After six months of investigation, the U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed preliminary anti-dumping duties on imports of certain steel nails from China and the United Arab Emirates. Duties on imported nails from certain Chinese companies will be applied 90 days retroactively.

"Hopefully, fair pricing will return to the marketplace," said David Libla, president of Mid Continent Nail. "We look forward to continuing to prove our case before the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission, and obtaining a successful outcome for our company and the rest of the U.S. nails industry."

The investigations began in May 2007 at the request of Mid Continent Nail, Davis Wire, Gerdau Ameristeel (Atlas Steel & Wire Division), Maze Nails (Division of W.H. Maze), Treasure Coast Fasteners, and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union.

The investigation covered multiple types of nails, up to 12 inches long, produced from all types of steel.  They were sold in bulk or collated for use in nail guns, and could be treated for corrosion resistance. Certain types of nails, including roofing nails, were not covered.

According to the Commerce Department, certain Chinese producers/exporters sold steel nails in the U.S. at 20.77% to 118.04% less than fair value, while those from UAE sold at 4.47% less.

"Price discrimination hurts American manufacturers," said David Spooner, assistant secretary for import administration. "The Administration is committed to aggressively enforcing America's trade remedy laws in order to achieve strong and fair relationships with our trading partners."

The Commerce Department's final determinations are expected in late May.