Notice2026-05849
Hardwood and Decorative Plywood From China, Indonesia, and Vietnam; Scheduling of the Final Phase of Countervailing Duty and Antidumping Duty Investigations
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Published
March 26, 2026
Issuing agencies
International Trade Commission
Abstract
The Commission hereby gives notice of the scheduling of the final phase of antidumping and countervailing duty investigation Nos. 701-TA-764-766 and 731-TA-1747-1749 (Final) pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930 to determine whether an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury, or the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded, by reason of imports of hardwood and decorative plywood from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, provided for in subheadings 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 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, preliminarily determined by the Department of Commerce ("Commerce") to be subsidized and sold at less-than-fair-value.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 58 (Thursday, March 26, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 58 (Thursday, March 26, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14709-14712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05849]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation Nos. 701-TA-764-766 and 731-TA-1747-1749 (Final)]
Hardwood and Decorative Plywood From China, Indonesia, and
Vietnam; Scheduling of the Final Phase of Countervailing Duty and
Antidumping Duty Investigations
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Commission hereby gives notice of the scheduling of the
final phase of antidumping and countervailing duty investigation Nos.
701-TA-764-766 and 731-TA-1747-1749 (Final) pursuant to the Tariff Act
of 1930 to determine whether an industry in the United States is
materially injured or threatened with material injury, or the
establishment of an industry in the United States is materially
retarded, by reason of imports of hardwood and decorative plywood from
China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, provided for in subheadings 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 of the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States, preliminarily determined by the
Department of Commerce (``Commerce'') to be subsidized and sold at
less-than-fair-value.
DATES: March 2, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Calvin Chang ((202) 205-3062), Office
of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street
SW, Washington, DC 20436. Hearing-impaired persons can obtain
information on this matter by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal
on 202-205-1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need
special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact
the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000. General information
concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its
internet server (<a href="https://www.usitc.gov">https://www.usitc.gov</a>). The public record for these
investigations may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket
(EDIS) at <a href="https://edis.usitc.gov">https://edis.usitc.gov</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Scope.--For purposes of these investigations, Commerce has defined
the subject merchandise as hardwood and decorative plywood, and certain
veneered panels as described below. For purposes of this investigation,
hardwood and decorative plywood is defined as a generally flat,
multilayered plywood or other veneered panel, consisting of two or more
layers or plies of wood veneers in combination with a core or without a
core. The veneers and, if present, the core are glued or otherwise
bonded together. A hardwood and decorative plywood panel must have at
least either the face or back veneer composed of one or more species of
hardwood, softwood, or bamboo, regardless of any surface coverings.
Hardwood and decorative plywood may include products that meet the
American National Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood, ANSI/
HPVA HP-1-2024 (including any revisions to that standard).
For purposes of the investigation a ``veneer'' is a slice of wood
regardless of thickness which is cut, sliced or sawed from a log, bolt,
or flitch. The face and back veneers are the outermost veneer of wood
irrespective of additional surface coatings or covers as described
below. The core of hardwood and decorative plywood (for those products
that include a core) consists of the layer or layers of one or more
material(s) that are situated between the face and back veneers. The
core may be composed of a range of materials, including but not limited
to hardwood, softwood, particleboard, or medium density fiberboard
(MDF).
All hardwood and decorative plywood is included within the scope
even if it is trimmed; cut-to-size; notched; punched; drilled; or has
undergone other forms of minor processing. All hardwood and decorative
plywood is included within the scope of the investigation, without
regard to dimension (overall thickness,
[[Page 14710]]
thickness of face veneer, thickness of back veneer, thickness of core,
thickness of inner veneers, width, or length). However, the most common
panel sizes of hardwood and decorative plywood are 1219 x 1829 mm (48 x
72 inches), 1219 x 2438 mm (48 x 96 inches), and 1219 x 3048 mm (48 x
120 inches). Subject merchandise also includes hardwood and decorative
plywood that has been further processed in a third country, including
but not limited to trimming, cutting, notching, punching, drilling, or
any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise
from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of
manufacture of the in-scope product.
All hardwood and decorative plywood is included within the scope
even if it is trimmed; cut-to-size; notched; punched; drilled; or has
undergone other forms of minor processing. All hardwood and decorative
plywood is included within the scope of the investigation, without
regard to dimension (overall thickness, thickness of face veneer,
thickness of back veneer, thickness of core, thickness of inner
veneers, width, or length). However, the most common panel sizes of
hardwood and decorative plywood are 1219 x 1829 mm (48 x 72 inches),
1219 x 2438 mm (48 x 96 inches), and 1219 x 3048 mm (48 x 120 inches).
