American Molded Fiber Coalition Commends Customs for Action on Import Evasion in the Trade Sector

The American Molded Fiber Coalition Commends Customs for Action on Import Evasion in the Trade Sector

The American Molded Fiber Coalition (AMFC) has expressed strong support for the recent actions taken by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in an ongoing investigation related to potential evasion of U.S. trade remedy orders. This investigation particularly targets imports of thermoformed molded fiber products that allegedly originated from China but were transshipped through Malaysia to circumvent U.S. antidumping and countervailing duties.

On September 9, 2026, CBP announced the initiation of EAPA Consolidated Case No. 8308, which specifically addresses these concerns. The agency has imposed interim measures against several importers, including Teh Tung Corporation, Acadian Crossing Consumer Products, and Verde Winsight Group, Inc. This enforcement action is pivotal as it reflects CBP's commitment to ensuring fair trade practices and protecting U.S. manufacturers and workers from unfair competition.

Roy Houseman, Legislative Director of the United Steelworkers—a key member of the AMFC—stated, "America's trade laws have to mean something for the workers and communities whose livelihoods depend on fair competition." He applauded CBP for utilizing its enforcement authority to investigate duty evasion effectively. This emphasizes the necessity of strong enforcement to prevent companies from routing unfairly traded goods through third-party countries merely to dodge duties and undermine local businesses.

CBP's public announcements have highlighted the basis for initiating the investigation. These include scrutiny of commercial trade data related to the movement of molded fiber goods between China, Malaysia, and the U.S., along with details regarding the production capabilities of Malaysian suppliers. Furthermore, CBP has made requests for pertinent documents such as invoices, bills of lading, raw material data, production records, purchase orders, and customs documentation, fostering transparency in the investigation process.

Following a thorough evaluation of the available evidence, CBP concluded that reasonable suspicion warranted the imposition of interim measures. These measures are crucial for safeguarding U.S. revenue and ensuring compliance with existing trade laws. They involve the adoption of necessary actions to protect America’s economic interests, reinforcing the message that any attempts to evade the established trade laws will be met with serious scrutiny.

Mark Ushpol, CEO of Genera and a member of AMFC, endorsed CBP's careful approach in handling these imports. He remarked that trade remedies can only offer meaningful protection to U.S. producers when accompanying duties are enforced effectively. This development sends a decisive message to any entities considering evasion of U.S. trade laws: their actions will be monitored closely.

The EAPA provides CBP with a procedural framework for investigating claims that importers are evading antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD). It allows the agency to gather detailed information from various stakeholders, including importers, foreign manufacturers, exporters, and others involved in the trade ecosystem.

Gabriel Buenaventura, President of Tellus Products, echoed the sentiment that the success of U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty orders relies heavily on robust enforcement measures. He also expressed appreciation for CBP’s ongoing dedication to ensure that legally imposed duties on unfairly traded imports remain in effect, thus bolstering domestic manufacturing.

The AMFC eagerly anticipates the completion of CBP's investigation and expects all appropriate actions to be taken based on the findings. Yohai Baisburd, counsel to the AMFC, underscored the importance of effective enforcement alongside the trade remedies established under U.S. law. He emphasized that domestic producers and workers should not have to face competition from imports that seek to avoid dues through misleading claims regarding country of origin or transshipment.

In conclusion, this recent enforcement action by CBP not only safeguards American jobs but also serves as a reminder of the importance of fair trade practices. The AMFC remains committed to advocating for rigorous enforcement of U.S. trade laws and urges for continued scrutiny in order to maintain a level playing field for all industry stakeholders.

About the American Molded Fiber Coalition

The American Molded Fiber Coalition is dedicated to representing U.S. producers and workers focused on a thriving and competitive molded-fiber industry. The coalition’s advocacy efforts center around promoting fair trade, effective enforcement of trade laws, and continuous investment in sustainable manufacturing practices within the United States.