October 20, 2026 · Daily U.S. Trade News

Graham Act Duties Set, Then Waived; New Softwood Lumber Deposit Rates

Published October 20, 2026. A presidential order signed October 16 writes Russia-linked duty increases of up to 500% into the Graham Act framework but waives them immediately, so no new duty is collectible today. Separately, Commerce's final 2024 reviews reset AD and CVD cash deposits on Canadian softwood lumber for entries from October 19, and several AD/CVD cases moved forward.

Aerial view of a crude oil tanker with green deck pipelines crossing dark open water at dusk
Russia Duties Set, Then Waived

Graham Act order: duty increases written, then waived

On October 16, 2026, the President signed the executive order "Implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," posted on whitehouse.gov (page metadata shows October 17). Section 2 provides for three duty increases: 500% ad valorem on goods from the Russian Federation; 100% ad valorem on goods from the five largest importers of Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas if a country knowingly makes new purchases on or after October 18, 2026; and 100% ad valorem on goods from the top five facilitators of Russian oil-sanctions evasion, which USTR must identify. The order says these increases would stack on top of AD/CVD, Section 122, 201, 301 and 232 duties. White House executive order (Oct. 16, 2026)

However, Section 4(a), relying on the Act's Section 115 waiver authority, waives "any duties" under Sections 112 and 113 of the Act "or this order." The waivers last until the President, or the Secretary of State in consultation with Treasury and USTR, decides further action is warranted. The order names no countries, has no product annex, makes no HTSUS or Chapter 99 change, and gives CBP no instruction. As of the October 20 Federal Register issue, it had not yet been published there. USTR is to monitor Russian energy purchases and sanctions evasion and report to the President. The order also delegates the Act's duty functions (Sections 112, 113 and 117) to USTR, and its sanctions functions to State and Treasury.

Status: The duty language is in the order, but the order waives it. We found no new deposit obligation, Chapter 99 number or CSMS guidance. Because no country is named, importers should not assume any Russian-oil buyer is currently subject to the 100% increase. Our editorial reading: any future activation would most likely come through a USTR/State determination lifting the waiver, followed by HTSUS and CBP implementation.
SignedOct. 16, 2026
Russia-origin goods+500% (waived)
Energy-buyer trigger dateOct. 18, 2026 (waived)

Canadian softwood lumber: new AD and CVD cash deposits from October 19

Commerce published final results of the 2024 administrative reviews (period of review January 1–December 31, 2024) on October 19, 2026. New cash deposit rates apply to entries, or withdrawals from warehouse, on or after that date.

Antidumping (A-122-857), 91 FR 66087

  • Canfor: 17.00%; West Fraser: 4.71%; Resolute: 13.13%.
  • Non-selected companies listed in Appendix II: 10.64%. Firms not reviewed keep their last company-specific rate. The all-others rate from the investigation, 6.04%, otherwise applies.

Commerce AD final results, FR Doc. 2026-21296 (Oct. 19, 2026)

Countervailing duty (C-122-858), 91 FR 66092

  • Resolute FP Canada: 12.42%; West Fraser: 15.31%.
  • Non-selected companies listed in Appendix II: 14.11%. The investigation all-others rate, 14.19%, otherwise applies.

Commerce CVD final results, FR Doc. 2026-21286 (Oct. 19, 2026)

AD and CVD deposits are separate and both apply. Check each producer/exporter against the Appendix II lists in both notices before you file. One point we could not reconcile: the AD notice describes the 10.64% non-selected rate as a weighted average of the mandatory respondents, but its assessment discussion refers only to Canfor and West Fraser. The public notice does not include the weighting data. Use the published 10.64% and watch for any CBP message or correction.

Other AD/CVD actions published October 19–20

Truck bed covers from China: final affirmative CVD determination

Commerce's final rates (91 FR 66085, Oct. 19): Changzhou Sunwood 77.17%, Hangzhou Golden Sun 11.60%, six firms at 142.11% based on adverse facts available, and all others 43.43%. Suspension of liquidation has been in place since July 31, 2026, when the preliminary determination was published. A CVD order follows only if the USITC makes an affirmative final injury determination, which is due within 45 days. FR Doc. 2026-21295

Van-type trailers and subassemblies from China: USITC final affirmative

The USITC determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by subsidized and less-than-fair-value imports from China (Inv. 701-TA-781 and 731-TA-1768 (Final), filed Oct. 15; 91 FR 66359, Oct. 20). The investigations on Mexico and Canada continue; the Canada CVD investigation was terminated. Editorial note: Commerce normally publishes AD/CVD orders after an affirmative final injury vote. Until then, check its order notice for rates and effective dates. FR Doc. 2026-21382

Small vertical shaft engines from China: sunset review affirmative

In expedited five-year reviews, the USITC found that revoking the AD and CVD orders would likely lead to continued or recurring material injury (91 FR 66358, Oct. 20). The orders are therefore expected to remain in place. FR Doc. 2026-21459

Large-diameter graphite electrodes from China: final determination postponed

Commerce moved the less-than-fair-value final determination to February 12, 2027. It also extended provisional measures from four months to no more than six months, counted from the preliminary determination published September 30, 2026 (91 FR 66077, Oct. 19). FR Doc. 2026-21294

