Commodity Matchbooks from India - Antidumping & Countervailing Duty Investigations

ITC Case Nos. 701-TA-459, 731-TA-1155
DOC Case Nos. A–533–848, C–533–849

Final Antidumping Duty Rates
Triveni Safety Matches - 66.07%
All Others - 66.07%

Final Countervailing Duty Rates
Triveni Safety Matches - 9.88%
All Others - 9.88%

Scope

For scope of this investigation covers commodity matchbooks, also known as commodity book matches, paper matches or booklet matches.¹ Commodity matchbooks typically, but do not necessarily, consist of twenty match stems which are usually made from paperboard or similar material tipped with a match head composed of any chemical formula. The match stems may be stitched, stapled or otherwise fastened into a matchbook cover of any material, on which a striking strip composed of any chemical formula has been applied to assist in the ignition process.

¹ Such commodity matchbooks are also referred to as ``for resale'' because they always enter into retail channels, meaning businesses that sell a general variety of tangible merchandise, e.g., convenience stores, supermarkets, dollar stores, drug stores and mass merchandisers.

Commodity matchbooks included in the scope of this investigation may or may not contain printing. For example, they may have no printing other than the identification of the manufacturer or importer. Commodity matchbooks may also be printed with a generic message such as ``Thank You'' or a generic image such as the American Flag, with store brands (e.g., Kroger, 7-Eleven, Shurfine or Giant); product brands for national or regional advertisers such as cigarettes or alcoholic beverages; or with corporate brands for national or regional distributors (e.g., Penley Corp. or Diamond Brands). They all enter retail distribution channels. Regardless of the materials used for the stems of the matches and regardless of the way the match stems are fastened to the matchbook cover, all commodity matchbooks are included in the scope of this investigation. All matchbooks, including commodity matchbooks, typically comply with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Safety Standard for Matchbooks, codified at 16 CFR Sec. 1202.1 et seq.

The scope of this investigation excludes promotional matchbooks, often referred to as ``not for resale,'' or ``specialty advertising'' matchbooks, as they do not enter into retail channels and are sold to businesses that provide hospitality, dining, drinking or entertainment services to their customers, and are given away by these businesses as promotional items. Such promotional matchbooks are distinguished by the physical characteristic of having the name and/or logo of a bar, restaurant, resort, hotel, club, caf[eacute]/coffee shop, grill, pub, eatery, lounge, casino, barbecue or individual establishment printed prominently on the matchbook cover. Promotional matchbook cover printing also typically includes the address and the phone number of the business or establishment being promoted.² Also excluded are all other matches that are not fastened into a matchbook cover such as wooden matches, stick matches, box matches, kitchen matches, pocket matches, penny matches, household matches, strike-anywhere matches (aka ``SAW'' matches), strike-on-box matches (aka ``SOB'' matches), fireplace matches, barbeque/grill matches, fire starters, and wax matches.

²The gross distinctions between commodity matchbooks and promotional matchbooks may be summarized as follows: (1) if it has no printing, or is printed with a generic message such as ``Thank You'' or a generic image such as the American Flag, or printed with national or regional store brands or corporate brands, it is commodity; (2) if it has printing, and the printing includes the name of a bar, restaurant, resort, hotel, club, caf[eacute]/coffee shop, grill, pub, eatery, lounge, casino, barbecue, or individual establishment prominently displayed on the matchbook cover, it is promotional.

The commodity matchbooks that are the subject of this investigation are currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) statistical reporting number 3605.00.0060. Subject merchandise may also enter under subheading 3605.00.0030 of the HTSUS. These HTSUS provisions are given for reference and customs purposes only, and the description of merchandise is dispositive for determining the scope of the product.

		Commodity matchbooks from india
		ITC Information: Initiation \| Prelim \| Prelim Report \| Final \| Final Report DOC Information: AD Initiation \| AD Prelim \| AD Final Factsheet \| AD Final \| Order CVD Initiation \| CVD Prelim \| CVD Final Factsheet \| CVD Final \| Order

