Big Graphite from China Faces Quick Duties
Published Date: 9/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce has found strong reasons to believe that imports of large diameter graphite electrodes from China got unfair help from their government. This means extra taxes (countervailing duties) might be added quickly to these products to protect U.S. businesses. If you’re involved in this trade, watch out for changes starting September 24, 2026, which could affect prices and import rules.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Immediate cash deposits on imports
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be directed to suspend liquidation and require a cash deposit equal to the estimated preliminary subsidy rates for any unliquidated entries of large diameter graphite electrodes from China entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after May 1, 2026. The suspension of liquidation will remain in effect until further notice.
Preliminary finding of export-contingent subsidies
Commerce preliminarily finds a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that certain programs provided to Chinese producers/exporters (including Dantan New Materials Co., Ltd. and Shanxi Juxian Graphite New Material Co., Ltd.) are countervailable and inconsistent with the WTO Subsidies and Countervailing Measures Agreement. The programs identified include Export Loans from Chinese State-Owned Bank; Export Seller's Credit; Export Buyer's Credit; Subsidies for the Development of Famous Brands and China World Top Brands; Foreign Trade Development Fund Grants; and Export Assistance Grants.
Record shows massive surge in imports
Petitioners provided monthly import data showing a 105.43 percent increase in imports of large graphite electrodes from China when comparing their cited base and comparison periods, and Commerce found Trade Data Monitor (TDM) data for HTSUS 8545.11.0020 showed the comparison period shipments exceeded the base period by more than 15 percent. Commerce used these import increases to preliminarily conclude that "massive imports" occurred, supporting a critical circumstances finding for all other exporters and producers.
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