Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 10680-10689 [E7-4279]
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10680
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 46 / Friday, March 9, 2007 / Notices
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entered, or withdrawn from warehouse,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
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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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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.
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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.
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did not receive responses to this
questionnaire from the remaining
companies.
Subsequently, the Department
received withdrawal requests with
respect to many of the companies.
However, based upon our consideration
of the responses to the quantity and
value questionnaire 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
request remained. As a result, on July
11, 2006, we selected the two largest
remaining producers/exporters by
export volume of certain frozen
warmwater shrimp from Brazil during
the POR, Aquatica and Compescal, as
the mandatory respondents in this
review. See 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 Brazil: Selection of
Respondents,’’ dated July 11, 2006. On
this same date, we issued the
antidumping questionnaire to Aquatica
and Compescal.
On July 20, 2006, we published a
notice rescinding the administrative
review with respect to 34 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 Brazil; Partial
Rescission of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review; 71 FR 41199
(July 20, 2006).
We received responses to section A of
the questionnaire from Aquatica and
Compescal on August 15, 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
Shipper Reviews, 71 FR 50387 (August
25, 2006).
On August 31, 2006, the petitioner
submitted comments regarding third
country market selection with respect to
Aquatica and the possible existence of
a ‘‘particular market situation’’ with
respect to Compescal.
We received responses to sections B
and C of the questionnaire from
Compescal and Aquatica on September
7 and 8, 2006, respectively.
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We issued supplemental
questionnaires to Aquatica and
Compescal on September 28, 2006, and
received responses on October 20, 2006.
On November 1, 2006, the petitioner
submitted additional comments on the
appropriate comparison markets to be
used for Aquatica and Compescal.
On September 20, 2006, the petitioner
requested that the Department initiate a
sales–below-cost investigation of
Aquatica. On November 6, 2006, we
initiated this investigation. See
Memorandum to James Maeder,
Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations,
from The Team entitled ‘‘Petitioners’
Allegation of Sales Below the Cost of
Production for Aquatica Maricultura do
Brasil Ltda.,’’ dated November 6, 2006.
Also on November 6, 2006, we
determined that France constitutes the
appropriate comparison market with
respect to Aquatica. See Memorandum
to James Maeder, Director, Office 2, AD/
CVD Operations, from The Team
entitled ‘‘Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review on Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil
- Selection of the Appropriate Third
Country Market for Aquatica,’’ dated
November 6, 2006.
On November 9, 2006, we found that
a particular market situation does not
exist which would render Compescal’s
home market inappropriate for purposes
of determining NV in this review. See
Memorandum to James Maeder,
Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations,
entitled ‘‘Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review of Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil:
Home Market as Appropriate
Comparison Market for Comercio de
Pescado Aracatiense Ltda.,’’ dated
November 9, 2006.
On November 17, 2006, the petitioner
requested that the Department initiate a
sales–below-cost investigation of
Compescal. This investigation was
initiated on November 28, 2006. See
Memorandum to James Maeder,
Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations,
from The Team entitled ‘‘Petitioners’
Allegation of Sales Below the Cost of
Production for Comercio de Pescado
Aracatiense Ltda.,’’ dated November 28,
2006.
Aquatica and Compescal submitted
responses to section D of the
questionnaire on December 6 and 28,
2006, respectively. We issued a section
D supplemental questionnaire to
Aquatica on December 21, 2006, and to
Compescal on January 10, 2007. On
January 11 and 30, 2007, we received
responses to these supplemental
questionnaires from Aquatica and
Compescal, respectively. We issued a
second section D supplemental
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questionnaire to Aquatica on January
18, 2007, and received a response on
February 1, 2007.
On January 23, 2007, 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 (January 23, 2007).
Verifications were conducted in
January and February 2007. Sales
verification reports were issued on
February 23, 2007. Cost verification
reports will be issued following the
preliminary results.
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,3
shell–on or peeled, tail–on or tail–off,
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).
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
3 ‘‘Tails’’ in this context means the tail fan, which
includes the telson and the uropods.
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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.
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Partial Rescission of Review
On July 20, 2006, we published a
notice rescinding the administrative
review with respect to 34 companies for
which the petitioner and CIDA timely
withdrew their requests for an
administrative review, and because no
other interested party requested a
review for these companies, in
accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1).
See Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp
from Brazil; Partial Rescission of
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Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review; 71 FR 41199 (July 20, 2006).
Artico was inadvertently omitted from
the list of companies for which the
administrative review was rescinded in
July 2006. Artico has the same address
as Ortico, which was included in our
earlier rescission notice. Accordingly,
we consider Artico and Ortico to be the
same company.
In addition, as a result of additional
research, we confirmed that Marine
Maricultura do Nordeste SA, Marine
Maricultura do Nordeste and Marine
Maricultura Nordeste SA are, in fact, the
same company, and that the correct
company name is Marine Maricultura
do Nordeste SA, which is no longer in
business. We rescinded the
administrative review with respect to
Marine Maricultura do Nordeste in July
2006, as a result of the petitioner’s
timely withdrawal of the request for
review of this company.
For these reasons, we are also
preliminarily rescinding this review
with respect to Artico, Marine
Maricultura do Nordeste SA and Marine
Maricultura Nordeste SA.
facilities or employees, or significant
transactions between and among the
affiliated producers. Thus, there is no
potential for manipulation of price or
production if Aquatica and its affiliates
do not receive the same antidumping
duty rate. For further discussion, see the
Memorandum from Kate Johnson and
Rebecca Trainor, Senior Analysts, Office
2, to James Maeder, Director, Office 2,
entitled, ‘‘Whether to Collapse Aquatica
Maricultura do Brasil Ltda. with Its
Affiliated Producers/Exporters in the
2004–2006 Administrative Review on
Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from
Brazil,’’ dated February 28, 2007.
Aquatica’s Affiliated Parties
Aquatica has three affiliates involved
in the production and sale of the subject
merchandise, two of which exported
shrimp to the United States during the
POR. The third affiliate, Aquafeed,
which produces feed for larva and
shrimp and also sold some frozen
shrimp produced by Aquatica to France
during the POR, together with Aquatica,
submitted a consolidated questionnaire
response to the Department.4 In its
August 15 and October 20, 2006,
questionnaire responses, Aquatica
provided information regarding the
relationship between Aquatica and its
two affiliated producers/exporters of
subject merchandise at issue during the
POR. After an analysis of this
information, as well as information
obtained as a result of additional
research, we preliminarily determine
that, in accordance with 19 CFR
351.401(f), it is not appropriate to
collapse these affiliated entities for
purposes of this review because: 1) there
is no common ownership among the
companies; 2) no managerial employees
or board members of one firm are
associated with any of the other firms;
3) there is no sharing of sales
information, involvement in pricing and
production decisions, sharing of
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
Department requested that all
companies subject to review respond to
the Department’s quantity and value
questionnaire for purposes of mandatory
respondent selection. The original
deadline to file a response was April 28,
2006. Of the 11 companies subject to
review,5 two companies did not respond
to the Department’s requests for
information: SM Pescados Industria
Comercio E Exportacao Ltda. and
Valenca da Bahia Maricultura.
Subsequently in May 2006, the
Department issued letters to these
companies affording them a second
opportunity to submit a response to the
Department’s quantity and value
questionnaire. However, these
companies also failed to respond to the
Department’s questionnaire after the
Department provided a second
opportunity. By failing to respond to the
Department’s quantity and value
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
4 Based on information submitted in Aquatica’s
questionnaire responses, as well as information
obtained at verification, we have accepted
Aquatica’s claim that its operations are intertwined
with those of Aquafeed such that they essentially
function as one company.
5 This figure does not include those companies
for which the Department rescinded this
administrative review in July 2006, as well as the
companies for which we are preliminarily
rescinding this administrative review, as discussed
above.
