U.S. Issues New Duties on Sol Gel Alumina-Based Ceramic Abrasive Grains From China
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What Is Covered
The orders cover sol gel alumina-based ceramic abrasive grains made with at least 94% aluminum oxide. These grains may also have other materials like titanium dioxide or silicon dioxide. They come in sizes from 0.85 mm to 0.0395 mm. Shapes can include angular, blocky, round, and more. The grains are extremely hard and can be various colors like blue or white.
These grains are included in the duties whether imported in bulk or already made into products like abrasive papers or grinding wheels. However, only the ceramic grains inside the finished products are covered, not the entire product.
Duties for Dumping
The U.S. determined that ceramic abrasive grains from China were sold below fair value. Importers must pay antidumping duties at a weighted-average dumping margin of 88.32 percent. This rate applies to all producers from China and is based on facts available with adverse inferences.
Duties for Subsidies
The investigation found that Chinese companies producing these grains received unfair government support. Countervailing duties were set at a subsidy rate of 165.05 percent. This rate applies to several named companies and all others not listed.
How Duties Are Applied
U.S. Customs and Border Protection must collect cash deposits for these duties on imports from China. For antidumping duties, this started for products entered or withdrawn for consumption on or after June 2, 2025. For countervailing duties, this started for products entered on or after May 22, 2025.
There was a temporary pause for the subsidy duties after September 18, 2025, until publication of the final injury determination. Duties collection resumed with the new order.
Legal Process and Ongoing Requirements
The orders were put in place after both Commerce and the International Trade Commission found that dumped and subsidized grains from China hurt the U.S. industry. These rules are upheld under the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.
The orders also include instructions about how interested parties and lawyers can be added to annual inquiry service lists to receive updates and take part in future matters related to the orders. Special instructions apply for both U.S. petitioners and the Government of China.
A full list of affected Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) codes is provided in the orders, with the written description taking priority over any classification.
Where to Find More Information
The notice was signed by Christopher Abbott, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations. The full list of existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders is available at https://enforcement.trade.gov/stats/iastats1.html.
These new duties are effective as of September 29, 2025.
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.
