Smurfit Westrock and Pratt Industries file US anti-dumping case on pizza boxes
Smurfit Westrock, Pratt Industries and the United Steelworkers filed trade petitions on 9 September 2026 alleging dumped and subsidised pizza box imports from China, Malaysia and Turkey are harming the US corrugated industry. The petitions, submitted via law firm Wiley Rein, ask the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission to investigate duties on boxes sold at margins the filers put as high as 568.5% below US prices. A preliminary ITC injury ruling is expected by late October 2026, with final determinations likely in late 2027.
Why this mattersA successful case would raise landed costs for imported pizza boxes and could shift US foodservice packaging volume back to domestic corrugated producers.
- Petitions filed 9 September 2026 by the American Pizza Boxes Manufacturers Coalition (Smurfit Westrock, Pratt Industries) and the United Steelworkers union.
- Alleged dumping margins range from 96.62% to 568.50% for China, 110.73% for Malaysia and 120.65% to 210.37% for Turkey.
- Pizza box imports from the three countries rose at least 130% between 2023 and 2026.
- Commerce is due to decide on initiating the investigation within 20 days of filing; ITC preliminary injury determination is due within 45 days, roughly late October 2026.
- Petitioners also allege Turkish producers benefit from government subsidies and cross-border subsidies linked to Russia.
- Full investigation process is expected to take about one year, with final dumping, subsidy and injury determinations likely in late 2027.
Sources
fastmarkets.com