SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Petition

On September 9, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) received a countervailing duty (CVD) ( printed page 67284) petition concerning imports of certain corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes (corrugated die-cut boxes) ^[1] from the Republic of Türkiye (Türkiye), filed in proper form on behalf of the American Pizza Boxes Manufacturers Coalition,^[2] and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (the petitioners), the members of which are domestic producers of corrugated die-cut boxes and a certified union, which represents workers engaged in the production of corrugated die-cut boxes in the United States.^[3] The CVD Petition was accompanied by antidumping duty (AD) petitions concerning imports of corrugated die-cut boxes from the People's Republic of China, Malaysia, and Türkiye.^[4]

On September 29, 2026, Commerce extended the initiation deadline by 20 days to further examine the issue of industry support, because it was not clear from the Petition whether the industry support criteria had been met.^[5]

Between September 15 and October 1, 2026, Commerce requested supplemental information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petition in supplemental questionnaires.^[6] Between September 21 and October 6, 2026, the petitioners filed timely responses to these requests for additional information.^[7]

In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), the petitioners allege that the Government of Türkiye (GOT) is providing countervailable subsidies, within the meaning of sections 701 and 771(5) of the Act, to producers of corrugated die-cut boxes from Türkiye, and that such imports are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the domestic industry producing corrugated die-cut boxes in the United States. Consistent with section 702(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(b), for those alleged programs on which we are initiating a CVD investigation, the Petition was accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioners supporting their allegations.

Commerce finds that the petitioners filed the Petition on behalf of the domestic industry, because the petitioners are interested parties, as defined in sections 771(9)(D) and (E) of the Act.^[8] Commerce also finds that the petitioners demonstrated sufficient industry support with respect to the initiation of the requested CVD investigation.^[9]

Period of Investigation (POI)

Because the Petition was filed on September 9, 2026, the POI is January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.^[10]

Scope of the Investigation

The products covered by this investigation are corrugated die-cut boxes from Türkiye. For a full description of the scope of this investigation, see the appendix to this notice.

Comments on the Scope of the Investigation

Between September 16 and October 1, 2026, Commerce requested information and clarification from the petitioners regarding the proposed scope to ensure that the scope language in the Petition is an accurate reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is seeking relief.^[11] Between September 21 and October 6, 2026, the petitioners provided clarifications and revised the scope.^[12] The description of merchandise covered by this investigation, as described in the appendix to this notice, reflects these clarifications.

As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding product coverage ( i.e., scope).^[13] Commerce will consider all scope comments received from interested parties and, if necessary, will consult with interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary determination. If scope comments include factual information, all such factual information should be limited to public information.^[14] Commerce requests that interested parties provide at the beginning of their scope comments a public executive summary for each comment or issue raised in their submission. Commerce further requests that interested parties limit their public executive summary of each comment or issue to no more than 450 words, not including citations. Commerce intends to use the public executive summaries as the basis of the comment summaries included in the analysis of scope comments. To facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that scope comments be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on November 9, 2026, which is the next business day after 20 calendar days from the signature date of this notice.^[15] Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual information, and should also be limited to public information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on November 19, 2026, which is 10 calendar days from the initial comment deadline.

Commerce requests that any factual information that parties consider relevant to the scope of this investigation be submitted during that period. However, if a party subsequently ( printed page 67285) finds that additional factual information pertaining to the scope of the investigation may be relevant, the party must contact Commerce and request permission to submit the additional information. All scope comments must be filed simultaneously on the records of the concurrent AD and CVD investigations.

Filing Requirements

All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception applies.^[16] An electronically filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by the time and date it is due.

Consultations

Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Act, Commerce notified the GOT of the receipt of the Petition and provided an opportunity for consultations with respect to the Petition.^[17] Commerce held consultations with the GOT on September 25, 2026.^[18] Additionally, given the nature of certain subsidy programs alleged in the Petition, Commerce provided the Government of Russia (GOR) with the opportunity to meet with Commerce officials.^[19] Commerce met with the GOR on September 23, 2026.^[20]

Determination of Industry Support for the Petition

Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) at least 25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and (ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce shall: (i) poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if there is support for the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or (ii) determine industry support using a statistically valid sampling method to poll the “industry.”

Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the “industry” as the producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the domestic like product. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), which is responsible for determining whether “the domestic industry” has been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like product in order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the ITC apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic like product,^[21] they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce's determination is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may result in different definitions of the like product, such differences do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law.^[22]

Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as “a product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation under this title.” Thus, the reference point from which the domestic like product analysis begins is “the article subject to an investigation” ( i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the petition).

With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioners do not offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope of the investigation.^[23] Based on our analysis of the information submitted on the record, we have determined that corrugated die-cut boxes, as defined in the scope, constitute a single domestic like product, and we have analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like product.^[24]

As noted above, on September 29, 2026, Commerce extended the initiation deadline by 20 days to further examine the issue of industry support.^[25] In determining whether the petitioners have standing under section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data contained in the Petition with reference to the domestic like product as defined in the “Scope of the Investigation,” in the appendix to this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioners provided their own shipments of corrugated die-cut boxes in 2025 and compared this to the estimated total shipments of the domestic like product for the entire domestic industry.^[26] Because total production data for the domestic like product for 2025 are not reasonably available to the petitioners, and the petitioners have established that shipments are a reasonable proxy for production data,^[27] we relied on data provided by the petitioners for purposes of measuring industry support.^[28]

Our review of the data provided in the Petition, the First General Issues Supplement, Second General Issues Supplement, Third General Issues Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce indicates that the petitioners have established industry support for the Petition.^[29] First, the Petition established support from domestic producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of the total production of the domestic like product and, as such, Commerce is not ( printed page 67286) required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support ( e.g., polling).^[30] Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 702(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers) who support the Petition account for at least 25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product.^[31] Finally, the domestic producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 702(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers) who support the Petition account for more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the Petition.^[32] Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petition was filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of section 702(b)(1) of the Act.^[33]

Injury Test

Because Türkiye is a “Subsidies Agreement Country” within the meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, section 701(a)(2) of the Act applies to this investigation. Accordingly, the ITC must determine whether imports of the subject merchandise from Türkiye materially injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S. industry.

Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation

The petitioners allege that imports of the subject merchandise are benefiting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports are causing, or threaten to cause, material injury to the U.S. industry producing the domestic like product. In addition, the petitioners allege that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.^[34]

The petitioners contend that the industry's injured condition is illustrated by a significant increase in the volume of subject imports; reduced market share; underselling and price depression and/or suppression; lost sales and revenues; declines in production, capacity utilization, U.S. shipments, and employment variables; facility closures; negative impact on industry's development efforts and returns on new investments; and negative impact on financial performance.^[35] We assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat of material injury, causation, as well as negligibility, and we have determined that these allegations are properly supported by adequate evidence, and meet the statutory requirements for initiation.^[36]

Initiation of CVD Investigation

Based upon the examination of the Petition and supplemental responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 702 of the Act. Therefore, we are initiating a CVD investigation to determine whether imports of corrugated die-cut boxes from Türkiye benefit from countervailable subsidies conferred by the GOT. In accordance with section 703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our preliminary determination no later than 65 days after the date of this initiation.

Based on our review of the Petition, we find that there is sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 66 programs alleged by the petitioners. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision to initiate on each program, see the Türkiye CVD Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this investigation is available on ACCESS.

Respondent Selection

In the Petition, the petitioners identified 76 companies in Türkiye.^[37] Commerce intends to follow its standard practice in CVD investigations and calculate company-specific subsidy rates in the investigation. In the event that Commerce determines that the number of companies is large, and it cannot individually examine each company based upon Commerce's resources, where appropriate, Commerce intends to select mandatory respondents based on quantity and value (Q&V) questionnaires issued to the potential respondents. Commerce normally selects mandatory respondents in CVD investigations using U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) entry data for U.S. imports under the appropriate Harmonized tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading listed in the “Scope of the Investigation,” in the appendix. However, for this investigation, the main HTSUS subheading under which the subject merchandise would enter (HTSUS 4819.10.0020) is a basket category under which non-subject merchandise may also enter. Therefore, we cannot rely on CBP entry data in selecting respondents. Notwithstanding the decision to rely on Q&V questionnaires for respondent selection, due to the number of producers and/or exporters identified in the Petition, Commerce has determined to limit the number of Q&V questionnaires that it will issue to producers and/or exporters based on CBP data for corrugated die-cut boxes from Türkiye during the POI under the appropriate HTSUS subheading listed in the “Scope of the Investigation,” in the appendix. Accordingly, Commerce will send Q&V questionnaires to the largest Turkish producers and/or exporters that are identified in the CBP entry data for which there is complete address information on the record.^[38]

