Document

Raw Honey From Brazil: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that Melbras Importadora E Exportadora Agroind[uacute]stria Ltda. (Melbras) and Minamel Agroind[uacute]stria ...

Department of Commerce
International Trade Administration
  1. [A-351-857]

AGENCY:

Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that Melbras Importadora E Exportadora Agroindústria Ltda. (Melbras) and Minamel Agroindústria Ltda. (Minamel) made sales of subject merchandise at less than normal value (NV) during the period of review (POR), June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025. In addition, we are rescinding the review with respect to 11 companies. Interested parties are invited to comment on these preliminary results of review.

DATES:

Applicable September 14, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Miranda Bourdeau, AD/CVD Operations, Office V, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue ( printed page 58090) NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-2021.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On July 25, 2025, based on timely requests for review, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(c)(1)(i), we initiated an administrative review of the antidumping duty (AD) order on raw honey (honey) from Brazil.[1] On August 26, 2025, Commerce selected Melbras and Minamel as the mandatory respondents in this review.[2] Also on August 26, 2025, the petitioner [3] timely withdrew its request for review of Apis Nativa Agroindustrial Exportadora Ltda. (Apis Nativa).[4]

Due to the lapse in appropriations and Federal Government shutdown, on November 14, 2025, Commerce tolled all deadlines in administrative proceedings by 47 days.[5] Additionally, due to a backlog of documents that were electronically filed via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS) during the Federal Government shutdown, on November 24, 2025, Commerce tolled all deadlines in administrative proceedings by an additional 21 days.[6] On May 2, 2026, August 31, 2026, and September 2, 2026, we extended the preliminary results of this review to no later than September 4, 2026.[7]

For a complete description of the events that followed the initiation of this review, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.[8] A list of the topics discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is attached as Appendix I to this notice. The Preliminary Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's ACCESS, which is available to registered users at access.trade.gov. In addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at access.trade.gov/​frnotices.

Scope of the Order

The merchandise subject to the Order is honey from Brazil. For a complete description of the scope of the Order, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.

Rescission of Administrative Review, in Part

Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), Commerce will rescind an administrative review, in whole or in part, if a party who requested a review withdraws its request within 90 days of the date of publication of the notice of initiation. As noted above, Commerce received a timely-filed withdrawal of request for review with respect to Apis Nativa. Therefore, we are rescinding this administrative review with respect to Apis Nativa, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1).

Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3), it is Commerce's practice to rescind an administrative review of an AD order where it concludes that there were no suspended entries of subject merchandise during the POR.[9] Normally, upon completion of an administrative review, the suspended entries are liquidated at the AD assessment rate for the review period.[10] Therefore, for an administrative review to be conducted, there must be a reviewable, suspended entry that Commerce can instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to liquidate at the AD assessment rate calculated for the POR.[11] Commerce notified all interested parties of its intent to rescind this review regarding the companies listed in Appendix III because there were no reviewable, suspended entries of subject merchandise from these companies during the POR and invited interested parties to comment.[12] No party commented on this memorandum. In the absence of any suspended entries of subject merchandise from these companies during the POR, we are rescinding this administrative review for the companies listed in Appendix III, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3).

Methodology

Commerce is conducting this review in accordance with section 751(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Export price and constructed export price are calculated in accordance with section 772 of the Act. NV is calculated in accordance with section 773 of the Act. For a full description of the methodology underlying our conclusions, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.

Rate for Non-Individually Examined Companies

The Act does not address the establishment of a rate to apply to companies not selected for individual examination when Commerce limits its examination in an administrative review pursuant to section 777A(c)(2) of the Act. However, Commerce's regulation at 19 CFR 351.109(g) states that Commerce will determine the rate for non-selected companies by following the process set forth in 19 CFR 351.109(f)(1)-(2), which generally parallels the process for determining the all-others rate in an investigation under section 735(c)(5) of the Act.

