The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has determined that imports of high-purity dissolving pulp from Brazil and Norway do not materially injure, or threaten to materially injure, the U.S. domestic industry, preventing proposed antidumping and countervailing duties from taking effect.
The decision, announced on November 6, 2026, follows final affirmative determinations by the U.S. Department of Commerce that Brazilian and Norwegian imports were being sold in the United States at less than fair value, with Brazilian imports also found to benefit from government subsidies.
The investigations covered high-purity dissolving pulp (HPDP), a highly refined cellulose material used primarily to manufacture viscose and other specialty fibers. The product was classified under HTS subheading 4702.00.00 in the investigation.
The cases concerned imports from two major producing countries: Brazil, represented in the investigation by Bracell, and Norway, represented by Borregaard.
The final decision reverses the Commission's preliminary position in September 2025, when it found a reasonable indication that imports from Brazil and Norway were materially injuring the U.S. industry, allowing the investigations to proceed.
Proposed duties will not take effect
Commerce had established a combined duty rate of 15.77% for Brazilian high-purity dissolving pulp, comprising a 6.40% antidumping cash deposit rate and a 9.37% countervailing duty rate. Norwegian producer Borregaard faced an antidumping duty rate of 6.51%.
However, under U.S. trade law, duties cannot be imposed without an affirmative injury determination by the USITC. The Commission's negative final finding therefore terminates the investigations, and no antidumping or countervailing duty orders will be issued.
For importers, the outcome means that cash deposits collected during the investigations are to be refunded and the suspension of liquidation lifted.
Investigation background
The petitions were filed in August 2025 by Rayonier Advanced Materials, a U.S. specialty cellulose producer, and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW). They alleged that imports from Brazil and Norway were being sold at unfairly low prices and that Brazilian imports benefited from government subsidies.
Although the Department of Commerce subsequently made affirmative final determinations on the dumping and subsidy allegations, the USITC's separate injury assessment found that the imports did not meet the legal threshold for material injury or threat of injury to U.S. producers.
The Commission's detailed report, High Purity Dissolving Pulp from Brazil and Norway (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-777 and 731-TA-1762–1763), is scheduled for publication on December 21, 2026.
