United States based companies importing tires are subject to pay hefty deposits due to the implementation of anti-dumping duties on tire products from China. ITC-Diligence recognized the opportunity to assist our clients by utilizing FTZs. By importing tire products from China in high volume and selling in Mexico, our clients’ profitability and cash flow increases. Mexico does not have tariffs or anti-dumping/countervailing duties, unlike the United States which as all three.
Understanding Anti-Dumping Duties on Tires Imported from China
With the implementation of anti-dumping duties on tires from China, companies importing such products are having to pay hefty deposits.
The Department of Commerce has directed the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of such merchandise. They also collect cash deposits at rates equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margins.
Anti-dumping duties on tires from China include certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires. They are also subject to countervailing duties to prevent the effects of injurious dumping and unfair subsidization of imports into the United States. Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than its fair value.
The U.S. Commerce Department determined that truck and bus tires from China are being subsidized by the Chinese government. They also dumped on the U.S. market at less than fair value.
Anti-dumping duties on tires from China include tube-type, tubeless, radial, or non-radial. They are intended for sale to original equipment manufacturers or the replacement market.
Importing from China; Exporting to Mexico
In 2016, the export volume of Chinese automobile tires was 3.31 million and the export value was USD 11.46 billion. By 2019, the export volume jumped to more than 200 million.
China has been rated as the leading manufacturer of vehicle parts and thus Mexico has been importing a variety of these products from China. Companies import from China in low volume and sell in Mexico at higher prices.
In 2020, the U.S. was the leading country of origin for pneumatic tire imports in Mexico, representing 37 percent of the import value. Imports from China accounted for nearly 19 percent that year. A year earlier, imports of tires in Mexico added up to 33 million units.
Anti-Dumping Duties on Tires from China Reviewed
In 2020, the Department of Commerce (DOC) initiated “administrative reviews” on the tariffs on passenger and light truck tires imported from China.
The DOC reviewed both the anti-dumping and the countervailing duties. Each review examined data for a 12-month period. The anti-dumping review examined PLT tires from China from August 1, 2019, to July 21, 2020. The countervailing review (which looks at subsidies the Chinese government has provided to manufacturers and shippers) covered the 2019 calendar year.
In January 2021, it was determined that the tariffs on light truck and passenger tires from China will stand after a required review by the International Trade Commission and DOC.
How ITC Can Help Minimize Tariffs
ITC can help companies offset the impact of tariffs by importing products to our U.S. FTZ (Foreign Trade Zones). Foreign Trade Zones are secure areas under U.S. Customs and Border Protection supervision that are generally considered outside CBP territory upon activation. Located in or near CBP ports of entry, they are the United States’ version of what are known internationally as free-trade zones. Utilizing FTZs will allow companies to delay paying tariffs on goods imported into the U.S. – helping them to maintain critical cash flow. Additionally, some products manufactured in FTZs will only be tariffed on raw materials.
Our FTZ consultants provide trade related services to importers, exporters, manufactures, distributors, and local government, focusing on Customs & Border Protection issues and Foreign Trade Zones business.
Contact us today to see how ITC can help: https://ftzconsultants.com
