Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From Thailand: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 10669-10680 [E7-4278]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 46 / Friday, March 9, 2007 / Notices
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date of publication of this notice.
Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised
in the case briefs, may be filed not later
than 35 days after the date of
publication of this notice. Parties who
submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in
this proceeding are requested to submit
with each 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)(2).
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c),
interested parties who wish to request a
hearing, or to participate if one is
requested, must submit a written
request to the Assistant Secretary for
Import Administration, Room B–099,
within 30 days of the date of publication
of this notice. Requests should contain:
1) the party’s name, address and
telephone number; 2) the number of
participants; and, 3) a list of issues to be
discussed. Id. Issues raised in the
hearing will be limited to those raised
in the respective case briefs. The
Department will issue the final results
of this administrative review, including
the results of its analysis of the issues
raised in any written briefs, not later
than 120 days after the date of
publication of this notice, pursuant to
section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act.
Assessment Rates
Upon completion of the
administrative review, the Department
shall determine, and CBP shall assess,
antidumping duties on all appropriate
entries, in accordance with 19 CFR
351.212. The Department will issue
appropriate appraisement instructions
for the companies subject to this review
directly to CBP 15 days after the date of
publication of the final results of this
review.
For Falcon, HLL, and the Liberty
Group, because these companies
reported the entered value for some of
their U.S. sales, we will calculate
importer–specific ad valorem duty
assessment rates based on the ratio of
the total amount of antidumping duties
calculated for the examined sales to the
total entered value of the sales which
entered value was reported. For Falcon,
HLL, and the Liberty Group’s U.S. sales
reported without entered values, we
will calculate importer–specific per–
unit duty assessment rates by
aggregating the total amount of
antidumping duties calculated for the
examined sales and dividing this
amount by the total quantity of those
sales. To determine whether the duty
assessment rates are de minimis, in
accordance with the requirement set
forth in 19 CFR 351.106(c)(2), we will
calculate importer–specific ad valorem
ratios based on the estimated entered
value.
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For the responsive companies which
were not selected for individual review,
we will calculate an assessment rate
based on the weighted average of the
cash deposit rates calculated for the
companies selected for individual
review excluding any which are de
minimis or determined entirely on AFA.
We will instruct CBP to assess
antidumping duties on all appropriate
entries covered by this review if any
importer–specific assessment rate
calculated in the final results of this
review is above de minimis. Pursuant to
19 CFR 351.106(c)(2), we will instruct
CBP to liquidate without regard to
antidumping duties any entries for
which the assessment rate is de
minimis. See 19 CFR 351.106(c)(1). The
final results of this review shall be the
basis for the assessment of antidumping
duties on entries of merchandise
covered by the final results of this
review and for future deposits of
estimated duties, where applicable.
The Department clarified its
‘‘automatic assessment’’ regulation on
May 6, 2003. See Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68
FR 23954 (May 6, 2003) (Assessment
Policy Notice). This clarification will
apply to entries of subject merchandise
during the POR produced by companies
included in these final results of review
for which the reviewed companies did
not know that the merchandise they
sold to the intermediary (e.g., a reseller,
trading company, or exporter) was
destined for 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
intermediary involved in the
transaction. See Assessment Policy
Notice for a full discussion of this
clarification.
period; 3) if the exporter is not a firm
covered in this 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
the merchandise; and 4) the cash
deposit rate for all other manufacturers
or exporters will continue to be 10.17
percent, the ‘‘All Others’’ rate made
effective by the LTFV investigation. See
Shrimp Order, 70 FR at 5148. These
deposit requirements, when imposed,
shall remain in effect until further
notice.
Cash Deposit Requirements
The following cash deposit
requirements will be effective 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)(2)(C) of the Act: 1) the
cash deposit rate for each specific
company listed above will be that
established in the final results of this
review, except if the rate is less than
0.50 percent and, therefore, de minimis
within the meaning of 19 CFR
351.106(c)(1), in which case the cash
deposit rate will be zero; 2) for
previously reviewed or investigated
companies not participating in this
review, the cash deposit rate will
continue to be the company–specific
rate published for the most recent
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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.
This administrative review and notice
are published in accordance with
sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the
Act and 19 CFR 351.221.
Dated: February 28, 2007.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E7–4277 Filed 3–8–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp
From Thailand: Preliminary Results
and Partial Rescission of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
(the Department) is conducting an
administrative review of the
antidumping duty order on certain
frozen warmwater shrimp from
Thailand with respect to 27 companies.1
The respondents which the Department
selected for individual review are Good
1 This figure does not include those companies
for which the Department is preliminarily
rescinding the administrative review.
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Luck Product Co., Ltd. (Good Luck
Product), Pakfood Public Company
Limited and its affiliated subsidiaries,
Asia Pacific (Thailand) Company
Limited, Chaophyraya Cold Storage
Company Limited, Okeanos Company
Limited, and Takzin Samut Company
Limited (collectively ‘‘Pakfood’’), and
Thai I-Mei Frozen Foods Co., Ltd. (Thai
I-Mei). The respondents which were not
selected for individual review are listed
in the ‘‘Preliminary Results of Review’’
section of this notice. This is the first
administrative review of this order. The
review covers the period August 4,
2004, through January 31, 2006.
We preliminarily determine that sales
were made by Good Luck Product,
Pakfood, and Thai I-Mei below normal
value (NV). In addition, based on the
preliminary results for the respondents
selected for individual review, we have
preliminarily determined a weightedaverage margin for those companies that
were not selected for individual review
but were responsive to the Department’s
requests for information. For those
companies which were not responsive
to the Department’s requests for
information, we have preliminarily
assigned to them a margin based on
adverse facts available (AFA).
If the preliminary results are adopted
in our final results of administrative
review, we will instruct U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) to assess
antidumping duties on all appropriate
entries. Interested parties are invited to
comment on the preliminary results.
DATES: Effective Date: March 9, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irina
Itkin or Alice Gibbons, AD/CVD
Operations, Office 2, Import
Administration-Room B099,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th
Street and Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202)
482–0656 or (202) 482–0498,
respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In February 2005, the Department
published in the Federal Register an
antidumping duty order on certain
frozen warmwater shrimp from
Thailand. See Notice of Amended Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than
Fair Value and Antidumping Duty
Order: Certain Frozen Warmwater
Shrimp from Thailand, 70 FR 5145 (Feb.
1, 2005) (Shrimp Order). On February 1,
2006, the Department published in the
Federal Register a notice of opportunity
to request an administrative review of
the antidumping duty order of certain
frozen warmwater shrimp from
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Thailand for the period August 4, 2004,
through January 31, 2006. See
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Order, Finding, or Suspended
Investigation; Opportunity to Request
Administrative Review, 71 FR 5239
(Feb. 1, 2006). On February 28, 2006,
the petitioner 2 submitted a letter timely
requesting that the Department conduct
an administrative review of the sales of
certain frozen warmwater shrimp made
by numerous companies during the
period of review (POR), pursuant to
section 751(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930,
as amended (the Act), and in accordance
with 19 CFR 351.213(b)(1). Also, on
February 28, 2006, the Department
received requests to conduct an
administrative review of the
antidumping duty order on certain
frozen warmwater shrimp from the
following producers/exporters of subject
merchandise during the POR in
accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(b)(2):
Kitchens of the Ocean (Thailand), Ltd.,
Pakfood, Thai I-Mei, Thai Union Frozen
Products and Thai Union Seafood
(collectively, ‘‘Thai Union’’), and Union
Frozen Products (UFP).
On April 7, 2006, the Department
published a notice of initiation of
administrative review for 145
companies and requested that each
provide data on the quantity and value
(Q&V) of its exports of subject
merchandise to the United States during
the POR for mandatory respondent
selection purposes. These companies
are listed in the Department’s notice of
initiation. See Notice of Initiation of
Administrative Reviews of the
Antidumping Duty Orders on Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil,
Ecuador, India and Thailand, 71 FR
17819 (Apr. 7, 2006) (Notice of
Initiation).
During the period April 24, 2006,
through July 10, 2006, we received
responses to the Department’s Q&V
questionnaire from 106 companies.3 We
were unable to locate six companies,
and we did not receive responses to this
questionnaire from the remaining
companies.4 For further discussion, see
2 The petitioner is the Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade
Action Committee.
3 We note that we initiated a review on six of
these companies (i.e., Haitai Seafood Co., Ltd.,
Kingfisher Holdings Limited, Klang Co., Ltd, InterOceanic Resources Co., Ltd., Narong Seafood Co.,
Ltd., Sea Bonanza Foods Co., Ltd.) as if they were
two different entities based on the two different
addresses on the record for each company.
However, we have determined, based on the
responses submitted by these companies, that each
comprises a single entity with two different
addresses.
4 As discussed below, for some of these
companies, the petitioner subsequently withdrew
its request for review.
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the ‘‘Application of Facts Available’’
section of this notice.
Based upon our consideration of the
responses to the Q&V questionnaire
received and the resources available to
the Department, we determined that it
was not practicable to examine all
exporters/producers of subject
merchandise for which a review was
requested. As a result, on July 11, 2006,
we selected the three largest producers/
exporters of certain frozen warmwater
shrimp from Thailand during the POR,
Good Luck Product, Pakfood, and Thai
I-Mei, as the mandatory respondents in
this proceeding. See the Memorandum
to Stephen J. Claeys, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Import Administration,
from Irene Darzenta Tzafolias, Acting
Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations,
entitled, ‘‘Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review of Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from
Thailand: Selection of Respondents,’’
dated July 11, 2006. On this same date,
we issued the antidumping duty
questionnaire to Good Luck Product,
Pakfood, and Thai I-Mei.
On July 20, 2006, we published a
notice rescinding the administrative
review with respect to 112 companies
for which the requests for an
administrative review were withdrawn
in a timely manner, in accordance with
19 CFR 351.213(d)(1). See Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from
Thailand; Partial Rescission of
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 71 FR 41200 (July 20, 2006)
(Partial Rescission Notice). See also, the
Memorandum to the File from Brianne
Riker entitled ‘‘Intent to Rescind in Part
the Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review on Frozen Warmwater Shrimp
from Thailand,’’ dated June 22, 2006.
On August 3, 2006, we published a
notice amending the partial rescission of
the administrative review to correct a
typographical error. See Certain Frozen
Warmwater Shrimp from Thailand;
Corrected Partial Rescission of
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 71 FR 44017 (Aug. 3, 2006).
We received responses to section A of
the questionnaire from Pakfood on
August 8, 2006, and from Good Luck
Product and Thai I-Mei on August 16,
2006.
On August 25, 2006, the Department
postponed the preliminary results in
this review until no later than February
28, 2007. See Certain Frozen
Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil,
Ecuador, India, the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam, the People’s Republic of
China, and Thailand: Notice of
Extension of Time Limits for the
Preliminary Results of the First
Administrative Reviews and New
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Shipper Reviews, 71 FR 50387 (Aug. 25,
2006).
On August 29, 2006, the petitioner
submitted comments regarding home
market viability with respect to Good
Luck Product and Pakfood.
We received responses to sections B
and C of the questionnaire from Pakfood
and Good Luck Product on September 1
and 5, 2006, respectively. In addition,
we received a response to sections C
and D of the questionnaire from Thai IMei on September 5, 2006.
On September 8 and 13, 2006,
Pakfood and Good Luck Product,
respectively, responded to the
petitioner’s comments regarding home
market viability. For further discussion,
see ‘‘Home Market Viability and
Selection of Comparison Markets’’
section of this notice.
On September 14, 2006, we published
an additional notice amending the
partial rescission of the administrative
review to correct a typographical error.
See Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp
from Thailand; Corrected Partial
Rescission of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 71 FR 54268
(Sept. 14, 2006).
We received comments from the
petitioner on September 15, 2006,
regarding the application of the
multinational corporation (MNC)
provision in section 773(d) of the Act
with respect to Thai I-Mei.
On September 19, 2006, we issued a
supplemental sales questionnaire to
Pakfood.
On September 20, 2006, the petitioner
requested that the Department initiate a
sales-below-cost investigation of
Pakfood.
On September 21, 2006, we issued a
supplemental sales questionnaire to
Thai I-Mei.
On September 26, 2006, Thai I-Mei
submitted a response to the petitioner’s
comments regarding the application of
the MNC provision in section 773(d) of
the Act with respect to Thai I-Mei.
On September 27, 2006, we issued a
supplemental sales questionnaire to
Good Luck Product.
We initiated a sales-below-cost
investigation for Pakfood on October 3,
2006. See the Memorandum to James
Maeder, Director, Office 2, AD/CVD
Operations, from The Team entitled,
‘‘Petitioner’s Allegation of Sales Below
the Cost of Production for Pakfood
Company Limited’’ (Pakfood Cost
Allegation).
We received Pakfood’s supplemental
response on October 17, 2006. Also on
October 17, 2006, we issued a
supplemental cost questionnaire to Thai
I-Mei.
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We received supplemental sales
responses from Thai I-Mei and Good
Luck Product on October 23 and 26,
2006, respectively.
On October 27, 2006, the petitioner
requested that the Department initiate a
sales-below-cost investigation of Good
Luck Product. This investigation for
Good Luck Product was initiated on
October 30, 2006. See the Memorandum
to James Maeder, Director, Office 2, AD/
CVD Operations from The Team
entitled, ‘‘Petitioner’s Allegation of
Sales Below the Cost of Production for
Good Luck Product Co., Ltd.’’ (Good
Luck Product Cost Allegation).
Pakfood submitted a response to
section D of the questionnaire on
November 2, 2006.
On November 14, 2006, we issued a
second sales supplemental
questionnaire to Good Luck Product.
We received a response to the
supplemental cost questionnaire from
Thai I-Mei on November 15, 2006.
On November 16, 2006, we issued a
supplemental cost questionnaire to
Pakfood.
We received a second supplemental
sales response, as well as a response to
section D of the questionnaire from
Good Luck Product on November 22
and 30, 2006, respectively.
On December 7, 2006, we issued a
second sales supplemental
questionnaire to Thai I-Mei. Also, on
December 8, 2006, we issued a
supplemental cost questionnaire to
Good Luck Product.
We received a supplemental cost
response from Pakfood on December 14,
2006.
On December 21, 2006, we issued a
supplemental cost questionnaire to Thai
I-Mei.
Sales verifications were conducted at
Good Luck Product and Pakfood in
December 2006. Sales verification
reports were issued in January and
February 2007 for Pakfood and Good
Luck Product, respectively.
On January 4, 2007, we received Good
Luck Product’s supplemental cost
response, as well as Thai I-Mei’s second
supplemental sales response. In
addition, we received a supplemental
cost response from Thai I-Mei on
January 10, 2006.
On January 11, 2007, we issued a
third supplemental sales questionnaire
to Thai I-Mei.
On January 19, 2007, based on the
information on the record, we found
that the MNC provision does not apply
to Thai I-Mei. For further discussion,
see the Memorandum to Stephen J.
Claeys, Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Import Administration from The Team
entitled, ‘‘Application of the
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Multinational Corporation Provision,’’
dated January 19, 2007.
We received Thai I-Mei’s third
supplemental sales response on January
23, 2007. Also on this date, we
published a correction to the scope of
the order in which we clarified that the
scope does not cover warmwater shrimp
in non-frozen form. See Certain Frozen
Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil,
Ecuador, India, Thailand, the People’s
Republic of China and the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam; Amended Orders,
72 FR 2857 (Jan. 23, 2007).
On January 24 and February 14, 2007,
respectively, Pakfood and Good Luck
Product submitted revised sales
databases which incorporated certain
minor corrections to these companies’
data discovered at verification.
