Forced labor import bans

Governments vary widely in their legal frameworks, enforcement capacity, and ability to keep goods made with forced labor out of their markets. In recent years, governments have increasingly turned to import bans as a trade-based enforcement tool to tackle forced labor.

Since March 2026, the threat of US tariffs tied to forced labor has set off a wave of new legislation worldwide. Countries facing these potential tariffs that have never had import bans on forced labor goods are now drafting, introducing, or enacting them. Below is a country-by-country look at where these countries stand with regard to forced labor import prohibition, from proposed bills to laws already in force.

Data compiled by Dr. Laura Murphy

Algeria

Algeria has not introduced or implemented any forced labor import legislation and has no Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD) law that would require companies to identify and prevent forced labor in their supply chains.  

Updated: September 2026

Angola

Angola has not introduced or implemented any forced labor import legislation and has no Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD) law that would require companies to identify and prevent forced labor in their supply chains.

Updated: September 2026

Argentina

Under the US–Argentina Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) and Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, Argentina committed to adopting and implementing a prohibition on the importation of goods produced wholly or partly with forced or compulsory labor, including considering US determinations under Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

Updated: September 2026

Australia

In March 2026, Australia concluded consultations on reforms to its Modern Slavery Act 2018, including proposals to strengthen government powers to identify high-risk regions, industries, products, suppliers, and supply chains linked to modern slavery. Additionally, the consultation findings, submitted to the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) Section 301 Investigation in April 2026, will inform the government’s consideration of further measures.

Updated: September 2026

The Bahamas

In April 2026, The Bahamas stated in its submission to the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation that it looks forward to future cooperation with the United States to address forced labor in global trade. However, The Bahamas has not proposed or enacted legislation prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Bahrain

Bahrain has not introduced or implemented any forced labor import legislation and has no Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD) law that would require companies to identify and prevent forced labor in their supply chains. 

Updated: September 2026

Bangladesh

Under its ART commitment announced in February 2026 as part of the USTR’s Section 301 initiative, Bangladesh committed to adopting and implementing a prohibition on the importation of goods produced wholly or in part by convict labor, forced or compulsory labor, including indentured labor and indentured child labor. 

Updated: September 2026

Brazil

Currently, Brazil is considering a draft law to prohibit the importation of goods produced with child labor or forced labor. The proposal has been approved by a congressional committee and is awaiting review by the Chamber of Deputies. 

Updated: September 2026

Cambodia

On 1 July 2026, Cambodia adopted Prakas No. 450 on the Prohibition of Imports of Goods Linked to Forced Labor, implementing its commitment under the US–Cambodia ART. Cambodia is currently implementing the regulation and related legislative, institutional, and enforcement measures. It has also committed to cooperating with the United States by taking appropriate action in response to Section 307 determinations under the US Tariff Act of 1930.

Updated: September 2026

Canada

Canada already prohibits the importation of goods produced with forced labor under the Act to implement the Agreement between Canada, the US and the United Mexican States (CUSMA). Building on this framework, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-35, An Act Respecting the Prohibition of the Importation of Goods Produced by Forced Labour, on 12 June 2026 to strengthen its ability to identify, intercept, and prohibit goods linked to forced labor at the border. In its July 2026 submission to the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation, Canada stated that the proposed legislation would enhance enforcement while providing greater certainty and transparency for businesses.

Updated: September 2026

Chile

Chile is currently evaluating mechanisms to prohibit and strengthen controls on the importation of goods produced wholly or in part through forced labor. On 26 June 2026, the government adopted an interministerial declaration to develop and implement the 2026–2030 Action Plan of the National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor (PANTRAFOR), which includes strengthening mechanisms to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor as a key objective. In its submissions to the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation, Chile also expressed its commitment to cooperating internationally and exchanging best practices on implementing forced labor import bans.

Updated: September 2026

China

China has no legislation or formal commitment prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Colombia

Colombia has not yet enacted a forced labor import ban, but a Draft Decree Prohibiting Imports of Forced Labor is currently under consultation, which would establish such a prohibition.

