Charlotte Pipe has won every single legal case—10 out of 10 EAPA investigations, unanimous ITC votes, massive dumping margins up to 494%. Yet Chinese shell companies continue operating with impunity, having evaded $44.5 million in duties.

2017-2019: Crushing Legal Victories

Perfect Record in Court

Cast Iron Soil Pipe Case (2017)

Commerce found Chinese dumping margins of 250-345%. ITC voted unanimously for Charlotte Pipe.

Cast Iron Fittings Case (2017)

Commerce found Chinese dumping margins of 41-494%. Duties imposed August 2018.

2024 Sunset Reviews

ITC unanimously renewed both orders. No importers even appealed—why fight when you can just evade?

2020-2025: The Shell Game

10 EAPA Wins, Zero Relief

The Pattern Emerges

As Chinese exports dropped, Cambodian exports rose in direct correlation. Cambodia has no foundries that make cast iron pipe.

Phoenix Metal's Admission

Company lawyers admitted Phoenix was created by the same people behind HiCreek after HiCreek got caught. When Phoenix lost their appeal, they dissolved rather than pay duties.

The Cycle Continues

Shell companies dissolve when caught, bad actors create new ones. CBP lacks resources to stop this determined fraud.

10 Successful EAPA Cases

Country	Companies	Date	Result
Cambodia	Lino Metals, Blue Star Casting	Mar 2020	✓ Affirmative
Cambodia	Little Fireflies, Phoenix Metal	Jul 2021	✓ Affirmative
Malaysia	LDL Trading, Vanguard Metal	Oct 2022	✓ Affirmative
Malaysia	Besttn Industry, United Metal	Apr 2023	✓ Affirmative

Result: Despite 10 successful EAPA cases proving evasion, total foreign tonnage actually increased after duties were imposed.

2025: Brazen Advertising

Chinese Companies Openly Market Fraud

Email Solicitations

"We can avoid high duties from China, which we have already done many in the past"

TikTok Videos

"Beat U.S. Tariffs" - promising to cap tariffs "at a flat 10%"

Media Coverage

New York Times, CNBC, Reuters, Financial Times all reporting on systematic fraud schemes

Legislative Solutions

Fighting Trade Cheats Act

Enhanced Penalties

Triple penalties for customs fraud to increase deterrence

Import Bans

5-year ban on Importer of Record numbers for fraudsters and affiliates

Private Right to Sue

Allow injured companies to seek injunctive relief and treble damages

Bipartisan Support

29 House cosponsors from both parties support the Fighting Trade Cheats Act

The Harsh Reality

"The AD/CVD process is broken and in need of far stronger remedies. The costs to file and win these cases are exceedingly high and the promise of relief has become non-existent in the face of lax trade enforcement."

"Chinese producers brazenly shut down sham shell companies and create others to avoid paying duties... these entities have no intention of ever paying the duties."

"Short of the remedies provided in the FTCA and PAIL Act, industries will be very reluctant to undertake AD/CVD cases in the future."

Perfect Legal Record. Zero Enforcement.

124 years in business. 2,800 American workers. 10 out of 10 legal victories. Still losing to Chinese shell companies.

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