Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Indonesia; Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 39721-39726 [E5-3658]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• International Trade Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 131 (Monday, July 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39721-39726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-3658]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-560-815]


Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Indonesia; 
Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: In response to a request from P.T. Ispat Indo (Ispat Indo), 
the U.S. Department of Commerce (the Department) is conducting an 
administrative review of the antidumping duty order on carbon and 
certain alloy steel wire rod from Indonesia (A-560-815). This 
administrative review covers imports of subject merchandise from Ispat 
Indo. The period of review is October 1, 2003, through September 30, 
2004.
    We preliminarily determine that sales of subject merchandise by 
Ispat Indo did not make sales of subject merchandise at less than 
normal value (NV) during the period of review. If these preliminary 
results are adopted in the final results of this administrative review, 
we will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to liquidate 
appropriate entries without regard to antidumping duties. Interested 
parties are invited to comment on these preliminary results. Parties 
who submit argument in this proceeding are requested to submit with the 
argument: 1) a statement of the issues, 2) a brief summary of the 
argument, and 3) a table of authorities.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 11, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angelica Mendoza or Judy Lao, AD/CVD 
Operations, Office 7, Import Administration, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: (202) 482-
3019 or (202) 482-7924, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On October 29, 2002, the Department published in the Federal 
Register a notice of the antidumping duty orders on carbon and certain 
alloy steel wire rod (steel wire rod) from Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, 
Moldova, Trinidad and Tobago, and Ukraine. See Notice of Antidumping 
Duty Order: Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Brazil, 
Indonesia, Mexico, Moldova, Trinidad and Tobago, and Ukraine, 67 FR 
65945, (October 29, 2002).
    On October 27, 2004, Ispat Indo requested that we conduct an 
administrative review of its sales of the subject merchandise to the 
United States. On November 19, 2004, the Department initiated an 
administrative review of the antidumping duty order on steel wire rod 
from Indonesia for the period October 1, 2003, through September 30, 
2004. See Notice of Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Reviews, 69 FR 67701 (November 19, 2004).
    On December 3, 2004, the Department issued an antidumping duty 
questionnaire to Ispat Indo. Ispat Indo submitted its response to 
Section A of the questionnaire (Section A Response) on January 18, 
2005, and its response to Sections B and C (Sections B and C Response) 
on February 15, 2005. Ispat Indo submitted its response to Section D of 
the questionnaire on February 8, 2005. On February 15, 2005, the 
Department received comments from petitioners regarding the February 8, 
2005, Section D response. On March 1, 2005, the Department issued a 
request to revise Ispat Indo's Section D submission to report control 
number specific weight-average cost of production and constructed value 
information for the full POR. In addition, the Department issued Ispat 
Indo a supplemental questionnaire for Sections A-C on March 1, 2005. 
The Department received Ispat Indo's first supplemental questionnaire 
response on March 22, 2005. On April 1, 2005, the Department received 
comments from petitioners, and issued a Section D supplemental 
questionnaire. On April 4, 2005, petitioners submitted comments 
regarding the March 22, 2005, Section A, B, and C supplemental 
questionnaire response, and the revised Section D response. On April 
14, 2005, the Department issued a second supplemental questionnaire to 
Ispat Indo. We received Ispat Indo's Section D supplemental 
questionnaire response on April 15, 2005. Ispat Indo submitted its 
second supplemental questionnaire response on April 27, 2005. On April

[[Page 39722]]

29, 2005, Ispat Indo submitted its complete package of documents and 
reconciliation worksheets pursuant to the Department's Section A 
questionnaire and Ispat Indo's January 18, 2005 response to question 
1.h. On May 25, 2005, the Department issued its second supplemental 
Section D questionnaire. We received Ispat Indo's response on June 1, 
2005. On June 10, 2005, we issued a third supplemental Section D 
questionnaire, and received a partial response from Ispat Indo on June 
17, 2005. On June 24, 2005, Ispat Indo completed its response to the 
June 10, 2005, third supplemental Section D questionnaire. In addition, 
Ispat Indo submitted a response to the Department's verbal request to 
clarify its home market database, see, ``Request for Clarification of 
Ispat Indo's Relationship with Certain Home Market Customers'', 
(Department's Memorandum to the File through Abdelali Elouradia from 
Angelica Mendoza and Judy Lao), dated June 23, 2005.

