On May 24, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) took decisive action to defend labor rights and uphold ethical trade standards by issuing a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against the Zhen Fa 7, a Chinese-flagged fishing vessel. This WRO follows a thorough investigation that uncovered multiple indicators of forced labor, including:
These findings make it clear: laborers aboard the Zhen Fa 7 were subjected to serious violations of human rights and international labor standards.
A Withhold Release Order is a powerful enforcement tool used by CBP to prevent goods produced with forced labor from entering U.S. markets. When CBP issues a WRO, any merchandise associated with the named producer or vessel is detained at all U.S. ports of entry. Unless the importer can prove the goods were not made with forced labor, they are excluded from the country.
In short, a WRO keeps unethical products off our shelves and sends a strong message that the U.S. will not be complicit in human exploitation.
Forced labor in the global fishing industry has long been a hidden crisis. Isolated at sea for months—or even years—workers often endure horrific conditions without any real recourse or protection. The issuance of this WRO is a significant step in combatting these abuses and ensuring that seafood imported into the United States meets basic human rights and labor standards.
This action:
The Zhen Fa 7 case is not an isolated incident. It reflects a broader, ongoing challenge in global supply chains—where exploitation can be hidden behind complex logistics and opaque corporate practices. That’s why enforcement mechanisms like the WRO are essential. They provide both accountability and transparency.
But it doesn’t stop at enforcement. Businesses, consumers, and policymakers must all play a role in demanding clean supply chains and standing up for human dignity.
CBP’s Withhold Release Order against the Zhen Fa 7 is a welcome move—and a reminder that labor rights must remain at the forefront of international trade policy. As consumers, advocates, and professionals, we must continue to push for a system where no one is exploited for profit, and every worker is treated with fairness and respect.
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