Commerce Probes Vietnam Steel Dodging Duties Through Indonesia
Published Date: 3/25/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce is checking if certain corrosion-resistant steel products made in Indonesia using Vietnamese steel are sneaking around import rules meant to keep trade fair. This could affect steel companies and importers by possibly adding extra duties starting March 25, 2026. The investigation aims to make sure everyone plays by the rules and pays their fair share.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Initiation Could Lead to New Duties
Commerce has started a country-wide circumvention inquiry into corrosion-resistant steel (CORE) completed in Indonesia using cold-rolled steel (CRS) from Vietnam. If Commerce later determines these imports circumvent the antidumping (AD) and countervailing (CVD) orders, those CORE imports could be treated as covered by the AD/CVD orders and subject to duty measures beginning with this notice (applicable March 25, 2026).
Suspension of Liquidation and Cash Deposits
Commerce will notify U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to continue suspension of liquidation and to apply cash deposit rates for products already suspended under the Orders, and to begin suspension and cash deposit requirements for unliquidated entries entered or withdrawn for consumption on or after the publication date (March 25, 2026). Commerce may also instruct CBP to apply suspension and cash deposits to certain unliquidated entries entered before the initiation date, but not for entries prior to November 4, 2021.
Which Products Are Covered
The inquiry covers certain flat-rolled steel products that are clad, plated, or coated with corrosion-resistant metals (for example, zinc or aluminum), whether or not corrugated, painted, varnished, laminated, or coated with plastics. Products completed in Indonesia using Vietnamese-origin cold-rolled steel (CRS) and exported to the United States are the subject of this inquiry.
Timing: Preliminary and Final Deadlines
Commerce intends to issue a preliminary circumvention determination no later than 150 days after publication (by August 22, 2026) and a final determination no later than 300 days after publication (by January 19, 2027), unless rescinded or extended. These dates set the regulatory timeline when preliminary or final duty outcomes may be announced.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-06420 — Fresh Tomatoes From Mexico: Extension of Deadline To Certify
If you import fresh tomatoes from Mexico for processing between February 18 and April 15, 2026, you now have extra time to submit the required certification forms. The U.S. Department of Commerce extended the deadline to help importers meet these new rules without rushing. This means no penalties if you file your paperwork by the new deadline, keeping your tomato business running smoothly!
2026-06449 — Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products from the Republic of Korea: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
The U.S. Department of Commerce is checking if certain corrosion-resistant steel products made in Korea but finished in Thailand are sneaking around existing trade rules. This affects steel companies like Nucor and Steel Dynamics, who want these products to face the same duties as Korean steel. The inquiry started April 2, 2026, and could lead to new duties that impact prices and imports.
2026-06447 — Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin From India: Amended Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
The U.S. Department of Commerce fixed some math mistakes in the review of Granular PTFE resin imports from India for March 2023 to February 2024. This change mainly affects Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited and could adjust the duties they owe. The updated results took effect on April 2, 2026, making sure the trade rules are fair and accurate.
2026-06448 — 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that China sold 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) in the U.S. for less than fair value from April 2023 to March 2024. This means importers might face new antidumping duties starting April 2, 2026, to keep things fair for American businesses. Deadlines were pushed back due to government shutdowns, but now the final results are in and ready to roll!
2026-06450 — Oleoresin Paprika From India: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Preliminary Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
The U.S. Department of Commerce says Indian oleoresin paprika is being sold in the U.S. for less than it should be, which could mean extra duties soon. They’re still checking the details and have pushed back the final decision, so importers and sellers should stay tuned. This could affect prices and trade rules starting from April 2026.
2026-06326 — Initiation of Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews
The U.S. Department of Commerce is kicking off its automatic five-year checkups on certain trade duties to see if they should stay or go. This affects companies involved in imports like mattresses from Cambodia and steel shelving from China, with reviews starting April 1, 2026. These reviews help decide if tariffs stay, change, or end, which can impact prices and trade money flows.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-05807 — Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
The U.S. Department of Commerce is checking if certain corrosion-resistant steel products made in Indonesia using Chinese steel are sneaking around existing trade rules. This could mean new duties or restrictions for companies importing these steels, starting March 25, 2026. Steel makers like Steel Dynamics and Nucor pushed for this to keep trade fair and protect U.S. businesses.
Next: 2026-05809 — Standard Steel Welded Wire Mesh From Mexico: Final Affirmative Determination of Circumvention
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that some steel wire made in Mexico and finished into welded wire mesh in the U.S. is dodging important import taxes. Starting March 25, 2026, these products will face the same duties as fully made Mexican mesh, protecting American businesses and leveling the playing field. If you import or sell this mesh, get ready for new rules and possible extra costs.
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in