Cargo Systems Messaging Service

CSMS # 67544333 - Withhold Release Order (WRO) on Coffee Harvested in Mexico by Finca Monte Grande

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against Coffee harvested by Finca Monte Grande. Effective immediately, CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain shipments of coffee due to evidence reasonably indicating the use of forced labor in their production.

This WRO, the first in year 2026 and the third 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.

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

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

Forced labor is defined in 19 U.S.C. § 1307 as “all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily.” This WRO is the result of a CBP investigation and review of information that Finca Monte Grande harvested coffee using forced labor and forced child labor. CBP analyzed the following supporting evidence: worker statements, government reports, open-source non-governmental organization reports, news media and international organization reports.

Taken together, the evidence demonstrated that workers at Finca Monte Grande are subject to six International Labour Organization indicators of forced labor: retention of identity documents, abusive living and working conditions, debt bondage, withholding of wages, excessive overtime, 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 Finca Monte Grande 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 or forced child 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 Forced Labor Allegation Portal (https://flallegation.cbp.gov).

Link to Press Release: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-issues-wro-against-finca-monte-grande