U.S. Customs Blocks Giant’s E-Bike Imports Over Forced-Labor Concerns

The e-bike industry’s supply chains just hit a new kind of roadblock.
This week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed it has detained multiple shipments of Giant-brand e-bikes at West Coast ports under new forced-labor enforcement rules targeting Chinese suppliers.
The move underscores growing pressure on bicycle manufacturers to prove their products are ethically sourced — not just electrically powered.

⚡ Key Facts

• Giant Manufacturing Co., one of the world’s largest e-bike makers, had several U.S.-bound shipments detained by CBP under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).
• The law bans imports of goods made wholly or partly in China’s Xinjiang region, citing human-rights violations.
• CBP has expanded UFLPA enforcement to aluminum, lithium-ion, and electronic components, key materials in e-bike production.
• The affected shipments reportedly included mid-drive commuter e-bikes and batteries destined for U.S. distributors.
• Other major brands are now conducting internal audits to ensure their parts supply chains are compliant.

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A Growing Enforcement Trend

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, passed in 2021 and expanded in 2024, assumes that any goods tied to Xinjiang are produced with forced labor — unless importers can prove otherwise.

CBP began applying these rules to solar panels, apparel, and batteries, and as of mid-2025, has widened its net to include e-bike motors, wiring harnesses, and aluminum frames.

According to a CBP spokesperson, the Giant shipments were held “pending verification of component sourcing,” including aluminum alloys and electronic controllers suspected of originating from restricted suppliers.

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The Industry Fallout

Giant’s U.S. division has not been formally accused of wrongdoing.
However, the seizures have already delayed deliveries to retailers and prompted other importers — including Trek and Specialized — to review supplier contracts.

Many e-bike components trace back to sprawling networks of subcontractors across Asia, where traceability remains murky.
Lithium, cobalt, and aluminum often change hands multiple times before final assembly, making verification complex.

“It’s not always intentional,” says Eli Rosenfeld, supply-chain analyst at PedalForward Consulting.
“But the new rules mean ignorance is no longer a defense. You need full traceability from mine to handlebar.”

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How Enforcement Works

Under UFLPA, CBP can detain shipments indefinitely until companies provide documentation proving that no materials or labor from Xinjiang were used.
If importers fail to demonstrate compliance, the goods are either re-exported or destroyed.

Giant has stated it is “cooperating fully with U.S. authorities” and working to map its suppliers.

Insiders say the detained containers represent a small fraction of total imports but could signal broader scrutiny across the micromobility sector — particularly for battery components and aluminum tubing, which frequently originate in China.

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Ripple Effects for Retailers and Riders

The short-term impact: delays and shortages for 2025 model-year e-bikes, especially in mid-range commuter categories.
Smaller retailers dependent on just-in-time inventory are facing weeks-long delivery gaps.

Some distributors report that CBP inspections have slowed clearance times by up to 40 %, even for brands not directly targeted.

For consumers, the crackdown comes on top of existing price pressures from tariffs and shrinking rebate programs, compounding affordability challenges just as demand for e-bikes remains high.

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The Bigger Picture

The Giant case highlights a broader shift in global trade: ethical sourcing is no longer optional.
As Western governments link labor practices to import eligibility, manufacturers across industries are being pushed toward transparency and traceable sourcing.

In the e-bike world — where environmental credibility is central to the brand — any association with forced labor can be particularly damaging.

“You can’t sell sustainability on one hand and ignore exploitation on the other,” says Lisa Grant, policy director at the Clean Mobility Alliance.

My Take: The True Cost of Clean Mobility

At Electric Bike Explorer, we’ve always said that “clean transport” should mean clean across the entire chain — from mining to manufacturing.
This latest case shows that e-bikes are now facing the same moral reckoning that solar and EVs already have.

It’s a hard but necessary evolution. Ethical manufacturing isn’t cheap, but it’s the only way forward if e-bikes want to remain symbols of progress rather than compromise.

Giant’s troubles should serve as a wake-up call to the industry: trace your suppliers now, before Customs does it for you.
Because in the long run, transparency isn’t a cost — it’s your license to operate.

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