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companies did not respond to the
Department’s questionnaire, the
Department preliminarily finds that the
use of total facts available 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
(September 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 (August
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 SM Pescados
Industria Comercio E Exportacao Ltda.
and Valenca da Bahia Maricultura SA
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
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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
(November 7, 2006).
In order to ensure that the margin is
sufficiently adverse so as to induce
cooperation, we have preliminarily
assigned a rate of 349 percent, which is
the highest rate alleged in the petition.
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 (January 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 349 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
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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
based on a company’s uncharacteristic
business expense resulting in an
unusually high margin). In the instant
case, we examined whether any
information on the record would
discredit the selected rate as reasonable
facts available and 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 349 percent margin,
as alleged in the petition, is appropriate
as AFA. We are assigning this rate to SM
Pescados Industria Comercio E
Exportacao Ltda. and Valenca da Bahia
Maricultura SA. For company–specific
information used to corroborate this
rate, see the Memorandum to the File
from Kate Johnson and Rebecca Trainor,
Senior International Trade Compliance
Analysts, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations,
entitled ‘‘Corroboration of Data
Contained in the Petition for Assigning
Facts Available Rates in the 2004–2006
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review of Certain Frozen Warmwater
Shrimp from Brazil,’’ dated February 28,
2007.
Comparisons to Normal Value
To determine whether sales of certain
frozen warmwater shrimp by Aquatica
and Compescal to the United States
were made at less than NV, we
compared EP to the NV, as described in
the ‘‘Export Price’’ and ‘‘Normal Value’’
sections of this notice.
Pursuant to section 777A(d)(2) of the
Act, 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.
With respect to Compescal, we
excluded certain home market sales
from our analysis which we verified
were either cancelled or outside the
ordinary course of trade. See
Memorandum to The File, from Kate
Johnson and Rebecca Trainor entitled
‘‘Calculation Memorandum for the
Preliminary Results for Comercio de
Pescado Aracatiense Ltda.
(Compescal),’’ (‘‘Compescal Calculation
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Memorandum’’) dated February 28,
2007, for further discussion.
Product Comparisons
In accordance with section 771(16) of
the Act, we considered all products
produced by Aquatica and Compescal
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 to sales made in the home market
for Compescal and France for Aquatica
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 to sales of the most similar
foreign like product made in the
ordinary course of trade. In making the
product comparisons, we matched
foreign like products based on the
physical characteristics reported by
Aquatica and Compescal 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.
With respect to sales comparisons
involving broken shrimp, we compared
Compescal’s sales of broken shrimp in
the home market to its sales of
comparable quality shrimp to the
United States. As Aquatica did not make
any sales of broken shrimp in its
comparison market, we compared
Aquatica’s U.S. sales of broken shrimp
to constructed value (‘‘CV’’).
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Export Price
For all U.S. sales made by Aquatica
and Compescal, 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
constructed export price (‘‘CEP’’)
methodology was not otherwise
warranted based on the facts of record.
A. Aquatica
We based EP on packed prices to the
first unaffiliated purchaser in the United
States. We made deductions from the
starting price for foreign inland freight,
insurance, foreign brokerage, port
handling and warehousing expenses,
where appropriate, in accordance with
section 772(c)(2)(A) of the Act. Aquatica
reported port handling expenses as
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direct selling expenses. We reclassified
these expenses as movement expenses
in accordance with our normal practice.
Based on our sales verification
findings, we made revisions to the
insurance expense reported for certain
U.S. sales. See Memorandum to The
File, from Kate Johnson and Rebecca
Trainor entitled ‘‘Aquatica Maricultura
do Brasil Ltda., Preliminary Results
Notes and Margin Calculation,’’ dated
February 28, 2007, (‘‘Aquatica
Calculation Memorandum’’) for further
discussion.
B. Compescal
We based EP on packed prices to the
first unaffiliated purchaser in the United
States. We made deductions from the
starting price for foreign inland freight,
insurance, and port expenses, where
appropriate, in accordance with section
772(c)(2)(A) of the Act.
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.
Because Compescal’s aggregate
volume of home market sales of the
foreign like product was greater than
five percent of its aggregate volume of
U.S. sales for the subject merchandise,
we determined that its home market was
viable. Therefore, we used home market
sales as the basis for NV in accordance
with section 773(a)(1)(B) of the Act. See
Memorandum to James Maeder,
Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations,
from The Team entitled ‘‘Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review of Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil:
Home Market as Appropriate
Comparison Market for Comercio de
Pescado Aracatiense Ltda.,’’ dated
November 9, 2006.
Furthermore, we determined that
Aquatica’s aggregate volume of home
market sales of the foreign like product
was insufficient to permit a proper
comparison with U.S. sales of the
subject merchandise. Therefore, with
respect to Aquatica, we used sales to
France, Aquatica’s largest third country
market, as the basis for comparison–
market sales in accordance with section
773(a)(1)(C) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.404. See Memorandum to James
Maeder, Director, Office 2, AD/CVD
Operations, from The Team entitled
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‘‘Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review on Certain Frozen Warmwater
Shrimp from Brazil - Selection of the
Appropriate Third Country Market for
Aquatica,’’ dated November 6, 2006.
B. 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 (November 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),6 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
6 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
(‘‘SG&A’’) expenses, and profit for CV, where
possible.
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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.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
1. Aquatica
Aquatica reported that it made EP
sales in the U.S. market through a single
channel of distribution (i.e., directly to
U.S. customers/distributors). We
examined the selling activities
performed for this channel and found
that Aquatica performed the following
selling functions: sales forecasting and
strategic and economic planning,
advertising and marketing, sales
promotion, packing, inventory
maintenance, order input/processing,
guarantees, and invoicing. These selling
activities can be generally grouped into
three core selling function categories for
analysis: 1) sales and marketing; 2)
inventory maintenance and
warehousing; and, 3) warranty and
technical support. Accordingly, based
on the core selling functions, we find
that Aquatica performed sales and
marketing, inventory maintenance and
warehousing, and warranty and
technical support 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.
When NV is based on CV, as in this
case, the NV LOT is that of the sales
from which we derive 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 (January 16,
1998)). As discussed below, we based
the CV selling expenses and profit on
the weighted–average selling expenses
incurred and profits earned by two
respondents in the LTFV investigation.
We are unable to determine that the
LOT of the sales from which we derived
selling expenses and profit for CV is
different from the EP LOT. Further,
because NV is based on CV, there is
only one NV LOT, and there is
insufficient information on the record
that would enable us to determine that
an LOT adjustment is warranted.
Therefore, we have no basis upon which
to make an LOT adjustment to NV.
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2. Compescal
Compescal 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 Compescal
performed the following selling
functions: sales forecasting and
strategic/economic planning, packing,
verbal guarantees, freight and delivery
to port, and invoicing. These selling
activities can be generally grouped into
three core selling function categories for
analysis: 1) sales and marketing; 2)
freight and delivery services; and, 3)
warranty and technical support.
Accordingly, based on the core selling
functions, we find that Compescal
performed sales and marketing, freight
and delivery services, and warranty and
technical support 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,
Compescal made sales to final
consumers (restaurants and
individuals). Compescal stated that its
home market sales were made through
four channels of distribution: 1) ex–
factory; 2) delivery to the Fortaleza
business unit; 3) delivery to the
Fortaleza business unit and then to the
customer; and 4) delivery to the
Fortaleza business unit and then to the
airport. We examined the selling
activities performed for these channels,
and found that Compescal performed
the following selling functions: packing,
verbal guarantees, freight and delivery
(excluding ex–factory sales), and
invoicing. These selling activities can be
generally grouped into three core selling
function categories for analysis: 1) sales
and marketing; 2) freight and delivery
services; and, 3) warranty and technical
support. Accordingly, based on the core
selling functions, we find that
Compescal performed sales and
marketing and warranty and technical
support for all home market sales, and
freight and delivery services for certain
home market sales. We do not find that
the fact that freight and delivery
services are not provided for one
channel of distribution is sufficient to
distinguish it as a separate LOT.
