Laos Silicon Subsidies Lead to U.S. Tax Penalty
Published Date: 4/16/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting April 16, 2026, the U.S. is adding extra taxes on silicon metal imported from Laos because those imports got unfair government help. This move protects American companies from being hurt by cheaper, subsidized products. If you import or sell silicon metal from Laos, expect new costs and rules to follow.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
CVD Order Covers Laos Silicon Metal
Starting April 16, 2026, the U.S. issued a countervailing duty order on silicon metal from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Commerce will assess countervailing duties on entries of silicon metal from Laos that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after September 26, 2025, with entries between January 24, 2026 and the day before the ITC’s final determination having been liquidated without regard to duties.
Importers Must Post 69.10% Cash Deposit
Effective on the publication date (April 16, 2026), U.S. Customs and Border Protection will require cash deposits equal to the listed subsidy rates when importers bring in silicon metal from Laos. The rate listed in the order is 69.10 percent ad valorem for Lao Silicon Co., Ltd and 69.10 percent ad valorem for all other producers/exporters.
Semiconductor-Grade Silicon Is Excluded
Semiconductor-grade silicon, defined as merchandise containing at least 99.99 percent silicon by weight and classifiable under HTSUS subheading 2804.61.0000, is excluded from this countervailing duty order and is not covered by the duties listed in this notice.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-07465 — Silicon Metal From Angola and the Lao People's Democratic Republic: Antidumping Duty Orders
Starting April 16, 2026, the U.S. is putting special taxes on silicon metal imported from Angola and Laos because these imports were sold at unfairly low prices and hurt American businesses. This means companies bringing in silicon metal from these countries will have to pay extra fees, helping U.S. producers compete fairly. If you’re in the silicon metal business, watch out for these new costs and rules!
Next: 2026-07467 — Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate from the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
The U.S. Department of Commerce reviewed steel plates from Korea and found that POSCO and its related companies didn’t sell their steel at unfairly low prices from May 2023 to April 2024. This means no extra duties will be charged on their imports during this time. The decision, effective April 16, 2026, keeps things steady for these Korean steel exporters and U.S. buyers.