United States trade officials opened anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations into amine compounds from China on Sept. 29, 2026, with a first ITC ruling due by Nov. 13, 2026.<\/p>\n
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on Sept. 29, 2026 opened anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into imports of amine compounds from China, with a first ruling due by Nov. 13, 20261<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n The ITC is the U.S. agency that decides whether imports hurt American industry. Its notice was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 5, 20261<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n In short, two U.S. chemical makers have asked for extra import taxes on Chinese amine compounds entered under four tariff codes. No new duty applies yet, but the case could lead to duties on these shipments later.<\/p>\n The ITC has opened two cases at once. Both cover the same goods: amine compounds made in China1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n The first is an anti-dumping investigation<\/strong>. Anti-dumping duty is an extra import tax on goods sold abroad below their normal price. The ITC case number is 731-TA-18091<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n The second is a countervailing duty investigation<\/strong>. A countervailing duty is an extra import tax that cancels out help a foreign government gives its producers. Here the claim is that the Government of China subsidises the goods. The case number is 701-TA-8081<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n At this first stage, the ITC asks one question. Is there a "reasonable indication" that U.S. industry is hurt, or threatened, by these imports1<\/a><\/sup>? The notice also covers the case where a new U.S. industry is held back from starting1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n The notice names the goods by their place in the U.S. tariff list, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. It lists four statistical reporting numbers<\/strong>1<\/a><\/sup>:<\/p>\n These are the 10-digit codes an importer gives to customs for each line of a shipment. A shipment of Chinese goods entered under one of these codes falls inside the case1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n The goods are chemicals. The ITC notice does not describe their uses or the exact chemical names. It does not list any products left out of the case.<\/p>\n The case answers a petition filed on Sept. 29, 2026<\/strong>1<\/a><\/sup>. A petition is a formal request by U.S. producers for trade protection.<\/p>\n Two companies filed it together1<\/a><\/sup>:<\/p>\n The petition claims two things. First, that Chinese amine compounds are sold in the United States at "less than fair value", which means below a fair market price1<\/a><\/sup>. Second, that the Chinese government subsidises them1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n The ITC opened its cases on the same day the petition was filed1<\/a><\/sup>. The notice was issued by order of the Commission on Sept. 30, 2026, and signed by its secretary, Lisa Barton1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n A U.S. trade remedy case has two parts, run by two agencies. The ITC decides whether U.S. industry is hurt. The Department of Commerce decides whether the goods are dumped or subsidised, and by how much1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n The ITC acts under sections 703(a) and 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 19301<\/a><\/sup>. Its work follows its own rules of practice, in parts 201 and 207 of title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n The steps run in this order:<\/p>\n Each step has a fixed date in the ITC notice, set out below.<\/p>\n The notice says Commerce can extend the time it takes to open its own case. If it does, the ITC dates move too1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n The law gives the ITC 45 days for its first ruling. In this case that deadline is Nov. 13, 2026<\/strong>1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n The ITC must then send its views to Commerce within five business days. That means by Nov. 20, 2026<\/strong>1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n Both dates hold "unless" Commerce extends the time to open its case1<\/a><\/sup>. The ITC notice does not give dates for Commerce’s later rulings.<\/p>\n Any company that wants to be a formal party must file an "entry of appearance" with the ITC. The deadline is seven days after Oct. 5, 2026<\/strong>, the day the notice was published1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n Industrial users of the goods have the right to take part as parties1<\/a><\/sup>. Consumer groups may also take part if the goods are sold in shops1<\/a><\/sup>. The ITC secretary will then publish a list of all parties.<\/p>\n Some evidence in these cases is confidential business information. Lawyers for the parties can see it under a protective order, a court-style promise to keep it secret. They must apply within the same seven days1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n All filings go through the ITC’s online filing system, called EDIS. The ITC will not accept paper filings1<\/a><\/sup>. Each filing must also be sent to every other party, with proof that it was sent1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n Anyone who gives information must certify that it is accurate and complete1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n The ITC’s Office of Investigations will hold the staff conference at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 20, 2026<\/strong>1<\/a><\/sup>. The ITC calendar says it will take place in person, in the main hearing room of the ITC building in Washington2<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\nWhat has the ITC started on amine compounds?<\/h2>\n
Which amine compound imports are covered?<\/h2>\n
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Who asked for the amine compounds case?<\/h2>\n
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How do the two U.S. agencies share the work?<\/h2>\n
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When is the ITC vote on amine compounds?<\/h2>\n
The amine compounds case so far<\/h4>\n
How can companies take part in the case?<\/h2>\n
What happens at the Oct. 20 staff conference?<\/h2>\n
Filing deadlines around the conference<\/h4>\n