We conducted cost verifications at
Good Luck Product and Pakfood in
January and February 2007.
Scope of the Order
The scope of this order includes
certain frozen warmwater shrimp and
prawns, whether wild-caught (ocean
harvested) or farm-raised (produced by
aquaculture), head-on or head-off, shellon or peeled, tail-on or tail-off,5
deveined or not deveined, cooked or
raw, or otherwise processed in frozen
form.
The frozen warmwater shrimp and
prawn products included in the scope of
this order, regardless of definitions in
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTSUS), are products
which are processed from warmwater
shrimp and prawns through freezing
and which are sold in any count size.
The products described above may be
processed from any species of
warmwater shrimp and prawns.
Warmwater shrimp and prawns are
generally classified in, but are not
limited to, the Penaeidae family. Some
examples of the farmed and wild-caught
warmwater species include, but are not
limited to, whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus
vannemei), banana prawn (Penaeus
merguiensis), fleshy prawn (Penaeus
chinensis), giant river prawn
(Macrobrachium rosenbergii), giant tiger
prawn (Penaeus monodon), redspotted
shrimp (Penaeus brasiliensis), southern
brown shrimp (Penaeus subtilis),
southern pink shrimp (Penaeus
notialis), southern rough shrimp
(Trachypenaeus curvirostris), southern
white shrimp (Penaeus schmitti), blue
shrimp (Penaeus stylirostris), western
white shrimp (Penaeus occidentalis),
and Indian white prawn (Penaeus
indicus).
5 ‘‘Tails’’ in this context means the tail fan, which
includes the telson and the uropods.
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Frozen shrimp and prawns that are
packed with marinade, spices or sauce
are included in the scope of this order.
In addition, food preparations, which
are not ‘‘prepared meals,’’ that contain
more than 20 percent by weight of
shrimp or prawn are also included in
the scope of this order.
Excluded from the scope are: (1)
Breaded shrimp and prawns (HTS
subheading 1605.20.10.20); (2) shrimp
and prawns generally classified in the
Pandalidae family and commonly
referred to as coldwater shrimp, in any
state of processing; (3) fresh shrimp and
prawns whether shell-on or peeled (HTS
subheadings 0306.23.00.20 and
0306.23.00.40); (4) shrimp and prawns
in prepared meals (HTS subheading
1605.20.05.10); (5) dried shrimp and
prawns; (6) canned warmwater shrimp
and prawns (HTS subheading
1605.20.10.40); (7) certain dusted
shrimp; and (8) certain battered shrimp.
Dusted shrimp is a shrimp-based
product: (1) That is produced from fresh
(or thawed-from-frozen) and peeled
shrimp; (2) to which a ‘‘dusting’’ layer
of rice or wheat flour of at least 95
percent purity has been applied; (3)
with the entire surface of the shrimp
flesh thoroughly and evenly coated with
the flour; (4) with the non-shrimp
content of the end product constituting
between four and 10 percent of the
product’s total weight after being
dusted, but prior to being frozen; and (5)
that is subjected to IQF freezing
immediately after application of the
dusting layer. Battered shrimp is a
shrimp-based product that, when dusted
in accordance with the definition of
dusting above, is coated with a wet
viscous layer containing egg and/or
milk, and par-fried.
The products covered by this order
are currently classified under the
following HTSUS subheadings:
0306.13.00.03, 0306.13.00.06,
0306.13.00.09, 0306.13.00.12,
0306.13.00.15, 0306.13.00.18,
0306.13.00.21, 0306.13.00.24,
0306.13.00.27, 0306.13.00.40,
1605.20.10.10, and 1605.20.10.30. These
HTSUS subheadings are provided for
convenience and for customs purposes
only and are not dispositive, but rather
the written description of the scope of
this order is dispositive.
Partial Rescission of Review
Eight of the companies that responded
to the Department’s Q&V questionnaire
stated that they had no shipments/
entries of subject merchandise into the
United States during the POR. However,
based on information obtained from
CBP, it appeared that these companies
did, in fact, have shipments or entries
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of subject merchandise that entered into
the United States during the POR. See
the Memorandum to the File from
Brianne Riker, Analyst, Office 2, AD/
CVD Operations, entitled, ‘‘2004–2006
Administrative Review of Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from
Thailand: Entry Documents from U.S.
Customs and Border Protection,’’ dated
July 31, 2006. From September 2006 to
February 2007, we contacted seven of
the eight companies in question and/or
the exporters listed on the CBP entry
documentation and requested that they
provide information regarding the
entries in question. We did not request
information from one of the eight
companies, Bangkok Dehydrated Marine
Product Co., Ltd. (Bangkok Dehydrated
Marine Product), because, based on CBP
information, we found that the
merchandise (i.e., dried shrimp) was not
subject to the scope of the order.
Based on either responses to the
Department’s solicitation or the CBP
information, we have preliminarily
determined that entries at issue by four
of the eight exporters/producers,
Bangkok Dehydrated Marine Product,
Siam Ocean,6 Tep Kinsho,7 and Thai
Agri,8 were not reportable transactions
because they were either: (1) Nonsubject merchandise (i.e., dried shrimp);
(2) a non-paid sample; or, (3) reported
by another company in its Q&V
questionnaire. Therefore, in accordance
with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3), and
consistent with the Department’s
practice, we are preliminarily
rescinding our review with respect to
these companies. See, e.g., Certain Steel
Concrete Reinforcing Bars from Turkey;
Final Results, Rescission of
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review in Part, and Determination to
Revoke in Part, 70 FR 67665, 67666
(Nov. 8, 2005).
One of the remaining exporters/
producers, Siam Intersea Co., Ltd.,
provided additional information to the
Department indicating that it did, in
fact, have a reportable transaction
during the POR. Therefore, we are not
rescinding the administrative review
with respect to this company and are
preliminarily assigning to it a weightedaverage margin calculated for the
companies selected for individual
review because, based on its response:
(1) The discrepancy between the Q&V
questionnaire response and the CBP
6 We note that the response from this company
indicated that its name is Siam Ocean Frozen Foods
Co., Ltd.
7 We note that the response from this company
indicated that its name is Tep Kinsho Foods Co.,
Ltd.
8 We note that the response from this company
indicated that its name is Thai Agri Foods Co., Ltd.
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data appeared to be an inadvertent
oversight; (2) the quantity of the exports
in question was so small that it would
not have impacted our selection of
respondents; and, (3) the company has
been responsive to our requests for
information.
In addition, of the remaining two
exporters/producers, NR Instant
Produce 9 and Surapon Nichirei Foods
Co., Ltd. (Surapon) stated that they did
not report the entries in question
because they claimed that the entries
were of non-subject merchandise.
Because these goods were entered into
the United States as subject
merchandise and there is insufficient
evidence on the record to conclude
otherwise, we preliminarily determine
that the merchandise in question is
included within the scope of the order.
As a result, we are preliminarily
assigning NR Instant Produce and
Surapon the weighted-average margin
calculated for the companies selected
for individual review because these
companies have been responsive to our
requests for information. We may
request additional information on the
products in question. If we ultimately
determine the merchandise is not
subject to the order, we will rescind the
administrative review with respect to
NR Instant Produce and Surapon.
Finally, the remaining exporter/
producer, Thai World,10 failed to
respond to the Department’s request for
additional information and, thus, we
find that it failed to act to the best of its
ability. Therefore, we are not rescinding
the administrative review with respect
to Thai World. For further information,
see the ‘‘Application of Facts Available’’
section of this notice.
Application of Facts Available
Section 776(a) of the Act provides that
the Department will apply ‘‘facts
otherwise available’’ if, inter alia,
necessary information is not available
on the record or an interested party: (1)
Withholds information that has been
requested by the Department; (2) fails to
provide such information within the
deadlines established, or in the form or
manner requested by the Department,
subject to subsections (c)(1) and (e) of
section 782 of the Act; (3) significantly
impedes a proceeding; or (4) provides
such information, but the information
cannot be verified.
As discussed in the ‘‘Background’’
section, above, in April 2006, the
9 We note that the response from this company
indicated that its name is NR Instant Product Co.,
Ltd. (NR Instant Produce).
10 We note that the response from this company
indicated that its name is Thai World Imports and
Exports Co., Ltd. (Thai World).
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jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Department requested that all
companies subject to the review
respond to the Department’s Q&V
questionnaire for purposes of mandatory
respondent selection. The original
deadline to file a response was April 28,
2006. Of the 145 companies subject to
review, 32 companies did not respond
to the Department’s initial requests for
information. Subsequently in May 2006,
the Department issued letters to these
companies affording them a second
opportunity to submit a response to the
Department’s Q&V questionnaire.
However, six of these companies also
failed to respond to the Department’s
second questionnaire.11 On January 31,
2007, the Department placed
documentation on the record confirming
delivery of the questionnaires to each
company. See the Memorandum to the
File from Brianne Riker, Analyst, Office
2, AD/CVD Operations, entitled,
‘‘Placing Delivery Information on the
Record of the 2004–2006 Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review on Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from
Thailand,’’ dated January 31, 2007. By
failing to respond to the Department’s
Q&V questionnaire, these companies
withheld requested information and
significantly impeded the proceeding.
Thus, pursuant to sections 776(a)(2)(A)
and (C) of the Act, because these
companies did not respond to the
Department’s questionnaire, the
Department preliminarily finds that the
use of total facts available is
appropriate.
Furthermore, one company, Thai
World, claimed that it made no
shipments of subject merchandise to the
United States during the POR. Because
we were unable to confirm the accuracy
of Thai World’s claim with CBP, we
requested further information/
clarification from it. However, Thai
World failed to provide the requested
information/clarification. By doing so,
Thai World withheld requested
information and significantly impeded
the proceeding. Therefore, pursuant to
sections 776(a)(2)(A) and (C) of the Act,
the Department also preliminarily finds
that the use of total facts available with
respect to Thai World is appropriate.
According to section 776(b) of the
Act, if the Department finds that an
interested party fails to cooperate by not
acting to the best of its ability to comply
with requests for information, the
Department may use an inference that is
11 These companies are: Anglo-Siam Seafoods
Co., Ltd. (Anglo-Siam Seafoods), Fortune Frozen
Foods (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Fortune Frozen Foods),
Gallant Ocean (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Gallant Ocean),
Li-Thai Frozen Foods Co., Ltd. (Li-Thai), Queen
Marine Food Co., Ltd. (Queen Marine Foods), and
Smile Heart Foods.
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adverse to the interests of that party in
selecting from the facts otherwise
available. See also Notice of Final
Results of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review: Stainless Steel
Bar from India, 70 FR 54023, 54025–26
(Sept. 13, 2005); and Notice of Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than
Fair Value and Final Negative Critical
Circumstances: Carbon and Certain
Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Brazil, 67 FR
55792, 55794–96 (Aug. 30, 2002).
Adverse inferences are appropriate ‘‘to
ensure that the party does not obtain a
more favorable result by failing to
cooperate than if it had cooperated
fully.’’ See Statement of Administrative
Action accompanying the Uruguay
Round Agreements Act, H.R. Rep. No.
103–316, Vol. 1, at 870 (1994) (SAA),
reprinted in 1994 U.S.C.C.A.N. 4040,
4198–99. Furthermore, ‘‘affirmative
evidence of bad faith on the part of a
respondent is not required before the
Department may make an adverse
inference.’’ See Antidumping Duties;
Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 62 FR
27296, 27340 (May 19, 1997); see also
Nippon Steel Corp. v. United States, 337
F.3d 1373, 1382–83 (Fed. Cir. 2003)
(Nippon). We preliminarily find that
Anglo-Siam Seafoods, Fortune Frozen
Foods, Gallant Ocean, Li-Thai, Queen
Marine Food, Smile Heart Foods, and
Thai World did not act to the best of
their abilities in this proceeding, within
the meaning of section 776(b) of the Act,
because they failed to respond to the
Department’s requests for information.
Therefore, an adverse inference is
warranted in selecting from the facts
otherwise available with respect to these
companies. See Nippon, 337 F.3d at
1382–83.
Section 776(b) of the Act provides
that the Department may use as AFA
information derived from: (1) The
petition; (2) the final determination in
the investigation; (3) any previous
review; or (4) any other information
placed on the record.
The Department’s practice, when
selecting an AFA rate from among the
possible sources of information, has
been to ensure that the margin is
sufficiently adverse ‘‘as to effectuate the
statutory purposes of the adverse facts
available rule to induce respondents to
provide the Department with complete
and accurate information in a timely
manner.’’ See, e.g., Certain Steel
Concrete Reinforcing Bars from Turkey;
Final Results and Rescission of
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review in Part, 71 FR 65082, 65084
(Nov. 7, 2006).
In order to ensure that the margin is
sufficiently adverse so as to induce
cooperation, we have preliminarily
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10673
assigned a rate of 57.64 percent, which
is the highest rate alleged in the
petition, as adjusted at the initiation of
the less-than-fair-value (LTFV)
investigation. See Notice of Initiation of
Antidumping Duty Investigations:
Certain Frozen and Canned Warmwater
Shrimp From Brazil, Ecuador, India,
Thailand, the People’s Republic of
China and the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam, 69 FR 3876, 3881 (Jan. 27,
2004). The Department finds that this
rate is sufficiently high as to effectuate
the purpose of the facts available rule
(i.e., we find that this rate is high
enough to encourage participation in
future segments of this proceeding in
accordance with section 776(b) of the
Act).
Information from prior segments of
the proceeding constitutes secondary
information and section 776(c) of the
Act provides that the Department shall,
to the extent practicable, corroborate
that secondary information from
independent sources reasonably at its
disposal. The Department’s regulations
provide that ‘‘corroborate’’ means that
the Department will satisfy itself that
the secondary information to be used
has probative value. See 19 CFR
351.308(d); see also SAA at 870. To the
extent practicable, the Department will
examine the reliability and relevance of
the information to be used.
To corroborate the petition margin,
we compared it to the transactionspecific rates calculated for each
respondent in this review. We find that
it is reliable and relevant because the
petition rate fell within the range of
individual transaction margins
calculated for the mandatory
respondents. See Notice of Preliminary
Results of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review; Partial
Rescission and Postponement of Final
Results: Certain Softwood Lumber
Products from Canada, 71 FR 33964,
33968 (June 12, 2006). Therefore, we
have determined that the 57.64 percent
margin is appropriate as AFA and are
assigning it to the uncooperative
companies listed above.
Further, the Department will consider
information reasonably at its disposal as
to whether there are circumstances that
would render a margin inappropriate.
Where circumstances indicate that the
selected margin is not appropriate as
AFA, the Department may disregard the
margin and determine an appropriate
margin. See, e.g., Fresh Cut Flowers
from Mexico; Final Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 61 FR 6812, 6814 (Feb. 22,
1996) (where the Department
disregarded the highest calculated
margin as AFA because the margin was
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based on a company’s uncharacteristic
business expense resulting in an
unusually high margin). Therefore, we
examined whether any information on
the record would discredit the selected
rate as reasonable facts available. We
were unable to find any information that
would discredit the selected AFA rate.
