The Commerce Department has determined the level of antidumping duties that it will set for imports of low-melt polyester staple fiber from South Korea and Taiwan.
Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells its products in the U.S. market at less than fair value.
In its South Korea investigation, Commerce calculated a dumping rate of 16.27 percent for Toray Chemical Korea Inc., but came up with a dumping rate of 0 percent for Huvis Corp. The department concluded that no “critical circumstances” existed for Huvis to be assessed a dumping margin. Meanwhile, Commerce prepared a dumping rate of 16.27 percent for all other South Korean producers and exporters of this product.
In Commerce’s Taiwan investigation, it calculated a dumping rate of 49.93 percent for Far Eastern New Century Corp., and decided on the same dumping rate for all other Taiwanese producers and exporters of low-melt polyester staple fiber.
As a result of the decisions, Commerce has instructed Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from U.S. importers of this product from South Korea and Taiwan based on the final rates.
According to Commerce, imports of low-melt polyester staple fiber from South Korea and Taiwan in 2017 were valued at $75.5 million and $26.9 million, respectively.
The petitions for the antidumping investigations were filed by Nan Ya Plastics Corp. America in South Carolina.
Low-melt polyester staple fiber is used in myriad manufactured products, such as automotive padding, bedding and hygiene products.
The U.S. International Trade Commission is currently conducting its own investigations to determine whether or not U.S. industry is harmed by imports of this product from South Korea and Taiwan. The commission is scheduled to make its final injury determinations by Aug. 1. If the ITC makes affirmative final injury determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping orders. However, if the ITC makes negative final determinations of injury, the investigations will end and no orders will be issued.