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 For Green Chemical and Kukdo Chemicals the suspension applies to unliquidated entries entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after the date which is 90 days before the publication of this notice; for Miwon and all other exporters the suspension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).
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