China diamond sawblades: UK covered merchandise inquiry
Commerce initiates a covered merchandise inquiry on diamond sawblades assembled in the UK from Chinese cores and/or segments. Scenarios, deadlines, and AD drawback note.
Commerce published a notice of covered merchandise referral and initiation of a covered merchandise inquiry on diamond sawblades and parts thereof from China in the October 19, 2026 Federal Register (91 FR 66099-66102; FR Doc. 2026-21281; A-570-900). Applicable October 19, 2026. This is an initiation under section 517(b)(4) of the Tariff Act (EAPA) and 19 CFR 351.227, not a coverage determination.
CBP EAPA Investigation No. 8225 referred three UK-assembly scenarios for Dymatec. Comments due within 30 days; final determination intended within 120 days.
Referral and the three scenarios
On September 22, 2026 Commerce received a sufficient covered merchandise referral from CBP in EAPA Investigation No. 8225. The Diamond Sawblades Manufacturers' Coalition alleges that Dymatec USA, LLC is entering covered merchandise by transshipping Chinese-origin subject merchandise through its parent Dymatec, Ltd. (DUK), claiming UK origin. CBP could not determine coverage and asked Commerce to decide whether UK-assembled blades are covered in three scenarios:
- Scenario 1: core and segments both from China; joined in the United Kingdom.
- Scenario 2: core from China, segments not from China; joined in the United Kingdom.
- Scenario 3: segments from China, core not from China; joined in the United Kingdom.
Commerce may expand the inquiry to other UK companies if evidence arises, and may apply the result producer-, exporter-, or importer-specific, or country-wide (19 CFR 351.227(m)(1)). Order: 74 FR 57145 (November 4, 2009).
EAPA 8225 · referral received Sep 22, 2026 · Order 74 FR 57145 · APO Sep 28, 2026
Comments/factual info within 30 days · by our count Nov 18, 2026 · rebuttal within 14 days
Final determination intended within 120 days · by our count Feb 16, 2027 (extendable)
Scope summary and deadlines
Scope covers finished circular sawblades with a diamond segment working part, and parts (cores and segments). Exclusions include resin or electroplated bonds without segments; thickness under 0.025 in or over 1.1 in; non-diamond toothed plates; cores under Rockwell C 25; and diamond mesh predominantly over 240. HTSUS convenience: 8202.39.00.00, 8206.00.00.00 (sets); the case reference file also lists 6804.21.00.00, 8202.39.0040, 8202.39.0070, 6804.21.0010, and 6804.21.0080. The written description controls.
Comments and factual information are due within 30 days of publication (19 CFR 351.227(d)(1)); by our count, November 18, 2026. Rebuttal within 14 days of those filings. Final determination intended within 120 days of publication (19 CFR 351.227(c)); by our count, February 16, 2027, extendable for good cause. File in ACCESS on A-570-900, segment "EAPA 8225". Letters of appearance are required except for parties publicly identified by CBP. APO was placed September 28, 2026. Commerce notes this may be the only Federal Register notice on this referral. Contact: Erin Howard (202) 482-3453.
Suspension during the inquiry
CBP continues suspension for entries already suspended and applies the cash deposit rate that would apply if the merchandise were covered (19 CFR 351.227(l)(1)). Do not predict the outcome of the inquiry.
AD duties (if merchandise is found covered) are not drawback-eligible (19 U.S.C. 1677h). Ordinary customs duties on the same entries can still be drawback-eligible when merchandise is exported or destroyed and the claim otherwise qualifies. See AD/CVD drawback exclusion.
Action items
- Trace core and segment origin for UK-assembled diamond sawblades against the three referral scenarios.
- Gather mill and assembly records that show where cores and segments were sourced and where joining occurred.
- Consider participation by the comment deadline (by our count Nov 18, 2026) via ACCESS segment EAPA 8225, including a letter of appearance if required.
- Review country-of-origin claims on entries that claim UK origin for Chinese-component assemblies.
- FR Doc. 2026-21281 (91 FR 66099-66102; A-570-900): covered merchandise referral and inquiry initiation under EAPA 8225. Applicable Oct 19, 2026. Not a coverage finding.
- Three UK-assembly scenarios for Dymatec: both core and segments from China; China core only; China segments only. Commerce may expand or apply results company-specific or country-wide.
- Comments/factual info within 30 days (by our count Nov 18, 2026); final determination intended within 120 days (by our count Feb 16, 2027), extendable.
- CBP continues suspension and applies the would-be covered cash deposit rate during the inquiry (19 CFR 351.227(l)(1)).
- AD duties if found covered are not drawback-eligible (19 U.S.C. 1677h); ordinary duties on the same entries are a separate analysis.
- Diamond Sawblades and Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Covered Merchandise Referral and Initiation of Covered Merchandise Inquiry (91 FR 66099-66102; FR Doc. 2026-21281; A-570-900) · U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Drawback eligibility depends on your specific facts, and final refunds are determined by CBP at liquidation. Consult a licensed customs broker or attorney for your situation.