Period of Review

    The period of review (POR) is October 1, 2003, through September 
30, 2004.

Scope of the Order

    The merchandise subject to this order is certain hot-rolled 
products of carbon steel and alloy steel, in coils, of approximately 
round cross section, 5.00 mm or more, but less than 19.00 mm, in solid 
cross-sectional diameter.
    Specifically excluded are steel products possessing the above-noted 
physical characteristics and meeting the HTSUS definitions for (a) 
stainless steel; (b) tool steel; c) high nickel steel; (d) ball bearing 
steel; and (e) concrete reinforcing bars and rods. Also excluded are 
(f) free machining steel products (i.e., products that contain by 
weight one or more of the following elements: 0.03 percent or more of 
lead, 0.05 percent or more of bismuth, 0.08 percent or more of sulfur, 
more than 0.04 percent of phosphorus, more than 0.05 percent of 
selenium, or more than 0.01 percent of tellurium).
    Also excluded from the scope are 1080 grade tire cord quality wire 
rod and 1080 grade tire bead quality wire rod. This grade 1080 tire 
cord quality rod is defined as: (i) grade 1080 tire cord quality wire 
rod measuring 5.0 mm or more but not more than 6.0 mm in cross-
sectional diameter; (ii) with an average partial decarburization of no 
more than 70 microns in depth (maximum individual 200 microns); (iii) 
having no non-deformable inclusions greater than 20 microns and no 
deformable inclusions greater than 35 microns; (iv) having a carbon 
segregation per heat average of 3.0 or better using European Method NFA 
04-114; (v) having a surface quality with no surface defects of a 
length greater than 0.15 mm; (vi) capable of being drawn to a diameter 
of 0.30 mm or less with 3 or fewer breaks per ton, and (vii) containing 
by weight the following elements in the proportions shown: (1) 0.78 
percent or more of carbon, (2) less than 0.01 percent of aluminum, (3) 
0.040 percent or less, in the aggregate, of phosphorus and sulfur, (4) 
0.006 percent or less of nitrogen, and (5) not more than 0.15 percent, 
in the aggregate, of copper, nickel and chromium.
    This grade 1080 tire bead quality rod is defined as: (i) grade 1080 
tire bead quality wire rod measuring 5.5 mm or more but not more than 
7.0 mm in cross-sectional diameter; (ii) with an average partial 
decarburization of no more than 70 microns in depth (maximum individual 
200 microns); (iii) having no non-deformable inclusions greater than 20 
microns and no deformable inclusions greater than 35 microns; (iv) 
having a carbon segregation per heat average of 3.0 or better using 
European Method NFA 04-114; (v) having a surface quality with no 
surface defects of a length greater than 0.2 mm; (vi) capable of being 
drawn to a diameter of 0.78 mm or larger with 0.5 or fewer breaks per 
ton; and (vii) containing by weight the following elements in the 
proportions shown: (1) 0.78 percent or more of carbon, (2) less than 
0.01 percent of soluble aluminum, (3) 0.040 percent or less, in the 
aggregate, of phosphorus and sulfur, (4) 0.008 percent or less of 
nitrogen, and (5) either not more than 0.15 percent, in the aggregate, 
of copper, nickel and chromium (if chromium is not specified), or not 
more than 0.10 percent in the aggregate of copper and nickel and a 
chromium content of 0.24 to 0.30 percent (if chromium is specified).
    For purposes of the grade 1080 tire cord quality wire rod and the 
grade 1080 tire bead quality wire rod, an inclusion will be considered 
to be deformable if its ratio of length (measured along the axis - that 
is, the direction of rolling - of the rod) over thickness (measured on 
the same inclusion in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rod) 
is equal to or greater than three. The size of an inclusion for 
purposes of the 20 microns and 35 microns limitations is the 
measurement of the largest dimension observed on a longitudinal section 
measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rod. This 
measurement methodology applies only to inclusions on certain grade 
1080 tire cord quality wire rod and certain grade 1080 tire bead 
quality wire rod that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption on or after July 24, 2003.
    The designation of the products as ``tire cord quality'' or ``tire 
bead quality'' indicates the acceptability of the product for use in 
the production of tire cord, tire bead, or wire for use in other rubber 
reinforcement applications such as hose wire. These quality 
designations are presumed to indicate that these products are being 
used in tire cord, tire bead, and other rubber reinforcement 
applications, and such merchandise intended for the tire cord, tire 
bead, or other rubber reinforcement applications is not included in the 
scope. However, should petitioners or other interested parties provide 
a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that there exists a pattern of 
importation of such products for other than those applications, end-use 
certification for the importation of such products may be required. 
Under such circumstances, only the importers of record would normally 
be required to certify the end use of the imported merchandise.
    All products meeting the physical description of subject 
merchandise that are not specifically excluded are included in this 
scope.
    The products under the scope are currently classifiable under 
subheadings 7213.91.3010, 7213.91.3090, 7213.91.4510, 7213.91.4590, 
7213.91.6010, 7213.91.6090, 7213.99.0031, 7213.99.0038, 7213.99.0090, 
7227.20.0010, 7227.20.0020, 7227.20.0090, 7227.20.0095, 7227.90.6051, 
7227.90.6053, 7227.90.6058, and 7227.90.6059 of the HTSUS. Although the 
HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, 
the written description of the scope of the order is dispositive.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Effective January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005, CBP 
reclassified certain HTSUS numbers related to the subject 
merchandise. See https://hotdocs.usitc.gov/tariff_chapters_current/
toc.html.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Product Comparisons

