The American Molded Fiber Coalition (AMFC) welcomes United States Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) recent action in an ongoing Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) investigation concerning imports of thermoformed molded fiber products from China allegedly transshipped through Malaysia to evade U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty orders and avoid payment of the associated duties.
CBP announced the initiation of EAPA Consolidated Case No. 8308 on September 9, 2026 and the imposition of interim measures against importers Teh Tung Corporation, Acadian Crossing Consumer Products, and Verde Winsight Group, Inc. CBP stated that, based on its review of the available information, reasonable suspicion exists that the importers entered covered merchandise into the U.S. through evasion. CBP is scheduled to make its final determinations by March 30, 2027.
"America's trade laws have to mean something for the workers and communities whose livelihoods depend on fair competition," said Roy Houseman, Legislative Director, United Steelworkers, a member of the AMFC. "The United Steelworkers applauds CBP for using its enforcement authority to investigate duty evasion. Strong enforcement ensures that companies cannot simply route unfairly traded products through another country to escape duties and undermine American workers and manufacturers."
CBP's public notice describes evidence considered in deciding to initiate the investigation, including commercial trade data relating to movements of molded fiber products between China, Malaysia, and the U.S., as well as information concerning the production capabilities of Malaysian suppliers. CBP also issued requests for information seeking records such as invoices, bills of lading, raw material information, production records, purchase orders, and customs documentation.
After evaluating the record available at this stage of the investigation, CBP concluded that reasonable suspicion existed and imposed interim measures under EAPA. CBP specifically stated that it was imposing those measures because there was reasonable suspicion that covered merchandise was entered through evasion by means of transshipment through Malaysia. The interim measures include CBP taking "such additional measures [CBP] determines necessary to protect the revenue of the United States..."
"Genera welcomes CBP's careful examination of these imports and its decision to impose interim measures," said Mark Ushpol, CEO, Genera, a U.S.-based manufacturer of thermoformed molded fiber products and member of the AMFC. "Trade remedies provide meaningful relief to U.S. producers only when the resulting duties are effectively enforced. This action sends an important message that attempts to evade U.S. trade laws will be scrutinized."
EAPA gives CBP procedures for investigating allegations that importers are evading AD/CVD duties and authorizes CBP to gather information from importers, foreign manufacturers and exporters, and other relevant parties.
"The effectiveness of U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty orders depends on vigorous enforcement at the border, and we appreciate CBP's commitment to ensuring that duties lawfully imposed on unfairly traded imports are not avoided," said Gabriel Buenaventura, President, Tellus Products, LLC, a U.S.-based manufacturer of thermoformed molded fiber products and member of the AMFC.
The Coalition looks forward to CBP completing its investigation and taking all action warranted by the administrative record.
"CBP's action demonstrates why robust enforcement must accompany the trade remedies provided under U.S. law," notes Yohai Baisburd, counsel to AMFC and a partner at international trade law firm, Cassidy Levy Kent. "Domestic producers and workers should not be forced to compete against imports that avoid applicable antidumping and countervailing duties through transshipment or inaccurate country-of-origin claims. AMFC supports CBP's continued investigation and vigorous enforcement of the trade laws."
