Feds Probe Whether Quartz Countertops Harm U.S. Makers
Published Date: 5/21/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. International Trade Commission looked into whether quartz surface products imported into the country are hurting American businesses. After investigating, they sent a report to the President on May 18, 2026, to help decide if any trade actions are needed. This affects U.S. quartz product makers and could lead to changes in import rules or tariffs soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Four-Year Tariff-Rate-Quota Proposal
Two Commissioners recommended a four-year tariff-rate-quota (TRQ) on quartz surface products with in-quota annual volumes of 140,000,000 sq ft in Year 1, 159,000,000 sq ft in Year 2, 164,000,000 sq ft in Year 3, and 169,000,000 sq ft in Year 4. They recommended in-quota ad valorem tariff rates of 25% in Year 1, 24% in Year 2, 23% in Year 3, and 22% in Year 4, and out-of-quota rates of 40% in Year 1, 39% in Year 2, 38% in Year 3, and 37% in Year 4, with annual in-quota volumes allocated quarterly (25% per quarter) and unused quarterly volume carried forward to the next quarter.
ITC Finds Imports Causing Serious Injury
On May 18, 2026 the U.S. International Trade Commission determined that quartz surface products imported into the United States are being brought in in increased quantities that are a substantial cause of serious injury to the U.S. domestic industry producing like or directly competitive articles. The Commission sent that report to the President to inform possible trade relief actions.
Certain Countries Recommended for TRQ Exclusion
The Commissioners recommended that the President exclude from any TRQ imports from Canada and Mexico and also exclude imports from Australia, CAFTA-DR countries, Colombia, Jordan, Panama, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, Israel, and beneficiary countries under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) or the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
Call for Measures to Prevent Circumvention
The Commissioners recommended that the President consider policy proposals suggested by the petitioners or another robust mechanism to mitigate potential circumvention of the TRQ via non-covered countries. This is intended to prevent rerouting of imports to avoid the remedy.
Proposal to Use Tariff Revenue for Fabricator Relief
Commissioner Kearns recommended that the President submit to Congress a legislative proposal to distribute tariff revenue generated by the TRQ action to mitigate potential impacts on fabricators of slab quartz surface products. The recommendation seeks to offset harm to fabricators from the remedy.
Exclusion Process for Short Supply or No U.S. Production
The Commission recommended that the President authorize an exclusion process allowing imports of particularized quartz surface products without application of the TRQ when there is a demonstrated lack of U.S. production for that product or a critical short supply from domestic sources.
Recommendation to 'De-Stack' Tariffs
Commissioner Kearns recommended the President 'de-stack' the TRQ in-quota and out-of-quota tariffs from other tariffs so that multiple additional duties do not apply on U.S. imports of quartz surface products; this recommendation would not apply to antidumping or countervailing duties. The aim is to avoid extra tariff layering that could affect domestic manufacturers of downstream products.
Push for Talks to Reduce Global Overcapacity
Commissioner Kearns recommended that the President continue international negotiations to reduce global overcapacity and global imbalances that drive U.S. imports of quartz surface products. The goal is to address root causes of rising imports.
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