Certain Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings From Taiwan: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Notice of Intent to Rescind in Part, 39663-39667 [E6-11060]
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Products has changed its name to Taiga
Building Products Ltd. This constitutes
changed circumstances warranting a
review of the order. Therefore, in
accordance with section 751(b)(1) of the
Act, we are initiating a changed
circumstances review based upon the
information contained in Taiga Building
Products Ltd.’s submission.
In making successor–in-interest
determinations, the Department
examines several factors including, but
not limited to, changes in: (1)
management; (2) production facilities;
(3) supplier relationships; and (4)
customer base. See, e.g.,
Polychloroprene Rubber from Japan:
Final Results of Changed Circumstances
Review, 67 FR 58 (January 2, 2002)
(citing Brass Sheet and Strip from
Canada: Notice of Final Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 57 FR 20460 (May 13, 1992)).
While no single factor, or combination
of factors, will necessarily prove
dispositive, the Department will
generally consider the new company to
be the successor to its predecessor
company if the resulting operations are
essentially the same as the predecessor
company. See, e.g., citing, Industrial
Phosphoric Acid from Israel; Final
Results of Changed Circumstances
Review, 59 FR 6944, 6945 (February 14,
1994). Thus, if the evidence
demonstrates that, with respect to the
production and sale of the subject
merchandise, the new company
operates as the same business entity as
its predecessor, the Department will
assign the new company the cash–
deposit rate of its predecessor.
In its June 14, 2006, submission, Taiga
Building Products Ltd. argues that it
changed its name to Taiga Building
Products Ltd. from Taiga Forest
Products, and that the company’s
ownership, senior management,
operations, supplier/customer
relationships, and facilities have not
changed. As such, Taiga Building
Products Ltd. is, for all intents and
purposes, operating in the exact same
manner as Taiga Forest Products. To
support its claims, Taiga Building
Products Ltd. submitted documentation,
including: (1) a name change
registration form; (2) a Certificate of
Amalgamation issued by the
Government of British Columbia; (3) a
sample letter from Taiga Building
Products Ltd. to its customers; and (4)
Taiga Building Products Ltd.’s annual
report to shareholders for the fiscal year
ending March 31, 2006.
After the initiation of the review, the
Department will issue a questionnaire
requesting additional factual
information for the review in
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accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(b)(2).
The Department will publish in the
Federal Register a notice of preliminary
results of changed circumstances review
which will set forth the factual and legal
conclusions upon which our
preliminary results are based, and a
description of any action proposed
based on those results in accordance
with 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4) and 19 CFR
351.221(c)(3)(i). Pursuant to 19 CFR
351.221(b)(4)(ii), interested parties will
have an opportunity to comment on the
preliminary results of the review. The
Department will issue its final results of
review within 270 days after the date on
which the changed circumstances
review is initiated, in accordance with
19 CFR 351.216(e), and will publish
these results in the Federal Register.
The current requirement for a cash
deposit of estimated antidumping duties
on all subject merchandise will
continue unless and until it is modified
pursuant to the final results of this
changed circumstances review.
This notice is in accordance with
section 751(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.216 and 351.221 of the
Department’s regulations.
Dated: July 7, 2006.
Joseph A. Spetrini,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E6–11059 Filed 7–12–03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–583–816]
Certain Stainless Steel Butt–Weld Pipe
Fittings From Taiwan: Preliminary
Results of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review and Notice of
Intent to Rescind in Part
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: In response to requests from
respondent Ta Chen Stainless Pipe Co.,
Ltd. (Ta Chen) and from petitioners
Flowline Division of Markovitz
Enterprises, Inc. (Flowline Division),
Gerlin, Inc., Shaw Alloy Piping
Products, Inc., and Taylor Forge
Stainless, Inc., (collectively,
petitioners), the Department of
Commerce (the Department) is
conducting an administrative review of
the antidumping duty order on certain
stainless steel butt–weld pipe fittings
(pipe fittings) from Taiwan. Petitioners
requested that the Department conduct
the administrative review for Ta Chen,
AGENCY:
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39663
Liang Feng Stainless Steel Fitting Co.,
Ltd. (Liang Feng), Tru–Flow Industrial
Co., Ltd. (Tru–Flow), Censor
International Corporation (Censor), and
PFP Taiwan Co., Ltd. (PFP).
With regard to Ta Chen, we
preliminarily determine that sales have
been made below normal value (NV).
On September 1, 2005, Tru–Flow, Liang
Feng, Censor, and PFP certified that
they had no sales or shipments of
subject merchandise to the United
States during the period of review
(POR). Based on Tru–Flow’s, Liang
Feng’s, Censor’s, and PFP’s certified
statements and on information from
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) indicating that these companies
had no shipments to the United States
of the subject merchandise during the
POR, we hereby give notice that we
intend to rescind the review regarding
these four companies. For a full
discussion of the intent to rescind with
respect to Liang Feng, Tru–Flow, Censor
and PFP, see the ‘‘Notice of Intent to
Rescind in Part’’ section of this notice.
If these preliminary results of review
of Ta Chen’s sales are adopted in the
final results, we will instruct CBP to
assess antidumping duties on
appropriate entries based on the
difference between the constructed
export price (CEP) and the NV.
Interested parties are invited to
comment on these preliminary results.
Parties who submit comments 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 13, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Helen Kramer 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) 482–0405 or (202) 482–
7924, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On June 16, 1993, the Department
published in the Federal Register the
antidumping duty order on pipe fittings
from Taiwan. See Amended Final
Determination and Antidumping Duty
Order: Certain Stainless Steel Butt–Weld
Pipe and Tube Fittings from Taiwan, 58
FR 33250 (June 16, 1993). On June 1,
2005, the Department published a notice
of opportunity to request administrative
review for the period June 1, 2004,
through May 31, 2005. See Antidumping
or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding,
or Suspended Investigation;
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Opportunity to Request Administrative
Review, 70 FR 31422 (June 1, 2005).
In accordance with 19 CFR
351.213(b)(1) and (2), on June 27, 2005,
petitioners requested an antidumping
duty administrative review for Ta Chen,
Liang Feng, Tru–Flow, Censor
International, and PFP, (respondents),
and on June 30, 2005, Ta Chen
requested an administrative review. On
July 21, 2005, the Department published
the notice initiating this administrative
review. See Notice of Initiation of
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Administrative Reviews and Request for
Revocation In Part, 70 FR 42028 (July
21, 2005).
