Innerspring duty ruling delayed until December

Covers units made in China, Vietnam, South Africa

Tom Russell -- Furniture Today, September 3, 2008

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Commerce has delayed by 60 days its ruling on final duties on imports of mattress innersprings from China, Vietnam and South Africa.

After releasing preliminary duties on Aug. 6, the DOC had planned to announce the final duties on Oct. 13. But in a filing last week, the department said the final duties now will be issued on Dec. 19.

The department agreed to a 60-day extension in response to requests from Nanhai Animal By-Products Import and Export Co. Ltd. and Foshan Jinqxin Steel Wire & Spring Co. Ltd. Foshan Jinqxin received a preliminary duty of 118.17%. It was unclear what duty, if any Nanhai Animal received.

The initial antidumping investigation was requested by lead petitioner Leggett & Platt Inc. and covers uncovered innerspring units produced in China, South Africa and Vietnam. The petition alleges that U.S. producers are injured by foreign competitors selling similar products at unfair prices, or those considered less than normal value.

Commerce's initial investigation found that innerspring unit producers and exporters in these countries were selling product in the United States at below-normal prices. The preliminary duties, ranging from 116.31% to 234.51%, are based on these assessments.

The DOC will issue antidumping orders once it makes final duty determinations and once the U.S. International Trade Commission determines that the imports caused injury to the domestic industry.