Commerce Issues Final Duties on Chinese L-Lysine; FTZ Actions Cover GE Aerospace and Circuit Board Maker

Final Duties on L-Lysine From China

The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration has issued two concurrent final affirmative determinations targeting L-lysine imports from the People's Republic of China, both applicable as of July 23, 2026.

In the less-than-fair-value (LTFV) determination, Commerce finds that lysine from China is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value. The period of investigation covered by that finding is October 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025.

In the companion countervailing duty (CVD) determination, Commerce finds that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of L-lysine from China. The CVD period of investigation is January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. The document states that Commerce published the Preliminary Determination of the CVD investigation on January 22, 2026, in accordance with section 705(a)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(3), and that the CVD investigation was aligned with the final determination in the companion LTFV investigation at that time.

For the CVD final determination, Commerce conducted verification of information reported by Inner Mongolia Eppen Biotech Co., Ltd. in March 2025, using standard verification procedures including examination of relevant accounting records and original source documents. A verification memorandum for Inner Mongolia Eppen Biotech Co., Ltd. was dated June 4, 2026. The document notes that no interested party commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the Preliminary Determination, and therefore no changes were made to the scope.

The document explains that Commerce conducted the CVD investigation in accordance with section 701 of the Act, and that for each subsidy program found countervailable, Commerce determines there is a subsidy — defined as a financial contribution by an "authority" that gives rise to a benefit to the recipient and that is specific — pursuant to sections 771(5)(B), (D), (E), and (5A) of the Act. Commerce also states that it relied in part on facts otherwise available, including with an adverse inference, pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act, with full discussion provided in the Issues and Decision Memorandum and the Preliminary Determination.

Foreign-Trade Zone Actions: GE Aerospace and Pactron

General Electric Company — FTZ 93, Durham, North Carolina: On February 3, 2026, General Electric Company submitted a notification of proposed production activity to the FTZ Board for its facility within FTZ 93 in Durham, North Carolina, covering commercial aerospace propulsion parts and engine cores. The notification was processed under 15 CFR part 400 and a public comment notice appeared in the Federal Register on February 11, 2026 (91 FR 6187). On July 20, 2026, the FTZ Board authorized the production activity described in the notification on a limited basis, subject to the FTZ Act and the Board's regulations including section 400.14. The authorization carries a restriction requiring entry and duty payment on any steel, aluminum, or derivative components unless eligible for drawback under the effective Section 232 proclamations at the time of entry. The Board also notified the applicant on July 20, 2026, that further review of part of the proposed activity is warranted.

Pactron, Inc. — FTZ 18, Santa Clara, California: Pactron, Inc. submitted a notification of proposed production activity to the FTZ Board for its facility in Santa Clara, California, within FTZ 18. The notification, conforming to 15 CFR 400.22, was received by the Board on July 13, 2026. The proposed finished products include printed circuit board assemblies, load board assemblies for integrated-circuit and semiconductor test equipment, test board assemblies, data-interface for communication board assemblies, and automatic data processing equipment board assemblies, with a duty rate ranging from duty-free to 2.70%. The proposed foreign-status materials and components — a broad list including bare printed circuit boards, electronic integrated circuits, electrolytic and ceramic capacitors, electrical relays, transistors, diodes, coaxial cables with connectors, and numerous other electronic and structural components — carry duty rates ranging from duty-free to 5.30%. The document notes that certain materials and components are subject to duties under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, or section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, depending on country of origin, and that applicable decisions under those provisions require subject merchandise to be admitted to FTZs in privileged foreign status under 19 CFR 146.41. Pursuant to 15 CFR 400.14(b), FTZ production activity would be limited to the specific foreign-status materials/components and finished products described in the notification and subsequently authorized by the Board.

BLM Wyoming Survey Filings

The Bureau of Land Management announced that plats of survey for lands in Wyoming are scheduled for official filing in the BLM Wyoming State Office 30 calendar days after publication of the notice. The surveys were executed at the request of the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service and are described as necessary for the management of these lands. The 11 survey groups listed under the Sixth Principal Meridian, Wyoming include dependent resurveys, surveys, and one retracement and dependent resurvey, with acceptance dates ranging from June 3, 2025, through April 23, 2026.

What to Watch

• August 24, 2026: Deadline for protests to be received by the BLM Wyoming State Office prior to the scheduled official filing of the Wyoming survey plats. Written protests must be filed within 30 calendar days of publication; a written statement of reasons, if not filed with the protest, must follow within 30 calendar days of the protest's receipt. Any notice of protest filed after the scheduled date of official filing will be untimely and will not be considered.
• September 1, 2026: Closing date for public comments on Pactron, Inc.'s proposed FTZ 18 production activity in Santa Clara, California. Submissions are to be addressed to the FTZ Board's Executive Secretary.

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