Update on Antidumping Duties on Chinese Candles

Issue 528, September 25, 2006

The Department of Commerce has completed its review to determine whether candles composed of petroleum wax and over fifty percent or more palm and/or other vegetable oil based waxes (“mixed wax candles”) can be considered subject to the antidumping duty order (A-570-504) on petroleum wax candles from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Previously, mixed wax candles with over 50% palm oil were considered to be not subject to the antidumping case. Now any candles from the PRC in the shapes listed below and with an appropriate wick, containing no more than 87.8% palm or other vegetable oil-based waxes and mixed with petroleum wax, and entered after February 25, 2005, are included in the antidumping order (A-570-504) on petroleum wax candles from the PRC.

The antidumping order includes petroleum wax candles, having fiber or paper-cored wicks, sold in the following shapes: tapers, spirals, straight-sided dinner candles, rounds, columns, pillars, votives, and wax-filled containers. Any candles from the PRC in the aforementioned shapes and with an appropriate wick, containing no more than 87.8% palm or other vegetable oil-based waxes and mixed with petroleum wax, and entered after February 25, 2005, are subject to the antidumping order (A-570-504) on petroleum wax candles from the PRC. Specifically excluded from this investigation are candles containing 100% palm or vegetable-oil based waxes, as well as those candles composed of more than 50% beeswax.

Mixed oil candles from the PRC (in a designated shape, with a designated wick) with less than 22.2% palm oil are subject to antidumping investigation. In the absence of conclusive evidence to the contrary, manufacturers must be identified and applicable antidumping duties at 108.30 percent deposited at the time of entry summary. Entries made after February 25, 2005, and before June 2, 2006, will be liquidated at 108.30% and a supplementary bill will be sent to the importer for payment.

Importers should review shipments of this merchandise entered on or after February 25, 2005 and file amended entries that identify the case number and manufacturer and tender the required antidumping duties. A statement of non-reimbursement of such duties should also be provided.

For additional information, please call your local DHL Global Forward sales executive.