Korea Hit with Preliminary Duties on Chemical Imports
Published Date: 1/5/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that certain chemicals called monomers and oligomers from South Korea are likely being sold in the U.S. for less than their fair price. This means some Korean sellers might face extra duties to keep things fair for American businesses. The final decision is delayed but expected soon, and temporary measures to protect U.S. companies are extended.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Preliminary Dumping Margins Announced
Commerce preliminarily found certain monomers and oligomers from Korea are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value and set estimated weighted-average dumping margins: Green Chemical 65.72%, Miwon 10.94%, Kukdo (AFA) 188.01%, and All Others 15.59%. This preliminary decision is dated with the notice published January 5, 2026.
Suspension of Liquidation and Cash Deposits
Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to suspend liquidation and require cash deposits based on the preliminary margins. For Green Chemical and Kukdo Chemicals the suspension applies to unliquidated entries entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after the date which is 90 days before the publication of this notice; for Miwon and all other exporters the suspension applies to entries on or after the publication date (January 5, 2026).
Adverse Facts Available for Kukdo (AFA Rate)
Commerce preliminarily applied adverse facts available (AFA) to Kukdo Chemicals Co. Ltd. because it did not respond to the quantity-and-value questionnaire, assigning Kukdo an estimated dumping margin of 188.01%.
Preliminary Critical Circumstances Finding
Commerce preliminarily found that critical circumstances exist for imports produced and/or exported by Green Chemical Co., Ltd. and Kukdo Chemicals Co. Ltd., but not for Miwon Specialty Chemical Co., Ltd. or other producers/exporters. That finding supports applying suspension of liquidation retroactively for the named companies.
Final Determination Postponed; Provisional Measures Extended
Commerce is postponing the final determination and extending provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not greater than six months at the request of exporters; Commerce will make its final determination no later than 135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary determination. The related requests were filed by Miwon (November 24, 2025) and Green Chemical (December 4, 2025).
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
2026-20273, Polyethylene Terephthalate Film, Sheet, and Strip From Taiwan: Preliminary Results and Preliminary Intent To Rescind, In Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that Nan Ya Plastics sold PET film from Taiwan at unfairly low prices from July 2024 to June 2025. Meanwhile, Shinkong companies didn’t have any sales to review during this time. This means some antidumping duties might change soon, and companies involved should pay close attention to upcoming updates and deadlines.
2026-20259, Melamine From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Second Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
The U.S. Department of Commerce decided to keep extra taxes on melamine imported from China because removing them could let unfair government help continue. This affects Chinese melamine exporters and U.S. manufacturers like Cornerstone Chemical, who benefit from these protections. The decision takes effect October 2, 2026, keeping the playing field fair and protecting American jobs.
2026-20272, Certain Aluminum Foil From the Republic of Türkiye: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that some aluminum foil makers in Türkiye got unfair government help in 2023. Because of this, extra taxes (called countervailing duties) will apply to their products to keep things fair for U.S. businesses. These new rules started on October 2, 2026, and could affect prices and trade with Türkiye.
2026-20256, Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry of the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Orders
The U.S. Department of Commerce is checking if certain aluminum panels made by Shanghai Alumetal in China are sneaking around existing import taxes on aluminum sheets. This means companies importing these panels might face new duties soon, starting October 2, 2026. If they’re found to be dodging the rules, importers could pay more, protecting U.S. aluminum makers from unfair competition.
2026-20258, Certain Carbon Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With Final Covered Merchandise Determination and Notice of Amended Covered Merchandise Determination Pursuant to Court Decision; Correction
The U.S. Department of Commerce fixed a mix-up about certain unfinished carbon steel pipe fittings from China. These partly made fittings, even if finished later in Vietnam, are still covered by U.S. trade rules, and the government will pause money processing on past imports of these items. This affects importers and could impact payments and deadlines retroactively.
2026-20269, Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity To Request Administrative Review and Join Annual Inquiry Service List; Note Regarding Format of Review Requests
If you're involved in importing goods under antidumping or countervailing duty orders, now’s your chance to ask the U.S. Department of Commerce to review those orders during their anniversary month. You’ll need to follow new rules on how to submit your review requests, including listing companies alphabetically if you’re asking for multiple reviews. Keep an eye on deadlines and data releases—missing them could mean losing your chance to be heard or affecting money matters.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-24279, Notice of Scope Ruling Applications Filed in Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings
The U.S. Department of Commerce is letting everyone know that companies have asked if certain products fall under special import taxes called antidumping and countervailing duties. This helps decide if those products should pay extra fees to keep things fair. These requests were filed in September 2025, and the public can check details starting January 5, 2026—so businesses and buyers should stay tuned for possible changes that might affect prices and trade.
Next: 2025-24281, Notice of Extension of the Deadline for Determining the Adequacy of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions: Certain Van-Type Trailers and Subassemblies Thereof From Canada, Mexico, and the People's Republic of China
The U.S. Department of Commerce is taking extra time to decide if petitions about unfairly priced van-type trailers from Canada, Mexico, and China are valid. This delay helps handle a backlog caused by a recent government shutdown. American trailer makers asked for these checks, which could lead to new duties on imports, affecting trade and prices soon.