Floor-Standing, Metal-Top Ironing Tables and Certain Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 52277-52282 [E8-20921]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• International Trade Administration

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52277-52282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20921]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-570-888]


Floor-Standing, Metal-Top Ironing Tables and Certain Parts 
Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of 
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: In response to requests from interested parties, the 
Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is conducting an 
administrative review of the antidumping duty order on floor-standing, 
metal-top ironing tables and certain parts thereof from the People's 
Republic of China (``PRC''). The period of review (``POR'') is August 
1, 2006, through July 31, 2007. We have preliminarily determined that 
Since Hardware (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. (``Since Hardware''), has made 
sales to the United States of the subject merchandise at prices below 
normal value and that Forever Holdings Limited (``Forever Holdings'') 
has not sold merchandise to the United States at prices below normal 
value. We invite interested parties to comment on these preliminary 
results. Parties filing comments are requested to submit with each 
argument (1) a statement of the issue and (2) a brief summary of the 
argument(s).

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 9, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael J. Heaney or Robert James, AD/
CVD Operations, Office 7, Import Administration, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-
4475 or (202) 482-0649, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 6, 2004, the Department published in the Federal Register 
the antidumping duty order regarding floor-standing, metal-top ironing 
tables and certain parts thereof (``ironing tables'') from the PRC. See 
Notice of Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value 
and Antidumping Duty Order: Floor-Standing, Metal-Top Ironing Tables 
and Certain Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China, 69 FR 
47868 (August 6, 2004) (Ironing Tables Order).
    On August 2, 2007, the Department published a notice of opportunity 
to request an administrative review of the antidumping duty order of 
ironing tables from the People's Republic of China. See Antidumping or 
Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; 
Opportunity to Request Administrative Review, 72 FR 42383 (August 2, 
2007). On August 30, 2007, Home Products International (the Petitioner 
in this proceeding) requested, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(b)(2), 
that the Department conduct a administrative review of this order for 
Since Hardware. On August 31, 2007, Since Hardware and Forever Holdings 
requested administrative reviews of their sales under the antidumping 
duty order. On September 25, 2007, the Department initiated an 
administrative review of Since Hardware and Forever Holdings. See 
Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative 
Reviews and Requests for Revocation in Part, 72 FR 54428 (September 25, 
2007).
    On April 21, 2008, in accordance with section 751(a)(3)(A) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (``the Act''), and 19 CFR 351.213(h)(2), 
the Department extended the deadline for the preliminary results of 
review until September 2, 2008. See Floor-Standing, Metal-Top Ironing 
Tables and Parts Thereof from the People's Republic of China: Extension 
of the Time Limit for the Preliminary Results of the 2006/2007 
Administrative Review, 73 FR 21317 (April 21, 2008).
    On March 3, 2008, we invited interested parties to comment on the 
Department's surrogate country selection and to submit publicly 
available information to value the factors of production. On April 24, 
2008, we extended the period for filing surrogate value and factor of 
production comments in this review until June 6, 2008. On June 6, 2008, 
Since Hardware, Forever Holdings, and the Petitioner each submitted 
comments concerning surrogate values and factors of production.
    The Department received timely filed original and supplemental 
questionnaire responses from both Since Hardware and Forever Holdings.

Scope of the Order

    For purposes of this order, the product covered consists of floor-
standing, metal-top ironing tables, assembled or unassembled, complete 
or incomplete, and certain parts thereof. The subject tables are 
designed and used principally for the hand ironing or pressing of 
garments or other articles of fabric. The subject tables have full-
height leg assemblies that support the ironing surface at an 
appropriate (often adjustable) height above the floor. The subject 
tables are produced in a variety of leg finishes, such as painted, 
plated, or matte, and they are available with various features, 
including iron rests, linen racks, and others. The subject ironing 
tables may be sold with or without a pad and/or cover. All types and 
configurations of floor-standing, metal-top ironing tables are covered 
by this review.
    Furthermore, this order specifically covers imports of ironing 
tables, assembled or unassembled, complete or incomplete, and certain 
parts thereof. For purposes of this order, the term ``unassembled'' 
ironing table means a product requiring the attachment of the leg 
assembly to the top or the attachment of an included feature such as an 
iron rest or linen rack. The term ``complete'' ironing table means 
product sold as a ready-to-use ensemble consisting of the metal-top 
table and a pad and cover, with or without

