The Import Administration, International Trade Administration of the United States Department of Commerce has ruled on antidumping duty reviews requested by four tapered roller bearing manufacturers in China.

In the period reviewed, June 1, 2000 through May 31, 2001 (the U.S. government's fiscal year), the Department found that tapered roller bearings from the People's Republic of China were sold into the United States at, "below normal value," or "dumped."

Affected companies can request administrative reviews and request that duties be suspended or modified on a company-by-company basis.

Because the PRC is considered a "nonmarket economy," the Department allows companies in the PRC to receive different antidumping duty rates for assessments and cash deposits -- provided they can prove they are not under government control.

Four companies requested and qualified for reviews: Tianshui Hailin Import and Export Corporation and Hailin Bearing Factory, Wanxiang Group Corporation, and Zhejiang Machinery Import and Export Corporation. The Department rejected the requests by Wanxiang and Zhejiang.

In May 2002, Commerce verified information provided by Hailin; the process involved on-site facility inspection and review of sales and financial records.

After review, Commerce has now ruled that Tianshui Hailin Import and Export Company and Hailin Bearing qualify for revocation of the antidumping duty and cash deposit requirements.

This is a preliminary determination by the Department of Commerce, subject to a final review. If it passes final review, Commerce will instruct the Customs Service to, "assess antidumping duties based on the differences between the export price or constructed export price and normal value on all appropriate entries."

The preliminary determination took effect July 9, 2002.

The Department of Commerce is inviting interested and affected parties to comment on this preliminary determination.