Because we did not find evidence
indicating that the selected margin is
not appropriate and because this margin
falls within the range of transactionspecific margins for the mandatory
respondents, we have preliminarily
determined that the 57.64 percent
margin, as alleged in the petition and
adjusted at the initiation of the LTFV
investigation, is appropriate as AFA. We
are assigning this rate to Anglo-Siam
Seafoods, Fortune Frozen Foods, Gallant
Ocean, Li-Thai, Queen Marine Food,
Smile Heart Foods, and Thai World. For
company-specific information used to
corroborate this rate, see the
Memorandum to the File from Brianne
Riker, Analyst, Office 2, AD/CVD
Operations, entitled ‘‘Corroboration of
Adverse Facts Available Rate for the
Preliminary Results in the 2004–2006
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review of Certain Frozen Warmwater
Shrimp from Thailand,’’ dated February
28, 2007.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Comparisons to Normal Value
To determine whether sales of certain
frozen warmwater shrimp from
Thailand to the United States were
made at less than NV, we compared the
export price (EP) or constructed export
price (CEP) to the NV, as described in
the ‘‘Constructed Export Price/Export
Price’’ and ‘‘Normal Value’’ sections of
this notice.
Pursuant to section 777A(d)(2) of the
Act, for Good Luck Product and
Pakfood, we compared the EPs of
individual U.S. transactions to the
weighted-average NV of the foreign like
product where there were sales made in
the ordinary course of trade, as
discussed in the ‘‘Cost of Production
Analysis’’ section below.
Regarding Thai I-Mei, we have
determined that this company did not
have a viable home or third country
market during the POR. Therefore, as
the basis for NV, we used constructed
value (CV) when making comparisons to
CEP for Thai I-Mei in accordance with
section 773(a)(4) of the Act.
Product Comparisons
In accordance with section 771(16) of
the Act, we considered all products
produced by Good Luck Product and
Pakfood covered by the description in
the ‘‘Scope of the Order’’ section, above,
to be foreign like products for purposes
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Jkt 211001
of determining appropriate product
comparisons to U.S. sales. Pursuant to
19 CFR 351.414(e)(2), we compared U.S.
sales of shrimp to sales of shrimp made
in the home market for Good Luck
Product and Pakfood within the
contemporaneous window period,
which extends from three months prior
to the month of the U.S. sale until two
months after the sale. Where there were
no sales of identical merchandise in the
comparison market made in the
ordinary course of trade to compare to
U.S. sales, we compared U.S. sales of
shrimp to sales of shrimp of the most
similar foreign like product made in the
ordinary course of trade. For Good Luck
Product and Pakfood, where there were
no sales of identical or similar
merchandise, and for all Thai I-Mei
sales, we made product comparisons
using CV.
With respect to sales comparisons
involving broken shrimp, we compared
Pakfood’s sales of broken shrimp in the
home market to its sales of comparable
quality shrimp to the United States.
In making the product comparisons,
we matched foreign like products based
on the physical characteristics reported
by Good Luck Product and Pakfood in
the following order: cooked form, head
status, count size, organic certification,
shell status, vein status, tail status, other
shrimp preparation, frozen form,
flavoring, container weight,
presentation, species, and preservative.
Constructed Export Price/Export Price
For all U.S. sales made by Good Luck
Product and Pakfood we used EP
methodology, in accordance with
section 772(a) of the Act, because the
subject merchandise was sold directly to
the first unaffiliated purchaser in the
United States prior to importation and
CEP methodology was not otherwise
warranted based on the facts of record.
For U.S. sales made by Thai I-Mei, we
calculated CEP in accordance with
section 772(b) of the Act because the
subject merchandise was sold for the
account of Thai I-Mei by its subsidiary,
Ocean Duke Corporation, in the United
States to unaffiliated purchasers.
A. Good Luck Product
We based EP on packed prices to the
first unaffiliated purchaser in the United
States. Where appropriate, we made
adjustments for billing adjustments. We
made deductions from the starting price
for foreign inland freight expenses (i.e.,
freight from port to warehouse and
freight from warehouse to the customer),
foreign warehousing expenses, foreign
brokerage and handling expenses,
survey fees, and ocean freight expenses,
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where appropriate, in accordance with
section 772(c)(2)(A) of the Act.
B. Pakfood
We based EP on packed prices to the
first unaffiliated purchaser in the United
States. Where appropriate, we made
adjustments for billing adjustments and
discounts. We made deductions from
the starting price for foreign inland
freight expenses, foreign warehousing
expenses, gate charges, survey fees,
foreign brokerage and handling
expenses, ocean freight expenses, U.S.
brokerage expenses, and U.S. customs
duties, where appropriate, in
accordance with section 772(c)(2)(A) of
the Act.
Regarding warehousing expenses,
Pakfood reported that certain of these
services were provided by an affiliated
party. At verification, we tested the
warehousing expenses charged by the
affiliated party to determine whether the
prices charged were at ‘‘arm’s length.’’
Where we found that the prices were
not at arm’s length, we adjusted them to
be equivalent to the market price. For
further discussion, see the
Memorandum to the File from Irina
Itkin and Brianne Riker entitled,
‘‘Verification of the Sales Response of
Pakfood Public Company Limited in the
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review on Certain Frozen Warmwater
Shrimp from Thailand’’ (‘‘Pakfood
Verification Report’’), dated January 19,
2007.
C. Thai I-Mei
In accordance with section 772(b) of
the Act, we calculated CEP for those
sales where the merchandise was 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, or by a seller
affiliated with the producer or exporter,
to a purchaser not affiliated with the
producer or exporter. For Thai I-Mei’s
direct shipments, we used the earlier of
shipment date from Thailand to the
customer or the U.S. affiliate’s invoice
date as the date of sale, in accordance
with our practice. See e.g., Notice of
Final Determination of Sales at Less
Than Fair Value and Negative Final
Determination of Critical
Circumstances: Certain Frozen and
Canned Warmwater Shrimp From
Thailand, 69 FR 76918 (Dec. 23, 2004),
and accompanying Issues and Decision
Memorandum at Comment 10; Notice of
Final Determination of Sales at Less
Than Fair Value: Structural Steel Beams
from Germany, 67 FR 35497 (May 20,
2002), and accompanying Issues and
Decision Memorandum at Comment 2.
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We based CEP on the packed
delivered prices to unaffiliated
purchasers in the United States. Where
appropriate, we made adjustments for
billing adjustments. We made
deductions from the starting price for
foreign inland freight, foreign inland
insurance, foreign brokerage and
handling expenses, ocean freight
expenses, marine insurance expenses,
U.S. brokerage and handling, U.S.
customs duties, U.S. inland insurance,
U.S. inland freight expenses, and U.S.
warehousing expenses, where
appropriate, in accordance with section
772(c)(2)(A) of the Act. In accordance
with section 772(d)(1) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.402(b), we deducted those
selling expenses associated with
economic activities occurring in the
United States, including direct selling
expenses (i.e., imputed credit expenses),
and indirect selling expenses (including
inventory carrying costs and other
indirect selling expenses).
Pursuant to section 772(d)(3) of the
Act, we calculated an amount for profit
to arrive at CEP. In accordance with
section 772(f)(2)(C)(iii) of the Act, we
based the CEP profit rate on Thai I-Mei’s
financial statements because Thai I-Mei
made sales during the POR solely to the
United States. For further discussion,
see the Memorandum to the File from
Alice Gibbons, Senior Analyst, Office 2,
AD/CVD Operations, entitled,
‘‘Calculations Performed for Thai I-Mei
Frozen Foods Co., Ltd. for the
Preliminary Results in the 2004–2006
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review on Certain Frozen Warmwater
Shrimp from Thailand,’’ dated February
28, 2007.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Normal Value
A. Home Market Viability and Selection
of Comparison Markets
In order to determine whether there
was a sufficient volume of sales in the
home market to serve as a viable basis
for calculating NV, we compared the
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)(C) of
the Act. Based on this comparison, we
determined that Good Luck Product and
Pakfood had viable home markets
during the POR. Consequently, we
based NV on home market sales for
these respondents.
However, the petitioner has argued
throughout this review that a large
portion of Pakfood’s home market is not
legitimate (therefore, making its home
market not viable) because there is no
significant market for frozen shrimp in
Thailand. In response, Pakfood has
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21:24 Mar 08, 2007
Jkt 211001
argued that its reported home market
sales are legitimate because they: (1)
Were exclusively of foreign like
product; (2) were for consumption in
Thailand; and, (3) do not constitute a
particular market situation. At
verification we thoroughly examined
this issue and confirmed Pakfood’s
assertions regarding its home market
sales. For further discussion, see the
‘‘Pakfood Verification Report.’’
Further, we determined that Thai IMei’s aggregate volumes of home and
third country market sales of the foreign
like product were insufficient to permit
a proper comparison with U.S. sales of
the subject merchandise. Therefore, we
used CV as the basis for calculating NV
for Thai I-Mei, in accordance with
section 773(a)(4) of the Act.
B. Affiliated-Party Transactions and
Arm’s-Length Test
During the POR, Good Luck Product
and Pakfood sold the foreign like
product to affiliated customers. To test
whether these sales were made at arm’slength prices, we compared, on a
product-specific basis, the starting
prices of sales to affiliated and
unaffiliated customers, net of all
discounts and rebates, movement
charges, direct selling expenses, and
packing expenses. Pursuant to 19 CFR
351.403(c) and in accordance with the
Department’s practice, where the price
to the affiliated party was, on average,
within a range of 98 to 102 percent of
the price of the same or comparable
merchandise sold to unaffiliated parties,
we determined that sales made to the
affiliated party were at arm’s length. See
Antidumping Proceedings: Affiliated
Party Sales in the Ordinary Course of
Trade, 67 FR 69186, 69187 (Nov. 15,
2002) (establishing that the overall ratio
calculated for an affiliate must be
between 98 percent and 102 percent in
order for sales to be considered in the
ordinary course of trade and used in the
normal value calculation). Sales to
affiliated customers in the comparison
market that were not made at arm’slength prices were excluded from our
analysis because we considered these
sales to be outside the ordinary course
of trade. See 19 CFR 351.102(b).
C. Level of Trade
Section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act
states that, to the extent practicable, the
Department will calculate NV based on
sales at the same level of trade (LOT) as
the EP or CEP. Sales are made at
different LOTs if they are made at
different marketing stages (or their
equivalent). See 19 CFR 351.412(c)(2).
Substantial differences in selling
activities are a necessary, but not
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10675
sufficient, condition for determining
that there is a difference in the stages of
marketing. Id. See also Notice of Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than
Fair Value: Certain Cut-to-Length
Carbon Steel Plate From South Africa,
62 FR 61731, 61732 (Nov. 19, 1997)
(Plate from South Africa). In order to
determine whether the comparison sales
were at different stages in the marketing
process than the U.S. sales, we reviewed
the distribution system in each market
(i.e., the chain of distribution),
including selling functions, class of
customer (customer category), and the
level of selling expenses for each type
of sale.
Pursuant to section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of
the Act, in identifying LOTs for EP and
comparison market sales (i.e., NV based
on either home market or third country
prices),12 we consider the starting prices
before any adjustments. For CEP sales,
we consider only the selling activities
reflected in the price after the deduction
of expenses and profit under section
772(d) of the Act. See Micron
Technology, Inc. v. United States, 243 F.
3d 1301, 1314 (Fed. Cir. 2001).
When the Department is unable to
match U.S. sales of the foreign like
product in the comparison market at the
same LOT as the EP or CEP, the
Department may compare the U.S. sale
to sales at a different LOT in the
comparison market. In comparing EP or
CEP sales at a different LOT in the
comparison market, where available
data make it practicable, we make an
LOT adjustment under section
773(a)(7)(A) of the Act. Finally, for CEP
sales only, if the NV LOT is more
remote from the factory than the CEP
LOT and there is no basis for
determining whether the difference in
LOTs between NV and CEP affects price
comparability (i.e., no LOT adjustment
was practicable), the Department shall
grant a CEP offset, as provided in
section 773(a)(7)(B) of the Act. See Plate
from South Africa, 62 FR at 61732–33.
In this administrative review, we
obtained information from each
respondent regarding the marketing
stages involved in making the reported
foreign market and U.S. sales, including
a description of the selling activities
performed by each respondent for each
channel of distribution. Companyspecific LOT findings are summarized
below.
12 Where NV is based on CV, we determine the
NV LOT based on the LOT of the sales from which
we derive selling expenses, general and
administrative (G&A) expenses, and profit for CV,
where possible.
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1. Good Luck Product
Good Luck Product reported that it
made EP sales in the U.S. market
through a single channel of distribution
(i.e., spot sales). We examined the
selling activities performed for this
channel and found that Good Luck
Product performed the following selling
functions: sales forecasting, order input/
processing, providing direct sales
personnel, providing commission
payments, claim services (i.e., billing
adjustments), freight and delivery
services, and packing. These selling
activities can be generally grouped into
four core selling function categories for
analysis: (1) Sales and marketing; (2)
freight and delivery; (3) inventory
maintenance and warehousing; and, (4)
warranty and technical support.
Accordingly, based on the core selling
functions, we find that Good Luck
Product performed sales and marketing,
freight and delivery services, inventory
maintenance and warehousing, and
warranty and technical services for U.S.
sales. Because all sales in the United
States are made through a single
distribution channel, we preliminarily
determine that there is one LOT in the
U.S. market.
With respect to the home market,
Good Luck Product made sales through
the following channels of distribution:
(1) Spot sales; (2) sales to a Thai retailer;
and, (3) sales through retail
arrangements. Good Luck Product stated
that its home market sales were made at
the same LOT, regardless of distribution
channel. We examined the selling
activities performed for spot sales and
found that Good Luck Product
performed the following selling
functions: order input/processing,
providing direct sales personnel,
providing commission payment, claim
services (i.e., return service), and freight
and delivery services. Regarding sales
both to the Thai retailer and through
retail arrangements, we find that Good
Luck Product performed the following
sales activities: sales forecasting, sales
promotion/advertising/trade fairs,
packing, providing retail displays/
inventory maintenance, order input/
processing, providing direct sales
personnel, providing rebates, claim
services (i.e., return service), and freight
and delivery services. Accordingly,
based on the core selling functions, we
find that Good Luck Product performed
sales and marketing, freight and
delivery services, inventory
maintenance and warehousing, and
warranty and technical services in the
home market. Although Good Luck
Product performed additional sales and
marketing functions for its sales both to
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21:24 Mar 08, 2007
Jkt 211001
the Thai retailer and through retail
arrangements that it did not perform for
its spot sales, we did not find these
differences to be material selling
function distinctions significant enough
to warrant a separate LOT in the home
market. Therefore, we preliminarily
determine that there is one LOT in the
home market because Good Luck
Product performed essentially the same
selling functions for all home market
sales.
Finally, we compared the EP LOT to
the home market LOT and found that
the core selling functions performed for
U.S. and home market customers do not
differ significantly. Therefore, we
determined that sales to the U.S. and
home markets during the POR were
made at the same LOT, and as a result,
no LOT adjustment was warranted.
2. Pakfood
Pakfood reported that it made EP sales
in the U.S. market through a single
channel of distribution (i.e., direct sales
to distributors). We examined the
selling activities performed for this
channel, and found that Pakfood
performed the following selling
functions: sales forecasting/market
research, order processing, providing
direct sales personnel, providing
commission payments, sales promotion/
trade shows/advertising, customer
contact, price negotiation, invoice
issuance, payment receipt, delivery
services, and packing. Accordingly,
based on the core selling functions, we
find that Pakfood performed sales and
marketing, freight and delivery services,
and inventory maintenance and
warehousing for U.S. sales. Because all
sales in the United States are made
through a single distribution channel,
we preliminarily determine that there is
one LOT in the U.S. market.