Accordingly, 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
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10685
home markets during the POR were
made at the same LOT, and as a result,
no LOT adjustment was warranted.
C. 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 Aquatica’s and
Compescal’s sales of frozen warmwater
shrimp in the third country and home
market, respectively, were made at
prices below their COP. Accordingly,
pursuant to section 773(b) of the Act, we
initiated sales–below-cost investigations
to determine whether Aquatica’s and
Compescal’s sales were made at prices
below their respective COPs. See
Memorandum to James Maeder,
Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations,
from The Team entitled ‘‘Petitioners’
Allegation of Sales Below the Cost of
Production for Aquatica Maricultura do
Brasil Ltda.’’ dated November 6, 2006;
and Memorandum to James Maeder,
Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations,
from The Team entitled ‘‘Petitioners’
Allegation of Sales Below the Cost of
Production for Comercio de Pescado
Aracatiense Ltda.,’’ dated November 28,
2006.
1. Calculation of Cost of Production
In accordance with section 773(b)(3)
of the Act, we calculated the
respondents’ cost of production (‘‘COP’’)
based on the sum of their costs of
materials and conversion for the foreign
like product, plus amounts for general
and administrative (‘‘G&A’’) expenses
and interest expenses. See ‘‘Test of
Comparison Market Sales Prices’’
section below for treatment of home
market/third country 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. Aquatica
1. We disallowed Aquatica’s claimed
adjustment to its reported costs for
flood and virus losses because
Aquatica did not provide sufficient
evidence of flood losses and
because we determined that the
virus was not non–recurring,
unforeseen or otherwise
extraordinary.
2. We adjusted the cost of larva that
was purchased from Aquatica’s
affiliate to reflect the market value
of larva in accordance with section
773(f)(2) of the Act.
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Our revisions to Aquatica’s COP data
are discussed in the Memorandum from
James Balog, Senior Accountant, to Neal
Halper, Director, Office of Accounting,
entitled ‘‘Cost of Production and
Constructed Value Calculation
Adjustments for the Preliminary Results
- Aquatica Maricultura do Brasil Ltda.,’’
dated February 28, 2007.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
b. Compescal
1. We disallowed Compescal’s offset
to the POR larva laboratory and
farm costs for losses in productivity
experienced as a result of a viral
infection because we determined
that the virus was not non–
recurring, unforeseen, or otherwise
extraordinary.
2. We revised the reported total fixed
overhead costs to exclude only the
2004 and 2005 construction–inprogress costs that were actually
incurred and capitalized during the
POR.
3. We increased Compescal’s cost of
raw shrimp obtained from an
affiliated supplier to reflect the
market value of this input in
accordance with section 773(f)(2) of
the Act.
4. We revised Compescal’s reported
G&A expense rate calculation to
include the ‘‘revaluation of
depreciation expenses’’ that the
company recorded as an
administrative expense in their
records. In addition, we adjusted
the cost of goods sold denominator
of the calculation to reflect the same
basis as the total cost of
manufacturing to which the rate is
applied.
5. We adjusted the cost of goods sold
denominator of the financial
expense rate calculation to reflect
the same basis as the total cost of
manufacturing to which the rate is
applied.
Our revisions to Compescal’s COP data
are discussed in the Memorandum from
Heidi Schriefer, Senior Accountant, to
Neal Halper, Director, Office of
Accounting, entitled ‘‘Cost of
Production and Constructed Value
Calculation Adjustments for the
Preliminary Results - Comercio de
Pescado Aracatiense Ltda.,’’ 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 or
third country 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
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COP. For purposes of this comparison,
we used COP exclusive of selling and
packing expenses. The prices were
inclusive of interest revenue and
exclusive of any applicable movement
charges, discounts, and direct and
indirect selling expenses and packing
expenses, revised where appropriate.
With respect to Aquatica, we
reclassified certain expenses (i.e., port
handling and brokerage expenses) as
movement expenses because Aquatica
had incorrectly reported them as direct
selling expenses. Based on our sales
verification findings for Aquatica, we
made minor revisions to port handling
fees reported for certain third country
sales and to the calculation of indirect
selling expenses for all third country
sales. See Aquatica Calculation
Memorandum.
3. Results of the COP Test
In determining whether to disregard
home market or third country sales
made at prices below the COP, we
examined, in accordance with sections
773(b)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act: 1)
whether, within an extended period of
time, such sales were made in
substantial quantities; and 2) whether
such sales were made at prices which
permitted the recovery of all costs
within a reasonable period of time in
the normal course of trade. Where less
than 20 percent of the respondent’s
home market or third country sales of a
given product are at prices less than the
COP, we do not disregard any below–
cost sales of that product, because we
determine that in such instances the
below–cost sales were not made within
an extended period of time and in
‘‘substantial quantities.’’ Where 20
percent or more of a respondent’s sales
of a given product are at prices less than
the COP, we disregard the below–cost
sales because: 1) they were made within
an extended period of time in
‘‘substantial quantities,’’ in accordance
with sections 773(b)(2)(B) and (C) of the
Act, and 2) based on our comparison of
prices to the weighted–average COPs for
the POR, they were at prices which
would not permit the 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
Compescal’s home market 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
accordance with section 773(b)(1) of the
Act.
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We found that, for all products,
Aquatica’s third country 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
all third country sales and used CV as
the basis for determining NV, in
accordance with section 773(b)(1) of the
Act.
With respect to Compescal, 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 the CV in
accordance with section 773(a)(4) of the
Act. See ‘‘Calculation of Normal Value
Based on Constructed Value’’ section
below.
D. Calculation of Normal Value Based
on Comparison Market Prices
Compescal
We based NV for Compescal on
delivered, FOB port, FOB airport, or ex–
factory prices to unaffiliated customers
in the home market. We made
adjustments, where appropriate, to the
starting price for interest revenue. We
made deductions, where appropriate,
from the starting price for foreign inland
freight and warehousing expenses,
under section 773(a)(6)(B)(ii) of the Act.
We recalculated foreign inland freight
and warehousing expenses for all
comparison market sales consistent with
verification findings. See Compescal
Calculation Memorandum.
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 circumstance–
of-sale (‘‘COS’’) for imputed credit
expenses, courier fees and
documentation fees. We recalculated
courier fees for all U.S. sales based on
verification findings. We recalculated
home market credit expenses using a
publicly available average Brazilian
short–term lending rate relevant to the
POR, in accordance with the Import
Administration Policy Bulletin No. 98.2
(February 23, 1998), because Compescal
had no home market borrowings during
the POR. See Compescal Calculation
Memorandum.
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.
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E. 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
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 the CV.
Section 773(e) of the Act provides that
the 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 each respondent, we
calculated the cost of materials and
fabrication, G&A, and interest based on
the methodology described in the ‘‘Cost
of Production Analysis’’ section, above.
For Aquatica, because all of its
comparison–market sales failed the COP
test and, therefore, were outside the
ordinary course of trade, we cannot
determine selling expenses or 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 Aquatica did 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. Further, we cannot calculate
profit based on alternative (ii) of this
section without violating our
responsibility to protect respondent’s
administrative protective order (APO)
information because Compescal is the
only other respondent with viable home
market sales (19 CFR 351.405(b)
requires that a profit ratio under this
alternative be based solely on home
market sales). If we were to use
Compescal’s profit ratio exclusively
under this alternative, Aquatica would
be able to determine Compsecal’s
proprietary profit rate. Therefore, we
based Aquatica’s CV profit and selling
expenses on the third alternative, any
other reasonable method, in accordance
with section 773(e)(2)(B)(iii) of the Act.