    In accordance with section 771(16) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act), we considered all products covered by the ``Scope of 
the Order'' section above, which were produced and sold by Ispat Indo 
in the home market during the POR, to be foreign like product for the 
purpose of determining appropriate product comparisons to Ispat Indo's 
U.S. sales of steel wire rod.
    We relied on the following eight product characteristics to match 
U.S. sales of subject merchandise to sales in Indonesia of the foreign 
like product

[[Page 39723]]

(listed in order of preference): grade, carbon content, surface 
quality, deoxidization, maximum total residual content, heat treatment, 
diameter, and coating. Where there were no sales of identical 
merchandise in the home market to compare to U.S. sales, we compared 
U.S. sales to the next most similar foreign like product on the basis 
of the characteristics and reporting instructions listed in the 
Department's questionnaire. See Appendix V of the Department's 
antidumping duty questionnaire to Ispat Indo dated December 3, 2004.

Fair Value Comparisons

    To determine whether Ispat Indo made sales of steel wire rod to the 
United States at less than fair value, we compared the EP to the NV, as 
described in the ``Export Price'' and ``Normal Value'' sections of this 
notice, below. In accordance with section 777A(d)(2) of the Act, we 
compared the EPs of individual U.S. transactions to monthly weighted-
average NVs.

Export Price

    Section 772(a) of the Act defines EP as the price at which the 
subject merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be sold) before the 
date of importation by the producer or exporter of the subject 
merchandise outside of the United States to an unaffiliated purchaser 
in the United States or to an unaffiliated purchaser for exportation to 
the United States, as adjusted under section 772(c) of the Act.
    In the instant review, Ispat Indo sold subject merchandise to the 
United States through an affiliated company in Dubai, United Arab 
Emirates, and this Dubai-based trading company sold the subject 
merchandise to the first unaffiliated U.S. customer. Ispat Indo 
reported all of its U.S. sales of subject merchandise as EP 
transactions. After reviewing the evidence on the record of this 
review, we have preliminarily determined that Ispat Indo's transactions 
are classified properly as EP sales because these sales were first sold 
before the date of importation by Ispat Indo's affiliated Dubai-based 
trading company to an unaffiliated purchaser in the United States.
    Such a determination is consistent with section 772(a) of the Act 
and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit's (Court of 
Appeals') decision in AK Steel Corp. et al. v. United States, 226 F.3d 
1361, 1374 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (AK Steel). In AK Steel, the Court of 
Appeals examined the definitions of EP and constructed export price 
(CEP), noting ``the plain meaning of the language enacted by Congress 
in 1994, focuses on where the sale takes place and whether the foreign 
producer or exporter and the U.S. importer are affiliated, making these 
two factors dispositive of the choice between the two 
classifications.'' AK Steel, at 226 F.3d at 1369. The Court of Appeals 
declared, `` the critical differences between EP and CEP sales are 
whether the sale or transaction takes place inside or outside the 
United States and whether it is made by an affiliate,'' and noted that 
the phrase ``outside the United States'' had been added to the 1994 
statutory definition of EP. AK Steel, at 226 F.3d at 1368-70. Thus, the 
classification of a sale as either EP or CEP depends upon where the 
contract for sale was concluded (i.e., in or outside the United States) 
and whether the foreign producer or exporter is affiliated with the 
U.S. importer.
    For these EP sales transactions, we calculated price in conformity 
with section 772(a) of the Act. We based EP on the packed, delivered 
duty-paid prices to an unaffiliated purchaser in the United States. We 
also made deductions from the EP starting price, where appropriate, for 
movement expenses in accordance with section 772(c)(2)(A) of the Act; 
these included foreign inland freight from the plant/warehouse to the 
port of exportation, foreign brokerage and handling, international 
freight, marine insurance, U.S. inland freight, U.S. brokerage and 
handling and U.S. customs duties.

