U.S. Customs Detects Evasion by Thai Exporters of Duties on Chinese OCTG

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / May 29, 2024 / The U.S. OCTG Manufacturers Association (USOMA) announced that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has found evasion of antidumping (AD) and countervailing (CVD) duties on oil country tubular goods (OCTG) from China via transshipment through Thailand. On May 23, 2024, Customs revealed that two Thai companies, Petroleum Equipment (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (PET) and Thai Oil Pipe Co., Ltd. (TOP), falsely declared Chinese OCTG as Thai-origin.

Customs identified ten U.S. importers involved in these activities. The investigation followed an allegation by USOMA under the Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA). Interim measures include extending liquidation of earlier entries, suspending liquidation of current entries, requiring documentation for imports, and applying AD/CVD rates.

According to Luca Zanotti, President of Tenaris USA and USOMA Chairman, these measures promote a competitive U.S. OCTG supply chain. Customs will release a detailed memorandum on May 31, 2024, and continue its investigation for seven months to determine penalties.

Jacky Massaglia, Senior VP of Vallourec North America, emphasized that strong enforcement of trade laws supports American manufacturing. USOMA remains committed to combating unfair trade practices.