CBP finds evasion of China steel-pipe AD/CVD orders via Thailand transshipment
On March 16, 2026, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a formal Notice of Determination finding substantial evidence of antidumping/countervailing duty (AD/CVD) evasion in EAPA Cons. Case 8164. Five US importers—Amek Aluminum & Stainless, American Pipe Products, GY Fleet, Leadtop/GME Trade Ease, and USA Lee Long—illegally entered Chinese-origin oil country tubular goods and seamless carbon/alloy steel pipe that were undervalued, misclassified, and transshipped through Thailand to evade orders A-570-943, A-570-956, C-570-944, and C-570-957. CBP has suspended all affected entries and will hold them pending liquidation instructions; previously extended entries are being rate-adjusted and converted to suspension status. Importers' continuous bonds are under review.
Photo: Markus Winkler / PexelsCBP determines substantial evasion of China steel-pipe duties
On March 16, 2026, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Notice of Determination as to Evasion in EAPA Consolidation Case 8164, finding that five US importers deliberately evaded antidumping and countervailing duties on steel pipe imports from China.
Who was involved and what they imported
The case was filed by three domestic producers—Vallourec Star, L.P.; BENTELER Steel/Tube Manufacturing Corp.; and Tenaris Bay City, Inc.—against five importers: Amek Aluminum & Stainless, Inc.; American Pipe Products Inc.; GY Fleet Inc.; Leadtop Inc./GME Trade Ease Inc.; and USA Lee Long Inc.
The subject merchandise consists of oil country tubular goods (OCTG) and seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe. These products are covered by four existing AD/CVD orders from China:
- A-570-943 (antidumping)
- A-570-956 (antidumping)
- C-570-944 (countervailing duty)
- C-570-957 (countervailing duty)
How the evasion occurred
According to CBP's investigation, importers used three key evasion tactics:
Evidence on the record indicates that the importers entered Chinese-origin oil country tubular goods and seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe that were undervalued, misclassified, and transshipped through Thailand.
Transshipment through Thailand allowed importers to obscure the true country of origin (China), while undervaluation reduced the assessed duty base and misclassification exploited tariff-schedule gaps to route goods away from AD/CVD-covered HS codes.
CBP enforcement actions
CBP has taken the following steps:
- Entry suspension: All entries covered by the investigation are suspended pending liquidation instructions from CBP.
- Rate adjustment: Entries previously granted interim measures extensions are being rate-adjusted, converted to Type 03 suspension status, and held pending final liquidation.
- Bond review: CBP is continuing to evaluate the importers' continuous bonds in accordance with agency policy, signaling potential liability adjustments.
What this means for shippers
Importers of oil country tubular goods and seamless steel pipe must verify that purchases are genuinely third-country sourced or properly claimed under applicable trade agreements—transshipment and misclassification strategies will trigger EAPA investigations and entry suspension. If you import steel pipe or similar products formerly subject to China AD/CVD orders, audit your supply chain immediately for undervaluation or misclassification risk and ensure proper country-of-origin documentation. Non-compliance can result in duty assessments, bond forfeitures, and criminal referral; report suspected evasion to CBP's online portal to protect your competitive position.
