Taiwan Firm Faces Duties Over Brightening Agent Sales
Published Date: 7/14/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that Teh Fong Min International from Taiwan sold stilbenic optical brightening agents at unfairly low prices between May 2024 and April 2025. This means they might have to pay extra duties to level the playing field for U.S. businesses. The decision kicks in starting July 14, 2026, and interested parties can still share their thoughts before it’s final.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Importer Certification and Double Duty Risk
Importers are required under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate about whether antidumping duties were reimbursed prior to liquidation of relevant entries during this review period. If an importer fails to file the certificate, Commerce may presume reimbursement occurred and could assess double antidumping duties.
Possible Importer-Specific Duty Assessments
If the final results show TFM's margin is not zero or de minimis (i.e., 0.50 percent or greater), Commerce will calculate importer-specific assessment rates and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will assess antidumping duties on appropriate entries in accordance with the final results. Commerce will issue assessment instructions to CBP no earlier than 35 days after publication of the final results, and liquidation may be held pending injunction procedures that can last up to 90 days after publication.
Cash Deposit Rate Rules After Final Results
After the final results are published, the cash deposit rate for Teh Fong Min International will be the rate established in the final results, except if that rate is less than 0.50 percent (de minimis), in which case the cash deposit rate will be zero. The notice also states that the cash deposit rate for all other manufacturers or exporters will continue to be 6.19 percent, the all-others rate from the less-than-fair-value investigation.
Preliminary Dumping Finding and Margin
The Department of Commerce preliminarily found that Teh Fong Min International sold stilbenic optical brightening agents at less than normal value for the period May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025, and assigned a weighted-average dumping margin of 1.96 percent. This preliminary determination is effective July 14, 2026, and interested parties may submit comments before the final results are issued.
Automatic Assessment for Unknown-Destination Entries
For entries of subject merchandise produced by TFM for which TFM did not know the merchandise was destined for the United States, Commerce intends to instruct CBP to liquidate those entries at the all-others rate calculated in the less-than-fair-value investigation if there is no rate for the intermediate company(ies) involved. This follows Commerce's stated 'automatic assessment' practice.
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
2025-05481, Regulations Enhancing the Administration of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Trade Remedy Laws; Correction
The Department of Commerce fixed some accidental mistakes in their trade rules that were published in December 2024. They put back important deadlines and details that were accidentally deleted and corrected a couple of typos. These fixes take effect on March 31, 2025, helping businesses and officials follow clear and accurate trade rules without confusion or delays.
2026-20777, Certain Paper Shopping Bags From Cambodia: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that some paper shopping bags from Cambodia were sold in the U.S. for less than their normal price between January 2024 and June 2025. This means certain Cambodian bag makers might have to pay extra duties to keep things fair. Businesses involved should watch for final decisions and possible changes in costs soon.
2026-20779, Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From Thailand: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that tires from Thailand were sold in the U.S. for less than their normal price between July 2024 and June 2025. This means some importers might have to pay extra duties to keep things fair. The review process had some delays due to government shutdowns, but now the preliminary results are out and open for comments.
2026-20778, Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that Hyundai Steel and POSCO from South Korea got unfair government help on their hot-rolled steel in 2023. Because of this, extra taxes (called countervailing duties) will apply to their steel imports starting October 9, 2026. This means U.S. steel buyers might pay a bit more, and Korean producers will have to adjust to these new rules.
2026-20690, Oleoresin Paprika From India: Antidumping Duty Order and Countervailing Duty Order
Starting October 8, 2026, the U.S. is putting extra taxes on oleoresin paprika imported from India because it's being sold too cheaply and getting unfair government help. This move protects American paprika producers from losing business and means importers will have to pay more when bringing in this spice. If you import or sell this paprika, get ready for new costs and rules!
2026-20691, Certain Paper Shopping Bags From Taiwan: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
The U.S. Department of Commerce reviewed paper shopping bags from Taiwan sold between January 2024 and June 2025. They found that Haur Tyi Paper Bag Co. didn’t sell these bags at unfairly low prices, and they stopped reviewing five other companies because no one asked for it. This means no extra duties for Haur Tyi right now, and the review process is moving forward with some deadlines adjusted due to a government shutdown.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-14139, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Request for the Return of Original Documents
The Department of Homeland Security is keeping its current form for asking people to return original documents, with no changes. This affects anyone who needs to get their original papers back from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. They’re asking for public feedback until August 13, 2026, but no new costs or delays are expected.
Next: 2026-14141, Notice of Public Meetings of the Georgia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
The Georgia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is holding two public Zoom meetings to discuss the school-to-prison pipeline in Georgia. Anyone interested can join, share their thoughts, and hear expert testimony starting August 12, 2026. These meetings don’t cost anything but may involve phone charges if you call in, and they’re a great chance to get involved in important civil rights issues.