US sets preliminary dumping margins on China's dry containers

WASHINGTON - The US Commerce Department on Thursday set preliminary dumping margins on imports of 53-foot domestic dry containers from China, signaling that it may impose punitive duties on the products.

The department made its preliminary affirmative determination that domestic dry containers from China had been sold in the United States at dumping margins ranging from 24.27 percent to 153.24 percent.

Punitive duties would be imposed after both the Commerce Department and the US International Trade Commission (ITC) made affirmative final rulings, which are scheduled in April 2015 and May 2015, respectively. If the ITC makes a negative determination, the investigations will be terminated.

The investigations are in response to a petition filed by Stoughton Trailers based in the state of Wisconsin. The company alleged that the products from China were sold below the fair value of the products in the US market with dumping margin of 84.07 percent, and Chinese producers and exporters also received improper government subsidies.

Fifty-three-foot domestic dry containers are durable, reusable, weatherproof, closed van containers approximately 53 feet in exterior length, designed for the intermodal transport of goods other than bulk liquids.

Imports of these products from China were estimated at $184 million last year, according to US official data.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has kept urging Washington to abide by its commitment against protectionism and help maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.