Legal Definitions - dump

To dump has two primary meanings in a legal and commercial context:

• 1. To physically discard or unload: This refers to the act of dropping or offloading materials, often in a large quantity, without proper disposal or care.

  • Example 1: A local landscaping company was issued a citation for illegally dumping several truckloads of yard waste, including branches and soil, onto undeveloped private land rather than taking it to a designated composting facility.

    Explanation: This illustrates the physical act of offloading materials in an unauthorized location, which constitutes illegal dumping of waste.

• 2. To sell products at an extremely low price: In a business context, this refers to the practice of selling goods at an unusually low price, often below their normal market value or even below the cost of production. This can be done to quickly clear excess inventory, eliminate competitors, or gain market share, particularly in international trade.

  • Example 1 (Domestic Market): Facing a sudden drop in demand, a technology company decided to dump its remaining inventory of last year's smartphone model by offering them at a steep discount of 80% off the original price, even though it meant selling them at a loss.

    Explanation: Here, "dumping" describes the strategy of selling products at an extremely low price to rapidly clear out stock, often due to oversupply or obsolescence.

  • Example 2 (International Trade): After an investigation, a country's trade commission determined that a foreign manufacturer was dumping solar panels into their market. The manufacturer was selling the panels at prices significantly lower than what they charged customers in their home country, which unfairly harmed domestic solar panel producers.

    Explanation: This example highlights the specific legal meaning of "dumping" in international trade, where goods are sold in a foreign market at a price below their domestic market price or production cost, often to gain an unfair competitive advantage, leading to potential anti-dumping duties.