Cargo Systems Messaging Service

CSMS # 65968120 - Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations: Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof from Czech Republic and India

On August 12, 2025, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated its less-than-fair-value and countervailing duty investigations on “Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof from Czech Republic and India” (Initiation Notices).  These investigations have been assigned the following case numbers: A-851-806 (Czech Republic) A-533-940 and C-533-941 (India).

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

The scope of this investigation covers certain freight railcar couplers (also known as “fits” or “assemblies”) and parts thereof.  Freight rail couplers are composed of two main parts, namely knuckles and coupler bodies but may also include other items (e.g., coupler locks, lock lift assemblies, knuckle pins, knuckle throwers, and rotors).  The parts covered by the investigation include: (1) E coupler bodies; (2) E/F coupler bodies; (3) F coupler bodies; (4) E knuckles; (5) F knuckles; as set forth by the Association of American Railroads (AAR).  The freight rail coupler parts are included within the scope of the investigation when imported individually.

Subject freight rail couplers and parts are included within the scope whether finished or unfinished, whether imported individually or with other subject or non-subject parts, whether assembled or unassembled, whether mounted or unmounted, or if joined with non-subject merchandise, such as other non-subject parts or a completed railcar.  Finishing includes, but is not limited to, arc washing, welding, grinding, shot blasting, heat treatment, machining, and assembly of various parts.  When a subject coupler or subject parts are mounted on or to other non-subject merchandise, such as a railcar, only the coupler or subject parts are covered by the scope.

The finished products covered by the scope of this investigation meet or exceed the AAR specifications of M-211, “Foundry and Product Approval Requirements for the Manufacture of Couplers, Coupler Yokes, Knuckles, Follower Blocks, and Coupler Parts,” and/or AAR M-215 “Coupling Systems,” or other equivalent domestic or international standards (including any revisions to the standard(s)).

The country of origin for subject couplers and parts thereof, whether fully assembled, unfinished or finished, or attached to a railcar, is the country where the subject coupler parts were cast or forged.  Subject merchandise includes coupler parts as defined above that have been further processed or further assembled, including those coupler parts attached to a railcar in third countries.  Further processing includes, but is not limited to, arc washing, welding, grinding, shot blasting, heat treatment, painting, coating, priming, machining, and assembly of various parts.  The inclusion, attachment, joining, or assembly of non-subject parts with subject parts or couplers either in the country of manufacture of the in-scope product or in a third country does not remove the subject parts or couplers from the scope.

The couplers that are the subject of this investigation are classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) statistical reporting numbers 8607.30.1010, 8607.30.1050, and 8607.30.1090.  Subject merchandise attached to finished railcars may also enter under HTSUS statistical reporting numbers 7326.90.8688, 8606.10.0000, 8606.91.0000, 8606.92.0000, 8606.99.0130, or under subheading 8606.99.0160.  Subject merchandise may also be imported under HTSUS statistical reporting number 7325.99.5000.  These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only; the written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive.

Parties may submit comments on the scope of the investigations.  Please be sure to comply with all requirements pertaining to 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)