On August 1, 2005, the Department
issued its antidumping duty
questionnaire to the respondents. On
September 1, 2005, Ta Chen submitted
its response to section A of the
Department’s questionnaire. In addition,
on September 1, 2005, the Department
received statements from four of the
respondents, Liang Feng, Tru–Flow,
Censor, and PFP, certifying that they
had neither sales nor exports of subject
pipe fittings to the United States during
the POR. On September 26, 2005, Ta
Chen submitted its responses to sections
B, C, and D of the Department’s
questionnaire. On October 11, 2005,
petitioners submitted comments
regarding Ta Chen’s section A response,
primarily regarding alleged affiliation
issues. On October 12, 2005, petitioners
submitted comments on Ta Chen’s
section B and C responses. On October
24, 2006, Ta Chen submitted a response
to petitioners’ comments. On November
2, 2005, petitioners submitted rebuttal
comments to Ta Chen’s October 24,
2006, submission. The Department
issued a supplemental section A
through C questionnaire on November 9,
2005. On November 22, 2005, both
petitioners and Ta Chen submitted
comments regarding affiliation issues.
On November 28, 2005, petitioners
submitted a rebuttal to Ta Chen’s
November 22, 2005, submission. On
December 2, 2005, Ta Chen responded
to petitioners’ comments. Ta Chen
submitted its response to the
Department’s supplemental sections A
through C questionnaire on December
12, 2005. Petitioners also submitted
comments on Ta Chen’s December 2,
2005, response on December 12, 2005,
and on January 18, 2006. The
Department issued a second
supplemental questionnaire to Ta Chen
covering corporate structure, home
market and U.S. sales on January 23,
2006. On February 3, 2006, the
Department issued a cost supplemental
questionnaire to Ta Chen. On February
8, 2006, the Department extended the
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time limit for the preliminary results of
this administrative review by 120 days,
to not later than June 30, 2006. See
Certain Stainless Steel Butt–Weld Pipe
Fittings from Taiwan: Notice of
Extension of Time Limit for Preliminary
Results in Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 71 FR 6449
(February 8, 2006). Ta Chen submitted
its responses to the Department’s
questionnaires on February 14, 2006,
and on March 2, 2006. Ta Chen
submitted additional exhibits and
responses to its Section D supplemental
response on March 3, 2006. Petitioners
submitted additional comments on
April 10, 2006.
Notice of Intent to Rescind Review in
Part
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3), the
Department may rescind an
administrative review, in whole or with
respect to a particular exporter or
producer, if the Secretary concludes that
there were no entries, exports, or sales
of the subject merchandise during the
POR. See, e.g., Certain Oil Country
Tubular Goods from Mexico:
Preliminary Results of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review and Partial
Rescission, 71 FR 27676–27678, (May
12, 2006); Stainless Steel Sheet and
Strip in Coils from Japan: Final
Rescission of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 71 FR 26041
(May 3, 2006).
On September 1, 2005, Liang Feng,
Tru–Flow, PFP, and Censor each
submitted letters on the record
certifying that their firms had no sales,
entries, or exports of pipe fittings to the
United States during the POR. On
November 8, 2005, at the Department’s
request, Tru–Flow submitted an
additional statement certifying that
neither it nor its affiliates had any sales
or exports of pipe fittings to the United
States during the POR. To confirm their
statements, the Department conducted a
CBP data inquiry and determined that
there were no identifiable entries of
pipe fittings during the POR
manufactured or exported by Liang
Feng, Tru–Flow, PFP or Censor.
Therefore, in accordance with 19 CFR
351.213(d)(3), the Department
preliminarily intends to rescind this
review as to Liang Feng, Tru–Flow, PFP
and Censor.
Period of Review
The POR for this administrative
review is June 1, 2004, through May 31,
2005.
Scope of the Order
The products covered by the order are
certain stainless steel butt–weld pipe
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fittings, whether finished or unfinished,
under 14 inches inside diameter.
Certain welded stainless steel butt–weld
pipe fittings (pipe fittings) are used to
connect pipe sections in piping systems
where conditions require welded
connections. The subject merchandise is
used where one or more of the following
conditions is a factor in designing the
piping system: (1) Corrosion of the
piping system will occur if material
other than stainless steel is used; (2)
contamination of the material in the
system by the system itself must be
prevented; (3) high temperatures are
present; (4) extreme low temperatures
are present; and (5) high pressures are
contained within the system.
Pipe fittings come in a variety of
shapes, with the following five shapes
the most basic: elbows, tees, reducers,
stub ends, and caps. The edges of
finished pipe fittings are beveled.
Threaded, grooved, and bolted fittings
are excluded from the order. The pipe
fittings subject to the order are currently
classifiable under subheading
7307.23.00 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).
Although the HTSUS subheading is
provided for convenience and customs
purposes, our written description of the
scope of the order is dispositive. Pipe
fittings manufactured to American
Society of Testing and Materials
specification A774 are included in the
scope of this order.
Affiliation
We note that in this proceeding there
is an ongoing claim by the petitioners
that Ta Chen and its U.S. subsidiary, Ta
Chen International Corporation (TCI),
have several related parties that were
not disclosed in its financial statements,
and therefore Ta Chen’s and TCI’s
financial statements (and thus its
underlying accounting records) should
not be relied upon for the purposes of
this determination. For the preliminary
results, we have determined that the
evidence on the record does not warrant
a finding that the Department should
disregard Ta Chen’s or TCI’s financial
statements.
Product Comparisons
For the purpose of determining
appropriate product comparisons to
pipe fittings sold in the United States,
we considered all pipe fittings covered
by the scope that were sold by Ta Chen
in the home market during the POR to
be ‘‘foreign like products,’’ in
accordance with section 771(16) of the
Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act).
Where there were no contemporaneous
sales of identical merchandise in the
home market to compare to U.S. sales,
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we compared U.S. sales to the next most
similar foreign like product on the basis
of the physical characteristics reported
by Ta Chen, as follows: specification,
seam, grade, size and schedule.
The record shows that Ta Chen both
purchased from and entered into tolling
arrangements with unaffiliated
Taiwanese manufacturers of pipe
fittings. We have preliminarily
determined that Ta Chen is the sole
exporter of the pipe fittings under
review, because the record does not
indicate that these manufacturers had
knowledge that the pipe fittings would
be exported to the United States. Record
evidence, such as purchase orders,
shows that Ta Chen did not identify the
intended market, and also sold the
tolled or purchased pipe fittings in the
home market. Moreover, all
subcontracted or purchased fittings are
marked with Ta Chen’s brand name. See
Ta Chen’s Section A Resp., at A1–2,
(Sept. 1, 2005). Therefore, knowledge
that the pipe fittings would also be sold
to the United States cannot be imputed
to those unaffiliated manufacturers. See
19 CFR 351.401(h).
However, section 771(16)(A) of the
Act defines ‘‘foreign like product’’ to be
‘‘{t}he subject merchandise and other
merchandise which is identical in
physical characteristics with, and was
produced in the same country by the
same person as, that merchandise.’’