[[Page 52278]]

additional features, e.g., iron rest or linen rack. The term 
``incomplete'' ironing table means product shipped or sold as a ``bare 
board'' i.e., a metal-top table only, without the pad and cover with or 
without additional features, e.g., iron rest or linen rack. The major 
parts or components of ironing tables that are intended to be covered 
by this order under the term ``certain parts thereof'' consist of the 
metal top component (with or without assembled supports and slides) 
and/or the leg components, whether or not attached together as a leg 
assembly. The order covers separately shipped metal top components and 
leg components, without regard to whether the respective quantities 
would yield an exact quantity of assembled ironing tables.
    Ironing tables without legs (such as models that mount on walls or 
over doors) are not floor-standing and are specifically excluded. 
Additionally, tabletop or countertop models with short legs that do not 
exceed 12 inches in length (and which may or may not collapse or 
retract) are specifically excluded.
    The subject ironing tables were previously classified under 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS'') subheading 
9403.20.0010. Effective July 1, 2003, the subject ironing tables are 
classified under new HTSUS subheading 9403.20.0011. The subject metal 
top and leg components are classified under HTSUS subheading 
9403.90.8040. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for 
convenience and for Customs and Border Protection (``CBP'') purposes, 
the Department's written description of the scope remains dispositive.

Non-Market-Economy Status

    Pursuant to section 771(18)(C)(i) of the Act, any determination 
that a foreign country is a Non-Market Economy (``NME'') shall remain 
in effect until revoked by the administering authority. In every case 
conducted by the Department involving the PRC, the PRC has been treated 
as an NME. See, e.g., Tapered Roller Bearings and Parts Thereof, 
Finished and Unfinished, From the People's Republic of China: 
Preliminary Results 2001-2002 Administrative Review and Partial 
Rescission of Review, 68 FR 7500, 7500-01 (February 14, 2003), 
unchanged in Tapered Roller Bearings and Parts Thereof, Finished and 
Unfinished, from the People's Republic of China: Final Results of 2001-
2002 Administrative Review and Partial Rescission of Review, 68 FR 
70488 (December 18, 2003). None of the parties to these reviews has 
contested such treatment. Accordingly, we calculated normal value 
(``NV'') in accordance with section 773(c) of the Act, which applies to 
NME countries.

Separate Rates

    In proceedings involving NME countries, the Department begins with 
a rebuttable presumption that all companies within the country are 
subject to government control and, thus, should be assigned a single 
antidumping duty rate unless an exporter can affirmatively demonstrate 
an absence of government control, both in law (``de jure'') and in fact 
(``de facto''), with respect to its export activities. See Notice of 
Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Sparklers from 
the People's Republic of China, 56 FR 20588 at Comment 1 (May 6, 1991) 
(``Sparklers''). In this review, Since Hardware and Forever Holdings 
submitted information in support of their respective claims for a 
company-specific rate.
    Accordingly, we have considered whether Since Hardware and Forever 
Holdings are independent from government control, and therefore 
eligible for a separate rate. The Department's separate-rate test to 
determine whether the exporters are independent from government control 
does not consider, in general, macroeconomic/border-type controls, 
e.g., export licenses, quotas, and minimum export prices, particularly 
if these controls are imposed to prevent dumping. See Notice of Final 
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Certain Preserved 
Mushrooms from the People's Republic of China, 63 FR 72255, 72256 
(December 31, 1998). The test focuses, rather, on controls over the 
investment, pricing, and output decision making process at the 
individual firm level. See, e.g., Notice of Final Determination of 
Sales at Less than Fair Value: Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate 
from Ukraine, 62 FR 61754, 61758 (November 19, 1997), see also Tapered 
Roller Bearings and Parts Thereof, Finished and Unfinished, From the 
People's Republic of China; Final Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Review, 62 FR 61276, 61279 (November 17, 1997).
    To establish whether a firm is sufficiently independent from 
government control of its export activities to be entitled to a 
separate rate, the Department analyzes each entity exporting the 
subject merchandise under a test arising from Sparklers, further 
discussed in Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair 
Value: Silicon Carbide from the People's Republic of China, 59 FR 
22585, 22586-87 (May 2, 1994) (``Silicon Carbide''). In accordance with 
the separate-rates criteria, the Department assigns separate rates in 
NME cases only if respondents can demonstrate the absence of both de 
jure and de facto government control over export activities. See 
Sparklers, 56 FR 20588 at Comment 1, and Silicon Carbide, 56 FR at 
22586.
    Since Hardware and Forever Holdings provided complete separate-rate 
information in their respective responses to our original and 
supplemental questionnaires. Accordingly, we performed a separate-rates 
analysis to determine whether both Since Hardware and Forever Holdings 
are independent from government control.

