U.S. Department of Commerce Releases Preliminary Results on Antidumping Duties for R-134a from China
Estimated reading time: 5–10 minutes
On August 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced preliminary results for the antidumping duty administrative review of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) from the People’s Republic of China. The review covers the period from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024.
Key Findings
Commerce determined that Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Ind. Co. Ltd. and its affiliates sold R-134a at less than normal value during the review period. The weighted-average dumping margin found was 141.22 percent.
Scope of the Order
The order covers 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane, also known as R-134a, or its chemical equivalent, no matter the form, type, or purity.
Partial Rescission of Review
Commerce is rescinding the review for 28 companies. The petitioners withdrew their request for these companies within 90 days of the initiation notice, and no other party requested a review for them. The companies are listed in Appendix II of the notice.
Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical Ind. Co. Ltd. and its affiliates remain under review.
China-Wide Entity
The China-wide entity’s rate remains unchanged at 167.02 percent. No party requested a review of the China-wide entity, so it is not under review. Zhejiang Sanmei was preliminarily found eligible for a separate rate and is not part of the China-wide entity.
Methodology
Commerce conducted this review following section 751(a)(1)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930 and related regulations. Export prices for Zhejiang Sanmei were calculated according to section 772(a), and the normal value was calculated under section 773(c), as China is considered a non-market economy.
Public Comment
Interested parties may submit case briefs or written comments within 21 days after the publication of the notice. Rebuttal briefs are due five days after case briefs. Each brief should include a table of contents, a table of authorities, and a public executive summary for every issue raised.
Parties who want a hearing must request one within 30 days of the publication of the notice.
Final Results Timeline
The Department will issue final results within 120 days of the publication of the preliminary results, unless extended.
Assessment Rates
After the final results are issued, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to assess duties. Assessment instructions will be sent to CBP 35 days after the final results are published, except if a lawsuit delays the process.
Individual assessment rates for importers will be calculated based on their entries. If an ad valorem margin or importer- specific rate is zero or de minimis, no duties will be assessed.
Sales not reported in the U.S. sales database will be assessed at the China-wide margin rate.
For companies rescinded from review, Commerce will instruct CBP to assess duties at the deposit rate in effect at the time of entry.
Cash Deposit Requirements
After publication of the final results:
- Zhejiang Sanmei’s cash deposit rate will be the one from the final results, unless it is de minimis.
- Exporters with an existing separate rate not listed will keep their current rate.
- Companies with no separate rate will have the China-wide rate of 167.02 percent.
- Non-Chinese exporters’ rates will match their Chinese suppliers.
These deposit requirements stay in effect until further notice.
Reminder to Importers
Importers must file a certificate about the reimbursement of antidumping duties. Failure to do so can result in double assessments.
Companies with Review Rescinded
Appendix II lists 25 companies for which the review is being rescinded, including Bestcool Inc., Ltd., Jinhua Binglong Chemical Technology Co., Ltd., and Zhejiang Juhua Co., Ltd.
Further Information
Full details and the list of topics discussed are available in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. For questions, contact John Conniff at (202) 482-1009.
[Federal Register: 90 FR 38455-38458, August 8, 2025]
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