Cargo Systems Messaging Service

CSMS # 63712151 - Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations: Sol Gel Alumina-Based Ceramic Abrasive Grains from the People’s Republic of China (China)

On January 6, 2025, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated its less-than-fair-value and countervailing duty investigations on “Sol Gel Alumina-Based Ceramic Abrasive Grains from China” (Initiation Notices).  These investigations have been assigned the following case numbers: A-570-190 and C-570-191.

The Scope of Merchandise covered by these investigations reads as follows:

The merchandise covered by this investigation is sol gel alumina-based ceramic abrasive grains which are comprised of minimum 94% aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and may contain other compounds, including, but not limited to, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, calcium oxide, sodium superoxide, ferric oxide, magnesium oxide, di-aluminum magnesium tetroxide, lanthanum oxide, lanthanum magnesium oxide, zirconium dioxide, or zirconium carbonate. Grain sizes of sol gel alumina-based ceramic abrasive grains range from 0.85 mm to 0.0395 mm (which corresponds to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) grit sizes from 20 to 280).

Shapes include but are not limited to angular, sharp, extra sharp, blocky, splintery, round stripped, triangular or shaped like extruded rods or stars.

Ceramic abrasive grains have unique crystalline structures that impart certain advanced properties, such as their extreme hardness and strength ranging between 16 and 22 gigapascals by the Vickers Diamond Indent Method, high melting point (2050°C), and a single- or multi-phase microstructure, which may contain multiple phases, having crystalline sizes ranging from 0.05 to 30μm. These ceramic abrasive grains include but are not limited to blue, white, white-translucent, or off-white opaque colors.

Sol gel alumina-based ceramic abrasive grains are covered by the scope of this investigation, whether incorporated into downstream articles, including but not limited to, abrasive papers, grinding wheels, grinding cylinders, and grinding discs. When incorporated into downstream articles, only the sol gel alumina-based ceramic abrasive grains component of such articles is covered by the product scope, and not the downstream product as a whole.

The merchandise subject to this investigation is properly classified under subheadings 2818.10.2020 and 2818.10.2090 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Other merchandise subject to the current scope, including when incorporated into the above-mentioned downstream articles, may be classified under HTSUS subheadings 2818.10.1000, 2818.20.0000, 2818.30.0000, 3824.99.1100, 3824.99.1900, 6805.10.0000, 6805.20.0000, 6805.30.1000, 6805.30.5000, 6804.22.1000, 6804.22.4000, 6804.22.6000, 8204.12.0000, 8474.90.0010, 8474.90.0020, 8474.90.0050, and 8474.90.0090. Although the HTSUS statistical reporting numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive.

Parties may submit comments on the scope of the investigations.  Please be sure to comply with all requirements pertaining submitting comments as described in the forthcoming Initiation Notices.  Upon their publication in the Federal Register, the Initiation Notices may be found at www.federalregister.gov via the search bar using the case numbers assigned to these investigations.

Importers should be aware that entries of subject merchandise made after the initiation of an investigation may retroactively be subject to antidumping and/or countervailing duties.

For questions about CBP’s AD/CVD enforcement, see Priority Trade Issue: Antidumping and Countervailing Duties | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)