International dumping occurs when a firm sells its product abroad at a price that is ( more, less ) than average ( fixed, variable, total ) cost, or ( more, less ) than that charged to domestic buyers of the same product. Dumping can be sporadic, predatory, or persistent in nature. Idle productive capacity may be the reason behind dumping. Governments often impose stiff penalties against foreign commodities that are believed to be dumped in the home economy.