WASHINGTON, May 14 -- The U.S. Commerce Department announced Wednesday that it initiated anti-dumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations against imports of 53- foot domestic dry containers from China.

Fifty-three-foot domestic dry containers are durable, reusable, weatherproof, closed van containers approximately 53 feet in exterior length, designed for the goods not bulk liquids intermodal transport, like by rail or road vehicle, or by a combination of rail and road vehicles.

The investigations are in response to a request from Stoughton Trailers based in the state of Wisconsin. The company alleged that the products from China were sold below the fair value of the products in the U.S. market with dumping margin of 84.07 percent, and Chinese producers and exporters also received improper government subsidies.

The International Trade Commission (ITC), the U.S. trade authority, was scheduled to make its preliminary inquiry determinations on AD and CVD around June 9 this year.

The probes will continue if the ITC determines that the imports of such products from China materially injure or threaten the domestic industry of the States. The Commerce Department will then make its preliminary determinations of CVD and AD in July and September respectively.

Imports of these products from China were estimated at about 184 million U.S. dollars last year, according to U.S. official data.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has kept urging Washington to abide by its commitment against protectionism and help maintain a free, open and just international trade environment.