Normal Value

    A. Home Market Viability
    In order to determine whether there is a sufficient volume of sales 
in the home market to serve as a viable basis for calculating NV (i.e., 
the aggregate volume of home market sales of the foreign like product 
is equal to or greater than five percent of the aggregate volume of 
U.S. sales), we compared Ispat Indo's volume of home market sales of 
the foreign like product to the volume of its U.S. sales of the subject 
merchandise, in accordance with section 773(a)(1)(B) of the Act. 
Pursuant to Section 773(a)(1)(B) of the Act and Section 351.404(b) of 
the Department's regulations, because Ispat Indo's aggregate volume of 
home market sales of the foreign like product was greater than five 
percent of its aggregate volume of U.S. sales for the subject 
merchandise, we determine that sales in the home market provide a 
viable basis for calculating NV. See Ispat Indo's Section A Response at 
Exhibit A-1. Moreover, there is no evidence on the record supporting a 
particular market situation in the exporting company's country that 
would not permit a proper comparison of home market and U.S. prices. 
Therefore, we based NV on home market sales in the usual commercial 
quantities and in the ordinary course of trade.
    As such, we used as NV the prices at which the foreign like product 
was first sold for consumption in Indonesia, in the usual commercial 
quantities, in the ordinary course of trade and, to the extent 
possible, at the same level of trade (LOT) as EP sales, as appropriate.
    B. Arm's-Length Test
    Ispat Indo reported that during the POR, it made sales in the home 
market to affiliated and unaffiliated original equipment manufacturers 
(OEMs). If any sales to affiliated customers in the home market were 
not made at arm's-length prices, we excluded them from our analysis as 
we consider such sales to be outside the ordinary course of trade. See 
19 CFR 351.102(b). To test whether sales to affiliates were made at 
arm's-length prices, we compared, on a model-specific basis, the 
starting prices of sales to affiliated and unaffiliated customers net 
of all discounts and rebates, movement expenses, direct selling 
expenses, and home market packing. In accordance with the Department's 
current practice, if the prices charged to an affiliated party were, on 
average, between 98 and 102 percent of the prices charged to 
unaffiliated parties for merchandise identical or most similar to that 
sold to the affiliated party, we consider the sales to be at arm's-
length prices. See 19 CFR 351.403(c). Conversely, where the affiliated 
party did not pass the arm's-length test, all sales to that affiliated 
party have been excluded from the NV calculation. See Antidumping 
Proceedings: Affiliated Party Sales in the Ordinary Course of Trade, 67 
FR 69186 (November 15, 2002) (Modification to Affiliated Party Sales). 
However, all of Ispat Indo's home market sales to affiliated customers 
passed the arm's-length test.
    C. Cost of Production Analysis
    In the most recently completed segment, the Department determined 
that Ispat Indo made sales in the home market at prices below its cost 
of production (COP) and, therefore, excluded such sales from its 
calculation of NV. See Notice of Preliminary Determination of Sales at 
Not Less Than Fair Value: Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from 
Indonesia, 67 FR 17374, (April 10, 2002).
    The Department's affirmative findings of sales-below-cost in the 
preliminary determination of the less-than-fair-value (LTFV) did not 
change in the final

