January 9, 2004
News Release 04-008
Inv. No. 731-TA-1058 (P)

ITC VOTES TO CONTINUE CASE ON WOODEN BEDROOM FURNITURE FROM CHINA

 The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of wooden bedroom furniture from China that is allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping investigation of imports of wooden bedroom furniture from China, with its preliminary antidumping determination due on or about May 5, 2004.

The Commission's public report Wooden Bedroom Furniture from China (Investigation No. 731-TA-1058 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3667, January 2004) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after February 2, 2004, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Wooden Bedroom Furniture from China
Investigation No. 731-TA-1058 (Preliminary)

Product Description: The imported product subject to this investigation is wooden bedroom furniture. Wooden bedroom furniture is generally, but not exclusively, designed, manufactured, and offered for sale in coordinated groups, or bedrooms, in which all of the individual pieces are of approximately the same style and approximately the same material and/or finish. The subject merchandise is made substantially of wood products, including both solid wood and also engineered wood products made from wood particles, fibers, or other wooden material such as plywood, oriented strand board, particle board, and fiberboard; with or without wood veneers, wood overlays, or laminates; with or without non-wood components or trim such as metal, marble, leather, glass, plastic, or other resins; and whether or not assembled, completed, or finished.

Status of Proceedings:

1. Type of investigation:  Preliminary antidumping.
2. Petitioners:  American Furniture Manufacturers Committee for Legal Trade, Washington,
   DC, and its individual members; the Cabinet Makers, Millmen, and Industrial Carpenters
   Local 721, Whittier, CA; the UBC Southern Council of Industrial Workers Local 2305,
   Columbus, MS; the United Steel Workers of America Local 193U, Lewisburg, PA; the
   Carpenters Industrial Union Local 2093, Phoenix,AZ; and the Teamsters, Chauffeurs,
   Warehousemen and Helpers Union Local 991, Bay Minette,AL.
3. Preliminary investigation instituted by the USITC:  October 31, 2003.
4. Commission's public conference:  November 21, 2003.
5. USITC vote:  January 9, 2004.
6. USITC determination to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  January 12, 2004.

U.S. Industry:

1. Number of producers in 2003:  52
2. Location of producers' plants:  Throughout the United States with highest concentrations in
   Virginia, North Carolina, and California.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2002:  31,990
4. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2002:  $4.4 billion
5. Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2002:  52.7 percent

U.S. Imports:

1. From China during 2002:  $957.9 million
2. From other countries during 2002:  $1.4 billion
3. Leading sources during 2002: China ($957.9 million) and Canada ($401.4 million).
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