Multilayered Wood Flooring From China Injures U.S. Industry

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of multilayered wood flooring from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Vice Chairman Irving A. Williamson and Commissioners Charlotte R. Lane, Shara L. Aranoff, and Dean A. Pinkert voted in the affirmative. Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun and Commissioner Daniel R. Pearson voted in the negative.

As a result of the USITC's affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China.

The Commission's public report Multilayered Wood Flooring from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-476 and 731-TA-1179 (Final), USITC Publication 4278, November 2011) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.

Copies may be obtained after December 12, 2011, by emailing [email protected], 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.

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

Office of Industries

Washington, DC 20436

 

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Mutlilayered Wood Flooring from China

Investigation Nos. 701-TA-476 and 731-TA-1179 (Final)

 

Product Description:

The product covered by these investigations is multilayered wood flooring (MLWF). The subject merchandise is a type of wood flooring composed of multiple layers of wood veneer or other kinds of wood materials that are sandwiched between a back and face veneer of a desired wood species and finish. MLWF is produced in various thicknesses, widths, lengths, species, and finishes. It is typically made with a tongue and groove or interlocking profile along the edges of each strip or plank. The merchandise subject to these investigations is included within several subheadings of Chapter 44 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The predominant classifications are subheadings 4412.31 and 4412.32, but MLWF may also be classified under subheadings 4412.39, 4412.94, 4412.99, 4418.71, and 4418.72 depending on the particular composition and construction of the product.

 

Status of Proceedings:

1. Types of investigations: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.

2. Petitioners: Coalition for American Hardwood Parity (CAHP).

3. Investigations instituted by USITC: June 6, 2011.

4. Hearing: October 12, 2011.

5. USITC vote: November 9, 2011.

6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: November 21, 2011.

 

U.S. Industry:

 

1. Number of U.S. firms involved in production of MLWF in 2011: 13.

2. Employment of production and related workers in 2010: 1,915.

3. U.S. producers' U.S. shipments in 2010: 133,839 thousand

square feet.

4. U.S. apparent consumption in 2010: 307,152 thousand square feet.

 

U.S. Imports:

1. Quantity of subject imports in 2010: 149,339 thousand square feet.

2. Ratio of quantity of total imports to U.S. apparent consumption

in 2010: 56.4 percent.

3. Ratio of quantity of subject imports to U.S. apparent

consumption in 2010: 40.8 percent.

4. Value of subject imports in 2010: $310,059,000.

 

Source: U.S. International Trade Commission

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