The US Department of Commerce has initiated a country-wide circumvention inquiry to determine whether imports of seamless oil country tubular goods (OCTG) from China, which are completed in Thailand from steel billets produced in China, are circumventing the antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on OCTG from China. The circumvention inquiry covers seamless OCTG completed in Thailand using Chinese-produced steel billets, and subsequently exported from Thailand to the US.

The AD and CVD orders cover hollow steel products of circular cross-section, including oil well casing and tubing made of iron (excluding cast iron) or steel (carbon and alloy), regardless of whether seamless or welded. These products are essential components for the energy sector.