04-1740. Wooden Bedroom Furniture From China

Determination

On the basis of the record ^[1] developed in the subject investigation, the United States International Trade Commission (Commission) determines, pursuant to section 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)) (the Act), that there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured ^[2] by reason of imports from China of wooden bedroom furniture, provided for in subheading 9403.50.90 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS),^[3] that are alleged to be sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV).

Commencement of Final Phase Investigation

Pursuant to section 207.18 of the Commission's rules, the Commission also gives notice of the commencement of the final phase of its investigation. The Commission will issue a final phase notice of scheduling, which will be published in the Federal Register as provided in section 207.21 of the Commission's rules, upon notice from the Department of Commerce (Commerce) of an affirmative preliminary determination in the investigation under section 733(b) of the Act, or, if the preliminary determination is negative, upon notice of an affirmative final determination in that investigation under section 735(a) of the Act. Parties that filed entries of appearance in the preliminary phase of the investigation need not enter a separate appearance for the final phase of the investigation. Industrial users, and, if the merchandise under investigation is sold at the retail level, representative consumer organizations have the right to appear as parties in Commission antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. The Secretary will prepare a public service list containing the names and addresses of all persons, or their representatives, who are parties to the investigation.

Background

On October 31, 2003, a petition was filed with the Commission and Commerce by the American Furniture Manufacturers Committee For Legal Trade, Washington, DC, and its individual members; Cabinet Makers, Millmen, and Industrial Carpenters Local 721, Whittier, CA; UBC Southern Council of Industrial Workers Local Union 2305, Columbus, MS; United Steel Workers of America Local 193U, Lewisburg, PA; Carpenters Industrial Union Local 2093, Phoenix, AZ; and Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers Local 991, Bay Minette, AL, alleging that an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of LTFV imports of wooden bedroom furniture from China. Accordingly, effective October 31, 2003, the Commission instituted antidumping duty investigation No. 731-TA-1058 (Preliminary).

Notice of the institution of the Commission's investigation and of a public conference to be held in connection therewith was given by posting copies of the notice in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and by publishing the notice in the Federal Register of November 10, 2003 (68 FR 63816). The conference was held in Washington, DC, on November 21, 2003, and all persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in person or by counsel.

The Commission transmitted its determination in this investigation to the Secretary of Commerce on January 12, 2004. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 3667 (January 2004), entitled Wooden Bedroom Furniture from China: Investigation No. 731-TA-1058 (Preliminary).

Issued: January 21, 2004.

By order of the Commission.

Marilyn R. Abbott,

Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 207.2(f)).

2.  Commissioner Pearson makes a determination of threat of material injury.

3.  Subject merchandise may also be provided for in HTS subheadings 7009.92.50 and 9403.90.70.