ITA Finds Paper Made from Stone Inside Scope of China Lined Paper AD Order
Esselte’s lined stone paper is within the scope of the antidumping duty order on certain lined paper products from China (A-570-901), said the International Trade Administration in a final scope ruling. No parties submitted comments after the preliminary determination, so the ITA finalized its preliminary affirmative scope determination.
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Esselte’s paper product is made from crushed rock and plastic resin and sold in notebooks. The production process of the stone paper is different from that for paper made from wood pulp.
For the preliminary scope ruling, Esselte argued that the composition and manufacture of its stone paper, combined with additional qualities such as being waterproof, smoother and easier to write on, more durable, and more environmentally friendly meant that it is not similar to paper subject to the AD duty order, and should be excluded from the scope.
The ITA, finding the scope and prior determinations to be silent on whether paper made of stone should be subject to the order, resorted to use of 19 CFR 351.225(k)(2) factors, including (1) physical characteristics; (2) expectations of ultimate purchasers; (3) ultimate use; (4) channels of trade; and (5) methods of advertising and display.
The ITA preliminarily found that the scope of the AD duty order on lined paper does not require a certain material or manufacturing method. In the end, the stone paper is a clear surface on which users can write with a pen or pencil, bound into notebooks, and suitable for writing activities like taking notes, the ITA said. The agency also found that: consumers don’t expect anything different from stone paper as compared to subject paper; the paper is intended for use as a paper notebook, and is sold with other school supplies subject to the AD duty order; and is advertised in a manner similar to subject paper.
No parties commented on the preliminary scope ruling, so the ITA adopted it as its final determination.
Email ITTNews@warren-news for a copy of the preliminary and/or final scope ruling.