CBP WROs on Indonesian palm oil from MAR and HIP under 19 U.S.C. § 1307
Two Withhold Release Orders detain Indonesian palm oil and derivatives from MAR and HIP at all U.S. ports. ILO indicators, importer options, and the Forced Labor Allegation Portal.
CBP issued two Withhold Release Orders against palm oil and its derivative products produced in Indonesia by Mitra Aneka Rezeki (MAR) and Hardaya Inti Plantation (HIP). Effective immediately, CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain those shipments under 19 U.S.C. § 1307. The action is covered in CBP's September 29, 2026 national media release and CSMS #70061795.
WROs on MAR and HIP palm oil and derivatives from Indonesia, effective immediately. Detain at all ports under 19 U.S.C. § 1307. CBP now enforces 60 WROs and eight Findings.
What CBP found
Both WROs follow a CBP review that MAR and HIP use forced labor to produce palm oil and its derivative products in Indonesia. Supporting evidence cited by CBP includes interview transcripts, payroll slips, harvest quota information, photographs, open-source NGO and other government agency reports, news media, and academic research. CBP also states that trade import data shows the goods are being, or are likely to be, imported into the United States.
Authority: 19 U.S.C. § 1307 (forced labor)
MAR: nine ILO forced-labor indicators
HIP: seven ILO forced-labor indicators
After these WROs: 60 WROs and eight Findings under § 1307
ILO indicators: MAR versus HIP
Workers at MAR are subject to nine International Labour Organization indicators of forced labor: withholding of wages, debt bondage, deception, retention of identity documents, isolation, excessive overtime, intimidation and threats, abusive working and living conditions, and abuse of vulnerability.
Workers at HIP are subject to seven ILO indicators: debt bondage, withholding of wages, deception, excessive overtime, abusive working and living conditions, intimidation and threats, and abuse of vulnerability. CBP states the facts underlying these indicators show, by reasonable suspicion, that workers are engaged in forced labor.
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. Screen Indonesian palm-oil and derivative supply chains for MAR and HIP production immediately. Allegations can be reported through CBP's Forced Labor Allegation Portal.
CBP receives forced-labor allegations from government agencies, media, NGOs, and 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 through the Forced Labor Allegation Portal.
- Two WROs: palm oil and derivatives produced by MAR and HIP in Indonesia. Effective immediately; detain at all U.S. ports under 19 U.S.C. § 1307 (CSMS #70061795; CBP release Sept 29, 2026).
- MAR: nine ILO indicators (includes retention of identity documents and isolation). HIP: seven ILO indicators.
- CBP now oversees and enforces 60 WROs and eight Findings under § 1307.
- Importers of detained goods may destroy, export, or demonstrate the merchandise was not produced with forced labor.
- Report forced-labor import allegations through CBP's Forced Labor Allegation Portal.
- CBP issues Withhold Release Orders on Mitra Aneka Rezeki and Hardaya Inti Plantation (Sept 29, 2026) · U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- CSMS #70061795 - Withhold Release Orders (WROs) on palm oil and its derivative products produced in Indonesia by Mitra Aneka Rezeki and Hardaya Inti Plantation · U.S. Customs and Border Protection
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Drawback eligibility depends on your specific facts, and final refunds are determined by CBP at liquidation. Consult a licensed customs broker or attorney for your situation.