As a reasonable method, we calculated
Aquatica’s CV profit and selling
expenses based on the weighted–
average selling expense and profit rates
derived from the comparison–market
data of the respondents in the previous
segment of this proceeding. See Notice
of Preliminary Determination of Sales at
Less Than Fair Value and Postponement
of Final Determination: Certain Frozen
and Canned Warmwater Shrimp from
Brazil, 69 FR 47081 (August 4, 2004),
and Memorandum from James Balog,
Senior Accountant, to Neal Halper,
Director, Office of Accounting, entitled
‘‘Cost of Production and Constructed
Value Calculation Adjustments for the
Preliminary Results - Aquatica
Maricultura do Brasil Ltda.,’’ dated
February 28, 2007. Pursuant to
alternative (iii), we have the option of
using any other reasonable method, as
long as the result is not greater than the
amount realized by exporters or
producers ‘‘in connection with the sale,
for consumption in the foreign country,
of merchandise that is in the same
general category of products as the
subject merchandise,’’ the ‘‘profit cap’’.
In the instant case, the profit cap cannot
be calculated using the available data
because using Compescal’s home market
data, the only information we have to
allow us to calculate the amount
normally realized by other exporters or
producers in connection with the sale,
for consumption in the home market, of
merchandise in the same general
category, would violate our
responsibility to protect the
respondent’s APO information.
Therefore, as facts available, we are
applying option (iii), without
quantifying a profit cap.
For Compescal, we based SG&A and
profit on the actual amounts incurred
and realized by Compescal in
connection with the production and sale
of the foreign like product in the
ordinary course of trade for
consumption in the comparison market,
in accordance with section 773(e)(2)(A)
of the Act.
We made adjustments to CV for each
respondent for differences in COS in
accordance with section 773(a)(8) of the
Act and 19 CFR 351.410. For
comparisons to EP for Compescal, we
made COS adjustments by deducting
direct selling expenses incurred on
home market sales from, and adding
U.S. direct selling expenses to, CV. For
comparisons to EP for Aquatica, we
made COS adjustments by deducting
direct selling expenses derived based on
the methodology discussed above, and
adding U.S. direct selling expenses to,
CV.
Currency Conversion
We made currency conversions into
U.S. dollars in accordance with section
773A of the Act and 19 CFR 351.415
based on the exchange rates in effect on
the dates of the U.S. sales as certified by
the Federal Reserve Bank.
Preliminary Results of the Review
We preliminarily determine that
weighted–average dumping margins
exist for the respondents for the period
August 4, 2004, through January 31,
2006, as follows:
Manufacturer/Exporter
Percent Margin
Aquatica Maricultura do Brasil Ltda./ Aquafeed do Brasil Ltda. .............................................................................
Comercio de Pescado Aracatiense Ltda. ................................................................................................................
55.05
23.11
Review–Specific Average Rate
Applicable to the Following
Companies:7
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Manufacturer/Exporter
Percent Margin
Amazonas Industrias Alimenticias ...........................................................................................................................
Bramex Brasil Mercantil S.A. ...................................................................................................................................
Guy Vautrin Importacao & Exportacao ....................................................................................................................
ITA Fish ...................................................................................................................................................................
JK Pesca Ltda. ........................................................................................................................................................
Lusomar Maricultura Ltda. .......................................................................................................................................
7 This rate is based on the weighted average of the
margins calculated for those companies selected for
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:24 Mar 08, 2007
Jkt 211001
individual review, excluding de minimis margins or
margins based entirely on AFA.
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48.13
48.13
48.13
48.13
48.13
48.13
10688
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 46 / Friday, March 9, 2007 / Notices
Manufacturer/Exporter
Percent Margin
Santa Lavinia Comercio E Exportacao Ltda. ..........................................................................................................
48.13
AFA Rate Applicable to the Following
Companies:
Manufacturer/Exporter
Percent Margin
SM Pescados Industria Comercio E Exportacao Ltda. ...........................................................................................
Valenca da Bahia Maricultura SA ...........................................................................................................................
Disclosure and Public Hearing
The Department will disclose to
parties the calculations performed in
connection with these preliminary
results within five days of the date of
publication of this notice. See 19 CFR
351.224(b). Interested parties may
submit cases briefs not later than 30
days after the date of issuance of the last
verification report in this case. Rebuttal
briefs, limited to issues raised in the
case briefs, may be filed not later than
35 days after the date of issuance of the
last verification report in this case.
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.
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. See 19 CFR 351.310(c). 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 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.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
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.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:24 Mar 08, 2007
Jkt 211001
For Aquatica and Compescal, because
they did not report the entered value of
their U.S. sales, 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.
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 (i.e., at or
above 0.50 percent). 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 (i.e., less
than 0.50 percent). 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
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
349.00
349.00
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.
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 7.05
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
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
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 46 / Friday, March 9, 2007 / Notices
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. E7–4279 Filed 3–8–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–552–802]
Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp
From the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam: Preliminary Results of the
First Administrative Review and New
Shipper Review
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
(‘‘the Department’’) is conducting an
administrative review and a new
shipper review of the antidumping duty
order on certain frozen warmwater
shrimp from the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam (‘‘Vietnam’’), both covering the
period of review (‘‘POR’’) of July 16,
2004, through January 1, 2006. As
discussed below, we preliminarily
determine that certain respondents in
these reviews (covering one new
shipper review and sixteen companies
subject to the administrative review) 1
have not made sales in the United States
at prices below normal value. If these
preliminary results are adopted in our
final results of review, we will instruct
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(‘‘CBP’’) to assess antidumping duties
on entries of subject merchandise
during the POR for which the importerspecific assessment rates are above de
minimis.
DATES: Effective Date: March 9, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nicole Bankhead (respondent Grobest),
and Matthew Renkey (respondent Fish
One), AD/CVD Operations, Office 9,
Import Administration, International
Trade Administration, U.S. Department
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
1 Further, we preliminarily determine to use total
adverse facts available to determine the rate for
eleven of the sixteen administrative review
companies and the Vietnam-wide entity.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:24 Mar 08, 2007
Jkt 211001
of Commerce, 14th Street and
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–9068
and (202) 482–2312, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
General Background
On February 1, 2005, the Department
published in the Federal Register the
antidumping duty order on frozen
warmwater shrimp from Vietnam. See
Notice of Amended Final Determination
of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and
Antidumping Duty Order: Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 70 FR
5152 (February 1, 2005) (‘‘VN Shrimp
Order’’). On January 31, 2006, we
received a request for a new shipper
review from Grobest & I-Mei Industrial
(Vietnam) Co., Ltd. (‘‘Grobest’’). On
February 1, 2006, the Department
published a notice of opportunity to
request an administrative review of the
antidumping duty order on frozen
warmwater shrimp from Vietnam for the
period July 16, 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, we received
requests to conduct administrative
reviews of 83 companies from the
Petitioner 2 in addition to requests by
certain Vietnamese companies. See
Notice of Initiation of Administrative
Reviews of the Antidumping Duty
Orders on Frozen Warmwater Shrimp
from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
and the People’s Republic of China, 71
FR 17813 (April 7, 2006)
(‘‘Administrative Review Initiation’’).
On March 17, 2006, the Department also
initiated a new shipper review with
respect to Grobest.3 On March 31, 2006,
the Department initiated an
administrative review of eighty-four 4
2 The Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade Action Committee is
the Petitioner.
3 See Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Initiation of New
Shipper Review, 71 FR 14834 (March 24, 2006)
(‘‘New Shipper Initiation’’).
