On January 18th 2012, US Department of Commerce initiated AD and CVD investigations of imports of steel wire garment hangers from Taiwan (AD) and Vietnam (AD/CVD).

For the purpose of AD investigations, dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than fair value. For the purpose of CVD investigations, countervailable subsidies are financial assistance from foreign governments that benefit the production of goods from foreign companies and are limited to specific enterprises or industries, or are contingent either upon export performance or upon the use of domestic goods over imported goods.

The petitioners for these investigations are M&B Metal Products Company Inc, Innovative Fabrication LLC/ Indy Hanger and US Hanger Company LLC.

Steel wire garment hangers are produced primarily for use by the dry cleaning, industrial laundry, textile, and uniform rental industries. The Department currently has an AD order in place on steel wire garment hangers from the People’s Republic of China.

The merchandise subject to these investigations is steel wire garment hangers, fabricated from carbon steel wire, whether or not galvanized or painted, whether or not coated with latex or epoxy or similar gripping materials, and or whether or not fashioned with paper covers or capes (with or without printing) and or non slip features such as saddles or tubes. These products may also be referred to by a commercial designation, such as shirt, suit, strut, caped, or latex (industrial) hangers.

Specifically excluded from the scope of these investigations are wooden, plastic, and other garment hangers that are not made of steel wire, steel wire garment hangers with swivel hooks, steel wire garment hangers with clips permanently affixed and chrome plated steel wire garment hangers with a diameter of 3.4 mm or greater.

Imports of the subject merchandise are provided for under the following categories of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States: HTSUS 7323.99.9060, 7323.99.9080, and 7326.20.0020). Some HTSUS subheadings include basket categories and may cover both subject and non subject merchandise. Note HTS code 7323.99.9060 was in effect for subject merchandise prior to 2011 and is included for historic data purposes. These HTS numbers are provided for convenience and Customs purposes only; the written description of the scope is dispositive.

Alleged dumping margins: Country Margin

Estimated subsidy rate: Country Subsidy Rate

Case Calendar: Event AD Investigations CVD Investigation

Import Statistics

Source: US Bureau of Census