Under section 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.109(f), the all-others rate is normally an amount equal to the weighted average of the estimated weighted-average dumping margins established for exporters and producers individually investigated, excluding any ( printed page 58091) rates that are zero, de minimis ( i.e., less than 0.5 percent), or determined entirely on the basis of facts available. Where the weighted-average dumping margin for each of the individually examined companies is zero, de minimis, or based entirely on facts available, section 735(c)(5)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.109(f)(2)(iii) provide that Commerce may use “any reasonable method” to establish the estimated all-others rate for exporters and producers not individually investigated, including averaging the estimated weighted-average dumping margins determined for the exporters and producers individually investigated.

In this administrative review, we preliminarily calculated weighted-average dumping margins for the mandatory respondents, Melbras and Minamel, that are not zero, de minimis, or based entirely on facts available. Accordingly, we are preliminarily assigning to the companies under review that were not selected for individual examination a weighted-average dumping margin equal to the simple average of the estimated weighted-average dumping margins calculated for Melbras and Minamel, consistent with 19 CFR 351.109(g).[13]

Preliminary Results of Review

As a result of this review, we preliminarily determine the following weighted-average dumping margins exist for the period June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025:

Producer/exporter Weighted- average dumping margin (percent)
Melbras Importadora E Exportadora Agroindustrial Ltda 1.67
Minamel Agroindústria Ltda 2.64
Companies Not Selected for Individual Review 14 2.16

Disclosure

Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis performed to interested parties for these preliminary results within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

Public Comment

Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(ii), we have modified the deadline for interested parties to submit case briefs to Commerce to no later than 30 days after the date of the publication of this notice.[15] Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may be filed not later than five days after the date for filing case briefs.[16] Interested parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this proceeding must submit: (1) a table of contents listing each issue; and (2) a table of authorities.[17] All briefs must be filed electronically using ACCESS. An electronically filed document must be received successfully in its entirety in ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the established deadline.

As provided under 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2)(iii) and (d)(2)(iii), we request that interested parties provide at the beginning of their briefs a public executive summary for each issue raised in their briefs.[18] Further, we request that interested parties limit their public executive summary of each issue to no more than 450 words, not including citations. We intend to use the public executive summaries as the basis of the comment summaries included in the issues and decision memorandum that will accompany the final results in this administrative review. We request that interested parties include footnotes for relevant citations in the public executive summary of each issue. Note that Commerce has amended certain of its requirements pertaining to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).[19]

Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to request a hearing must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, filed electronically via ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice. Requests should contain: (1) the party's name, address, and telephone number; (2) the number of participants, and whether any participant is a foreign national; and (3) a list of issues to be discussed. Oral presentations at the hearing will be limited to issues raised in the briefs. If a request for a hearing is made, Commerce will inform parties of the scheduled date for the hearing.[20]

Assessment Rates

Pursuant to section 751(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1), Commerce will determine, and CBP shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate entries of subject merchandise in accordance with the final results of this review.

If Melbras' and Minamel's weighted-average dumping margins are not zero or de minimis ( i.e., less than 0.50 percent) in the final results of this review, Commerce intends to calculate importer-specific assessment rates on the basis of the ratio of the total amount of dumping calculated for each importer's examined sales to the total entered value of those sales. Where we do not have entered values for all U.S. sales to a particular importer, we will calculate an importer-specific, per-unit assessment rate on the basis of the ratio of the total amount of dumping calculated for the importer's examined sales to the total quantity of those sales.[21] To determine whether an importer-specific, per-unit assessment rate is de minimis, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.106(c)(2), we also will calculate an importer-specific ad valorem ratio based on estimated entered values. If Melbras' and Minamel's weighted-average dumping margins are zero or de minimis or where an importer-specific ad valorem assessment rate is zero or de minimis, we will instruct CBP to liquidate appropriate entries without regard to antidumping duties.[22]

In accordance with Commerce's “automatic assessment” practice, for entries of subject merchandise during ( printed page 58092) the POR produced by Melbras and Minimal for which they did not know that the merchandise was destined for the United States, we intend to instruct CBP to liquidate those entries at the all-others rate calculated in the less-than-fair-value (LTFV) investigation if there is no rate for the intermediate company(ies) involved in the transaction.[23]

For the companies listed in Appendix II which were not selected for individual review, we will assign an assessment rate based on the review-specific rate, calculated as noted in the “Rate for Non-Individually Examined Companies” section, above. The final results of this review shall be the basis for the assessment of antidumping duties on entries of merchandise covered by the final results of this review and for future deposits of estimated duties, where applicable.[24] Commerce intends to issue assessment instructions to CBP regarding Melbras and Minamel and the companies listed in Appendix II no earlier than 35 days after the date of publication of the final results of this review in the Federal Register .