Commerce will post the Q&V questionnaires along with filing instructions on Commerce's website at www.trade.gov/​ec-adcvd-qv-questionnaire. Producers/exporters of corrugated die-cut boxes from Türkiye that do not receive Q&V questionnaires may still submit a response to the Q&V questionnaire and can obtain a copy of the Q&V questionnaire from Commerce's website. Responses to the Q&V questionnaire must be submitted by the relevant producers/exporters no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on November 2, 2026, which is two weeks from the signature date of this notice. All Q&V questionnaire responses must be filed electronically via ACCESS. An electronically filed document must be received successfully, in its entirety, by ACCESS no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on the deadline noted above.

Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under administrative protective order (APO) in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). Instructions for filing such applications may be found on Commerce's website at www.trade.gov/​administrative-protective-orders.

Distribution of a Copy of the Petition

In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(f), a copy of the public version of the Petition has been provided to the GOT via ACCESS. To the extent practicable, we will attempt to provide a copy of the public version of the ( printed page 67287) Petition to each exporter named in the Petition, as provided under 19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).

ITC Notification

Commerce will notify the ITC of its initiation, as required by section 702(d) of the Act.

Preliminary Determination by the ITC

The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 25 days after the date on which the ITC receives notice from Commerce of initiation of the investigation, whether there is a reasonable indication that imports of corrugated die-cut boxes from Türkiye are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S. industry.^[39] A negative ITC determination will result in the investigation being terminated.^[40] Otherwise, this CVD investigation will proceed according to statutory and regulatory time limits.

Submission of Factual Information

Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available information to value factors of production under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other than factual information described in (i)-(iv). Section 351.301(b) of Commerce's regulations requires any party, when submitting factual information, to specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted ^[41] and, if the information is submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information already on the record, to provide an explanation identifying the information already on the record that the factual information seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct.^[42] Time limits for the submission of factual information are addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which provides specific time limits based on the type of factual information being submitted. Interested parties should review the regulations prior to submitting factual information in this investigation.

Extensions of Time Limits

Parties may request an extension of time limits before the expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as otherwise specified by Commerce. In general, an extension request will be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as otherwise specified by Commerce.^[43] For submissions that are due from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request will be considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date. Under certain circumstances, Commerce may elect to specify a different time limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such a case, we will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the deadline (including a specified time) by which extension requests must be filed to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in a separate, standalone submission; under limited circumstances we will grant untimely filed requests for the extension of time limits, where we determine, based on 19 CFR 351.302, that extraordinary circumstances exist. Parties should review Commerce's regulations concerning the extension of time limits and the Time Limits Final Rule prior to submitting factual information in this investigation.^[44]

Certification Requirements

Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.^[45] Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 351.303(g).^[46] Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification requirements.

Notification to Interested Parties

Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Parties wishing to participate in this investigation should ensure that they meet the requirements of 19 CFR 351.103(d) ( e.g., by filing the required letters of appearance). Note that Commerce has amended certain of its requirements pertaining to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).^[47]

This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702 and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

Appendix

Scope of the Investigation

The merchandise covered by this investigation is certain corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes. Corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are a type of box or carton for use in the food service industry, including to hold pizza pies. Corrugated die cut cardboard boxes are typically manufactured from corrugated paperboard, which is commonly referred to as corrugated cardboard. Corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are often shipped or delivered flat in bundles of corrugated cardboard die-cut blanks, which are in a ready-to-assemble state such that they can be easily folded by the end user into a ready-to-use food service box.

The corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes covered by this investigation include corrugated cardboard die-cut blanks, whether finished or unfinished and assembled or unassembled. A finished corrugated die-cut cardboard box, whether assembled or unassembled, is one that has undergone final processing, including, but not limited to, printing, coating, or other finishing operations. An unfinished corrugated die-cut cardboard box, whether assembled or unassembled, is one that has not yet undergone final processing.

Corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are produced from corrugated cardboard sheets that are made from recycled or virgin paper or paperboard materials, which may be bleached or unbleached. These cardboard sheets are “corrugated” or “fluted,” which means that they contain at least two outer layers ( i.e., top and bottom) of paper or paperboard and an inside layer of fluted paper or paperboard in between the outer layer, such that the inside layer contains channels or pockets of air which makes the cardboard sheet lightweight while retaining strength and durability. The subject merchandise includes corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes with a nominal flute height or thickness between 1.1 millimeters and 4.4 millimeters (which encompasses B-flute, C-flute, D-flute, and E-flute design, as well as any equivalent types of corrugation or fluting).

Corrugated cardboard die-cut blanks are typically formed from corrugated cardboard sheets that are cut to length, die cut into ( printed page 67288) specific box shapes, and/or scored to allow the box to be folded into shape. Subject corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are typically assembled by the end user by folding a corrugated cardboard die-cut blank into its final shape and generally consist of a single die-cut blank that forms the walls and lid of the finished box. Subject corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are not typically glued or otherwise assembled using adhesives into their final shape prior to use. The scope of this investigation covers both corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes and corrugated cardboard die-cut blanks, regardless of whether they are finished or assembled at the time of importation.

As they are intended for food contact, in-scope corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are produced in accordance with food contact safety requirements and are often compliant with U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements, such as 21 CFR 176.170.

The subject merchandise includes corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes regardless of shape. When assembled, subject corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are often rectangular or square in shape when viewed from above, but they may take on other shapes, such as round, hexagonal, or octagonal. A finished and assembled subject corrugated die-cut cardboard box has a length ( i.e., the longest dimension) that is at least five inches and a width that is at least five inches. A finished and assembled subject corrugated die-cut cardboard box has a length and width that is no more than 40 inches. The height ( i.e., the shortest dimension) of a finished and assembled subject corrugated die-cut cardboard box is no greater than four inches. The width, length, and height dimensions are to be based on the dimensions of the die-cut shape of an individual corrugated die-cut cardboard box or corrugated cardboard die-cut blank, even if the box or blank is imported in a manner in which it is minimally connected to other boxes or blanks, such as through nicking, perforations, or similar attachments.

The corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes covered by the scope of this investigation include merchandise with or without color or printing, such that they may be decorated with one or more graphical designs or logos, or they may be entered in a blank, unprinted state. A corrugated die-cut cardboard box is subject to this investigation regardless of the color of the paper, paperboard, or cardboard. Any graphical images may be printed directly onto the paper, paperboard, or cardboard or they may be overlaid onto the outer or inner faces of a corrugated die-cut cardboard box. Subject corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are also covered by the scope regardless of whether or not they are coated or lined, including with any materials to increase grease resistance.

The subject merchandise includes corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes with or without ventilation holes or perforations as well as with or without features for holding condiments or other foods. They may include tabs that allow for easily opening the lid. Subject merchandise generally does not incorporate locking tabs, interlocking side panels, folded retention flaps, “dog-ear” closures, or similar mechanisms designed to secure the lid to the body of the box. Subject corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes are covered by the scope whether or not they are accompanied by other parts or materials. The addition of any non-paper, paperboard, or -cardboard materials, such as liners, inserts, or holders, does not remove the subject corrugated die-cut cardboard box from the scope of this investigation.

The corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes subject to this investigation include those products that have been subjected to further processing in a third country, which includes but is not limited to printing, coating, trimming, cutting, punching, assembling, folding, perforating, and/or additional die-cutting or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the in-scope corrugated die-cut cardboard box.

The corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes subject to this investigation are typically classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheading 4819.10.0020. This HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes only, and the written description of the merchandise subject to the investigation is dispositive.

91 FR 67283