Imported polyethylene bags saddled with temporary tariffs by U.S.

Acting on a petition from a coalition of North American bagmakers, the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined that polyethylene retail carrier bags imported from China, Malaysia and Thailand are subject to anti-dumping duties ranging from less than 1% to 123%.
The tariffs stem from the Department of Commerce’s preliminary investigation, completed in January 2004. Next, the department will consider comments from interested parties, then make its final determination whether these bags were sold below fair market value. Following that, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will make a determination whether imports were injuring the domestic industry. If both determinations are affirmative, final tariffs will be set. The case could wrap up as early as August 2004.
The bags in question are commonly referred to as grocery bags, t-shirt bags, merchandise bags or checkout bags.
PCL Packaging, based in Oakville, ON, is a member of the coalition which filed the complaint, the Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bag Committee. PCL has manufacturing facilities in both Canada and the U.S.