Greenbrier rail coupler import case centers on a May 18 ruling. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) found that Greenbrier Cos. Inc. evaded antidumping orders. The finding involved imports of freight-rail couplers (FRC) and rail cars. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Greenbrier Rail Coupler Import Case: CBP Duty Ruling
Greenbrier Rail Coupler Import Case: CBP Duty Ruling

Domestic freight-rail coupler manufacturers brought the case under the Enforce and Protect Act. Also, CBP opened the investigation on Aug. 20, 2025.

CBP ruling on freight-rail couplers

At issue was whether the FRCs qualified for an import-duty exemption. At the same time, the dispute covered the rail cars. The FRCs are attached to those cars. Greenbrier said the FRCs and rail cars qualified as “instruments of international traffic” (IIT). Still, CBP rejected that argument.

According to a press release from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, the firm represents the FRC coalition. The release said CBP found that the cars and couplers were entering the United States. In addition, it said they were entering for sale to U.S. consumers. That made them ineligible for the IIT exemption.

Following CBP’s evasion determination, Greenbrier is responsible for unpaid duties. That covers all FRC imports that violated the antidumping order. In addition, CBP determined that the company must correct any noncompliance. That applies to rail cars with attached FRCs. Those cars entered the country during the agency’s investigation period.

Greenbrier response and review options

Separately, Greenbrier said it strongly disagrees with the determination. Meanwhile, the company is evaluating its options, including further administrative and judicial review.

The decision is “disconnected from the real-world functioning of the North American interchange system for more than 80 years, where rail cars routinely move between carriers and across borders under common carrier obligations,” company officials said. In addition, officials said the recharacterization conflicts with decades of agency practice. They also said it conflicts with the legal framework.

Still, Greenbrier officials emphasized that rail cars are not static goods. They said the cars are mobile transportation equipment that must circulate freely.

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