Absence of De Jure Control

    The Department considers the following de jure criteria in 
determining whether an individual company may be granted a separate 
rate: (1) an absence of restrictive stipulations associated with an 
individual exporter's business and export licenses; (2) any legislative 
enactments decentralizing control of companies; and (3) other formal 
measures by the government decentralizing control of companies. See 
Sparklers, 56 FR 20588 at Comment 1. As discussed below, our analysis 
shows that the evidence on the record supports a preliminary finding of 
an absence of de jure government control for both Since Hardware and 
Forever Holdings based on each of these factors.
    Since Hardware and Forever Holdings have placed on the record a 
number of documents to demonstrate absence of de jure control, 
including documentation substantiating their claims that both are 
wholly foreign-owned enterprises registered in China. This 
documentation includes the ``Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic 
of China'' (May 12, 1994) (``Foreign Trade Law''), and ``Administrative 
Regulations of the People's Republic of China Governing the 
Registration of Legal Corporations'' (June 3, 1988) (``Legal 
Corporations Regulations''). See Since Hardware's Section A 
questionnaire response dated October 25, 2007 (``Since Hardware Section 
A'') at Exhibits A-2 and A-5; see also Forever Holdings October 25, 
2007 questionnaire response (``Forever Holdings Section A'') at 
Exhibits A-2 and A-5. Both Since Hardware and Forever Holdings also 
submitted copies of their respective business licenses. Since 
Hardware's business license was issued by the Guangzhou Municipal 
Industrial and Commercial Administration. See Since Hardware

[[Page 52279]]

Section A at Exhibit A-4. Forever Holdings business license was issued 
by the Foshun City Shunde District and Industrial and Commercial 
Administration Bureau. See Forever Holdings Section A at Exhibits 3 and 
4. Since Hardware and Forever Holdings both indicated their respective 
business licenses require that they maintain sufficient capital and 
operating capacity to engage in normal business operations and that 
only the company to which the business license was issued may use the 
business license. See Since Hardware Section A at 4, and Forever 
Holdings Section A at 7. Also, Since Hardware and Forever Holdings both 
affirmed there are no limitations imposed on company operations by the 
business license. See Since Hardware Section A at 5, and Forever 
Holdings Section A at 8. The business licenses of both Since Hardware 
and Forever Holdings may be revoked only if a situation arises where, 
consistent with Article 30 of the Legal Corporations Regulations, Since 
Hardware or Forever Holdings engage in prohibited activities or possess 
insufficient business capital. Further, both Since Hardware and Forever 
Holdings stated that to obtain a renewal of their respective business 
licenses, they each must submit balance sheets and profit and loss 
(``P&L'') statements to the issuing authority. Id.
    Forever Holdings has placed on the record the Foreign Trade Law. 
See Forever Holdings Section A at Exhibit 2. Both Since Hardware and 
Forever Holdings contend that this law allows them full autonomy from 
the central authority in governing their business operations. See Since 
Hardware Section A at 3, and Forever Holdings Section A at 4-6. We have 
reviewed Article 11 of Chapter II of the Foreign Trade Law, which 
states, ``foreign trade dealers shall enjoy full autonomy in their 
business operation and be responsible for their own profits and losses 
in accordance with the law.'' As in prior cases, we have analyzed such 
PRC laws and found they establish an absence of de jure control. See, 
e.g., Preliminary Results of New Shipper Review: Certain Preserved 
Mushrooms From the People's Republic of China, 66 FR 30695, 30696 (June 
7, 2001), unchanged in Final Results of New Shipper Review: Certain 
Preserved Mushrooms From the People's Republic of China, 66 FR 45006 
(August 27, 2001). Therefore, we preliminarily determine that there is 
an absence of de jure control over the export activities of both Since 
Hardware and Forever Holdings.

