Commerce finds dumping of Chinese-made containers

The Commerce Department has issued a preliminary determination that Chinese-made, 53-foot dry containers are dumped on the U.S. market.    The Commerce Department has issued a preliminary determination that Chinese-made, 53-foot dry containers are dumped on the U.S. market.
   Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than fair value. In its investigation of the imported dry vans from China, Commerce noted dumping margins ranging from 24.27 percent to 153.24 percent.
   The Chinese companies with dumping margins of 153.24 percent include Hui Zhou Pacific Container Co., Qingdao Pacific Container Co., Qidong Singamas Energy Equipment Co., Singamas Management Services Ltd., and their holding company Singamas Container Holdings Ltd. Those companies with a preliminary dumping margin of 24.27 percent are China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., China International Marine Containers (HK), Xinhui CIMC Special Transportation Equipment Co., Nantong CIMC-Special Transportation Equipment Manufacture Co., and Qingdao CIMC Container Manufacture Co.
   In 2013, imports of domestic dry containers from China were valued at about $184.2 million.
   As a result of the preliminary affirmative determination, Commerce has asked Customs and Border Protection to require cash deposits based on these preliminary rates. 
   Commerce is scheduled to make its final determination by April 6, 2015. If the department makes an affirmative final determination, and the U.S. International Trade Commission makes a similar decision that these imports from China harm the domestic industry, Commerce will issue an antidumping order. If either Commerce or ITC issue a negative determination, no antidumping order will be issued. ITC is scheduled to make its final determination in May 2015.
   Stoughton Trailers of Wisconsin petitioned Commerce for the antidumping investigation.