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News Release 18-046
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1359 (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 carton-closing staples from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Vice Chairman David S. Johanson, and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Jason E. Kearns did not participate in this investigation.
As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determination, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China.
The Commission’s public report Carton-Closing Staples from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1359 (Final), USITC Publication 4778, April 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available by May 21, 2018; 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
Carton-Closing Staples from China
Investigation No. 731-TA-1359 (Final)
Product Description: Carton-closing staples are fastening devices used to secure or close the flaps of corrugated and solid paperboard cartons and boxes. Carton-closing staples are generally made to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specification ASTM D1974/D1974M-16, but can also be made to other specifications. Carton-closing staples include stick staple products, often referred to as staple strips, and roll staple products, often referred to as coils. Stick staples are lightly cemented or lacquered together to facilitate handling and loading into stapling machines. Roll staples are taped together along their crowns. The nominal leg length ranges from 0.4095 inch to 1.375 inches and the nominal crown width ranges from 1.125 inches to 1.375 inches. The size of the wire used in the production of carton-closing staples varies from 0.029 to 0.064 inch (nominal thickness) by 0.064 to 0.100 inch (nominal width). Carton-closing staples may be manufactured from carbon, alloy, or stainless steel wire, and may be uncoated or coated, regardless of the type of coating.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final phase antidumping duty investigation.
2. Petitioners: North American Steel & Wire, Inc./ISM Enterprises, Butler, PA.
3. USITC Institution Date: Friday, March 31, 2017.
4. USITC Hearing Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2018.
5. USITC Vote Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2018.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Friday, May 11, 2018.
U.S. Industry in 2016:
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 2016:
1. Subject imports: $7.8 million.
2. Nonsubject imports: $728,000.
3. Leading import sources: China, Sweden.
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.