Absence of De Facto Control

    As stated in previous cases, there is some evidence that certain 
enactments of the PRC central government have not been implemented 
uniformly among different sectors and/or jurisdictions in the PRC. See 
Sparklers, 56 FR at 20589. Therefore, the Department has determined 
that an analysis of de facto control is critical in determining whether 
respondents are, in fact, subject to a degree of government control 
which would preclude the Department from assigning separate rates. See 
id.
    Typically, the Department considers four factors in evaluating 
whether a respondent is subject to de facto government control of its 
export functions: (1) whether the export prices are set by, or subject 
to, the approval of a government authority; (2) whether the respondent 
has authority to negotiate and sign contracts and other agreements; (3) 
whether the respondent has autonomy from the government in making 
decisions regarding the selection of its management; and (4) whether 
the respondent retains the proceeds of its export sales and makes 
independent decisions regarding disposition of profits or financing of 
losses. See id.
    Since Hardware and Forever Holdings have asserted the following: 
(1) they are both wholly foreign-owned companies; (2) there is no 
government participation in the setting of export prices; (3) company 
management has the authority to enter into sales contracts; (4) the 
companies' owner appoints the company's management and do not have to 
notify government authorities of their management selections; (5) there 
are no restrictions on the use of the companies' export revenue; and 
(6) the companies' board of directors decide how profits will be used. 
See Since Hardware Section A at 3-9, and Forever Holdings Section A at 
3-11. We have examined the documentation provided by Since Hardware and 
Forever Holdings and note no discrepancies between the information on 
the record and the two companies' statements on the record with respect 
to de facto control over its export activities.
    Consequently, because evidence on the record indicates an absence 
of government control, both in law and in fact, over the export 
activities of both Since Hardware and Forever Holdings, we 
preliminarily determine that both Since Hardware and Forever Holdings 
have met the criteria for the application of a separate rate.

Fair Value Comparisons

    To determine whether respondents' sales of the subject merchandise 
to the United States were made at prices below normal value, we 
compared their United States prices to normal values, as described in 
the ``U.S. Price'' and ``Normal Value'' sections of this notice. See 
section 773(a) of the Act.

U.S. Price

Export Price

    We based U.S. price for both Since Hardware and Forever Holdings on 
export price (``EP'') in accordance with section 772(a) of the Act, 
because the first sale to an unaffiliated purchaser was made prior to 
importation, and constructed export price (``CEP'') was not otherwise 
warranted by the facts on the record. We calculated EP based on the 
packed price from the exporter to the first unaffiliated customer in 
the United States. We deducted foreign inland freight, and foreign 
brokerage and handling expenses from the starting price (gross unit 
price), in accordance with section 772(c) of the Act. Also, for Since 
Hardware we added billing adjustments to the gross unit price, where 
applicable.
    Both Since Hardware and Forever Holdings incurred foreign inland 
freight and foreign brokerage and handling expenses from PRC service 
providers. We therefore valued these services using Indian surrogate 
values (see ``Factors of Production'' section below for further 
discussion).

Normal Value

Surrogate Country

    Section 773(c)(1) of the Act directs the Department to base NV on 
the NME producer's factors of production valued in a surrogate market 
economy country or countries if available information does not permit 
the calculation of NV pursuant to section 773(a) of the Act. In this 
instance such information is not available. Therefore, section 
773(c)(4) of the Act requires the Department to value an NME producer's 
factors of production based on the prices or costs of the factors of 
production, in one or more market-economy countries that to the extent 
possible are: (1) at a level of economic development comparable to that 
of the NME country; and (2) significant producers of comparable 
merchandise. India is among the countries comparable to the PRC in 
terms of overall economic development, as identified in the Memorandum 
from Carole Showers, Acting Director Office of Policy, to Scot 
Fullerton, Program Manager, AD/CVD Operations, Office 9,

