U.S. Department of Commerce Issues New Import Duties on Chassis from Mexico and Thailand
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The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced new countervailing duties on certain chassis and parts from Mexico and Thailand. This decision follows a confirmation by both the Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that American industries have been hurt by the subsidized imports of these products.
What Are Chassis and Subassemblies?
The products affected by these new duties are chassis and their parts. Chassis are frames that can carry containers or other loads. They are used for road, marine, and rail transport. They usually include wheels, brakes, and lighting systems, among other components.
Important Dates and Contact Information
The new duties come into effect starting June 18, 2026. Any unprocessed entries of these products that have been brought in for consumption will be subject to these duties. For further details, interested parties can contact Jose Rivera for issues related to Mexico at (202) 482-0842, and Caroline Carroll for issues related to Thailand at (202) 482-4948. They are both from the Enforcement and Compliance division of the International Trade Administration.
How Will This Affect Import Procedures?
Due to the new duties, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will now assess a cash deposit equal to the calculated subsidy rates when these products are imported. The purpose is to help offset the unfair benefit given to these products by their home countries through subsidies, which harm U.S. industries.
Subsidy Rates
The countervailing duty rates for each company affected are noted in the Federal Register. For Mexico, companies like Hyundai de Mexico S.A. and Fruehauf de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. have a subsidy rate of 76.91%.
For Thailand, the rate varies little between companies. Dee Siam Manufacturing Co., Ltd., for instance, has a rate of 10.72%, and Panus Assembly Co., Ltd. is at 9.65%.
Leveraging Legal Frameworks
These actions are in accordance with sections 705 and 706 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The U.S. Department of Commerce is using these legal measures to protect U.S. industries from the damage caused by unfair import practices.
Next Steps for Interested Parties
The Department of Commerce allows interested parties to be added to an annual inquiry list to receive updates. This service list will be updated every year. Any party wishing to be added to this list must submit their details within 30 days of the order’s publication.
Exclusions in the Order
Certain products are excluded from these duties. These include dry van trailers, refrigerated van trailers, and flatbed trailers. Individual chassis parts sold by themselves are not included in this probe, but when these parts come with a chassis, they fall under the order.
Conclusion
With these new countervailing duties, the Department of Commerce aims to even the playing field for U.S. manufacturers and protect them from the effects of these subsidized imports. Detailed information can be accessed via the Federal Register publication, under document number 2026-12329.
Legal Disclaimer
This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.
