Import Administration
Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags from People's Republic Of China (A-570-886)

Scope Description:

The merchandise subject to this antidumping duty order are polyethylene retail carrier bags (PRCBs), which also may be referred to as t-shirt sacks, merchandise bags, grocery bags, or checkout bags. The subject merchandise is defined as non-sealable sacks and bags with handles (including drawstrings), without zippers or integral extruded closures, with or without gussets, with or without printing, of polyethylene film having a thickness no greater than 0.035 inch (0.889 mm) and no less than 0.00035 inch (0.00889 mm), and with no length or width shorter than 6 inches (15.24 cm) or longer than 40 inches (101.6 cm). The depth of the bag may be shorter than 6 inches (15.24 cm) but not longer than 40 inches (101.6 cm).

PRCBs are typically provided without any consumer packaging and free of charge by retail establishments, e.g., grocery, drug, convenience, department, specialty retail, discount stores, and restaurants to their customers to package and carry their purchased products. The scope of this antidumping duty order excludes (1) PRCBs that are not printed with logos or store names and that are closeable with drawstrings made of polyethylene film and (2) PRCBs that are packed in consumer packaging with printing that refers to specific end-uses other than packaging and carrying merchandise from retail establishments, e.g., garbage bags, lawn bags, trash-can liners.

Imports of merchandise included within the scope of this antidumping duty order are currently classifiable under statistical category 3923.21.0085 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). This subheading may also cover products that are outside the scope of this antidumping duty order. Although the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of this antidumping duty order is dispositive.

On 3/25/2014 Commerce determined that effective 05/14/2013, imports of unfinished polyethylene retail carrier bags from the PRC are subject to the antidumping duty order on polyethylene retail carrier bags from the PRC. Specifically, merchandise from the PRC that appears to be an unfinished polyethylene retail carrier bag which is sealed on all four sides, cut to length, and which appears ready to undergo the final step in the production process, i.e., to use a die press to stamp out the opening and create the handles of a finished polyethylene retail carrier bag is subject to the antidumping duty order on polyethylene retail carrier bags from the PRC. The unfinished polyethylene retail carrier bags may or may not have printing and may be of different dimensions as long as they meet the description of the scope of the order.

Scope Rulings Made Between October 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015
Requestor: Grand A International Company, Inc.; Certain bags identified as ``Green T-Shirt Bags Reusable'' are within the scope of the antidumping duty order on polyethylene carrier bags from the People's Republic of China; December 16, 2015.

Scope Rulings Made Between October 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012:
Requestor: NextDoor Design & Manufacturing LLC; its valet laundry bag is not within the scope of the antidumping duty order; October 5, 2012.

Scope Rulings Made Between July 1, 2012, and September 30, 2012
Requestor: Bunzl Distribution USA, Inc.; its ice bag is not within the scope of the antidumping duty order; July 6, 2012.

Scope Rulings Completed Between October 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010
Requestor: The St. John Companies; four models of patient-belongings bags are not within the scope of antidumping duty order; October 1, 2010.

Scope Rulings Completed Between July 1, 2009, and September 30, 2009:
Requestor: Majestic International, LLC; 120 gift bags are outside the scope of the antidumping duty order; July 7, 2009.

Requestor: Care Line Industries, Inc.; certain bags designed for hospital use, which are not printed with store names or logos and packed in consumer packaging with printing indicating specific end-uses other than packaging or carrying merchandise from retail establishments, are outside the scope of the antidumping duty order;

Scope Rulings Completed Between October 1, 2008, and December 31, 2008
Requestor: Rayton Produce Packaging Inc.; promotional bag (model F-OPPAPEJZLG) is within the scope of the antidumping duty order; October 2, 2008.

