Jason Sandefur

The European Union Council of Ministers adopted anti-dumping duties on certain fasteners from China. The general tariff for a range of imported fasteners, including hex bolts, socket screws, small screws and washers, is 85%, Fastener & Fixing Europe magazine reported.
Tariffs were imposed February 2, 2009, following publication in the EU’s Official Journal on January 31.
On January 26 the Ministers adopted a regulation imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of certain iron or steel fasteners originating in China.
This was the final decision stage in an anti-dumping investigation against fasteners imported from China, which started in November 2007.
Approximately 100 Chinese exporters that cooperated with the investigation are accorded a 77.5% tariff. Eight companies obtained “individual treatment” specific tariffs ranging from 63% to 79.5%.
Exceptions include subsidiaries of two European fastener manufacturers with plants in China Yantai Agrati Fasteners Co. Ltd. and CELO Suzhou Precision Fasteners co. Ltd. Golden Horse (Dong Guan) Metal Manufactory, a Hong Kong registered company, obtained a 26.5% tariff, F&FE reported.
Products involved are covered by 10 CN tariff codes, including woodscrews, drywall screws, self tapping screws, machine screws, various other small screws, mild steel and high tensile hex bolts and screws, socket screws, bolts with other heads, spring and flat washers.
The tariffs do not include nuts or threaded rod.
Reactions from European importers have so far been muted. Since the publication of the Commission’s proposal to the Council early in January there have been few expectations that anti-dumping measures could be avoided.
In recent weeks China’s Ministry of Commerce has initiated an antidumping investigation into carbon steel fasteners imported from the EU. The Chinese government has also threatened to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the EU tariffs.
The adoption of tariffs on Chinese fasteners follows news that an EU trade panel approved antidumping duties of 25% on steel wire rod imports from China. Those duties will start in February and last for six months. Approval of five-year duties on wire rod could come by mid-2009.
The duties amid reports that fastener production in China has slowed to a growth rate of 5% – the lowest in a decade with tougher times anticipated in the coming months. �2009 FastenerNews.com