VITRO TARGETS CHINESE AND MALAYSIAN FLOAT GLASS IMPORTS

Vitro Flat Glass and Vitro Meadville Flat Glass have filed new antidumping and countervailing duty petitions with the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S. International Trade Commission on float glass products from China and Malaysia. 

According to the petitions, China’s estimated dumping margins range from 91.05% to 165.11%, while Malaysia’s margins range from 141.87% to 344.43%. Per U.S. import statistics, the subject merchandise totaled around $75 million, and 142,314 short tons were imported into the U.S. from China and Malaysia in 2023.

U.S. antidumping laws impose special tariffs to counteract imports sold in the country at less than normal value. Countervailing duty law targets imports benefiting from foreign government subsidies. 

For duties to be imposed, the U.S. government must determine that dumping and subsidization occur and that there is “material injury” or threat because of the dumped or subsidized imports. Importers are liable for any potential duties imposed.

Vitro’s petitions target float glass products, such as low-E architectural glass and frameless mirrors. The scope of the petitions covers glass articles meeting one or more of the ASTM-C162, ASTM-C1036, ASTM-C1048, ASTM-C1172, ASTM-C1349, ASTM-C1376, ASTM-C1422/C1422M, ASTM-C1464, ASTM-C1503, ASTM-C1651, ASTM-E1300, and ASTM-E2190 specifications, definitions and standards. 

Excluded from the scope are wired glass, patterned flat glass meeting the requirements of Type II under ASTM-C1036, safety glazing materials for vehicles certified to American National Standards Institute Standard Z26.1, vacuum insulating glass, framed mirrors without any LEDs integrated and strengthened or tempered flat glass specially designed for use in home appliances. 

Also excluded is soda-lime-silica glass containing less than 0.01% iron oxide by weight, annealed with a surface compression less than 3,500 pounds per square inch (PSI), having a transparent conductive oxide base coating, and with a nominal thickness less than or equal to 4.0 mm (0.1575 inches). Heat-treated soda-lime-silica glass with a surface compression between 3,500 and 10,000 PSI, containing two or more drilled holes, and having a nominal thickness of less than 2.5 mm (0.098 inches) is also excluded. 

The petitions were filed on Nov. 21, 2024, and the DOC is expected to begin investigations on Dec. 11, 2024. Click here for a list of foreign producers/exporters alleged by Vitro and here for a list of importers.