[[Page 39724]]

determination.\2\ Therefore, the Department has reasonable grounds to 
believe or suspect, pursuant to section 773(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act, 
that Ispat Indo made sales in the home market at prices below the COP 
for this POR. As a result, in accordance with section 773(b)(1) of the 
Act, we examined whether Ispat Indo's sales in the home market were 
made at prices below the COP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ We note that this is the second administrative review 
period. No parties requested a review during the first 
administrative review period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    1. Calculation of COP
    We compared sales of the foreign like product in the home market 
with POR model-specific COP. In accordance with section 773(b)(3) of 
the Act, we calculated COP based on the sum of the costs of materials 
and fabrication employed in producing the foreign like product, plus 
selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, interest expenses, 
and all costs and expenses incidental to placing the foreign like 
product in packed condition and ready for shipment. In our sales-below-
cost analysis, we relied on home market sales and COP information 
provided by Ispat Indo in its questionnaire responses, except where 
noted below:
    a. Ispat Indo purchased a portion of its raw materials from an 
affiliated supplier. In accordance with Section 773(f)(2), we compared 
the transfer prices between the affiliated supplier and Ispat Indo to 
market prices and noted that the transfer prices were higher than the 
market prices. However, we noted that the total direct material costs 
reported by Ispat Indo to the Department was based on the transfer 
prices less the markup charged by its affiliate. Therefore, we 
increased the reported direct material costs to reflect the cost of raw 
materials as valued by the full transfer price between Ispat Indo and 
its affiliated supplier, including the affiliate's markup as recorded 
in Ispat's normal books and records.
    b. We revised the G&A expense ratio to exclude amounts reimbursed 
by Ispat Indo's insurance company related to losses due to a shipwreck 
and a fire.
For further details regarding these adjustments, see the Department's 
``Cost of Production and Constructed Value Calculation Adjustments for 
the Preliminary Results [hzbar] Ispat Indo'' (COP Memorandum), dated 
July 5, 2005.
    2. Test of Home Market Prices
    We compared Ispat Indo's weighted-average COPs to its home market 
sales prices of the foreign like product, as required under section 
773(b) of the Act, to determine whether these sales had been made at 
prices below COP. On a product-specific basis, we compared the COP to 
home market prices net of any applicable discounts or rebates and 
movement charges.
    In determining whether to disregard home market sales made at 
prices below the COP, we examined, in accordance with sections 
773(b)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act, whether such sales were made in (1) 
substantial quantities within an extended period of time, and (2) at 
prices which permitted the recovery of all costs within a reasonable 
period of time in the normal course of trade.
    3. Results of the COP Test
    Pursuant to section 773(b)(1), where less than 20 percent of the 
respondent's sales of a given product are at prices less than the COP, 
we do not disregard any below-cost sales of that product, because we 
determine that in such instances the below-cost sales were not made in 
``substantial quantities.'' Where 20 percent or more of a respondent's 
sales of a given product are at prices less than the COP, we disregard 
those sales of that product, because we determine that in such 
instances the below-cost sales represent ``substantial quantities'' 
within an extended period of time, in accordance with section 
773(b)(1)(A) of the Act. In such cases, we also determine whether such 
sales were made at prices which would not permit recovery of all costs 
within a reasonable period of time, in accordance with section 
773(b)(1)(B) of the Act.
    In the case of Ispat Indo, we did not find an instance where more 
than 20 percent of a given home market product's sales were at prices 
less than COP. Therefore, we did not exclude any sales in determining 
NV.
    D. Price-to-Price Comparisons
    We based NV on home market prices to unaffiliated and affiliated 
customers. Home market starting prices were based on packed prices, net 
of rebates, to affiliated or unaffiliated purchasers in the home 
market. In Ispat Indo's initial questionnaire response, it stated that 
home market customers received quantity discounts. After reviewing 
Ispat Indo's responses to supplemental questionnaires, we preliminary 
find that the adjustments previously classified as quantity discounts 
were in fact rebates, as defined in the Department's questionnaire. 
Therefore, we have preliminarily treated these adjustments as rebates 
rather than discounts. We made deductions, where appropriate, for 
inland freight and insurance pursuant to section 773(a)(6)(B) of the 
Act. In addition, we made adjustments for differences in cost 
attributable to differences in physical characteristics of the 
merchandise, pursuant to section 773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act and 
section 351.411 of the Department's regulations. In accordance with 
section 773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Act and section 351.410 of our 
regulations, we adjusted home market starting prices for differences in 
circumstances of sale, i.e., imputed credit expenses and direct bank 
charges. Finally, we deducted home market packing costs and added U.S. 
packing costs in accordance with sections 773(a)(6)(A) and (B) of the 
Act.

