2026-06-10 / forced labor / supply chain / import risk

Forced Labor Questions Buyers Should Ask Early

Supply chain questions are easier to ask before the supplier, product, and shipment plan are locked.

Why it matters

Forced labor risk is a supply chain issue, not a last-minute document problem. Buyers should ask earlier where goods are made, what inputs are used, whether subcontractors are involved, and what evidence the supplier can provide if questions arise.

Evidence to collect

Collect manufacturer identity, production location, material sources for high-risk inputs, subcontractor disclosures, purchase order trail, and any social compliance or supply chain documents. For sensitive categories, ask what evidence exists before agreeing to production.

How to review it

Do not rely only on a supplier statement. Ask how the supplier knows its own upstream information and what records can support the claim. The depth of review should scale with product category, market, and order value.

Where buyers get misled

Importers get misled when they treat forced labor questions as paperwork after shipment. If the supplier cannot explain production or inputs before the order, it may be much harder to gather evidence later.

Practical next step

Add supply chain questions to supplier onboarding for relevant categories. Keep answers in the supplier evidence file and refresh them when products or production sites change.