Tanker trailers -- Section 232 Inclusion Rebuttal Comment Template

Company: [Company legal name] Address: [Company registered address] EIN: [Federal Employer Identification Number] Primary contact: [Primary contact name], [Primary contact title] Email: [Primary contact email] · Phone: [Primary contact phone] Filed via regulations.gov Docket BIS-2026-15961 pursuant to the FR 2026-15961 public-comment framework.

HTSUS subheading: [HTSUS 8-10 digit subheading] [Detailed product description] Provide for each unit: HTSUS 8-10 digit subheading (8716.31 for tanker trailers/semi-trailers), DOT cargo-tank specification (DOT 406, 407, 412, MC 331, MC 338, or TC/DOT 338), rated capacity in gallons and cargo classes authorized, tank shell material (aluminum 5454, aluminum 5454-H32, or stainless 316L), compartment count and volume, chassis manufacturer, and unit customs value. Include the DOT specification-plate rubbing, the Registered Inspector's certification, and the manufacturer's National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors' data-plate reference where applicable (MC 331 units).

Document each U.S.-based cargo-tank-trailer manufacturer at the specific DOT specification. The domestic base for DOT 406/407/412 aluminum-tank trailers is concentrated in a small number of DOT-registered fabricators (Heil Trailer International, Polar Tank Trailer, Mississippi Tank & Manufacturing, Beall Trailers-Fruehauf successor, Brenner Tank/Wabash National, Walker Group). For MC 331 compressed-gas units, the domestic base narrows further to Trinity Industries and a few specialty fabricators. Contact each producer at the specific specification, capacity, and configuration. Reference U.S. Census Bureau NAICS 336212 (Truck Trailer Manufacturing) domestic-production statistics and the National Tank Truck Carriers (tanktruck.org) directory of DOT-registered fabricators.

Cargo-tank trailers support the domestic fuel supply chain (petroleum-product wholesale distribution, aviation-fuel resupply), the domestic chemical supply chain (industrial acids and bases, specialty chemicals for semiconductor and pharmaceutical manufacturing), and the compressed-gas supply chain (industrial and medical oxygen, nitrogen, argon). Where specific units support the Defense Logistics Agency Energy fuel-resupply contracts, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve movement, or defense-related industrial-gas contracts, cite the specific program. For commercial-only end use, base the request on criterion (v) 'other information the commenter believes relevant' of Federal Register notice 2026-15961's public-comment invitation: tank-trailer fleet-capacity shortages directly cascade into fuel-distribution reliability, industrial-gas supply, and pharmaceutical-manufacturing input availability.

[Domestic suppliers contacted with dates] Written inquiry to each U.S.-based cargo-tank-trailer manufacturer identified in the National Tank Truck Carriers DOT-registered fabricator directory, at the specific DOT specification, tank material, compartment count, and delivery timeline. For MC 331 units, cross-reference the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) U-stamp registry for pressure-vessel fabricators. 30-day minimum response window. Objectors have 30 days from posting of this rebuttal comment on regulations.gov to file counter-comments; Heil and Polar are the most likely objectors on standard DOT 406 aluminum-shell units and their specification-match claims should be pre-addressed at the specific-model level.

Quantify the 25 percent duty pass-through on [Annual customs value USD] at HTSUS [HTSUS 8-10 digit subheading] to downstream customers: petroleum-product wholesale distributors, propane distributors, industrial-chemical shippers, and industrial-gas suppliers. Include: (i) 12-month CBP entry records; (ii) downstream customer segment analysis (percent to fuel distributors, percent to chemical shippers, percent to industrial-gas suppliers); (iii) documented projection of tank-fleet replacement-cycle deferral if the pass-through delays scheduled 10-15 year fleet rotation; (iv) fuel-distribution-cost impact projection for markets in which fleet-capacity is constrained.

Identify whether DOT-specification cargo-tank trailers at the required class are available from producers in any country not subject to the proposed Section 232 rate. Note that DOT registration and DOT specification-plate authorization are non-waivable U.S. transportation requirements -- alternate producers must already hold DOT-registered-fabricator status for the specific specification class. Canadian TC-specification tank trailers can be cross-certified for U.S. use in specific classes and Canadian producers (Advance Engineered Products, Tremcar) hold DOT registrations for certain classes.

