WASHINGTON—On March 21, 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a determination on whether AA Metals Inc. (AA Metals), in Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) Consolidated Case 7469, evaded customs duties. Specifically, it examined the evasion of antidumping and countervailing Duty (AD/CVD) orders A-570-073 and C-570-074 on common alloy aluminum sheet (aluminum sheet) from the People’s Republic of China (China). CBP found there was substantial evidence that the importer had transshipped certain merchandise subject to the orders through Turkey.
In light of CBP’s determination that the importer entered merchandise covered by the AD/CVD orders into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, and pursuant to its authorities under EAPA, CBP will:
- Suspend or continue to suspend AA Metals’ entries subject to this investigation until instructed to liquidate the entries;
- Change any previously extended non-AD/CVD entries to AD/CVD entries and adjust rates to reflect that change, as well as continue suspension until instructed to calculate the total money owed to CPB on certain entries based on current duty rates and the imported goods’ value; and
- Review AA Metals’ continuous bonds and require single transaction bonds, as appropriate.
These actions do not preclude CBP from taking additional enforcement measures as it determines appropriate under its EAPA or other legal authorities, which include pursuing civil penalties or investigations into criminal violations.
For additional information on CBP and EAPA, please visit CBP.gov. If you suspect an importer of duty evasion, CBP encourages you to submit an allegation through our online portal.
Follow CBP Office of Trade on Twitter @CBPTradeGov.