Legal & enforcement
U.S. sets final AD margins on Indian freight rail couplers
Commerce made a final affirmative determination that certain freight rail couplers and parts from India are sold, or likely to be sold, in the U.S. at less than fair value; the period of investigation is July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Final margins are 2.32% for Kharagpur Metal Reforming Industries, 15.79% for Texmaco Rail and Engineering, 71.01% for Bhilai Engineering Corporation and Jupiter Wagons, and 5.24% for all others.
What changed
The 71.01% rates rest on adverse facts available. CBP continues suspending liquidation of entries made on or after May 6, 2026, and deposits at the final margins apply from publication on September 24, 2026.
The table also shows rates offset for export subsidies in the companion CVD case (0.00% Kharagpur, 12.10% Texmaco, 1.55% all others), but because CVD provisional suspension was discontinued, Commerce is not instructing CBP to collect those adjusted deposits for now; they would apply from publication of an ITC final affirmative determination covering both dumping and subsidies.
The scope covers AAR E, E/F and F coupler bodies and E and F knuckles, finished or not and even on railcars; locks, knuckle pins, throwers and rotors are covered only in an assembly, and origin is where parts were cast or forged.
Named HTSUS lines are 8607.30.1010, 8607.30.1050 and 8607.30.1090, with 7326.90.8688, 8606.10.0000, 8606.91.0000, 8606.92.0000, 8606.99.0130, 8606.99.0160 and 7325.99.5000 also possible. The ITC decides injury within 45 days; a negative vote ends the case with refunds, an affirmative one leads to an AD order.
What an import team should check
- Match the producer and exporter on each invoice to Kharagpur, Texmaco, Bhilai Engineering or Jupiter Wagons; other Indian producers and exporters take the 5.24% all-others margin.
- Ask your broker which rate CBP applies to entries from September 24, 2026, and when the export-subsidy-adjusted rate would replace it after an ITC final determination.
- Confirm where each coupler body or knuckle was cast or forged, and set a reminder for the ITC injury decision due within 45 days of the final determination.