Thus, consistent with the Department’s
past practice in reviews under this
order, for products that Ta Chen has
identified with certainty that it
purchased from a particular unaffiliated
producer and resold in the U.S. market,
we have restricted the matching of
products to identical products
purchased by Ta Chen from the same
unaffiliated producer and resold in the
home market.
Date of Sale
The Department’s regulations state
that it will normally use the date of
invoice, as recorded in the exporter’s or
producer’s records kept in the ordinary
course of business, as the date of sale.
See 19 CFR 351.401(i). If the
Department can establish ‘‘a different
date [that] better reflects the date on
which the exporter or producer
establishes the material terms of sale,’’
the Department may choose a different
date. Id.
In the present review, Ta Chen
claimed that invoice date should be
used as the date of sale in both the home
market and the U.S. market. See Ta
Chen’s Section A Resp., at 14–16 (Sept.
1, 2005). For home market (HM) sales,
the Department examined whether the
date Ta Chen issued its pro forma
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invoice or its actual invoice best reflects
the date of sale and determined that
actual invoice date should be the sale
date, consistent with the practice in all
the previous reviews of this proceeding.
See Ta Chen’s Supplemental Section A
Resp., at 2 (Dec. 12, 2005) and Ta Chen’s
Second Supplemental Sections A–C
Resp., at 1 (February 14, 2006). For
constructed export price (CEP) sales, we
used the invoice date for sales to the
first unaffiliated buyer.
Fair Value Comparisons
To determine whether sales of pipe
fittings by Ta Chen to the United States
were made at prices below NV, we
compared CEP to NV, as described
below. Pursuant to section 777A(d)(2) of
the Act, we compared the CEPs of
individual U.S. transactions to the
monthly weighted–average NV of the
foreign like product.
Constructed Export Price
Section 772(b) of the Act defines CEP
as ‘‘the price at which the subject
merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be
sold) in the United States before or after
the date of importation by or for the
account of the producer or exporter of
such merchandise or by a seller
affiliated with the producer or exporter,
to a purchaser not affiliated with the
producer or exporter. . .’’ Consistent
with recent past reviews, pursuant to
section 772(b) of the Act, we calculated
the price of Ta Chen’s sales based on
CEP because the sale to the first
unaffiliated U.S. customer was made by
Ta Chen’s U.S. affiliate, TCI. See
Analysis Memorandum for the
Preliminary Results of Administrative
Review of Certain Stainless Steel Butt–
Weld Pipe Fittings from Taiwan: Ta
Chen Stainless Pipe Co., Ltd. (June 30,
2006) (Analysis Memo). Ta Chen has
two channels of distribution for U.S.
sales: 1) Ta Chen ships the merchandise
to TCI for inventory in warehouses and
subsequent resale to unaffiliated buyers
(stock sales), and 2) Ta Chen ships the
merchandise directly to TCI’s U.S.
customer (‘‘indent’’ sales). The
Department finds that both stock and
indent sales qualify as CEP sales
because the original sales contract is
between TCI and the U.S. customer. In
addition, TCI handles all
communication with the U.S. customer,
from customer order to receipt of
payment, and incurs the risk of non–
payment. In addition, TCI handles
customer complaints concerning issues
such as product quality, specifications,
delivery, and product returns. TCI is
also responsible for the ocean freight for
all U.S. sales and all selling efforts to
the U.S. customer. See Ta Chen’s
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Section A Resp., at A10- A13 (Sept. 1,
2005).
We calculated CEP based on ex–
warehouse or delivered prices to
unaffiliated purchasers in the United
States and, where appropriate, we
added billing adjustments and deducted
discounts. In accordance with section
772(d)(1) of the Act, the Department
deducted direct and indirect selling
expenses, including inventory carrying
costs incurred by TCI for stock sales,
related to commercial activity in the
United States. We also made deductions
for movement expenses, which include
foreign inland freight, foreign brokerage
and handling, ocean freight,
containerization expense, Taiwan
harbor construction tax, marine
insurance, U.S. inland freight, U.S.
brokerage and handling, and U.S.
customs duties. Finally, in accordance
with sections 772(d)(3) and 772(f) of the
Act, we deducted CEP profit.
Normal Value
1. Home Market Viability
To determine whether there is a
sufficient volume of sales in the home
market to serve as a viable basis for
calculating NV, we compared Ta Chen’s
volume of home market sales of the
foreign like product to the volume of
U.S. sales of the subject merchandise, in
accordance with section 773(a)(1)(B) of
the Act. Because Ta Chen’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 determined that the home market
was viable. See Ta Chen’s Section A
Resp., at A1–3 (Sept. 1, 2005).
2. Cost of Production Analysis
Because we disregarded sales below
the cost of production (COP) in the prior
administrative review, we have
reasonable grounds to believe or suspect
that sales by Ta Chen in its home market
were made at prices below the COP,
pursuant to sections 773(b)(1) and
773(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act. See (Notice of
Certain Stainless Steel Butt–Weld Pipe
Fittings From Taiwan: Final Results and
Final Rescission in Part of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review), 70 FR
73727 (Dec. 13, 2005). Therefore,
pursuant to section 773(b)(1) of the Act,
we conducted a COP analysis of home
market sales by Ta Chen.
A. Calculation of COP
In accordance with section 773(b)(3)
of the Act, we calculated a weighted–
average COP based on the sum of Ta
Chen’s cost of materials and fabrication
for the foreign like product, plus
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indirect selling expenses and packing
costs. We relied on the COP data
submitted by Ta Chen in its original and
supplemental cost questionnaire
responses. For these preliminary results,
the Department did not make any
adjustments to the COP calculation. See
Memo to Neal M. Halper, through
Michael P. Martin, from James Balog:
Cost of Production and Constructed
Value Programming Instructions for the
Preliminary Determination – Ta Chen
Stainless Pipe Co. Ltd.
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B. Test of Home Market Prices
We compared the weighted–average
COP to home market sales of the foreign
like product, as required under section
773(b) of the Act, in order to determine
whether these sales had been made at
prices below the COP. In determining
whether to disregard home market sales
made at prices below the COP, we
examined whether such sales were
made within an extended period of time
in substantial quantities, and were not
at prices that permitted the recovery of
all costs within a reasonable period of
time, in accordance with sections
773(b)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act. Where
appropriate, we compared the COP to
home market prices on a product–
specific basis. We deducted imputed
credit expenses, indirect selling
expenses and packing from home
market prices, and, where appropriate,
added interest revenue received for late
customers’ payments.
