Petition Filed for New AD Duties on Thermal Paper

Two domestic manufacturers filed a petition Oct. 7 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping duties on thermal paper from Germany, Japan, South Korea and Spain. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD duty investigations on thermal paper. Appvion Operations and Domtar Corp. requested the inquiry.

Thermal paper is generally used in point-of-sale applications, such as ATM, credit card and gas pump receipts, labels, tickets and tags. Commerce imposed antidumping and countervailing duties on lightweight thermal paper from China and Germany in 2008. The AD duty order on Germany was revoked in 2014. The AD/CV duty orders on lightweight thermal paper from China remain in effect.

Proposed Scope

The scope of these investigations covers thermal paper in the form of “jumbo rolls” and certain “converted rolls.” Jumbo rolls are defined as rolls with a nominal width of 4.5 inches or more, a nominal weight of 65 pounds or more, and a nominal diameter of 20 inches or more (“jumbo rolls”). All jumbo rolls are included in the scope regardless of the basis weight of the paper. Also included in the scope are “converted rolls” with a width of less than 4.5 inches, and with a basis weight of 70 grams per square meter or less. The scope covers jumbo rolls and converted rolls of thermal paper with or without a base coat (typically made of clay and/or latex, and/or like materials) on one or both sides; with thermal active coating(s) (typically made of sensitizer, dye, and co-reactant, and/or like materials) on one or both sides; with or without a top coat (typically made of pigments, polyvinyl alcohol, and/or like materials).

The scope of these investigations covers imports of converted rolls from third countries that are manufactured from jumbo rolls produced in the subject countries.

The merchandise subject to these investigations may be classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 4811.90.8030 for jumbo rolls and HTSUS 4811.90.9030 for converted rolls. Although HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of these 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 an antidumping duty investigation. Comments are due Oct. 27.

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