PRESS RELEASE
20 August 2025

Commerce Department Issues Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination On Fiberglass Door Panels From China

WR
Wiley Rein

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Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its preliminary finding that the Government of China subsidizes its fiberglass door panel producers.
United States

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its preliminary finding that the Government of China subsidizes its fiberglass door panel producers. Commerce issued affirmative preliminary subsidy rates ranging from 59.17% to 921.42%.

The preliminary determination included the following company-specific findings:

  • Fiberglass door panels produced by Dalian Capstone Engineering Co., Ltd., which are sold by Trinity Glass, Inc., were found to be subsidized by 71.37%.
  • Jiangxi Fangda Tech Co., Ltd., a supplier to Steves and Sons, Inc., and Trimlite LLC, was found to be subsidized at a rate of 59.17%.
  • Chinese companies that did not cooperate with the investigation received a subsidy rate of 921.42%. Those companies are: Lily Industries Co., Ltd.; Zhejiang Kuchuan Door Co., Ltd.; Hebei Charlotte Enterprise Co., Ltd.; Shanghai Unikey International Trading; Zhenshi Group Huamei New Materials Co Ltd.; and Kits Glass (China) Limited.
  • All other Chinese companies, such as East Grace Corporation; Wuxi Lutong Fiberglass Door Co., Ltd.; Wuxi Xinli New Material Co., Ltd.; and Anhui Xinyu Fiberglass Door Co., Ltd.; received a subsidy rate of 62.55%.

The American Fiberglass Door Coalition, representing the major American fiberglass door panel manufacturers and their employees, commends Commerce for its decision to impose these preliminary duties to remedy unfair subsidies provided to Chinese industry.

“This decision by the Department of Commerce is another important step in leveling the playing field for American fiberglass door panel manufacturers, and we anticipate a final determination that is favorable to U.S. manufacturers as well,” said Tim Brightbill, co-lead counsel to the Coalition and co-chair of Wiley’s International Trade Practice.

Following the publication of Commerce’s preliminary determination in the Federal Register in approximately one week, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to begin suspending liquidation and collecting preliminary duties (in the form of cash deposits) on entries of fiberglass door panels from China.

These determinations are preliminary, and subsidy rates may increase before the final determination. The countervailing duty investigations are ongoing, and Commerce has not yet had time to fully investigate all potential subsidies, which may lead to higher subsidy rates for the final determination. Commerce’s final determination is currently expected in early March 2026.

These duty rates do not yet include the calculated rates from the antidumping investigation. The preliminary antidumping rates will be announced in mid-October and added to the preliminary subsidy rates.

Robert E. DeFrancesco, a partner in Wiley’s International Trade Practice and co-lead counsel to the Coalition, said: “We appreciate all the hard work that Commerce has put into this case, and its findings and actions are important to the domestic industry and its workers. Unfairly priced and illegally subsidized Chinese imports have been unchecked until now.”

The duties above will be imposed following today’s determination and are assessed on the importer of record of the covered merchandise. Duty evasion, absorption (foreign manufacturers or other parties covering the importers duties), and circumvention are illegal and closely monitored by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in conjunction with the Commerce Department.

The Wiley team representing the Coalition also includes International Trade partner Derick G. Holt; of counsel Jeffrey O. Frank; and associates Kimberly A. Reynolds, Stephen A. Morrison, and Jacob Garten.

Contributor

Wiley is a preeminent law firm wired into Washington. We advise Fortune 500 corporations, trade associations, and individuals in all industries on legal matters converging at the intersection of government, business, and technological innovation. Our attorneys and public policy advisors are respected and have nuanced insights into the mindsets of agencies, regulators, and lawmakers. We are the best-kept secret in DC for many of the most innovative and transformational companies, business groups, and nonprofit organizations. From autonomous vehicles to blockchain technologies, we combine our focused industry knowledge and unmatched understanding of Washington to anticipate challenges, craft policies, and formulate solutions for emerging innovators and industries.

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