November 21, 2003
News Release 03-111
Inv. No. 731-TA-1021 (Final)

MALLEABLE IRON PIPE FITTINGS FROM CHINA INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS ITC

 The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined unanimously that a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of malleable iron pipe fittings from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, Vice Chairman Jennifer A. Hillman, and Commissioners Marcia E. Miller, Stephen Koplan, Charlotte R. Lane, and Daniel R. Pearson voted in the affirmative.

The Commerce Department previously made an affirmative critical circumstances determination with regard to these imports. Because the Commission made an affirmative finding of threat of material injury, a determination with respect to whether critical circumstances exist is not necessary.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will direct the U.S. Customs Service to impose antidumping duties on imports of malleable iron pipe fittings from China.

The Commission's public report Malleable Iron Pipe Fittings from China (Investigation No. 731-TA-1021 (Final), USITC Publication 3649, December 2003) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies may be obtained after December 24, 2003, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202-205-2104.

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Malleable Iron Pipe Fittings from China
Investigation No. 731-TA-1021 (Final)

Product Description: The imported products subject to this investigation are certain malleable iron pipe fittings, cast, other than grooved fittings, from the People's Republic of China. The merchandise is classified under numbers 7307.19.9030, 7307.19.9060, and 7307.19.9080 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). 1/

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigation:  Final antidumping.
2. Petitioners:  Anvil International, Inc., Portsmouth, NH, and Ward Manufacturing, Inc.,
     Blossburg, PA.
3. Investigation instituted by the USITC:  October 30, 2002.
4. USITC hearing:  October 23, 2003.
5. USITC briefing and vote:  November 21, 2003.
6. USITC notification of the U.S. Department of Commerce:  December 3, 2003.

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of producers:  3.
2. Location of producers  plants:  Pennsylvania.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2002: 2/
4. U.S. producers  U.S. shipments (excluding exports) in 2002: 2/
5. U.S. apparent consumption in 2002: 2/
6. Ratio of subject imports from China to U.S. apparent consumption in 2002: 2/

U.S. Imports in 2002:

1. From China during 2002:  20,809 short tons.
2. From other countries during 2002:  11,946 short tons.
3. Leading source during 2002:  China. 
     
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1/  Excluded from the scope of this investigation are metal compression couplings, which are classified under HTSUS number 7307.19.9080.

2/  Business proprietary information.