On March 18, 2025, CoolSeal USA Inc., Inteplast Group Corporation, SeaCa Plastic Packaging, and Technology Container Corp. (collectively “Petitioners”), filed a petition for the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties on U.S. imports of polypropylene corrugated boxes from the People’s Republic of China and the imposition of antidumping duties on imports of such boxes from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION
The merchandise covered by these investigations is Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes (“PCBs”). PCBs are boxes, totes, or other containers made of corrugated polypropylene sheets, also known as polypropylene hollow core sheets, polypropylene twin wall sheets, or multi wall sheets. Such polypropylene sheets are typically produced using a continuous extrusion process from a plastic resin consisting of 50 percent or more polypropylene.
PCBs 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. PCBs are formed by corrugated polypropylene sheets cut to discrete lengths, scored for folding edges, and die-cut into specific box formats. PCBs may be printed with ink or digital designs. PCBs may enter the United States in folded form or may enter unfolded and later be constructed to form a box shape with a bottom wall and side walls. Unfolded and constructed PCBs may have manufacturers’ joints to retain their final shape.
The subject merchandise includes PCBs with or without handles, with or without lids or tops, with or without reinforcing wire, and whether in a one-piece or multi-piece configuration.
The products subject to the 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.
PETITIONERS
CoolSeal USA Inc.
232 J Street
Perrysburg, OH 43551
Phone: (419) 515-5515
Fax: (419) 872-5700
Contact: Tab Hinkle, President & General Manager
Email: thinkle@coolsealusa.com
Website: www.coolsealusa.com
Inteplast Group Corporation
9 Peach Tree Hill Road
Livingston, NJ 07039
Phone: (973) 994-8019
Fax: (973) 994-8028
Contact: Andy Chen, General Manager
Email: jychen@inteplast.com
Website: www.inteplast.com
SeaCa Plastic Packaging
23400 71st Place South
Kent, WA 98032
Phone: (206) 849-7101
Fax: (661) 721-3624
Contact: Rob Nist, President
Email: rob@seattlebox.com
Website: www.seacaplastics.com
Technology Container Corp.
1221 E. Centre Park Boulevard
Building 1, Suite 120
Desoto, TX 75115
Phone: (972) 228-1617
Fax: (972) 228-8621
Contact: Fred Dowd, President
Email: fdowd@techcontainer.com
Website: www.techcontainer.com
COUNSEL FOR PETITIONER
John M. Herrmann
Paul C. Rosenthal
Elizabeth C. Johnson
Melissa M. Brewer
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
3050 K Street, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-8400
NAMED PRODUCERS/EXPORTERS
For a list of foreign producers/exporters alleged by Petitioner, please see Attachment I.
NAMED IMPORTERS
For a list of importers alleged by Petitioner, please see Attachment II.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE
Below is an estimated schedule. Please note that Commerce deadlines are likely to be extended for the AD investigation as authorized by statute.
| Event | Earliest Date | Extended Date |
| Petition Filed | March 18, 2025 | |
| DOC Initiation | April 7, 2025 | |
| ITC Preliminary Investigation: | ||
| Questionnaires Due | April 1, 2025 | |
| Request to appear at hearing | April 6, 2025 | |
| Hearing | April 8, 2025 | |
| Briefs | April 13, 2025 | |
| ITC Vote | May 2, 2025 | |
| DOC Investigation Schedule: | ||
| DOC Preliminary Antidumping Determination | August 25, 2025 | October 14, 2025 |
| DOC Final Antidumping Determination | November 8, 2025 | February 26, 2026 |
| DOC Preliminary Countervailing Determination | June 11, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
| DOC Final Countervailing Determination | August 25, 2025 | October 29, 2025 |
| ITC Final Investigation: | ||
| ITC Final AD Determination | December 23, 2025 | April 12, 2026 |
| ITC Final CVD Determination | October 9, 2025 | December 13, 2025 |
ALLEGED DUMPING MARGINS
China : 74.63% – 83.49%
Vietnam: 40.85%
ALLEGED COUNTERVAILING DUTY MARGINS
Above de minimis.
IMPORTS OF SUBJECT MERCHANDISE
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| U.S. Imports from: | |||
| China | |||
| Quantity (Pounds) | 3,343,830 | 7,516,916 | 13,397,972 |
| Value (USD) | 7,486,139 | 12,864,019 | 18,358,485 |
| AUV ($/lb) | 2.24 | 1.71 | 1.37 |
| Vietnam | |||
| Quantity (Pounds) | NA | 51,742 | 6,014,944 |
| Value (USD) | NA | 119,080 | 6,606,228 |
| AUV ($/lb) | 2.50 | 2.30 | 1.10 |
ALLEGED SUBSIDIES
For a list of alleged subsidies the Petitioner, please see Attachment III.
CONTACT US For more information concerning this petition and how it may affect your business, please contact Nithya Nagarajan, Dan Wilson, or Stephen Brophy.