TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US Customs and Border Protection on Thursday imposed a Withhold Release Order against bicycles, parts, and accessories produced in Taiwan by Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd. over alleged forced labor.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs said the order follows a CBP investigation into suspected forced labor at Giant, per CNA. The MOEA said it will work with the Ministry of Labor to help the company promptly resolve any potential forced labor concerns, allowing CBP to lift the WRO as soon as possible.

The MOEA’s International Trade Administration said it attaches great importance to the CBP announcement. The CBP said the decision was “based on information that reasonably indicates forced labor use.”

The CBP said its investigation identified five International Labour Organization forced labor indicators at Giant: abuse of vulnerability, abusive working and living conditions, debt bondage, withholding of wages, and excessive overtime.

The MOEA stressed that Taiwan, as a responsible member of the global supply chain, has long prioritized improving labor conditions and continues to work with the MOL to foster a worker-friendly environment. As Giant is a world-renowned bicycle manufacturer, the MOEA pledged to cooperate with the MOL to help the company address potential forced labor concerns and maintain its international reputation, facilitating the WRO’s revocation.

The MOEA said the WRO was issued under 19 U.S.C. 1307 (Tariff Act of 1930). The CBP said this is the third WRO it has issued this year.

CBP said it currently oversees 53 WROs under Section 307 — including against companies in China, Japan, South Korea, and elsewhere — barring covered products from entering the US over suspected forced labor concerns.