October 21, 2005
News Release 05-127
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-442-443 and
731-TA-1095-1097 (P)

ITC VOTES TO CONTINUE CASES ON CERTAIN LINED PAPER PRODUCTS FROM CHINA, INDIA, AND INDONESIA

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of certain lined paper products from India and Indonesia that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value and from China that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its countervailing duty and antidumping investigations of imports of certain lined paper products from India and Indonesia and its antidumping investigation of imports of these products from China, with its preliminary determinations due on or about February 16, 2006.

The Commission's public report Certain Lined Paper Products from China, India, and Indonesia (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-442-443 and 731-TA-1095-1097 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3811, October 2005) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after November 21, 2005, 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.


FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Certain Lined Paper Products from China, India, and Indonesia
Investigations Nos. 701-TA-442-443 and 731-TA-1095-1097 (Preliminary)

Product Description: For purposes of these investigations, the product covered is certain lined paper school supplies, which are primarily used by students for note taking or assignments. It is sold in three main forms: spiral-bound or wireless notebooks (with or without pockets and/or dividers); hole-punched filler paper; and composition books. The paper is typically white and may be wide-ruled or college-ruled. Notebook covers may be plain or have fashion graphics. The merchandise subject to this investigation is provided for in subheadings 4810.22.5044, 4811.90.9090, and 4820.10.2050 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

Status of Proceedings:
1. Types of investigations: Preliminary phase antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: MeadWestvaco Corp., Dayton, OH; Norcom, Inc., Norcross, GA; and Top Flight,
   Inc., Chattanooga, TN (collectively, the Association of American School Paper Suppliers).
3. Investigations instituted by USITC: September 19, 2005.
4. Conference: September 30, 2005.
5. USITC vote: October 21, 2005.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: October 24, 2005.

U.S. Industry:
1. Number of U.S. firms in 2005: Nine.
2. Production during January-June 2005: 144,918,000 pieces
3. Employment of production and related workers: 550
4. U.S. producers' shipments during January-June 2005: 91,716,000 pieces
5. U.S. apparent consumption during January-June 2005: 439,990,000 pieces
6. Ratio of quantity of total imports to U.S. apparent consumption 
       during January-June 2005 (percent): 79.2  

U.S. Imports:
1. Quantity of subject imports during January-June 2005: 265,328,000 pieces
2. Value of subject imports during January-June 2005: $131,586,000
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