U.S. Relations with the People's Republic of China (2005)

International Trade Administration (ITA)
Office of Public Affairs

Fact Sheet: Initiation of Antidumping Duty Investigation on Imports of Certain Artist Canvas from the People's Republic of China

On April 22, the Department of Commerce announced its decision to initiate an antidumping duty investigation on imports of certain artist canvas from the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Next Steps: On or about May 16, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to issue its preliminary determination as to whether the domestic industry is materially injured, or is threatened with material injury, as a result of imports of subject merchandise from the PRC. Should the ITC make an affirmative preliminary determination, the Department would then be scheduled to make its preliminary determination in September 2005.

Petitioners: The petition requesting this investigation was filed on April 1, by Tara Materials, Inc. (GA).

Product Description: The products covered by this investigation are artist canvases regardless of dimension and/or size, whether assembled or unassembled (i.e., kits that include artist canvas and other items, such as a wood frame), that have been primed/coated, whether or not made from cotton, whether or not archival, whether bleached or unbleached, and whether or not containing an ink receptive top coat. Priming/coating includes the application of a solution, designed to promote the adherence of artist materials, such as paint or ink, to the fabric. Artist canvases (i.e., pre-stretched canvases, canvas panels, canvas pads, canvas rolls (including bulk rolls that have been primed), printable canvases, floor cloths, and placemats) are tightly woven prepared painting and/or printing surfaces.

Artist canvases subject to this investigation are currently classifiable under subheadings 5901.90.20.00 and 5901.90.40.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Specifically excluded from the scope of this investigation are tracing cloths and stretcher strips, whether or not made from wood, so long as they are not incorporated into artist canvases or sold as part of an artist canvas kit. While HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and Customs purposes, our written description of the scope of this proceeding is dispositive.

Initiated Dumping Margins:

COUNTRY	MARGIN
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA	242.09 to 264.09%

Case Calendar:

EVENT	AD INVESTIGATION
Petition Filed	April 1, 2005
DOC Initiation Date	April 21, 2005
ITC Preliminary Determination	May 16, 2005
DOC Preliminary Determination*	September 8, 2005
DOC Final Determination*	November 22, 2005
ITC Final Determination	January 6, 2006
Issuance of Order**	January 13, 2006

* These deadlines may be extended under the governing statute.

** This will take place only in the event of final affirmative determinations by both the Department and the ITC.

Import Statistics:

	2002	2003	2004
Volume (sq meters)	393,000	629,000	4,547,000
Value ($US)	1,303,000	2,586,000	6,871,000