Preliminary report confirms PE bag dumping in U.S

Preliminary report confirms PE bag dumping in U.S

The Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bag Committee announces that on January 20, 2004, the U.S. Department of Commerce ("Commerce") released its affirmative preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty investigations of imports of polyethylene retail carrier bags from China, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Commerce found that imports are being dumped, i.e., sold in the U.S. market at less than fair value, from all three countries. The preliminary dumping margins calculated by Commerce range up to 80.52 percent for China, up to 101.74 percent for Malaysia, and up to 122.88 percent for Thailand.

As soon as these preliminary determinations are published in the Federal Register (which should be within one week), U.S. importers of polyethylene retail carrier bags (i.e., plastic grocery and shopping bags) from China, Malaysia, and Thailand will be required to post a bond on each entry sufficient to cover the estimated antidumping duties. In addition, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection ("Customs") will suspend liquidation of those entries pending Commerce's final determination in the investigation