When importers look up tariff rates, they typically see Section 122, Section 232, and Section 301 duties. But there is a fourth layer of duties that catches many importers off guard: anti-dumping duties (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD). These product-specific duties can range from 5% to over 500%, dwarfing all other tariffs combined. Unlike broad tariff programs, AD/CVD orders target specific products from specific countries and can change with each annual review. If you are importing steel, aluminum, shrimp, solar panels, furniture, tires, or lumber, you must check for AD/CVD exposure before placing a large order.
What Are Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties?
Anti-dumping duties (AD) are imposed when the US International Trade Commission (ITC) determines that a foreign company is selling goods in the US at less than fair value — essentially "dumping" products below their normal price in the home market or below production cost. The duty is calculated to offset the price difference. Countervailing duties (CVD) target government subsidies: when a foreign government provides grants, tax breaks, below-market loans, or other subsidies to its exporters, the US can impose CVD rates to neutralize the unfair advantage. Many products face both AD and CVD orders simultaneously, and the rates stack on top of each other and on top of all other tariffs (Section 122, Section 232, Section 301, and MFN base rates). The combined effective rate on some Chinese steel products, for example, can exceed 600% when all layers are added together.
How AD/CVD Differs from Section 122, 232, and 301 Tariffs
Section 122, Section 232, and Section 301 tariffs apply broadly — every product from a given country (Section 122) or every product in a category (Section 232 steel/aluminum). AD/CVD orders are surgically targeted: they apply to a specific product from a specific country, and rates vary by individual producer or exporter. A Chinese steel mill might face a 25% AD rate while another mill faces 265%. The rates are set through quasi-judicial proceedings at the ITC and Department of Commerce, reviewed annually, and can change significantly from year to year. This producer-specific nature makes AD/CVD duties impossible to estimate with a general tariff calculator — you need the exact HTS code, the exporting company, and the current review period rates. AD/CVD duties are also assessed retroactively through annual reviews, meaning your final duty bill can change months after importation.
Major Active AD/CVD Orders Affecting US Imports
Steel is by far the most heavily covered product category, with dozens of active orders against China (0-522%), Vietnam (up to 200%), India (2-118%), South Korea (up to 60%), Turkey (3-155%), Brazil (up to 84%), and Indonesia (up to 74%). Beyond steel: Chinese aluminum extrusions and foil face AD/CVD rates of 5-374%. Chinese solar panels and cells carry AD/CVD rates of 15-250%. Chinese passenger and light truck tires face 20-87%. Chinese wooden bedroom furniture faces AD rates up to 216%. Frozen warmwater shrimp from China (up to 112%), Vietnam (up to 25%), India (up to 10%), and Thailand (up to 6%) all have active AD orders. Canadian softwood lumber has a long-running CVD order with rates of 8-20%. These are approximate ranges — actual rates depend on the specific producer and the most recent Commerce Department review.
How to Check If Your Product Is Subject to AD/CVD
Step 1: Identify your exact HTS classification code (the 10-digit code used for customs entry). Step 2: Visit the ITC AD/CVD search tool at usitc.gov/trade_remedy/731_702.htm and search by HTS code or product description. Step 3: If you find an active order covering your product and country of origin, look up the specific rate for your exporter in the most recent Commerce Department Federal Register notice. Step 4: Contact a licensed customs broker who can verify the current rate for your specific supplier and confirm whether any exclusions apply. Do not rely on general tariff calculators (including ours) for AD/CVD rates — they are too product-specific and producer-specific for any general tool to capture accurately.
Why AD/CVD Rates Can Be 50-500%+ and the Biggest Cost Surprise
AD/CVD rates are not designed to raise revenue — they are designed to offset unfair pricing or subsidies. If Commerce determines that a Chinese steel mill is selling at 80% below fair value, the AD rate will be approximately 80%. If the Chinese government is also providing subsidies worth 40% of the product value, a CVD of 40% is added. These stack: the importer pays 120% in AD/CVD duties on top of all other tariffs. For producers that do not cooperate with Commerce Department investigations, the "adverse facts available" rate applies — often the highest rate found for any producer, which can exceed 200-300%. The "all others" rate for new or unknown exporters is typically an average of cooperative rates but can still be very high. Many importers discover AD/CVD exposure only after Customs and Border Protection demands additional duty deposits at the port, turning an expected 35% total duty into 200%+.
Practical Advice: Always Check Before You Order
Before placing any large import order, especially for steel, aluminum, solar products, shrimp, furniture, tires, or lumber, check the ITC database for active AD/CVD orders on your specific product and country of origin. Get the current rate for your specific supplier — rates vary dramatically between producers. Factor AD/CVD duties into your landed cost calculation before committing to a purchase order. Consider whether alternative sourcing countries have lower or no AD/CVD exposure for the same product. Work with a licensed customs broker who specializes in AD/CVD-affected products. Remember that AD/CVD rates are reviewed annually and can increase without notice, so build margin into your cost models. Use our tariff calculator for Section 122, 232, and 301 estimates, then layer AD/CVD rates on top using the ITC database for a complete duty picture.
Key Takeaway
Anti-dumping and countervailing duties are the most unpredictable and potentially expensive layer of US import duties. Unlike Section 122 or Section 232 rates that apply uniformly, AD/CVD rates are product-specific, producer-specific, and can change annually. The rates shown on TariffsTool and other general calculators do not include AD/CVD — always check the ITC database and consult a customs broker for your specific product before importing.
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