With respect to the home market,
Pakfood made sales to distributors,
retailers, and end-users. Pakfood stated
that its home market sales were made
through a single channel of distribution,
regardless of customer category. We
examined the selling activities
performed for this channel, and found
that Pakfood performed the following
selling functions: sales forecasting/
market research, sales promotion/trade
shows/advertising, customer contact,
price negotiation, order processing,
invoice issuance, delivery services,
providing direct sales personnel,
payment receipt, and packing.
Accordingly, based on the core selling
functions, we find that Pakfood
performed sales and marketing, freight
and delivery services, and inventory
maintenance and warehousing at the
same relative level of intensity for all
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
customers in the home market. Because
all sales in the home market are made
through a single distribution channel,
we preliminarily determine that there is
one LOT in the home market.
Finally, we compared the EP LOT to
the home market LOT and found that
the core selling functions performed for
U.S. and home market customers are
virtually identical. Therefore, we
determined that sales to the U.S. and
home markets during the POR were
made at the same LOT, and as a result,
no LOT adjustment was warranted.
3. Thai I-Mei
With respect to Thai I-Mei, this
exporter had no viable home or third
country market during the POR.
Therefore, we based NV on CV. When
NV is based on CV, the NV LOT is that
of the sales from which we derive
selling, general, and administrative
(SG&A) expenses and profit. See Notice
of Preliminary Determination of Sales at
Less Than Fair Value and Postponement
of Final Determination: Fresh Atlantic
Salmon from Chile, 63 FR 2664 (Jan. 16,
1998), unchanged in Notice of Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than
Fair Value: Fresh Atlantic Salmon From
Chile, 63 FR 31411 (June 9, 1998). In
accordance with 19 CFR 351.412(d), the
Department will make its LOT
determination under paragraph (d)(2) of
this section on the basis of sales of the
foreign like product by the producer or
exporter. Because we based the selling
expenses and profit for Thai I-Mei on
the weighted-average selling expenses
incurred and profits earned by the other
respondents in the administrative
review, we are able to determine the
LOT of the sales from which we derived
selling expenses and profit for CV.
Thai I-Mei reported that it made sales
through six channels of distribution in
the United States; however, it stated that
the selling activities it performed did
not vary by channel of distribution. Thai
I-Mei reported performing the following
selling functions for sales to its U.S.
affiliate: order input/processing,
providing direct sales personnel,
warranty service, freight and delivery
services, and packing. Accordingly,
based on the core selling functions, we
find that Thai I-Mei performed sales and
marketing, freight and delivery services,
and warranty services for sales to its
U.S. affiliate. Because Thai I-Mei’s
selling activities did not vary by
distribution channel, we preliminarily
determine that there is one LOT in the
U.S. market.
As noted above, we find that Good
Luck Product and Pakfood performed
the following core selling functions:
sales and marketing, freight and
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delivery services, inventory
maintenance and warehousing, and
warranty services. Further, although
Good Luck Product and Pakfood
performed certain sales and marketing
functions (e.g., sales forecasting/market
research, sales promotion/advertising/
trade fairs, and retail displays) and
inventory maintenance and
warehousing functions that Thai I-Mei
did not perform, we did not find these
differences to be material selling
function distinctions significant enough
to warrant a separate LOT. Thus, we
determine that the NV LOT for Thai IMei is the same as the LOT of Thai IMei’s CEP sales. Because Good Luck
Product and Pakfood only made sales at
one LOT in their home markets, and
there is no additional information on
the record that would allow for an LOT
adjustment, we determine that no LOT
adjustment is warranted for Thai I-Mei.
Regarding the CEP-offset provision, as
described above, it is appropriate only
if the NV LOT is more remote from the
factory than the CEP LOT and there is
no basis for determining whether the
difference in LOTs between NV and CEP
affects price comparability. Because we
find that no difference in LOTs exists,
we do not find that a CEP offset is
warranted for Thai I-Mei.
D. Cost of Production Analysis
Based on our analysis of the
petitioner’s allegations, we found that
there were reasonable grounds to
believe or suspect that Good Luck
Product’s and Pakfood’s sales of frozen
warmwater shrimp in the home market
were made at prices below their cost of
production (COP). Accordingly,
pursuant to section 773(b) of the Act, we
initiated sales-below-cost investigations
to determine whether Good Luck
Product’s and Pakfood’s sales were
made at prices below their respective
COPs. See the Good Luck Product Cost
Allegation and the Pakfood Cost
Allegation.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
1. Calculation of Cost of Production
In accordance with section 773(b)(3)
of the Act, we calculated the
respondents’ COPs based on the sum of
their costs of materials and conversion
for the foreign like product, plus
amounts for G&A expenses and interest
expenses (see ‘‘Test of Comparison
Market Sales Prices’’ section below for
treatment of home market selling
expenses).
The Department relied on the COP
data submitted by each respondent in its
most recent supplemental section D
questionnaire response for the COP
calculation, except for the following
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instances where the information was not
appropriately quantified or valued:
a. Good Luck Product
1. We adjusted Good Luck Product’s
reported G&A expenses to exclude an
offset claimed for trade fair income
because the cost of the products sold
was already deducted from the reported
costs.
2. We adjusted the cost of sales
denominator used to calculate the G&A
and financial expense ratios to deduct
certain shrimp purchases that were
erroneously double-booked by Good
Luck Product and removed from the
reported costs.
3. Good Luck Product did not remove
packing costs from the denominator
used to calculate the G&A and financial
expense ratios. Therefore, we applied
these rates to the reported cost of
manufacturing, including packing
expenses.
Our revisions to Good Luck Product’s
COP data are discussed in the
Memorandum from Christopher Zimpo,
Accountant, to Neal Halper, Director,
Office of Accounting, entitled ‘‘Cost of
Production and Constructed Value
Calculation Adjustments for the
Preliminary Results—Good Luck
Product Co., Ltd.,’’ dated February 28,
2007.
b. Pakfood
1. We adjusted the G&A expense
ratios for Pakfood and its affiliates Asia
Pacific (Thailand) Company Limited
and Takzin Samut Company Limited to
include a portion of the affiliate
Okeanos Company Limited’s
administrative expenses.
2. We adjusted Pakfood’s G&A
expense ratio to: (1) Exclude the offset
for the gain on the sale of marketable
securities; and, (2) include the G&A
expenses and cost of sales of an
affiliated producer in the numerator and
denominator. In addition, we excluded
an offset to Pakfood’s G&A expenses for
rental income received from an
affiliated producer.
3. Because Pakfood had net financial
income, we did not include an amount
for financial expense for COP. This is in
accordance with the Department’s
practice of determining that, when a
company earns enough financial income
that it recovers all of its financial
expense, that company did not have a
resulting cost for financing during that
period. See Certain Steel Concrete
Reinforcing Bars from Turkey;
Preliminary Results and Partial
Rescission of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 71 FR 26455,
26460 (May 5, 2006); Notice of Final
Results of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review: Certain
Softwood Lumber Products From
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10677
Canada, 70 FR 73437 (Dec. 12, 2005),
and accompanying Issues and Decision
Memorandum at Comments 9 and 25.
Our revisions to Pakfood’s COP data
are discussed in the Memorandum from
Ernest Gziryan, Accountant, to Neal
Halper, Director, Office of Accounting,
entitled ‘‘Cost and Constructed Value
Calculation Memorandum for the
Preliminary Results—Pakfood Public
Company Limited,’’ dated February 28,
2007.
2. Test of Comparison Market Sales
Prices
On a product-specific basis, we
compared the adjusted weightedaverage COP to the home market sales
of the foreign like product, as required
under section 773(b) of the Act, in order
to determine whether the sale prices
were below the COP. For purposes of
this comparison, we used COP exclusive
of selling and packing expenses. The
prices (inclusive of billing adjustments,
where appropriate) were exclusive of
any applicable movement charges,
rebates, discounts, and direct and
indirect selling expenses, and packing
expenses, revised where appropriate, as
discussed below under the ‘‘Price-toPrice Comparisons’’ section.
3. Results of the COP Test
Pursuant to section 773(b)(2)(C)(i) of
the Act, where less than 20 percent of
a respondent’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.’’ Where 20
percent or more of a respondent’s sales
of a given product during the POR were
at prices less than COP, we determined
that such sales have been made in
‘‘substantial quantities.’’ See section
773(b)(2)(C) of the Act. Further, the
sales were made within an extended
period of time, in accordance with
section 773(b)(2)(B) of the Act, because
we examined below-cost sales occurring
during the entire POR. In such cases,
because we compared prices to PORaverage costs, we also determined that
such sales were not made at prices
which would permit recovery of all
costs within a reasonable period of time,
in accordance with section 773(b)(2)(D)
of the Act.
We found that, for certain specific
products, more than 20 percent of Good
Luck Product’s and Pakfood’s sales were
at prices less than the COP and, in
addition, such sales did not provide for
the recovery of costs within a reasonable
period of time. We therefore excluded
these sales and used the remaining sales
as the basis for determining NV, in
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accordance with section 773(b)(1) of the
Act.
For those U.S. sales of subject
merchandise for which there were no
useable home market sales in the
ordinary course of trade, we compared
EPs to CV in accordance with section
773(a)(4) of the Act. See ‘‘Calculation of
Normal Value Based on Constructed
Value’’ section below.
E. Calculation of Normal Value Based
on Comparison Market Prices
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
1. Good Luck Product
We based NV for Good Luck Product
on delivered prices to unaffiliated
customers in the home market or prices
to affiliated customers in the home
market that were determined to be at
arm’s length. We made adjustments,
where appropriate, to the starting price
for discounts and rebates. We made
deductions, where appropriate, from the
starting price for inland freight expenses
and warehousing expenses, under
section 773(a)(6)(B)(ii) of the Act.
We made adjustments for differences
in costs attributable to differences in the
physical characteristics of the
merchandise in accordance with section
773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.411. In addition, we made
adjustments under section
773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.410 for differences in circumstances
of sale for imputed credit expenses and
bank charges.
Regarding credit expenses, Good Luck
Product reported that it had not
received full payment for certain home
market and U.S. sales. Consequently, for
the unpaid portion of these sales, we
used a payment date of February 28,
2007 (i.e., the date of the preliminary
results), and recalculated imputed credit
expenses accordingly.
We also made adjustments in
accordance with 19 CFR 351.410(e) for
indirect selling expenses incurred on
comparison-market or U.S. sales where
commissions were granted on sales in
one market but not the other.
Specifically, where commissions were
granted in the U.S. market but not in the
comparison market, we made a
downward adjustment to NV for the
lesser of: (1) The amount of commission
paid in the U.S. market; or, (2) the
amount of indirect selling expenses
incurred in the comparison market. If
commissions were granted in the
comparison market but not in the U.S.
market, we made an upward adjustment
to NV following the same methodology.
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.
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21:24 Mar 08, 2007
Jkt 211001
2. Pakfood
We based NV for Pakfood on exfactory or delivered prices to
unaffiliated customers in the home
market or prices to affiliated customers
in the home market that were
determined to be at arm’s length. We
made deductions, where appropriate,
from the starting price for inland freight
and warehousing expenses, under
section 773(a)(6)(B)(ii) of the Act.
Regarding warehousing expenses,
Pakfood reported that certain of these
services were provided by an affiliated
party. At verification, we tested the
warehousing expenses charged by the
affiliated party to determine whether the
prices charged were at ‘‘arm’s length.’’
Where we found that the prices were
not at arm’s length, we adjusted them to
be equivalent to the market price. For
further discussion, see the ‘‘Pakfood
Verification Report.’’
We made adjustments for differences
in costs attributable to differences in the
physical characteristics of the
merchandise in accordance with section
773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.411. In addition, we made
adjustments under section
773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.410 for differences in circumstances
of sale for imputed credit expenses and
bank charges. We also made
adjustments in accordance with 19 CFR
351.410(e) for indirect selling expenses
incurred on comparison-market or U.S.
sales where commissions were granted
on sales in one market but not the other.
Specifically, where commissions were
granted in the U.S. market but not in the
comparison market, we made a
downward adjustment to NV for the
lesser of: (1) The amount of commission
paid in the U.S. market; or, (2) the
amount of indirect selling expenses
incurred in the comparison market.
We also deducted home market
packing costs and added U.S. packing
costs, in accordance with section
773(a)(6)(A) and (B) of the Act.
F. Calculation of Normal Value Based
on Constructed Value
Section 773(a)(4) of the Act provides
that where NV cannot be based on
comparison-market sales, NV may be
based on CV. Accordingly, for those
frozen warmwater shrimp products for
Pakfood and Good Luck Product for
which we could not determine the NV
based on comparison-market sales,
either because there were no useable
sales of a comparable product or all
sales of the comparable products failed
the COP test, we based NV on CV. For
Thai I-Mei, in accordance with section
773(a)(4) of the Act, we based NV on CV
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
because there was no viable home or
third country market.
Section 773(e) of the Act provides that
CV shall be based on the sum of the cost
of materials and fabrication for the
imported merchandise, plus amounts
for SG&A expenses, profit, and U.S.
packing costs. For Good Luck Product
and Pakfood, we calculated the cost of
materials and fabrication based on the
methodology described in the ‘‘Cost of
Production Analysis’’ section, above,
and we based SG&A and profit for each
respondent on the actual amounts
incurred and realized by it in
connection with the production and sale
of the foreign like product in the
ordinary course of trade for
consumption in the home market, in
accordance with section 773(e)(2)(A) of
the Act. For comparisons to Good Luck
Product’s and Pakfood’s EP, we made
circumstances-of-sale adjustments by
deducting direct selling expenses
incurred on home market sales from,
and adding U.S. direct selling expenses,
to CV, in accordance with section
773(a)(8) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.410.
For Thai I-Mei, in accordance with
section 773(e) of the Act, we calculated
CV based on the sum of Thai I-Mei’s
cost of materials and fabrication for the
foreign like product, plus amounts for
SG&A, profit, and U.S. packing costs.
The Department relied on COP data
submitted by Thai I-Mei in its most
recent supplemental section D
questionnaire response for the COP
calculation, except for the calculation of
the company’s G&A and financial
expense ratios. For these ratios, we
adjusted the reported data to include
inventory changes in the denominator.
Our revisions to Thai I-Mei’s COP data
are discussed in the Memorandum from
Oh Ji Young, Accountant, to Neal
Halper, Director, Office of Accounting,
entitled, ‘‘Cost of Production and
Constructed Value Calculation
Adjustments for the Preliminary
Results—Thai I-Mei Frozen Foods Co.,
Ltd.,’’ dated February 28, 2007.
Because Thai I-Mei does not have a
viable comparison market, the
Department cannot determine profit
under section 773(e)(2)(A) of the Act,
which requires sales by the respondent
in question in the ordinary course of
trade in a comparison market. Likewise,
because Thai I-Mei does not have sales
of any product in the same general
category of products as the subject
merchandise, we are unable to apply
alternative (i) of section 773(e)(2)(B) of
the Act. Therefore, we calculated Thai
I-Mei’s CV profit and selling expenses
based on alternative (ii) of this section,
in accordance with section
773(e)(2)(B)(ii) of the Act. As a result,
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will calculate importer-specific ad
valorem duty assessment rates based on
the ratio of the total amount of
Anglo-Siam Seafoods Co., Ltd .....