Subject merchandise also includes hardwood and decorative plywood that
has been further processed in a third country, including but not
limited to trimming, cutting, notching, punching, drilling, or any
other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from
the scope of the investigations if performed in the country of
manufacture of the in-scope product.
The scope of the investigation excludes the following items: (1)
structural plywood (also known as ``industrial plywood'' or
``industrial panels'') that (a) is certified, manufactured, and stamped
to meet U.S. Products Standard PS 1-09, PS 2-09, PS-1-22, PS 2-10, or
PS 2-18 for Structural Plywood (including any revisions to that
standard or any substantially equivalent international standard
intended for structural plywood), including, but not limited to, the
``bond performance'' requirements and the performance criteria detailed
in U.S. Products Standard PS 1-09, PS 2-09, PS-1-22, PS 2-10, or PS 2-
18 for Structural Plywood (including any revisions to that standard or
any substantially equivalent international standard intended for
structural plywood), and (b) where the relevant standard identifies
core species requirements, has a core made entirely of one or more of
the following wood species: Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir), Larix
occidentalis (Western Larch), Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock),
Abies balsamea (Balsam Pine/Balsam Fir), Abies magnifica (California
Red Fir), Abies grandis (Grand Fir), Abies procera (Noble Fir), Abies
amabilis (Pacific Silver Fir), Abies concolor (White Fir), Abies
lasiocarpa (Subalpine Fir), Picea glauca (White Spruce), Picea
engelmannii (Engelmann Spruce), Picea mariana (Black Spruce), Picea
rubens (Red Spruce), Picea sitchensis (Sitka Spruce), Pinus banksiana
(Jack Pine), Pinus taeda (Loblolly Southern Pine), Pinus palustris
(Longleaf Southern Pine), Pinus echinata (Shortleaf Southern Pine),
Pinus elliottii (Slash Southern Pine), Pinus serotina (Pond Pine),
Pinus resinosa (Red Pine), Pinus virginiana (Virginia Pine), Pinus
monticola (Western White Pine), Picea mariana (Black Spruce), Picea
rubens (Red Spruce), Picea sitchensis (Sitka Spruce), Pinus contorta
(Lodgepole Pine), Pinus strobus (Eastern White Pine), and Pinus
lambertiana (Sugar Pine); (2) products which have a face and back
veneer of cork; (3) hardwood plywood subject to the antidumping and
countervailing duty orders on hardwood plywood from China. See Certain
Hardwood Plywood Products from the People's Republic of China: Amended
Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, and Antidumping
Duty Order, 83 FR 504 (January 4, 2018); and Certain Hardwood Plywood
Products from the People's Republic of China: Countervailing Duty
Order, 83 FR 513 (January 4, 2018); (4) multilayered wood flooring, as
described in the antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders on
multilayered wood flooring from China. See Multilayered Wood Flooring
from the People's Republic of China: Amended Final Determination of
Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Antidumping Duty Order, 76 FR 76690
(December 8, 2011); and Multilayered Wood Flooring from the People's
Republic of China: Countervailing Duty Order, 76 FR 76693 (December 8,
2011), as amended by Multilayered Wood Flooring from the People's
Republic of China: Amended Antidumping and Countervailing Orders, 77 FR
5484 (February 3, 2012); (5) multilayered wood flooring with a face
veneer of bamboo or composed entirely of bamboo; (6) plywood which has
a shape or design other than a flat panel, with the exception of any
minor processing described above; (7) products made entirely from
bamboo and adhesives (also known as ``solid bamboo''); and (8) Phenolic
Film Faced Plyform (PFF), also known as Phenolic Surface Film Plywood
(PSF), defined as a panel with an ``Exterior'' or ``Exposure 1'' bond
classification as is defined by The Engineered Wood Association, having
an opaque phenolic film layer with a weight equal to or greater than
90g/m3 permanently bonded on both the face and back veneers and an
opaque, moisture resistant coating applied to the edges.
