U.S. Investigates Whether Foreign Pizza Boxes Are Too Cheap
Published Date: 10/26/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce is starting investigations into whether cardboard pizza boxes from China, Malaysia, and Türkiye are being sold unfairly cheap in the U.S. This affects American box makers and workers who want fair prices and jobs protected. If unfair pricing is found, extra duties could be added soon to keep things fair and support U.S. businesses.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 6 costs, 1 mixed.
Estimated Dumping Margins Announced
In the initiation documents, Commerce reports estimated dumping-margin ranges for the investigations: China (using Brazil surrogate) 170.40%–297.26%, China (Mexico surrogate) 97.71%–185.92%, China (Türkiye surrogate) 99.71%–185.04%; Malaysia 83.72%–116.58%; and Türkiye 51.27%–92.81%. These percentage ranges were presented as the petitioners' estimated dumping margins at initiation.
Commerce Opens Antidumping Investigations
The U.S. Department of Commerce initiated less-than-fair-value (antidumping) investigations for corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes from the People's Republic of China, Malaysia, and the Republic of Türkiye on October 19, 2026. Commerce will issue preliminary determinations no later than 140 days after initiation, and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will make a preliminary injury determination within 25 days after receiving notice from Commerce.
Separate-Rate Application Requirement for China
For China (treated as a non-market-economy), exporters and producers must file a separate rate application; Commerce states the separate rate application will be due 21 days after publication of this initiation notice. The notice also states that companies not filing a timely Q&V questionnaire response will not receive separate rate consideration.
China Treated as Non-Market Economy; Surrogate Countries Named
Commerce continues to treat China as a non-market-economy country for the initiation of this investigation and the petitioners identified Brazil, Mexico, and Türkiye as appropriate surrogate countries to value China’s factors of production for initiation purposes.
Deadlines for Producer/Exporter Questionnaires
Producers and exporters from China, Malaysia, and Türkiye were instructed to submit quantity-and-value (Q&V) questionnaire responses by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 2, 2026. Producers/exporters that do not receive a Q&V may still obtain and submit the questionnaire from Commerce's website.
Combination Rates Rule for NME Respondents
Commerce explained that, in NME investigations, it will apply 'combination rates' where a cash-deposit rate assigned to an exporter applies only to merchandise exported by that firm and produced by a producer that supplied the exporter during the period of investigation. This links rates to specific exporter–producer combinations.
Scope and Comment Deadlines for Interested Parties
Commerce set deadlines for interested parties to comment on the scope and product characteristics: initial scope and product-characteristics comments due by 5:00 p.m. ET on November 9, 2026, and any rebuttal comments due by 5:00 p.m. ET on November 19, 2026. Commerce requested public executive summaries (limit 450 words) at the start of each scope comment.
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.
2026-21780, Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh From Mexico: Continuation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
The U.S. government is keeping special taxes on steel wire mesh from Mexico because stopping them could hurt American businesses. These taxes help stop unfair pricing and unfair government help from Mexico. This decision started on September 23, 2026, and means importers will keep paying extra fees to protect U.S. steel makers.
2026-21793, Carbazole Violet Pigment-23 From India: Final Results, and Rescission, in Part of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
The U.S. Department of Commerce finished reviewing Navpad Pigments from India for special taxes on carbazole violet pigment-23 imports during 2023. They decided to cancel part of the review for one company, meaning some tax checks won’t continue. This update affects importers and could change how much tax they pay starting October 26, 2026.
2026-21791, Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand From Spain: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that a Spanish company, TYCSA, sold prestressed concrete steel wire strand in the U.S. at unfairly low prices from June 2024 to May 2025. Because of this, certain extra duties will apply to their imports starting October 26, 2026. This decision affects TYCSA and U.S. companies competing with them, ensuring fair trade and protecting American businesses.
2026-21819, Certain Small Vertical Shaft Engines Between 99cc and up to 225cc, and Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Continuation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
The U.S. government is keeping special taxes on small engines (99cc to 225cc) and their parts from China because stopping them could hurt American businesses. These taxes, called antidumping and countervailing duties, will continue starting October 26, 2026, to protect U.S. industries from unfair pricing and subsidies. If you import or sell these engines, get ready for ongoing costs and rules.
2026-21790, Heavy-Walled Rectangular Welded Carbon Steel Pipes and Tubes From Mexico: Initiation and Expedited Preliminary Results of Changed Circumstances Review
The U.S. Department of Commerce is reviewing a name change for a Mexican steel pipe company, Perfiles LM, which used to be Perfiles y Herrajes LM. This review checks if the new name means the same rules and duties apply for imports starting October 26, 2026. If confirmed, this keeps the trade rules steady and affects how cash deposits and duties are handled for this company.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-21782, New Postal Products
The Postal Regulatory Commission is reviewing new deals the Postal Service wants to add or change for competitive mail products. This affects businesses and customers using special negotiated mail services, with opportunities for public feedback before decisions. No immediate price changes are announced, but stay tuned for updates as the process moves forward.
Next: 2026-21789, Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
The government just approved two permits for a hatchery program that raises and releases sockeye salmon in Idaho’s Snake River basin. This helps protect endangered and threatened salmon and steelhead species while supporting their recovery. The permits started in October 2026 and last for 10 years, involving local tribes and agencies with no new fees for the public.