57.64 antidumping duties calculated for the
Fortune Frozen Foods (Thailand)
examined sales to the total entered
Co., Ltd .....................................
57.64
value of the examined sales for that
Gallant Ocean (Thailand) Co., Ltd
57.64
Li-Thai Frozen Foods Co., Ltd .....
57.64 importer.
For all of Good Luck Product’s and
Queen Marine Food Co., Ltd .......
57.64
certain of Pakfood’s sales, we note that
Smile Heart Foods ........................
57.64
these companies did not report the
Thai World Imports and Exports
Co., Ltd .....................................
57.64 entered value for the U.S. sales in
question. We will calculate importerspecific per-unit duty assessment rates
Disclosure and Public Hearing
by aggregating the total amount of
The Department will disclose to
antidumping duties calculated for the
parties the calculations performed in
examined sales and dividing this
connection with these preliminary
Currency Conversion
amount by the total quantity of those
results within five days of the date of
We made currency conversions into
sales. To determine whether the duty
publication of this notice. See 19 CFR
U.S. dollars in accordance with section
assessment rates are de minimis, in
351.224(b). Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309, accordance with the requirement set
773A of the Act and 19 CFR 351.415
based on the exchange rates in effect on interested parties may submit cases
forth in 19 CFR 351.106(c)(2), we will
calculate importer-specific ad valorem
the dates of the U.S. sales as certified by briefs not later than 30 days after the
date of publication of this notice.
ratios based on the estimated entered
the Federal Reserve Bank.
Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised
value.
Preliminary Results of the Review
in the case briefs, may be filed not later
For the responsive companies which
than 35 days after the date of
We preliminarily determine that
were not selected for individual review,
publication of this notice. Parties who
weighted-average dumping margins
we will calculate an assessment rate
submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in
exist for the respondents for the period
based on the weighted-average of the
this proceeding are requested to submit
August 4, 2004, through January 31,
cash deposit rates calculated for the
with each argument: (1) A statement of
2006, as follows:
companies selected for individual
the issue; (2) a brief summary of the
review excluding any which are de
argument; and, (3) a table of authorities. minimis or determined entirely on AFA.
Percent
Manufacturer/exporter
margin
Interested parties who wish to request
We will instruct CBP to assess
a hearing or to participate if one is
antidumping duties on all appropriate
Good Luck Product Co., Ltd .........
10.75
requested must submit a written request entries covered by this review if any
Pakfood Public Company Limited/
to the Assistant Secretary for Import
importer-specific assessment rate
Okeanos Company Limited/
Takzin Samut Company Limited
4.29 Administration, Room B–099, within 30 calculated in the final results of this
review is above de minimis (i.e., at or
Thai I-Mei Frozen Foods Co., Ltd
2.34 days of the date of publication of this
notice. Requests should contain: (1) The above 0.50 percent). Pursuant to 19 CFR
party’s name, address and telephone
Review-Specific Average Rate
351.106(c)(2), we will instruct CBP to
number; (2) the number of participants;
Applicable to the Following
liquidate without regard to antidumping
and, (3) a list of issues to be discussed.
Companies: 13
duties any entries for which the
See 19 CFR 351.310(c). Issues raised in
assessment rate is de minimis (i.e., less
Percent
the hearing will be limited to those
than 0.50 percent). See 19 CFR
Manufacturer/exporter
margin
raised in the respective case briefs. The
351.106(c)(1). The final results of this
Department will issue the final results
review shall be the basis for the
Crystal Frozen Foods Co., Ltd .....
4.24
assessment of antidumping duties on
Far East Cold Storage Co., Ltd ....
4.24 of this administrative review, including
Inter-Oceanic Resources Co., Ltd
4.24 the results of its analysis of issues raised entries of merchandise covered by the
final results of this review and for future
in any written briefs, not later than 120
Kitchens of the Oceans (Thaideposits of estimated duties, where
land), Ltd ...................................
4.24 days after the date of publication of this
Lee Heng Seafood Co., Ltd .........
4.24 notice, pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A)
applicable.
Narong Seafood Co., Ltd .............
4.24 of the Act.
The Department clarified its
NR Instant Produce Co., Ltd ........
4.24
‘‘automatic assessment’’ regulation on
Pacific Queen Co., Ltd .................
4.24 Assessment Rates
May 6, 2003. See Antidumping and
Piti Seafood Co., Ltd ....................
4.24
Upon completion of the
Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
S&D Marine Products Co., Ltd .....
4.24
administrative review, the Department
Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68
Siam Intersea Co., Ltd .................
4.24
shall determine, and CBP shall assess,
FR 23954 (May 6, 2003) (Assessment
Siamchai International Food Co.,
Policy Notice). This clarification will
Ltd .............................................
4.24 antidumping duties on all appropriate
apply to entries of subject merchandise
SMP Food Product Co., Ltd .........
4.24 entries, in accordance with 19 CFR
Surapon Nichirei Foods Co., Ltd ..
4.24 351.212. The Department will issue
during the POR produced by companies
Suratthani Marine Products Co.,
appropriate appraisement instructions
included in these final results of review
Ltd .............................................
4.24 for the companies subject to this review
for which the reviewed companies did
directly to CBP 15 days after the date of
not know that the merchandise they
AFA Rate Applicable to the Following publication of the final results of this
sold to the intermediary (e.g., a reseller,
Companies:
review.
trading company, or exporter) was
For certain sales made by Pakfood and destined for the United States. In such
13 This rate is based on the weighted average of
all of Thai I-Mei’s sales, we note that
instances, we will instruct CBP to
the margins calculated for those companies selected
these companies reported the entered
liquidate unreviewed entries at the ‘‘All
for individual review, excluding de minimis
value for the U.S. sales in question. We
margins or margins based entirely on AFA.
Others’’ rate if there is no rate for the
we calculated Thai I-Mei’s CV profit and
selling expenses as a weighted-average
of the profit and selling expenses
incurred by the two other respondents
in this administrative review.
Specifically, we calculated the
weighted-average profit and selling
expenses incurred on home market sales
by Good Luck Product and Pakfood.
For comparisons to Thai I-Mei’s CEP,
we deducted from CV direct selling
expenses incurred on Good Luck
Product’s and Pakfood’s home market
sales, in accordance with section
773(a)(7)(ii)(B) of the Act.
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intermediary involved in the
transaction. See Assessment Policy
Notice for a full discussion of this
clarification.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–351–838]
Cash Deposit Requirements
The following cash deposit
requirements will be effective 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)(2)(C) of the Act: (1)
The cash deposit rate for each specific
company listed above will be that
established in the final results of this
review, except if the rate is less than
0.50 percent, and therefore, de minimis
within the meaning of 19 CFR
351.106(c)(1), in which case the cash
deposit rate will be zero; (2) for
previously reviewed or investigated
companies not participating in this
review, 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 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 the
merchandise; and, (4) the cash deposit
rate for all other manufacturers or
exporters will continue to be 5.95
percent, the ‘‘All Others’’ rate made
effective by the LTFV investigation. See
Shrimp Order. These requirements,
when imposed, shall remain in effect
until further notice.
Notification to Importers
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
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.
This administrative review and notice
are published in accordance with
sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the
Act and 19 CFR 351.221.
Dated: February 28, 2007.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E7–4278 Filed 3–8–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
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Jkt 211001
Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp
from Brazil: Preliminary Results and
Partial Rescission of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
(‘‘the Department’’) is conducting an
administrative review of the
antidumping duty order on certain
frozen warmwater shrimp from Brazil
with respect to 11 companies.1 The
respondents which the Department
selected for individual review are
Aquatica Maricultura do Brasil Ltda
(‘‘Aquatica’’) and Comercio de Pescado
Aracatiense Ltda. (‘‘Compescal’’). The
respondents which were not selected for
individual review are listed in the
‘‘Preliminary Results of Review’’ section
of this notice. This is the first
administrative review of this order. The
period of review (‘‘POR’’) covers August
4, 2004, through January 31, 2006.
We preliminarily determine that sales
made by Aquatica and Compescal have
been made below normal value (‘‘NV’’).
In addition, we have preliminarily
determined a weighted–average margin
for those companies that were not
selected for individual review but were
responsive to the Department’s requests
for information based on the
preliminary results for the respondents
selected for individual review. For those
companies which were not responsive
to the Department’s requests for
information, we have preliminarily
assigned to them a margin based on
adverse facts available (‘‘AFA’’).
If the preliminary results are adopted
in our final results of administrative
review, we will instruct U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (‘‘CBP’’) to assess
antidumping duties on all appropriate
entries. Interested parties are invited to
comment on the preliminary results.
EFFECTIVE DATE: March 9, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate
Johnson or Rebecca Trainor, AD/CVD
Operations, Office 2, Import
Administration–Room B099,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th
Street and Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202)
AGENCY:
1 This figure does not include those companies
for which the Department is preliminarily
rescinding the administrative review. See ‘‘Partial
Rescission of Review’’ section for further
discussion.
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
482–4929 or (202) 482–4007,
respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In February 2005, the Department
published in the Federal Register an
antidumping duty order on certain
warmwater shrimp from Brazil. See
Notice of Amended Final Determination
and Antidumping Duty Order: Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil,
70 FR 5143 (February 1, 2005) (‘‘Shrimp
Order’’). On February 1, 2006, the
Department published in the Federal
Register a notice of opportunity to
request an administrative review of the
antidumping duty order of certain
frozen warmwater shrimp from Brazil
for the period August 4, 2004, through
January 31, 2006. See Antidumping or
Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or
Suspended Investigation; Opportunity
to Request Administrative Review, 71
FR 5239 (February 1, 2006). On
February 28, 2006, the petitioner2
submitted a letter timely requesting that
the Department conduct an
administrative review of the sales of
certain frozen warmwater shrimp made
by numerous companies during the
POR, pursuant to section 751(a) of the
Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (‘‘the
Act’’), and in accordance with 19 CFR
351.213(b)(1). Also, on February 28,
2006, the Department received a timely
request under 19 CFR 351.213(b)(2) to
conduct an administrative review of the
sales of certain frozen warmwater
shrimp from the following affiliated
producers/exporters of subject
merchandise: CIDA Central De
Industrializacao E Distribuicao De
Alimentos Ltda. and Produmar Cia
Exportadora de Produtos Do Mar
(collectively ‘‘CIDA’’).
On April 7, 2006, the Department
published a notice of initiation of
administrative review for 50 companies
and requested that each provide data on
the quantity and value of its exports of
subject merchandise to the United
States during the POR for mandatory
respondent selection purposes. These
companies are listed in the
Department’s notice of initiation. See
Notice of Initiation of Administrative
Reviews of the Antidumping Duty
Orders on Certain Frozen Warmwater
Shrimp from Brazil, Ecuador, India and
Thailand, 71 FR 17819 (April 7, 2006)
(‘‘Notice of Initiation’’).
During the period April 28 through
June 19, 2006, we received responses to
the Department’s quantity and value
questionnaire from 19 companies. We
2 The petitioner is the Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade
Action Committee.
E:\FR\FM\09MRN1.SGM
09MRN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 46 (Friday, March 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10669-10680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4278]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-549-822]
Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From Thailand: Preliminary
Results and Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review
AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (the Department) is conducting an
administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain frozen
warmwater shrimp from Thailand with respect to 27 companies.\1\ The
respondents which the Department selected for individual review are
Good
[[Page 10670]]
Luck Product Co., Ltd. (Good Luck Product), Pakfood Public Company
Limited and its affiliated subsidiaries, Asia Pacific (Thailand)
Company Limited, Chaophyraya Cold Storage Company Limited, Okeanos
Company Limited, and Takzin Samut Company Limited (collectively
``Pakfood''), and Thai I-Mei Frozen Foods Co., Ltd. (Thai I-Mei). The
respondents which were not selected for individual review are listed in
the ``Preliminary Results of Review'' section of this notice. This is
the first administrative review of this order. The review covers the
period August 4, 2004, through January 31, 2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This figure does not include those companies for which the
Department is preliminarily rescinding the administrative review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We preliminarily determine that sales were made by Good Luck
Product, Pakfood, and Thai I-Mei below normal value (NV). In addition,
based on the preliminary results for the respondents selected for
individual review, we have preliminarily determined a weighted-average
margin for those companies that were not selected for individual review
but were responsive to the Department's requests for information. For
those companies which were not responsive to the Department's requests
for information, we have preliminarily assigned to them a margin based
on adverse facts available (AFA).
If the preliminary results are adopted in our final results of
administrative review, we will instruct U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) to assess antidumping duties on all appropriate
entries. Interested parties are invited to comment on the preliminary
results.
DATES: Effective Date:
March 9, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irina Itkin or Alice Gibbons, AD/CVD
Operations, Office 2, Import Administration-Room B099, International
Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-
0656 or (202) 482-0498, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In February 2005, the Department published in the Federal Register
an antidumping duty order on certain frozen warmwater shrimp from
Thailand. See Notice of Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less
Than Fair Value and Antidumping Duty Order: Certain Frozen Warmwater
Shrimp from Thailand, 70 FR 5145 (Feb. 1, 2005) (Shrimp Order). On
February 1, 2006, the Department published in the Federal Register a
notice of opportunity to request an administrative review of the
antidumping duty order of certain frozen warmwater shrimp from Thailand
for the period August 4, 2004, through January 31, 2006. See
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended
Investigation; Opportunity to Request Administrative Review, 71 FR 5239
(Feb. 1, 2006). On February 28, 2006, the petitioner \2\ submitted a
letter timely requesting that the Department conduct an administrative
review of the sales of certain frozen warmwater shrimp made by numerous
companies during the period of review (POR), pursuant to section 751(a)
of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and in accordance with
19 CFR 351.213(b)(1). Also, on February 28, 2006, the Department
received requests to conduct an administrative review of the
antidumping duty order on certain frozen warmwater shrimp from the
following producers/exporters of subject merchandise during the POR in
accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(b)(2): Kitchens of the Ocean (Thailand),
Ltd., Pakfood, Thai I-Mei, Thai Union Frozen Products and Thai Union
Seafood (collectively, ``Thai Union''), and Union Frozen Products
(UFP).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The petitioner is the Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade Action Committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On April 7, 2006, the Department published a notice of initiation
of administrative review for 145 companies and requested that each
provide data on the quantity and value (Q&V) of its exports of subject
merchandise to the United States during the POR for mandatory
respondent selection purposes. These companies are listed in the
Department's notice of initiation. See Notice of Initiation of
Administrative Reviews of the Antidumping Duty Orders on Certain Frozen
Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil, Ecuador, India and Thailand, 71 FR 17819
(Apr. 7, 2006) (Notice of Initiation).
During the period April 24, 2006, through July 10, 2006, we
received responses to the Department's Q&V questionnaire from 106
companies.\3\ We were unable to locate six companies, and we did not
receive responses to this questionnaire from the remaining
companies.\4\ For further discussion, see the ``Application of Facts
Available'' section of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ We note that we initiated a review on six of these companies
(i.e., Haitai Seafood Co., Ltd., Kingfisher Holdings Limited, Klang
Co., Ltd, Inter-Oceanic Resources Co., Ltd., Narong Seafood Co.,
Ltd., Sea Bonanza Foods Co., Ltd.) as if they were two different
entities based on the two different addresses on the record for each
company. However, we have determined, based on the responses
submitted by these companies, that each comprises a single entity
with two different addresses.
