Antidumping duty order on mattresses from Kosovo and gap period liquidation instructions (CBP Case Number A-480-100, Commerce Case Number A-803-001)

1. On 09/10/2024, Commerce published in the Federal Register its antidumping duty order on mattresses from Kosovo (89 FR 73357). 2. The merchandise covered by this order are all types of youth and adult mattresses. The term "mattress" denotes an assembly of materials that at a minimum includes a "core," which provides the main support system of the mattress, and may consist of innersprings, foam, other resilient filling, or a combination of these materials. Mattresses also may contain: (1) "upholstery," the material between the core and the top panel of the ticking on a single-sided mattress, or between the core and the top and bottom panel of the ticking on a double-sided mattress; and/or (2) "ticking," the outermost layer of fabric or other material (e.g., vinyl) that encloses the core and any upholstery, also known as a cover. The scope of these orders is restricted to only "adult mattresses" and "youth mattresses." "Adult mattresses" are frequently described as "twin," "extra-long twin," "full," "queen," "king," or "California king" mattresses. "Youth mattresses" are typically described as "crib," "toddler," or "youth" mattresses. All adult and youth mattresses are included regardless of size and size description or how they are described (e.g., frameless futon mattress and tri-fold mattress). The scope encompasses all types of "innerspring mattresses," "non-innerspring mattresses," and "hybrid mattresses." "Innerspring mattresses" contain innersprings, a series of metal springs joined together in sizes that correspond to the dimensions of mattresses. Mattresses that contain innersprings are referred to as "innerspring mattresses" or "hybrid mattresses." "Hybrid mattresses" contain two or more support systems as the core, such as layers of both memory foam and innerspring units. "Non-innerspring mattresses" are those that do not contain any innerspring units. They are generally produced from foams (e.g., polyurethane, memory (viscoelastic), latex foam, gel infused viscoelastic (gel foam), thermobonded polyester, polyethylene) or other resilient filling. Mattresses covered by the scope of these orders may be imported independently, as part of furniture or furniture mechanisms (e.g., convertible sofa bed mattresses, sofa bed mattresses imported with sofa bed mechanisms, corner group mattresses, day-bed mattresses, roll-away bed mattresses, high risers, trundle bed mattresses, crib mattresses), or as part of a set (in combination with a "mattress foundation"). "Mattress foundations" are any base or support for a mattress. Mattress foundations are commonly referred to as "foundations," "boxsprings," "platforms," and/or "bases." Bases can be static, foldable, or adjustable. Only the mattress is covered by the scope if imported as part of furniture, with furniture mechanisms, or as part of a set, in combination with a mattress foundation. Excluded from the scope of these orders are "futon" mattresses. A "futon" is a bi-fold frame made of wood, metal, or plastic material, or any combination thereof, that functions as both seating furniture (such as a couch, love seat, or sofa) and a bed. A "futon mattress" is a tufted mattress, where the top covering is secured to the bottom with thread that goes completely through the mattress from the top through to the bottom, and it does not contain innersprings or foam. A futon mattress is both the bed and seating surface for the futon. Also excluded from the scope are airbeds (including inflatable mattresses) and waterbeds, which consist of air- or liquid-filled bladders as the core or main support system of the mattress. Also excluded is certain multifunctional furniture that is convertible from seating to sleeping, regardless of filler material or components, where such filler material or components are upholstered, integrated into the design and construction of, and inseparable from, the furniture framing, and the outermost layer of the multifunctional furniture converts into the sleeping surface. Such furniture may, and without limitation, be commonly referred to as "convertible sofas," "sofabeds," "sofa chaise sleepers," "futons," "ottoman sleepers," or a like description. Also excluded from the scope of these orders are any products covered by the existing antidumping duty orders on uncovered innerspring units from the People's Republic of China, South Africa, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. See Uncovered Innerspring Units from the People's Republic of China, South Africa, and Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Orders, 84 FR 55285 (October 16, 2019). Also excluded from the scope of these orders are bassinet pads with a nominal length of less than 39 inches, a nominal width of less than 25 inches, and a nominal depth of less than 2 inches. Additionally, also excluded from the scope of these orders are "mattress toppers." A "mattress topper" is a removable bedding accessory that supplements a mattress by providing an additional layer that is placed on top of a mattress. Excluded mattress toppers have a height of four inches or less. Also excluded from the scope are the following hospital and patient care setting surfaces. Products that fall within the below categories and meet all of the exclusion factors in the respective category qualify for such exclusion, regardless of whether they may be referenced as a mattress. Air Surfaces with all of the following characteristics: with the foot end comprised of either die-cut construction foam or air bladders to allow extension and retraction of the surface; enclosed in a fluid-resistant polyurethane-coated