Notice2026-21778
Certain Corrugated Die-Cut Cardboard Boxes From the Republic of Türkiye: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 26, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentInternational Trade Administration
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 205 (Monday, October 26, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 205 (Monday, October 26, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67283-67288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21778]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[C-489-861]
Certain Corrugated Die-Cut Cardboard Boxes From the Republic of
T[uuml]rkiye: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
DATES: Applicable October 19, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danielle Buffa, Office VI, AD/CVD
Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-8021.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Petition
On September 9, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce)
received a countervailing duty (CVD)
[[Page 67284]]
petition concerning imports of certain corrugated die-cut cardboard
boxes (corrugated die-cut boxes) \1\ from the Republic of T[uuml]rkiye
(T[uuml]rkiye), filed in proper form on behalf of the American Pizza
Boxes Manufacturers Coalition,\2\ and the United Steel, Paper and
Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service
Workers International Union (the petitioners), the members of which are
domestic producers of corrugated die-cut boxes and a certified union,
which represents workers engaged in the production of corrugated die-
cut boxes in the United States.\3\ The CVD Petition was accompanied by
antidumping duty (AD) petitions concerning imports of corrugated die-
cut boxes from the People's Republic of China, Malaysia, and
T[uuml]rkiye.\4\
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\1\ See Memorandum, ``Product Name Change,'' dated September 29,
2026.
\2\ The members of the American Pizza Boxes Manufacturers
Coalition are Smurfit Westrock plc and Pratt Industries, Inc.
\3\ See Petitioners' Letter, ``Petition for the Imposition of
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties,'' dated September 9, 2026
(Petition).
\4\ Id.
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On September 29, 2026, Commerce extended the initiation deadline by
20 days to further examine the issue of industry support, because it
was not clear from the Petition whether the industry support criteria
had been met.\5\
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\5\ See Notice of Extension of the Deadline for Determining the
Adequacy of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions:
Certain Corrugated Die-Cut Cardboard Boxes from the People's
Republic of China, Malaysia, and the Republic of T[uuml]rkiye, 91 FR
62690 (October 2, 2026) (Initiation Extension Notice).
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Between September 15 and October 1, 2026, Commerce requested
supplemental information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petition
in supplemental questionnaires.\6\ Between September 21 and October 6,
2026, the petitioners filed timely responses to these requests for
additional information.\7\
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\6\ See Commerce's Letters, ``Supplemental Questions,'' dated
September 16, 2026 (First General Issues Supplemental
Questionnaire); ``Supplemental Questions,'' dated September 15,
2026; ``Supplemental Questions,'' dated September 24, 2026 (Second
General Issues Questionnaire); ``Supplemental Questions,'' dated
September 16, 2026; ``Supplemental Questions,'' dated September 23,
2026; and ``Supplemental Questions,'' dated October 1, 2026 (Third
General Issues Questionnaire).
\7\ See Petitioner's Letters, ``Petitioners' Response to the 1st
Supplemental Questionnaire Regarding General Issues and Injury
Volume I of the Petition,'' dated September 21, 2026 (First General
Issues Supplement); ``Petitioners' Response to the 1st Supplemental
Questionnaire Regarding T[uuml]rkiye Vol. V of the Petition,'' dated
September 18, 2026; ``Petitioners' Response to the 2nd Supplemental
Questionnaire Regarding General Issues and Injury Volume I of the
Petition,'' dated September 28, 2026 (Second General Issues
Supplement); ``Petitioners' Response to the 2nd Supplemental
Questionnaire Regarding T[uuml]rkiye Vol. V of the Petition,'' dated
September 21, 2026; ``Petitioners' Part 2 of Response to the 2nd
Supplemental Questionnaire Regarding T[uuml]rkiye Vol. V of the
Petition,'' dated September 22, 2026; and ``Petitioners' Response to
the 3rd Supplemental Questionnaire Regarding the Republic of
T[uuml]rkiye Volume V of the Petition,'' dated September 24, 2026;
``Response to Third General Issues Supplemental Questions,'' dated
October 6, 2026 (Third General Issues Supplement).
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In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (the Act), the petitioners allege that the Government of
T[uuml]rkiye (GOT) is providing countervailable subsidies, within the
meaning of sections 701 and 771(5) of the Act, to producers of
corrugated die-cut boxes from T[uuml]rkiye, and that such imports are
materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the domestic
industry producing corrugated die-cut boxes in the United States.
Consistent with section 702(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(b), for
those alleged programs on which we are initiating a CVD investigation,
the Petition was accompanied by information reasonably available to the
petitioners supporting their allegations.