\4\ As discussed below, for some of these companies, the
petitioner subsequently withdrew its request for review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based upon our consideration of the responses to the Q&V
questionnaire received and the resources available to the Department,
we determined that it was not practicable to examine all exporters/
producers of subject merchandise for which a review was requested. As a
result, on July 11, 2006, we selected the three largest producers/
exporters of certain frozen warmwater shrimp from Thailand during the
POR, Good Luck Product, Pakfood, and Thai I-Mei, as the mandatory
respondents in this proceeding. See the Memorandum to Stephen J.
Claeys, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, from
Irene Darzenta Tzafolias, Acting Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations,
entitled, ``Antidumping Duty Administrative Review of Certain Frozen
Warmwater Shrimp from Thailand: Selection of Respondents,'' dated July
11, 2006. On this same date, we issued the antidumping duty
questionnaire to Good Luck Product, Pakfood, and Thai I-Mei.
On July 20, 2006, we published a notice rescinding the
administrative review with respect to 112 companies for which the
requests for an administrative review were withdrawn in a timely
manner, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1). See Certain Frozen
Warmwater Shrimp from Thailand; Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 71 FR 41200 (July 20, 2006) (Partial Rescission
Notice). See also, the Memorandum to the File from Brianne Riker
entitled ``Intent to Rescind in Part the Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review on Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Thailand,'' dated
June 22, 2006.
On August 3, 2006, we published a notice amending the partial
rescission of the administrative review to correct a typographical
error. See Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Thailand; Corrected
Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 71 FR
44017 (Aug. 3, 2006).
We received responses to section A of the questionnaire from
Pakfood on August 8, 2006, and from Good Luck Product and Thai I-Mei on
August 16, 2006.
On August 25, 2006, the Department postponed the preliminary
results in this review until no later than February 28, 2007. See
Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil, Ecuador, India, the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the People's Republic of China, and
Thailand: Notice of Extension of Time Limits for the Preliminary
Results of the First Administrative Reviews and New
[[Page 10671]]
Shipper Reviews, 71 FR 50387 (Aug. 25, 2006).
On August 29, 2006, the petitioner submitted comments regarding
home market viability with respect to Good Luck Product and Pakfood.
We received responses to sections B and C of the questionnaire from
Pakfood and Good Luck Product on September 1 and 5, 2006, respectively.
In addition, we received a response to sections C and D of the
questionnaire from Thai I-Mei on September 5, 2006.
On September 8 and 13, 2006, Pakfood and Good Luck Product,
respectively, responded to the petitioner's comments regarding home
market viability. For further discussion, see ``Home Market Viability
and Selection of Comparison Markets'' section of this notice.
On September 14, 2006, we published an additional notice amending
the partial rescission of the administrative review to correct a
typographical error. See Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Thailand;
Corrected Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review,
71 FR 54268 (Sept. 14, 2006).
We received comments from the petitioner on September 15, 2006,
regarding the application of the multinational corporation (MNC)
provision in section 773(d) of the Act with respect to Thai I-Mei.
On September 19, 2006, we issued a supplemental sales questionnaire
to Pakfood.
On September 20, 2006, the petitioner requested that the Department
initiate a sales-below-cost investigation of Pakfood.
On September 21, 2006, we issued a supplemental sales questionnaire
to Thai I-Mei.
On September 26, 2006, Thai I-Mei submitted a response to the
petitioner's comments regarding the application of the MNC provision in
section 773(d) of the Act with respect to Thai I-Mei.
On September 27, 2006, we issued a supplemental sales questionnaire
to Good Luck Product.
We initiated a sales-below-cost investigation for Pakfood on
October 3, 2006. See the Memorandum to James Maeder, Director, Office
2, AD/CVD Operations, from The Team entitled, ``Petitioner's Allegation
of Sales Below the Cost of Production for Pakfood Company Limited''
(Pakfood Cost Allegation).
We received Pakfood's supplemental response on October 17, 2006.
Also on October 17, 2006, we issued a supplemental cost questionnaire
to Thai I-Mei.
We received supplemental sales responses from Thai I-Mei and Good
Luck Product on October 23 and 26, 2006, respectively.
On October 27, 2006, the petitioner requested that the Department
initiate a sales-below-cost investigation of Good Luck Product. This
investigation for Good Luck Product was initiated on October 30, 2006.
See the Memorandum to James Maeder, Director, Office 2, AD/CVD
Operations from The Team entitled, ``Petitioner's Allegation of Sales
Below the Cost of Production for Good Luck Product Co., Ltd.'' (Good
Luck Product Cost Allegation).
Pakfood submitted a response to section D of the questionnaire on
November 2, 2006.
On November 14, 2006, we issued a second sales supplemental
questionnaire to Good Luck Product.
We received a response to the supplemental cost questionnaire from
Thai I-Mei on November 15, 2006.
On November 16, 2006, we issued a supplemental cost questionnaire
to Pakfood.
We received a second supplemental sales response, as well as a
response to section D of the questionnaire from Good Luck Product on
November 22 and 30, 2006, respectively.
On December 7, 2006, we issued a second sales supplemental
questionnaire to Thai I-Mei. Also, on December 8, 2006, we issued a
supplemental cost questionnaire to Good Luck Product.
We received a supplemental cost response from Pakfood on December
14, 2006.
On December 21, 2006, we issued a supplemental cost questionnaire
to Thai I-Mei.
Sales verifications were conducted at Good Luck Product and Pakfood
in December 2006. Sales verification reports were issued in January and
February 2007 for Pakfood and Good Luck Product, respectively.
On January 4, 2007, we received Good Luck Product's supplemental
cost response, as well as Thai I-Mei's second supplemental sales
response. In addition, we received a supplemental cost response from
Thai I-Mei on January 10, 2006.
On January 11, 2007, we issued a third supplemental sales
questionnaire to Thai I-Mei.
On January 19, 2007, based on the information on the record, we
found that the MNC provision does not apply to Thai I-Mei. For further
discussion, see the Memorandum to Stephen J. Claeys, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Import Administration from The Team entitled,
``Application of the Multinational Corporation Provision,'' dated
January 19, 2007.
We received Thai I-Mei's third supplemental sales response on
January 23, 2007. Also on this date, we published a correction to the
scope of the order in which we clarified that the scope does not cover
warmwater shrimp in non-frozen form. See Certain Frozen Warmwater
Shrimp from Brazil, Ecuador, India, Thailand, the People's Republic of
China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Amended Orders, 72 FR 2857
(Jan. 23, 2007).
On January 24 and February 14, 2007, respectively, Pakfood and Good
Luck Product submitted revised sales databases which incorporated
certain minor corrections to these companies' data discovered at
verification.
We conducted cost verifications at Good Luck Product and Pakfood in
January and February 2007.
Scope of the Order
The scope of this order includes certain frozen warmwater shrimp
and prawns, whether wild-caught (ocean harvested) or farm-raised
(produced by aquaculture), head-on or head-off, shell-on or peeled,
tail-on or tail-off,\5\ deveined or not deveined, cooked or raw, or
otherwise processed in frozen form.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ ``Tails'' in this context means the tail fan, which includes
the telson and the uropods.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The frozen warmwater shrimp and prawn products included in the
scope of this order, regardless of definitions in the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), are products which are processed
from warmwater shrimp and prawns through freezing and which are sold in
any count size.
The products described above may be processed from any species of
warmwater shrimp and prawns. Warmwater shrimp and prawns are generally
classified in, but are not limited to, the Penaeidae family. Some
examples of the farmed and wild-caught warmwater species include, but
are not limited to, whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannemei), banana prawn
(Penaeus merguiensis), fleshy prawn (Penaeus chinensis), giant river
prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon),
redspotted shrimp (Penaeus brasiliensis), southern brown shrimp
(Penaeus subtilis), southern pink shrimp (Penaeus notialis), southern
rough shrimp (Trachypenaeus curvirostris), southern white shrimp
(Penaeus schmitti), blue shrimp (Penaeus stylirostris), western white
shrimp (Penaeus occidentalis), and Indian white prawn (Penaeus
indicus).
[[Page 10672]]
Frozen shrimp and prawns that are packed with marinade, spices or
sauce are included in the scope of this order. In addition, food
preparations, which are not ``prepared meals,'' that contain more than
20 percent by weight of shrimp or prawn are also included in the scope
of this order.
Excluded from the scope are: (1) Breaded shrimp and prawns (HTS
subheading 1605.20.10.20); (2) shrimp and prawns generally classified
in the Pandalidae family and commonly referred to as coldwater shrimp,
in any state of processing; (3) fresh shrimp and prawns whether shell-
on or peeled (HTS subheadings 0306.23.00.20 and 0306.23.00.40); (4)
shrimp and prawns in prepared meals (HTS subheading 1605.20.05.10); (5)
dried shrimp and prawns; (6) canned warmwater shrimp and prawns (HTS
subheading 1605.20.10.40); (7) certain dusted shrimp; and (8) certain
battered shrimp. Dusted shrimp is a shrimp-based product: (1) That is
produced from fresh (or thawed-from-frozen) and peeled shrimp; (2) to
which a ``dusting'' layer of rice or wheat flour of at least 95 percent
purity has been applied; (3) with the entire surface of the shrimp
flesh thoroughly and evenly coated with the flour; (4) with the non-
shrimp content of the end product constituting between four and 10
percent of the product's total weight after being dusted, but prior to
being frozen; and (5) that is subjected to IQF freezing immediately
after application of the dusting layer. Battered shrimp is a shrimp-
based product that, when dusted in accordance with the definition of
dusting above, is coated with a wet viscous layer containing egg and/or
milk, and par-fried.
The products covered by this order are currently classified under
the following HTSUS subheadings: 0306.13.00.03, 0306.13.00.06,
0306.13.00.09, 0306.13.00.12, 0306.13.00.15, 0306.13.00.18,
0306.13.00.21, 0306.13.00.24, 0306.13.00.27, 0306.13.00.40,
1605.20.10.10, and 1605.20.10.30. These HTSUS subheadings are provided
for convenience and for customs purposes only and are not dispositive,
but rather the written description of the scope of this order is
dispositive.
Partial Rescission of Review
Eight of the companies that responded to the Department's Q&V
questionnaire stated that they had no shipments/entries of subject
merchandise into the United States during the POR. However, based on
information obtained from CBP, it appeared that these companies did, in
fact, have shipments or entries of subject merchandise that entered
into the United States during the POR. See the Memorandum to the File
from Brianne Riker, Analyst, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations, entitled,
``2004-2006 Administrative Review of Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp
from Thailand: Entry Documents from U.S. Customs and Border
Protection,'' dated July 31, 2006. From September 2006 to February
2007, we contacted seven of the eight companies in question and/or the
exporters listed on the CBP entry documentation and requested that they
provide information regarding the entries in question. We did not
request information from one of the eight companies, Bangkok Dehydrated
Marine Product Co., Ltd. (Bangkok Dehydrated Marine Product), because,
based on CBP information, we found that the merchandise (i.e., dried
shrimp) was not subject to the scope of the order.
Based on either responses to the Department's solicitation or the
CBP information, we have preliminarily determined that entries at issue
by four of the eight exporters/producers, Bangkok Dehydrated Marine
Product, Siam Ocean,\6\ Tep Kinsho,\7\ and Thai Agri,\8\ were not
reportable transactions because they were either: (1) Non-subject
merchandise (i.e., dried shrimp); (2) a non-paid sample; or, (3)
reported by another company in its Q&V questionnaire. Therefore, in
accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3), and consistent with the
Department's practice, we are preliminarily rescinding our review with
respect to these companies. See, e.g., Certain Steel Concrete
Reinforcing Bars from Turkey; Final Results, Rescission of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review in Part, and Determination to Revoke in
Part, 70 FR 67665, 67666 (Nov. 8, 2005).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ We note that the response from this company indicated that
its name is Siam Ocean Frozen Foods Co., Ltd.
\7\ We note that the response from this company indicated that
its name is Tep Kinsho Foods Co., Ltd.
\8\ We note that the response from this company indicated that
its name is Thai Agri Foods Co., Ltd.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the remaining exporters/producers, Siam Intersea Co., Ltd.,
provided additional information to the Department indicating that it
did, in fact, have a reportable transaction during the POR. Therefore,
we are not rescinding the administrative review with respect to this
company and are preliminarily assigning to it a weighted-average margin
calculated for the companies selected for individual review because,
based on its response: (1) The discrepancy between the Q&V
questionnaire response and the CBP data appeared to be an inadvertent
oversight; (2) the quantity of the exports in question was so small
that it would not have impacted our selection of respondents; and, (3)
the company has been responsive to our requests for information.
In addition, of the remaining two exporters/producers, NR Instant
Produce \9\ and Surapon Nichirei Foods Co., Ltd. (Surapon) stated that
they did not report the entries in question because they claimed that
the entries were of non-subject merchandise. Because these goods were
entered into the United States as subject merchandise and there is
insufficient evidence on the record to conclude otherwise, we
preliminarily determine that the merchandise in question is included
within the scope of the order. As a result, we are preliminarily
assigning NR Instant Produce and Surapon the weighted-average margin
calculated for the companies selected for individual review because
these companies have been responsive to our requests for information.
We may request additional information on the products in question. If
we ultimately determine the merchandise is not subject to the order, we
will rescind the administrative review with respect to NR Instant
Produce and Surapon.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ We note that the response from this company indicated that
its name is NR Instant Product Co., Ltd. (NR Instant Produce).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, the remaining exporter/producer, Thai World,\10\ failed to
respond to the Department's request for additional information and,
thus, we find that it failed to act to the best of its ability.
Therefore, we are not rescinding the administrative review with respect
to Thai World. For further information, see the ``Application of Facts
Available'' section of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ We note that the response from this company indicated that
its name is Thai World Imports and Exports Co., Ltd. (Thai World).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application of Facts Available
Section 776(a) of the Act provides that the Department will apply
``facts otherwise available'' if, inter alia, necessary information is
not available on the record or an interested party: (1) Withholds
information that has been requested by the Department; (2) fails to
provide such information within the deadlines established, or in the
form or manner requested by the Department, subject to subsections
(c)(1) and (e) of section 782 of the Act; (3) significantly impedes a
proceeding; or (4) provides such information, but the information
cannot be verified.
As discussed in the ``Background'' section, above, in April 2006,
the
[[Page 10673]]
Department requested that all companies subject to the review respond
to the Department's Q&V questionnaire for purposes of mandatory
respondent selection. The original deadline to file a response was
April 28, 2006. Of the 145 companies subject to review, 32 companies
did not respond to the Department's initial requests for information.
Subsequently in May 2006, the Department issued letters to these
companies affording them a second opportunity to submit a response to
the Department's Q&V questionnaire. However, six of these companies
also failed to respond to the Department's second questionnaire.\11\ On
January 31, 2007, the Department placed documentation on the record
confirming delivery of the questionnaires to each company. See the
Memorandum to the File from Brianne Riker, Analyst, Office 2, AD/CVD
Operations, entitled, ``Placing Delivery Information on the Record of
the 2004-2006 Antidumping Duty Administrative Review on Certain Frozen
Warmwater Shrimp from Thailand,'' dated January 31, 2007. By failing to
respond to the Department's Q&V questionnaire, these companies withheld
requested information and significantly impeded the proceeding. Thus,
pursuant to sections 776(a)(2)(A) and (C) of the Act, because these
companies did not respond to the Department's questionnaire, the
Department preliminarily finds that the use of total facts available is
appropriate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ These companies are: Anglo-Siam Seafoods Co., Ltd. (Anglo-
Siam Seafoods), Fortune Frozen Foods (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Fortune
Frozen Foods), Gallant Ocean (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Gallant Ocean),
Li-Thai Frozen Foods Co., Ltd. (Li-Thai), Queen Marine Food Co.,
Ltd. (Queen Marine Foods), and Smile Heart Foods.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Furthermore, one company, Thai World, claimed that it made no
shipments of subject merchandise to the United States during the POR.
