News Release 19-037
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1155
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain luxury vinyl tile and components thereof. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Mohawk Industries, Inc., of Calhoun, GA; Flooring Industries Ltd. Sarl of Bertrange, Luxembourg; and IVC US Inc. of Dalton, GA, on March 25, 2019. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain luxury vinyl tile and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a general exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
ABK Trading Corp. of Katy, TX;
Anhui Hanhua Building Materials Co., Ltd., of Anhui, China;
Aspecta North America, LLC, of Norwalk, CT;
Aurora Flooring LLC of Kennesaw, GA;
Benchwick Construction Products Ltd. of Jiangsu, China;
Changzhou Jinuo Decorative Material Co., Ltd., of Jiangsu, China;
Changzhou Marco Merit International Solutions Co. of Jiangsu, China;
Changzhou Runchang Wood Co., Ltd., of Jiangsu, China;
Christina & Son Inc. of Temple City, CA;
Chungstine Inc. d/b/a Expert Hardwood Flooring of Ontario, CA;
Davati Group LLC of Austin, TX;
DeSoto Sales, Inc. of Canoga Park, CA;
Global Wood Inc. of Walnut, CA;
Go-Higher Trading (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd., of Jiangsu, China;
Golden Tree Import & Export Inc. of Temple City, CA;
Halstead New England Corp. of Norwalk, CT;
Hangzhou Kingdom Import & Export Trading Co. Ltd. of Hangzhou, China;
IN.id Corp. of Diamond Bar, CA;
JC Int’l Trading, Inc., of City of Industry, CA;
Jiangsu Divine Building Technology Development Co. Ltd. of Jiangsu, China;
Jiangsu Lejia Plastic Co. Ltd. of Jiangsu, China;
JiangSu Licheer Wood Co., Ltd., of Jiangsu, China;
JiangSu TongSheng Decorative Materials Co., Ltd., of Jiangsu, China;
Jkgy Inc. d/b/a Nextar Trading of City of Industry, CA;
KJ Carpet Wholesale, Inc., of Pomona, CA;
Maxwell Flooring Distribution LLC of Houston, TX;
Metroflor Corp. of Norwalk, CT;
Mountain High Corp. of El Monte, CA;
Mr. Hardwood Inc. of Acworth, GA;
National Coverings, LLC, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL;
Nextar Wholesale of City of Industry, CA;
Northann Distribution Center Inc. of Sacramento, CA;
Pentamax Inc. of Compton, CA;
RBT Industries LLC d/b/a Hardwood Bargains of Austin, TX;
RC Vinyl Inc. of City of Industry, CA;
Royal Family Inc. of Temple City, CA;
Sam Houston Hardwood Inc. of Houston, TX;
Zhejiang Changxing Senda Bamboo and Wood Products Co. Ltd of Zhejiang, China;
Zhangjiagang Elegant Home-Tech Co. Ltd. of Jiangsu, China;
Zhangjiagang Elegant Plastics Co. Ltd. of Jiangsu, China;
Zhangjiagant Yihua Plastics Co., Ltd., of Jiangsu, China;
Zhangjiagang Yihua Rundong New Material Co. Ltd. of Jiangsu, China;
Zhejiean Kimay Building Material Technology Co., Ltd., of Zhejiang, China;
Zhejiang Kingdom Flooring Plastic Co., Ltd., of Zhejiang, China; and
Zhejiang Walrus New Material Co., Ltd., of Zhejiang, China.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1155), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.