April 8, 2009
News Release 09-030
Inv. No. 731-TA-1148 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of frontseating service valves from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the Department of Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of these products from China.

The Commission's public report Frontseating Service Valves from China (Investigation No. 731- TA-1148 (Final), USITC Publication 4073, April 2009) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies may be obtained after May 11, 2009, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205- 2000, or by writing the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202-205-2104.

Product Description:

This investigation covers all frontseating service valves and certain parts. These valves may be assembled/complete or unassembled/incomplete. Frontseating service valves contain a sealing surface on the front side of the valve stem that allows the indoor unit or outdoor unit to be isolated from the refrigerant stream when the air conditioning or refrigeration unit is being serviced. Frontseating service valves also permit technicians to provide refrigerant charging and evacuating of the air-conditioning systems. Frontseating service valves rely on an elastomer seal when the stem cap is removed for servicing and a metal to metal seat to create this seal to the atmosphere during normal operation. Frontseating service valves can be of any size, configuration, material composition or connection type.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Type of investigation: Final antidumping.
2.  Petitioner:  Parker-Hannifin Corp., Cleveland, OH.
3.  Final investigation instituted by the USITC:  November 17, 2008.
4.  Commission's hearing:  March 10, 2009.
5.  USITC vote:  April 8, 2009.
6.  USITC determination to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  April 20, 2009.
7.  USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  April 20, 2009.


U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of producers in 2008:  One.           
2.  Location of producers' plants:  New Haven, IN.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2008: (1)
4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2008: (1)
5.  Ratio of the quantity of total U.S. imports to total U.S. production in 2008: (1)

U.S. Imports:

1.  From the subject countries during 2008: (1)
2.  From other countries during 2008: (1)
3.  Leading sources during 2008:  China.

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.