1. BIS Section 232 Exclusion Portal, historical determinations addressing DOT-specification cargo tanks and industrial-gas transport equipment (searchable public docket, regulations.gov (Docket BIS-2026-15961)). 2. Commerce Department Section 232 aluminum report, January 17, 2018, at 22-31 (aluminum-plate downstream demand analysis including cargo-tank fabrication). 3. the public comment mechanism established by Federal Register notice 2026-15961 (August 6, 2026), operative under the notice-and-comment rulemaking framework of 5 U.S.C. § 553(c); criterion (v) 'other information the commenter believes relevant' of Federal Register notice 2026-15961's public-comment invitation (adverse-effect-on-fuel-and-chemical-distribution-infrastructure basis). 4. Federal Register notice 2026-15961 (August 6, 2026), criteria (iii) domestic-capacity and (iv) downstream-employment. 5. 49 CFR § 178, Subpart J (Specifications for Cargo Tanks Constructed of Metal), DOT 406/407/412 and MC 331/338/TC 338; 49 CFR § 180 (in-service inspection and requalification requirements); ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1 (U-stamp requirements for MC 331 pressure vessels). 6. U.S. Census Bureau NAICS 336212 domestic manufacturing statistics; National Tank Truck Carriers (tanktruck.org) DOT-registered-fabricator directory.

This public comment is submitted in opposition to the proposed Section 232 derivative-article inclusion of tanker trailers and semi-trailers (HTSUS subheading 8716.31) contemplated by Federal Register notice 2026-15961. [Company legal name] requests a product-specific exclusion for specialty DOT-specification cargo tank trailers -- DOT 406 (flammable liquid), DOT 407 (non-flammable and specific corrosive liquid), DOT 412 (corrosive liquid), and MC 331 (compressed gas) -- used for domestic transport of fuel, chemicals, and industrial gases. These units are built to 49 CFR § 178 cargo-tank specifications with aluminum-alloy tank barrels (aluminum 5454 predominant) mounted on structural-steel running gear. Domestic tank-trailer production is subject to lead-time constraints tied to aluminum-plate availability and the number of DOT-registered fabricators certified for the specific specification class. For the reasons set forth below, [Company legal name] respectfully urges BIS to decline inclusion of these subheadings in the final Section 232 derivative-article coverage. Should BIS proceed with inclusion notwithstanding this comment, [Company legal name] requests that BIS incorporate a 24-month transition and adjustment period covering the specific HTSUS subheadings identified below. Requested transition-and-adjustment period if BIS proceeds with inclusion: [Requested transition-and-adjustment period if BIS proceeds with inclusion - typically 12 months] months.

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1001 (false statements to a federal agency) and the identification requirements of 5 U.S.C. § 553(c), I attest that the statements in this comment are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, and that I am authorized to submit this comment on behalf of [Company legal name]. _________________________________ [Primary contact name], [Primary contact title] [Company legal name] [Primary contact email] · [Primary contact phone] Submitted via regulations.gov Docket BIS-2026-15961: 2026-08-26 --- **Draft Status: v0 -- attorney-review-pending.** This template was auto-generated by TariffWatch from Federal Register notice 2026-15961, Presidential Proclamations 10895 and 10896 (Feb 10, 2025 -- terminating the 15 CFR § 705.5 exclusion-request process), and publicly available BIS Section 232 rulemaking materials. Not legal advice, not customs classification advice under 19 CFR 111. Consult qualified counsel or a licensed customs broker before submitting to regulations.gov Docket BIS-2026-15961. Every substantive claim in this request that is factual to your business -- HTSUS subheading, annual quantity, annual customs value, cost-impact projections, sourcing country, domestic-supplier contacts -- must be verified by the submitter before filing. TariffWatch (Digital Empire Holdings LLC) makes no representation as to the sufficiency of this request for any specific regulatory outcome.