April 30, 2020

DHA eNews - Furniture Importers Fined $5.2 Million For Evading Duties

SBA Accepts More Applications For Paycheck Protection Program

This week, the Small Business Administration resumed accepting applications for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program. For more information on this and the latest stories on how COVID-19 is affecting our industry, see the Decorative Hardwoods Association website.

Source: Coronavirus News and Resources

White House Photo © Shealah Craighead

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Furniture Importers Fined $5.2 Million For Evading Duties

Furniture importer Blue Furniture Solutions and its successor company will pay more than $5 million for violating the False Claims Act. The U.S. government alleges that CEO Yingqing Zeng and CFO Alex Cheng conspired to avoid paying millions of dollars in antidumping duties and customs fees by describing wood furniture imported from China as "metal" or "non-bedroom" furniture.

U.S. Delays Many Tariff Payments

The U.S. government announced that it will allow companies to defer paying tariffs on many imported goods for 90 days. The deferral doesn't apply to antidumping or countervailing duties or to punitive tariffs on Chinese goods.

USTR Excludes Some Chinese Cabinets From Tariffs

The United States Trade Representative has announced more tariff exclusions on Chinese products, including glass-fronted wood cabinets with specific dimensions.

S. Korea May Impose Antidumping Duties On Plywood From Vietnam

South Korea may impose antidumping duties of 9.18% to 10.65% on plywood imported from Vietnam. According to the government's analysis, the prices of plywood products from Vietnam are abnormally low and are negatively affecting South Korean industries.

Vietnam Lists 12 Exports That May Face Trade Investigations

Hardwood plywood and wood cabinets and vanities are among the products cited by Vietnam's Trade Remedies Authority. China’s hardwood plywood exports to the U.S., now subject to antidumping and antisubsidy duties, fell from $1.1 billion in 2016 to $215.6 million in 2019 as Vietnam's exports to the U.S. grew from $33.4 million to $322.2 million.

EPA Changes Formaldehyde Fees

On April 17, the EPA announced that composite wood panels regulated under TSCA Title VI for formaldehyde emissions will be exempt from the cost-sharing requirements for EPA's risk characterization of formaldehyde.

Idaho Veneer Company Will Be Sold

After 67 years, the Malloy family has decided to sell Idaho Veneer Company in Post Falls, ID. The site, originally in the middle of farmland, is now in what is considered to be the center of downtown Post Falls.

CPA's Morrill To Lead AWC

Jackson Morrill has announced his resignation as president of the Composite Panel Association, effective in September, and will become president and CEO of the American Wood Council on September 16.

9 Wood Products Innovation Grants Awarded To Oregon

Senators Jeff Merkley and Rod Wyden announced that nine federal grants have been awarded across Oregon. The grants, which represent a significant part of the $7.9 million Wood Innovations Grant program, are designed to support innovation in the state's wood products industry and accelerate the adoption of emerging wood technology in building construction.

Amazon Supports Small Forest Owners

Amazon has created a $10 million grant to conserve and restore sustainable forestry and wildlife in the Appalachian Mountains, in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy, the American Forest Foundation, and the Vermont Land Trust. The program will begin in Vermont and Pennsylvania.

Expect Indonesia To Weaken Rules That Keep Stolen Timber Out Of Exports
A Wood Concept Car From Toyota

Toyota's new wood concept car, the Setsuna, was created with 86 handmade wood panels that will develop and change as the car ages.

Event Update: Designer Experience Goes Virtual
U.S. Housing Starts Plunge 22.3%
Pending New Home Sales Fall 33%
Home Prices Showed Strong Gains In February
Mortgage Applications Down Slightly
Home Building Has Worst Month Since 1984
Coronavirus Causes Home Owners To Rethink Remodeling
Builder Confidence Sinks To Lowest Level Since 2012
Leading Economic Index Sees Largest Drop In Its 60 Years

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