SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On May 26, 2011, Commerce published antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on ( printed page 12513) aluminum extrusions from China.^[1] On May 6, 2019, in response to a request from Air Master Awning LLC (Air Master), Commerce initiated anti-circumvention inquiries regarding the Orders with respect to aluminum window frame extrusions processed into aluminum jalousie shutters (jalousie shutters) in the Dominican Republic, and also self-initiated a scope inquiry to determine whether the jalousie shutters at issue are merchandise covered by the scope of the Orders.^[2] On May 24, 2019, Commerce invited interested parties to submit comments on whether the jalousie shutters are merchandise covered by the scope of the Orders.^[3] On June 11, 2019, we received comments from Aluvinsa Industrial SRL (Aluvinsa), a Dominican producer and exporter of jalousie shutters.^[4] In June 2019, we received comments ^[5] and rebuttal comments ^[6] from Air Master. We also received letters in support of Air Master's submission from the Aluminum Extrusions Fair Trade Committee (the petitioner).^[7] On October 15, 2019, Commerce issued a final scope ruling, in which it determined that the jalousie shutters processed in the Dominican Republic from Chinese aluminum extrusions are merchandise covered by the scope of the Orders.^[8]

Rescission of Circumvention Inquiries

In its final scope ruling, Commerce indicated that it intended to rescind the anti-circumvention inquiries as moot.^[9] This determination is consistent with what Commerce has previously stated to be the purpose of an anti-circumvention inquiry. Specifically, Commerce has stated that “[t]he purpose of an anti-circumvention inquiry . . . is to determine whether a product that is outside the scope should be included within the scope because it was altered in form or appearance in minor respects.” ^[10] Because we have determined that aluminum jalousie shutters processed in the Dominican Republic from aluminum extrusions produced in China are merchandise covered by the scope of the Orders, we are rescinding the anti-circumvention inquiries.

Notification Regarding Administrative Protective Orders

This notice will serve as the only reminder to all parties subject to administrative protective order (APO) of their responsibility concerning the destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of return/destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and the terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation.

Notification to Interested Parties

This notice and determinations are issued and published in accordance with section 781 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and 19 CFR 351.225.

85 FR 12512