Also excluded from the scope of the investigation are wooden
furniture goods that, at the time of importation, are fully assembled
and are ready for their intended uses. Also excluded from the scope of
the investigation is ``ready to assemble'' (RTA) furniture. RTA
furniture is defined as (A) furniture packaged for sale for ultimate
purchase by an end-user that, at the time of importation, includes (1)
all wooden components (in finished form) required to assemble a
finished unit of furniture, (2) all accessory parts (e.g., screws,
washers, dowels, nails, handles, knobs, adhesive glues) required to
assemble a finished unit of furniture, and (3) instructions providing
guidance on the assembly of a finished unit of furniture; (B)
unassembled bathroom vanity cabinets, having a space for one or more
sinks, that are imported with all unassembled hardwood and hardwood
plywood components that have been cut-to-final dimensional component
shape/size, painted or stained prior to importation, and stacked within
a singled shipping package, except for furniture feet which may be
packed and shipped separately; or (C) unassembled bathroom vanity linen
closets that are imported with all unassembled hardwood and hardwood
plywood components that have been cut-to-final dimensional shape/size,
painted or stained prior to importation, and stacked within a single
shipping package, except for furniture feet which may be packed and
shipped separately.
Also excluded from the scope of the investigation are kitchen
cabinets that, at the time of importation, are fully assembled and are
ready for their intended uses. Also excluded from the scope of the
investigation are RTA kitchen cabinets. RTA kitchen cabinets are
defined as kitchen cabinets packaged for sale for ultimate purchase by
an end-user that, at the time of importation, includes: (1) all wooden
components (in finished form) required to assemble a finished unit of
cabinetry; (2) all accessory parts (e.g., screws, washers, dowels,
nails, handles, knobs, hooks, adhesive glues) required to
[[Page 14711]]
assemble a finished unit of cabinetry; and (3) instructions providing
guidance on the assembly of a finished unit of cabinetry. Excluded from
the scope of the investigation are finished table tops, which are table
tops imported in finished form with pre-cut or drilled openings to
attach the underframe or legs. The table tops are ready for use at the
time of import and require no further finishing or processing. Excluded
from the scope of the investigation are finished countertops that are
imported in finished form and require no further finishing or
manufacturing. Also excluded from the scope of the investigation are
laminated veneer lumber (``LVL'') door and window components with (1) a
maximum width of 44 millimeters, a thickness from 30 millimeters to 72
millimeters, and a length of less than 2413 millimeters, (2) water
boiling point exterior adhesive, (3) a modulus of elasticity of
1,500,000 pounds per square inch or higher, (4) finger-jointed or lap-
jointed core veneer with all layers oriented so that the grain is
running parallel or with no more than 3 dispersed layers of veneer
oriented with the grain running perpendicular to the other layers; and
(5) top layer machined with a curved edge and one or more profile
channels throughout.
Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are certain door
stiles and rails made of LVL that have a width not to exceed 50
millimeters, a thickness not to exceed 50 millimeters, and a length of
less than 2,450 millimeters.
Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are finished
two-ply products that are made of one ply of wood veneer and one ply of
a non-wood veneer material and the two-ply product cannot be glued or
otherwise adhered to additional plies or that are made of two plies of
wood veneer and have undergone staining, cutting, notching, punching,
drilling, or other processing on the surface of the veneer such that
the two-ply product cannot be glued or otherwise adhered to additional
plies.
Background.--The final phase of these investigations is being
scheduled pursuant to sections 705(b) and 731(b) of the Tariff Act of
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671d(b) and 1673d(b)), as a result of affirmative
preliminary determinations by Commerce that certain benefits which
constitute subsidies within the meaning of Sec. 703 of the Act (19
U.S.C. 1671b) are being provided to manufacturers, producers, or
exporters in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam of hardwood and decorative
plywood, and that such products are being sold in the United States at
less than fair value within the meaning of Sec. 733 of the Act (19
U.S.C. 1673b). The investigations were requested in petitions filed on
May 22, 2025, by the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, the
members of which are Columbia Forest Products, Greensboro, North
Carolina; Commonwealth Plywood Co., Ltd., Whitehall, New York; Manthei
Wood Products, Petoskey, Michigan; States Industries LLC, Eugene,
Oregon; and Timber Products Company, Springfield, Oregon.
For further information concerning the conduct of this phase of the
investigations, hearing procedures, and rules of general application,
consult the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201,
subparts A and B (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subparts A and C (19
CFR part 207).
Participation in the investigations and public service list.--
Persons, including industrial users of the subject merchandise and, if
the merchandise is sold at the retail level, representative consumer
organizations, wishing to participate in the final phase of these
investigations as parties must file an entry of appearance with the
Secretary to the Commission, as provided in Sec. 201.11 of the
Commission's rules, no later than 21 days prior to the hearing date
specified in this notice. A party that filed a notice of appearance
during the preliminary phase of the investigations need not file an
additional notice of appearance during this final phase. The Secretary
will maintain a public service list containing the names and addresses
of all persons, or their representatives, who are parties to the
investigations.
Please note the Secretary's Office will accept only electronic
filings during this time. Filings must be made through the Commission's
Electronic Document Information System (EDIS, <a href="https://edis.usitc.gov">https://edis.usitc.gov</a>).
