US politics: America vs. Giant - US import ban for the bicycle giant

This article was first published on 27.09.2025 and updated in the meantime.

The USA has caused a stir with a drastic decision: products from Giant manufactured in Taiwan may no longer be imported into the USA. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a "withhold release order" against bicycles, bicycle parts and accessories manufactured in Taiwan by Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd. The reason given for this step is "information suggesting the use of forced labour".

With immediate effect, CBP will Bicyclesbicycle parts and accessories manufactured in Taiwan by Giant. The agency is citing violations of 19 U.S.C. § 1307, a law that prohibits the importation into the U.S. of goods made with forced labour. "CBP has demonstrated that it will take action against companies that use forced labour to the detriment of law-abiding U.S. businesses," said CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott in an official statement. Giant bicycles from factories in China, Vietnam, Hungary and the Netherlands are not affected by the import ban.

USA import ban: justification

CBP's investigation of Giant identified the following International Labour Organization (ILO) indicators for forced labour:

• Abuse of vulnerability,
• Abusive working and living conditions,
• Debt bondage,
• Withholding of wages and
• excessive overtime.

CBP alleges that this labour exploitation "resulted in goods being produced below market value and defrauded American businesses of millions of dollars in unwarranted profits." The notice points out that the responsibility lies with Giant: "Importers have a duty to know their supply chains," said Susan S. Thomas, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of the US CBP Office of Trade.

If CBP has evidence indicating that imported merchandise was produced by forced labour, the agency will order these shipments detained. Importers of detained shipments may seek to destroy or export their shipments or prove that the merchandise is admissible.

There had already been accusations for some time

Reports of forced labour in the Taiwanese bicycle industry caused a stir in spring 2025. According to reports in Monde Diplomatique, bonded labour is widespread. The article "The dark side of the bicycle industry" referred to 200 interviews with workers from the Taiwanese bicycle industry (https://monde-diplomatique.de/artikel/!6067550).

"Bonded labour, the withholding of passports, inhumane accommodation, withheld wages, threats and intimidation are common practice here," the article states. Accusations have been levelled not only against Giant, but also against other Taiwanese companies. In addition, many manufacturers have bicycle components made to order in Taiwan. The move by the authorities in the USA is therefore likely to be registered in large parts of the bicycle industry. Media in Taiwan report that Giant will examine the facts and is actively endeavouring to ensure that imports are permitted again.

The Teipei Times newspaper quotes a statement from the Ministry of Economic Affairs promising to work with the Ministry of Labour to quickly address concerns about forced labour: "As a responsible member of global supply chains, Taiwan has long attached great importance to improving working conditions and will continue to work with the Ministry of Labour to create a worker-friendly environment."

Update: Giant comments on the allegations

In a public statement, Giant defends itself against the allegations. "Giant Group is strongly committed to upholding human rights and labour protections. Since January 2025, we have implemented a zero recruitment fee policy where all recruitment, agency and government fees for newly hired migrant workers are fully covered by the company. By the end of 2024, we have completed the modernisation of employee housing to create a safer and more comfortable living environment."

The company was open to investigations and emphasised that it had already initiated numerous audits months ago: "The Giant Group has established internal oversight mechanisms and third-party audits and continues to conduct due diligence to ensure compliance with international standards."