C. Results of COP Test
In accordance with section 773(b)(1)
of the Act, when less than 20 percent of
Ta Chen’s sales of a given product were
at prices less than the COP, we did not
disregard any below–cost sales of that
product because we determined that the
below–cost sales were not made in
substantial quantities, as defined by
section 773(b)(2)(C) of the Act. When 20
percent or more of Ta Chen’s sales of a
given product during the POR were at
prices less than the COP, we determined
that such sales have been made in
‘‘substantial quantities’’ within an
extended period of time, in accordance
with sections 773(b)(2)(B) and
773(b)(2)(C) of the Act. In such cases,
because we use POR average costs, we
also determined that such sales were not
made at prices that would permit
recovery of all costs within a reasonable
period of time, in accordance with
section 773(b)(2)(D) of the Act.
Therefore, for purposes of this
administrative review, we appropriately
disregarded below–cost sales and used
the remaining sales as the basis for
determining NV, in accordance with
section 773(b)(1) of the Act.
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3. Price-to-Price Comparisons
As there were sales at prices above the
COP for all product comparisons, we
based NV on prices to home market
customers. We deducted credit expenses
and added interest revenue. In addition,
we made adjustments, where
appropriate, for physical differences in
the merchandise in accordance with
section 773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act.
Finally, in accordance with section
773(a)(6) of the Act, we also deducted
home market packing costs and added
U.S. packing costs.
Level of Trade
In accordance with section
773(a)(1)(B) of the Act, to the extent
practicable, we determined NV based on
sales in the comparison market at the
same level of trade (LOT) as the CEP
transaction. The NV LOT is that of the
starting–price sales in the comparison
market. For CEP, it is the level of the
constructed sale from the exporter to the
importer. To determine whether NV
sales are at a different LOT than CEP
sales, we examine different selling
functions along the chain of distribution
between the producer and the
unaffiliated customer. If the comparison
market sales are at a different LOT, and
the difference affects price
comparability as manifested in a pattern
of consistent price differences between
the sales on which NV is based and
comparison market sales at the LOT of
the export transaction, where possible,
we make an LOT adjustment under
section 773(a)(7)(A) of the Act. Finally,
for CEP sales for which we are unable
to quantify an LOT adjustment, if the
NV level is more remote from the
factory than the CEP level and there is
no basis for determining whether the
difference in levels between NV and
CEP sales affects price comparability,
we adjust NV under section 773(a)(7)(B)
of the Act (the CEP offset provision).
Ta Chen reported two channels of
distribution in the home market, to
unaffiliated distributors and to end–
users. We examined the selling
activities reported for each channel of
distribution and organized the reported
selling activities into the following four
selling functions: sales process and
marketing support, freight and delivery,
inventory maintenance and
warehousing, and warranty and
technical services. We found that Ta
Chen’s level of selling functions to its
home market customers for each of the
four selling functions did not vary
significantly by channel of distribution.
See Ta Chen’s Section A Resp., at A8–
10 (Sept. 1, 2005); see also Ta Chen’s
Sections A–C Supp. Resp., at 3–4 (Dec.
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12, 2005). Therefore, we preliminarily
conclude that the selling functions for
the reported channels of distribution
constitute one LOT in the comparison
market.
For CEP sales, we examined the
selling activities related to each of the
selling functions between Ta Chen and
its U.S. affiliate, TCI. Ta Chen reported
that all of its sales to the United States
are CEP sales made through TCI, i.e.,
through one channel of distribution, and
claimed that there is only one LOT. We
examined the four selling functions and
found that Ta Chen’s selling functions
for sales to TCI are performed regardless
of whether shipments are going to TCI
or directly to the unaffiliated customer.
See Ta Chen’s Section A Resp.
(September 1, 2005), at A10–13; see also
Ta Chen’s Sections A–C Supp. Resp., at
4–7 (December 12, 2005). Therefore, we
preliminary determine that Ta Chen’s
U.S. sales constitute a single LOT.
We then compared the selling
functions Ta Chen provided in the home
market LOT with the selling functions
provided to the U.S. LOT. In the home
market, Ta Chen provides significant
selling functions related to the sales
process and marketing support,
warranty and technical service,
inventory maintenance, and some
technical services in the comparison
market, which it does not for TCI in the
U.S. market. On this basis, we
determined that the HM LOT is not
similar Ta Chen’s U.S. LOT. However,
since we have preliminarily determined
that there is only one LOT in the home
market, we are unable to calculate a
LOT adjustment. Because we have
preliminarily determined that NV is
established at a LOT that is at a more
advanced stage of distribution than the
LOT of the CEP transactions, and we are
unable to quantify a LOT adjustment
pursuant to section 773(a)(7)(A) of the
Act, for these preliminary results we
have applied a CEP offset to the NV–
CEP comparisons, in accordance with
section 773(a)(7)(B) of the Act.
Currency Conversion
For purposes of the preliminary
results, we made currency conversions
into U.S. dollars based on the exchange
rates in effect on the dates of the U.S.
sales, as certified by the Federal Reserve
Bank, in accordance with section
773A(a) of the Act.
Preliminary Results of the Review
As a result of our review, we
preliminarily determine the weighted–
average dumping margin for the period
June 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005, to
be as follows:
E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 134 / Thursday, July 13, 2006 / Notices
Weighted–
Average
Margin
Ta Chen Stainless Pipe Co., Ltd
0.79%
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
The Department will disclose
calculations performed for these
preliminary results of review within five
days of the date of publication of this
notice in accordance with 19 CFR
351.224(b). 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. See 19 CFR
351.309(c)(ii). Rebuttal briefs and
rebuttals to written comments are
limited to issues raised in such briefs or
comments and may be filed no later
than five days after the time limit for
filing the case briefs or comments. See
19 CFR 351.309(d). 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. See 19 CFR
351.309(c). An interested party may
request a hearing within 30 days of
publication of these preliminary results.
See 19 CFR 351.310(c). Any hearing, if
requested, will be held two days after
the scheduled date for submission of
rebuttal briefs. See 19 CFR 351.310(d).
The Department will issue the final
results of this administrative review,
including the results of our analysis of
the issues raised in any such written
comments or at a hearing, within 120
days of publication of these preliminary
results, pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A)
of the Act.
Assessment Rates
Upon completion of this 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 exported
by Ta Chen which is 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.