No in-person paper-based filings or paper copies of any electronic
filings will be accepted until further notice.
Limited disclosure of business proprietary information (BPI) under
an administrative protective order (APO) and BPI service list.--
Pursuant to Sec. 207.7(a) of the Commission's rules, the Secretary
will make BPI gathered in the final phase of these investigations
available to authorized applicants under the APO issued in the
investigations, provided that the application is made no later than 21
days prior to the hearing date specified in this notice. Authorized
applicants must represent interested parties, as defined by 19 U.S.C.
1677(9), who are parties to the investigations. A party granted access
to BPI in the preliminary phase of the investigations need not reapply
for such access. A separate service list will be maintained by the
Secretary for those parties authorized to receive BPI under the APO.
Staff report.--The prehearing staff report in the final phase of
these investigations will be placed in the nonpublic record on July 1,
2026, and a public version will be issued thereafter, pursuant to Sec.
207.22 of the Commission's rules.
Hearing.--The Commission will hold a hearing in connection with the
final phase of these investigations beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday,
July 16, 2026. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed in
writing with the Secretary to the Commission on or before Friday, July
10, 2026. Any requests to appear as a witness via videoconference must
be included with your request to appear. Requests to appear via
videoconference must include a statement explaining why the witness
cannot appear in person; the Chairman, or other person designated to
conduct the investigation, may in their discretion for good cause
shown, grant such a request. Requests to appear as remote witness due
to illness or a positive COVID-19 test result may be submitted by 3:00
p.m. the business day prior to the hearing. Further information about
participation in the hearing will be posted on the Commission's website
at <a href="https://www.usitc.gov/calendarpad/calendar.html">https://www.usitc.gov/calendarpad/calendar.html</a>.
A nonparty who has testimony that may aid the Commission's
deliberations may request permission to present a short statement at
the hearing. All parties and nonparties desiring to appear at the
hearing and make oral presentations should attend a prehearing
conference, if deemed necessary, to be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday,
July 14, 2026. Parties shall file and serve written testimony and
presentation slides in connection with their presentation at the
hearing by no later than noon on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Oral
testimony and written materials to be submitted at the public hearing
are governed by sections 201.6(b)(2), 201.13(f), and 207.24 of the
Commission's rules. Parties must submit any request to present a
portion of their hearing testimony in camera no later than 7 business
days prior to the date of the hearing.
Written submissions.--Each party who is an interested party shall
submit a prehearing brief to the Commission. Prehearing briefs must
conform with the provisions of Sec. 207.23 of the Commission's rules;
the deadline for filing is July 9, 2026. Parties shall also file
written testimony in connection with their presentation at the hearing,
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and posthearing briefs, which must conform with the provisions of Sec.
207.25 of the Commission's rules. The deadline for filing posthearing
briefs is July 23, 2026. In addition, any person who has not entered an
appearance as a party to the investigations may submit a written
statement of information pertinent to the subject of the
investigations, including statements of support or opposition to the
petition, on or before July 23, 2026. On August 12, 2026, the
Commission will make available to parties all information on which they
have not had an opportunity to comment. Parties may submit final
comments on this information on or before August 14, 2026, but such
final comments must not contain new factual information and must
otherwise comply with Sec. 207.30 of the Commission's rules. All
written submissions must conform with the provisions of Sec. 201.8 of
the Commission's rules; any submissions that contain BPI must also
conform with the requirements of Sec. Sec. 201.6, 207.3, and 207.7 of
the Commission's rules. The Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures,
available on the Commission's website at <a href="https://www.usitc.gov/documents/handbook_on_filing_procedures.pdf">https://www.usitc.gov/documents/handbook_on_filing_procedures.pdf</a>, elaborates upon the
Commission's procedures with respect to filings.
Additional written submissions to the Commission, including
requests pursuant to Sec. 201.12 of the Commission's rules, shall not
be accepted unless good cause is shown for accepting such submissions,
or unless the submission is pursuant to a specific request by a
Commissioner or Commission staff.
In accordance with Sec. Sec. 201.16(c) and 207.3 of the
Commission's rules, each document filed by a party to the
investigations must be served on all other parties to the
investigations (as identified by either the public or BPI service
list), and a certificate of service must be timely filed. The Secretary
will not accept a document for filing without a certificate of service.
Authority: These investigations are being conducted under authority
of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930; this notice is published
pursuant to Sec. 207.21 of the Commission's rules.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: March 23, 2026.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2026-05849 Filed 3-25-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
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