US Cracks Down on Glass Dumping from China and Malaysia

According to the United States Department of Commerce, low-cost imports of float glass products from China and Malaysia have threatened the United States’ glass industry.

Following a months-long investigation, Commerce preliminarily determined in May and June 2025 that illegal dumping and subsidized imports from China and Malaysia posed an unfair advantage for the two countries. Vitro Architectural Glass prompted the investigations after filing antidumping and countervailing duty petitions in late 2024.

“As someone on the front lines, you understand the impact of losing sales to low-priced imports,” Paul Bush, Vitro’s vice president of sustainability, technical services and government affairs, writes in a letter to customers. “It affects your business and our ability to consistently supply high-quality flat glass. To address this critical issue, last year, we filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions covering float glass products, including fabricated glass such as tempered glass, laminated glass, acid-etched glass, mirror glass and insulating glass units.”

Following Vitro’s petitions, Commerce officials determined in January 2025 that there was a “reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured because of imports of float glass products from China and Malaysia that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of China and Malaysia.”

That determination kicked off the investigations, which led Commerce to impose duties that officials hope will level the playing field between the three countries. It ordered antidumping rates of 247-312% for China and 9-16% for Malaysia. It also imposed countervailing duty rates of 11-892% for China and 19-28% for Malaysia.

Vitro officials say the duties are currently being deposited at U.S. Customs and Border Protection by importers of flat glass products from China and Malaysia covered under the scope of the investigation.

The investigations are ongoing, and a final determination is scheduled for the coming months. In spring 2025, Vitro filed an additional critical circumstances allegation against Malaysian float glass imports. Vitro claims that imports of float glass products from Malaysia were massive (a 27.5% increase) over a relatively short period. However, in late July, Commerce preliminarily found no evidence to support critical circumstances in the countervailing duty investigation of float glass products from Malaysia.

Per Vitro, the International Trade Commission will send Vitro’s customers several questionnaires that must be completed and submitted by the end of August.

“This initiative represents the unified interests of the U.S. glass manufacturing industry, striving to create greater opportunities for domestically produced and fabricated glass products,” writes Bush.