The European Commission (EC) has imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of hand pallet trucks and their essential parts from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).An anti-dumping proceeding was initiated after four European Community (Community) producers, representing more than 60 per cent of the Community’s total hand pallet truck and essential parts production, lodged a complaint in March 2004.The complainants - Bolzoni-Auramo SpA, Italy; BT Products AB, Sweden; Franz Kahl GmbH, Germany; and Pramac Lifter SpA, Italy - included evidence of dumping and the resulting injury in their complaint.Four exporting producers from the PRC cooperated with the investigation. They were Ningbo Liftstar Material Transport Equipment Factory, Ningbo; Ningbo Ruyi Joint Stock Co Ltd, Ninghai; Ningbo Tailong Machinery Co Ltd, Ninghai; and Zhejiang Noblelift Equipment Joint Stock Co Ltd, Changxing.According to Eurostat data, Community consumption of hand pallet trucks was about 493,000 units during the period considered (January 1, 2000, to March 31, 2004) while the volume of PRC imports increased 138 per cent over the period. The increase in imports was particularly marked between 2002 and 2003 (51 per cent).The market share of dumped imports increased by more than 100 per cent during the period considered. However, the increased market share was found to overlap with the share previously held by the Community industry.Eurostat data showed the average price of imports from the PRC decreased between 2000 and 2004 by 34 per cent. Prices were stable until 2001 before they decreased 12 per cent in 2001 and even further by another 25 per cent between 2002 and 2003.