Commerce finds that the petitioners filed the Petition on behalf of
the domestic industry, because the petitioners are interested parties,
as defined in sections 771(9)(D) and (E) of the Act.\8\ Commerce also
finds that the petitioners demonstrated sufficient industry support
with respect to the initiation of the requested CVD investigation.\9\
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\8\ The members of the petitioning coalition are interested
parties under section 771(9)(C) of the Act.
\9\ See section on ``Determination of Industry Support for the
Petition,'' infra.
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Period of Investigation (POI)
Because the Petition was filed on September 9, 2026, the POI is
January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.\10\
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\10\ See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(2).
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Scope of the Investigation
The products covered by this investigation are corrugated die-cut
boxes from T[uuml]rkiye. For a full description of the scope of this
investigation, see the appendix to this notice.
Comments on the Scope of the Investigation
Between September 16 and October 1, 2026, Commerce requested
information and clarification from the petitioners regarding the
proposed scope to ensure that the scope language in the Petition is an
accurate reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is
seeking relief.\11\ Between September 21 and October 6, 2026, the
petitioners provided clarifications and revised the scope.\12\ The
description of merchandise covered by this investigation, as described
in the appendix to this notice, reflects these clarifications.
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\11\ See First General Issues Supplemental Questionnaire; see
also Second General Issues Supplemental Questionnaire.
\12\ See First General Issues Supplement at 2-7 and Exhibits I-
Supp-2 through I-Supp-4; see also Second General Issues Supplement
at 1-16 and Exhibits I-Supp2-2 through I-Supp2-4; and Third General
Issues Supplement at 1-5 and Exhibits I-Supp3-1 through I-Supp3-4.
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As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are
setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding
product coverage (i.e., scope).\13\ Commerce will consider all scope
comments received from interested parties and, if necessary, will
consult with interested parties prior to the issuance of the
preliminary determination. If scope comments include factual
information, all such factual information should be limited to public
information.\14\ Commerce requests that interested parties provide at
the beginning of their scope comments a public executive summary for
each comment or issue raised in their submission. Commerce further
requests that interested parties limit their public executive summary
of each comment or issue to no more than 450 words, not including
citations. Commerce intends to use the public executive summaries as
the basis of the comment summaries included in the analysis of scope
comments. To facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce
requests that scope comments be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
(ET) on November 9, 2026, which is the next business day after 20
calendar days from the signature date of this notice.\15\ Any rebuttal
comments, which may include factual information, and should also be
limited to public information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on
November 19, 2026, which is 10 calendar days from the initial comment
deadline.
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\13\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule,
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble); see also 19 CFR
351.312.
\14\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual
information'').
\15\ The deadline for scope comments falls on November 8, 2026,
which is a Sunday. Commerce's practice dictates that where a
deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the appropriate
deadline is the next business day (in this instance, November 9,
2026). See 19 CFR 351.303(b)(1) (``For both electronically filed and
manually filed documents, if the applicable due date falls on a non-
business day, the Secretary will accept documents that are filed on
the next business day'').
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Commerce requests that any factual information that parties
consider relevant to the scope of this investigation be submitted
during that period. However, if a party subsequently
[[Page 67285]]
finds that additional factual information pertaining to the scope of
the investigation may be relevant, the party must contact Commerce and
request permission to submit the additional information. All scope
comments must be filed simultaneously on the records of the concurrent
AD and CVD investigations.
Filing Requirements
All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception
applies.\16\ An electronically filed document must be received
successfully in its entirety by the time and date it is due.
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\16\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order
Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011); see also Enforcement and
Compliance; Change of Electronic Filing System Name, 79 FR 69046
(November 20, 2014), for details of Commerce's electronic filing
requirements, effective August 5, 2011. Information on using ACCESS
can be found at <a href="https://access.trade.gov/help">https://access.trade.gov/help</a> and handbook can be
found at <a href="https://access.trade.gov/ACCESS%20Handbook%20on%20Electronic%20Filing%20Procedures_March2026.pdf">https://access.trade.gov/ACCESS%20Handbook%20on%20Electronic%20Filing%20Procedures_March2026.pdf</a>.
