Thai Steel Wheels Suspected of Chinese Import Sneak Attack
Published Date: 3/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce is checking if steel wheels made in Thailand using Chinese steel are sneaking around import rules meant for Chinese wheels. This could mean new duties or fees for those wheels coming from Thailand, affecting companies like Accuride and Maxion. The investigation started on March 19, 2026, and could change how much import taxes are paid.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Countrywide Inquiry into Thai Steel Wheels
On March 19, 2026, the Department of Commerce started a country-wide circumvention inquiry to determine whether certain steel wheels finished in Thailand using hot-rolled steel produced in China are evading U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty orders on Chinese wheels. The inquiry was opened after a request by Accuride Corporation and Maxion Wheels USA LLC and could result in those Thailand-origin wheels being brought within the scope of the existing orders.
Suspension of Liquidation and Cash Deposits
Commerce will notify U.S. Customs and Border Protection to continue suspending liquidation for entries already suspended under the orders and to apply the cash deposit rates that would apply if the Thailand-finished wheels are found covered. Commerce will also instruct CBP to begin suspension of liquidation and application of cash deposits for any unliquidated entries entered or withdrawn for consumption on or after March 19, 2026, and may apply suspension to certain earlier unliquidated entries but not to entries prior to November 4, 2021.
Timing: Preliminary and Final Deadlines
Commerce intends to issue a preliminary circumvention determination no later than 150 days from the March 19, 2026 publication date and, unless rescinded or extended, a final determination within 300 days from that publication date. These timelines set when affected parties can expect a preliminary and final decision in the inquiry process.
Products Covered: 22.5 and 24.5-inch Steel Wheels
The inquiry covers certain on-the-road steel wheels, discs, and rims for tubeless tires with a nominal rim diameter of 22.5 inches and 24.5 inches that are finished in Thailand using hot-rolled steel produced in China. The notice lists specific HTSUS subheadings (for example, 8708.70.4530 and 8708.70.4560) that the merchandise is currently classified under.
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