USITC finds US plywood industry injured by imports from three nations

The U.S. International Trade Commission (the Commission) has determined that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports of hardwood and decorative plywood (excluding all softwood structural plywood) from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The determinations, made pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, were completed and filed on September 4, 2026, and published in the Federal Register of September 9, 2026.

The finding covers imports that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) had already found to be sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV) and subsidized by the governments of the three countries. The Commission’s views are set out in USITC Publication 5784 (September 2026), Hardwood and Decorative Plywood from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam: Investigation Nos. 701-TA-764-766 and 731-TA-1747-1749 (Final).

Scope of the determinations

The subject merchandise is provided for in a long list of subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, including 4412.10.05, 4412.31.06, 4412.31.26, 4412.31.42, 4412.31.45, 4412.31.48, 4412.31.52, 4412.31.61, 4412.31.92, 4412.33.06, 4412.33.26, 4412.33.32, 4412.33.57, 4412.34.26, 4412.34.32, 4412.34.57, 4412.39.40, 4412.39.50, 4412.41.00, 4412.42.00, 4412.51.10, 4412.51.31, 4412.51.41, 4412.51.51, 4412.52.10, 4412.52.31, 4412.52.41, 4412.91.06, 4412.91.10, 4412.91.31, 4412.91.41, 4412.92.07, 4412.92.11, 4412.92.31, and 4412.92.42.

• The Commission made its determinations under sections 705(b) and 735(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1671d(b) and 19 U.S.C. 1673d(b)).
• The final phase of the investigations was scheduled after Commerce notified the Commission of its preliminary determinations that the imports were subsidized and sold at LTFV.
• A public hearing was held on July 16, 2026, with all requesting parties permitted to participate.

Termination and critical circumstances

The Commission also terminated its investigations concerning softwood structural plywood, including stamped and certified softwood structural plywood, from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, on the grounds of negligibility. In addition, it found that imports subject to Commerce’s affirmative critical circumstances determinations are not likely to undermine seriously the remedial effect of the countervailing duty orders on hardwood and decorative plywood from China and Vietnam, and of the antidumping duty order on hardwood and decorative plywood from China.

Commissioners Bartholomew Thanhauser and David Foley Jr. did not participate in the determinations. The notice was issued by order of the Commission on September 4, 2026, and signed by Sharon Bellamy, Supervisory Hearings and Information Officer.

Impact for the industry

The affirmative injury finding is the final step in the trade-remedy process, allowing Commerce to issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on the subject imports. For domestic producers of hardwood and decorative plywood, the decision confirms that the volume and pricing of imports from the three countries have caused material injury to the US industry. For importers and downstream buyers, the orders will mean additional duties on the covered products, which are widely used in construction, furniture, and cabinetry.

Source: Federal Register, Vol. 91, No. 173, September 9, 2026, Notices, p. 57383 (official reference: FR Doc. 2026-18367; Investigation Nos. 701-TA-764-766 and 731-TA-1747-1749 (Final)).