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Consultations
Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Act, Commerce
notified the GOT of the receipt of the Petition and provided an
opportunity for consultations with respect to the Petition.\17\
Commerce held consultations with the GOT on September 25, 2026.\18\
Additionally, given the nature of certain subsidy programs alleged in
the Petition, Commerce provided the Government of Russia (GOR) with the
opportunity to meet with Commerce officials.\19\ Commerce met with the
GOR on September 23, 2026.\20\
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\17\ See Commerce's Letter, ``Invitation for Consultations to
Discuss the Countervailing Duty Petition,'' dated September 9, 2026.
\18\ See Memorandum, ``Consultations with the Government of
T[uuml]rkiye,'' dated September 28, 2026; see also GOT's Letter,
``Consultations Held on September 25, 2026,'' dated September 25,
2026.
\19\ See Commerce's Letter, ``Alleged Transnational Subsidy
Programs,'' dated September 10, 2026.
\20\ See Memorandum, ``Consultations with the Government of
Russia,'' dated September 28, 2026; see also GOR's Letter, ``Alleged
Transnational Subsidy Program,'' dated September 24, 2026.
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Determination of Industry Support for the Petition
Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act
provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic
producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) at least
25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and
(ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like
product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support
for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 702(c)(4)(D) of
the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of
domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of
the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce shall: (i)
poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if
there is support for the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or
(ii) determine industry support using a statistically valid sampling
method to poll the ``industry.''
Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the
producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine
whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute
directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the
domestic like product. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC),
which is responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry''
has been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like
product in order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the
ITC apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic like
product,\21\ they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a
separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce's determination
is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may
result in different definitions of the like product, such differences
do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law.\22\
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\21\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
\22\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (CIT
2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 688 F.Supp.
639, 644 (CIT 1988), aff'd Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United
States, 865 F.2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
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Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation
under this title.'' Thus, the reference point from which the domestic
like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an
investigation'' (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be
investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the
petition).
With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioners do not
offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope
of the investigation.\23\ Based on our analysis of the information
submitted on the record, we have determined that corrugated die-cut
boxes, as defined in the scope, constitute a single domestic like
product, and we have analyzed industry support in terms of that
domestic like product.\24\
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\23\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as
applied to this case and information regarding industry support, see
Checklist, ``Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist:
Certain Corrugated Die-Cut Cardboard Boxes from the Republic of
T[uuml]rkiye,'' dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this
notice (T[uuml]rkiye CVD Initiation Checklist), at Attachment II,
Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping and Countervailing
Duty Petition Covering Certain Corrugated Die-Cut Cardboard Boxes
from the People's Republic of China, Malaysia, and the Republic of
T[uuml]rkiye (Attachment II). This checklist is on file
electronically via ACCESS.
\24\ For further discussion, see Attachment II of the
T[uuml]rkiye CVD Initiation Checklist.
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As noted above, on September 29, 2026, Commerce extended the
initiation deadline by 20 days to further examine the issue of industry
support.\25\ In determining whether the petitioners have standing under
section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support
data contained in the Petition with reference to the domestic like
product as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigation,'' in the
appendix to this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioners
provided their own shipments of corrugated die-cut boxes in 2025 and
compared this to the estimated total shipments of the domestic like
product for the entire domestic industry.\26\ Because total production
data for the domestic like product for 2025 are not reasonably
available to the petitioners, and the petitioners have established that
shipments are a reasonable proxy for production data,\27\ we relied on
data provided by the petitioners for purposes of measuring industry
support.\28\
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\25\ See Initiation Extension Notice.
\26\ Id.
\27\ Id.
\28\ Id.; see also Tenaris Bay City, Inc. v. United States, No.
2025-1382, 2026 LX 545375, at *19 n.5 (Fed. Cir. Sep. 18, 2026).
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Our review of the data provided in the Petition, the First General
Issues Supplement, Second General Issues Supplement, Third General
Issues Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce
indicates that the petitioners have established industry support for
the Petition.\29\ First, the Petition established support from domestic
producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of the total
production of the domestic like product and, as such, Commerce is not
[[Page 67286]]
required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support
(e.g., polling).\30\ Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have
met the statutory criteria for industry support under section
702(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers)
who support the Petition account for at least 25 percent of the total
production of the domestic like product.\31\ Finally, the domestic
producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry
support under section 702(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic
producers (or workers) who support the Petition account for more than
50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by
that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to,
the Petition.\32\ Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petition
was filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of
section 702(b)(1) of the Act.\33\
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\29\ See Attachment II of the T[uuml]rkiye CVD Initiation
Checklist.
\30\ Id.; see also section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act.
\31\ See Attachment II of the T[uuml]rkiye CVD Initiation
Checklist.
\32\ Id.
\33\ Id.