The Department clarified its
‘‘automatic assessment’’ regulation on
May 6, 2003 (68 FR 23954). See
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings: Assessment of
Antidumping Duties, 68 FR 23954 (May
6, 2003). This clarification will apply to
entries of subject merchandise during
the period of review produced by Ta
Chen or by any of the companies for
which we are rescinding this review and
for which Ta Chen or each no–shipment
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:36 Jul 12, 2006
Jkt 208001
respondent did not know its
merchandise would be exported by
another company to the United States.
In such instances, we will instruct CBP
to liquidate unreviewed entries at the
all–others rate if there is no rate for the
intermediate company(ies) involved in
the transaction.
Cash Deposit
The following cash 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 reviewed company
will be the rate listed in the final results
of review; (2) for previously investigated
companies not listed above, the cash
deposit rate will continue to be the
company–specific rate published for the
most recent period; (3) if the exporter is
not a firm covered in this review, a prior
review, or the original less–than-fair–
value (LTFV) investigation, but the
manufacturer is, the cash deposit rate
will be the rate established for the most
recent period for the manufacturer of
the merchandise; and (4) the cash
deposit rate for all other manufacturers
or exporters will continue to be the ‘‘all
others’’ rate of 51.01 percent, which is
the ‘‘all others’’ rate established in the
LTFV investigation. These deposit
requirements, when imposed, shall
remain in effect until publication of the
final results of the next administrative
review.
Notification to Interested Parties
This notice also serves as a
preliminary reminder to importers of
their responsibility under 19 CFR
351.402(f)(2) 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 the antidumping
duties occurred and the subsequent
assessment of double antidumping
duties.
We are issuing and publishing this
notice in accordance with sections
751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.
Dated: June 30, 2006.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E6–11060 Filed 7–12–06; 8:45 am]
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39667
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
C–122–815
Pure Magnesium and Alloy Magnesium
from Canada: Preliminary Results of
Countervailing Duty Administrative
Reviews and Intent to Rescind
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
is conducting administrative reviews of
the countervailing duty orders on pure
magnesium and alloy magnesium from
Canada for the period January 1, 2004,
through December 31, 2004. We
preliminarily find that a producer/
exporter has received countervailable
subsidies during the period of review. If
the final results remain the same as
these preliminary results, we will
instruct U.S. Customs and Border
Protection to assess countervailing
duties as detailed in the ‘‘Preliminary
Results of Reviews’’ section of this
notice. Interested parties are invited to
comment on these preliminary results
(see the ‘‘Public Comment’’ section of
this notice).
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 13, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew McAllister or Steve Williams,
AD/CVD Operations, Office 1, Import
Administration, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230;
telephone (202) 482–1174 or (202) 482–
4619, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:
Case History
On August 31, 1992, the Department
of Commerce (‘‘the Department’’)
published in the Federal Register the
countervailing duty orders on pure
magnesium and alloy magnesium from
Canada (see Final Affirmative
Countervailing Duty Determinations:
Pure Magnesium and Alloy Magnesium
from Canada, 57 FR 39392 (July 13,
1992) (‘‘Magnesium Investigation’’). On
August 1, 2005, the Department
published a notice of ‘‘Opportunity to
Request Administrative Review’’ of
these countervailing duty orders (see
Antidumping or Countervailing Duty
Order, Finding, or Suspended
Investigation; Opportunity To Request
Administrative Review, 70 FR 44085).
We received timely requests for review
from Norsk Hydro Canada, Inc.
(‘‘NHCI’’) and from the petitioner, US
Magnesium LLC (‘‘US Magnesium’’) for
reviews of NHCI and Magnola
E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 134 (Thursday, July 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39663-39667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11060]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-583-816]
Certain Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings From Taiwan:
Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and
Notice of Intent to Rescind in Part
AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: In response to requests from respondent Ta Chen Stainless Pipe
Co., Ltd. (Ta Chen) and from petitioners Flowline Division of Markovitz
Enterprises, Inc. (Flowline Division), Gerlin, Inc., Shaw Alloy Piping
Products, Inc., and Taylor Forge Stainless, Inc., (collectively,
petitioners), the Department of Commerce (the Department) is conducting
an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain
stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings (pipe fittings) from Taiwan.
Petitioners requested that the Department conduct the administrative
review for Ta Chen, Liang Feng Stainless Steel Fitting Co., Ltd. (Liang
Feng), Tru-Flow Industrial Co., Ltd. (Tru-Flow), Censor International
Corporation (Censor), and PFP Taiwan Co., Ltd. (PFP).
With regard to Ta Chen, we preliminarily determine that sales have
been made below normal value (NV). On September 1, 2005, Tru-Flow,
Liang Feng, Censor, and PFP certified that they had no sales or
shipments of subject merchandise to the United States during the period
of review (POR). Based on Tru-Flow's, Liang Feng's, Censor's, and PFP's
certified statements and on information from U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) indicating that these companies had no shipments to
the United States of the subject merchandise during the POR, we hereby
give notice that we intend to rescind the review regarding these four
companies. For a full discussion of the intent to rescind with respect
to Liang Feng, Tru-Flow, Censor and PFP, see the ``Notice of Intent to
Rescind in Part'' section of this notice.
If these preliminary results of review of Ta Chen's sales are
adopted in the final results, we will instruct CBP to assess
antidumping duties on appropriate entries based on the difference
between the constructed export price (CEP) and the NV. Interested
parties are invited to comment on these preliminary results. Parties
who submit comments 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 13, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen Kramer 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-
0405 or (202) 482-7924, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On June 16, 1993, the Department published in the Federal Register
the antidumping duty order on pipe fittings from Taiwan. See Amended
Final Determination and Antidumping Duty Order: Certain Stainless Steel
Butt-Weld Pipe and Tube Fittings from Taiwan, 58 FR 33250 (June 16,
1993). On June 1, 2005, the Department published a notice of
opportunity to request administrative review for the period June 1,
2004, through May 31, 2005. See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty
Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation;
[[Page 39664]]
Opportunity to Request Administrative Review, 70 FR 31422 (June 1,
2005).
In accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(b)(1) and (2), on June 27, 2005,
petitioners requested an antidumping duty administrative review for Ta
Chen, Liang Feng, Tru-Flow, Censor International, and PFP,
(respondents), and on June 30, 2005, Ta Chen requested an
administrative review. On July 21, 2005, the Department published the
notice initiating this administrative review. See Notice of Initiation
of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and
Request for Revocation In Part, 70 FR 42028 (July 21, 2005).
On August 1, 2005, the Department issued its antidumping duty
questionnaire to the respondents. On September 1, 2005, Ta Chen
submitted its response to section A of the Department's questionnaire.
