U.S. Finds Oman Imports Circumventing China Steel Duties
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On February 3, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a final affirmative determination. The ruling concludes that certain steel pipe imports from Oman are evading duties placed on similar goods from China.
The investigation focused on circular welded carbon quality steel pipe (CWP). These pipes were made in Oman using hot-rolled steel (HRS) sourced from the People’s Republic of China. The U.S. has had antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on such Chinese goods since 2008.
Commerce conducted the inquiry under section 781(b) of the Tariff Act. The department determined that the Omani CWP made from Chinese-origin HRS sought to avoid the duties. Therefore, it found these imports to be covered by the AD and CVD orders.
The final determination applies on a country-wide basis to Oman. It covers all such imports using Chinese HRS that occurred on or after November 19, 2024. This is the date the inquiry began.
The agency established regulation steps. Importers and exporters must now provide certifications. These confirm whether or not Chinese-origin HRS was used to make the goods entering the U.S.
If an importer or exporter fails to meet certification or provide needed documents, the entry will be treated as covered by the duties. Customs will then collect antidumping deposits at a rate of 85.55%, and countervailing deposits at 39.01%, unless a company has its own rate.
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will enforce these requirements. Certifications must be submitted as part of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) process.
For shipments made between November 19, 2024, and August 13, 2025, documents had to be submitted by September 8, 2025. If these goods entered without the needed certificates, corrections had to be made to ensure the correct duty type was applied.
Commerce created new case numbers for this determination:
- Antidumping: A-523-910
- Countervailing: C-523-911
The scope of the original 2008 Orders remains unchanged. It includes specific carbon steel pipes and tubes with several size and finish restrictions. However, steel used in boilers, mechanical tubing, and other mentioned products remains excluded.
The Decision Memorandum, which contains full details of the issues and decisions, is public. It is available through the ACCESS system for registered users.
For questions, contact Shawn Gregor at the Enforcement and Compliance Office at (202) 482-3226.
Commerce is continuing its enforcement of trade rules to prevent duty evasion and ensure fair trade practices.
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