The US has decided to impose preliminary antidumping (AD) duties at 42.61 to 289 percent on Chinese-made wire decking imports, in the most recent decision against imports of Chinese steel products.
The US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced on Tuesday that one of the mandatory respondents in the case, Dalian Huameilong Metal Products Co., received a preliminary dumping rate of 50.95 percent, while the other mandatory respondent Dalian Eastfound Metal Products Co. and its affiliate Dalian Eastfound Material Handling Products Co. received a rate of 42.61 percent.
Three other Chinese companies, Dandong Riqian Logistics Equipment Co Ltd, Globsea Co Ltd and Ningbo Xinguang Rack Co Ltd, received a 46.78 percent duty. All other Chinese producers/exporters received a rate of 289 percent.
The preliminary AD duties are in addition to duties ranging from 2 to 438 percent announced by the DOC in November to compensate government subsidies given to Chinese wire decking producers. Chinese imports of wire decking were worth $317 million in 2008, increasing by 49 percent in value since 2006, according to the DOC's data.
The product covered by the investigation is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the US (HTSUS) under item number 9403.90.8040. Wire decking may also be entered under HTSUS 7217.10, 7217.20, 7217.90, 9403.20.0020, and 9403.20.0030.
The DOC is to make its final determination in May 2010. In the event of an affirmative determination by the DOC, the US International Trade Commission will evaluate the issue and make a final decision in July.
Five US producers, namely, AWP Industries Inc, ITC Manufacturing Inc, J&L Wire Cloth Inc, Nashville Wire Products Mfg Co. Inc. and Wireway Husky Corporation, had filed petitions demanding antidumping and countervailing duties last year.