[[Page 52280]]

dated February 28, 2008. See Memorandum to the File from Michael J. 
Heaney regarding Selection of a Surrogate Country in the Third 
Administrative Review of Floor-Standing, Metal-Top Ironing Tables and 
Parts Thereof from the People's Republic of China, dated September 2, 
2008 (``Surrogate Country Memorandum''). In addition, based on 
information from the investigation of ironing tables, India is a 
significant producer of comparable merchandise. See Notice of 
Initiation of Antidumping Investigation: Floor-Standing, Metal-Top 
Ironing Tables and Certain Parts Thereof from the People's Republic of 
China, 68 FR 44040, 44042 (July 25, 2003), unchanged in Notice of Final 
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Floor-Standing, Metal-
Top Ironing Tables and Certain Parts Thereof From the People's Republic 
of China, 69 FR 35296, 35297 (June 24, 2004).
    Accordingly, we selected India as the surrogate country for 
purposes of valuing the factors of production because it satisfies the 
Department's criteria for surrogate-country selection. See Surrogate 
Country Memorandum.

Market Economy Purchases

    Since Hardware purchased certain inputs used in the production of 
the subject merchandise from market economy (``ME'') suppliers and paid 
for these inputs in ME currencies. We used the weight-averaged ME 
prices paid by Since Hardware when the inputs were obtained from a ME 
supplier, paid for in a ME currency, and were a significant portion of 
the total purchases of that input. See 19 CFR 351.408(c)(1).
    Section IV of the Department's standard Section D questionnaire 
requires respondents to report for each raw material the percentage 
purchased from an ME country and the percentage purchased from an NME. 
In its responses to the Department, Since Hardware reported the 
percentages of each raw material purchased from ME countries and paid 
for in a ME currency. For each of the ME inputs purchased by Since 
Hardware during the POR, the Department found that the percentage 
purchased from ME suppliers constituted more than a third of the input 
utilized in production of the merchandise. Thus, consistent with the 
policy set forth in Antidumping Methodologies: Market Economy Inputs, 
Expected Non-Market Economy Wages, Duty Drawback; and Request for 
Comment, 71 FR 61716, 61718 (October 19, 2006) (``Antidumping 
Methodologies''), we used those ME purchases in our calculations. Due 
to the proprietary nature of Since Hardware's ME purchases and 
quantities, we are not able to discuss the details of these purchases 
here. For a complete discussion, see Memorandum from Michael J. Heaney 
regarding Since Hardware Analysis (``Since Hardware Analysis 
Memorandum'') dated September 2, 2008. As a result, the Department 
found that Since Hardware's ME purchases of cold rolled steel, hot 
rolled steel, steel wire rod, powder coating, cotton fabric, springs, 
bolts, center nail and nail heads, rivets, cartons, corrugated paper 
and labels were a meaningful portion of total purchases of that input. 
See Antidumping Methodologies, 71 FR at 61718. Therefore, in accordance 
with section 351.408(c)(1) of the Department's regulations, we have 
preliminarily valued these inputs using the actual ME prices paid.