ticking with a zipper; with welded seams on the ticking, which are two or more layers of coated material thermally fused together with a permanent bond; with the core including air bladders, with or without foam inside; with a unique device identifier label for medical devices issued by an FDA-accredited agency and listed in the FDA administered Global Unique Device Identification Database. Stretcher Surfaces with all of the following characteristics: with a nominal thickness of 5 inches or less; with the foam core width tapered at one end; enclosed in a fluid-resistant polyurethane-coated ticking with a zipper; with welded seams on the ticking, which are two or more layers of coated material thermally fused together with a permanent bond; with the exterior of the ticking containing a welded flap to cover the ticking zipper; with loop velcro attached to the ticking to allow for the stretcher surface to be firmly affixed to the stretcher; with a unique device identifier label for medical devices issued by an FDA-accredited agency and listed in the FDA administered Global Unique Device Identification Database. Birthing Bed Surfaces with all of the following characteristics: with a nominal thickness of 5 inches or less; with a foam core in two pieces that have either a V-shaped cutout or U-Shaped cutout; enclosed in a fluid-resistant polyurethane-coated ticking with a zipper; with welded seams on the ticking, which are two or more layers of coated material thermally fused together with a permanent bond; with attachment fasteners extending from the bottom of the surface comprised of snaps or plastic hook(s); with a unique device identifier label for medical devices issued by an FDA-accredited agency and listed in the FDA-administered Global Unique Device Identification Database. Foam Surfaces with all the following characteristics: with a nominal thickness of 6.5 inches or less; with a foam core that has articulation lines cut into the foam and/or die-cut construction in a portion of the foam to allow movement of the surface; enclosed in a fluid-resistant polyurethane-coated ticking with a zipper; with the ticking made of material meeting ASTM F1671B-07 requirements for porosity and ISO 10993 requirements for biocompatibility; with welded seams on the ticking, which are two or more layers of coated material thermally fused together with a permanent bond; with brackets or attachment knobs embedded in the surface core to allow the surface to be firmly affixed to the hospital bed frame; with a unique device identifier label for medical devices issued by an FDA-accredited agency and listed in the FDA-administered Global Unique Device Identification Database, where the label includes the manufacturer's name and address as well as the product's name, date of manufacture, serial number, and Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN). The products subject to these orders are currently classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings: 9404.21.0010, 9404.21.0013, 9404.21.0095, 9404.29.1005, 9404.29.1013, 9404.29.1095, 9404.29.9085, 9404.29.9087, and 9404.29.9095. Products subject to this investigation may also enter under HTSUS subheadings: 9401.41.0000, 9401.49.0000, and 9401.99.9081. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise subject to these orders is dispositive. 3. In accordance with section 733(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, Commerce shall order the suspension of liquidation of entries of merchandise subject to an antidumping duty investigation and shall order the collection of estimated duties for a temporary period (the provisional-measures period). When entries of subject merchandise continue to be suspended after the expiration of the provisional-measures period, Commerce must instruct CBP to terminate suspension and liquidate entries without regard to antidumping duties on such merchandise. 4. 08/27/2024 was the final day that provisional measures were in effect in this proceeding; however, suspension of liquidation of entries of subject merchandise may have continued. Accordingly, for suspended entries of mattresses from Kosovo that were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption during the period 08/28/2024 (the day after the final day of provisional measures), through 09/03/2024 (the day prior to publication of the ITC final determination), CBP should terminate the suspension of liquidation and liquidate the entries without regard to antidumping duties (i.e. refund all cash deposits). 5. The interest provisions of section 778 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, do not apply. 6. This instruction constitutes notice of the lifting of suspension of liquidation of entries of subject merchandise during the period 08/28/2024 through 09/03/2024. 7. For imports of mattresses from Kosovo, CBP shall suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after 09/04/2024 (date of publication of the International Trade Commission final determination in the Federal Register). Effective 09/04/2024, CBP shall require a cash deposit equal to the percentages identified below. All Others Case Number: A-480-100-000 Cash Deposit Rate: 63.66% Nisco Thailand Co., Ltd. Case number: A-480-100-001 Cash deposit rate: 344.70% Ventius International LLC Case number: A-480-100-002 Cash deposit rate: 63.66% 8. If there are any questions by the importing public regarding this message, please contact the Call Center for the Office of AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce at (202) 482-0984. CBP ports should submit their inquiries through authorized CBP channels only. (This message was generated by OVII:SC) 9. There are no restrictions on the release of this information. Alexander Amdur