Petition Filed for New AD/CVD on Corrugated Plastic Boxes From China and Vietnam
A domestic producer recently filed a petition with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping and countervailing duties on plastic boxes imported from China and Vietnam. Commerce now will decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations, which could result in the imposition of permanent AD/CVD orders and the assessment of AD and CVD on importers. CoolSeal USA Inc., Inteplast Group Corporation, SeaCa Plastic Packaging, and Technology Container Corporation requested the investigation.
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The petition describes the products as Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes or "PCBs, which includes boxes, crates, totes, and similar containers made of corrugated polypropylene sheets (also known as hollow core, twin wall, or multi wall sheets). PCBs are formed by cutting the corrugated sheets to discrete lengths, scoring them for folding edges, die cutting them into specific shapes and sizes, and then folding them into a finished box. The corrugated sheets are produced through the extrusion of a plastic resin that either consists of 50 percent or more polypropylene."
Proposed Scope
The petition proposes the following scope for the investigations:
"The merchandise covered by these investigations is Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes ("PCBs"). PCBs are boxes, totes, or other containers made of corrugated polypropylene sheets, also known as polypropylene hollow core sheets, polypropylene twin wall sheets, or multi-wall sheets. Such polypropylene sheets are typically produced using a continuous extrusion process from a plastic resin consisting of 50 percent or more polypropylene.
"PCBs are covered by the scope irrespective of the particular mix of polypropylene homo-polymer, polypropylene co-polymer, recycled or virgin polypropylene, or ancillary chemicals such as electrostatic agents or flame retardants. PCBs are formed by corrugated polypropylene sheets cut to discrete lengths, scored for folding edges, and die-cut into specific box formats. PCBs may be printed with ink or digital designs. PCBs may enter the United States in folded form or may enter unfolded and later be constructed to form a box shape with a bottom wall and side walls. Unfolded and constructed PCBs may have manufacturers' joints to retain their final shape.
"The subject merchandise includes PCBs with or without handles, with or without lids or tops, with or without reinforcing wire, and whether in a one-piece or multi-piece configuration.
"The products subject to the investigations are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under statistical reporting number 3923.10.9000. Although the HTSUS statistical reporting number is provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive."
ITC and Commerce to Accept Comments Before Initiating Investigation
The Commerce Department and ITC will accept comments on domestic industry support for the petitions to determine whether the petitions meet the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic-like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic-like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. If the petitions meet these requirements, among others, the ITC and Commerce will initiate AD/CVD investigations.