Factors of Production

    In accordance with section 773(c) of the Act, we calculated NV 
based on the factors of production which included, but were not limited 
to: (A) hours of labor required; (B) quantities of raw materials 
employed; (C) amounts of energy and other utilities consumed; and (D) 
representative capital costs, including depreciation. We used the 
factors of production reported by the producers for materials, energy, 
labor, and packing. To calculate NV, we multiplied the reported unit 
factor quantities by publicly available values in the surrogate 
country, India.
    Since Hardware and Forever Holdings both reported by-product sales. 
With respect to the application of the by-product offset to normal 
value, consistent with the Department's determination in the 
investigation of Diamond Sawblades from the PRC, we will deduct the 
surrogate value from normal value because the surrogate financial 
statements on the record of this administrative review contain no 
references to the treatment of by-products and because Since Hardware 
and Forever Holdings reported that they sold their by-products. See 
Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Final Partial 
Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances: Diamond Sawblades 
and Parts Thereof from the People's Republic of China, 71 FR 29303 (May 
22, 2006) (``Diamond Sawblades from the PRC''), and accompanying Issues 
and Decision Memorandum at Comment 9, unchanged in Notice of Amended 
Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Diamond Sawblades 
and Parts Thereof from the People's Republic of China, 71 FR 35864 
(June 22, 2006). This is consistent with accounting principles based on 
a reasonable assumption that if a company sells a by-product, the by-
product necessarily incurs expenses for overhead, SG&A, and profit. Id.
    In selecting the surrogate Indian values, we considered the 
quality, specificity, and contemporaneity of the data, in accordance 
with our practice. See, e.g., Fresh Garlic From the People's Republic 
of China: Final Results of Antidumping Duty New Shipper Review, 67 FR 
72139 (December 4, 2002), and accompanying Issues and Decision 
Memorandum (``Garlic Decision Memorandum'') at Comment 6; see also 
Final Results of First New Shipper Review and First Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Review: Certain Preserved Mushrooms From the People's 
Republic of China, 66 FR 31204 (June 11, 2001), and accompanying Issues 
and Decision Memorandum at Comment 5. When we used publicly available 
import data from the Ministry of Commerce of India (``Indian Import 
Statistics'') for the POR to value inputs sourced domestically from PRC 
suppliers, we added to the Indian surrogate values a surrogate freight 
cost calculated using the shorter of the reported distance from the 
domestic supplier to the factory or the distance from the closest 
seaport to the factory. This adjustment is in accordance with the 
Federal Circuit's decision in Sigma Corp. v. United States, 117 F.3d 
1401, 1408 (Fed. Cir. 1997). When we used non-import surrogate values 
for factors sourced domestically by PRC suppliers, we based freight for 
inputs on the actual distance from the input supplier to the site at 
which the input was used. In addition, in instances where we relied on 
Indian import data to value inputs, in accordance with the Department's 
practice, we excluded imports from both NME countries and countries 
deemed to maintain broadly available, non-industry-specific subsidies 
which may benefit all exporters to all export markets (i.e., Indonesia, 
South Korea, and Thailand) from our surrogate value calculations. See, 
e.g., Tapered Roller Bearings and Parts Thereof, Finished and 
Unfinished, From the People's Republic of China; Final Results of 1999-
2000 Administrative Review, Partial Rescission of Review, and 
Determination Not to Revoke Order in Part, 66 FR 57420 (November 15, 
2001) and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 1; see 
also Factors of Production Valuation Memorandum for the Preliminary 
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review of Floor-

[[Page 52281]]

