News · 16 June 2026
US customs bans imports of Zijin's Serbian copper over forced labour
On 16 June 2026, CBP issued an order holding shipments of copper from Serbia Zijin Copper at every US port of entry. Six of the International Labour Organization's eleven forced labour indicators were identified among the workers.
On 16 June 2026, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order against copper and copper products from Serbia Zijin Copper d.o.o. CBP found that the evidence reasonably indicates the use of forced labour in their production.
Six of the International Labour Organization's eleven forced labour indicators were identified among the workers:
- abuse of vulnerability
- withholding of wages
- intimidation and threats
- restriction of movement
- retention of identity documents
- excessive overtime
CBP relied on worker testimony, photographs, field notes and reports from China Labor Watch, which has been documenting working conditions at Zijin's operations in Serbia since 2022.
The same group is planning a new mine in the Zaječar area. When you hear it described as a serious international investor, this is the other half of the record.
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