Korea SAP antidumping review: LG Chem clears preliminary dumping test

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced preliminary results on May 22, 2026, in its administrative review of the existing antidumping duty order covering certain superabsorbent polymers from the Republic of Korea, covering shipments made between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024.

"Commerce preliminarily determines that LG Chem, Ltd. (LGC) did not make sales of subject merchandise at less than normal value (NV) during the POR."

This preliminary finding means that LG Chem, the respondent examined in this review, showed no evidence of selling SAP at prices below those charged in its home market or to third countries during the review period. Under U.S. antidumping law, if an exporter sells merchandise in the U.S. market at less than normal value, Commerce calculates a dumping margin and the company faces higher duties. A zero margin—as preliminarily found here—removes the additional antidumping duty burden for that specific exporter and review period.

Superabsorbent polymers fall under HS Chapter 39 (plastics) and are used in diapers, feminine hygiene products, agricultural films, and industrial absorbents. The original antidumping order on Korean SAP has been in place for several years, and Commerce conducts annual administrative reviews to assess whether dumping is continuing. This review examined only LG Chem's pricing and sales practices; other Korean and non-Korean producers may be subject to separate proceedings or different duty rates.

Commerce has invited interested parties—importers, domestic competitors, and the exporting company—to submit written comments on the preliminary determination before the final results are issued. The timing of final results is not specified in this notice but typically follows within 120 days of the preliminary determination.

What this means for shippers

Importers of SAP from LG Chem should monitor the final determination, expected within weeks to months. If Commerce affirms the zero-margin preliminary finding in its final results, duties on LG Chem's SAP will remain at the current order rate (likely 0% for this respondent if a prior review also found zero margin). Verify your supplier's status and review landed-cost calculations now; a zero margin significantly reduces your all-in import cost versus competitors sourcing from other Korean producers that may carry higher rates. Check /us-china-tariff-lookup to confirm current and pending duty rates on your SAP shipments, and update your cost models once final results are published.

Source: Federal Register, May 22, 2026