Notice of preliminary determination in the antidumping duty investigation of thermoformed molded fiber products from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (A-552-845)

1. On 05/12/2025, Commerce published in the Federal Register (90 FR 20153) its preliminary determination of sales at less than fair value and the postponement of the final determination in the antidumping duty investigation of thermoformed molded fiber products from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 2. The merchandise covered by this investigation has changed. The merchandise subject to this investigation consists of thermoformed molded fiber products regardless of shape, form, function, fiber source, or finish. Thermoformed molded fiber products are formed with cellulose fibers, thermoformed using one or more heated molds, and dried/cured in the mold. Thermoformed molded fiber products include, but are not limited to, plates, bowls, clamshells, trays, lids, food or foodservice contact packaging, and consumer or other product packaging. Thermoformed molded fiber products are relatively dense, with a typical fiber density above 0.5 grams per cubic centimeter, and are generally characterized by relatively smooth surfaces. They may be derived from any virgin or recycled cellulose fiber source (including, but not limited to, those sourced from wood, woody crops, agricultural crops/byproducts/residue, and agricultural/industrial/other waste). They may have any weight, shape, dimensionality, design, or size, and may be bleached, unbleached, dyed, colored, or printed. They may include ingredients, additives, or chemistries to enhance functionality including, but not limited to, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, heat/flame resistant, hydrophobic, oleophobic, absorbent, or adsorbent. Thermoformed molded fiber products may also be subject to other processing or treatments, including, but not limited to, hot or after pressing, die-cutting, punching, trimming, padding, perforating, printing, labeling, dying, coloring, coating, laminating, embossing, debossing, repacking, or denesting. Thermoformed molded fiber products subject to this investigation may also have additional design features, including, but not limited to, tab closures, venting, channeling, or stiffening. Thermoformed molded fiber products remain covered by the scope of this investigation if the subject product is encased by exterior packaging. They also remain covered by the scope of this investigation whether imported alone, or in any combination of subject and non-subject merchandise ( e.g., a lid or cover of any type packaged with a molded fiber bowl, addition of any items to make the thermoformed molded fiber packaging suitable for end-use such as absorbent pads). When thermoformed molded fiber products are imported in combination with non-subject merchandise, only the thermoformed molded fiber products are subject merchandise. Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are products covered by the scope of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on paper plates from People's Republic of China, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Excluded from the scope of this investigation are thermoformed molded fiber products imported as packaging material that enclose and/or surround non-subject merchandise prepackaged for final sale upon importation into the United States ( e.g., molded fiber packaging surrounding a cellular phone). Thermoformed molded fiber products include thermoformed molded fiber products matching the above description that have been finished, packaged, or otherwise processed in a third country by performing finishing, packaging, or processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the thermoformed molded fiber products. Examples of finishing, packaging, or other processing in a third country that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the thermoformed molded fiber products include, but are not limited to, hot or after pressing, die-cutting, punching, trimming, padding, perforating, printing, labeling, dying, coloring, coating, laminating, embossing, debossing, repacking, or denesting. Thermoformed molded fiber products are classified under subheadings 4823.70.0020 and 4823.70.0040, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Imports may also be classified under subheadings 4823.61.0020, 4823.61.0040, 4823.69.0020, 4823.69.0040, 4823.90.1000, HTSUS. References to the HTSUS classification are provided for convenience and customs purposes, and the written description of the merchandise under investigation is dispositive. 3. This proceeding has been assigned case number A-552-845. 4. For imports of thermoformed molded fiber products from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, CBP shall suspend liquidation of such shipments entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after 05/12/2025. Effective 05/12/2025, CBP shall require, for entries of thermoformed molded fiber products from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from the exporter/producer combinations listed below, a cash deposit equal to the antidumping duty cash deposits shown below: Exporter: Vietnam-Wide Entity Case number: A-552-845-000 Cash deposit rate: 211.60% Exporter: Vietnam Yuzhan Packaging Technology Company Limited Producer: Vietnam Yuzhan Packaging Technology Company Limited Case number: A-552-845-001 Cash deposit rate: 0.76% Exporter: Ningbo Changya Plastic (Vietnam) Co., Ltd Producer: Ningbo Changya Plastic (Vietnam) Co., Ltd Case number: A-552-845-002 Cash deposit rate: 0.76% Exporter: Changya Newmaterial Technology Co., Ltd Producer: Ningbo Changya Plastic (Vietnam) Co., Ltd Case number: A-552-845-003 Cash deposit rate: 0.76% 5. For all other entries of thermoformed molded fiber products from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the following cash deposit instructions apply: A. For all Vietnamese exporters of thermoformed molded fiber products from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam which have not received their own rate, the cash deposit rate will be the Vietnam-wide rate. B. For all non-Vietnamese exporters of thermoformed molded fiber products from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam which have not received their own rate, the cash deposit rate will be the rate applicable to the exporter/producer combinations that supplied that non-Vietnamese exporter. 6. If there are any questions by the importing public regarding this message, please contact the Call Center for the Office of AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce at (202) 482-0984. CBP ports should submit their inquiries through authorized CBP channels only. (This message was generated by OIV:ZS.) 7. There are no restrictions on the release of this information. Alexander Amdur