Updated: September 2026 

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is advancing its ART commitment, communicated through the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation, to prohibit the importation of goods linked to forced labor. In April 2026, the government announced that it would introduce legislation establishing an import prohibition, and by July 2026, it confirmed that authorities were developing the legal and administrative framework needed to implement the measure.

Updated: September 2026

Dominican Republic

In July 2026, the Dominican Republic announced that it would adopt an Executive Decree to strengthen the administrative framework for identifying and controlling goods potentially produced, wholly or in part, through forced labor. The decree would authorize the General Directorate of Customs to identify goods suspected of being produced with forced labor, incorporate specific control criteria into customs procedures, and take appropriate administrative measures. It would also strengthen coordination between customs, the Ministry of Labor, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and other competent authorities to improve enforcement. 

Updated: September 2026

Ecuador

On 29 April 2026, Ecuador adopted Resolution No. 005-2026, “Mechanism for the Restriction of Importation of Goods Produced with Forced Labor,” which entered into force on 4 May 2026. The resolution establishes a mechanism to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints concerning goods suspected of being produced wholly or in part through forced labor and creates an Inter-Institutional Technical Team on Forced Labor to coordinate enforcement. Additionally, the measure implements Ecuador’s commitments under the US–Ecuador ART, signed on 13 March 2026, and includes cooperation with the US through information sharing and consideration of Section 307 determinations under the US Tariff Act of 1930.

Updated: September 2026

Egypt

Egypt has not enacted, proposed, or committed to legislation prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

El Salvador

El Salvador is implementing a forced labor import prohibition through Decree No. 524, which amended the Organic Law of the General Directorate of Customs by adding Article 27-A. The measure supports El Salvador’s commitment under the US–El Salvador ART, concluded in January 2026, to prohibit the importation of goods mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or partly with forced or compulsory labor.

Updated: September 2026

European Union

The European Union adopted the EU Forced Labor Regulation on 12 December 2024, prohibiting products made with forced labor from being placed on or exported from the EU market. While the regulation is already in force and implementation measures—including guidance and a forced labor risk database—are being developed (with publication expected in June 2026), its enforcement mechanisms will not fully apply until December 2027. Under the US–EU Trade Framework agreed in August 2025, the EU and the US also committed to strengthening cooperation to eliminate forced labor in global supply chains and support implementation of their respective import enforcement measures. Separately, France, Germany, and the Netherlands have national mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence (mHREDD) laws currently in force.

Updated: September 2026

Guatemala

Guatemala passed the Agreement on the Prohibition of the Importation of Goods Produced through Forced or Compulsory Labor, implementing its commitments under the US–Guatemala Reciprocal Trade Agreement, signed on 30 January 2026. Additionally, the agreement requires Guatemala to recognize US Section 307 determinations and presumptively prohibit imports from those entities.

Updated: September 2026

Guyana

Guyana has not enacted, proposed, or committed to legislation prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Honduras

In July 2026, Honduras announced that it was in the final stage of issuing an Executive Decree establishing a comprehensive prohibition on the importation of goods produced wholly or partly with forced labor. The government confirmed that the technical review had been completed, the draft would be submitted to the Presidential Office, and the decree was expected to be finalized by 24 July 2026.

Updated: September 2026

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has not enacted, proposed, or committed to legislation prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026 

India

On 13 July 2026, India adopted Notification No. 23/2026-27, amending the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 to prohibit the import of goods produced or manufactured, wholly or in part, through forced labor.

Updated: September 2026 

Indonesia

Regulation of the Minister of Trade No. 9 of 2026 on the Importation of Goods Produced with Forced Labor establishes Indonesia’s prohibition on imports of goods made with forced labor. Adopted in line with the US–Indonesia ART (February 2026), the regulation also provides for cooperation regarding US Section 307 determinations.

Updated: September 2026

Iraq

Iraq has not introduced legislation or announced any formal commitment to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Israel

Israel has no forced labor import legislation currently in force. A legal provision has been proposed and announced via media reports, though no formal bill text has yet been made public.

