The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued a final affirmative countervailing duty determination regarding imports of chromium trioxide from India, establishing an estimated subsidy rate of 29.35 percent for Vishnu Chemicals Limited and all other producers and exporters, as announced in federal filings.
The decision marks a critical milestone in an ongoing trade enforcement proceeding managed by the Enforcement and Compliance unit. Commerce published its initial findings earlier this year on May 14, 2026, setting the stage for subsequent verification processes and administrative reviews.
Verification Procedures and Subsidy Calculations
Investigators examined subsidy information reported by the Government of India and the primary respondent, Vishnu Chemicals Ltd., utilizing standard verification procedures under the Tariff Act of 1930.
During the review of data covering the period from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, analysts evaluated various financial contributions and support programs. According to the determination notices filed via the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System, Commerce applied adverse inferences where respondents failed to act to the best of their ability in supplying requested data.
For Vishnu Chemicals Limited, the calculated countervailing duty rate stands at 29.35 percent ad valorem. Pursuant to statutory guidelines, this exact figure also becomes the all-others rate applied to any remaining Indian producers and exporters of the subject merchandise.
| Producer / Exporter | Subsidy Rate (Percent Ad Valorem) | Assessment Period |
|---|---|---|
| Vishnu Chemicals Limited | 29.35 | Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024 |
| All Others | 29.35 | Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024 |
Customs Enforcement and Suspension of Liquidation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection previously began collecting cash deposits following the May preliminary notice. However, administrative adjustments altered the collection timeline. Agency instructions directed the discontinuation of liquidation suspension for entries entered or withdrawn from warehouse on or after September 11, 2026, while maintaining suspensions for entries registered between May 14 and September 10, 2026.
The imposition of final countervailing duties depends entirely on an upcoming injury evaluation by an independent federal trade agency.
The International Trade Commission’s Final Injury Decision
With Commerce issuing its affirmative determination, the legal focus shifts directly to the U.S. International Trade Commission. Under statutory timelines outlined in the Act, the ITC must render its final decision within 45 days.
The trade commission is tasked with determining whether the domestic industrial sector in the United States suffers material injury—or faces the immediate threat of such injury—by reason of imported chromium trioxide originating from India. The scope of the investigation encompasses chromium trioxide under CAS registry number 1333-82-0, spanning dry forms like flakes and powders as well as solution variants like chromic acid.
If the ITC rules that material injury exists, Commerce will issue a formal countervailing duty order instructing customs authorities to assess definitive duties on relevant entries. Conversely, a negative injury determination will terminate the proceeding entirely, ensuring that all previously deposited cash securities are refunded or canceled.
