International Trade Law News

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) today announced its final determination in the antidumping duty investigation of imports of certain crepe paper products from the People's Republic of China (PRC). DOC found that producers/exporters have sold certain crepe products from the PRC in the U.S. market at less than fair value, at margins of 266.83%.

The final dumping margin of 266.83% was based on adverse facts available, as none of the mandatory respondent companies participated in the Department’s investigation. DOC determined that three Chinese companies that voluntarily responded to the Section A questionnaire demonstrated an absence of government control with respect to their export activities and are eligible to receive "separate rate" status. However, because of the adverse facts available determination, the Section A respondents will be subject to the 266.83% rate.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to announce its final injury determination on or about January 13, 2005. If the ITC makes an affirmative determination that imports of crepe paper from the PRC are materially injuring, or threaten to materially injure, the domestic industry in the United States, the Department will issue an antidumping order and instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect antidumping duties on the subject imports. If the ITC makes a negative injury determination, the investigation will be terminated and no order will be issued.

The petition requesting this investigation was filed on February 17, 2004, by Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc. (MA); American Crepe Corporation (PA); Eagle Tissue LLC (CT); Flower City Tissue Mills Co. (NY); Garlock Printing & Converting, Inc. (MA); Paper Service Ltd. (NH); Putney Paper Co., Ltd. (VT); and the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union AFL-CIO, CLC.

DOC is also conducting an antidumping investigation on imports of tissue paper from the PRC and will issue its final determination in that case in February 2005.