U.S. Department of Commerce Starts Brake Drum Circumvention Inquiry

Estimated reading time: 5–7 minutes

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce), through its International Trade Administration, has begun a formal circumvention inquiry. The focus is on brake drums from the People’s Republic of China made from compacted graphite iron (CGI).

This inquiry responds to a request filed by Webb Wheel Products, Inc. (Webb) on November 17, 2025. Webb claims that CGI brake drums, including model number M328D557 from PanAsia CVD (HK) Limited, are later-developed merchandise. They believe these products are being imported in a way that avoids existing antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders.

Commerce is treating this as a country-wide inquiry. This means all relevant CGI brake drum imports from China are included, not just those from one company. The inquiry was initiated under Section 781(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930 and 19 CFR 351.226.

An opposition comment was filed by CAIEC Trailer Master Co., Ltd. on November 27, 2025. Webb submitted rebuttal comments on December 17, 2025. Commerce also issued a supplemental questionnaire to Webb. Webb responded to this questionnaire on January 12, 2026.

The scope of the original AD and CVD orders includes brake drums made of gray cast iron. They must have an inside diameter between 14.75 inches and 16.6 inches and weigh more than 50 pounds. These drums may be finished or unfinished. They are included whether imported alone or with non-subject parts like hubs.

The circumvention inquiry covers CGI brake drums with the same size and weight limits. These drums are made in China and shipped to the United States. Commerce is considering whether they are similar enough to be covered by the original orders.

Commerce looks at several criteria when deciding if later-developed merchandise counts as circumvention:

  • If the new and old products look the same.
  • If customers expect the same things from both.
  • If they are used in the same way.
  • If they are sold through the same channels.
  • If they are marketed similarly.

Commerce also looks at cost and product classification. Products are not excluded from orders just because they have extra functions or fall under different tariff codes, unless those functions are the main use and are expensive to add.

Commerce will handle the AD and CVD inquiries together using the antidumping record, as stated in 19 CFR 351.226(m)(2).

As the inquiry begins, Commerce has told U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to continue suspending liquidation of imports already under suspension. If the inquiry finds circumvention, new and unsuspended entries will also be suspended. Duties will be applied accordingly.

This initiation does not decide the outcome. It only means Commerce has found enough support in Webb’s request to begin the inquiry.

Commerce plans to issue a preliminary decision by June 26, 2026 (150 days after this notice). A final decision is expected by November 23, 2026 (300 days after this notice), unless deadlines are extended or the inquiry is partially or fully cancelled.

This initiation notice was signed by Christopher Abbott, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, on January 22, 2026.

Document Number: 2026-01598
Published: 2026-01-27
Federal Register Volume: 91, Number 17, Pages 3435–3437
Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration

For questions, contact:
Justin Enck — (202) 482-1614
Walter Schaub — (202) 482-0907
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20230


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.