Petition Filed for New AD/CV Duties on Glass Containers From China

A coalition of U.S. manufacturers seeks the imposition of new antidumping and countervailing duties on glass containers from China, it said in a petition filed with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission Sept. 24. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations, which could result in the imposition of permanent AD/CV duty orders and the assessment of AD and CV duties on importers.

AD/CV duties sought by the petition, filed by the American Glass Packaging Coalition, would come on top of recently imposed Section 301 tariffs covering imports of the product. The petition targets glass containers used in the food and beverage industry, including beer, wine and liquor bottles, non-alcoholic beverage bottles, ready-to-drink bottles, and food containers.

Proposed Scope

The petition proposes the following scope for the investigations:

The merchandise covered by this investigation are certain glass containers with a nominal capacity of 0.059 liters (2.0 fluid ounces) to 4.0 liters (135.256 fluid ounces) and an opening or mouth with a nominal outer diameter of 14 millimeters to 120 millimeters. The scope includes glass jars, bottles, flasks and similar containers; with or without their closures; whether clear or colored; and with or without design or functional enhancements (including, but not limited to, handles, embossing, labeling, or etching).

Excluded from the scope of the investigation are: (1) glass containers made of borosilicate glass, meeting United States Pharmacopeia requirements for Type 1 pharmaceutical containers; (2) glass containers produced by 'free blown' method or otherwise without the use of a mold (i.e., without "mold seams," "joint marks," or "parting lines"); and (3) glass containers without a "finish" (i.e., the section of a container at the opening including the lip and ring or collar, threaded or otherwise compatible with a type of closure, including but not limited to a lid, cap, or cork).

Glass containers subject to this investigation are specified within the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 7010.90.5009, 7010.90.5019, 7010.90.5029, 7010.90.5039, 7010.90.5049, 7010.90.5055, 7010.90.5005, 7010.90.5015, 7010.90.5025, 7010.90.5035 and 7010.90.5045. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of the investigations 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 antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. Comments are due on or about Oct. 14.

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