Because we were unable to confirm the accuracy of Thai World's claim
with CBP, we requested further information/clarification from it.
However, Thai World failed to provide the requested information/
clarification. By doing so, Thai World withheld requested information
and significantly impeded the proceeding. Therefore, pursuant to
sections 776(a)(2)(A) and (C) of the Act, the Department also
preliminarily finds that the use of total facts available with respect
to Thai World is appropriate.
According to section 776(b) of the Act, if the Department finds
that an interested party fails to cooperate by not acting to the best
of its ability to comply with requests for information, the Department
may use an inference that is adverse to the interests of that party in
selecting from the facts otherwise available. See also Notice of Final
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Stainless Steel Bar
from India, 70 FR 54023, 54025-26 (Sept. 13, 2005); and Notice of Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Final Negative
Critical Circumstances: Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from
Brazil, 67 FR 55792, 55794-96 (Aug. 30, 2002). Adverse inferences are
appropriate ``to ensure that the party does not obtain a more favorable
result by failing to cooperate than if it had cooperated fully.'' See
Statement of Administrative Action accompanying the Uruguay Round
Agreements Act, H.R. Rep. No. 103-316, Vol. 1, at 870 (1994) (SAA),
reprinted in 1994 U.S.C.C.A.N. 4040, 4198-99. Furthermore,
``affirmative evidence of bad faith on the part of a respondent is not
required before the Department may make an adverse inference.'' See
Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 62 FR 27296,
27340 (May 19, 1997); see also Nippon Steel Corp. v. United States, 337
F.3d 1373, 1382-83 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (Nippon). We preliminarily find
that Anglo-Siam Seafoods, Fortune Frozen Foods, Gallant Ocean, Li-Thai,
Queen Marine Food, Smile Heart Foods, and Thai World did not act to the
best of their abilities in this proceeding, within the meaning of
section 776(b) of the Act, because they failed to respond to the
Department's requests for information. Therefore, an adverse inference
is warranted in selecting from the facts otherwise available with
respect to these companies. See Nippon, 337 F.3d at 1382-83.
Section 776(b) of the Act provides that the Department may use as
AFA information derived from: (1) The petition; (2) the final
determination in the investigation; (3) any previous review; or (4) any
other information placed on the record.
The Department's practice, when selecting an AFA rate from among
the possible sources of information, has been to ensure that the margin
is sufficiently adverse ``as to effectuate the statutory purposes of
the adverse facts available rule to induce respondents to provide the
Department with complete and accurate information in a timely manner.''
See, e.g., Certain Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bars from Turkey; Final
Results and Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review in
Part, 71 FR 65082, 65084 (Nov. 7, 2006).
In order to ensure that the margin is sufficiently adverse so as to
induce cooperation, we have preliminarily assigned a rate of 57.64
percent, which is the highest rate alleged in the petition, as adjusted
at the initiation of the less-than-fair-value (LTFV) investigation. See
Notice of Initiation of Antidumping Duty Investigations: Certain Frozen
and Canned Warmwater Shrimp From Brazil, Ecuador, India, Thailand, the
People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 69 FR
3876, 3881 (Jan. 27, 2004). The Department finds that this rate is
sufficiently high as to effectuate the purpose of the facts available
rule (i.e., we find that this rate is high enough to encourage
participation in future segments of this proceeding in accordance with
section 776(b) of the Act).
Information from prior segments of the proceeding constitutes
secondary information and section 776(c) of the Act provides that the
Department shall, to the extent practicable, corroborate that secondary
information from independent sources reasonably at its disposal. The
Department's regulations provide that ``corroborate'' means that the
Department will satisfy itself that the secondary information to be
used has probative value. See 19 CFR 351.308(d); see also SAA at 870.
To the extent practicable, the Department will examine the reliability
and relevance of the information to be used.
To corroborate the petition margin, we compared it to the
transaction-specific rates calculated for each respondent in this
review. We find that it is reliable and relevant because the petition
rate fell within the range of individual transaction margins calculated
for the mandatory respondents. See Notice of Preliminary Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; Partial Rescission and
Postponement of Final Results: Certain Softwood Lumber Products from
Canada, 71 FR 33964, 33968 (June 12, 2006). Therefore, we have
determined that the 57.64 percent margin is appropriate as AFA and are
assigning it to the uncooperative companies listed above.
Further, the Department will consider information reasonably at its
disposal as to whether there are circumstances that would render a
margin inappropriate. Where circumstances indicate that the selected
margin is not appropriate as AFA, the Department may disregard the
margin and determine an appropriate margin. See, e.g., Fresh Cut
Flowers from Mexico; Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 61 FR 6812, 6814 (Feb. 22, 1996) (where the Department
disregarded the highest calculated margin as AFA because the margin was
[[Page 10674]]
based on a company's uncharacteristic business expense resulting in an
unusually high margin). Therefore, we examined whether any information
on the record would discredit the selected rate as reasonable facts
available. We were unable to find any information that would discredit
the selected AFA rate.
Because we did not find evidence indicating that the selected
margin is not appropriate and because this margin falls within the
range of transaction-specific margins for the mandatory respondents, we
have preliminarily determined that the 57.64 percent margin, as alleged
in the petition and adjusted at the initiation of the LTFV
investigation, is appropriate as AFA. We are assigning this rate to
Anglo-Siam Seafoods, Fortune Frozen Foods, Gallant Ocean, Li-Thai,
Queen Marine Food, Smile Heart Foods, and Thai World. For company-
specific information used to corroborate this rate, see the Memorandum
to the File from Brianne Riker, Analyst, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations,
entitled ``Corroboration of Adverse Facts Available Rate for the
Preliminary Results in the 2004-2006 Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review of Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Thailand,'' dated
February 28, 2007.
Comparisons to Normal Value
To determine whether sales of certain frozen warmwater shrimp from
Thailand to the United States were made at less than NV, we compared
the export price (EP) or constructed export price (CEP) to the NV, as
described in the ``Constructed Export Price/Export Price'' and ``Normal
Value'' sections of this notice.
Pursuant to section 777A(d)(2) of the Act, for Good Luck Product
and Pakfood, we compared the EPs of individual U.S. transactions to the
weighted-average NV of the foreign like product where there were sales
made in the ordinary course of trade, as discussed in the ``Cost of
Production Analysis'' section below.
Regarding Thai I-Mei, we have determined that this company did not
have a viable home or third country market during the POR. Therefore,
as the basis for NV, we used constructed value (CV) when making
comparisons to CEP for Thai I-Mei in accordance with section 773(a)(4)
of the Act.
Product Comparisons
In accordance with section 771(16) of the Act, we considered all
products produced by Good Luck Product and Pakfood covered by the
description in the ``Scope of the Order'' section, above, to be foreign
like products for purposes of determining appropriate product
comparisons to U.S. sales. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.414(e)(2), we
compared U.S. sales of shrimp to sales of shrimp made in the home
market for Good Luck Product and Pakfood within the contemporaneous
window period, which extends from three months prior to the month of
the U.S. sale until two months after the sale. Where there were no
sales of identical merchandise in the comparison market made in the
ordinary course of trade to compare to U.S. sales, we compared U.S.
sales of shrimp to sales of shrimp of the most similar foreign like
product made in the ordinary course of trade. For Good Luck Product and
Pakfood, where there were no sales of identical or similar merchandise,
and for all Thai I-Mei sales, we made product comparisons using CV.
With respect to sales comparisons involving broken shrimp, we
compared Pakfood's sales of broken shrimp in the home market to its
sales of comparable quality shrimp to the United States.
In making the product comparisons, we matched foreign like products
based on the physical characteristics reported by Good Luck Product and
Pakfood in the following order: cooked form, head status, count size,
organic certification, shell status, vein status, tail status, other
shrimp preparation, frozen form, flavoring, container weight,
presentation, species, and preservative.
Constructed Export Price/Export Price
For all U.S. sales made by Good Luck Product and Pakfood we used EP
methodology, in accordance with section 772(a) of the Act, because the
subject merchandise was sold directly to the first unaffiliated
purchaser in the United States prior to importation and CEP methodology
was not otherwise warranted based on the facts of record.
For U.S. sales made by Thai I-Mei, we calculated CEP in accordance
with section 772(b) of the Act because the subject merchandise was sold
for the account of Thai I-Mei by its subsidiary, Ocean Duke
Corporation, in the United States to unaffiliated purchasers.
A. Good Luck Product
We based EP on packed prices to the first unaffiliated purchaser in
the United States. Where appropriate, we made adjustments for billing
adjustments. We made deductions from the starting price for foreign
inland freight expenses (i.e., freight from port to warehouse and
freight from warehouse to the customer), foreign warehousing expenses,
foreign brokerage and handling expenses, survey fees, and ocean freight
expenses, where appropriate, in accordance with section 772(c)(2)(A) of
the Act.
B. Pakfood
We based EP on packed prices to the first unaffiliated purchaser in
the United States. Where appropriate, we made adjustments for billing
adjustments and discounts. We made deductions from the starting price
for foreign inland freight expenses, foreign warehousing expenses, gate
charges, survey fees, foreign brokerage and handling expenses, ocean
freight expenses, U.S. brokerage expenses, and U.S. customs duties,
where appropriate, in accordance with section 772(c)(2)(A) of the Act.
Regarding warehousing expenses, Pakfood reported that certain of
these services were provided by an affiliated party. At verification,
we tested the warehousing expenses charged by the affiliated party to
determine whether the prices charged were at ``arm's length.'' Where we
found that the prices were not at arm's length, we adjusted them to be
equivalent to the market price. For further discussion, see the
Memorandum to the File from Irina Itkin and Brianne Riker entitled,
``Verification of the Sales Response of Pakfood Public Company Limited
in the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review on Certain Frozen
Warmwater Shrimp from Thailand'' (``Pakfood Verification Report''),
dated January 19, 2007.
C. Thai I-Mei
In accordance with section 772(b) of the Act, we calculated CEP for
those sales where the merchandise was 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, or by a seller affiliated with
the producer or exporter, to a purchaser not affiliated with the
producer or exporter. For Thai I-Mei's direct shipments, we used the
earlier of shipment date from Thailand to the customer or the U.S.
affiliate's invoice date as the date of sale, in accordance with our
practice. See e.g., Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than
Fair Value and Negative Final Determination of Critical Circumstances:
Certain Frozen and Canned Warmwater Shrimp From Thailand, 69 FR 76918
(Dec. 23, 2004), and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at
Comment 10; Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair
Value: Structural Steel Beams from Germany, 67 FR 35497 (May 20, 2002),
and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 2.
[[Page 10675]]
We based CEP on the packed delivered prices to unaffiliated
purchasers in the United States. Where appropriate, we made adjustments
for billing adjustments. We made deductions from the starting price for
foreign inland freight, foreign inland insurance, foreign brokerage and
handling expenses, ocean freight expenses, marine insurance expenses,
U.S. brokerage and handling, U.S. customs duties, U.S. inland
insurance, U.S. inland freight expenses, and U.S. warehousing expenses,
where appropriate, in accordance with section 772(c)(2)(A) of the Act.
In accordance with section 772(d)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.402(b),
we deducted those selling expenses associated with economic activities
occurring in the United States, including direct selling expenses
(i.e., imputed credit expenses), and indirect selling expenses
(including inventory carrying costs and other indirect selling
expenses).
Pursuant to section 772(d)(3) of the Act, we calculated an amount
for profit to arrive at CEP. In accordance with section
772(f)(2)(C)(iii) of the Act, we based the CEP profit rate on Thai I-
Mei's financial statements because Thai I-Mei made sales during the POR
solely to the United States. For further discussion, see the Memorandum
to the File from Alice Gibbons, Senior Analyst, Office 2, AD/CVD
Operations, entitled, ``Calculations Performed for Thai I-Mei Frozen
Foods Co., Ltd. for the Preliminary Results in the 2004-2006
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review on Certain Frozen Warmwater
Shrimp from Thailand,'' dated February 28, 2007.
Normal Value
A. Home Market Viability and Selection of Comparison Markets
In order to determine whether there was a sufficient volume of
sales in the home market to serve as a viable basis for calculating NV,
we compared the 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)(C) of the Act. Based on this comparison, we
determined that Good Luck Product and Pakfood had viable home markets
during the POR. Consequently, we based NV on home market sales for
these respondents.
However, the petitioner has argued throughout this review that a
large portion of Pakfood's home market is not legitimate (therefore,
making its home market not viable) because there is no significant
market for frozen shrimp in Thailand. In response, Pakfood has argued
that its reported home market sales are legitimate because they: (1)
Were exclusively of foreign like product; (2) were for consumption in
Thailand; and, (3) do not constitute a particular market situation. At
verification we thoroughly examined this issue and confirmed Pakfood's
assertions regarding its home market sales. For further discussion, see
the ``Pakfood Verification Report.''
Further, we determined that Thai I-Mei's aggregate volumes of home
and third country market sales of the foreign like product were
insufficient to permit a proper comparison with U.S. sales of the
subject merchandise. Therefore, we used CV as the basis for calculating
NV for Thai I-Mei, in accordance with section 773(a)(4) of the Act.
B. Affiliated-Party Transactions and Arm's-Length Test
During the POR, Good Luck Product and Pakfood sold the foreign like
product to affiliated customers. To test whether these sales were made
at arm's-length prices, we compared, on a product-specific basis, the
starting prices of sales to affiliated and unaffiliated customers, net
of all discounts and rebates, movement charges, direct selling
expenses, and packing expenses. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.403(c) and in
accordance with the Department's practice, where the price to the
affiliated party was, on average, within a range of 98 to 102 percent
of the price of the same or comparable merchandise sold to unaffiliated
parties, we determined that sales made to the affiliated party were at
arm's length. See Antidumping Proceedings: Affiliated Party Sales in
the Ordinary Course of Trade, 67 FR 69186, 69187 (Nov. 15, 2002)
(establishing that the overall ratio calculated for an affiliate must
be between 98 percent and 102 percent in order for sales to be
considered in the ordinary course of trade and used in the normal value
calculation). Sales to affiliated customers in the comparison market
that were not made at arm's-length prices were excluded from our
analysis because we considered these sales to be outside the ordinary
course of trade. See 19 CFR 351.102(b).
C. Level of Trade
Section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act states that, to the extent
practicable, the Department will calculate NV based on sales at the
same level of trade (LOT) as the EP or CEP. Sales are made at different
LOTs if they are made at different marketing stages (or their
equivalent). See 19 CFR 351.412(c)(2). Substantial differences in
selling activities are a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for
determining that there is a difference in the stages of marketing. Id.
See also Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair
Value: Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate From South Africa, 62
FR 61731, 61732 (Nov. 19, 1997) (Plate from South Africa). In order to
determine whether the comparison sales were at different stages in the
marketing process than the U.S. sales, we reviewed the distribution
system in each market (i.e., the chain of distribution), including
selling functions, class of customer (customer category), and the level
of selling expenses for each type of sale.
Pursuant to section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act, in identifying LOTs
for EP and comparison market sales (i.e., NV based on either home
market or third country prices),\12\ we consider the starting prices
before any adjustments. For CEP sales, we consider only the selling
activities reflected in the price after the deduction of expenses and
profit under section 772(d) of the Act. See Micron Technology, Inc. v.
