Uncle Sam Battles Chinese Wood Flooring Subsidies in Bizarre Trade Clash
Published Date: 3/20/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that some Chinese makers of multilayered wood flooring got unfair government help during 2022. This means extra duties might be charged on their products to keep things fair for U.S. businesses. The review covers 14 companies and invites comments before final decisions, starting March 20, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Preliminary Duty Rates for Specific Exporters
Commerce preliminarily assigned countervailable subsidy rates for certain Chinese multilayered wood flooring exporters for the period January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Riverside Plywood Corp. (and cross-owned affiliates), Benxi Wood Company, and Dalian Jaenmaken Wood Industry Co., Ltd. were preliminarily assigned an 11.17% ad valorem subsidy rate; Huzhou Fulinmen Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd. and Tongxiang Jisheng Import and Export Co., Ltd. were preliminarily assigned a 430.38% ad valorem rate (rates published in the preliminary results released March 20, 2025).
Adverse Inferences Produce Very High Rates
Commerce preliminarily found that Huzhou Fulinmen and Tongxiang Jisheng did not respond to information requests and therefore used facts otherwise available with adverse inferences to set their rates. As a result, those two companies were preliminarily assigned a rate of 430.38% ad valorem based entirely on facts available with adverse inferences (preliminary results published March 20, 2025).
Cash-Deposit Collection After Final Results
Commerce intends, upon publication of the final results of this review, to instruct CBP to collect cash deposits of estimated countervailing duties in the amounts shown for each listed company on shipments entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after the date of publication of the final results. These cash deposit requirements will remain in effect until further notice.
Non-Selected Firms Assigned Mandatory Respondent Rate
For two companies in the review that were not individually examined (Benxi Wood Company and Dalian Jaenmaken), Commerce preliminarily assigned the subsidy rate calculated for the mandatory respondent Riverside Plywood (11.17% ad valorem) because only Riverside’s rate was above de minimis and not based entirely on facts available.
Rescission for Nine Companies; Assessment Rule
Commerce is rescinding this administrative review for nine listed companies because there were no suspended entries during January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. For those companies, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to assess countervailing duties on appropriate entries at a rate equal to the cash deposit of estimated countervailing duties required at the time of entry during the POR.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-05481, Regulations Enhancing the Administration of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Trade Remedy Laws; Correction
The Department of Commerce fixed some accidental mistakes in their trade rules that were published in December 2024. They put back important deadlines and details that were accidentally deleted and corrected a couple of typos. These fixes take effect on March 31, 2025, helping businesses and officials follow clear and accurate trade rules without confusion or delays.
2026-20777, Certain Paper Shopping Bags From Cambodia: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that some paper shopping bags from Cambodia were sold in the U.S. for less than their normal price between January 2024 and June 2025. This means certain Cambodian bag makers might have to pay extra duties to keep things fair. Businesses involved should watch for final decisions and possible changes in costs soon.
2026-20779, Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From Thailand: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that tires from Thailand were sold in the U.S. for less than their normal price between July 2024 and June 2025. This means some importers might have to pay extra duties to keep things fair. The review process had some delays due to government shutdowns, but now the preliminary results are out and open for comments.
2026-20778, Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that Hyundai Steel and POSCO from South Korea got unfair government help on their hot-rolled steel in 2023. Because of this, extra taxes (called countervailing duties) will apply to their steel imports starting October 9, 2026. This means U.S. steel buyers might pay a bit more, and Korean producers will have to adjust to these new rules.
2026-20690, Oleoresin Paprika From India: Antidumping Duty Order and Countervailing Duty Order
Starting October 8, 2026, the U.S. is putting extra taxes on oleoresin paprika imported from India because it's being sold too cheaply and getting unfair government help. This move protects American paprika producers from losing business and means importers will have to pay more when bringing in this spice. If you import or sell this paprika, get ready for new costs and rules!
2026-20691, Certain Paper Shopping Bags From Taiwan: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
The U.S. Department of Commerce reviewed paper shopping bags from Taiwan sold between January 2024 and June 2025. They found that Haur Tyi Paper Bag Co. didn’t sell these bags at unfairly low prices, and they stopped reviewing five other companies because no one asked for it. This means no extra duties for Haur Tyi right now, and the review process is moving forward with some deadlines adjusted due to a government shutdown.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-04706, Information Collection Request; Measurement Service Record
The Farm Service Agency is asking for your thoughts on continuing their Measurement Service Record form, which farmers use to request land or crop measurements and pay a fee. This form helps keep track of requests, payments, and results, and it’s handled in person at local offices. Comments are open until May 19, 2025, and there’s no change in fees or process—just a simple extension to keep things running smoothly.
Next: 2025-04709, Meeting of the Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee on Actuarial Examinations will hold a closed teleconference on April 25, 2025, to discuss new topics for future actuarial exams. This affects actuaries preparing for enrollment exams, with potential changes to exam content but no immediate cost or deadline changes announced. The meeting is private to protect sensitive exam details.