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Injury Test
Because T[uuml]rkiye is a ``Subsidies Agreement Country'' within
the meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, section 701(a)(2) of the Act
applies to this investigation. Accordingly, the ITC must determine
whether imports of the subject merchandise from T[uuml]rkiye materially
injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S. industry.
Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation
The petitioners allege that imports of the subject merchandise are
benefiting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports are
causing, or threaten to cause, material injury to the U.S. industry
producing the domestic like product. In addition, the petitioners
allege that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided
for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\34\
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\34\ For further discussion, see the T[uuml]rkiye CVD Initiation
Checklist at Attachment III, Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of
Material Injury and Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing
Duty Petitions Covering Certain Corrugated Die-Cut Cardboard Boxes
from the People's Republic of China, Malaysia, and the Republic of
T[uuml]rkiye.
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The petitioners contend that the industry's injured condition is
illustrated by a significant increase in the volume of subject imports;
reduced market share; underselling and price depression and/or
suppression; lost sales and revenues; declines in production, capacity
utilization, U.S. shipments, and employment variables; facility
closures; negative impact on industry's development efforts and returns
on new investments; and negative impact on financial performance.\35\
We assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material
injury, threat of material injury, causation, as well as negligibility,
and we have determined that these allegations are properly supported by
adequate evidence, and meet the statutory requirements for
initiation.\36\
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\35\ Id.
\36\ Id.
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Initiation of CVD Investigation
Based upon the examination of the Petition and supplemental
responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 702 of
the Act. Therefore, we are initiating a CVD investigation to determine
whether imports of corrugated die-cut boxes from T[uuml]rkiye benefit
from countervailable subsidies conferred by the GOT. In accordance with
section 703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless
postponed, we will make our preliminary determination no later than 65
days after the date of this initiation.
Based on our review of the Petition, we find that there is
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 66 programs
alleged by the petitioners. For a full discussion of the basis for our
decision to initiate on each program, see the T[uuml]rkiye CVD
Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for
this investigation is available on ACCESS.
Respondent Selection
In the Petition, the petitioners identified 76 companies in
T[uuml]rkiye.\37\ Commerce intends to follow its standard practice in
CVD investigations and calculate company-specific subsidy rates in the
investigation. In the event that Commerce determines that the number of
companies is large, and it cannot individually examine each company
based upon Commerce's resources, where appropriate, Commerce intends to
select mandatory respondents based on quantity and value (Q&V)
questionnaires issued to the potential respondents. Commerce normally
selects mandatory respondents in CVD investigations using U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) entry data for U.S. imports under the
appropriate Harmonized tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)
subheading listed in the ``Scope of the Investigation,'' in the
appendix. However, for this investigation, the main HTSUS subheading
under which the subject merchandise would enter (HTSUS 4819.10.0020) is
a basket category under which non-subject merchandise may also enter.
Therefore, we cannot rely on CBP entry data in selecting respondents.
Notwithstanding the decision to rely on Q&V questionnaires for
respondent selection, due to the number of producers and/or exporters
identified in the Petition, Commerce has determined to limit the number
of Q&V questionnaires that it will issue to producers and/or exporters
based on CBP data for corrugated die-cut boxes from T[uuml]rkiye during
the POI under the appropriate HTSUS subheading listed in the ``Scope of
the Investigation,'' in the appendix. Accordingly, Commerce will send
Q&V questionnaires to the largest Turkish producers and/or exporters
that are identified in the CBP entry data for which there is complete
address information on the record.\38\
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\37\ See Petition at Volume I (page 20 and Exhibits I-15); see
also First General Issues Supplement at 2.
\38\ See Memorandum, Release of U.S. Customs and Border
Protection Entry Data,'' dated October 15, 2026.
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Commerce will post the Q&V questionnaires along with filing
instructions on Commerce's website at <a href="https://www.trade.gov/ec-adcvd-qv-questionnaire">https://www.trade.gov/ec-adcvd-qv-questionnaire</a>. Producers/exporters of corrugated die-cut boxes from
T[uuml]rkiye that do not receive Q&V questionnaires may still submit a
response to the Q&V questionnaire and can obtain a copy of the Q&V
questionnaire from Commerce's website. Responses to the Q&V
questionnaire must be submitted by the relevant producers/exporters no
later than 5:00 p.m. ET on November 2, 2026, which is two weeks from
the signature date of this notice. All Q&V questionnaire responses must
be filed electronically via ACCESS. An electronically filed document
must be received successfully, in its entirety, by ACCESS no later than
5:00 p.m. ET on the deadline noted above.
Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under
administrative protective order (APO) in accordance with 19 CFR
351.305(b). Instructions for filing such applications may be found on
Commerce's website at <a href="https://www.trade.gov/administrative-protective-orders">https://www.trade.gov/administrative-protective-orders</a>.
Distribution of a Copy of the Petition
In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.202(f), a copy of the public version of the Petition has been
provided to the GOT via ACCESS. To the extent practicable, we will
attempt to provide a copy of the public version of the
[[Page 67287]]
Petition to each exporter named in the Petition, as provided under 19
CFR 351.203(c)(2).
ITC Notification
Commerce will notify the ITC of its initiation, as required by
section 702(d) of the Act.
Preliminary Determination by the ITC
The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 25 days after the date
on which the ITC receives notice from Commerce of initiation of the
investigation, whether there is a reasonable indication that imports of
corrugated die-cut boxes from T[uuml]rkiye are materially injuring, or
threatening material injury to, a U.S. industry.\39\ A negative ITC
determination will result in the investigation being terminated.\40\
Otherwise, this CVD investigation will proceed according to statutory
and regulatory time limits.
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\39\ See section 703(a)(1) of the Act.
\40\ Id.
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Submission of Factual Information
Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i)
evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence
submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available
information to value factors of production under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or
to measure the adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2);
(iv) evidence placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other
than factual information described in (i)-(iv). Section 351.301(b) of
Commerce's regulations requires any party, when submitting factual
information, to specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21)
the information is being submitted \41\ and, if the information is
submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information already on
the record, to provide an explanation identifying the information
already on the record that the factual information seeks to rebut,
clarify, or correct.\42\ Time limits for the submission of factual
information are addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which provides specific
time limits based on the type of factual information being submitted.
Interested parties should review the regulations prior to submitting
factual information in this investigation.
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\41\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
\42\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
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Extensions of Time Limits
Parties may request an extension of time limits before the
expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as
otherwise specified by Commerce. In general, an extension request will
be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the time
limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as otherwise specified by
Commerce.\43\ For submissions that are due from multiple parties
simultaneously, an extension request will be considered untimely if it
is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date. Under certain
circumstances, Commerce may elect to specify a different time limit by
which extension requests will be considered untimely for submissions
which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such a case, we
will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the deadline
(including a specified time) by which extension requests must be filed
to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in a
separate, standalone submission; under limited circumstances we will
grant untimely filed requests for the extension of time limits, where
we determine, based on 19 CFR 351.302, that extraordinary circumstances
exist. Parties should review Commerce's regulations concerning the
extension of time limits and the Time Limits Final Rule prior to
submitting factual information in this investigation.\44\
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\43\ See 19 CFR 351.302.
\44\ See 19 CFR 351.301; see also Extension of Time Limits;
Final Rule, 78 FR 57790 (September 20, 2013) (Time Limits Final
Rule), available at <a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm">https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm</a>.
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Certification Requirements
Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding
must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.\45\
Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR
351.303(g).\46\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the
submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification
requirements.
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\45\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
\46\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (Final Rule); see also
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule, available at
<a href="https://www.trade.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/FAQ%20for%20Certifications.pdf?v=1787683944756">https://www.trade.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/FAQ%20for%20Certifications.pdf?v=1787683944756</a>.
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Notification to Interested Parties
Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Parties wishing to participate
in this investigation should ensure that they meet the requirements of
19 CFR 351.103(d) (e.g., by filing the required letters of appearance).
Note that Commerce has amended certain of its requirements pertaining
to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).\47\
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\47\ See Administrative Protective Order, Service, and Other
Procedures in Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings, 88 FR
67069 (September 29, 2023).
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This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702 and
777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).
Dated: October 19, 2026.
Scot Fullerton,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing
Duty Operations.
Appendix
Scope of the Investigation
The merchandise covered by this investigation is certain
corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes. Corrugated die-cut cardboard
boxes are a type of box or carton for use in the food service
industry, including to hold pizza pies. Corrugated die cut cardboard
boxes are typically manufactured from corrugated paperboard, which
is commonly referred to as corrugated cardboard. Corrugated die-cut
cardboard boxes are often shipped or delivered flat in bundles of
corrugated cardboard die-cut blanks, which are in a ready-to-
assemble state such that they can be easily folded by the end user
into a ready-to-use food service box.
The corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes covered by this
investigation include corrugated cardboard die-cut blanks, whether
finished or unfinished and assembled or unassembled. A finished
corrugated die-cut cardboard box, whether assembled or unassembled,
is one that has undergone final processing, including, but not
limited to, printing, coating, or other finishing operations. An
unfinished corrugated die-cut cardboard box, whether assembled or
unassembled, is one that has not yet undergone final processing.
Corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are produced from corrugated
cardboard sheets that are made from recycled or virgin paper or
paperboard materials, which may be bleached or unbleached. These
cardboard sheets are ``corrugated'' or ``fluted,'' which means that
they contain at least two outer layers (i.e., top and bottom) of
paper or paperboard and an inside layer of fluted paper or
paperboard in between the outer layer, such that the inside layer
contains channels or pockets of air which makes the cardboard sheet
lightweight while retaining strength and durability. The subject
merchandise includes corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes with a
nominal flute height or thickness between 1.1 millimeters and 4.4
millimeters (which encompasses B-flute, C-flute, D-flute, and E-
flute design, as well as any equivalent types of corrugation or
fluting).
Corrugated cardboard die-cut blanks are typically formed from
corrugated cardboard sheets that are cut to length, die cut into
[[Page 67288]]
specific box shapes, and/or scored to allow the box to be folded
into shape. Subject corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are typically
assembled by the end user by folding a corrugated cardboard die-cut
blank into its final shape and generally consist of a single die-cut
blank that forms the walls and lid of the finished box. Subject
corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are not typically glued or
otherwise assembled using adhesives into their final shape prior to
use. The scope of this investigation covers both corrugated die-cut
cardboard boxes and corrugated cardboard die-cut blanks, regardless
of whether they are finished or assembled at the time of
importation.
As they are intended for food contact, in-scope corrugated die-
cut cardboard boxes are produced in accordance with food contact
safety requirements and are often compliant with U.S. Food and Drug
Administration requirements, such as 21 CFR 176.170.
The subject merchandise includes corrugated die-cut cardboard
boxes regardless of shape. When assembled, subject corrugated die-
cut cardboard boxes are often rectangular or square in shape when
viewed from above, but they may take on other shapes, such as round,
hexagonal, or octagonal. A finished and assembled subject corrugated
die-cut cardboard box has a length (i.e., the longest dimension)
that is at least five inches and a width that is at least five
inches. A finished and assembled subject corrugated die-cut
cardboard box has a length and width that is no more than 40 inches.
The height (i.e., the shortest dimension) of a finished and
assembled subject corrugated die-cut cardboard box is no greater
than four inches. The width, length, and height dimensions are to be
based on the dimensions of the die-cut shape of an individual
corrugated die-cut cardboard box or corrugated cardboard die-cut
blank, even if the box or blank is imported in a manner in which it
is minimally connected to other boxes or blanks, such as through
nicking, perforations, or similar attachments.
The corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes covered by the scope of
this investigation include merchandise with or without color or
printing, such that they may be decorated with one or more graphical
designs or logos, or they may be entered in a blank, unprinted
state. A corrugated die-cut cardboard box is subject to this
investigation regardless of the color of the paper, paperboard, or
cardboard. Any graphical images may be printed directly onto the
paper, paperboard, or cardboard or they may be overlaid onto the
outer or inner faces of a corrugated die-cut cardboard box. Subject
corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are also covered by the scope
regardless of whether or not they are coated or lined, including
with any materials to increase grease resistance.
The subject merchandise includes corrugated die-cut cardboard
boxes with or without ventilation holes or perforations as well as
with or without features for holding condiments or other foods. They
may include tabs that allow for easily opening the lid. Subject
merchandise generally does not incorporate locking tabs,
interlocking side panels, folded retention flaps, ``dog-ear''
closures, or similar mechanisms designed to secure the lid to the
body of the box. Subject corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are
covered by the scope whether or not they are accompanied by other
parts or materials. The addition of any non-paper, paperboard, or -
cardboard materials, such as liners, inserts, or holders, does not
remove the subject corrugated die-cut cardboard box from the scope
of this investigation.
The corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes subject to this
investigation include those products that have been subjected to
further processing in a third country, which includes but is not
limited to printing, coating, trimming, cutting, punching,
assembling, folding, perforating, and/or additional die-cutting 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 corrugated die-cut cardboard box.
The corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes subject to this
investigation are typically classified in the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheading 4819.10.0020.
This HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs
purposes only, and the written description of the merchandise
subject to the investigation is dispositive.
[FR Doc. 2026-21778 Filed 10-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 26, 2026.
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