"US Customs Blocks Giant’s Taiwan-Made Bikes Over Forced Labor Allegations", CommonWealth Magazine, 26 September 2025

On September 24, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stunned Taiwan’s bicycle industry with an unprecedented move: effective immediately [...] it will detain bicycles and components manufactured by Giant’s Taiwan factory, citing evidence of forced labor in the production process.

This marks the first time a Taiwanese manufacturing company has been hit with such an order.

According to CBP, Giant’s practices fit the International Labour Organization’s indicators of forced labor: exploiting vulnerable workers, poor living and working conditions, debt bondage, withheld wages, and excessive overtime.

Giant strongly denies the charges.

“CBP never conducted an on-site inspection or asked for information from us,” said spokesperson Ken Lee, insisting the company’s Taiwan headquarters is a “model factory” and does not engage in forced labor.

A March 2025 report by Danish journalist Peter Bengtsen may have triggered the order [...].

Lee countered that Giant has already invested heavily in improvements, including upgrading worker housing last year and introducing a zero-recruitment-fee policy in January 2025. [...].

“This detention order is a wake-up call for Taiwan’s manufacturing sector, which relies heavily on migrant workers,” said Bonny Ling, executive director of UK-based Work Better Innovations. [...].

Giant has formed a legal task force, including US counsel, to prepare an appeal. Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Ministry of Labor have pledged to assist through diplomatic channels.