For the companies listed in Appendix III for which the review is being rescinded, Commerce will instruct CBP to assess antidumping duties on all appropriate entries. Antidumping duties shall be assessed at rates equal to the cash deposit rate for estimated antidumping duties required at the time of entry, or withdrawal from warehouse, for consumption, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.212(c)(1)(i). Commerce intends to issue rescission instructions to CBP no earlier than 35 days after the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register .

If a timely summons is filed at the U.S. Court of International Trade, the assessment instructions will direct CBP not to liquidate relevant entries until the time for parties to file a request for a statutory injunction has expired ( i.e., within 90 days of publication).

Cash Deposit Requirements

The following deposit requirements will be effective for all shipments of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date of the final results of this administrative review, as provided by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) the cash deposit rate for the companies listed above will be that established in the final results of this review, except if the rate is less than 0.50 percent and, therefore, de minimis within the meaning of 19 CFR 351.106(c)(1), in which case the cash deposit rate will be zero; (2) for previously investigated or reviewed companies not covered by this review, the cash deposit rate will continue to be the company-specific cash deposit rate published for the most recently completed segment of this proceeding in which the company participated; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review, or the LTFV investigation, but the manufacturer is, then the cash deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recent segment for the manufacturer of the merchandise; and (4) the cash deposit rate for all other manufacturers or exporters will continue to be 9.38 percent, the all-others rate established in the LTFV investigation.[25] These cash deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until further notice.

Notification to Importers

This notice also serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f) to file a certificate regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in Commerce's presumption that reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent assessment of double antidumping duties.

Notification to Interested Parties

We are issuing and publishing these preliminary results of review in accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4).

Dated: September 4, 2026.

Christopher Abbott,

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix I

List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum

I. Summary

II. Background

III. Scope of the Order

IV. Discussion of the Methodology

V. Currency Conversion

VI. Recommendation

Appendix II

Review-Specific Rate Applicable to Companies Not Selected for Individual Review

1. Annamell Imp. E Exp. De Produtos Apicoloas Ltda.

2. Apidouro Comercial Exportadora E Importadora Ltda.

3. Breyer & Cia. Ltda.

4. Central De Cooperativas Apicolas Do (CASA APIS)

5. Conexão Agro Ltda ME

6. Cooperativa Mista Dos Apicultores D

7. Floranectar Ind. Comp. Imp. E Exp. De Mel

8. Lambertucci Industria Comercio Exportaca

9. Matrunita Da Amazonia Apicultura Ltda

10. S&A HONEY LTDA.[26]

11. Samel Industria Alimenticia Ltda.

Appendix III

Companies Rescinded From Administrative Review

1. Apiário Diamante Comercial Exportadora Ltda/Apiário Diamante Produção e Comercial de Mel Ltda.

2. Apiários Adams Agroindustrial Comercial Exportadora Ltda.

3. Apis Nativa Agroindustrial Exportadora Ltda

4. Carnauba Do Brasil Ltda.

5. Lamberhoney Industria Comercio Exportacao Ltda

6. Nectar Floral

7. Novomel

8. Safe Logistics

9. Samel Honey

10. STM Trading

11. Wenzel's Apicultura Comercio Industria Import

Footnotes

1.   See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews,90 FR 35268 (July 25, 2025); see also Raw Honey from Argentina, Brazil, India, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Antidumping Duty Orders,87 FR 35501 (June 10, 2022) ( Order); and Raw Honey from Brazil: Notice of Court Decision Not in Harmony With the Final Determination of Antidumping Duty Investigation; Notice of Amended Final Determination; Notice of Amended Antidumping Duty Order,90 FR 9225 (February 10, 2025) ( Amended Order).

