U.S. Taxes Chinese Corrugated Boxes: Protecting American Packaging Jobs
Published Date: 3/16/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting March 16, 2026, the U.S. is slapping extra taxes on polypropylene corrugated boxes imported from China because they were found to be unfairly cheap and subsidized. This move protects American box makers from losing business and means importers will pay more when bringing these boxes into the country. If you’re in the packaging or shipping world, get ready for some changes at the border and in your costs!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Antidumping Duties on Chinese Boxes
Starting March 16, 2026, U.S. authorities will require antidumping duties on polypropylene corrugated boxes from China. Antidumping duties will be assessed on unliquidated entries entered or withdrawn for consumption on or after August 28, 2025, and the China-wide estimated dumping margin is listed as 83.64% (adjusted 82.21% for subsidy offsets); importers must post cash deposits equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margins.
Countervailing Duties on Chinese Boxes
Starting March 16, 2026, the U.S. will assess countervailing duties on polypropylene corrugated boxes from China. Countervailing duties will be assessed on unliquidated entries entered or withdrawn for consumption on or after August 20, 2025, and the estimated subsidy rate for listed companies and 'All Others' is 62.27%; CBP will require cash deposits equal to these subsidy rates.
Certain Imports Escaped Duties During Gap
Imports of polypropylene corrugated boxes that were entered or withdrawn for consumption during the provisional lapse periods were liquidated without regard to duties: for antidumping, entries from December 26, 2025 through the day before publication were liquidated without AD; for countervailing duties, entries from December 18, 2025 through the day before publication were liquidated without CVDs. Suspension of liquidation and collection of cash deposits resumed on the publication date of the ITC final determination (March 16, 2026).
Which Products Are Covered
The orders cover polypropylene corrugated boxes — boxes, bins, totes, lids, tops, and other load-bearing containers made from corrugated polypropylene sheets, regardless of size, shape, or mix of polypropylene, including lids imported separately. The notice also notes the HTSUS statistical reporting number often used for these products is 3923.10.9000.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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