An official website of the United States government. 
News Release 21-043
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-649 and 731-TA-1523 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of twist ties 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 Chair Randolph J. Stayin and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative. Chair Jason E. Kearns and Commissioner David S. Johanson voted in the negative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China.
The Commission’s public report Twist Ties from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-649 and 731-TA-1523 (Final), USITC Publication 5179, April 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available by April 23, 2021; 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
Twist Ties from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-649 and 731-TA-1523 (Final)
Product Description: The merchandise covered by these investigations consist of twist ties, which are thin, bendable ties for closing containers, such as bags, bundle items, or identifying objects. The product in most circumstances is comprised of one or more metal wires encased in a covering material, which allows the tie to retain its shape and bind against itself. It is possible to make a twist tie with plastic and no metal wires. The metal wire that is generally used in a twist tie is stainless or galvanized steel and typically measures between the gauges of 19 (.0410" diameter) and 31 (.0132") (American Standard Wire Gauge). Included are all-plastic twist ties containing a plastic core as well as a plastic covering (the wing) over the core, like paper and/or plastic in a metal tie. An all-plastic twist tie (without metal wire) has the same measurements as a twist tie containing one or more metal wires. Twist ties are commonly available individually in pre-cut lengths ("singles"), wound in large spools to be cut later by machine or hand, or in perforated sheets of spooled or single twist ties that are later slit by machine or by hand ("gangs"). The covering material of a twist tie may be paper (metallic or plain) or plastic and can be dyed in a variety of colors with or without printing. The product may have the same covering material on both sides or one side of paper and one side of plastic. When comprised of two sides of paper, the paper material is bound together with an adhesive or plastic. A twist tie may also have a tag or label attached to it or a pre-applied adhesive attached. Excluded from these investigations are twist ties packaged with bags for sale together where the quantity of twist ties does not exceed twice the number of bags in each package. Also excluded are twists ties that constitute part of the packaging of the imported product, for example, merchandise anchored/secured to a backing with twist ties in the retail package or a bag of bread that is closed with a twist tie.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioners: Bedford Industries Inc., Worthington, MN.
3. USITC Institution Date: Friday, June 26, 2020.
4. USITC Hearing Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
5. USITC Vote Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2021.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Thursday, April 8, 2021.
U.S. Industry in 2019:
1. Number of U.S. producers: 2.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Arizona and Minnesota.
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 2019:
1. Subject imports: $2.2 million.
2. Nonsubject imports: 1
3. Leading import sources: China.
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.