U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2006)

U.S. Department of Commerce
International Trade Adminstration

For Immediate Release: December 18, 2006

FACT SHEET

Commerce Preliminarily Finds Unfair Dumping of Certain Polyester Staple Fiber from the People's Republic of China

On December 18, 2006, the Commerce Department announced its affirmative preliminary determination in the antidumping duty investigation of Certain Polyester Staple Fiber from the People's Republic of China.
Commerce determined that Chinese producers/exporters have sold polyester staple fiber in the United States at 4.39 to 44.30 percent less than normal value. As a result of this preliminary determination, 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.
Dak Americas LLC, Nan Ya Plastics Corporation America, and Wellman, Inc., are the petitioners in the investigation.
The merchandise subject to this proceeding is synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning, of polyesters measuring 3.3 decitex (3 denier, inclusive) or more in diameter. This merchandise is cut to lengths varying from one inch (25 mm) to five inches (127 mm). The subject merchandise may be coated, usually with silicon or other finish, or not coated. PSF is generally used as stuffing in sleeping bags, mattresses, ski jackets, comforters, cushions, pillows, and furniture. The products under investigation are currently classifiable under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings 5503.20.0045 and 5503.20.0065.
From 2004 to 2005, imports of polyester staple fiber from China increased by 63% by volume and were valued at an estimated $93 million in 2005.

NEXT STEPS

If the Department makes a final determination that imports were sold below fair value in this investigation, and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) makes a final affirmative determination that imports from China materially injure, or threaten material injury to, the domestic industry, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order and instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits on imports of subject merchandise.

Case Calendar:

EVENT	DATE
Petition Filed	June 23, 2006
Initiation of Investigation	July 13, 2006
DOC Preliminary Determination	December 15, 2006
DOC Final Determination*	February 28, 2007
ITC Final Determination**	April 14, 2007
Issuance of Order***	April 21, 2007

*Both the DOC and ITC final determinations may be extended under the governing statute
**Will occur if the DOC issues an affirmative final determination
** This will take place only in the event of final affirmative determinations by both the DOC and the ITC.

Preliminary Rates:

EXPORTER	DUMPING MARGIN
Cixi Jiangnan Chemical Co., Ltd.	15.30%
Far Eastern Industries (Shanghai) Ltd.	10.45%
Ningbo Dafa Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd.	4.39%
Separate-Rate Respondents (see attachment)	9.25%
China-Wide Rate	44.30%

Import Statistics:

CHINA	2003	2004	2005
Volume (MT)	74,606	71,280	194,872
Value ($US)	26,827,000	29,708,000	93,260,000

Source: ITC Dataweb: HTSUS 5503.20.0045 and 5503.20.0065.

SEPARATE-RATE RESPONDENTS

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