U.S. Department of Commerce Finds Paper Plates from China Circumventing Duty Orders

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The U.S. Department of Commerce has made a preliminary decision about certain paper plates from China. This decision involves paper plates made in Malaysia using paperboard from China.

Background

In March 2025, the Department of Commerce issued antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on paper plates imported from China. In August 2025, the Department started an investigation to see if paper plates made in Malaysia, using Chinese paperboard, were avoiding these duties.

Investigation Timeline

The investigation faced delays due to a government shutdown in November 2025. Deadlines were extended several times, with the preliminary decision now issued in July 2026.

Findings

The Department of Commerce has initially found that the paper plates made in Malaysia with Chinese paperboard are indeed circumventing the duty orders. This means they will be subject to duties as they are considered part of the original orders on China.

Next Steps

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will suspend these paper plates from Malaysia if they were entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption after August 22, 2025. Importers need to file for post-summary corrections to ensure the entries comply with the antidumping and countervailing duties.

Certifications

Importers and exporters can use certifications to prove the paper plates were not made with Chinese paperboard. For certain companies, this certification regime might not be available if they have been found circumventing, like Huiming, unless they prove otherwise in future reviews.

Public Involvement

Interested parties can comment on these findings and certification requirements. This can be done by submitting case briefs to the Department of Commerce within a set time. If needed, a hearing will take place to discuss these issues further.

Conclusion

The Department of Commerce aims to ensure fair trading practices by confirming if Malaysian-made paper plates circumvent existing orders. The final decisions and verifications will determine the appropriate duties to be applied. This process helps protect U.S. industries by enforcing the rules on imported goods.

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.