Temporary Fence Duties and Petitions FAQ
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions on Temporary Steel Fencing from China
U.S. trade laws allow for a domestic industry to petition the government when unfair trade practices harm American manufacturers. These laws allow for the government to impose antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) when there is clear evidence that unfair trade is causing harm to U.S. industries.
As published in the Federal Register, the Department of Commerce found sufficient industry support for this petition.
ZND is the named petitioner, as we believe it’s important to show strong support for the temporary fencing industry, including our distribution and site service partners, vendors, and competitors. This action is about preserving the long-term stability of the industry as a whole.
ZND’s pricing depends on many factors, such as raw material costs, transportation, volume, and market conditions. We do not have any specific plans to change pricing as a result of this petition.
ZND’s operations and ability to fulfill orders are unaffected by the petition. You can continue to expect the same reliable delivery timelines and high-quality products you’ve always received from us.
This petition targets imports from China, so any disruptions would primarily affect products sourced outside the U.S. ZND assembles its products domestically in California and North Carolina, ensuring stable and predictable supply chains.
The petitioner and the coalition supporting the petition must collectively represent at least 25% of U.S. production and at least 50% of production accounted for by those expressing a view on the petition to file a valid petition under U.S. trade law. As mentioned above, the Department of Commerce found this threshold was met. While some members of the coalition may choose to be publicly named, others are not required to make their identities known. We cannot provide you with information about any coalition partner that is not publicly named in the petition.
The process for deciding whether to impose duties involves several steps and deadlines. Preliminary duties could begin as early as:
● Countervailing (CVD) Duties: April 10, 2025. These duties are meant to offset subsidies given by foreign governments to help their exporters. If the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) finds enough evidence, it can impose these duties temporarily while continuing its investigation.
● Antidumping (AD) Duties: June 24, 2025. These duties are meant to address products being sold in the U.S. at unfairly low prices. If the DOC finds sufficient evidence of this, temporary AD duties could also be applied.[ED1]
These dates represent the earliest possible start for duties, but the timeline may shift based on the progress of the investigations or requests for extensions. Final decisions about whether to make these duties permanent are expected later in 2025 or early 2026.
The petition estimates dumping margins up to 739%. The final rates will depend on the findings of the Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).
From the Federal Register
Based on the data provided by the petitioner, there is reason to believe that imports of temporary steel fencing from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at LTFV [Less Than Fair Value]. Based on comparisons of EP [Export Price] to NV [Normal Value] in accordance with sections 772 and 773 of the Act, the estimated dumping margins for temporary steel fencing from China covered by this initiation range from 501.26 to 738.98 percent.
The petition’s margin estimates reflect the extent to which imported products are being sold below fair market value. These margins aim to offset the economic harm caused by such practices and restore fair competition in the market.
No, this petition is an application of U.S. trade law and is not influenced by the incoming or outgoing administration. The focus is strictly on addressing unfair trade practices impacting the temporary fencing market.
No, these antidumping and countervailing duties are not tied to prior Executive Orders. The focus of this action is on temporary steel fencing and related products imported from China. It specifically addresses issues of unfair pricing (dumping) and government subsidies rather than general tariff policies or broader trade measures.
Tariffs imposed under broader trade policies, such as those referenced in prior Executive Orders, are separate from these antidumping (AD) and countervailing (CVD) duties. If both are implemented, they would apply independently, meaning affected products could face both sets of duties simultaneously. One action does not impact the other, as AD and CVD duties specifically target unfair trade practices within this industry, while broader tariffs typically aim to address trade imbalances or national policy goals.
Whether you can join the coalition depends on your role in the industry. We would be happy to connect you with our management team, who can consult with the coalition’s counsel on your behalf.
The petition is a public record. We can consult with the coalition counsel to determine how you can access it.
If the duties are imposed, importers of affected products from China will be required to pay additional tariffs. This could increase the cost of imported products, potentially making domestic alternatives attractive due to their competitive pricing and reliable availability.
ZND is committed to supporting our customers through this transition. If you have questions about how these changes might affect your business, our team is available to provide insights, updates, and product recommendations that align with your needs.