On January 8, 2015, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC)  announced U.S. industry is being materially injured due to imports of calcium hypochlorite from China.  Previously, on December 9, 2014, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) made a final determination that calcium hypochlorite from China is being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.  In that final determination, Commerce assessed a China-wide dumping margin of 210.52 percent on calcium hypochlorite and also determined that these imports have received countervailable subsidies of 65.85 percent.  After subtracting the 9.62 percent export subsidy from the dumping margin, the cash deposit required under the AD order will be 200.9 percent. As a result of these determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping (AD) and countervailable duty (CVD) orders on calcium hypochlorite from China.

The AD and CVD margins were determined after the Chinese producers named as mandatory respondents were deemed to have failed to cooperate to the best of their abilities in both the AD and CVD investigations.  Specifically, five of the six mandatory respondents notified Commerce that they would not participate as mandatory respondents.  Furthermore, the Government of China did not respond to the countervailing duty questionnaire.  Therefore, the mandatory respondents were assessed the China-wide rates noted above.

Calcium hypochlorite is commonly used as a disinfecting agent for swimming pools and drinking water. According to Commerce, imports of calcium hypochlorite from China were valued at $8.1 million in 2013.

If you have questions about AD and/or CVD duties, please contact Frohsin & Barger at (205)-933-4006 ext. 5.