Requestor: Majestic International; certain polyethylene gift bags (UPC codes starting with 8-51603- and ending with: 00002-3, 00004-7, 00140-2, 00141-9, 00142-6, 00041-2, 00040-5, 00052-8, 00059-7, 00066-5, 00068-9, 00071-9, 0072-6, 00075-7, 00076-4, 00092-4, 00093-1, 00094-8, 00098-6, 00131-0, 00132-7, 00133-4, 00144-0, 00145-7, 00152-5, 00153-2, 00155-6, 00156-3, 00160-0, 0163-1, 00165-5, 00166-2, 00175-4, 00176-1, 00181-5, 00183-9, 00226-3, 00230-0, 00231-7, 00246-1, 00251-5, 00252-2, 00253-9, 00254-6, 00255-3, 00256-0, 0257-7, 00259-1, 00260-7, 00262-1, 0263-8, 00300-0, 00301-7, 00302-4, 00303-1, 00305-5, 00306-2, 00307-9, 00308-6, 00309-3, 00350-5, 00351-2, 00352-9, 00353-6, 00354-3, 00355-0, 00356-7, 00357-4, 00358-1) are not within the scope of the antidumping duty order; November 19, 2008.

Scope Rulings Completed Between July 1, 2008, and September 30, 2008:
Requestor: Best Buy Purchasing LLC; the sealable polyethylene plastic bag (BESTBUY12ADH) is not within the scope of the antidumping order; July 3, 2008.

Requestor: Bags on the Net; a certain polyethylene bag (HOLIDAYINN-8410) is within the scope of the antidumping order; July 14, 2008.

Requestor: The Builders Depot Inc.; the Against All Odds Tee and Jacket
Bags (model AA01 and model AA02) are within the scope of the antidumping duty order; September 2, 2008.

Scope Rulings Completed Between April 1, 2008, and June 30, 2008:
Requestor: Medline Industries, Inc.; certain hospital patient belongings bags and surgical kit bags (drawstring bags model nos. DS500C, DS400C, 38667, 25117, 28614, and 42817) are within the scope of the antidumping duty orders; certain hospital patient belongings bags and surgical kit bags (drawstring bags model nos. DONDS600, 7510, 42818, and rigid handle bag model no. 26900) are not within the scope of the antidumping duty orders; May 8, 2008.

Scope Rulings Completed Between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2008:
Requestor: DMS Holdings, Inc.; certain MABIS Healthcare hospital bags (biohazard disposal bag nos. 75-860-010, 75-860-080, 75-864-080; isolation bag no. 75-850-000; patient set-up bag nos. 75-833-000, 75-842-000, 75-970-550, 75-973-550, 75-979-550; personal belongings bag nos. 75-010-850, 75-011-850, 75-013-850, 75-014-850, 75-019-850, 75-032-850, 75-033-850, 75-036-850, 75-037-850, 75-038-850, 75-046-850, 75-047-850, 75-075-850, 75-105-850, 75-109-850, 75-110-850, 75-111-850, 75-117-850, 75-118-850, 75-120-850, 75-834-000, 75-838-000, 75-839-000, 75-844-000, 75-845-000, 75-847-000; kit packing bag nos.75-801-000, 75-802-000, 75-803-000, 75-804-000, 75-862-000, 75-863-000, 75-865-000) are not within the scope of the antidumping duty orders; January 8, 2008.

Scope Rulings Completed Between October 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007:
Requestor: Asia Dynamics, Inc.; certain hospital patient belongings bags (model nos.304211, 304311, 304411, 304611, 304711, 304811, 40219, 40229) are not within the scope of the antidumping duty order; November 15, 2007.

Requestor: Medline Industries, Inc.; certain hospital patient belongings bags (drawstring bags model nos. NON026310, NON026330, NON026370; rigid handle bags model nos. NON026320, NON026320GR, NON026340; cut out handle bags model no. NON026350) are not within the scope of the antidumping duty order; November 15, 2007.

Scope Rulings Completed Between October 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006:
Requestor: Consolidated Packaging LLP; the 23 plastic bags it imports are not within the scope of the antidumping duty order; October 3, 2006.

Scope Rulings Completed Between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006:
Requestor: Consolidated Packaging LLP; 35 of its 58 plastic bags are not included within the scope of the antidumping duty order; June 5, 2006.

Scope Rulings Completed Between July 1, 2005 and September 30, 2005:
Requestor: PAK 2000; bags with molded handles and a snapping closure are within the scope of the antidumping duty order; September 29, 2005.

Scope Rulings Completed Between April 1, 2005, and June 30, 2005:
Requestor: Dimensions Trading, Inc.; polyethylene sample bags are within the scope of the antidumping duty order; May 9, 2005