FACT SHEET
Commerce Initiates Countervailing Duty Investigation on Coated Free Sheet Paper
from the People’s Republic of China
• On November 21, the Department of Commerce (Department) announced its decision to
initiate a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation on imports of coated free sheet paper from
China.
• This is the first CVD petition against China since 1991, when the Department initiated
investigations on lugnuts and ceiling fans. The initiation of this investigation will require the
Department to review its long-standing policy of not applying the CVD law to non-market
economies (NMEs). However, we have not at this time made any determination regarding
the applicability of CVD law to NMEs in our initiation. We will make this determination in
the context of the investigation.
• NewPage Corporation (OH) is the petitioner for this investigation.
• The scope of the investigation includes coated free sheet paper and paperboard of a kind used
for writing, printing or other graphic purposes (hereinafter “coated free sheet paper”).
• Excluded from the scope of the investigation are: (1) coated free sheet paper that is imported
printed with final content printed text or graphics; (2) base paper to be sensitized for use in
photography; and (3) paper containing by weight 25 percent or more cotton fiber.
• Coated free sheet paper is classifiable under subheadings 4810.13.1900, 4810.13.2010,
4810.13.2090, 4810.13.5000, 4810.13.7040, 4810.14.1900, 4810.14.2010, 4810.14.2090,
4810.14.5000, 4810.14.7040, 4810.19.1900, 4810.19.2010, and 4810.19.2090 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). While HTSUS subheadings are
provided for convenience and customs purposes, the Department’s written description of the
scope of this investigation is dispositive.
NEXT STEPS
• The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its preliminary injury
determination on or about December 15, 2006.
•
If the ITC determines that there is a rea