U.S. Producers File New Trade Case Against Imports of Van-Type Trailers and Subassemblies from Canada, Mexico, and the People’s Republic of China

The Petition

The American Trailer Manufacturers Coalition (“Petitioner”) filed a new petition with the U.S. Department of Commerce (“DOC”) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) seeking the imposition of antidumping (“AD”) and countervailing duties (“CVD”) on imports into the United States of van-type trailers and subassemblies thereof imported from Canada, Mexico, and the People’s Republic of China (“China”). Petitioner alleges that these imports are being dumped in the U.S. market and are also benefiting from unfair government subsidies.

Van-type trailers, also commonly referred to as “semi-trailers,” typically feature a rectangular cargo space (also known as a “box”) that is completely enclosed with a nose wall, side walls, back door, roof, and floor. Van-type trailers are produced with a variety of dimensions, configurations, and features. The most common lengths are 53- feet and 48- feet, but van-type trailers are also produced at other standard and non-standard lengths. This includes shorter “pup trailers” that are often 28- feet in length (but may be longer or shorter).

Van-type trailers are used to transport goods across U.S. roadways without exposing cargo to the elements. Because different cargo types have different temperature requirements, van-type trailers are produced with a variety of temperature regulation capabilities. To this end, some van-type trailers include foam insulated panels and a refrigeration unit to ensure precise temperature control. While all van-type trailers feature the same basic design, customers can specify modifications to meet their needs, such as rear lift gates, ramps, side doors, tire inflation systems, interior protective lining, internal lighting, and various flooring materials.

Please see below for the full text of the proposed scope for the investigations.

Key Facts

Petitioner:  American Trailer Manufacturers Coalition

Foreign Producers/Exporters and U.S. Importers:  Please contact Clark Hill’s international trade team for a listing of individual importers and exporters named in the petition.

AD/CVD margins: Petitioner alleged the following AD and CVD margins:

• Canada: AD margin from 223.13% to 297.26%, ad valorem, and a CVD margin above de minimis.
• Mexico: AD margin from 209.47% to 431.89%%, ad valorem, and a CVD margin above de minimis.
• China: AD margin from 362.65% to 1,363.25%, ad valorem, and a CVD margin above de minimis.

The Investigation

The U.S. Department of Commerce (“DOC”) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) will conduct investigations. The ITC will determine if there is a reasonable indication that the imports are injuring or threatening to injure the U.S. industry. The DOC will then determine whether imports are being dumped or unfairly subsidized and will calculate corresponding AD and CVD duty margins that importers will need to pay on their entries.

Importers will be required to deposit the calculated AD/CVD duties on their imports as of the date that the DOC publishes its affirmative preliminary determination in the Federal Register. In this case, the DOC’s preliminary determinations are currently expected by February 13, 2026 (CVD) and April 29, 2026 (AD). Importers should be aware that entries may be subject to cash deposits before these dates if the DOC finds that there is a surge of imports after the petition was filed.

Next Steps

All U.S. importers and foreign producers are advised to prepare as soon as possible due to the strict statutory deadlines in these investigations. If this product is of interest to you, please contact Clark Hill’s international trade team so that we can provide you with additional information.

A schedule of approximate key dates is attached below.

The Scope

The following language describes the imported merchandise that Petitioners intend to cover in these investigations:

The merchandise covered by these investigations consists of certain van-type trailers and subassemblies thereof, whether finished or unfinished, whether assembled or unassembled, regardless of the number of axles, for carriage of goods. Van-type trailers are typically, but not limited to, rectangular cuboid trailers with a fully enclosed cargo space consisting of a front nose (with or without a refrigeration unit), side walls (with or without doors), movable rear panels (whether roll-up doors, swing doors, or another configuration), a floor and subframe, an affixed or removable roof, a suspension and axle system, wheels and tires, brakes, a lighting and electrical system, landing gear, and coupling for towing behind a truck tractor or a connection system for training behind another van-type trailer. Covered van-type trailers are those with a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 26,000 pounds.

