Zekelman Industries Applauds Executive Order on Duty Collection

CHICAGO, April 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Zekelman Industries applauds President Trump's issuance of an executive order on duty collection on March 31, 2017.

The executive order directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to close loopholes that importers use to evade anti-dumping and countervailing duty collection. Fraudulent actions by importers have cost the United States billions of dollars in duties. Zekelman Industries has worked with CBP to eliminate these practices that injure the U.S. steel pipe and tube industry and its workers.

"We are pleased that President Trump is working to enforce our trade laws," said Barry Zekelman, president and CEO of Zekelman Industries. "Our facilities across the country have been hurt by these trade-distorting practices for far too long, and it's refreshing to see strong action being taken to collect the duties and enforce these AD and CVD orders."

Between 2001 and 2014, $2.3 billion in anti-dumping and countervailing duties were not collected. Although importers posted bonds at the time of entry, they disappeared before final duties — which often increase from preliminary amounts — were determined. The executive order gives CBP 90 days to conduct a risk assessment for certain importers and develop a plan to improve collection of duties through bonds and other enforcement measures.

Zekelman Industries is the nation's largest producer of steel pipe and tube products. The company, through its Atlas Tube, Energex Tube and Wheatland Tube divisions, has participated in several successful trade cases over the last decade that imposed anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of pipe and tube products. Representatives of Zekelman Industries have met with CBP officials to combat import fraud and participate in joint U.S. steel industry and CBP seminars highlighting current issues on pipe and tube imports and customs fraud.

The executive order takes effect immediately.

About Zekelman Industries

Zekelman Industries includes the operating divisions of Atlas Tube, Picoma, Energex Tube, Sharon Tube, Wheatland Tube, Z Modular and Western Tube & Conduit Corporation. Zekelman Industries delivers a broad range of industrial solutions that build its customers' success.

For more information about Zekelman Industries, please visit zekelman.com

SOURCE Zekelman Industries