SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On November 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of Hard Empty Capsules (capsules) from Brazil, China, India, and Vietnam.^[1] Currently, the preliminary determinations are due no later than January 17, 2025.

Postponement of Preliminary Determinations

Section 703(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), requires Commerce to issue the preliminary determination in a CVD investigation within 65 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation. However, section 703(c)(1) of the Act permits Commerce to postpone the preliminary determination in a CVD investigation until no later than 130 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation if: (A) the petitioner makes a timely request for a postponement; or (B) Commerce concludes that the parties concerned are cooperating, that the investigation is extraordinarily complicated, and that additional time is necessary to make a preliminary determination. Under 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner must submit a request for postponement 25 days or more before the scheduled date of the preliminary determination and must state the reasons for the request. Commerce will grant the request unless it finds compelling reasons to deny the request.

On December 16, 2024, the petitioner ^[2] submitted a timely request that Commerce postpone the preliminary CVD determinations.^[3] The petitioner stated that postponement of the preliminary determinations is necessary because the current schedule does not provide Commerce with adequate time to fully analyze the forthcoming questionnaire responses of the mandatory respondents and issue supplemental questionnaires, as necessary.^[4]

In accordance with 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner submitted its request for postponement of the preliminary determinations in these investigations 25 days or more before the scheduled date of the preliminary determinations and stated the reasons for its request. Commerce finds no compelling reason to deny the request. Therefore, in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, Commerce is postponing the deadline for the preliminary determinations in these investigations to no later than 130 days after the date on which it initiated these investigations, i.e., March, 24, 2025.^[5] Pursuant to section 705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the final determinations of these investigations will continue to be 75 days after the date of the preliminary determinations.

This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 703(c)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(1).

90 FR 3788