A federal circuit court affirmed that imports of spring lock washers from China by United Steel and Fasteners Inc. (USF) were properly subjected to U.S. antidumping duties because evidence supported their classification as “helical” washers, Bloomberg Law reports.

However, the appeals court held that the Commerce Department overstepped its authority in making the duties on the company’s washers retroactive by 20 years.

The U.S. has imposed antidumping duties on certain Chinese helical spring lock washers since 1993. In 2013, USF requested a scope ruling from Commerce, arguing that its imports didn’t fall within the scope of helical washers for the railway market.

The court determined that Commerce can only retroactively apply an antidumping duty on USF’s lock washers on or before the start date of a scope investigation, according to Law360.

Founded more than 30 years ago, Itasca, IL-based USF distributes bolts, screws, nuts and pins for industrial and railway markets. Web: UnitedSteelandFasteners.com