US imposes preliminary countervailing duties on Indian chromium trioxide
The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued a preliminary affirmative countervailing duty (CVD) determination against chromium trioxide imports from India, covering the investigation period of January 1–December 31, 2024. The determination finds that Indian producers and exporters of chromium trioxide are receiving countervailable subsidies. Interested parties may submit comments on this preliminary finding; a final determination is expected to follow.
Photo: Ravi Roshan / Pexels# US imposes preliminary countervailing duties on Indian chromium trioxide
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on May 14, 2026, a preliminary affirmative countervailing duty determination against chromium trioxide from India. According to the Federal Register notice, "The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of chromium trioxide from India."
The investigation covers the period of January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Chromium trioxide is used in metal finishing, tanning, pigmentation, and specialty chemical applications and typically falls under HS Chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals).
This preliminary CVD determination is part of a dual investigation—the notice also references alignment with a final antidumping duty (AD) determination on the same product and origin. Preliminary findings are subject to revision following the public comment period and Commerce's review of interested parties' submissions. The preliminary determination establishes a basis for provisional duties, which may be collected at the time of importation pending the final determination.
What this means for shippers
Importers purchasing chromium trioxide from India must prepare for countervailing duty exposure on May 2024–December 2024 shipments and beyond. Review your supplier contracts now to clarify CVD liability; file comments with Commerce if you have supply-chain evidence that contradicts the subsidy findings. Check the final determination timeline and adjust landed-cost estimates and pricing models immediately. Use the landed-cost calculator to model duty impact on your margins and customer pricing before the final ruling.
