The United States Department of Commerce has imposed preliminary "antidumping" duties on imports of certain polyester staple fibre (PSF) from China.

Imposition of preliminary duties is an interim measure in regard to an antidumping duty investigation started in June 2006. The investigation was sparked by a petition filed with the International Trade Commission (ITC) and Department of Commerce by American producers DAK Americas LLC, Nan Ya Plastics Corp. America, and Wellman, Inc. The petition covered the types of PSF typically used as stuffing.

The Commerce Dept. has calculated preliminary antidumping margins ranging from 44.30% to 4.39% of the value of Chinese imports. Three Chinese producers were singled out in the preliminary determination: Cixi Jiangnan Chemical Fibers Company (15.30%), Far Eastern Industries Shanghai (10.45%), and Ningbo Dafa Chemical Fibers Company (4.39%).

Importers will be required to post a bond or cash deposit in the amount of the duties, pending the final determination in the investigation and announcement of final duty amounts, which is expected in May 2007.

"Today's announcement by the Commerce Department signals a return of fair pricing and competition in the marketplace," said Paul C. Rosenthal, lead counsel for the petitioners and managing partner of Kelley Drye Collier Shannon in Washington, D.C. Mr. Rosenthal also noted that final antidumping duty margins were expected to be even higher.