News Release 19-119
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-610 and 731-TA-1425-1426 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
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 China and Germany that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.
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 these votes.
As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from China and Germany and a countervailing duty order on imports of this product from China.
The Commission also made a negative finding concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from China. As a result, imports of refillable stainless steel kegs from China will not be subject to retroactive antidumping and countervailing duties.
The Commission’s public report Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs from China and Germany (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-610 and 731-TA-1425-1426 (Final), USITC Publication 5002, December 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by December 30, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Refillable Stainless Steel Kegs from China and Germany
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-610 and 731-TA-1425-1426 (Final)
Product Description: Refillable stainless steel kegs are cylindrically shaped containers made from stainless steel 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; have a nominal liquid volume capacity of 10 liters or more; regardless of the type of finish, gauge, thickness, or grade of stainless steel; and whether or not covered by or encased in other materials. 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 (commonly known as ''Cornelius'' kegs); (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 and countervailing duty investigations.
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: November 22, 2019.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: December 9, 2019.
U.S. Industry in 2018:
1. Number of U.S. producers: One.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Pennsylvania.
3. Production and related workers: [1]
4. U.S. producers’ 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: $97.7 million.
2. Nonsubject imports: 1
3. Leading import sources: China, Germany, and Mexico.
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.