4 AAAS Logistics, Agrimex, Amanda Foods
(Vietnam) Ltd.*, American Container Line, Angiang
Agricultural Technology Service Company, An
Giang Fisheries Import and Export Joint Stock
Company (Agifish), Aquatic Products Trading
Company*, Bac Lieu Fisheries Company Limited*,
Bentre Frozen Aquaproduct Exports, Bentre
Aquaproduct Imports & Exports, Cai Doi Vam
Seafood Import-Export Company (Cadovimex)*,
Camau Frozen Seafood Processing Import Export
Corporation (Camimex)*, Cam Ranh Seafoods
Processing Enterprise Company (Camranh
Seafoods)*, Cantho Animal Fisheries Product
Processing Export Enterprise (Cafatex)*, Can Tho
Agricultural Products, Can Tho Agricultural and
Animal Products Import Export Company (Cataco)*,
Can Tho Seafood Exports, Cautre Enterprises,
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
10689
producers/exporters of subject
merchandise from Vietnam. See
Administrative Review Initiation. On
May 31, 2006, the Department aligned
Grobest’s new shipper review with that
of Fish One based on a request from
Grobest.5
On July 27, 2006, in accordance with
section 351.213(d)(1) of the
Department’s regulations, we rescinded
the administrative review with respect
to sixty-eight companies. See Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Partial
Rescission of the First Administrative
Review, 71 FR 42628 (July 27, 2006)
(‘‘Rescission Notice’’). Therefore, these
Coastal Fishery Development, Coastal Fisheries
Development Corporation (Cofidec)*, C P Vietnam
Livestock Co. Ltd.*, C P Livestock, Cuu Long
Seaproducts Limited (Cuulong Seapro)*, Danang
Seaproducts Import Export Corporation (Seaprodex
Danang)*, Dong Phuc Huynh Frozen Seafoods Fty,
General Imports & Exports, Grobest & I Mei Industry
Vietnam, Hacota Hai Viet, Hai Thuan Export
Seaproducts Processing Co. Ltd., Hanoi Sea
Products Import Export Corporation*, Hoa Nam
Marine Agricultural, Hatrang Frozen Seaproduct
Fty, Investment Commerce Fisheries Corporation
(Incomfish)*, Kien Giang Sea Products Import—
Export Company (Kisimex)*, Kim Anh Co. Ltd.,
Khanh Loi Trading, Lamson Import-Export
Foodstuffs Corporation, Minh Hai Export Frozen
Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, Minh Hai
Export Frozen Seafoods Processing Joint Stock
Company (Minh Hai Jostoco)*, Minh Hai Joint
Stock Seafoods Processing Company (Seaprodex
Minh Hai)*, Minh Hai Sea Products Import Export
Company (Seaprimiex Co)*, Minh Phat Seafood*,
Minh Phu Seafood Corporation*, Minh Qui
Seafood*, Ngoc Sinh Seafoods*, Nha Trang
Company Limited, Nha Trang Fisheries Joint Stock
Company (Nhtrang Fisco)*, Nha Trang Fisheries Co.
Ltd., Nha Trang Seaproduct Company (Nhatrang
Seafoods)*, Pataya Food Industry (Vietnam) Ltd.*,
Phu Cuong Seafood Processing and Import Export
Company Ltd.*, Phuong Nam Co. Ltd.*, Phuong
Nam Seafood Co. Ltd., Saigon Orchide, Sao Ta
Foods Joint Stock Compay (Fimex VN)*, Seafood
Processing Imports Exports Vietnam, Seaprodex,
Sea Product, Sea Products Imports & Exports, Song
Huong ASC Import-Export Company Ltd.*, Song
Huong ASC Joint Stock Company, Soc Trang
Aquatic Products and General Import Export
Company (Stampimex)*, Soc Trang Aquatic
Products and General Import Export Company
(Stampimex)*, Sonacos, Special Aquatic Products
Joing Stock Company (Seaspimex), Tacvan Frozen
Seafoods Processing Export Company, Thami
Shipping & Airfreight, Thanh Long, Thanh Long,
Thien Ma Seafood, Tho Quang Seafood Processing
& Export Company, Thuan Phuoc Seafoods and
Trading Corporation*, Tourism Material and
Equipment Company (Matourimex Hochiminh City
Branch), Truc An Company, UTXI Aquatic Products
Processing Company*, Viet Foods Co. Ltd.*, Viet
Hai Seafoods Company Ltd. (Vietnam Fish One)*,
Vietnam Northern Viking Technologie Co. Ltd., Viet
Nhan Company*, Vilfood Co, Vinh Loi Import
Export Company (Vimexco)*, Vita, V N Seafoods.
(* these companies received a separate rate in the
prior segment (the less-than-fair value investigation)
of this proceeding.
5 See Letter from Grobest Re: Certain Frozen
Warmwater Shrimp from Vietnam: Grobest’s
Request for Alignment of New Shipper and
Administrative Reviews, dated May 15, 2006.
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[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 46 (Friday, March 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10680-10689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4279]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-351-838]
Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil: 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 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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) 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 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 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'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 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
[[Page 10681]]
did not receive responses to this questionnaire from the remaining
companies.
Subsequently, the Department received withdrawal requests with
respect to many of the companies. However, based upon our consideration
of the responses to the quantity and value questionnaire 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 request remained. As a result, on July 11, 2006, we
selected the two largest remaining producers/exporters by export volume
of certain frozen warmwater shrimp from Brazil during the POR, Aquatica
and Compescal, as the mandatory respondents in this review. See
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 Brazil: Selection of
Respondents,'' dated July 11, 2006. On this same date, we issued the
antidumping questionnaire to Aquatica and Compescal.
On July 20, 2006, we published a notice rescinding the
administrative review with respect to 34 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 Brazil; Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review; 71 FR 41199 (July 20, 2006).
We received responses to section A of the questionnaire from
Aquatica and Compescal on August 15, 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 Shipper Reviews, 71
FR 50387 (August 25, 2006).
On August 31, 2006, the petitioner submitted comments regarding
third country market selection with respect to Aquatica and the
possible existence of a ``particular market situation'' with respect to
Compescal.
We received responses to sections B and C of the questionnaire from
Compescal and Aquatica on September 7 and 8, 2006, respectively.
We issued supplemental questionnaires to Aquatica and Compescal on
September 28, 2006, and received responses on October 20, 2006.
On November 1, 2006, the petitioner submitted additional comments
on the appropriate comparison markets to be used for Aquatica and
Compescal.
On September 20, 2006, the petitioner requested that the Department
initiate a sales-below-cost investigation of Aquatica. On November 6,
2006, we initiated this investigation. See Memorandum to James Maeder,
Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations, from The Team entitled
``Petitioners' Allegation of Sales Below the Cost of Production for
Aquatica Maricultura do Brasil Ltda.,'' dated November 6, 2006.
Also on November 6, 2006, we determined that France constitutes the
appropriate comparison market with respect to Aquatica. See Memorandum
to James Maeder, Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations, from The Team
entitled ``Antidumping Duty Administrative Review on Certain Frozen
Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil - Selection of the Appropriate Third
Country Market for Aquatica,'' dated November 6, 2006.
On November 9, 2006, we found that a particular market situation
does not exist which would render Compescal's home market inappropriate
for purposes of determining NV in this review. See Memorandum to James
Maeder, Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations, entitled ``Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review of Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from
Brazil: Home Market as Appropriate Comparison Market for Comercio de
Pescado Aracatiense Ltda.,'' dated November 9, 2006.
On November 17, 2006, the petitioner requested that the Department
initiate a sales-below-cost investigation of Compescal. This
investigation was initiated on November 28, 2006. See Memorandum to
James Maeder, Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations, from The Team
entitled ``Petitioners' Allegation of Sales Below the Cost of
Production for Comercio de Pescado Aracatiense Ltda.,'' dated November
28, 2006.
