The empty capsule market is entering a new phase. In February 2026, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) issued a decisive ruling that confirms what many manufacturers and buyers have been closely watching for months: imported hard empty capsules sold at unfair prices are materially injuring the U.S. industry.
If you’ve been following the antidumping investigation, this decision marks a turning point, and it directly influences sourcing strategies, pricing dynamics, and long-term supply decisions across the industry.
What the USITC Just Decided
The U.S. International Trade Commission determined that imports of hard empty capsules from China, India, and Vietnam have caused material injury to U.S. manufacturers. In parallel, the Commission found that imports from Brazil pose a clear threat of future injury.
As a result, the U.S. Department of Commerce will move forward with antidumping and countervailing duty orders in place on hard empty capsules imported from all four countries.
Dumping and Anti-Dumping in International Trade
What is dumping?
In international trade, dumping occurs when products are sold in a foreign market at less than fair value, often supported by government subsidies. While this can temporarily lower prices, it can also distort competition and weaken domestic manufacturing.
What does anti-dumping enforcement do?
Dumping and anti-dumping in international trade frameworks exist to restore balance. When investigations confirm unfair pricing and injury, governments can impose duties that raise import costs to fair-market levels.
In this case, the USITC’s findings confirm that unfair pricing practices in the empty capsule market were not just present but damaging.
How This Ruling Impacts the Empty Capsule Market
This decision has several immediate and long-term implications for manufacturers, CDMOs, and supplement brands.
1. Import Costs Will Change
With antidumping and countervailing duties now moving into effect, capsules imported from the affected countries are likely to become more expensive and less predictable in pricing.
2. Supply Chain Risk Is Under the Spotlight
The ruling reinforces a reality many buyers already feel: capsule supply chains from those countries mentioned are increasingly exposed to regulatory, geopolitical, and trade risks. Low-cost sourcing alone is no longer a stable long-term strategy.
3. Domestic and Regional Manufacturing Gains Relevance
As duties reshape the economics of imports, North American and American manufacturing overall becomes more competitive, not only on cost, but on reliability, compliance, and lead times.
For many buyers, this isn’t about abrupt changes, but about rebalancing sourcing strategies, adding reliable partners, and reducing dependency on higher-risk supply channels.
Why This Update Marks a New Phase in the Investigation
This announcement builds directly on earlier developments covered in our previous updates:
- U.S. Government Launches Capsule Dumping Probe
- Anti-Dumping Investigation Advances: What It Means for Capsule Buyers?
What’s different now is clarity. The investigation phase has ended, and the regulatory outcome is defined. For decision-makers, this means it’s time to move from “monitoring” to planning.
What Comes Next?
The USITC’s ruling brings clarity, but the antidumping process is still unfolding. As duties move into implementation, further updates and market responses are expected.
For buyers and manufacturers, this context also reinforces the importance of understanding where capsules are produced and how supply chains are structured. CapsCanada manufactures capsules in the Americas, and our products are not impacted by these antidumping measures, allowing us to continue supporting customers with the highest-quality, consistent availability, and reliability.
CapsCanada will continue tracking these developments and sharing timely updates as new information emerges, helping you stay informed as the empty capsule market evolves.
