U.S. Will Keep Duties on Calcium Hypochlorite from China
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On February 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced it will continue the antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on calcium hypochlorite from the People’s Republic of China.
This decision follows determinations by the Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). Both agencies found that ending the AD and CVD orders would likely cause dumping of the product and allow unfair subsidies to continue. That could hurt the U.S. industry making the same chemical.
The Commerce Department and ITC looked at the orders as part of the required second five-year or “sunset” review process. Commerce began this review on June 2, 2025.
The ITC agreed with the Department of Commerce’s findings. On February 10, 2026, the ITC ruled that ending the orders would probably lead to harm for U.S. companies.
Calcium hypochlorite is a chemical used to disinfect water and other surfaces. It can be made in different forms like powder, tablets, crystals, or liquid. It must contain at least 10% available chlorine by weight to be covered by the orders.
This chemical can have different formulas. This includes common bleaching powders and hemibasic forms. The main formula is Ca(OCl)₂. Other forms are Ca(OCl)₂·CaCl₂·Ca(OH)₂·2H₂O, 2Ca(OCl)₂·Ca(OH)₂, and Ca(OCl)₂·0.5Ca(OH)₂.
The Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number for calcium hypochlorite is 7778-54-3. Its EPA Pesticide Code Number is 014701. It is classified as dangerous under multiple International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) codes, including UN 1748, 2880, 2208, and also UN 3485, 3486, and 3487.
The chemical is listed under HTSUS subheading 2828.10.0000 for customs purposes. When it’s mixed into tablets or other forms, it may also be entered under 3808.94.5000 and 3808.99.9500. These codes apply to disinfectants. But the written description, not the code, defines what is covered.
Because of the Commerce and ITC decisions, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will keep collecting AD and CVD deposits on imports of this product from China. This action helps American companies compete fairly.
The next five-year review of the orders may begin by early 2031. The law requires this review to start no later than 30 days before the fifth anniversary of the last decision.
This notice is also a reminder to all parties who had access to business confidential information under an Administrative Protective Order (APO). They must either return or destroy the information or ask the court to convert it to a judicial protective order. Failing to do so is a violation.
This decision and notice follow the Trade Act of 1930 and related regulations.
The notice was signed by Christopher Abbott, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations at the Commerce Department, on February 10, 2026. It was published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2026, under document number 2026-02951.
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