Aquatica and Compescal submitted responses to section D of the
questionnaire on December 6 and 28, 2006, respectively. We issued a
section D supplemental questionnaire to Aquatica on December 21, 2006,
and to Compescal on January 10, 2007. On January 11 and 30, 2007, we
received responses to these supplemental questionnaires from Aquatica
and Compescal, respectively. We issued a second section D supplemental
questionnaire to Aquatica on January 18, 2007, and received a response
on February 1, 2007.
On January 23, 2007, 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 (January
23, 2007).
Verifications were conducted in January and February 2007. Sales
verification reports were issued on February 23, 2007. Cost
verification reports will be issued following the preliminary results.
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,\3\ shell-on or peeled,
tail-on or tail-off, deveined or not deveined, cooked or raw, or
otherwise processed in frozen form.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ ``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).
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
[[Page 10682]]
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
On July 20, 2006, we published a notice rescinding the
administrative review with respect to 34 companies for which the
petitioner and CIDA timely withdrew their requests for an
administrative review, and because no other interested party requested
a review for these companies, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1).
See Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil; Partial Rescission of
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 71 FR 41199 (July 20, 2006).
Artico was inadvertently omitted from the list of companies for
which the administrative review was rescinded in July 2006. Artico has
the same address as Ortico, which was included in our earlier
rescission notice. Accordingly, we consider Artico and Ortico to be the
same company.
In addition, as a result of additional research, we confirmed that
Marine Maricultura do Nordeste SA, Marine Maricultura do Nordeste and
Marine Maricultura Nordeste SA are, in fact, the same company, and that
the correct company name is Marine Maricultura do Nordeste SA, which is
no longer in business. We rescinded the administrative review with
respect to Marine Maricultura do Nordeste in July 2006, as a result of
the petitioner's timely withdrawal of the request for review of this
company.
For these reasons, we are also preliminarily rescinding this review
with respect to Artico, Marine Maricultura do Nordeste SA and Marine
Maricultura Nordeste SA.
Aquatica's Affiliated Parties
Aquatica has three affiliates involved in the production and sale
of the subject merchandise, two of which exported shrimp to the United
States during the POR. The third affiliate, Aquafeed, which produces
feed for larva and shrimp and also sold some frozen shrimp produced by
Aquatica to France during the POR, together with Aquatica, submitted a
consolidated questionnaire response to the Department.\4\ In its August
15 and October 20, 2006, questionnaire responses, Aquatica provided
information regarding the relationship between Aquatica and its two
affiliated producers/exporters of subject merchandise at issue during
the POR. After an analysis of this information, as well as information
obtained as a result of additional research, we preliminarily determine
that, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.401(f), it is not appropriate to
collapse these affiliated entities for purposes of this review because:
1) there is no common ownership among the companies; 2) no managerial
employees or board members of one firm are associated with any of the
other firms; 3) there is no sharing of sales information, involvement
in pricing and production decisions, sharing of facilities or
employees, or significant transactions between and among the affiliated
producers. Thus, there is no potential for manipulation of price or
production if Aquatica and its affiliates do not receive the same
antidumping duty rate. For further discussion, see the Memorandum from
Kate Johnson and Rebecca Trainor, Senior Analysts, Office 2, to James
Maeder, Director, Office 2, entitled, ``Whether to Collapse Aquatica
Maricultura do Brasil Ltda. with Its Affiliated Producers/Exporters in
the 2004-2006 Administrative Review on Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp
from Brazil,'' dated February 28, 2007.
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\4\ Based on information submitted in Aquatica's questionnaire
responses, as well as information obtained at verification, we have
accepted Aquatica's claim that its operations are intertwined with
those of Aquafeed such that they essentially function as one
company.
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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 Department requested that all companies subject to review respond
to the Department's quantity and value questionnaire for purposes of
mandatory respondent selection. The original deadline to file a
response was April 28, 2006. Of the 11 companies subject to review,\5\
two companies did not respond to the Department's requests for
information: SM Pescados Industria Comercio E Exportacao Ltda. and
Valenca da Bahia Maricultura. Subsequently in May 2006, the Department
issued letters to these companies affording them a second opportunity
to submit a response to the Department's quantity and value
questionnaire. However, these companies also failed to respond to the
Department's questionnaire after the Department provided a second
opportunity. By failing to respond to the Department's quantity and
value 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
[[Page 10683]]
companies did not respond to the Department's questionnaire, the
Department preliminarily finds that the use of total facts available is
appropriate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ This figure does not include those companies for which the
Department rescinded this administrative review in July 2006, as
well as the companies for which we are preliminarily rescinding this
administrative review, as discussed above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 (September 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 (August 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 SM Pescados Industria Comercio E Exportacao Ltda. and Valenca da
Bahia Maricultura SA 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
(November 7, 2006).
In order to ensure that the margin is sufficiently adverse so as to
induce cooperation, we have preliminarily assigned a rate of 349
percent, which is the highest rate alleged in the petition. 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 (January 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 349 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
based on a company's uncharacteristic business expense resulting in an
unusually high margin). In the instant case, we examined whether any
information on the record would discredit the selected rate as
reasonable facts available and 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 349 percent margin, as alleged
in the petition, is appropriate as AFA. We are assigning this rate to
SM Pescados Industria Comercio E Exportacao Ltda. and Valenca da Bahia
Maricultura SA. For company-specific information used to corroborate
this rate, see the Memorandum to the File from Kate Johnson and Rebecca
Trainor, Senior International Trade Compliance Analysts, Office 2, AD/
CVD Operations, entitled ``Corroboration of Data Contained in the
Petition for Assigning Facts Available Rates in the 2004-2006
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review of Certain Frozen Warmwater
Shrimp from Brazil,'' dated February 28, 2007.
Comparisons to Normal Value
To determine whether sales of certain frozen warmwater shrimp by
Aquatica and Compescal to the United States were made at less than NV,
we compared EP to the NV, as described in the ``Export Price'' and
``Normal Value'' sections of this notice.
Pursuant to section 777A(d)(2) of the Act, 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.
With respect to Compescal, we excluded certain home market sales
from our analysis which we verified were either cancelled or outside
the ordinary course of trade. See Memorandum to The File, from Kate
Johnson and Rebecca Trainor entitled ``Calculation Memorandum for the
Preliminary Results for Comercio de Pescado Aracatiense Ltda.
(Compescal),'' (``Compescal Calculation
[[Page 10684]]
Memorandum'') dated February 28, 2007, for further discussion.
Product Comparisons
In accordance with section 771(16) of the Act, we considered all
products produced by Aquatica and Compescal 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 to
sales made in the home market for Compescal and France for Aquatica
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 to sales of the most similar foreign
like product made in the ordinary course of trade. In making the
product comparisons, we matched foreign like products based on the
physical characteristics reported by Aquatica and Compescal 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.
With respect to sales comparisons involving broken shrimp, we
compared Compescal's sales of broken shrimp in the home market to its
sales of comparable quality shrimp to the United States. As Aquatica
did not make any sales of broken shrimp in its comparison market, we
compared Aquatica's U.S. sales of broken shrimp to constructed value
(``CV'').
Export Price
For all U.S. sales made by Aquatica and Compescal, 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 constructed
export price (``CEP'') methodology was not otherwise warranted based on
the facts of record.
A. Aquatica
We based EP on packed prices to the first unaffiliated purchaser in
the United States. We made deductions from the starting price for
foreign inland freight, insurance, foreign brokerage, port handling and
warehousing expenses, where appropriate, in accordance with section
772(c)(2)(A) of the Act. Aquatica reported port handling expenses as
direct selling expenses. We reclassified these expenses as movement
expenses in accordance with our normal practice.
