US Closes Countervailing Duty Case on Algerian Rebar
On 20 May 2026, the US International Trade Commission closed its countervailing duty investigation into steel concrete reinforcing bar from Algeria (Investigation No. 701-TA-768 (Final)). Although the Department of Commerce issued an affirmative final countervailing duty determination on 27 March 2026, the US Trade Representative determined that Algeria is not a Subsidies Agreement country, which triggered closure under 19 U.S.C. § 1671(c). No final determination was issued, and no countervailing duties will apply.
Photo: Thanh Long Bùi / PexelsOn 20 May 2026, the US International Trade Commission announced closure of its countervailing duty investigation into steel concrete reinforcing bar from Algeria, published in the Federal Register.
The investigation followed an affirmative final countervailing duty determination by the Department of Commerce, published 27 March 2026 (91 FR 14808). However, on 21 July 2025, the Office of the US Trade Representative advised that Algeria does not qualify as a Subsidies Agreement country under WTO rules (90 FR 34334).
Under 19 U.S.C. § 1671(c), the International Trade Commission must close a countervailing duty investigation if the subject country is not a Subsidies Agreement country. Because Algeria did not meet this threshold, the Commission did not issue a preliminary or final determination. Investigation No. 701-TA-768 (Final) is now closed with no countervailing duties imposed.
"the Commission did not make a preliminary determination for the countervailing duty investigation concerning steel concrete reinforcing bar from Algeria and does not make a final determination for the countervailing duty investigation concerning steel concrete reinforcing bar from Algeria." — Federal Register, 20 May 2026
This closure affects importers and traders of Algerian rebar (HS code 7213, steel bars and rods, hot-rolled), removing the threat of retroactive countervailing duty assessments that had hung over the trade channel pending the Commission's final ruling.
What this means for shippers
Importers of Algerian steel rebar can now proceed without countervailing duty exposure; no duties will be assessed retroactively or prospectively under this investigation. If you have held shipments or posted duties pending the Commission's final ruling, revisit your landed-cost calculations immediately—the investigation closure eliminates that tariff component entirely. Verify your supplier's country of origin documentation to confirm Algerian sourcing and update your import compliance files accordingly.
