| Page Range | 29620-29622 | |
| FR Document | 2015-12523 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 99 (Friday, May 22, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 29620-29622] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-12523] [[Page 29620]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A-580-876] Welded Line Pipe From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Postponement of Final Determination AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Department) preliminarily determines that welded line pipe from the Republic of Korea (Korea) is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV), as provided in section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). The period of investigation (POI) is October 1, 2013, through September 30, 2014. The estimated weighted-average dumping margins of sales at LTFV are shown in the ``Preliminary Determination'' section of this notice. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination. DATES: Effective date: May 22, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Goldberger or Katherine Johnson, AD/CVD Operations, Office II, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482- 4136 or (202) 482-4929, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Department initiated this investigation on November 5, 2014. For a complete description of the events that followed the initiation of this investigation, see the memorandum that is dated concurrently with this determination and hereby adopted by this notice.\1\ The Preliminary Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov, and to all parties in the Central Records Unit, room 7046 of the main Department of Commerce building. In addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be found at http://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/. The signed Preliminary Decision Memorandum and the electronic version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum are identical in content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ See Memorandum from Christian Marsh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations, to Paul Piquado, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Determination in the Antidumping Duty Investigation of Welded Line Pipe from the Republic of Korea,'' (Preliminary Decision Memorandum), dated concurrently with this notice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scope of the Investigation The scope of the investigation covers welded line pipe, which is carbon and alloy steel pipe of a kind used for oil and gas pipelines, not more than 24 inches in nominal outside diameter. For a complete description of the scope of the investigation, see Appendix I. Scope Comments Certain interested parties commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the Initiation Notice.\2\ For discussion of those comments, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ See Welded Line Pipe from the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Turkey: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 79 FR 68213 (November 14, 2014) (Initiation Notice). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Methodology The Department is conducting this investigation in accordance with section 731 of the Act. There are two respondents participating in this investigation, Hyundai HYSCO (HYSCO) and SeAH Steel Corporation (SeAH). Export price (EP) and constructed export price (CEP) are calculated in accordance with section 772 of the Act. Normal value (NV) is calculated in accordance with section 773 of the Act. For a full description of the methodology underlying our preliminary conclusions, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. All-Others Rate Consistent with sections 733(d)(1)(A)(ii) and 735(c)(5) of the Act, the Department also calculated an estimated all-others rate. Section 735(c)(5)(B) of the Act provides that the estimated all-others rate shall be an amount equal to the weighted average of the estimated weighted-average dumping margins established for exporters and producers individually investigated, excluding any zero and de minimis margins, and any margins determined entirely under section 776 of the Act. In this investigation, we calculated weighted-average dumping margins for both mandatory respondents that are above de minimis and which are not based on total facts available. However, because there are only two relevant weighted-average dumping margins for these preliminary results, using a weighted-average of these two rates risks disclosure of business proprietary data. Therefore, the Department assigned a margin to the all-others rate companies based on the simple average of the two mandatory respondents' rates.\3\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ With two respondents, we would normally calculate (A) a weighted-average of the dumping margins calculated for the mandatory respondents; (B) a simple average of the dumping margins calculated for the mandatory respondents; and (C) a weighted-average of the dumping margins calculated for the mandatory respondents using each company's publicly-ranged values for the merchandise under consideration. We would compare (B) and (C) to (A) and select the rate closest to (A) as the most appropriate rate for all other companies. See Ball Bearings and Parts Thereof From France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Reviews, Final Results of Changed-Circumstances Review, and Revocation of an Order in Part, 75 FR 53661, 53663 (September 1, 2010). In this case, however, we do not have complete publicly ranged quantities for SeAH on the record to properly conduct this comparison. Therefore, we are using a simple-average of the dumping margins calculated for the mandatory respondents as the all-other's rate for this preliminary determination, and we intend to ask SeAH to provide a complete publicly ranged summary of its U.S. sales quantities for consideration in the final determination. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary Determination The Department preliminarily determines that the following weighted-average dumping margins exist: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Weighted- average Exporter/manufacturer dumping margin (percent) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hyundai HYSCO............................................... 2.52 SeAH Steel Corporation...................................... 2.67 All Others.................................................. 2.60 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Suspension of Liquidation In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, we are directing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of all entries of welded line pipe from Korea, as described in the scope of the investigation section of this notice, which are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In accordance with 19 CFR 351.205(d), we will instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the weighted-average amount by which the NV exceeds the U.S. price, as indicated in the chart above. Our longstanding practice, where the product under investigation is also subject to a concurrent countervailing duty investigation, is to subtract the amount of countervailing duty determined to constitute an export subsidy from the amount by which NV exceeds U.S. [[Page 29621]] price.\4\ In this case, although the product under investigation is also subject to a countervailing duty investigation, the Department preliminarily found no countervailing duty determined to constitute an export subsidy.\5\ Therefore, we have not offset the cash deposit rates shown above for purposes of this preliminary determination. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ See, e.g., Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Carbazole Violet Pigment 23 From India, 69 FR 67306, 67307 (November 17, 2004); and Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Negative Critical Circumstances Determination: Bottom Mount Combination Refrigerator-Freezers From the Republic of Korea, 77 FR 17413 (March 26, 2012). \5\ See Welded Line Pipe From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Negative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination with Final Antidumping Duty Determination, 80 FR 14907 (March 20, 2015), and accompanying Decision Memorandum. