Korea’s Acetone Escapes US Dumping Duty Trap
Published Date: 11/24/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce reviewed acetone imports from Korea and found that Kumho P&B Chemicals didn’t sell their acetone at unfairly low prices during March 2023 to February 2024. This means no extra duties will be charged, keeping things fair and steady for importers and buyers. The final decision kicks in on November 24, 2025, after some government delays pushed deadlines back.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
33.10% cash deposit for other producers
The cash deposit rate for all other producers or exporters not covered by this review will continue to be the all-others rate of 33.10 percent for shipments entered or withdrawn for consumption on or after the publication date of the final results (November 24, 2025).
Duty risk for KPB shipments via intermediaries
For KPB-produced entries during the POR where KPB did not know the merchandise it sold to an intermediary was destined for the United States, Commerce will instruct CBP to liquidate such entries at the all-others rate of 33.10 percent if there is no rate for the intermediate company(ies) involved.
Importers must certify reimbursement or face doubled duties
This notice reminds importers of their duty under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate about reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation of entries from this review period. If an importer fails to file the certificate, Commerce may presume reimbursement occurred and could assess doubled antidumping duties.
No antidumping duties for KPB
Commerce found that Kumho P&B Chemicals (KPB) had a weighted-average dumping margin of 0.00% for the period March 1, 2023 through February 29, 2024, effective November 24, 2025. Because the margin is zero, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to liquidate KPB entries without regard to antidumping duties.
Zero cash deposit for KPB shipments
For shipments of subject merchandise entered or withdrawn for consumption on or after the publication date of these final results (November 24, 2025), the cash deposit rate for KPB will equal the final weighted-average dumping margin; if the rate is less than 0.50 percent (de minimis), the cash deposit rate will be zero. KPB's final margin is 0.00%, so the cash deposit rate for KPB shipments will be zero.
Timing of liquidation instructions
Commerce intends to issue liquidation instructions to CBP no earlier than 35 days after the date of publication of the final results in the Federal Register. If a timely summons is filed at the U.S. Court of International Trade, the instructions will direct CBP not to liquidate relevant entries until the time for parties to request a statutory injunction has expired (i.e., within 90 days of publication).
Commerce will disclose calculations quickly
Commerce intends to disclose the calculations performed in connection with these final results to interested parties within five days after public announcement of the final results or within five days of the publication date in the Federal Register (in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b)).
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