U.S. Customs and Border Protection Will Withhold Release of Giant Bikes, Parts From Taiwan

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has issued a Withhold Release Order against “bicycles, bicycle parts, and accessories manufactured in Taiwan” by Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

This means that the agency will detain any bikes, bike parts, or accessories made by Giant in Taiwan at the port of entry. Items held by the agency can be asked to be returned to the importer; destroyed at the importers’ request; or appealed to be shown to be admissible.

Bikes impacted by the order include all of Giant’s premium road, gravel, and mountain bikes, parts, and accessories. This also covers bikes under the LIV and CADEX brand names. It is not clear, however, whether the order will also cover bikes manufactured by Giant, but sold under other brand names. Giant has provided contract manufacturing for brands including but not limited to Trek and Scott.

In a statement announcing the order, CBP accused Giant of being in violation of 19 U.S.C. § 1307, the statute that prohibits goods made from forced labor from entering the United States.

“Importers have a responsibility to do their due diligence and know their supply chains,” said Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP’s Office of Trade Susan S. Thomas in a statement. “CBP will continue to investigate allegations of forced labor and take action when we find it in U.S. supply chains.”

During its investigation of Giant, the CBP states that it found the following indicators of forced labor:

• abuse of vulnerability;
• abusive working and living conditions;
• debt bondage;
• excessive overtime; and
• withholding of wages.

CBP alleges that Giant illegally profited by being able to produce goods below market value, undercutting other manufacturers.

A 2024 investigative report of labor practices at Giant found that the bicycle manufacturer frequently used migrant labor at its Taiwanese facilities. These facilities hired staff through recruiters that charged employees thousands of dollars for their services. In turn, Giant would deduct these fees from worker paychecks and paid them to the recruiters.

Giant has issued a response to the order, stating that the company plans to appeal the decision. Within the response, the company says it “is firmly committed to upholding human rights and labor protections, and has taken the following concrete actions: Since January 2025, we have fully implemented a Zero Recruitment Fee Policy, under which all recruitment, agency, and government-related fees for newly hired migrant workers are fully covered by the company.”

Giant also says it uses third-party auditors and internal controls to ensure the safety and conditions of its workers.

Taiwan relies on more than 750,000 migrant workers, with nearly half a million of them working across the manufacturing sector, which focuses on electronics, bicycles, and automotive parts. The practice of paid recruitment and, in turn, debt bondage, is commonplace across the entirety of the sector.

The US is the top destination for Taiwanese made bicycles, with two major players in the arena. There’s Giant and its assorted contract manufacturing relationships, as well as Merida. Other brands that at least source materials and work from Taiwan include Cannondale, Canyon, Cervelo, Pinarello, and Specialized. None of the work performed by Merida, or by these other brands, is currently subject to the order.

In its reply, Giant notes that “the company has activated contingency measures and is planning to work closely with CBP and are working closely with business partners to minimize the impact” of the Withhold Release Order.

There are 52 other active Withhold Release Orders being enforced by CBP that involve alleged violations of 19 U.S.C. § 1307. 37 of those orders are against Chinese manufacturers. The action against Giant is the sole case from Taiwan as of this writing. It is the fifth Withhold Release Order issued in 2025.

Giant had reported half year 2025 revenue at just over $1 billion USD over the summer.

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