Level of Trade

    In accordance with section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act, to the 
extent practicable, we determine NV based on sales in the home market 
at the same level of trade (LOT) as the export transaction. See also 
section 351.412 of the Department's regulations. The NV LOT is the 
level of the starting-price sales in the comparison market or, when NV 
is based on CV, the level of the sales from which we derive SG&A 
expenses and profits. For EP sales, the U.S. LOT is also the level of 
the starting-price sale, which is usually from the exporter to the 
importer. See section 351.412(c)(1) of the Department's regulations. As 
noted in the ``Export Price'' section above, we preliminarily find that 
all of Ispat Indo's direct U.S. sales to unrelated customers are 
properly classified as EP sales.
    To determine whether NV sales are at a different LOT than EP sales, 
we examine stages in the marketing process and selling functions along 
the chain of distribution between the producer and the unaffiliated 
customer. If the comparison market sales are at a different LOT than EP 
sales, and the difference affects price comparability, as manifested in 
a pattern of consistent price differences between sales on which NV is 
based and comparison market sales at the LOT of the export transaction, 
we make a LOT adjustment under section 773(a)(7)(A) of the Act.
    In analyzing differences in selling functions, we determine whether 
the LOTs identified by the respondent are meaningful. See Antidumping 
Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27371 (May 19, 
1997). If the claimed LOTs are the same, we expect that the functions 
and activities of the seller should be similar. Conversely, if a party 
claims that LOTs are different for different groups of sales, the 
functions and activities of the seller should be dissimilar. See 
Porcelain-on-Steel Cookware from Mexico: Final Results of 
Administrative Review, 65 FR 30068 (May 10, 2000).
    In determining whether separate LOTs existed in the home market for 
the

[[Page 39725]]

respondent, we examine whether the respondent's sales involved 
different marketing stages (or their equivalent) based on the channel 
of distribution, customer categories, and selling functions (or 
services offered) to each customer or customer category, in both 
markets.
    In this review, Ispat Indo stated that it made sales in the home 
market directly to end users through one channel of distribution. The 
channel consists of Ispat Indo selling directly to both unaffiliated 
and affiliated end-users (i.e., OEMs) in the home market. For the home 
market channel of distribution, Ispat Indo stated that it provided a 
high degree of assistance for sales forecasting, strategic economic 
planning, order/input processing, direct sales personnel support, 
sales/marketing support, market research, and technical assistance. 
Also, Ispat Indo provided a medium degree of assistance for personnel 
training/exchange, packing, and inventory maintenance; and a low degree 
of assistance for rebates. We preliminarily find there to be one LOT 
for home market sales.In the U.S. market, Ispat Indo also stated that 
it had one channel of distribution where the respondent sold to end-
users (via its foreign-based affiliate) in the U.S. Within the U.S. 
channel of distribution, Ispat Indo stated that it provided a high 
degree of assistance for packing, order input/processing, direct sales 
personnel, sales/marketing support, after-sales services, freight and 
delivery, and technical assistance. Also, Ispat Indo stated that it has 
a medium degree of assistance for market research. We preliminarily 
find there to be one LOT for U.S. sales.
    In analyzing Ispat Indo's selling activities for its home market 
and U.S. market, we determined that essentially the same level of 
services were provided for both markets. Specifically, for home market 
sales, the customer directly contacts Ispat Indo and negotiates the 
material terms of sale. Subsequently, Ispat Indo issues a sales 
contract to the Indonesian customer, and begins production. Upon 
shipment of the merchandise to the customer, Ispat Indo issues the 
invoice to the customer. See Ispat Indo's Section A Response at Exhibit 
A-5. The selling methods in the U.S. market are virtually the same, 
with the exception that all export sales, including the U.S. sales 
subject to this review, were made through its foreign-based affiliate. 
See Ispat Indo's Section A Response at A-20. Ispat Indo explained that 
its foreign-based affiliate handles processing of sales documentation 
and receipt of payment from the U.S. customer. However, Ispat Indo has 
direct contact with the U.S. customer, handles all sales negotiations, 
and direct ships the merchandise from the port of exportation in 
Indonesia to the U.S. customer. These negotiations are then confirmed 
by Ispat Indo's foreign-based affiliate via issuance of a sales 
contract to the U.S. customer. Once a sales contract has been issued to 
the U.S. customer, Ispat Indo will begin production of the ordered 
material. See Ispat Indo's Section A Response at A-16. Subsequent to 
shipment of the merchandise, Ispat Indo invoices its foreign-based 
affiliate, who then in turn issues an invoice to the U.S. customer. The 
U.S. customer remits payment to the foreign-based affiliate, who then 
in turn remits payment to Ispat Indo. In light of all the above, we do 
not consider the selling methods for both markets to represent 
different LOTs.
    Therefore, we have preliminarily determined that the LOT for all EP 
sales is the same as the LOT for all sales in the home market. Based on 
our analysis of selling functions and because we find home market and 
U.S. sales at the same LOT, no LOT adjustment under section 
773(a)(7)(A) of the Act is warranted for Ispat Indo.

