Washington Opens Another Trade Case, This Time Over Cardboard Boxes
Published Date: 10/26/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce is starting an investigation into whether the Turkish government is unfairly helping its corrugated die-cut cardboard box makers, which could hurt American box producers and workers. This move, kicking off on October 19, 2026, might lead to extra taxes on these Turkish boxes to protect U.S. businesses. If proven, it could shake up the cardboard box market and keep American jobs safe.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Domestic Industry Reports Lost Sales and Jobs
The petitioners (the American Pizza Boxes Manufacturers Coalition and the United Steelworkers union) allege that imports of the subject merchandise have caused significant harms to U.S. producers, including increased import volume, reduced market share, underselling, price depression or suppression, lost sales and revenues, declines in production and capacity utilization, reduced U.S. shipments, declines in employment, and facility closures. These allegations are part of the record Commerce relied on when initiating the investigation.
Commerce Opens CVD Probe on Turkish Boxes
On October 19, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce started a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation into corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes from the Republic of Türkiye. The petition was filed September 9, 2026 by U.S. domestic producers and a union alleging subsidies and injury; the period of investigation (POI) is January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. Commerce will make a preliminary CVD determination no later than 65 days after initiation, and the ITC will make a preliminary injury determination within 25 days after receiving notice from Commerce.
Turkish Exporters and Specific Products Named
The petition identified 76 companies in Türkiye and Commerce is initiating an investigation covering 66 alleged subsidy programs. Commerce intends to calculate company-specific subsidy rates and has defined the covered merchandise broadly (corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes used in food service, often classified under HTSUS 4819.10.0020, with specified size and flute thickness limits).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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