For Immediate Release: October 16, 2008
Contact: Brittany Eck  (202) 482-3809

COMMERCE FINDS UNFAIR DUMPING OF FRONTSEATING SERVICE VALVES FROM CHINA

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced its affirmative preliminary determination in the antidumping duty investigation of imports of frontseating service valves (FSVs) from China. FSVs are used to isolate sections of an air-conditioning system during installation and servicing, and to permit technicians to provide refrigerant charging and evacuating capabilities.

“America’s competitiveness depends on fair pricing in the global marketplace, which is unfairly compromised by Chinese price discrimination,” said Assistant Secretary for Import Administration David Spooner. “The United States will continue to enforce U.S. trade laws to ensure American businesses are treated fairly and to achieve strong and fair relationships with our trading partners.”

Commerce has determined that exporters from China have sold FSVs in the United States at 15.41 to 55.62 percent below normal value. Mandatory respondents, Zheijiang Sanhua Co., Ltd., and Zhejiang DunAn Hetian Metal Co., Ltd., received preliminary dumping rates of 15.41 and 26.72 percent, respectively. All other exporters will receive the China-wide rate of 55.62 percent.

As a result of this preliminary determination, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect a cash deposit or bond based on the preliminary rates. Commerce is currently scheduled to make its final determination in March 2009.

The petitioner for this investigation is Parker-Hannifin Corporation from Cleveland, Ohio.

Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than normal value.

For more information about Import Administration or for the fact sheet on today’s decision, visit www.trade.gov/ia.

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