The Canadian International Trade Tribunal hereby gives notice that, pursuant to subsection 34(2) of the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA), it has initiated a preliminary injury inquiry to determine whether there is evidence that discloses a reasonable indication that the dumping and subsidizing of upholstered seating for domestic purposes, originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, whether motion (including reclining, swivel and other motion features) or stationary, whether upholstered with a covering of leather (either full or partial), fabric (including leather‑substitutes) or both, including, but not limited to seating such as sofas, chairs, loveseats, sofa‑beds, day‑beds, futons, ottomans, stools and home‑theatre seating (“HTS”) (the subject goods), have caused injury or retardation or are threatening to cause injury, as these words are defined in SIMA. The product definition excludes:
(a) stationary (i.e. non‑motion) seating upholstered only with fabric (rather than leather), even if the fabric is a leather‑substitute (such as leather‑like or leather‑look polyurethane or vinyl);
(b) dining table chairs or benches (with or without arms) that are manufactured for dining room end-use, which are commonly paired with dining table sets;
(c) upholstered stools with a seating height greater than 24 inches (commonly referred to as “bar stools” or “counter stools”), with or without backs, and/or foldable;
(d) seating manufactured for outdoor use (e.g. patio or swing chairs);
(e) bean bag seating; and
(f) foldable or stackable seating.
For greater certainty, the product definition includes:
(a) upholstered motion seating with reclining, swivel, rocking, zero‑gravity, gliding, adjustable headrest, massage functions or similar functions;
(b) seating with frames constructed from metal, wood or both;
(c) seating produced as sectional items or parts of sectional items;
(d) seating with or without arms, whether part of sectional items or not; and
(e) foot rests and foot stools (with or without storage).
This 22 December 2020 notice is available in its entirety on the CITT website.