The Department of Commerce (DOC)n the next few weeks may announce a self-initiated anti-dumping investigation against certain textile and apparel imports from Vietnam .

The investigation is based on the data DOC collected  in January of this year from its Textile and Apparel Products From Vietnam Import Monitoring Program. DOC said it would evaluate the information every six months.  The first six months' worth of data is available on the International Trade Administration's Office of Textiles and Apparel Website at http://www.otexa.ita.doc.gov/vn.htm

There are five sensitive product categories being monitored by the DOC: trousers, shirts, sweaters, underwear and swimwear.

DOC is currently conducting its first semiannual review of the data to determine if there is sufficient evidence to show the monitored goods are being dumped in the United States market. The review is expected to last several weeks. DOC will notify the public when the review is completed.

In March, Vietnam 's ministry of trade and industry imposed temporary export license requirements to monitor the quantity and price of textile exports to the United States , in an attempt to eliminate the threat of anti-dumping lawsuits.

To view the DOC's program on Vietnam textile imports, visit: http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/vietnam-textile-monitoring/vtm-index.html