believe merchandise produced with forced labor is being (or is likely to be) imported into the United States can report detailed allegations by contacting CBP through the e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 67,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.