US Investigates China's Steel Circling Rules via Indonesian Plants
Published Date: 3/25/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce is checking if certain corrosion-resistant steel products made in Indonesia using Chinese steel are sneaking around existing trade rules. This could mean new duties or restrictions for companies importing these steels, starting March 25, 2026. Steel makers like Steel Dynamics and Nucor pushed for this to keep trade fair and protect U.S. businesses.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Country-wide Inquiry into Indonesian CORE
Commerce has opened a country-wide circumvention inquiry, effective March 25, 2026, to decide whether corrosion-resistant steel (CORE) completed in Indonesia using hot-rolled or cold-rolled steel made in the People’s Republic of China is evading existing antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) orders on CORE from China. The inquiry covers CORE completed in Indonesia using Chinese-origin HRS or CRS that is exported from Indonesia and imported into the United States.
Suspension of Liquidation and Cash Deposits
Commerce will notify U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to continue suspension of liquidation for entries already suspended under the Orders and to apply the cash deposit rates that would apply if these products are found covered by the Orders. Commerce may also instruct CBP to begin suspension of liquidation and require cash deposits for unliquidated entries entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the publication date of this initiation notice (March 25, 2026), and may apply suspension for certain entries prior to initiation but not before November 4, 2021.
Timing: Preliminary and Final Deadlines
Commerce intends to issue a preliminary circumvention determination no later than 150 days from the publication of this notice and a final determination no later than 300 days from publication. These timelines begin from the March 25, 2026 Federal Register publication of the initiation notice.
Products Covered by the Inquiry Defined
The inquiry covers certain flat-rolled steel products that are clad, plated, or coated with corrosion-resistant metals such as zinc, aluminum, or zinc-, aluminum-, nickel- or iron-based alloys, whether or not corrugated, painted, varnished, laminated, or coated with plastics or other non-metallic substances. Commerce incorporated a full product description in the Circumvention Initiation Checklist published with this notice.
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
2026-17049, Silicon Metal From Australia and Norway: Countervailing Duty Orders
Based on affirmative final determinations by the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), Commerce is issuing countervailing duty (CVD) orders on silicon metal from Australia and Norway.
2026-17121, Fresh Winter Strawberries From Mexico: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that fresh winter strawberries from Mexico are likely being sold in the U.S. for less than their fair price. This affects Mexican strawberry exporters and could lead to extra duties to protect U.S. growers. The final decision is delayed, and provisional measures are extended, so watch for updates on costs and rules soon!
2026-17048, Oleoresin Paprika From India: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Final Affirmative Critical Circumstances Determination, in Part
The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of oleoresin paprika from India. The period of investigation is April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025.
2026-17050, Silicon Metal From Australia and Norway: Antidumping Duty Orders
Based on affirmative final determinations by the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), Commerce is issuing antidumping duty (AD) orders on silicon metal from Australia and Norway.
2026-17047, Oleoresin Paprika From India: Final Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Final Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that oleoresin paprika from India is being sold in the U.S. for less than its fair price. This means importers might face extra duties starting August 21, 2026, to keep things fair for American businesses. If you’re involved in importing or selling this spice, get ready for some changes that could affect costs and timing.
2026-17155, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Procedures for Submissions by Certain Steel and Aluminum Producers Committing to New U.S. Steel or Aluminum Production To Obtain Tariff Adjustments Under Proclamation 10984
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-05806, Citric Acid and Certain Citrate Salts From Canada and India: Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the Countervailing Duty Investigations
The U.S. is delaying its first decision on extra taxes for citric acid and citrate salts imported from Canada and India. This delay happens because the companies involved haven’t given all the info needed yet. The new deadline gives everyone more time to get their facts straight before any money changes hands.
Next: 2026-05808, Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
The U.S. Department of Commerce is checking if certain corrosion-resistant steel products made in Indonesia using Vietnamese steel are sneaking around import rules meant to keep trade fair. This could affect steel companies and importers by possibly adding extra duties starting March 25, 2026. The investigation aims to make sure everyone plays by the rules and pays their fair share.