International Trade Commission Denies Review Request on Coated Paper Imports from Indonesia
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The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) has announced its decision to deny a request to initiate a review of its previous affirmative determinations relating to coated paper imports from Indonesia. The request for a review was filed by PT. Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Mills and PT. Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk, aiming to institute a Section 751(b) review of the Tariff Act of 1930.
In November 2010, the ITC determined that U.S. industry was threatened by material injury from coated paper imports from China and Indonesia. The Department of Commerce confirmed these imports were being sold at less than fair value and were subsidized by the governments of both countries. Consequently, antidumping and countervailing duty orders were issued.
Following periodic reviews, these orders were reaffirmed, with the most recent continuation in June 2022. On December 3, 2025, PT. Pindo Deli and PT. Indah Kiat submitted a request for a review, arguing structural changes in the Indonesian industry warranted a reassessment.
The request stated there was a significant reduction in the capacity to produce the subject merchandise in Indonesia. The requesting parties argued that the Indonesian industry had experienced a shift from exports toward domestic market sales.
The ITC solicited comments from the public on the matter, which were considered before rendering a decision. Comments were received in support from the requestors and in opposition from Billerud Americas Corporation and Sappi North America, a successor-in-interest to the original petitioner, NewPage Corp.
The ITC has criteria that must be satisfied before instituting a review. These include demonstrating significant changed circumstances, showing that these changes were not caused by the existing orders, and proving that these changes indicate that revocation of the orders would not likely cause a continuation or recurrence of material injury.
In its analysis, the ITC found the evidence presented by the requestors insufficient. Their claims about reductions in production capacity and exports were deemed largely unsubstantiated, lacking necessary supporting documentation or detailed methodology.
Furthermore, the ITC highlighted that the decision to focus on domestic sales or other products by the Indonesian firms could be seen as a natural result of the antidumping and countervailing orders, rather than evidence of significant change.
Ultimately, the ITC concluded that the petition did not demonstrate changed circumstances sufficient to justify modifying the existing duty orders. The ITC also noted that a regular review of the orders is scheduled to begin in May 2027, which allows for comprehensive reassessment at that time.
The decision was made official on May 6, 2026, as communicated by Lisa Barton, Secretary to the Commission.
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