Subject merchandise includes, but is not limited to, the following subassemblies:

• Van-type trailer subframes, or sections of van-type trailer frames, typically consisting of welded crossmembers and slider rails for attaching the running gear;
• Nose wall, side wall, and roof subassemblies, whether insulated or non insulated, and with or without top, bottom, or side rails;
• Rear door frame, whether for swing or roll-up doors, with or without installed doors, bumpers, bumper plates, or reinforcing plates for liftgate;
• Door assemblies, whether for rear swing doors, roll-up doors, side doors or any other configuration, with or without lockrods, handles, hinges, or hinge pins;
• Rear impact guard subassemblies, typically consisting of a fabricated horizontal structural component (such as a guard tube) and uprights for connection to the underside of the rear frame;
• Coupler assembly for connection to truck tractor’s fifth wheel, typically consisting of main beams and cross members, support plates, and front nose wrap, and with or without kingpin installed;
• Running gear subassemblies or axle assemblies for connection to the subframe, which may or may not include suspension(s), wheel end components, slack adjusters, dressed axles, brake chambers, locking pins, wheels, and tires; and
• Landing gear subassemblies, typically consisting of two landing legs, a cross channel, braces, bracketing, a cross shaft, and a crank handle.

These subassemblies are subject to the investigation, whether entered alone or with other subassemblies and whether assembled or unassembled. The absence of any subassembly from an otherwise finished or unfinished van-type trailer does not remove the van-type trailer from coverage.

Subject merchandise also includes van-type trailers and subassemblies entered with components such as, but not limited to: hub and drum assemblies, brake assemblies (either drum or disc), bare axles, brake chambers, suspensions and suspension components, wheel end components, landing gear legs, wheels, tires, brake control systems, electrical harnesses and lighting systems, lift gate systems, tire inflation systems, or refrigeration units (with or without evaporators or fuel tanks).

Processing of finished and unfinished van-type trailers and subassemblies, such as trimming, cutting, grinding, notching, punching, drilling painting, coating, staining, finishing, assembly, or any other processing either in the country of manufacture of the in-scope product or in a third country does not remove the product from the scope. Inclusion of other components not identified as comprising the finished or unfinished van-type trailer does not remove the product from the scope.

The finished and unfinished van-type trailers subject to these investigations are typically classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) at subheadings: 8716.39.0040 and 8716.90.5060. Imports of finished and unfinished subassemblies may also enter under HTSUS subheadings 7308.30.5050, 7308.90.9590, 7326.90.8688, 8708.29.1500, 8708.99.8180. 8716.90.5010. While the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise under investigation is dispositive.

Contact Clark Hill

If you have questions regarding the content of this alert, please contact any member of Clark Hill’s International Trade Practice:

• Mark Ludwikowski (mludwikowski@clarkhill.com; 202-640-6680)
• Kevin Williams (kwilliams@clarkhill.com; 312-985-5907)
• Kelsey Christensen (kchristensen@clarkhill.com; 202-230-9889)
• Aristeo Lopez (alopez@clarkhill.com; 202-552-2366)
• Laura M. Quesada (Lquesada@clarkhill.com; 202-240-0170)
• Amal Sheheen (Asheheen@clarkhill.com; 202.552.2354)

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This publication is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a solicitation to provide legal services. The information in this publication is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel. The views and opinions expressed herein represent those of the individual author only and are not necessarily the views of Clark Hill PLC. Although we attempt to ensure that postings on our website are complete, accurate, and up to date, we assume no responsibility for their completeness, accuracy, or timeliness.

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Productores de Estados Unidos presentan una nueva demanda comercial contra importaciones de remolques tipo furgoneta y subconjuntos de Canadá, México, y la República Popular de China

La Solicitud

La Coalición Estadounidense de Fabricantes de Remolques (“Peticionario”) presentó una nueva solicitud ante el Departamento de Comercio de los EE.UU. (“DOC”, siglas en inglés) y la Comisión de Comercio Internacional de los EE.UU. (“ITC”, siglas en inglés) para la imposición de medidas antidumping (“AD”) y cuotas compensatorias (“CVD”) a las importaciones a EUA de remolques tipo furgón y subconjuntos importados de Canadá, México, y la Republica Popular de China (“China”). El Solicitante argumenta que estas importaciones están siendo objeto de dumping en el mercado estadounidense, además de que se benefician de subsidios gubernamentales injustos.

Los remolques tipo furgón, también conocidos como “semirremolques”, suelen contar con un espacio de carga rectangular (también conocido como “caja”) completamente cerrado con una pared frontal, paredes laterales, puerta trasera, techo y suelo. Se fabrican en diversas dimensiones, configuraciones y características. Las longitudes más comunes son de 16 y 14,6 metros, pero también se fabrican en otras longitudes estándar y no estándar. Esto incluye los remolques más cortos tipo “pup”, que suelen tener 8,5 metros de longitud (aunque pueden ser más largos o más cortos).