ITC Case Nos. 701-TA-459, 731-TA-1155 DOC Case Nos. A–533–848, C–533–849 Final Antidumping Duty Rates Triveni Safety Matches - 66.07% All Others - 66.07% Final Countervailing Duty Rates Triveni Safety Matches - 9.88% All Others - 9.88% Scope For scope of this investigation covers commodity matchbooks, also known as commodity book matches, paper matches or booklet matches.¹ Commodity matchbooks typically, but do not necessarily, consist of twenty match stems which are usually made from paperboard or similar material tipped with a match head composed of any chemical formula. The match stems may be stitched, stapled or otherwise fastened into a matchbook cover of any material, on which a striking strip composed of any chemical formula has been applied to assist in the ignition process. ¹ Such commodity matchbooks are also referred to as ``for resale'' because they always enter into retail channels, meaning businesses that sell a general variety of tangible merchandise, e.g., convenience stores, supermarkets, dollar stores, drug stores and mass merchandisers. Commodity matchbooks included in the scope of this investigation may or may not contain printing. For example, they may have no printing other than the identification of the manufacturer or importer. Commodity matchbooks may also be printed with a generic message such as ``Thank You'' or a generic image such as the American Flag, with store brands (e.g., Kroger, 7-Eleven, Shurfine or Giant); product brands for national or regional advertisers such as cigarettes or alcoholic beverages; or with corporate brands for national or regional distributors (e.g., Penley Corp. or Diamond Brands). They all enter retail distribution channels. Regardless of the materials used for the stems of the matches and regardless of the way the match stems are fastened to the matchbook cover, all commodity matchbooks are included in the scope of this investigation. All matchbooks, including commodity matchbooks, typically comply with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Safety Standard for Matchbooks, codified at 16 CFR Sec. 1202.1 et seq. The scope of this investigation excludes promotional matchbooks, often referred to as ``not for resale,'' or ``specialty advertising'' matchbooks, as they do not enter into retail channels and are sold to businesses that provide hospitality, dining, drinking or entertainment services to their customers, and are given away by these businesses as promotional items. Such promotional matchbooks are distinguished by the physical characteristic of having the name and/or logo of a bar, restaurant, resort, hotel, club, caf[eacute]/coffee shop, grill, pub, eatery, lounge, casino, barbecue or individual establishment printed prominently on the matchbook cover. Promotional matchbook cover printing also typically includes the address and the phone number of the business or establishment being promoted.² Also excluded are all other matches that are not fastened into a matchbook cover such as wooden matches, stick matches, box matches, kitchen matches, pocket matches, penny matches, household matches, strike-anywhere matches (aka ``SAW'' matches), strike-on-box matches (aka ``SOB'' matches), fireplace matches, barbeque/grill matches, fire starters, and wax matches. ²The gross distinctions between commodity matchbooks and promotional matchbooks may be summarized as follows: (1) if it has no printing, or is printed with a generic message such as ``Thank You'' or a generic image such as the American Flag, or printed with national or regional store brands or corporate brands, it is commodity; (2) if it has printing, and the printing includes the name of a bar, restaurant, resort, hotel, club, caf[eacute]/coffee shop, grill, pub, eatery, lounge, casino, barbecue, or individual establishment prominently displayed on the matchbook cover, it is promotional. The commodity matchbooks that are the subject of this investigation are currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) statistical reporting number 3605.00.0060. Subject merchandise may also enter under subheading 3605.00.0030 of the HTSUS. These HTSUS provisions are given for reference and customs purposes only, and the description of merchandise is dispositive for determining the scope of the product.		Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders on Commodity Matchbooks from India On December 11, 2009, the U.S. Department of Commerce published the antidumping and countervaling duty orders on commodity matchbooks from India. As a result, all imports of commodity matchbooks from India must be accompanied by cash deposits for estimated antidumping duties in an amount equal to 66.07% of the entered value of the merchandise. Appeal from the determinations of the Department of Commerce and U.S. International Trade Commission may be made within 30 days. Final antidumping duties will be calculated in the first administrative review of commodity matchbooks from India. Exporters, importers, and the U.S. domestic industry will have an opportunity to request the administrative review in December, 2010. If no review is requested, all entries of commodity matchbooks from India since the preliminary determinations were published will be liquidated at the 66.07% rate. ITC issues Final Affirmative Injury Notice and Report The U.S. International Trade Administration published its final affirmative injury determination and released its final Commission Report in the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of Commodity Matchbooks from India. As a result, the U.S. Department of Commerce will publish the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on commodity matchbooks from India. Tiveni Safety Matches imported into the United States will be subject to cash deposits of estimated antidumping and countervaling duties -- in an amount equal to the the entered value of the merchandise multiplied by the rates determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Commerce to Impose 66.07% Antidumping Duty and 9.88% Countervailing Duty on Triveni Safety Matches On October 16, 2009, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced final dumping and subsidy determinations in the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of commodity matchbooks from India. The final dumping margin for Triveni Safety Matches is 66.07%, and the final subsidy rate is 9.88%. These rates apply to all Indian producers and exporters of commodity matchbooks made in India. This means importers will be required to pay cash deposits totaling 75.95% of the entered value of commodity matchbooks from India upon entering the commodity matchbooks into the United States. Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than normal value. Subsidies are financial assistance from foreign governments that benefit the production, manufacture, or exportation of goods. The merchandise subject to these investigations is commodity matchbooks, also known as commodity book matches, paper matches or booklet matches. Commodity matchbooks typically, but do not necessarily, consist of twenty match stems which are usually made from paperboard or similar material tipped with a match head composed of any chemical formula. The match stems may be stitched, stapled or otherwise fastened into a matchbook cover of any material, on which a striking strip composed of any chemical formula has been applied to assist in the ignition process. Commodity matchbooks included in the scope of these investigations may or may not contain printing; they may have no printing other than the identification of the manufacturer or mporter; they may also be printed with a generic message such as Thank You or a generic image such as the American Flag. Commodity matchbooks are currently classifiable under the subheading 3605.00.0060 and may also enter under subheading 3605.00.0030 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The International Trade Commission is scheduled to make its final injury determination on November 30, 2009, and the antidumping and countervailing duty orders are expected to be issued by December 7, 2009.