In addition, on September 1, 2005, the Department received statements
from four of the respondents, Liang Feng, Tru-Flow, Censor, and PFP,
certifying that they had neither sales nor exports of subject pipe
fittings to the United States during the POR. On September 26, 2005, Ta
Chen submitted its responses to sections B, C, and D of the
Department's questionnaire. On October 11, 2005, petitioners submitted
comments regarding Ta Chen's section A response, primarily regarding
alleged affiliation issues. On October 12, 2005, petitioners submitted
comments on Ta Chen's section B and C responses. On October 24, 2006,
Ta Chen submitted a response to petitioners' comments. On November 2,
2005, petitioners submitted rebuttal comments to Ta Chen's October 24,
2006, submission. The Department issued a supplemental section A
through C questionnaire on November 9, 2005. On November 22, 2005, both
petitioners and Ta Chen submitted comments regarding affiliation
issues. On November 28, 2005, petitioners submitted a rebuttal to Ta
Chen's November 22, 2005, submission. On December 2, 2005, Ta Chen
responded to petitioners' comments. Ta Chen submitted its response to
the Department's supplemental sections A through C questionnaire on
December 12, 2005. Petitioners also submitted comments on Ta Chen's
December 2, 2005, response on December 12, 2005, and on January 18,
2006. The Department issued a second supplemental questionnaire to Ta
Chen covering corporate structure, home market and U.S. sales on
January 23, 2006. On February 3, 2006, the Department issued a cost
supplemental questionnaire to Ta Chen. On February 8, 2006, the
Department extended the time limit for the preliminary results of this
administrative review by 120 days, to not later than June 30, 2006. See
Certain Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from Taiwan: Notice of
Extension of Time Limit for Preliminary Results in Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 71 FR 6449 (February 8, 2006). Ta Chen submitted
its responses to the Department's questionnaires on February 14, 2006,
and on March 2, 2006. Ta Chen submitted additional exhibits and
responses to its Section D supplemental response on March 3, 2006.
Petitioners submitted additional comments on April 10, 2006.
Notice of Intent to Rescind Review in Part
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3), the Department may rescind an
administrative review, in whole or with respect to a particular
exporter or producer, if the Secretary concludes that there were no
entries, exports, or sales of the subject merchandise during the POR.
See, e.g., Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from Mexico: Preliminary
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Partial
Rescission, 71 FR 27676-27678, (May 12, 2006); Stainless Steel Sheet
and Strip in Coils from Japan: Final Rescission of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 71 FR 26041 (May 3, 2006).
On September 1, 2005, Liang Feng, Tru-Flow, PFP, and Censor each
submitted letters on the record certifying that their firms had no
sales, entries, or exports of pipe fittings to the United States during
the POR. On November 8, 2005, at the Department's request, Tru-Flow
submitted an additional statement certifying that neither it nor its
affiliates had any sales or exports of pipe fittings to the United
States during the POR. To confirm their statements, the Department
conducted a CBP data inquiry and determined that there were no
identifiable entries of pipe fittings during the POR manufactured or
exported by Liang Feng, Tru-Flow, PFP or Censor. Therefore, in
accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3), the Department preliminarily
intends to rescind this review as to Liang Feng, Tru-Flow, PFP and
Censor.
Period of Review
The POR for this administrative review is June 1, 2004, through May
31, 2005.
Scope of the Order
The products covered by the order are certain stainless steel butt-
weld pipe fittings, whether finished or unfinished, under 14 inches
inside diameter. Certain welded stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings
(pipe fittings) are used to connect pipe sections in piping systems
where conditions require welded connections. The subject merchandise is
used where one or more of the following conditions is a factor in
designing the piping system: (1) Corrosion of the piping system will
occur if material other than stainless steel is used; (2) contamination
of the material in the system by the system itself must be prevented;
(3) high temperatures are present; (4) extreme low temperatures are
present; and (5) high pressures are contained within the system.
Pipe fittings come in a variety of shapes, with the following five
shapes the most basic: elbows, tees, reducers, stub ends, and caps. The
edges of finished pipe fittings are beveled. Threaded, grooved, and
bolted fittings are excluded from the order. The pipe fittings subject
to the order are currently classifiable under subheading 7307.23.00 of
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).
Although the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and
customs purposes, our written description of the scope of the order is
dispositive. Pipe fittings manufactured to American Society of Testing
and Materials specification A774 are included in the scope of this
order.
Affiliation
We note that in this proceeding there is an ongoing claim by the
petitioners that Ta Chen and its U.S. subsidiary, Ta Chen International
Corporation (TCI), have several related parties that were not disclosed
in its financial statements, and therefore Ta Chen's and TCI's
financial statements (and thus its underlying accounting records)
should not be relied upon for the purposes of this determination. For
the preliminary results, we have determined that the evidence on the
record does not warrant a finding that the Department should disregard
Ta Chen's or TCI's financial statements.
Product Comparisons
For the purpose of determining appropriate product comparisons to
pipe fittings sold in the United States, we considered all pipe
fittings covered by the scope that were sold by Ta Chen in the home
market during the POR to be ``foreign like products,'' in accordance
with section 771(16) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act).
Where there were no contemporaneous sales of identical merchandise in
the home market to compare to U.S. sales,
[[Page 39665]]
we compared U.S. sales to the next most similar foreign like product on
the basis of the physical characteristics reported by Ta Chen, as
follows: specification, seam, grade, size and schedule.
The record shows that Ta Chen both purchased from and entered into
tolling arrangements with unaffiliated Taiwanese manufacturers of pipe
fittings. We have preliminarily determined that Ta Chen is the sole
exporter of the pipe fittings under review, because the record does not
indicate that these manufacturers had knowledge that the pipe fittings
would be exported to the United States. Record evidence, such as
purchase orders, shows that Ta Chen did not identify the intended
market, and also sold the tolled or purchased pipe fittings in the home
market. Moreover, all subcontracted or purchased fittings are marked
with Ta Chen's brand name. See Ta Chen's Section A Resp., at A1-2,
(Sept. 1, 2005). Therefore, knowledge that the pipe fittings would also
be sold to the United States cannot be imputed to those unaffiliated
manufacturers. See 19 CFR 351.401(h).
However, section 771(16)(A) of the Act defines ``foreign like
product'' to be ``{t{time} he subject merchandise and other merchandise
which is identical in physical characteristics with, and was produced
in the same country by the same person as, that merchandise.'' Thus,
consistent with the Department's past practice in reviews under this
order, for products that Ta Chen has identified with certainty that it
purchased from a particular unaffiliated producer and resold in the
U.S. market, we have restricted the matching of products to identical
products purchased by Ta Chen from the same unaffiliated producer and
resold in the home market.
