Petition Filed for New AD Duties on Chinese Mattresses

A group of domestic manufacturers filed a petition on Sept. 18 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping duties on mattresses from China. Commerce will now decide whether to begin an AD duty investigation. The investigation was requested by Corsicana Mattress Company, Elite Comfort Solutions, Future Foam Inc., FXI, Inc., Innocor, Inc., Kolcraft Enterprises Inc., Leggett & Platt, Incorporated, Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC, and Tempur Sealy International, Inc.

Proposed Scope

The petition proposes the following scope for the investigations:

The scope of this petition covers mattresses from China. For purposes of this petition, the term "mattress" denotes an assembly of materials that generally includes a "core" as well as "upholstery" and/or "ticking." The scope of this petition is restricted to only "adult mattresses" and "youth mattresses," but broadly encompasses all types of "innerspring mattresses," "non-innerspring mattresses," and "hybrid mattresses."

Mattresses covered by the scope of this petition may be sold independently or as part of furniture (e.g., convertible sofa bed mattresses, comer group mattresses, day-bed mattresses, rollaway bed mattresses, high risers, trundle bed mattresses, crib mattresses), or as part of a set in combination with a "mattress foundation."

Excluded from the scope of this petition are "futon" mattresses. For purposes of this petition, a "futon mattress" denotes a mattress with a tuft that goes completely through the mattress from the top through to the bottom, and which does not contain innersprings or foam.

Also excluded from the scope are airbeds (including inflatable mattresses) and waterbeds, which consist of air- or liquid-filled bladders as the core or main support system of the mattress.

The products subject to this petition are currently properly classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States subheadings 9404.21.0010, 9404.21.0013, 9404.29.1005, 9404.29.1013, 9404.29.9085 and 9404.29.9087. Products subject to this petition may also enter under HTSUS subheadings 9404.21.0095, 9404.29.1095 and 9404.29.9095. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise subject to this petition is dispositive.

Commerce Accepting Comments on Petition Support

The Commerce Department is accepting comments on domestic industry support for the petitions to determine whether the petitions meet the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic-like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic-like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. If the petitions meet these requirements, among others, Commerce will initiate an antidumping duty investigation. Comments are due Oct. 8.

Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the petition.