Seamless line and pressure pipe from Georgia and India: new investigations

The USITC instituted preliminary AD (Georgia, India) and CVD (India) investigations on a petition filed October 15, 2026 by Vallourec Star, Tenaris USA and the USW. The petition covers HTS 7304.19.10, 7304.19.50, 7304.31.60, 7304.39.00, 7304.51.50, 7304.59.60 and 7304.59.80. The staff conference is set for November 5, and the preliminary vote is due by November 30, 2026. No duties apply at this stage. FR Doc. 2026-21458

DOTP from Malaysia, Poland, Taiwan and Türkiye: order dates corrected

Commerce corrected the May 22, 2025 AD orders (90 FR 21897). Provisional measures ended May 3, 2025, not May 4. The gap in suspension of liquidation therefore covers entries on or after May 4, 2025, not May 5. No rates changed (91 FR 66295, Oct. 20). FR Doc. 2026-21457

CBP: outbound notification delays resolved; HSU 2625 changes CPSC flags

CSMS #70231481 (Oct. 19, 2026). CBP reported that the delays in outbound notifications for air, ocean and rail manifest and for in-bond, first reported in CSMS #70208464, have been resolved. Questions go to CBP client representatives. Source: CBP CSMS daily digest received by subscription on Oct. 20; the digest did not give a separate bulletin URL.

CSMS #70220191, HSU 2625 (Oct. 16, 2026). CBP reports that this Harmonized System Update, created September 29, 2026, contains 57 tariff records and 304 ABI records, including Section 232 pharmaceutical updates (see CSMS #70054007) and corrected Pork Checkoff assessment rates. For CPSC, the PGA flag changes from CP2 to CP1 on HTS 2404.12.0510, 2404.12.0590, 2404.12.1010, 2404.12.1090, 3604.10.9010, 8506.10.0010, 8506.40.1010, 8506.50.0010, 8506.60.0010, 8506.80.0010, 9613.20.0000, 9404.21.0095, 9404.29.1095 and 9404.29.9095, and the CP2 flag is removed from 9613.80.2010. This is an ABI reference-file update, not a new HTSUS revision or rate change.

The HSU notice lists the codes but does not explain what CP1 versus CP2 means for each entry. Check the CPSC eFiling/PGA guidance in CBP's CATAIR before changing your filing logic for e-cigarette/vaping articles (2404.12), fireworks (3604.10), batteries (8506), lighters (9613) and mattresses (9404). Source: CBP CSMS daily digest received by subscription on Oct. 17; the digest gave no separate bulletin URL for #70220191.

USMCA labor case closed; OFAC PAIPA designations; APHIS beef proposal

USMCA Rapid Response Mechanism. On October 19, USTR announced that the labor matter at Alimentos Grole, S.A. de C.V. (Ciudad Obregón, Sonora) has been resolved. USTR directed Treasury to resume liquidation of unliquidated entries of goods from the facility. USTR release (Oct. 19, 2026)

OFAC. On October 19, OFAC placed five China-based entities (the Miracle Plus / Qiji Chuangtan funds and manager, and Shanghai Zhisuan Technology) on the Non-SDN Menu-Based Sanctions List under the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act. It also issued PAIPA General Licenses 1 and 2. The listed blocking measure excepts the importation of goods, but financial, investment and foreign-exchange restrictions also apply. OFAC recent action (Oct. 19, 2026)

APHIS proposed rule. APHIS proposes to lower the minimum maturation temperature for fresh (chilled or frozen) boneless beef and ovine meat from certain foot-and-mouth-disease regions from 4 °C to 2 °C. This is a proposal only; current rules still apply. Comments are due December 21, 2026 (Docket APHIS-2023-0016; 91 FR 66291). FR Doc. 2026-21433

Action items

  • Russia-linked goods: no new Graham Act duty is collectible now. Watch for a USTR or State determination lifting the waiver, an HTSUS Chapter 99 change and CSMS guidance before changing entries. EO
  • Canadian softwood lumber: update AD and CVD deposit rates for entries on or after October 19, 2026, and check each company against Appendix II in both notices. AD · CVD
  • Truck bed covers and van-type trailers from China: budget for possible orders and keep suspended entries tracked. Truck bed covers · Trailers
  • Seamless pipe importers sourcing from Georgia or India: note the November 5 staff conference and the November 30 preliminary vote. USITC notice
  • CPSC-regulated goods under the HTS codes listed in HSU 2625: confirm your ABI software has loaded the CP1 flags and review your PGA message-set logic.
  • DOTP entries made around May 3–4, 2025: recheck suspension status using the corrected dates. Correction

FAQ

Do I owe a 500% duty on Russian-origin goods starting today?

No. The order writes in the 500% increase but waives "any duties" under the Act and the order itself in Section 4(a). There is no HTSUS change or CBP instruction. EO text

Which countries face the 100% duty for buying Russian oil?

None are named. The trigger covers new purchases on or after October 18, 2026 by the five largest importers. USTR monitors and recommends, and the duty is waived for now. EO text

From when do the new softwood lumber rates apply?

To entries, or withdrawals from warehouse, on or after October 19, 2026, the publication date of both final results. CVD notice

Does HSU 2625 change any duty rate?

CBP describes it as an update to tariff and ABI records covering Section 232 pharmaceutical records, Pork Checkoff assessment corrections and CPSC flags. It is not a USITC HTS revision, and the notice states no new legal rate. Related CSMS #70054007

Original sources and dates