Date of Sale
The Department's regulations state that it will normally use the
date of invoice, as recorded in the exporter's or producer's records
kept in the ordinary course of business, as the date of sale. See 19
CFR 351.401(i). If the Department can establish ``a different date
[lsqb]that[rsqb] better reflects the date on which the exporter or
producer establishes the material terms of sale,'' the Department may
choose a different date. Id.
In the present review, Ta Chen claimed that invoice date should be
used as the date of sale in both the home market and the U.S. market.
See Ta Chen's Section A Resp., at 14-16 (Sept. 1, 2005). For home
market (HM) sales, the Department examined whether the date Ta Chen
issued its pro forma invoice or its actual invoice best reflects the
date of sale and determined that actual invoice date should be the sale
date, consistent with the practice in all the previous reviews of this
proceeding. See Ta Chen's Supplemental Section A Resp., at 2 (Dec. 12,
2005) and Ta Chen's Second Supplemental Sections A-C Resp., at 1
(February 14, 2006). For constructed export price (CEP) sales, we used
the invoice date for sales to the first unaffiliated buyer.
Fair Value Comparisons
To determine whether sales of pipe fittings by Ta Chen to the
United States were made at prices below NV, we compared CEP to NV, as
described below. Pursuant to section 777A(d)(2) of the Act, we compared
the CEPs of individual U.S. transactions to the monthly weighted-
average NV of the foreign like product.
Constructed Export Price
Section 772(b) of the Act defines CEP as ``the price at which the
subject merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be sold) in the United
States before or after the date of importation by or for the account of
the producer or exporter of such merchandise or by a seller affiliated
with the producer or exporter, to a purchaser not affiliated with the
producer or exporter. . .'' Consistent with recent past reviews,
pursuant to section 772(b) of the Act, we calculated the price of Ta
Chen's sales based on CEP because the sale to the first unaffiliated
U.S. customer was made by Ta Chen's U.S. affiliate, TCI. See Analysis
Memorandum for the Preliminary Results of Administrative Review of
Certain Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from Taiwan: Ta Chen
Stainless Pipe Co., Ltd. (June 30, 2006) (Analysis Memo). Ta Chen has
two channels of distribution for U.S. sales: 1) Ta Chen ships the
merchandise to TCI for inventory in warehouses and subsequent resale to
unaffiliated buyers (stock sales), and 2) Ta Chen ships the merchandise
directly to TCI's U.S. customer (``indent'' sales). The Department
finds that both stock and indent sales qualify as CEP sales because the
original sales contract is between TCI and the U.S. customer. In
addition, TCI handles all communication with the U.S. customer, from
customer order to receipt of payment, and incurs the risk of non-
payment. In addition, TCI handles customer complaints concerning issues
such as product quality, specifications, delivery, and product returns.
TCI is also responsible for the ocean freight for all U.S. sales and
all selling efforts to the U.S. customer. See Ta Chen's Section A
Resp., at A10- A13 (Sept. 1, 2005).
We calculated CEP based on ex-warehouse or delivered prices to
unaffiliated purchasers in the United States and, where appropriate, we
added billing adjustments and deducted discounts. In accordance with
section 772(d)(1) of the Act, the Department deducted direct and
indirect selling expenses, including inventory carrying costs incurred
by TCI for stock sales, related to commercial activity in the United
States. We also made deductions for movement expenses, which include
foreign inland freight, foreign brokerage and handling, ocean freight,
containerization expense, Taiwan harbor construction tax, marine
insurance, U.S. inland freight, U.S. brokerage and handling, and U.S.
customs duties. Finally, in accordance with sections 772(d)(3) and
772(f) of the Act, we deducted CEP profit.
Normal Value
1. Home Market Viability
To determine whether there is a sufficient volume of sales in the
home market to serve as a viable basis for calculating NV, we compared
Ta Chen's volume of home market sales of the foreign like product to
the volume of U.S. sales of the subject merchandise, in accordance with
section 773(a)(1)(B) of the Act. Because Ta Chen'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 determined that the home market was viable. See Ta
Chen's Section A Resp., at A1-3 (Sept. 1, 2005).
2. Cost of Production Analysis
Because we disregarded sales below the cost of production (COP) in
the prior administrative review, we have reasonable grounds to believe
or suspect that sales by Ta Chen in its home market were made at prices
below the COP, pursuant to sections 773(b)(1) and 773(b)(2)(A)(ii) of
the Act. See (Notice of Certain Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings
From Taiwan: Final Results and Final Rescission in Part of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review), 70 FR 73727 (Dec. 13, 2005). Therefore,
pursuant to section 773(b)(1) of the Act, we conducted a COP analysis
of home market sales by Ta Chen.
A. Calculation of COP
In accordance with section 773(b)(3) of the Act, we calculated a
weighted-average COP based on the sum of Ta Chen's cost of materials
and fabrication for the foreign like product, plus
[[Page 39666]]
indirect selling expenses and packing costs. We relied on the COP data
submitted by Ta Chen in its original and supplemental cost
questionnaire responses. For these preliminary results, the Department
did not make any adjustments to the COP calculation. See Memo to Neal
M. Halper, through Michael P. Martin, from James Balog: Cost of
Production and Constructed Value Programming Instructions for the
Preliminary Determination - Ta Chen Stainless Pipe Co. Ltd.
B. Test of Home Market Prices
We compared the weighted-average COP to home market sales of the
foreign like product, as required under section 773(b) of the Act, in
order to determine whether these sales had been made at prices below
the COP. In determining whether to disregard home market sales made at
prices below the COP, we examined whether such sales were made within
an extended period of time in substantial quantities, and were not at
prices that permitted the recovery of all costs within a reasonable
period of time, in accordance with sections 773(b)(1)(A) and (B) of the
Act. Where appropriate, we compared the COP to home market prices on a
product-specific basis. We deducted imputed credit expenses, indirect
selling expenses and packing from home market prices, and, where
appropriate, added interest revenue received for late customers'
payments.
C. Results of COP Test
In accordance with section 773(b)(1) of the Act, when less than 20
percent of Ta Chen's sales of a given product were at prices less than
the COP, we did not disregard any below-cost sales of that product
because we determined that the below-cost sales were not made in
substantial quantities, as defined by section 773(b)(2)(C) of the Act.
When 20 percent or more of Ta Chen's sales of a given product during
the POR were at prices less than the COP, we determined that such sales
have been made in ``substantial quantities'' within an extended period
of time, in accordance with sections 773(b)(2)(B) and 773(b)(2)(C) of
the Act. In such cases, because we use POR average costs, we also
determined that such sales were not made at prices that would permit
recovery of all costs within a reasonable period of time, in accordance
with section 773(b)(2)(D) of the Act. Therefore, for purposes of this
administrative review, we appropriately disregarded below-cost sales
and used the remaining sales as the basis for determining NV, in
accordance with section 773(b)(1) of the Act.