Currency Conversion

    We made currency conversions in accordance with section 773A(a) of 
the Act, and section 351.415 of the Department's regulations, based on 
the exchange rates in effect on the dates of the U.S. sales, as 
certified by Dow Jones Reuter Business Interactive, LLC (trading as 
Factiva).

Preliminary Results of Review

    As a result of our review, we preliminarily determine the weighted-
average dumping margin for the period October 1, 2003, through 
September 30, 2004, to be as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Margin
                   Manufacturer/exporter                      (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.T. Ispat Indo............................................         0.38
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Department will disclose to parties to this proceeding the 
calculations performed in connection with these preliminary results of 
review within 5 days of the date of publication of this notice in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b). Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309, 
interested parties may submit case briefs and/or written comments no 
later than 30 days after the date of publication of these preliminary 
results of review. Rebuttal comments and briefs must be limited to 
issues raised in the case briefs and comments, and may be filed no 
later than 35 days after the date of publication of this notice. 
Parties who submit argument in these proceedings are requested to 
submit with the argument: 1) a statement of the issue, 2) a brief 
summary of the argument, and (3) a table of authorities. An interested 
party may request a hearing within 30 days of the date of publication 
of this notice. See section 351.310(c) of the Department's regulations. 
Unless otherwise specified, the hearing, if requested, will be held 2 
days after the date for submission of rebuttal briefs, or the first 
working day thereafter. The Department will issue the final results of 
this administrative review, including the results of its analysis of 
issues raised in any case and rebuttal briefs and comments, within 120 
days of publication of these preliminary results.

Assessment Rates

    Upon completion of this administrative review, the Department will 
determine, and CBP shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate 
entries. In accordance with 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1), we have calculated an 
importer-specific ad valorem rate for merchandise subject to this 
review. The Department will issue appropriate assessment instructions 
directly to CBP within 15 days of publication of the final results of 
review. If these preliminary results are adopted in the final results 
of review, we will direct CBP to assess the resulting assessment rates 
(ad valorem) against the entered customs values for the subject 
merchandise on each of the importer's entries during the review period.

Cash Deposit Requirements

    The following deposit requirements will be effective upon 
publication of the final results of this administrative review for all 
shipments of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date of the 
final results of this administrative review, as provided by section 
751(a)(1) of the Act: (1) the cash deposit rate for the company listed 
above will be the rate established in the final results of this review 
(except that no deposit will be required if the rate is zero or de 
minims, i.e., less than 0.50 percent); (2) for previously reviewed or 
investigated companies not listed above, the cash deposit rate will 
continue to be the company-specific rate established for the most 
recent period; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this 
review, a prior review, or the original LTFV investigation, but the 
manufacturer is, the cash deposit rate will be the rate established for 
the most recent period for the manufacturer of

[[Page 39726]]

the subject merchandise; and (4) if neither the exporter nor the 
manufacturer is a firm covered in this review, any previous reviews, or 
the LTFV investigation, the cash deposit rate will continue to be 4.06 
percent, the ``all others'' rate established in the LTFV investigation. 
See Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: 
Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod From Indonesia, 67 FR 55798 
(August 30, 2002). These deposit rates, when imposed, shall remain in 
effect until publication of the final results of the next 
administrative review.

Notification to Importers

    This notice also serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of 
their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f) to file a certificate 
regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation 
of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply 
with this requirement could result in the Secretary's presumption that 
reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent 
assessment of double antidumping duties.
    These preliminary results are issued and in accordance with 
sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

    Dated: July 5, 2005.
Barbara E. Tillman,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. E5-3658 Filed 7-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S