US palm-oil detention orders: check two named producers before shipping
CBP is detaining covered palm oil and derivatives from Mitra Aneka Rezeki and Hardaya Inti Plantation. Affected UK sellers should check supplier traceability with their US importer; this is not a blanket ban on Indonesian goods.
- Who this affects
- UK sellers supplying US-bound palm oil or derivatives potentially linked to Mitra Aneka Rezeki or Hardaya Inti Plantation, and their US importers.
- Seller action
- Check before sending affected goods
Check the actual producer and supporting traceability before dispatch. Resolve any MAR/HIP link or unclear product scope with the US importer and broker; unrelated Indonesian goods are not automatically covered.
- Effective dates / current position
- CBP announced immediate detention on 29 September 2026; both producer-specific orders are listed as active. No new tariff rate is announced.
- Last reviewed
- 30 Sept 2026 — an editorial source check, separate from automatic timing.
- Official source
- Open the primary source ↗
Updates to this article
First published after checking CBP’s 29 September announcement, CSMS notice and active-order dashboard. Kept the scope specific to MAR/HIP palm oil and derivatives; no blanket Indonesian-goods ban, finished-product ruling or tariff rate inferred.
What has CBP done?
On 29 September 2026, US Customs and Border Protection announced Withhold Release Orders against palm oil and derivative products produced by Mitra Aneka Rezeki (MAR) and Hardaya Inti Plantation (HIP) in Indonesia. CBP says officers at all US ports will detain covered shipments with immediate effect. Its current dashboard lists both orders as active, with an effective date of 29 September.
CBP issued the orders under the US prohibition on imports made with forced labour, citing evidence indicating forced labour at the named producers. A detention order is a customs enforcement measure; this announcement does not impose a new tariff rate.
What should an affected UK seller do?
- Identify the actual producer. Ask suppliers of potentially affected palm oil or derivatives for traceability back to production, not only the name of the distributor that sold them to you.
- Check US-bound orders before dispatch. Share the supplier, producer and product information with the US importer and customs broker. If it points to MAR or HIP, resolve the detention risk before sending the goods.
- Escalate unclear product scope. Do not assume every finished product containing palm oil is covered, or that a different trade description removes the risk. Ask the importer or specialist adviser to assess the particular goods against the orders.
- Keep the evidence together. Preserve relevant purchase, production and shipment records so the importer can respond to questions about the supply chain.
If goods are detained
CBP says importers may seek to export or destroy detained shipments, or demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labour. Work through the US importer and broker on the appropriate procedure; none of these options guarantees release.
For unrelated products, this notice alone is not a reason to stop all US sales. Continue normal product, origin and importer checks using the US destination guide.
Official sources
- CBP: orders against MAR and HIP, 29 September 2026 — named producers, products and detention action.
- CBP CSMS 70061795 — importer notification and options for detained shipments.
- CBP’s current WRO and Findings dashboard — both orders shown active in the data dated 29 September, checked on 30 September.