A petition filed April 19 alleges that ceramic tile from India is being sold at less than fair value in the U.S. and benefiting from countervailable subsidies. The alleged average dumping margins range from 407.78 percent to 827.6 percent.
The product covered by this petition is ceramic flooring tile, wall tile, paving tile, hearth tile, porcelain tile, mosaic tile, flags, finishing tile, and the. Ceramic tiles contain a mixture of minerals including clay (generally hydrous silicates of alumina or magnesium) that are fired so the raw materials are fused to produce a finished good less than 3.2 cm in actual thickness. All ceramic tile is covered by the petition regardless of (1) end use, surface area, and weight, (2) whether the tile is glazed or unglazed, (3) the water absorption coefficient by weight, (4) the extent of vitrification, and (5) whether or not the tile is on a backing.
The petition includes ceramic tile that undergoes minor processing in a third country prior to importation into the U.S. or in the U.S. after importation. Such minor processing includes beveling, cutting, trimming, staining, painting, polishing, finishing, additional firing, affixing a decorative surface, or any other processing that would otherwise not remove the tile from the scope of the petition if performed in the country of manufacture of the in-scope product.
Ceramic tile is provided for in dozens of subheadings under HTSUS heading 6907 and may also enter under HTSUS 6905.10.0000, 6905.90.0050, 6914.10.8000, or 6914.90.8000.
The Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission will next determine whether to launch AD and CV duty and injury investigations, respectively, on this product. There are strict statutory deadlines associated with these proceedings, so affected companies that wish to protect their interests should contact Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg as soon as possible.
For more information, please contact attorney Kristen Smith at (202) 730-4965.
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