On March 31, 2017, Petitioners North American Steel & Wire, Inc./ISM Enterprises filed a petition for the imposition of antidumping duties on imports of Carton-Closing Staples from the People’s Republic of China.

SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION

The scope of this investigation is carton-closing staples. Carton-closing staples are fastening devices used to secure or close the flaps of corrugated and solid paperboard cartons and boxes. Carton-closing staples are manufactured from steel wire, and commonly have a copper-coating or a zinc (galvanized) coating. Carton-closing staples manufactured from stainless steel wire are also covered.

Carton-closing staples include stick staple products, often referred to as staple strips, and roll staple products, often referred to as coils. Stick staples are lightly cemented or lacquered together to facilitate handling and loading into stapling machines. Roll staples are taped together along their crowns.

Carton-closing staples vary by the size of the wire, the width of the crown, and the length of the leg. The leg length generally ranges from 0.45 inch to 1.375 inches and the crown width generally ranges from 1.125 inches to 1.375 inches. The size of the wire used in the production of carton-closing staples generally varies from 0.033 to 0.058 inch (thickness) by 0.072 to 0.096 inch (width). Staples that deviate from these dimensions by 10 percent or less in any aspect are covered.

All carton-closing staples meeting the physical descriptions in this scope are covered, regardless of whether they are coated, uncoated, or the type of coating, regardless of whether they are produced from steel wire or stainless steel wire, and regardless of whether they are imported in stick form or roll form.

Carton-closing staples subject to this investigation are currently classifiable under subheadings 8305.20.00.00 and 7317.00.65.60 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”). While HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and for customs purposes, the written description of the subject merchandise is dispositive. To the extent that carton-closing staples that meet the scope description are imported under these or other HTS categories not listed above, they are intended to be covered.

PETITIONER

North American Steel & Wire, Inc./ISM Enterprises
629 E. Butler Road
Butler, PA 16002

COUNSEL FOR PETITIONER

Terence P. Stewart, Esq.
STEWART AND STEWART
2100 M Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20037

ALLEGED DUMPING MARGIN

China: 15.8 – 148.8%

NAMED PRODUCERS/EXPORTERS

For a list of foreign producers/exporters alleged by Petitioner, please see Attachment I.

NAMED IMPORTERS

For a list of importers alleged by Petitioner, please see Attachment II.

IMPORTS OF SUBJECT MERCHANDISE

  2014 2015 2016
China
Volume (KG) 46,771,849 51,408,081 54,664,456
Value (USD) 80,614,374 85,416,728 81,798,781
AUV (USD/KG) 1.72 1.66 1.50

CONTACT US

For more information concerning this petition and how it may affect your business, please contact Jeffrey Neeley.