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure We will disclose the calculations performed to interested parties in this proceeding within five days of the date of publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b). Verification As provided in section 782(i) of the Act, we intend to verify information relied upon in making our final determination. Public Comment Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination. Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than seven days after the date on which the final verification report is issued in this proceeding, and rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in case briefs, may be submitted no later than five days after the deadline date for case briefs.\6\ Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this proceeding are encouraged to submit with each argument: (1) A statement of the issue; (2) a brief summary of the argument; and (3) a table of authorities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ See 19 CFR 351.309. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to request a hearing, or to participate if one is requested, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce. All documents must be filed electronically using ACCESS. An electronically-filed request must be received successfully in its entirety by ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice.\7\ Requests should contain the party's name, address, and telephone number, the number of participants, and a list of the issues to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is made, the Department intends to hold the hearing at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, at a time and date to be determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the hearing two days before the scheduled date. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ See 19 CFR 351.310(c). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Postponement of Final Determination and Extension of Provisional Measures Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides that a final determination may be postponed until not later than 135 days after the date of the publication of the preliminary determination if, in the event of an affirmative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by exporters who account for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise, or in the event of a negative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by the petitioner. 19 CFR 351.210(e)(2) requires that requests by respondents for postponement of a final antidumping determination be accompanied by a request for extension of provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not more than six months in duration. Certain of the petitioners \8\ requested that, in the event of a negative preliminary determination, the Department postpone its final determination to 135 days after the date of publication of the preliminary determination.\9\ In addition, both HYSCO and SeAH requested that, in the event of an affirmative preliminary determination in this investigation, the Department postpone its final determination and agreed to extend the application of the provisional measures prescribed under section 733(d) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(e)(2), from a four-month period to a period not to exceed six months.\10\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ These companies include American Cast Iron Pipe Company, Energex Tube, a division of JMC Steel Group, Northwest Pipe Company, Stupp Corporation, a division of Stupp Bros., Inc., Tex-Tube Company, TMK IPSCO, and Welspun Tubular LLC USA (collectively, the petitioners). \9\ See Letter from the petitioners, ``Line Pipe From Korea: Contingent Request for Postponement of Final Determination,'' dated April 23, 2015. \10\ See Letter from HYSCO, ``Welded Line Pipe from Korea: Request to Postpone the Final Determination,'' dated May 7, 2015; and Letter from SeAH, ``Antidumping Investigation of Welded Line Pipe from Korea-Request to Extend Deadline for Final Determination,'' dated May 8, 2015. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because (1) our preliminary determination is affirmative; (2) the requesting exporters account for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise; and (3) no compelling reasons for denial exist, we are postponing the final determination and extending the provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not greater than six months. Accordingly, we will make our final determination no later than 135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary determination, pursuant to section 735(a)(2) of the Act.\11\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \11\ See also 19 CFR 351.210(e). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Trade Commission (ITC) Notification In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, we have notified the ITC of our affirmative preliminary determination of sales at LTFV. If our final determination is affirmative, the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after our final determination whether these imports are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry. This determination is issued and published in accordance with sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c). Dated: May 14, 2015. Paul Piquado, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Appendix I--Scope of the Investigation The merchandise covered by this investigation is circular welded carbon and alloy steel (other than stainless steel) pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (welded line pipe), not more than 24 inches in nominal outside diameter, regardless of wall thickness, length, surface finish, end finish, or stenciling. Welded line pipe is normally produced to the American Petroleum Institute (API) specification 5L, but can be produced to comparable foreign specifications, to proprietary grades, or can be non-graded material. All pipe meeting the physical description set forth above, including multiple-stenciled pipe with an API or comparable foreign specification line pipe stencil is covered by the scope of this investigation. The welded line pipe that is subject to this investigation is currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 7305.11.1030, 7305.11.5000, 7305.12.1030, 7305.12.5000, 7305.19.1030, 7305.19.5000, 7306.19.1010, 7306.19.1050, 7306.19.5110, and 7306.19.5150. The subject merchandise may also enter in HTSUS 7305.11.1060 and 7305.12.1060. While the HTSUS subheadings [[Page 29622]] are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive. Appendix II--List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum 1. Summary 2. Background 3. Period of Investigation 4. Postponement of Final Determination and Extension of Provisional Measures 5. Scope Comments 6. Discussion of Methodology a. Determination of the Comparison Method b. Results of the Differential Pricing Analysis 7. Date of Sale 8. Product Comparisons 9. Export Price and Constructed Export Price 10. Normal Value a. Comparison Market Viability b. Affiliated-Party Transactions and Arm's-Length Test c. Level of Trade d. Cost of Production (COP) Analysis 1. Calculation of COP 2. Test of Comparison Market Sales Prices 3. Results of the COP Test e. Calculation of NV Based on Comparison Market Prices f. Calculation of NV Based on CV 11. Currency Conversion 12. Conclusion [FR Doc. 2015-12523 Filed 5-21-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Contact | David Goldberger or Katherine Johnson, AD/CVD Operations, Office II, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482- 4136 or (202) 482-4929, respectively. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 29620 |