US Commerce Department finalises anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese aluminium containers

The US Department of Commerce has reportedly determined the excessive imports of disposable aluminium containers, pans, trays, and lids from China sold at unfairly low prices in the US market. As a result, the department has set final anti-dumping duties ranging from 193.90 per cent to 287.80 per cent, along with countervailing duties of 317.85 per cent.

This decisive action, backed by the Aluminum Foil Container Manufacturers Association (AFCMA), will be applicable to imports entering the US 90 days before the preliminary rulings, addressing a significant rise in Chinese imports.

The findings of insurmountable volumes of imports stemmed from an investigation after petitions being filed by AFCMA and some of its members for seeking relief. Further investigations will take place by the US International Trade Commission to determine if imports of disposable aluminium containers from China are causing any harm to domestic producers.

The investigation will focus on aluminium containers primarily made from flat-rolled metal, with a decision expected by April 11, 2025.

According to the International Trade Data, China exported 235,617 tonnes of aluminium foils, plates, sheets and strips in 2024, compared to 214,679 tonnes in 2023, reflecting an annual increase of 9.75 per cent. Compared to the export volume of 188,546 tonnes in 2020, it grew by over 24 per cent by the end of 2024.

AFCMA counsel John Herrmann said: “The Commerce Department’s final determinations demonstrate a robust commitment to combatting unfair trade through strong enforcement of the US trade laws. These determinations bring domestic producers of disposable aluminium container one step closer to securing relief from a surge in low-priced, unfairly traded imports from China.”