The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of wax and wax/resin thermal transfer ribbons from France, Japan, and Korea that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, Vice Chairman Jennifer A. Hillman, and Commissioner Stephen Koplan voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Marcia E. Miller voted in the negative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping investigations of imports of wax and wax/resin thermal transfer ribbons from France, Japan, and Korea, with its preliminary determinations due on or about November 6, 2003.

The Commission's public report Wax and Wax/Resin Thermal Transfer Ribbons from France, Japan, and Korea (Investigation No. 731-TA-1039-1041 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3613, July 2003) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after August 11, 2003, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: The products covered by these investigations are certain wax and wax/resin thermal transfer ribbons (TTR) in slit or unslit ("jumbo") form. Certain TTR are used predominately in applications such as barcode printers and facsimile machines. More specific applications for certain TTR include automotive and drum labeling, shelf and bin labeling, retail tags and labels, and compliance labeling. Specifically excluded from these investigations are slit TTR for use in facsimile machines, pure resin TTR, and color TTR. The merchandise subject to these investigations may be provided for under heading 3702 and subheadings 3921.90.4025, 9612.10.9030, 3204.90, 3506.99, 3919.90, 3920.62, 3920.99, and 3926.90 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).

Status of Proceedings:
1.  Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping.
2.  Petitioner:  International Imaging Materials, Inc. (IIMAK), Amherst, NY. 
3.  Investigations instituted by USITC:  May 30, 2003.
4.  Conference:  June 20, 2003.
5.  USITC vote:  July 11, 2003.         
6.  USITC notification of Department of Commerce:  July 14, 2003.

U.S. Industry:                          
1.  Number of U.S. firms in 2002:  Five.                          
2.  Production during 2002 (1,000 msi(1)):  1,201,156.
3.  Employment of production and related workers:  410.
4.  U.S. producers' U.S. shipments during 2002 (1,000 msi):  841,977.
5.  U.S. apparent consumption during 2002 (1,000 msi):  1,670,443.
6.  Ratio of quantity of total imports to U.S. apparent consumption
      during 2002 (percent):  49.6.

U.S. Imports:
1.  Quantity of subject imports during 2002 (1,000 msi):  534,099.
2.  Value of subject imports during 2002:  $37.5 million.

(1) Thousand square inches = msi.