On October 21, the Department of Commerce announced its final determination in the antidumping duty investigation on imports of certain malleable iron pipe fittings from the People's Republic of China (PRC), finding that Chinese producers/exporters have sold malleable iron pipe fittings in the U.S. market at less than fair value, with margins ranging from 7.35% to 14.32% for respondent companies, and a rate of 111.36% for all other producers/exporters.

The International Trade Commission's final determination was scheduled for December 4, shortly after we went to press. If the ITC makes a final affirmative determination that imports were materially injuring, or threatening to materially injure, the domestic industry, then the Department will issue an antidumping duty order and will instruct the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to collect antidumping duties.

The petition requesting this investigation was filed by Anvil International, Inc. and Ward Manufacturing, Inc.. which account for virtually all domestic sales and shipments, and virtually all domestic production of malleable iron fittings.

The Department determined that critical circumstances exist for Jinan Meide Casting Co., Ltd. (JMC), SCE Co., Ltd. (SCE) and for the PRC-wide entity, but not for Langfang Pannext Pipe Fitting Co., Ltd. (Pannext), Beijing Sai Lin Ke Hardware Co., Ltd (SLK), or Chengde Malleable Iron General Factory (Chengde).

If the ITC makes a final affirmative determination that critical circumstances exist with regard to imports of malleable pipe fittings, antidumping duties may be assessed retroactively on goods produced/exported by Jinan, as well as those by producers/ importers not included as mandatory respondents, up to 90 days prior to the publication of the Department's preliminary determination.