Updated: September 2026

Japan

Japan has not adopted or proposed measures to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Jordan

Jordan has not yet enacted a forced labor import ban. Under its Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the United States, concluded in July 2026, Jordan committed to prohibiting, within five years of the agreement’s entry into force, the importation of goods mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part by forced or compulsory labor. Jordan further committed to recognizing US determinations on entities under Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and to presumptively prohibiting imports from those entities.

Updated: September 2026

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has not announced or enacted a legislation on the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Kuwait

Kuwait has not adopted or proposed measures addressing the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Libya

Libya has not adopted or proposed measures addressing the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Malaysia

Under the US–Malaysia ART, signed in October 2025, Malaysia committed to adopting and implementing a prohibition on the importation of goods produced wholly or partly with forced or compulsory labor within two years of the agreement’s entry into force. The agreement also provides that Malaysia may recognize US Section 307 determinations and take appropriate action to prohibit imports from identified entities, while cooperating with the US by sharing best practices on the development and enforcement of forced labor import prohibitions.

Updated: September 2026

Mexico

Mexico strengthened its framework governing imports of goods produced with forced labor by amending the Agreement Establishing the Goods Whose Importation Is Subject to Regulation by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare in 2025.

Updated: September 2026

Morocco

Morocco has not yet introduced legislation prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor. In its July 2026 submission to the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation, however, Morocco expressed its intention to work with the US through the US–Morocco Free Trade Agreement framework to explore additional tools for restricting such imports.

Updated: September 2026

New Zealand

New Zealand has not enacted legislation or announced plans to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Nicaragua

Nicaragua has not enacted legislation or announced plans to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Nigeria

Nigeria has not enacted legislation or announced plans to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Norway

Norway plans to bring the EU Forced Labour Regulation into domestic law through the European Economic Area (EEA) framework, with the Norwegian rules expected to take effect by 14 December 2027. The future law will prohibit the import, export, and sale of goods made with forced labor. Moreover, Norway already has the Transparency Act, adopted in 2021, which requires companies to carry out human rights’ due diligence, although it does not itself ban forced-labor imports.

Updated: September 2026

Oman

Oman has not enacted legislation or announced plans to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Pakistan

Pakistan is implementing S.R.O. 704(I)/2026, issued on 28 April 2026, which amends the Import Policy Order, 2022 to prohibit the importation of goods mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or partly through forced labor. Under the order, the Federal Government may identify restricted goods, entities, or countries based on International Labour Organization (ILO) determinations, and importers of goods from notified countries must provide documentary evidence or certification demonstrating that their goods were not produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Peru

In testimony before the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation in July 2026, Peru confirmed that a draft law prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor is under review by Congress and is expected to be finalized within weeks.

Updated: September 2026 

Philippines

The Philippines is advancing its commitment under the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation by drafting a Joint Administrative Order (JAO) on the Investigation and Prohibition of Imports Produced by Forced Labor. In July 2026, the government confirmed that the JAO would establish an interagency mechanism involving the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Finance (DOF) to investigate allegations, prohibit imports of goods produced through forced labor, and strengthen the country’s regulatory framework. In its April 2026 submission, the Philippines also stated that it was prepared to reinforce its customs framework through evidence-based, product-specific import restrictions.

Updated: September 2026

Qatar

Qatar has not introduced legislation or made a formal commitment to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor. In its April 2026 submission to the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation, however, Qatar expressed its willingness to engage in further discussions with the United States regarding its existing measures and potential areas of cooperation.

Updated: September 2026

Russia

Russia has not enacted legislation or announced plans to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has not enacted legislation or announced plans to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Singapore

Singapore has not adopted or proposed legislation prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor. In its April 2026 submission to the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation, Singapore acknowledged the practical difficulties of investigating forced labor in overseas supply chains and preventing affected goods from entering the country. Additionally, it expressed support for developing effective international measures and for closer cooperation with the United States and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Updated: September 2026

South Africa

In July 2026, Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Tau announced that South Africa will publish a notice in the Government Gazette seeking public comment on its intent to issue a regulation prohibiting the importation of goods produced wholly or in part with forced labor and child labor. Formal legislation has not yet been enacted.

