In late January, the U.S. Department of Commerce approved the duties and is expected to issue final anti-dumping duties in June.
Chinese converters are the major suppliers, shipping nearly 29.2 billion units in 2002, valued at $147 million. The all-China duty is 80.52%, although individual companies identified by name had duties set from less than 1% up to 57%.
The Malaysian suppliers will incur duties that range from less than 1% up to 102%. Thai converters were assessed duties from 3% to 123%. Importers of these bags are required to deposit cash equal to the value of the preliminary duties.
In August, it’s expected that the U.S. International Trade Commission will vote on whether U.S. producers have been materially harmed by the imports.
For more information, contact the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Intl. Trade Commission, at 202/482-3809. —AO
