For Immediate Release: July 31, 2008
Contact: Brittany Eck (202) 482-3809
COMMERCE FINDS UNFAIR DUMPING OF UNCOVERED INNERSPRING UNITS FROM CHINA, SOUTH AFRICA AND VIETNAM
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced its affirmative preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty investigations of imports of uncovered innerspring units (innersprings) from the People’s Republic of China, South Africa and the Republic of Vietnam. Innersprings are used in the manufacture of innerspring mattresses.
“Foreign exporters unfairly undercut American manufacturers by dumping imports of innersprings,” said Assistant Secretary for Import Administration David Spooner. “The Administration is committed to aggressively enforcing America's trade remedy laws in order to achieve strong and fair relationships with our trading partners.”
Commerce determined that Chinese, South African, and Vietnamese exporters sold innersprings in the United States at less than normal value. Chinese mandatory respondents, Foshan Jingxin Steel Wire & Spring Co., Ltd. and Soho International Group Holding Co., Ltd., received preliminary antidumping margins of 118.17 and 234.51 percent, respectively. The latter respondent’s rate is based on adverse facts available as it failed to cooperate to the best of its ability in the investigation. In addition, seven Chinese respondents qualified for a separate rate of 118.17 percent. All other Chinese exporters are subject to the China-wide rate of 234.51 percent. The preliminary antidumping margins for South Africa and Vietnam are 121.39 and 116.31 percent, respectively. These margins are based on adverse facts available as exporters from these countries failed to respond to Commerce’s requests for information.
The merchandise covered by these investigations includes uncovered innerspring units composed of a series of individual metal springs joined together in sizes corresponding to the sizes of adult mattresses and units used in smaller constructions, such as cribs and youth mattresses. The petitioner for these investigations is Leggett & Platt, Inc., of Carthage, Mo.
Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than normal value. As a result of these preliminary determinations, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise and to collect a cash deposit or bond based on the preliminary rates.
For more information about Import Administration or for the fact sheet on today’s decision, please visit www.trade.gov/ia.
# # #