United States, 243 F. 3d 1301, 1314 (Fed. Cir. 2001).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ Where NV is based on CV, we determine the NV LOT based on
the LOT of the sales from which we derive selling expenses, general
and administrative (G&A) expenses, and profit for CV, where
possible.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the Department is unable to match U.S. sales of the foreign
like product in the comparison market at the same LOT as the EP or CEP,
the Department may compare the U.S. sale to sales at a different LOT in
the comparison market. In comparing EP or CEP sales at a different LOT
in the comparison market, where available data make it practicable, we
make an LOT adjustment under section 773(a)(7)(A) of the Act. Finally,
for CEP sales only, if the NV LOT is more remote from the factory than
the CEP LOT and there is no basis for determining whether the
difference in LOTs between NV and CEP affects price comparability
(i.e., no LOT adjustment was practicable), the Department shall grant a
CEP offset, as provided in section 773(a)(7)(B) of the Act. See Plate
from South Africa, 62 FR at 61732-33.
In this administrative review, we obtained information from each
respondent regarding the marketing stages involved in making the
reported foreign market and U.S. sales, including a description of the
selling activities performed by each respondent for each channel of
distribution. Company-specific LOT findings are summarized below.
[[Page 10676]]
1. Good Luck Product
Good Luck Product reported that it made EP sales in the U.S. market
through a single channel of distribution (i.e., spot sales). We
examined the selling activities performed for this channel and found
that Good Luck Product performed the following selling functions: sales
forecasting, order input/processing, providing direct sales personnel,
providing commission payments, claim services (i.e., billing
adjustments), freight and delivery services, and packing. These selling
activities can be generally grouped into four core selling function
categories for analysis: (1) Sales and marketing; (2) freight and
delivery; (3) inventory maintenance and warehousing; and, (4) warranty
and technical support. Accordingly, based on the core selling
functions, we find that Good Luck Product performed sales and
marketing, freight and delivery services, inventory maintenance and
warehousing, and warranty and technical services for U.S. sales.
Because all sales in the United States are made through a single
distribution channel, we preliminarily determine that there is one LOT
in the U.S. market.
With respect to the home market, Good Luck Product made sales
through the following channels of distribution: (1) Spot sales; (2)
sales to a Thai retailer; and, (3) sales through retail arrangements.
Good Luck Product stated that its home market sales were made at the
same LOT, regardless of distribution channel. We examined the selling
activities performed for spot sales and found that Good Luck Product
performed the following selling functions: order input/processing,
providing direct sales personnel, providing commission payment, claim
services (i.e., return service), and freight and delivery services.
Regarding sales both to the Thai retailer and through retail
arrangements, we find that Good Luck Product performed the following
sales activities: sales forecasting, sales promotion/advertising/trade
fairs, packing, providing retail displays/inventory maintenance, order
input/processing, providing direct sales personnel, providing rebates,
claim services (i.e., return service), and freight and delivery
services. Accordingly, based on the core selling functions, we find
that Good Luck Product performed sales and marketing, freight and
delivery services, inventory maintenance and warehousing, and warranty
and technical services in the home market. Although Good Luck Product
performed additional sales and marketing functions for its sales both
to the Thai retailer and through retail arrangements that it did not
perform for its spot sales, we did not find these differences to be
material selling function distinctions significant enough to warrant a
separate LOT in the home market. Therefore, we preliminarily determine
that there is one LOT in the home market because Good Luck Product
performed essentially the same selling functions for all home market
sales.
Finally, we compared the EP LOT to the home market LOT and found
that the core selling functions performed for U.S. and home market
customers do not differ significantly. Therefore, we determined that
sales to the U.S. and home markets during the POR were made at the same
LOT, and as a result, no LOT adjustment was warranted.
2. Pakfood
Pakfood reported that it made EP sales in the U.S. market through a
single channel of distribution (i.e., direct sales to distributors). We
examined the selling activities performed for this channel, and found
that Pakfood performed the following selling functions: sales
forecasting/market research, order processing, providing direct sales
personnel, providing commission payments, sales promotion/trade shows/
advertising, customer contact, price negotiation, invoice issuance,
payment receipt, delivery services, and packing. Accordingly, based on
the core selling functions, we find that Pakfood performed sales and
marketing, freight and delivery services, and inventory maintenance and
warehousing for U.S. sales. Because all sales in the United States are
made through a single distribution channel, we preliminarily determine
that there is one LOT in the U.S. market.
With respect to the home market, Pakfood made sales to
distributors, retailers, and end-users. Pakfood stated that its home
market sales were made through a single channel of distribution,
regardless of customer category. We examined the selling activities
performed for this channel, and found that Pakfood performed the
following selling functions: sales forecasting/market research, sales
promotion/trade shows/advertising, customer contact, price negotiation,
order processing, invoice issuance, delivery services, providing direct
sales personnel, payment receipt, and packing. Accordingly, based on
the core selling functions, we find that Pakfood performed sales and
marketing, freight and delivery services, and inventory maintenance and
warehousing at the same relative level of intensity for all customers
in the home market. Because all sales in the home market are made
through a single distribution channel, we preliminarily determine that
there is one LOT in the home market.
Finally, we compared the EP LOT to the home market LOT and found
that the core selling functions performed for U.S. and home market
customers are virtually identical. Therefore, we determined that sales
to the U.S. and home markets during the POR were made at the same LOT,
and as a result, no LOT adjustment was warranted.
3. Thai I-Mei
With respect to Thai I-Mei, this exporter had no viable home or
third country market during the POR. Therefore, we based NV on CV. When
NV is based on CV, the NV LOT is that of the sales from which we derive
selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses and profit. See
Notice of Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
and Postponement of Final Determination: Fresh Atlantic Salmon from
Chile, 63 FR 2664 (Jan. 16, 1998), unchanged in Notice of Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Fresh Atlantic Salmon
From Chile, 63 FR 31411 (June 9, 1998). In accordance with 19 CFR
351.412(d), the Department will make its LOT determination under
paragraph (d)(2) of this section on the basis of sales of the foreign
like product by the producer or exporter. Because we based the selling
expenses and profit for Thai I-Mei on the weighted-average selling
expenses incurred and profits earned by the other respondents in the
administrative review, we are able to determine the LOT of the sales
from which we derived selling expenses and profit for CV.
Thai I-Mei reported that it made sales through six channels of
distribution in the United States; however, it stated that the selling
activities it performed did not vary by channel of distribution. Thai
I-Mei reported performing the following selling functions for sales to
its U.S. affiliate: order input/processing, providing direct sales
personnel, warranty service, freight and delivery services, and
packing. Accordingly, based on the core selling functions, we find that
Thai I-Mei performed sales and marketing, freight and delivery
services, and warranty services for sales to its U.S. affiliate.
Because Thai I-Mei's selling activities did not vary by distribution
channel, we preliminarily determine that there is one LOT in the U.S.
market.
As noted above, we find that Good Luck Product and Pakfood
performed the following core selling functions: sales and marketing,
freight and
[[Page 10677]]
delivery services, inventory maintenance and warehousing, and warranty
services. Further, although Good Luck Product and Pakfood performed
certain sales and marketing functions (e.g., sales forecasting/market
research, sales promotion/advertising/trade fairs, and retail displays)
and inventory maintenance and warehousing functions that Thai I-Mei did
not perform, we did not find these differences to be material selling
function distinctions significant enough to warrant a separate LOT.
Thus, we determine that the NV LOT for Thai I-Mei is the same as the
LOT of Thai I-Mei's CEP sales. Because Good Luck Product and Pakfood
only made sales at one LOT in their home markets, and there is no
additional information on the record that would allow for an LOT
adjustment, we determine that no LOT adjustment is warranted for Thai
I-Mei.
Regarding the CEP-offset provision, as described above, it is
appropriate only if the NV LOT is more remote from the factory than the
CEP LOT and there is no basis for determining whether the difference in
LOTs between NV and CEP affects price comparability. Because we find
that no difference in LOTs exists, we do not find that a CEP offset is
warranted for Thai I-Mei.
D. Cost of Production Analysis
Based on our analysis of the petitioner's allegations, we found
that there were reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that Good Luck
Product's and Pakfood's sales of frozen warmwater shrimp in the home
market were made at prices below their cost of production (COP).
Accordingly, pursuant to section 773(b) of the Act, we initiated sales-
below-cost investigations to determine whether Good Luck Product's and
Pakfood's sales were made at prices below their respective COPs. See
the Good Luck Product Cost Allegation and the Pakfood Cost Allegation.
1. Calculation of Cost of Production
In accordance with section 773(b)(3) of the Act, we calculated the
respondents' COPs based on the sum of their costs of materials and
conversion for the foreign like product, plus amounts for G&A expenses
and interest expenses (see ``Test of Comparison Market Sales Prices''
section below for treatment of home market selling expenses).
The Department relied on the COP data submitted by each respondent
in its most recent supplemental section D questionnaire response for
the COP calculation, except for the following instances where the
information was not appropriately quantified or valued:
a. Good Luck Product
1. We adjusted Good Luck Product's reported G&A expenses to exclude
an offset claimed for trade fair income because the cost of the
products sold was already deducted from the reported costs.
2. We adjusted the cost of sales denominator used to calculate the
G&A and financial expense ratios to deduct certain shrimp purchases
that were erroneously double-booked by Good Luck Product and removed
from the reported costs.
3. Good Luck Product did not remove packing costs from the
denominator used to calculate the G&A and financial expense ratios.
Therefore, we applied these rates to the reported cost of
manufacturing, including packing expenses.
Our revisions to Good Luck Product's COP data are discussed in the
Memorandum from Christopher Zimpo, Accountant, to Neal Halper,
Director, Office of Accounting, entitled ``Cost of Production and
Constructed Value Calculation Adjustments for the Preliminary Results--
Good Luck Product Co., Ltd.,'' dated February 28, 2007.
b. Pakfood
1. We adjusted the G&A expense ratios for Pakfood and its
affiliates Asia Pacific (Thailand) Company Limited and Takzin Samut
Company Limited to include a portion of the affiliate Okeanos Company
Limited's administrative expenses.
2. We adjusted Pakfood's G&A expense ratio to: (1) Exclude the
offset for the gain on the sale of marketable securities; and, (2)
include the G&A expenses and cost of sales of an affiliated producer in
the numerator and denominator. In addition, we excluded an offset to
Pakfood's G&A expenses for rental income received from an affiliated
producer.
3. Because Pakfood had net financial income, we did not include an
amount for financial expense for COP. This is in accordance with the
Department's practice of determining that, when a company earns enough
financial income that it recovers all of its financial expense, that
company did not have a resulting cost for financing during that period.
See Certain Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bars from Turkey; Preliminary
Results and Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 71 FR 26455, 26460 (May 5, 2006); Notice of Final Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Certain Softwood Lumber
Products From Canada, 70 FR 73437 (Dec. 12, 2005), and accompanying
Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comments 9 and 25.
Our revisions to Pakfood's COP data are discussed in the Memorandum
from Ernest Gziryan, Accountant, to Neal Halper, Director, Office of
Accounting, entitled ``Cost and Constructed Value Calculation
Memorandum for the Preliminary Results--Pakfood Public Company
Limited,'' dated February 28, 2007.
2. Test of Comparison Market Sales Prices
On a product-specific basis, we compared the adjusted weighted-
average COP to the home market sales of the foreign like product, as
required under section 773(b) of the Act, in order to determine whether
the sale prices were below the COP. For purposes of this comparison, we
used COP exclusive of selling and packing expenses. The prices
(inclusive of billing adjustments, where appropriate) were exclusive of
any applicable movement charges, rebates, discounts, and direct and
indirect selling expenses, and packing expenses, revised where
appropriate, as discussed below under the ``Price-to-Price
Comparisons'' section.
3. Results of the COP Test
Pursuant to section 773(b)(2)(C)(i) of the Act, where less than 20
percent of a respondent'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.'' Where 20 percent or more of a respondent's
sales of a given product during the POR were at prices less than COP,
we determined that such sales have been made in ``substantial
quantities.'' See section 773(b)(2)(C) of the Act. Further, the sales
were made within an extended period of time, in accordance with section
773(b)(2)(B) of the Act, because we examined below-cost sales occurring
during the entire POR. In such cases, because we compared prices to
POR-average costs, we also determined that such sales were not made at
prices which would permit recovery of all costs within a reasonable
period of time, in accordance with section 773(b)(2)(D) of the Act.
We found that, for certain specific products, more than 20 percent
of Good Luck Product's and Pakfood's sales were at prices less than the
COP and, in addition, such sales did not provide for the recovery of
costs within a reasonable period of time. We therefore excluded these
sales and used the remaining sales as the basis for determining NV, in
[[Page 10678]]
accordance with section 773(b)(1) of the Act.
For those U.S. sales of subject merchandise for which there were no
useable home market sales in the ordinary course of trade, we compared
EPs to CV in accordance with section 773(a)(4) of the Act. See
``Calculation of Normal Value Based on Constructed Value'' section
below.
E. Calculation of Normal Value Based on Comparison Market Prices
1. Good Luck Product
We based NV for Good Luck Product on delivered prices to
unaffiliated customers in the home market or prices to affiliated
customers in the home market that were determined to be at arm's
length. We made adjustments, where appropriate, to the starting price
for discounts and rebates. We made deductions, where appropriate, from
the starting price for inland freight expenses and warehousing
expenses, under section 773(a)(6)(B)(ii) of the Act.
We made adjustments for differences in costs attributable to
differences in the physical characteristics of the merchandise in
accordance with section 773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.411.
In addition, we made adjustments under section 773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the
Act and 19 CFR 351.410 for differences in circumstances of sale for
imputed credit expenses and bank charges.
Regarding credit expenses, Good Luck Product reported that it had
not received full payment for certain home market and U.S. sales.
Consequently, for the unpaid portion of these sales, we used a payment
date of February 28, 2007 (i.e., the date of the preliminary results),
and recalculated imputed credit expenses accordingly.
We also made adjustments in accordance with 19 CFR 351.410(e) for
indirect selling expenses incurred on comparison-market or U.S. sales
where commissions were granted on sales in one market but not the
other. Specifically, where commissions were granted in the U.S. market
but not in the comparison market, we made a downward adjustment to NV
for the lesser of: (1) The amount of commission paid in the U.S.
market; or, (2) the amount of indirect selling expenses incurred in the
comparison market. If commissions were granted in the comparison market
but not in the U.S. market, we made an upward adjustment to NV
following the same methodology.
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.
2. Pakfood
We based NV for Pakfood on ex-factory or delivered prices to
unaffiliated customers in the home market or prices to affiliated
customers in the home market that were determined to be at arm's
length. We made deductions, where appropriate, from the starting price
for inland freight and warehousing expenses, under section
773(a)(6)(B)(ii) of the Act.
Regarding warehousing expenses, Pakfood reported that certain of
these services were provided by an affiliated party. At verification,
we tested the warehousing expenses charged by the affiliated party to
determine whether the prices charged were at ``arm's length.'' Where we
found that the prices were not at arm's length, we adjusted them to be
equivalent to the market price. For further discussion, see the
``Pakfood Verification Report.''
We made adjustments for differences in costs attributable to
differences in the physical characteristics of the merchandise in
accordance with section 773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.411.
In addition, we made adjustments under section 773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the
Act and 19 CFR 351.410 for differences in circ