September 16, 2019
News Release 19-087
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1427
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs from Mexico Retards U.S. Industry, says USITC

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that the establishment of a U.S. industry is materially retarded by reason of imports of refillable stainless steel kegs from Mexico that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.  Commissioners Randolph J. Stayin and Amy A. Karpel did not participate in this vote.

As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determination, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from Mexico. 

The Commission also made a negative finding concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from Mexico.  As a result, imports of refillable stainless steel kegs from Mexico will not be subject to retroactive antidumping duties.

The Commission’s public report Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs from Mexico (Inv. No. 731-TA-1427 (Final), USITC Publication 4976, October 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available by October 23, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs from Mexico

Investigation No. 731-TA-1427 (Final)

Product Description:  Refillable stainless steel kegs are approximately cylindrically shaped containers made from stainless steel (regardless of finish, gauge, thickness, or grade, and whether or not covered by or encased in other materials) and designed to hold, transport, and dispense beer, wine, and other liquids. These kegs are compatible with a ''D Sankey'' extractor (spear) for dispensing, cleaning, and refilling, and have a nominal liquid volume capacity of 10 liters or more. They may be imported either assembled or unassembled, with or without all components (including spears, couplers or taps, necks, collars, and valves), and filled or unfilled. Specifically excluded are: (1) vessels or containers that are not approximately cylindrically shaped; (2) stainless steel kegs, vessels, or containers that have either a ''ball lock'' or a ''pin lock'' valve system; (3) spears, couplers or taps, necks, collars, and valves that are not imported with the subject merchandise; and (4) filled stainless steel kegs designated by the Commissioner of Customs as "Instruments of International Traffic" within the meaning of Section 332(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.

Status of Proceedings:

  1. Type of investigation:  Final phase antidumping duty investigation.
  2. Petitioners:  American Keg Company LLC, Pottstown, PA.
  3. USITC Institution Date: September 20, 2018.
  4. USITC Hearing Date:  August 14, 2019.
  5. USITC Vote Date:  September 16, 2019.
  6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  October 3, 2019.

U.S. Industry in 2018:

  1. Number of U.S. producers:  One.
  2. Location of producer’s plants:  Pennsylvania.
  3. Production and related workers:  1
  4. U.S. producer’s U.S. shipments:  1
  5. Apparent U.S. consumption:  1
  6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  1

U.S. Imports in 2018:

  1. Subject imports:  $93.7 million.
  2. Nonsubject imports:  1
  3. Leading import sources:  China, Germany, and Mexico.
 
1 Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

 

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