ST-type Tires Exempt From China Countervailing Duties

The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) and Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) announced that the Commerce Department’s decision to impose countervailing duties on passenger and light truck tires from China exempts ST-type trailer tires and other speed-limited specialty tires.

According to the Commerce Department, in order for ST-type trailer tires to be considered exempt, they must have:

The size designation molded into the sidewall must be listed in the ST sections of the Tire and Rim Association (TRA) Year Book
The designation “ST” must be molded into the tire’s sidewall as part of the size designation
The tire incorporates a warning, prominently molded on the sidewall, that the tire is “For Trailer Service Only” or “For Trailer Use Only”
The load index molded on the tire’s sidewall meets or exceeds those load indexes listed in the TRA Year Book for the relevant ST tire size
The tire’s speed rating is molded on the sidewall, indicating the rated speed in mph or a letter rating as listed by TRA, and the rated speed does not exceed 81 mph or a M-rating

The RVIA noted that it requested that the Commerce Department drop the requirement that that the tires’ speed rating be molded on the sidewall because many imported ST tires do not have such speed rating marks molded into the sidewall and thus would subject to possible antidumping and countervailing duties. Commerce did not grant this request, however.

“So while the revised scope is better than the original scope filed with the petition,” said Michael Ochs, director, government affairs, for the RVIA, “we are still concerned that many ST tires will be inadvertently affected and subjected to the countervailing duties and potential antidumping duties.”

The ruling also exempts racing tires, recycled or retreaded tires, non-pneumatic tires, temporary-use spares (provided they’re marked with a T-speed rating) and tires “designed and marketed exclusively for off-road use” — predominantly ATV, agricultural, industrial, etc., according to NTAM and RVIA.