The Paper Receipts Converting Association (PRCA) commends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) recent decision to investigate and impose interim measures upon Amlink Sourcing Incorporated, an importer of lightweight thermal paper, for evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders under Title IV, Section 421 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, commonly referred to as the Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA)

PRCA filed an antidumping/countervailing allegation against Amlink on August 26, 2020—just one measure, the association asserts, in fulfilling its mission to promote and protect the common business interests of the US paper receipt industry.

According to the CBP’s January 27, 2021 notice of initiation of investigation and interim measures taken, “CBP found that the evidence on the record establishes a reasonable suspicion that the importer has entered merchandise into the United States through evasion and as a result, has imposed interim measures.”

PRCA is closely monitoring the progress of the Amlink case while continuing to advocate for the enforcement of appropriate duties on all imports of paper receipt rolls from countries under antidumping and countervailing duty orders.

Mike Rapier, PRCA President, said, “PRCA is dedicated to the ongoing success of the US paper receipt industry. The association strongly supports the efforts of the CBP in this case, and we will continue to monitor other importers that may be evading antidumping and countervailing duties that are currently in place. PRCA members provide properly and accurately labeled, cost effective products for use by our customers and their patrons, and we seek to ensure that other suppliers do the same, including the payment of duties when applicable.”

In addition to supporting appropriate duties, PRCA maintains that the use of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) is essential to ensuring that purchasers receive precisely what they have ordered. The association believes that imported converted rolls are often shorter than advertised and/or may be manufactured with improperly identified paper. PRCA has developed a set of GMPs to which its members subscribe precisely to address this issue.

Parties wishing to inform the association of illegal or non-compliant trade activities may contact PRCA Executive Director, Kate Smith.