Standing, Metal-Top Ironing Tables and Certain Parts Thereof from the 
People's Republic of China, dated September 2, 2008 (``Factor Valuation 
Memorandum'') (for a complete discussion of the import data that we 
excluded from our calculation of surrogate values).
    Where we could not obtain publicly available information 
contemporaneous with the POR to value factors, we adjusted the 
surrogate values using the Indian Wholesale Price Index (``WPI'') as 
published in the International Financial Statistics of the 
International Monetary Fund, for those surrogate values in Indian 
rupees. We made currency conversions, where necessary, pursuant to 19 
CFR 351.415, to U.S. dollars using the daily exchange rate 
corresponding to the reported date of each sale. We relied on the daily 
exchange rates posted on the Import Administration website (https://
www.trade.gov/ia/).
    We valued the factors of production as follows:
    The Department used the Indian Import Statistics to value the raw 
material and packing material inputs Since Hardware and Forever 
Holdings used to produce the merchandise under review during the POR, 
except where noted below. Detailed descriptions of all surrogate values 
are discussed in the Factor Valuation Memorandum.
    To value water, we calculated the average rate of inside and 
outside industrial water rates from various regions as reported by the 
Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, https://midcindia.org, 
dated June 1, 2003. We inflated the value for water using the POR 
average WPI rate. See Factor Valuation Memorandum.
    We valued electricity using the 2000 electricity price in India 
reported by the International Energy Agency statistics for Energy 
Prices & Taxes, Second Quarter 2003. We inflated the value for 
electricity using the POR average WPI rate. See Factor Valuation 
Memorandum.
    We valued diesel using the rates provided by the OECD's 
International Energy Agency's publication: Key World Energy Statistics 
from 2004 and 2005. The prices are based on 2004 and 2005 first quarter 
prices of automotive diesel fuel retail prices. See Factor Valuation 
Memorandum.
    With respect to valuation of factory overhead, selling, general and 
administrative expenses, and profit, in the Final Results of the 2004-
2005 Administrative Review of this Order, the Department relied on the 
2005-2006 Infiniti Modules Pvt. Ltd. (``Infiniti Modules'') financial 
statements, because it provides the most contemporaneous and publicly 
available information. See Floor Standing, Metal-Top Ironing Tables and 
Certain Parts Thereof from the People's Republic of China: Final 
Results and Final Recisssion, In Part, of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Review of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review 72 FR 
13239, (March 21, 2007) and Accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum 
at Comment 1 (``AR 1 Final Results''). Petitioner placed on the record 
Infiniti Modules 2005-2006 financial statements in its July 14, 2008 
submission at Exhibit 1. Petitioner included in its July 14, 2008 
submission the profit and loss statement for Infiniti Modules for the 
2005-2006 financial period.
    In valuing factors of production, section 773(c)(1) of the Act 
instructs the Department to use ``the best available information'' from 
the appropriate market economy country. As discussed above, in choosing 
the most appropriate surrogate value, the Department considers several 
factors, including the quality, specificity, and contemporaneity of the 
source information. See, e.g., Garlic Decision Memorandum, at Comment 
6. For these preliminary results, the Department has determined that 
the 2005-2006 Infiniti Modules financial statements are complete, 
publicly available, and reflect merchandise comparable to ironing 
tables. We note the 2005-2006 Infiniti Modules financial statements 
were obtained from the Indian Registrar of Companies, and are publicly 
available. See Petitioner's July 14, 2008 surrogate value submission. 
With respect to quality, we note the 2005-2006 Infiniti Modules 
financial statements are complete, audited financial statements with 
all auditors notes and schedules, as well a complete balance sheet and 
P&L. Regarding specificity, we preliminarily find, consistent with our 
determination in the 2004-2005 review of this proceeding, that Infiniti 
Modules manufactures merchandise that closely reflects merchandise 
comparable to ironing tables. (See AR1 Final Results.) Therefore, we 
preliminarily find that the 2005-2006 Infinity Modules financial 
statements are publicly available, quality data specific to the 
merchandise under review.
    Thus, the Department preliminarily finds, consistent with section 
773(c)(1) of the Act and the AR1 Final Results, that the 2005-2006 
Infiniti Modules financial statements are the best information 
available on the record of this review, from which to value the 
surrogate financial ratios of factory overhead, selling, general & 
administrative expenses, and profit. See Factor Valuation Memorandum 
for details concerning the calculation of these ratios.
    Because of the variability of wage rates in countries with similar 
levels of per capita gross domestic product, 19 CFR 351.408(c)(3) 
requires the use of a regression-based wage rate. Therefore, to value 
the labor input, we used the PRC's regression-based wage rate published 
by Import Administration on its website, https://www.trade.gov/ia/. See 
Factor Valuation Memorandum.
    To value truck freight, we calculated a weighted-average freight 
cost based on publicly available data from www.infreight.com, an Indian 
inland freight logistics resource website. See Factor Valuation 
Memorandum.
    To value brokerage and handling, the Department used a simple 
average of the publicly summarized version of the average value for 
brokerage and handling expenses reported in the U.S. sales listings in 
the submission from Essar Steel Ltd. (``Essar Steel''), dated February 
28, 2005, in the antidumping duty review of Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon 
Steel Flat Products from India; the submission from Agro Dutch 
Industries Limited (``Agro Dutch''), dated May 24, 2005, at Exhibit B-
1, in the antidumping duty administrative review of Certain Preserved 
Mushrooms from India; and the submission from Kejriwal Paper Ltd. 
(``Kejriwal''), dated January 9, 2006, in the antidumping duty review 
of Lined Paper from India. (The information used to derive brokerage 
and handling surrogate values from Essar Steel's February 28, 2005 U.S. 
sales listing, Exhibit B-1 of Agro Dutch's May 24, 2005 submission, and 
Kejriwal's January 9, 2006 submission is on the record of this 
proceeding. See Factors Valuation Memorandum at Attachment 3.) Use of 
these averages is consistent with the Department's normal practice to 
calculate brokerage and handling expenses. The Department's preference 
is to average these data sources because they represent values for 
numerous transactions that are available for a range of products and 
minimize the potential distortions that might arise from a single price 
source. One value, taken in isolation, could differ significantly when 
compared across a range of products, values, and special circumstances 
of a single transaction. See Final Determination of Sales at Less Than 
Fair Value and Partial Affirmative Determination of Critical 
Circumstances: Certain Polyester Staple Fiber from the People's 
Republic of China, 72 FR 19690 (April 19, 2007), and accompanying 
Issues and Decision

[[Page 52282]]

memo at Comment 5. See also Factor Valuation Memorandum.
    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.301(c)(3)(ii), for the final results 
of this administrative review, interested parties may submit publicly 
available information to value the factors of production until 20 days 
following the date of publication of these preliminary results.

