In February, the US Coalition for Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders said that this deliberate evasion of antidumping orders is costing the US Treasury at least $84million annually.

The coalition of six companies, which includes wire hanger producer M&B Metal Products of Leeds, Alabama, believes that some Chinese manufacturers are shipping via a third country and designating it as the country of origin, a practice termed “transshipment.”

Transshipment of wire hangers – primarily from Taiwan but also via Vietnam, Korea, Hong Kong, Canada and Mexico – has resulted in the evasion of more than $12million in duties and the loss of 220 domestic jobs, according to the coalition.

It is presenting its information to Congress, the Department of Commerce and Customs and Border Protection to seek the stronger enforcement of existing antidumping orders.