AD/CVD News: Initiation of AD/CVD Investigations on Silicon Metal from Angola, Australia, Laos, Norway, and Thailand 

On April 24, 2025, Ferroglobe USA, Inc. and Mississippi Silicon LLC (collectively, “Petitioners”) filed an antidumping and countervailing duties petition on ferrosilicon from Angola, Australia, Laos, Norway, and Thailand.

Background on AD/CVD Investigations

Antidumping duty (“AD”) and countervailing duty (“CVD”) investigations are brought jointly by the U.S. International Trade Commission (“USITC”) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”). AD investigations are triggered when a domestic industry alleges that it has been injured by competing imports of particular goods from specific countries being sold at less than a fair value. Meanwhile, CVD investigations are triggered when a domestic industry alleges that it has been injured by competing imports that are being unfairly subsidized by their governments. The domestic industry initiating the investigation is known as the petitioner while the foreign industry participating in the investigation is known as the respondent.

Scope of the Investigation

The merchandise covered is all forms and sizes of silicon metal, including silicon metal powder. Silicon metal contains at least 85.00 percent but less than 99.99 percent silicon, and less than 4.00 percent iron, by actual weight. Semiconductor grade silicon (merchandise containing at least 99.99 percent silicon by actual weight and classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 2804.61.0000) is excluded from the scope of this investigation.  

Silicon metal is currently classifiable under subheadings 2804.69.1000 and 2804.69.5000 of the HTSUS. While the HTSUS numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope remains dispositive. 

Next Steps

On May 21, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) initiated both the antidumping and countervailing duties investigations. The period of investigation for the antidumping investigation is April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. The period of investigation for the countervailing duties investigation is January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.  

The preliminary determination for the antidumping investigation is scheduled to be published on October 8, 2025 (may be extended by Commerce until November 27, 2025). The preliminary determination for the countervailing duties investigation is scheduled to be published on July 25, 2025 (may be extended by Commerce until September 28, 2025).  

As with any proceeding, participation is very important to protect your rights. We urge anyone who imports ferrosilicon to pay close attention to this case and to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to mitigate any damage.

AD/CVD investigations can result in determinations adverse to respondent interests for years that could effectively prohibit access to the U.S. market. Failure to effectively participate in investigations can put exporters and importers at a significant disadvantage.

Diaz Trade Law will continue to monitor this case and share updates.

For more information or questions get in touch with us at 305-456-3830 or [email protected].