U.S. Commerce Vietnam antidumping investigation nearing a close

U.S. Commerce Vietnam antidumping investigation nearing a close Customs brokers should be aware of potential antidumping consequences relating to apparel from Vietnam, Avalon Risk Management said this week.
   'Within weeks, the Department of Commerce may announce a self-initiated antidumping investigation against certain textile and apparel imports from Vietnam,' the company's e-mail newsletter said Monday. 'The investigation is based on the data DOC collected from its Textile and Apparel Products From Vietnam Import Monitoring Program, launched in January of this year. DOC is monitoring five sensitive product categories: trousers, shirts, sweaters, underwear and swimwear.
   'Should the International Trade Administration determine goods are being dumped in the United States market, the ITA will direct Customs to suspend all liquidation of entries of the concerned merchandise while the ITA and International Trade Commission continue investigations, usually lasting four to seven months. During the preliminary period, importers must post a cash deposit or bond for the (antidumping or countervailing duties) preliminary margin.
   'If the AD or CVD margin is less than 5 percent, entries can be made under the importer’s existing continuous bond, provided the amount is large enough to cover the contemplated AD/CVD duties. If the margin is greater than 5 percent, importers must post cash or a separate single transaction bond equal to the AD or CVD margin.'
   The monitoring system is due to expire at the end of the current DOC administration in January 2009, Avalon said.
   For more information, go to: https://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/vietnam-textile-monitoring/vtm-index.html