The US Department of Commerce (DOC) last week announced the initiation of anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations into the import of laminated woven sacks (LWSs) from Viet Nam.

The investigated products include LWSs and/or bags consisting of one or more plies of fabric comprising woven polypropylene strip and/or woven polyethylene strip, which have HS codes 6305.33.0040, 3917.39.0050, 3921.90.1100, 3921.90.1500, 3923.21.0080, 3923.21.0095, 3923.29.0000, 4601.99.0500, 4601.99.9000, 4602.90.0000, and 5903.90.2500.

The investigations are based on petitions filed by Polytex Fibres Corporation and ProAmpac Holdings Inc. on March 7, 2018. They have alleged that LWS products imported from Viet Nam are under Government subsidies and are sold in the United States at less-than-normal value, causing significant losses to US domestic production.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determinations on or before April 23, 2018.

If ITC determines that there is a reasonable indication that imports of LWSs from Viet Nam materially injure, or threaten material injury to, the domestic industry in the United States, the investigations will continue, and DOC will be scheduled to announce its preliminary countervailing duty determination in June 2018 and preliminary anti-dumping determination in August 2018, although these dates may be extended.

If ITC’s determinations are negative, the investigations will be terminated.

Last year, LWS exports from Viet Nam to the US were valued at an estimated US$21.1 million. — VNS