Aluminum imports from China face some of the highest AD/CVD rates in the US trade regime β combined deposits regularly exceeding 100% of cargo value. Add Section 232 (national security) and Section 301 (China tariff) on top, and the correct filing is everything. We handle aluminum foil, extrusions, common alloy sheet, and aluminum wire imports under DDP terms.
A single shipment of aluminum products from China can trigger four separate duty regimes. Each requires correct filing, and each is checked by CBP.
Multiple AD/CVD orders cover aluminum foil, extrusions, common alloy sheet, and aluminum wire from China. Each has its own producer-specific rate structure.
National security tariff on aluminum imports from many countries. Country-of-origin and HTS classification determine whether it applies.
Most Chinese-origin aluminum products are subject to a Section 301 tariff (Lists 1β4) on top of the regular HTS duty rate.
Aluminum scope and circumvention investigations frequently expand AD/CVD coverage. A product that didn't have AD last year might today.
For a typical Chinese aluminum foil shipment, combined duties can easily reach 100β200% of CIF value. If your customs broker files under the wrong producer rate or misses the AD/CVD entirely, you'll face a debit at liquidation β sometimes years after the shipment.
Household foil, industrial foil, lithium battery foil. AD/CVD applies to foil under 0.2mm thickness. Producer ID and thickness specification are both critical.
Window frames, structural profiles, heat sinks, decorative trim. Long-standing AD/CVD orders with detailed scope rulings. Scope inquiries often clarify if your specific product is covered.
Aluminum sheet/plate in common alloys (1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx series). AD/CVD orders specifically cover this category. Specialty alloys (2xxx, 7xxx aerospace grade) may be excluded β check scope.
Aluminum wire rod and cable products. Recent AD/CVD investigations have expanded coverage. Common in electrical, HVAC, automotive applications.
We don't help importers misclassify, misdeclare value, or fraudulently change country of origin to evade AD/CVD. That's not freight forwarding β that's a federal crime. If your supplier is suggesting "creative" approaches to avoid duties, walk away. We work within the rules and make sure you do too.
A US converter had been importing aluminum foil from a specific Chinese producer for 18 months. Their previous customs broker filed every entry under the "all-others" AD rate (about 49%) by default β even though their specific producer had a much lower individually-investigated rate (about 15%).
What we found: When the importer brought us on, we cross-checked the producer name against the Department of Commerce's investigated producer list and identified their producer-specific rate was applicable. Going forward, every new entry used the correct lower rate.
For past shipments: We coordinated with their trade compliance attorney to file post-summary corrections within the deadline. The protest process recovered a significant portion of the overpayment β converting a recurring 34-percentage-point overpayment into the correct rate, plus refund.
The Department of Commerce publishes investigated producer rates for each AD/CVD order. We cross-check the producer name (registered company name in China) against published rates. We do not accept supplier verbal claims as evidence.
Switching suppliers within China only changes which producer rate applies. AD/CVD is country-wide β every Chinese aluminum foil producer has some AD rate, even if some have lower individually-investigated rates.
Aluminum from third countries containing Chinese material may face circumvention findings β meaning AD/CVD applies even though the product was finished elsewhere. This is an active area of enforcement. Talk to a trade compliance attorney before structuring around country of origin.
Section 232 status changes periodically based on trade agreements and exemptions. As of this writing, most Chinese-origin aluminum imports do face Section 232 in addition to AD/CVD. Verify current status at quote time.
Finished products with aluminum components may or may not fall within an AD/CVD scope β it depends on the specific order and ruling history. Scope rulings are how DOC clarifies these cases. We can flag products likely to fall within scope at quote time.
Send your supplier name, product spec, and mill cert. We'll do a free pre-quote duty analysis and tell you exactly what you're facing.