Preliminary Results of Review

    We preliminarily determine that the following antidumping duty 
margins exist:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Exporter                         Margin (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forever Holdings....................................                  0%
Since Hardware (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd.................              1.53 %
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For details on the calculation of the antidumping duty weighted-
average margin for Since Hardware and Forever Holdings, see the 
respective Since Hardware Analysis Memorandum and the Forever Holdings 
Analysis Memorandum. Public versions of these memoranda are on file in 
the Department's Central Records Unit, Room 1117 of the main commerce 
building (``CRU'').

Assessment Rates

    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.212(b), the Department will determine, and 
CBP shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate entries. The 
Department will issue appropriate assessment instructions directly to 
CBP 15 days after the date of publication of the final results of this 
review. For assessment purposes, where possible, we calculated 
importer-specific ad valorem assessment rates for ironing tables from 
the PRC based on the ratio of the total amount of the dumping duties 
calculated for the examined sales to the total entered value of those 
same sales. We will instruct CBP to assess antidumping duties on all 
appropriate entries covered by this review if any assessment rate 
calculated in the final results of this review is above de minimis. 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 these reviews and for future deposits of estimated duties, 
where applicable.

Cash Deposit Requirements

    The following cash deposit requirements will be effective upon 
publication of the final results of this administrative review for all 
shipments of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date, as 
provided for by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) for the exporters 
listed above, the cash deposit rate will be established in the final 
results of this review (except, if the rate is zero or de minimis, 
i.e., less than 0.5 percent, no cash deposit will be required for that 
company); (2) for previously investigated or reviewed PRC and non-PRC 
exporters not listed above that have separate rates, the cash deposit 
rate will continue to be the exporter-specific rate published for the 
most recent period; (3) for all PRC exporters of subject merchandise 
which have not been found to be entitled to a separate rate, the cash 
deposit rate will be the PRC-wide rate of 157.68 percent (see Ironing 
Tables Order); and (4) for all non-PRC exporters of subject merchandise 
which have not received their own rate, the cash deposit rate will be 
the rate applicable to the PRC exporters that supplied that non-PRC 
exporter. These deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in 
effect until publication of the final results of the next 
administrative review.

Schedule for Final Results of Review

    The Department will disclose calculations performed in connection 
with the preliminary results of this review within five days of the 
date of publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 
351.224(b). Any interested party may request a hearing within 30 days 
of publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.310(c). Any 
hearing will be held 37 days after the publication of this notice, or 
the first workday thereafter unless the Department alters the date 
pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(d). Individuals who wish to request a 
hearing must submit a written request within 30 days of the publication 
of this notice in the Federal Register to the Assistant Secretary for 
Import Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 1870, 14th 
Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. Requests for 
a public hearing should contain: (1) the party's name, address, and 
telephone number; (2) the number of participants; and (3) to the extent 
practicable, an identification of the arguments to be raised at the 
hearing.
    Unless otherwise notified by the Department, interested parties may 
submit case briefs within 30 days of the date of publication of this 
notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(ii). As part of the case 
brief, parties are encouraged to provide a summary of the arguments not 
to exceed five pages and a table of statutes, regulations, and cases 
cited in accordance with 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2). Rebuttal briefs, which 
must be limited to issues raised in the case briefs, must be filed 
within five days after the case brief is filed in accordance with 19 
CFR 351.309(d). If a hearing is held, an interested party may make an 
affirmative presentation only on arguments included in that party's 
case brief and may make a rebuttal presentation only on arguments 
included in that party's rebuttal brief in accordance with 19 CFR 
351.310(c). Parties should confirm by telephone the time, date, and 
place of the hearing within 48 hours before the scheduled time. The 
Department will issue the final results of this review, which will 
include the results of its analysis of issues raised in the briefs, not 
later than 120 days after the date of publication of this notice in 
accordance with section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.213(h)(1).

Notification to Importers

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

    Dated: September 2, 2008.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-20921 Filed 9-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S