Innersprings imported from Vietnam, South Africa subject to duties

U.S. Department of Commerce rules that dumping occurred

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, October 22, 2008

WASHINGTON — U.S. importers of uncovered innerspring units from Vietnam and South Africa will have to pay duties on the products after a U.S. Department of Commerce ruling this week that manufacturers in those countries are dumping goods in the American market.

Duties were set at 116.31% for Vietnamese innerspring units and 121.39% for South African units.

Only units used in mattresses are included in the ruling. In response to a request from upholstery manufacturer Caye Home Furnishings, the DOC clarified the language of the ruling to specifically exclude innersprings used in upholstered furniture.

No ruling was issued regarding Chinese innerspring manufacturers, which were included in the scope of the DOC's investigation. That ruling may come later.

Earlier, the DOC had placed a preliminary duty of 118.17% on products of one Chinese manufacturer, Foshan Jinqxin Steel Wire & Spring Co. Ltd. It was unclear what the preliminary duty was on a second Chinese supplier, Nanhai Animal By-Products Import and Export Co. Ltd.

The initial antidumping investigation was requested by lead petitioner Leggett & Platt Inc. The petition alleged that U.S. producers are injured by foreign competitors selling similar products at unfair prices, or those considered less than normal value.