Updated: September 2026

South Korea

South Korea has not enacted legislation prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor. Under the US–Korea Fact Sheet on Reciprocal Trade, issued in November 2025, the United States and South Korea committed to cooperating to combat forced labor globally, including the importation of goods produced with forced labor. In its April 2026 submission to the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation, however, South Korea also expressed its intention to continue working with the United States on this issue through their bilateral trade relationship.

Updated: September 2026

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is implementing a legal prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor. The implementing regulation has been adopted, although the official Gazette has not yet been published online.

Updated: September 2026

Switzerland

Switzerland has not enacted legislation prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor. On 1 April 2026, however, the Federal Council launched a public consultation on legislation to strengthen mandatory forced labor due diligence, enforcement mechanisms, and reporting standards. Switzerland also has limited due diligence requirements relating to child labor.

Updated: September 2026

Taiwan

Taiwan committed under the US–Taiwan ART, concluded in February 2026, to adopt and effectively enforce a ban on imports made wholly or partly with forced or compulsory labor. Taiwan must also recognize relevant US determinations under 19 US § 1307, the US forced labor import provision and presumptively block imports from identified enterprises through its domestic procedures. This builds on a 2024 preliminary proposal to amend the Human Trafficking Prevention Act to include a forced labor import prohibition, but no domestic ban is yet in force.

Updated: September 2026

Thailand

Thailand has not yet enacted legislation prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labor. In June 2026, however, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a Committee on Standards for Imported Goods at Risk of Forced Labor to develop import control measures, verification standards, and risk lists for goods linked to forced labor. Separately, Thailand is developing the Draft Act on the Promotion of Responsible Business Conduct (HRDD Bill), which would introduce mandatory human rights due diligence obligations, and has stated that it is studying the US Section 307 framework and Withhold Release Orders (WROs) as potential models for its own system.

Updated: September 2026

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago has passed a forced labor import prohibition through Section 45(1)(w) of the Customs Act (Chp. 78:01), which adds a single phrase to the Act’s list of prohibited imports covering goods produced with forced labor. No broader regulatory or enforcement framework currently accompanies this provision.

Updated: September 2026 

Turkiye

Türkiye has not enacted legislation or announced plans to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

UAE

UAE has not enacted legislation or announced plans to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is considering both a forced labor import ban and Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD) legislation. In July 2026, the Minister of State for Business and Trade confirmed that both measures were under active consideration. While the UK has not yet adopted a general prohibition on imports made with forced labor, it has introduced targeted measures through the Great British Energy Act 2025, which restricts investment in companies linked to forced labor, and the Health and Care Act 2022, which prohibits the government procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) produced with forced labor. Additionally, in December 2025, the UK Government published guidance on slavery in supply chains, and the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner called for the introduction of a comprehensive forced labor import ban.

Updated: September 2026

United States

The United States implements a forced labor import prohibition through Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930. This framework is reinforced by the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Trade Act and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which strengthen restrictions on goods linked to forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Uruguay

Uruguay has proposed legislation to prohibit the importation of goods produced wholly or partly through forced labor or child labor. The Competitiveness and Cost of Living Reduction Bill, submitted to Parliament in 2026, includes Article 96, which would establish the prohibition and authorize the Executive Branch to adopt the procedures necessary for its implementation and enforcement. In its June 2026 submission to the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation, Uruguay stated that it expects the legislation to be approved in the coming months.

Updated: September 2026

Venezuela

Venezuela has not enacted legislation or announced plans to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

Updated: September 2026

Vietnam

Vietnam has not introduced legislation or made a formal commitment to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labor. In its April 2026 submission to the USTR’s Section 301 Investigation, Vietnam did not commit to regulating imports of goods made with forced labor. The US–Vietnam Trade Framework, signed in October 2025, focuses on broader cooperation to strengthen supply chain resilience, including addressing duty evasion and export controls, but does not establish a forced labor import prohibition.

Updated: September 2026