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2.   See Memorandum, “Respondent Selection,” dated August 26, 2025.

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3.  The petitioner is American Honey Producers Association.

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4.   See Petitioner's Letter, “Withdrawal of Request for Review of Apis Nativa Agroindustrial Exportadora Ltda.,” dated August 26, 2025.

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5. See Memorandum, “Deadlines Affected by the Shutdown of the Federal Government,” dated November 14, 2025.

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6.   See Memorandum, “Tolling of all Case Deadlines,” dated November 24, 2025.

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7.   See Memoranda, “Extension of Deadline for Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review,” dated May 2, 2025; “Raw Honey from Brazil: Extension of Deadline for Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review,” dated August 31, 2026; and “Raw Honey from Brazil: Extension of Deadline for Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review,” dated September 2, 2026.

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8.   See Memorandum, “Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Results of the Administrative Review of the Antidumping Duty Order on Raw Honey from Brazil; 2024-2025,” dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum).

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9.   See, e.g., Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to Length Plate from the Federal Republic of Germany: Recission of Antidumping Administrative Review; 2020-2021,88 FR 4154 (January 24, 2023).

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11. See, e.g., Shanghai Sunbeauty Trading Co. v. United States, 380 F.Supp.3d 1328, 1337 (CIT 2019), at 12 (referring to section 751(a) of the Act, the U.S. Court of International Trade held that “{w}hile the statute does not explicitly require that an entry be suspended as a prerequisite for establishing entitlement to a review, it does explicitly state the determined rate will be used as the liquidation rate for the reviewed entries. This result can only obtain if the liquidation of entries has been suspended”; see also Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2018-2019,86 FR 36102, and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 4; and Solid Fertilizer Grade Ammonium Nitrate from the Russian Federation: Notice of Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review,77 FR 65532 (October 29, 2012) (noting that “for an administrative review to be conducted, there must be a reviewable, suspended entry to be liquidated at the newly calculated assessment rate”).

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12.   See Memorandum, “CBP Data Release and Intent to Rescind,” dated July 25, 2025.

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13. With two respondents under examination, Commerce normally calculates: (A) a weighted-average of the dumping margins calculated for the examined respondents; (B) a simple average of the dumping margins calculated for the examined respondents; and (C) a weighted-average of the dumping margins calculated for the examined respondents using each company's publicly-ranged U.S. sale values for the merchandise under consideration. Commerce then compares (B) and (C) to (A) and selects the rate closest to (A) as the most appropriate rate for all other producers and exporters. See 19 CFR 351.109(f)(2)(ii); see also Memorandum, “Calculation of the Weighted-Average Dumping Margin for the Companies Not Selected for Individual Examination,” dated concurrently with this notice.

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14.  The exporters or producers not selected for individual review are listed in Appendix II.

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16. See 19 CFR 351.309(d); see also Administrative Protective Order, Service, and Other Procedures in Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings,88 FR 67069, 67077 (September 29, 2023) ( APO and Service Procedures).

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18. We use the term “issue” here to describe an argument that Commerce would normally address in a comment of the Issues and Decision Memorandum.

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19. See APO and Service Procedures.

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22. See 19 CFR 351.106(c)(2); see also Antidumping Proceeding: Calculation of the Weighted-Average Dumping Margin and Assessment Rate in Certain Antidumping Proceedings; Final Modification,77 FR 8101, 8103 (February 14, 2012).

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23. For a full discussion of this practice, see Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: Assessment of Antidumping Duties,68 FR 23954 (May 6, 2003).

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24. See section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act.

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25. See Amended Order, 90 FR at 9226.

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26. Commerce also received requests for review of “S&A Honey LTDA EPP,” which we consider to be the same company.

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[FR Doc. 2026-18718 Filed 9-11-26; 8:45 am]

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“Raw Honey From Brazil: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025,” thefederalregister.org (September 14, 2026), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2026-18718/raw-honey-from-brazil-preliminary-results-of-antidumping-duty-administrative-review-2024-2025.