U.S. Slaps Tariffs on Sneaky Chinese Pipes Detoured Via Thailand
Published Date: 2/27/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that some seamless oil pipes finished in Thailand but made from Chinese steel are sneaking around U.S. import rules. Starting February 27, 2026, these pipes will face the same extra taxes as those directly from China. This move protects American businesses and keeps trade fair by stopping unfair pricing tricks.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Thai OCTG from China Hit With Duties
Commerce found that seamless oil country tubular goods (OCTG) finished in Thailand using steel billets produced in China are circumventing antidumping and countervailing duty orders. Effective February 27, 2026, unliquidated entries of this inquiry merchandise entered or withdrawn on or after December 18, 2024 will be suspended and may require cash deposits — AD cash deposits equal to the China-wide rate of 99.14% and CVD cash deposits equal to 13.41%, unless a company has its own company-specific rate.
Compliant Entries Avoid Suspension
If the importer and exporter meet the certification and documentation requirements described in the notice (including providing exporter and importer certifications and required supporting documents), those entries of seamless OCTG from Thailand will not be subject to suspension of liquidation or the cash deposit requirements under this country-wide determination.
Importer/Exporter Certification Requirement
Importers and exporters of seamless OCTG completed in Thailand must complete specific certifications and keep supporting documents (invoices, production records, etc.). Exporter certifications must be completed by the time of shipment and importer certifications by the time the entry summary is filed; documents must be uploaded to CBP's Document Imaging System in ACE and kept until the later of five years after the latest entry or three years after the end of related U.S. litigation.
Retroactive Entries Need Corrections
For seamless OCTG entered or withdrawn for consumption between December 18, 2024 and September 3, 2025 that remain unliquidated, importers and exporters should have completed and uploaded certifications by October 3, 2025. Entries declared as non-AD/non-CVD during that period (e.g., type 01) for which certifications were not provided must be converted via a post-summary correction and the importer must pay applicable cash deposits.
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