When importing goods into the United States, some products are subject to Anti-Dumping (AD) duties y Countervailing Duties (CVD). In these cases, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires importers to pay an AD/CVD cash deposit at the time of customs clearance.
This article explains what AD/CVD cash deposits are, how they work, how rates are determined, and why they pose significant cost and compliance risks for importers.
1. What Are Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties (AD/CVD)?
Anti-Dumping Duties (AD) and Countervailing Duties (CVD) are additional import duties imposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) to protect U.S. domestic industries.
Anti-Dumping Duty (AD): Applied when imported goods are sold in the U.S. at prices below fair market value
Countervailing Duty (CVD): Applied when imported goods benefit from foreign government subsidies
The determination of AD/CVD cases is made jointly by:
U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) – determines dumping/subsidy margins
U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) – determines material injury to U.S. industries
CBP is responsible for enforcing these decisions and collecting duties at the border.
2. What Is an AD/CVD Cash Deposit?
An AD/CVD cash deposit es un mandatory upfront payment required by CBP when importing products covered by an active AD/CVD order.
Key characteristics:
Paid at the time of entry/clearance
Cannot be replaced by a customs bond
Calculated using the current published cash deposit rate
Based on the declared customs value of the goods
Important:
The cash deposit is not the final duty amount. It is a temporary prepayment applied against the final AD/CVD liability.
3. Cash Deposit vs. Final AD/CVD Duty
Many importers misunderstand AD/CVD rates.
When the industry refers to “200% anti-dumping duty,” it usually means:
200% cash deposit rate, not the final assessed duty.
How the process works:
Importer pays AD/CVD cash deposit at clearance
DOC conducts a future review (usually 1–3 years later)
DOC determines the final dumping/subsidy margin
CBP liquidates the entry:
Overpayment → refund
Underpayment → additional duty owed
4. How Are AD/CVD Cash Deposit Rates Determined?
El International Trade Administration (ITA) under DOC—specifically its Enforcement & Compliance (E&C) division—sets and publishes all AD/CVD cash deposit rates.
Cash deposit rates are announced at three key stages:
1) Preliminary Determination
AD: within ~160 days after case initiation
CVD: within ~65 days
CBP begins collecting cash deposits immediately
2) Final Determination
Issued ~75 days after preliminary determination
Replaces the preliminary rate
3) Administrative Review (AR)
Conducted annually if requested
Recalculates actual margins for the review period
New rates apply retroactively and prospectively
5. What Is an Administrative Review (AR)?
An Administrative Review (AR) is an annual reassessment conducted by DOC to determine the actual dumping or subsidy margin during a specific Period of Review (POR).
Key points:
Requested by interested parties (importers, exporters, domestic producers)
Usually covers the 12 months prior to the anniversary month
DOC review period: 12–18 months
Final results typically published October–December of the following year
If no review is requested, the existing rate becomes final
There is no limit to how many times an AR can be requested.
6. AD and CVD Cash Deposits Are Collected Separately
If a product is subject to both AD and CVD orders:
AD cash deposit is collected under A-XXX-XXX
CVD cash deposit is collected under C-XXX-XXX
Both deposits must be paid separately
The total duty burden can therefore be extremely high.
7. Company-Specific Rates vs. China-Wide Rate
AD/CVD rates vary depending on exporter status:
Named companies: Apply their company-specific rate
Non-listed companies: Apply:
China-Wide Entity rate, o
All Others rate
China-Wide rates are often significantly higher than listed-company rates.
8. Where to Check AD/CVD Cash Deposit Rates
Importers and customs brokers can verify applicable rates through:
CBP AD/CVD Search System (Public)
Accessible via CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)
DOC / ITA Website
Search by:
Case number (A-XXX-XXX / C-XXX-XXX)
Product keywords
Federal Register
All official AD/CVD determinations and reviews are published here.
9. Why AD/CVD Cash Deposits Matter to Importers
AD/CVD cash deposits represent one of the highest financial risks in U.S. importing:
Large upfront capital lock-up
Uncertainty lasting several years
Potential retroactive duty assessments
High compliance exposure
According to U.S. government data:
Hundreds of AD/CVD orders remain active
Tens of billions of dollars of imports are affected annually
Cash deposit collections have grown dramatically over time
10. Final Thoughts
AD/CVD cash deposits are not ordinary import duties. They are temporary, high-risk prepayments tied to complex trade remedy proceedings.
Before importing goods into the U.S., especially from China or other high-risk origins, importers should:
Verify whether products are subject to AD/CVD
Confirm applicable company-specific rates
Evaluate long-term cash-flow and compliance risks
Work with experienced customs brokers and trade compliance professionals
Preguntas frecuentes
FAQ 1
What is an AD/CVD cash deposit?
An AD/CVD cash deposit is a mandatory upfront payment required by U.S. Customs when importing goods subject to anti-dumping or countervailing duty orders. It serves as a temporary prepayment of potential final duties.
FAQ 2
Is the AD/CVD cash deposit the final duty amount?
No. The cash deposit is not final. The U.S. Department of Commerce determines the final duty amount later through an administrative review, and CBP will either refund or collect additional duties.
FAQ 3
Can an AD/CVD cash deposit be covered by a customs bond?
No. AD/CVD cash deposits must be paid in cash at the time of entry and cannot be replaced or guaranteed by a customs bond.
FAQ 4
What does “200% anti-dumping duty” usually mean?
It typically refers to a 200% cash deposit rate, not the final assessed duty. The final duty may be higher or lower after administrative review.
FAQ 5
What is an Administrative Review (AR)?
An Administrative Review is an annual process conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce to reassess dumping or subsidy margins and determine the final AD/CVD duties for a specific review period.
FAQ 6
Are anti-dumping and countervailing duty deposits collected separately?
Yes. If a product is subject to both AD and CVD orders, importers must pay two separate cash deposits at customs clearance.
FAQ 7
What rate applies if the exporter is not listed in the AD/CVD order?
If the exporter is not listed, CBP applies the China-Wide Entity rate or the “All Others” rate, which is often significantly higher.