Commerce made a preliminary determination in an anti-dumping investigation of large residential washing machines being imported from South Korea and Mexico. The investigation came in response to a petition filed by Whirlpool Corp. in December 2011. "Dumping" happens when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than fair value.

The DoC estimated 2011 imports of large residential washers from Mexico were valued at $434m and imports of washers from Korea were valued at $569m.

As a result of the ruling, producers who make the appliances in Mexico and South Korea - such as Electrolux, LG, Samsung and Daewoo - will be required to pay cash deposits to U.S. Customs and Border Protection on washers imported to the U.S. starting this month at the rates found in the preliminary determination.

The anti-dumping investigation is ongoing, and the DoC will undertake an in-depth audit of the information provided by the appliance makers before issuing the final determinations in December 2012.

The final step will come in February 2013 when the DoC and the U.S. International Trade Commission issue final orders based on the determinations.

The affected manufacturers said they disagreed with the findings. Some said the DoC's methodology was antiquated and flawed.

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