Cargo Systems Messaging Service

CSMS # 64708462 - Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations: Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes from the People’s Republic of China (China) and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam)

On April 7, 2025, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated its less-than-fair-value and countervailing duty investigations on “Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes from China and Vietnam” (Initiation Notices). These investigations have been assigned the following case numbers: A-570-203 and C-570-204 (China) A-552-850 (Vietnam).

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

The merchandise covered by these investigations is polypropylene corrugated boxes. Polypropylene corrugated boxes are boxes, bins, totes, or other load-bearing containers made for holding goods, that are made of corrugated polypropylene sheets, also known as polypropylene hollow core sheets, polypropylene fluted sheets, polypropylene twin wall sheets, or multi wall sheets.  Such polypropylene sheets are “corrugated,” “fluted,” or “hollow core,” meaning the inside of the sheet contains channels or pockets of air which make the sheets lightweight, while retaining strength and durability. Polypropylene corrugated boxes are typically produced from a plastic resin consisting of 50 percent or more polypropylene. Polypropylene corrugated boxes are covered by the scope irrespective of the particular mix of polypropylene homo-polymer, polypropylene co-polymer, recycled or virgin polypropylene, or ancillary chemicals such as electrostatic agents or flame retardants. Polypropylene corrugated boxes are formed by corrugated polypropylene sheets cut to length, die-cut into specific box shapes, and may be cut or scored to allow each side of the box to be folded into shape. Polypropylene corrugated boxes may include a tab or attached portion of polypropylene corrugated sheet (commonly referred to as a “manufacturer’s joint”) that has been cut, slotted, or scored to facilitate the formation of the box by stapling, gluing, welding, or taping the sides together to form a tight seal. One-piece polypropylene corrugated boxes are die-cut or otherwise formed so that the top, bottom, and sides form a single, contiguous unit. Two-piece polypropylene corrugated boxes are those with a folded bottom and a folded top as separate pieces. Multi-piece polypropylene corrugated boxes are those with separate bottoms and tops that are fitted to a single folded piece comprising the sides of the box. Polypropylene corrugated boxes may be printed with ink or digital designs. 

The subject merchandise includes polypropylene corrugated boxes with or without handles, with or without lids or tops, with or without reinforcing wire, whether in a one-piece, two-piece, or multi-piece configuration, and whether folded into shape or in an unfolded form. The subject merchandise includes all polypropylene corrugated boxes regardless of size, shape, or dimension. The subject merchandise also includes polypropylene corrugated box lids or tops when imported separately from polypropylene corrugated boxes. 

The products subject to these investigations are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under statistical reporting number 3923.10.9000. Although the HTSUS statistical reporting number is 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 http://www.federalregister.gov/ via the search bar using the case numbers assigned to this/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).