Los remolques tipo furgón se utilizan para transportar mercancías por las carreteras estadounidenses sin exponer la carga a la intemperie. Dado que los diferentes tipos de carga tienen diferentes requisitos de temperatura, los remolques tipo furgón se fabrican con diversas capacidades de regulación de temperatura. Por eso, algunos remolques tipo furgón incluyen paneles aislantes de espuma y una unidad de refrigeración para garantizar un control preciso de la temperatura. Todos los remolques tipo furgón tienen el mismo diseño básico, pero los clientes pueden especificar modificaciones según sus necesidades, como portones traseros, rampas, puertas laterales, sistemas de inflado de neumáticos, revestimiento interior protector, iluminación interior y diversos materiales para el suelo.

Hechos Claves

Solicitante: Coalición Estadounidense de Fabricantes de Remolques

Productores/exportadores extranjeros e importadores del EE UU: comuníquese con el equipo de comercio internacional de Clark Hill para obtener una lista de los importadores y exportadores individuales listados en la solicitud.

AD/CVD márgenes: El Solicitante presentó los siguientes márgenes AD y CVD:

• Canadá: Margen AD del 223,13 % al 297,26 %, ad valorem, y un margen CVD superior al de minimis.
• México: Margen AD del 209,47 % al 431,89 %, ad valorem, y un margen CVD superior al de minimis.
• China: Margen AD del 362,65 % al 1363,25 %, ad valorem, y un margen CVD superior al de minimis.

La Investigación

El DOC y la ITC realizarán investigaciones. La ITC determinará si existe algún indicio razonable de que las importaciones están perjudicando o amenazando con perjudicar a la industria estadounidense. Después, el DOC determinará si las importaciones están siendo objeto de dumping o están siendo subvencionadas injustamente; y calculará los márgenes de AD y CVD que los importadores deberán pagar por sus importaciones.

Los importadores deberán depositar los márgenes AD/CVD calculados sobre sus importaciones a partir de la fecha en que el DOC publique su determinación preliminar afirmativa en el Diario Federal. En este caso, se espera que las determinaciones preliminares del DOC se publiquen el 13 de febrero de 2026 (CVD) y el 29 de abril de 2026 (AD). Los importadores deben tener en cuenta que las importaciones podrían estar sujetas a depósitos en efectivo antes de estas fechas si el DOC detecta un aumento repentino de las importaciones después de la presentación de la solicitud.

Próximos Pasos

Se recomienda a todos los importadores estadounidenses y productores extranjeros que se preparen lo antes posible debido a los estrictos plazos legales en estas investigaciones. Si este asunto le interesa, póngase en contacto con el equipo de comercio internacional de Clark Hill para que podamos proporcionarle información adicional.

A continuación se adjunta un calendario aproximado de fechas clave.

Alcance

La descripción del alcance en inglés proporciona la definición legalmente vinculante del producto objeto de esta investigación. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre la cobertura del alcance, póngase en contacto con Clark Hill.

Contactar con Clark Hill

Si tiene preguntas sobre el contenido de esta alerta, comuníquese con cualquier miembro del Departamento de Práctica de Comercio Internacional de Clark Hill:

• Mark Ludwikowski (mludwikowski@clarkhill.com; 202-640-6680)
• Kevin Williams (kwilliams@clarkhill.com; 312-985-5907)
• Kelsey Christensen (kchristensen@clarkhill.com; 202-640-6670)
• Aristeo Lopez (alopez@clarkhill.com; 202-552-2366)
• Laura M. Quesada (Lquesada@clarkhill.com; 202-240-0170)
• Amal Sheheen (Asheheen@clarkhill.com; 202.552.2354)

Esta publicación tiene fines informativos generales únicamente y no constituye asesoramiento legal ni una solicitud de servicios legales. La información contenida en esta publicación no pretende crear, ni su recepción constituye, una relación abogado-cliente. Los lectores no deben actuar basándose en esta información sin consultar a un abogado profesional. Las opiniones expresadas en este documento representan únicamente las del autor y no necesariamente las de Clark Hill PLC. Si bien nos esforzamos por garantizar que las publicaciones en nuestro sitio web sean completas, precisas y actualizadas, no asumimos ninguna responsabilidad por su integridad, exactitud ni actualidad.