U.S. says Chinese stainless steel sinks dumped

   The Commerce Department said Chinese manufactured stainless steel sinks are being dumped on the U.S. market.
   Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than fair value. The petitioner for the Commerce investigation is Elkay Manufacturing Co. in Illinois.
   Commerce preliminarily determined on Sept. 28 that Chinese producers/exporters sold drawn stainless steel sinks in the United States at dumping margins of 54.25 percent to 76.53 percent.
   In specific, Superte Kitchenware Co., Ltd. and Guangdong Dongyuan Kitchenware Industrial Co., Ltd. received preliminary dumping margins of 63.87 percent and 54.25 percent, respectively. Nineteen other exporters qualified for a separate rate of 59.06 percent. All other Chinese producers/exporters received the China-wide preliminary dumping margin of 76.53 percent.
   Merchandise covered by this investigation is drawn stainless steel sinks from China. Drawn stainless steel sinks have single or multiple drawn bowls and a smooth basin with seamless, smooth, and rounded corners. Specifically excluded from this investigation are stainless steel sinks with fabricated bowls.
   Commerce has instructed Customs and Border Protection to require a cash deposit based on these preliminary rates, as adjusted. Imports of the subject merchandise are provided for under U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule 7324.10.0000.
   In 2011, imports of drawn stainless steel sinks from China were valued at an estimated $118 million.
   Commerce is currently scheduled to make its final determination by February 2013. If the department makes an affirmative final determination, and the U.S. International Trade Commission makes an affirmative final determination that imports of drawn stainless steel sinks from China injure domestic industry, Commerce will issue an antidumping order. If either Commerce or the ITC’s final determination is negative, no antidumping order will be issued. The ITC will make its final injury determination in January 2013.