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USITC Starts Five-Year Review of Duties on Lightweight Thermal Paper from China

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The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has announced the start of its third five-year review of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on lightweight thermal paper from China. The review will decide if removing these trade duties would likely continue or cause new harm to American industry.

The review began on June 2, 2025. Parties interested in this case must send their responses to the Commission by July 2, 2025. People can leave comments about the responses by August 13, 2025. All filings must be electronic, using the Commission’s Electronic Document Information System (EDIS).

The USITC is following section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 for this review. Earlier, the Department of Commerce issued these duty orders on November 24, 2008. The duties were continued in January 2015 and July 2020 after earlier five-year reviews. This new review checks if revoking these orders would hurt U.S. producers of lightweight thermal paper in the near future.

“Subject Merchandise” in this review means lightweight thermal paper from China. The “Domestic Like Product” is thermal paper made in the U.S., while the “Domestic Industry” covers all U.S. companies making this kind of paper. “Importers” bring this paper into the U.S. from China.

Anyone wishing to participate must file an entry of appearance within 21 days after the notice date. The rules also explain how business confidential information will be handled, who may access it, and how the information must be certified.

Responses to the USITC must include detailed information. Each company or group responding should provide:

  • Name, address, and contact information.
  • Whether they are an “interested party” like a U.S. producer, importer, exporter, or association.
  • Willingness to give information.
  • What effects would follow if the duties were revoked.
  • Lists of U.S. producers, importers, and Chinese producers and exporters.
  • Major purchasers in the U.S.
  • Price sources for these products.

U.S. producers need to give information about their 2024 production, sales, and financial results. U.S. importers and Chinese exporters must also give trade and sales data for 2024.

The USITC wants to know about any big changes in how and where this paper is made and sold after 2018, and if any big changes are likely soon.

Anyone who cannot provide the requested information must notify the Commission right away and explain why.

Additional rules are given about who may participate, disclosures, certification, how to file electronically, and accuracy of information, as well as time limits.

This proceeding is under Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 and Sec. 207.61 of the Commission’s rules.

This notice was issued by Lisa Barton, Secretary to the Commission, on May 27, 2025. The full record and further information are available at the USITC’s official website.


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