# U.S. Adds Three Chinese Genomics Firms to Forced-Labor Import List

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/43892
Published: 2026-10-29T21:05:01.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-29T21:05:01.000Z
Section: Regulation

> The Oct. 29 update brings the list to 190 entities. Goods mined, produced or manufactured wholly or partly by listed companies face a rebuttable presumption of forced labor.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) added three Chinese genomics companies to a U.S. forced-labor import list, presuming their goods involve forced labor and barring entry unless the presumption is rebutted.

The companies are BGI Genomics Co., Ltd., MGI Tech Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen BGI Technology Co., Ltd., also known as BGI Group. The Oct. 29 update brings the list to 190 entities.

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act covers goods mined, produced or manufactured wholly or partly by listed entities. Those goods are presumed to involve forced labor and cannot enter the United States unless that presumption is rebutted. The provision has applied since June 21, 2022.

DHS alleged that the companies’ genetic-testing work with Xinjiang’s government facilitated the recruitment or transfer of forced laborers or members of persecuted groups out of the region, including Uyghurs, Kazakhs and Kyrgyz. The department said the U.S. government had “reasonable cause to believe, based on specific and articulable information” that the work supported those activities.

All three firms are listed under a category concerning work with Xinjiang’s government. BGI Genomics and BGI Group are also covered by a separate category for entities that source material from Xinjiang or government labor schemes; MGI Tech is not in that category. DHS said BGI Genomics tested genetic material from plants, animals and bacterial diseases sourced in the region. It said BGI Group tested human genetic material from Xinjiang and planned tests on plant and animal material. DHS said MGI Tech provided genetic-testing capacity to the regional government.

BGI Group said it “has not engaged in any form of forced labor,” and BGI Genomics denied the allegations. MGI Tech said, “We firmly reject the allegations, which we believe are unfounded and inconsistent with the facts,” and said it has zero tolerance for forced labor. BGI Group said its U.S. business is limited and the listing is not expected to materially affect its operations.

China’s Ministry of Commerce rejected the allegations, said the measures had no factual basis and said China would protect its interests.