EAPA Case Number 7699: C.I.S. Investments, LLC (Notice of Determination as to Evasion, December 20, 2022)

WASHINGTON — On May 24, 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Notice of Investigation and Interim Measures as a part of an ongoing Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) investigation, EAPA Case 7699, into the alleged evasion of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty (AD/CVD), Order A-570-067 and Order C-570-068, involving cast iron soil pipe fittings (pipe fittings) from the People’s Republic of China (China). During its investigation, CBP established reasonable suspicion that C.I.S. Investments, LLC d/b/a Triangle Metals, LLC. (Triangle) imported forged steel fittings from China by transshipping them through Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand, potentially evading a significant amount in AD/CVD duties owed to the U.S. Government.

CBP is taking the following interim measures against the importers to protect U.S. revenue:

• Requiring “live” entry for all imports of pipe fittings, meaning Triangle must submit proper import documentation and duties prior to the release of their merchandise;
• Suspending or extending entries imported by Triangle without final computation or determination of duties (liquidation), as appropriate; and
• Reviewing Little Fireflies’ continuous bonds and application of single transaction bonds for their entries, as appropriate.

Through effective implementation of EAPA interim measures, CBP halts the potential evasion of a significant amount of antidumping duties annually. If you suspect an importer of duty evasion, CBP encourages you to submit an allegation through our online portal.

For additional information on CBP and EAPA, please visit EAPA Trade Enforcement page. If you suspect an importer of duty evasion, CBP encourages you to submit an allegation through our online portal.