3. Price-to-Price Comparisons
As there were sales at prices above the COP for all product
comparisons, we based NV on prices to home market customers. We
deducted credit expenses and added interest revenue. In addition, we
made adjustments, where appropriate, for physical differences in the
merchandise in accordance with section 773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act.
Finally, in accordance with section 773(a)(6) of the Act, we also
deducted home market packing costs and added U.S. packing costs.
Level of Trade
In accordance with section 773(a)(1)(B) of the Act, to the extent
practicable, we determined NV based on sales in the comparison market
at the same level of trade (LOT) as the CEP transaction. The NV LOT is
that of the starting-price sales in the comparison market. For CEP, it
is the level of the constructed sale from the exporter to the importer.
To determine whether NV sales are at a different LOT than CEP sales, we
examine different selling functions along the chain of distribution
between the producer and the unaffiliated customer. If the comparison
market sales are at a different LOT, and the difference affects price
comparability as manifested in a pattern of consistent price
differences between the sales on which NV is based and comparison
market sales at the LOT of the export transaction, where possible, we
make an LOT adjustment under section 773(a)(7)(A) of the Act. Finally,
for CEP sales for which we are unable to quantify an LOT adjustment, if
the NV level is more remote from the factory than the CEP level and
there is no basis for determining whether the difference in levels
between NV and CEP sales affects price comparability, we adjust NV
under section 773(a)(7)(B) of the Act (the CEP offset provision).
Ta Chen reported two channels of distribution in the home market,
to unaffiliated distributors and to end-users. We examined the selling
activities reported for each channel of distribution and organized the
reported selling activities into the following four selling functions:
sales process and marketing support, freight and delivery, inventory
maintenance and warehousing, and warranty and technical services. We
found that Ta Chen's level of selling functions to its home market
customers for each of the four selling functions did not vary
significantly by channel of distribution. See Ta Chen's Section A
Resp., at A8-10 (Sept. 1, 2005); see also Ta Chen's Sections A-C Supp.
Resp., at 3-4 (Dec. 12, 2005). Therefore, we preliminarily conclude
that the selling functions for the reported channels of distribution
constitute one LOT in the comparison market.
For CEP sales, we examined the selling activities related to each
of the selling functions between Ta Chen and its U.S. affiliate, TCI.
Ta Chen reported that all of its sales to the United States are CEP
sales made through TCI, i.e., through one channel of distribution, and
claimed that there is only one LOT. We examined the four selling
functions and found that Ta Chen's selling functions for sales to TCI
are performed regardless of whether shipments are going to TCI or
directly to the unaffiliated customer. See Ta Chen's Section A Resp.
(September 1, 2005), at A10-13; see also Ta Chen's Sections A-C Supp.
Resp., at 4-7 (December 12, 2005). Therefore, we preliminary determine
that Ta Chen's U.S. sales constitute a single LOT.
We then compared the selling functions Ta Chen provided in the home
market LOT with the selling functions provided to the U.S. LOT. In the
home market, Ta Chen provides significant selling functions related to
the sales process and marketing support, warranty and technical
service, inventory maintenance, and some technical services in the
comparison market, which it does not for TCI in the U.S. market. On
this basis, we determined that the HM LOT is not similar Ta Chen's U.S.
LOT. However, since we have preliminarily determined that there is only
one LOT in the home market, we are unable to calculate a LOT
adjustment. Because we have preliminarily determined that NV is
established at a LOT that is at a more advanced stage of distribution
than the LOT of the CEP transactions, and we are unable to quantify a
LOT adjustment pursuant to section 773(a)(7)(A) of the Act, for these
preliminary results we have applied a CEP offset to the NV-CEP
comparisons, in accordance with section 773(a)(7)(B) of the Act.
Currency Conversion
For purposes of the preliminary results, we made currency
conversions into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rates in effect on
the dates of the U.S. sales, as certified by the Federal Reserve Bank,
in accordance with section 773A(a) of the Act.
Preliminary Results of the Review
As a result of our review, we preliminarily determine the weighted-
average dumping margin for the period June 1, 2004, through May 31,
2005, to be as follows:
[[Page 39667]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted-
Average Margin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ta Chen Stainless Pipe Co., Ltd........................ 0.79[percnt]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Department will disclose calculations performed for these
preliminary results of review within five days of the date of
publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).
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. See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(ii). Rebuttal briefs and
rebuttals to written comments are limited to issues raised in such
briefs or comments and may be filed no later than five days after the
time limit for filing the case briefs or comments. See 19 CFR
351.309(d). 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.
See 19 CFR 351.309(c). An interested party may request a hearing within
30 days of publication of these preliminary results. See 19 CFR
351.310(c). Any hearing, if requested, will be held two days after the
scheduled date for submission of rebuttal briefs. See 19 CFR
351.310(d). The Department will issue the final results of this
administrative review, including the results of our analysis of the
issues raised in any such written comments or at a hearing, within 120
days of publication of these preliminary results, pursuant to section
751(a)(3)(A) of the Act.
Assessment Rates
Upon completion of this 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 exported by Ta Chen which is
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.
The Department clarified its ``automatic assessment'' regulation on
May 6, 2003 (68 FR 23954). See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings: Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68 FR 23954 (May 6,
2003). This clarification will apply to entries of subject merchandise
during the period of review produced by Ta Chen or by any of the
companies for which we are rescinding this review and for which Ta Chen
or each no-shipment respondent did not know its merchandise would be
exported by another company to the United States. In such instances, we
will instruct CBP to liquidate unreviewed entries at the all-others
rate if there is no rate for the intermediate company(ies) involved in
the transaction.
Cash Deposit
The following cash 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 reviewed
company will be the rate listed in the final results of review; (2) for
previously investigated companies not listed above, the cash deposit
rate will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the
most recent period; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this
review, a prior review, or the original less-than-fair-value (LTFV)
investigation, but the manufacturer is, the cash deposit rate will be
the rate established for the most recent period for the manufacturer of
the merchandise; and (4) the cash deposit rate for all other
manufacturers or exporters will continue to be the ``all others'' rate
of 51.01 percent, which is the ``all others'' rate established in the
LTFV investigation. These deposit requirements, when imposed, shall
remain in effect until publication of the final results of the next
administrative review.
Notification to Interested Parties
This notice also serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of
their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) 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 the antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent
assessment of double antidumping duties.
We are issuing and publishing this notice in accordance with
sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.
Dated: June 30, 2006.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-11060 Filed 7-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S