US blocks import of tires made at Linglong Serbia plant

Washington – The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a 'withhold release order' against vehicle tires manufactured by Linglong International Europe in Serbia, the agency announced 18 Dec.

The import ban, with immediate effect, was imposed “due to evidence reasonably indicating the use of forced labour” in the production of tires at Linglong’s Zrenjanin plant.

Announcing the measure, CBP cited evidence from an investigation including: worker statements, photographs, employment contracts and ‘focus group field notes’.

Further information, it added, was gathered via text message screenshots, open-source non-government organisation reports, news media, and academic research.

The agency, thereby, concluded that “workers at Linglong are subject to nine International Labour Organization indicators of forced labour.”

These, it said, involve “retention of identity documents, intimidation and threats, isolation, excessive overtime, withholding of wages, debt bondage, abusive living and working conditions, deception, and abuse of vulnerability.”

“By preventing forced-labour goods from entering US commerce, CBP helps ensure American workers and businesses compete on a level playing field,” it also stated.

Importers of detained shipments may seek to destroy or export their shipments or show that the merchandise was not produced with forced labour, the CBP pointed out.

ERJ has requested comment from Linglong about this development