Based on our sales verification findings, we made revisions to the
insurance expense reported for certain U.S. sales. See Memorandum to
The File, from Kate Johnson and Rebecca Trainor entitled ``Aquatica
Maricultura do Brasil Ltda., Preliminary Results Notes and Margin
Calculation,'' dated February 28, 2007, (``Aquatica Calculation
Memorandum'') for further discussion.
B. Compescal
We based EP on packed prices to the first unaffiliated purchaser in
the United States. We made deductions from the starting price for
foreign inland freight, insurance, and port expenses, where
appropriate, in accordance with section 772(c)(2)(A) of the Act.
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.
Because Compescal's aggregate volume of home market sales of the
foreign like product was greater than five percent of its aggregate
volume of U.S. sales for the subject merchandise, we determined that
its home market was viable. Therefore, we used home market sales as the
basis for NV in accordance with section 773(a)(1)(B) of the Act. See
Memorandum to James Maeder, Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations, from
The Team entitled ``Antidumping Duty Administrative Review of Certain
Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil: Home Market as Appropriate
Comparison Market for Comercio de Pescado Aracatiense Ltda.,'' dated
November 9, 2006.
Furthermore, we determined that Aquatica's aggregate volume of home
market sales of the foreign like product was insufficient to permit a
proper comparison with U.S. sales of the subject merchandise.
Therefore, with respect to Aquatica, we used sales to France,
Aquatica's largest third country market, as the basis for comparison-
market sales in accordance with section 773(a)(1)(C) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.404. See Memorandum to James Maeder, Director, Office 2, AD/CVD
Operations, from The Team entitled ``Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review on Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil - Selection of
the Appropriate Third Country Market for Aquatica,'' dated November 6,
2006.
B. 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 (November 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),\6\ 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).
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\6\ 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 (``SG&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
[[Page 10685]]
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.
1. Aquatica
Aquatica reported that it made EP sales in the U.S. market through
a single channel of distribution (i.e., directly to U.S. customers/
distributors). We examined the selling activities performed for this
channel and found that Aquatica performed the following selling
functions: sales forecasting and strategic and economic planning,
advertising and marketing, sales promotion, packing, inventory
maintenance, order input/processing, guarantees, and invoicing. These
selling activities can be generally grouped into three core selling
function categories for analysis: 1) sales and marketing; 2) inventory
maintenance and warehousing; and, 3) warranty and technical support.
Accordingly, based on the core selling functions, we find that Aquatica
performed sales and marketing, inventory maintenance and warehousing,
and warranty and technical support 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.
When NV is based on CV, as in this case, the NV LOT is that of the
sales from which we derive 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 (January 16, 1998)). As discussed below, we based the CV
selling expenses and profit on the weighted-average selling expenses
incurred and profits earned by two respondents in the LTFV
investigation. We are unable to determine that the LOT of the sales
from which we derived selling expenses and profit for CV is different
from the EP LOT. Further, because NV is based on CV, there is only one
NV LOT, and there is insufficient information on the record that would
enable us to determine that an LOT adjustment is warranted. Therefore,
we have no basis upon which to make an LOT adjustment to NV.
2. Compescal
Compescal 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 Compescal performed the following selling functions: sales
forecasting and strategic/economic planning, packing, verbal
guarantees, freight and delivery to port, and invoicing. These selling
activities can be generally grouped into three core selling function
categories for analysis: 1) sales and marketing; 2) freight and
delivery services; and, 3) warranty and technical support. Accordingly,
based on the core selling functions, we find that Compescal performed
sales and marketing, freight and delivery services, and warranty and
technical support 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, Compescal made sales to final
consumers (restaurants and individuals). Compescal stated that its home
market sales were made through four channels of distribution: 1) ex-
factory; 2) delivery to the Fortaleza business unit; 3) delivery to the
Fortaleza business unit and then to the customer; and 4) delivery to
the Fortaleza business unit and then to the airport. We examined the
selling activities performed for these channels, and found that
Compescal performed the following selling functions: packing, verbal
guarantees, freight and delivery (excluding ex-factory sales), and
invoicing. These selling activities can be generally grouped into three
core selling function categories for analysis: 1) sales and marketing;
2) freight and delivery services; and, 3) warranty and technical
support. Accordingly, based on the core selling functions, we find that
Compescal performed sales and marketing and warranty and technical
support for all home market sales, and freight and delivery services
for certain home market sales. We do not find that the fact that
freight and delivery services are not provided for one channel of
distribution is sufficient to distinguish it as a separate LOT.
Accordingly, 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.
C. 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
Aquatica's and Compescal's sales of frozen warmwater shrimp in the
third country and home market, respectively, were made at prices below
their COP. Accordingly, pursuant to section 773(b) of the Act, we
initiated sales-below-cost investigations to determine whether
Aquatica's and Compescal's sales were made at prices below their
respective COPs. See Memorandum to James Maeder, Director, Office 2,
AD/CVD Operations, from The Team entitled ``Petitioners' Allegation of
Sales Below the Cost of Production for Aquatica Maricultura do Brasil
Ltda.'' dated November 6, 2006; and Memorandum to James Maeder,
Director, Office 2, AD/CVD Operations, from The Team entitled
``Petitioners' Allegation of Sales Below the Cost of Production for
Comercio de Pescado Aracatiense Ltda.,'' dated November 28, 2006.
1. Calculation of Cost of Production
In accordance with section 773(b)(3) of the Act, we calculated the
respondents' cost of production (``COP'') based on the sum of their
costs of materials and conversion for the foreign like product, plus
amounts for general and administrative (``G&A'') expenses and interest
expenses. See ``Test of Comparison Market Sales Prices'' section below
for treatment of home market/third country 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. Aquatica
1. We disallowed Aquatica's claimed adjustment to its reported
costs for flood and virus losses because Aquatica did not provide
sufficient evidence of flood losses and because we determined that the
virus was not non-recurring, unforeseen or otherwise extraordinary.
2. We adjusted the cost of larva that was purchased from Aquatica's
affiliate to reflect the market value of larva in accordance with
section 773(f)(2) of the Act.
[[Page 10686]]
Our revisions to Aquatica's COP data are discussed in the Memorandum
from James Balog, Senior Accountant, to Neal Halper, Director, Office
of Accounting, entitled ``Cost of Production and Constructed Value
Calculation Adjustments for the Preliminary Results - Aquatica
Maricultura do Brasil Ltda.,'' dated February 28, 2007.
b. Compescal
1. We disallowed Compescal's offset to the POR larva laboratory and
farm costs for losses in productivity experienced as a result of a
viral infection because we determined that the virus was not non-
recurring, unforeseen, or otherwise extraordinary.
2. We revised the reported total fixed overhead costs to exclude
only the 2004 and 2005 construction-in-progress costs that were
actually incurred and capitalized during the POR.
3. We increased Compescal's cost of raw shrimp obtained from an
affiliated supplier to reflect the market value of this input in
accordance with section 773(f)(2) of the Act.
4. We revised Compescal's reported G&A expense rate calculation to
include the ``revaluation of depreciation expenses'' that the company
recorded as an administrative expense in their records. In addition, we
adjusted the cost of goods sold denominator of the calculation to
reflect the same basis as the total cost of manufacturing to which the
rate is applied.
5. We adjusted the cost of goods sold denominator of the financial
expense rate calculation to reflect the same basis as the total cost of
manufacturing to which the rate is applied.
Our revisions to Compescal's COP data are discussed in the Memorandum
from Heidi Schriefer, Senior Accountant, to Neal Halper, Director,
Office of Accounting, entitled ``Cost of Production and Constructed
Value Calculation Adjustments for the Preliminary Results - Comercio de
Pescado Aracatiense Ltda.,'' 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 or third country 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 were inclusive of interest revenue and exclusive of any
applicable movement charges, discounts, and direct and indirect selling
expenses and packing expenses, revised where appropriate. With respect
to Aquatica, we reclassified certain expenses (i.e., port handling and
brokerage expenses) as movement expenses because Aquatica had
incorrectly reported them as direct selling expenses. Based on our
sales verification findings for Aquatica, we made minor revisions to
port handling fees reported for certain third country sales and to the
calculation of indirect selling expenses for all third country sales.
