CBP issued a WRO effective Jan 29, 2026 on coffee harvested in Mexico by Finca Monte Grande, requiring detention or redelivery of such imports.

Effective January 29, 2026, CBP has imposed a Withhold Release Order (WRO) on coffee harvested in Mexico by Finca Monte Grande based on evidence of forced labor under 19 U.S.C. §1307. This is an admissibility restriction, not a tariff-rate change, but it directly affects whether covered goods can enter U.S. commerce.

Scope and products

The WRO applies to coffee harvested by Finca Monte Grande in Mexico, regardless of the HTS subheading used for classification (e.g., green, roasted, or processed coffee products) so long as the coffee is sourced from this producer. Brokers and importers must focus on supply-chain documentation (invoices, purchase orders, contracts, bills of lading, supplier declarations) to determine whether any coffee shipments from Mexico involve Finca Monte Grande.

Operational impact for brokers and importers

1) New entries: Any incoming shipments of coffee that CBP identifies as harvested by Finca Monte Grande will be detained at the port under 19 CFR §12.42(e). These goods cannot be released into U.S. commerce unless the importer provides satisfactory evidence that the merchandise is not produced with forced labor or is outside the scope of the WRO.

2) Existing entries within redelivery period: CBP has instructed port personnel to demand redelivery for identified shipments within the redelivery period by issuing CBP Form 4647 under 19 CFR §113.62. Brokers should review recent entries of Mexican coffee, identify potential exposure to Finca Monte Grande, and alert importers that redelivery demands may be issued. Failure to redeliver can result in liquidated damages against the importer’s bond.

3) Options for detained merchandise: Importers whose products are detained under this WRO may:

• Contest the detention under 19 CFR §12.43 by submitting evidence that the coffee is not harvested by Finca Monte Grande or is not produced with forced labor (e.g., alternative supplier documentation, traceability records, independent audits), or
• Export the merchandise under 19 CFR §12.44 if they choose not to contest or cannot provide sufficient evidence.

Required compliance steps

• Screening and due diligence: Update supplier and product master data to flag Finca Monte Grande as a prohibited source. Require suppliers in Mexico to disclose plantation/estate of origin for coffee and obtain written certifications and supporting traceability documents.
• Entry-level controls: Implement internal questions or data fields in entry instructions to capture plantation/estate of origin for Mexican coffee. Train entry staff to recognize and escalate any references to Finca Monte Grande in commercial documents.
• Risk review of recent imports: Run a lookback on recent entries of coffee from Mexico to identify any potential links to Finca Monte Grande. Prepare to respond quickly to CBP inquiries or redelivery notices.
• Client communication: Inform affected importers (especially coffee traders, roasters, and food manufacturers) of the WRO, its effective date, and the risk of detention or redelivery. Encourage them to map their supply chains and shift sourcing away from Finca Monte Grande where necessary.

There is no change to duty rates, HTS structure, or Chapter 99 provisions associated with this notice. The impact is purely on admissibility and forced labor compliance. Questions on operational procedures can be directed to CBP’s Forced Labor Division at ForcedLabor@cbp.dhs.gov.