See Aquatica Calculation Memorandum.
3. Results of the COP Test
In determining whether to disregard home market or third country
sales made at prices below the COP, we examined, in accordance with
sections 773(b)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act: 1) whether, within an
extended period of time, such sales were made in substantial
quantities; and 2) whether such sales were made at prices which
permitted the recovery of all costs within a reasonable period of time
in the normal course of trade. Where less than 20 percent of the
respondent's home market or third country sales of a given product are
at prices less than the COP, we do not disregard any below-cost sales
of that product, because we determine that in such instances the below-
cost sales were not made within an extended period of time and in
``substantial quantities.'' Where 20 percent or more of a respondent's
sales of a given product are at prices less than the COP, we disregard
the below-cost sales because: 1) they were made within an extended
period of time in ``substantial quantities,'' in accordance with
sections 773(b)(2)(B) and (C) of the Act, and 2) based on our
comparison of prices to the weighted-average COPs for the POR, they
were at prices which would not permit the 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 Compescal's home market 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
accordance with section 773(b)(1) of the Act.
We found that, for all products, Aquatica's third country 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 all third country sales and used CV as the basis
for determining NV, in accordance with section 773(b)(1) of the Act.
With respect to Compescal, 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 the CV in accordance with
section 773(a)(4) of the Act. See ``Calculation of Normal Value Based
on Constructed Value'' section below.
D. Calculation of Normal Value Based on Comparison Market Prices
Compescal
We based NV for Compescal on delivered, FOB port, FOB airport, or
ex-factory prices to unaffiliated customers in the home market. We made
adjustments, where appropriate, to the starting price for interest
revenue. We made deductions, where appropriate, from the starting price
for foreign inland freight and warehousing expenses, under section
773(a)(6)(B)(ii) of the Act. We recalculated foreign inland freight and
warehousing expenses for all comparison market sales consistent with
verification findings. See Compescal Calculation Memorandum.
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 circumstance-of-sale
(``COS'') for imputed credit expenses, courier fees and documentation
fees. We recalculated courier fees for all U.S. sales based on
verification findings. We recalculated home market credit expenses
using a publicly available average Brazilian short-term lending rate
relevant to the POR, in accordance with the Import Administration
Policy Bulletin No. 98.2 (February 23, 1998), because Compescal had no
home market borrowings during the POR. See Compescal Calculation
Memorandum.
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.
[[Page 10687]]
E. 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 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 the CV.
Section 773(e) of the Act provides that the 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 each respondent, we calculated the cost of materials and
fabrication, G&A, and interest based on the methodology described in
the ``Cost of Production Analysis'' section, above.
For Aquatica, because all of its comparison-market sales failed the
COP test and, therefore, were outside the ordinary course of trade, we
cannot determine selling expenses or 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
Aquatica did 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. Further, we cannot
calculate profit based on alternative (ii) of this section without
violating our responsibility to protect respondent's administrative
protective order (APO) information because Compescal is the only other
respondent with viable home market sales (19 CFR 351.405(b) requires
that a profit ratio under this alternative be based solely on home
market sales). If we were to use Compescal's profit ratio exclusively
under this alternative, Aquatica would be able to determine Compsecal's
proprietary profit rate. Therefore, we based Aquatica's CV profit and
selling expenses on the third alternative, any other reasonable method,
in accordance with section 773(e)(2)(B)(iii) of the Act. As a
reasonable method, we calculated Aquatica's CV profit and selling
expenses based on the weighted-average selling expense and profit rates
derived from the comparison-market data of the respondents in the
previous segment of this proceeding. See Notice of Preliminary
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Postponement of
Final Determination: Certain Frozen and Canned Warmwater Shrimp from
Brazil, 69 FR 47081 (August 4, 2004), and Memorandum from James Balog,
Senior Accountant, to Neal Halper, Director, Office of Accounting,
entitled ``Cost of Production and Constructed Value Calculation
Adjustments for the Preliminary Results - Aquatica Maricultura do
Brasil Ltda.,'' dated February 28, 2007. Pursuant to alternative (iii),
we have the option of using any other reasonable method, as long as the
result is not greater than the amount realized by exporters or
producers ``in connection with the sale, for consumption in the foreign
country, of merchandise that is in the same general category of
products as the subject merchandise,'' the ``profit cap''. In the
instant case, the profit cap cannot be calculated using the available
data because using Compescal's home market data, the only information
we have to allow us to calculate the amount normally realized by other
exporters or producers in connection with the sale, for consumption in
the home market, of merchandise in the same general category, would
violate our responsibility to protect the respondent's APO information.
Therefore, as facts available, we are applying option (iii), without
quantifying a profit cap.
For Compescal, we based SG&A and profit on the actual amounts
incurred and realized by Compescal in connection with the production
and sale of the foreign like product in the ordinary course of trade
for consumption in the comparison market, in accordance with section
773(e)(2)(A) of the Act.
We made adjustments to CV for each respondent for differences in
COS in accordance with section 773(a)(8) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.410.
For comparisons to EP for Compescal, we made COS adjustments by
deducting direct selling expenses incurred on home market sales from,
and adding U.S. direct selling expenses to, CV. For comparisons to EP
for Aquatica, we made COS adjustments by deducting direct selling
expenses derived based on the methodology discussed above, and adding
U.S. direct selling expenses to, CV.
Currency Conversion
We made currency conversions into U.S. dollars in accordance with
section 773A of the Act and 19 CFR 351.415 based on the exchange rates
in effect on the dates of the U.S. sales as certified by the Federal
Reserve Bank.
Preliminary Results of the Review
We preliminarily determine that weighted-average dumping margins
exist for the respondents for the period August 4, 2004, through
January 31, 2006, as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer/Exporter Percent Margin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aquatica Maricultura do Brasil Ltda./ 55.05
Aquafeed do Brasil Ltda.................
Comercio de Pescado Aracatiense Ltda..... 23.11
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Review-Specific Average Rate Applicable to the Following Companies:\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ This rate is based on the weighted average of the margins
calculated for those companies selected for individual review,
excluding de minimis margins or margins based entirely on AFA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer/Exporter Percent Margin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amazonas Industrias Alimenticias......... 48.13
Bramex Brasil Mercantil S.A.............. 48.13
Guy Vautrin Importacao & Exportacao...... 48.13
ITA Fish................................. 48.13
JK Pesca Ltda............................ 48.13
Lusomar Maricultura Ltda................. 48.13
[[Page 10688]]
Santa Lavinia Comercio E Exportacao Ltda. 48.13
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFA Rate Applicable to the Following Companies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer/Exporter Percent Margin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SM Pescados Industria Comercio E 349.00
Exportacao Ltda.........................
Valenca da Bahia Maricultura SA.......... 349.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclosure and Public Hearing
The Department will disclose to parties the calculations performed
in connection with these preliminary results within five days of the
date of publication of this notice. See 19 CFR 351.224(b). Interested
parties may submit cases briefs not later than 30 days after the date
of issuance of the last verification report in this case. Rebuttal
briefs, limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may be filed not
later than 35 days after the date of issuance of the last verification
report in this case. 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.
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. See 19 CFR
351.310(c). 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 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 Aquatica and Compescal, because they did not report the entered
value of their U.S. sales, 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. 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 (i.e., at or above 0.50 percent). 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 (i.e., less than 0.50 percent). 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.
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 7.05 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
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
[[Page 10689]]
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. E7-4279 Filed 3-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S