Purified Carboxymethylcellulose From Mexico: Notice of Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 16359-16363 [E9-8233]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 68 / Friday, April 10, 2009 / Notices
will use the data in several ways. First,
the capital workweek data will be used
as an indicator of capital use in the
estimation of monthly output (industrial
production). Second, the workweek data
will also be used to improve the
projections of labor productivity that are
used to align industrial production (IP)
with comprehensive benchmark
information in the Economic Census,
Manufacturing and Annual Survey of
Manufactures. Third, the utilization rate
data will assist in the assessment of
recent changes in IP, as most of the
high-frequency movement in utilization
rates reflect production changes rather
than capacity changes.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will use the mail
out/mail back survey forms to collect
the data. An electronic version of the
form for reporting via the Internet will
also be offered. Companies will be asked
to respond within 20 days of the initial
mailing. This due date will be imprinted
at the top of the form. Letters
encouraging participation will be
mailed to companies that have not
responded by the designated time.
Subsequent to the letter, a telephone
follow-up will be conducted.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0607–0175.
Form Number: MQ–C2.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
7,500.
Estimated Time per Response: 1.75
hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 52,500.
Estimated Total Annual Cost:
$1,594,425.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 United States
Code, Section 182.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information has practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s
estimate of the burden (including hours
and cost) of the proposed collection of
information; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents, including the use of
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and/or
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included in the request for OMB
approval of this information collection;
they also will become a matter of public
record.
Dated: April 7, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9–8182 Filed 4–9–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–07–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
(A–201–834)
Purified Carboxymethylcellulose From
Mexico: Notice of Preliminary Results
of Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review
AGENCY: Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: In response to a request from
Quimica Amtex S.A. de C.V. (Amtex),
the Department of Commerce (the
Department) is conducting an
administrative review of the
antidumping duty order on purified
carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) from
Mexico. The review covers exports of
the subject merchandise to the United
States produced and exported by
Amtex; the period of review (POR) is
July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008.
We preliminarily find that Amtex
made sales at less than normal value
(NV) during the POR. If these
preliminary results are adopted in our
final results of this review, we will
instruct U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) to assess antidumping
duties based on differences between the
export price (EP) or constructed export
price (CEP) and NV.
Interested parties are invited to
comment on these preliminary results.
Parties who submit arguments in this
proceeding are requested to submit with
the arguments: (1) a statement of the
issues, (2) a brief summary of the
arguments (no longer than five pages,
including footnotes) and (3) a table of
authorities.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
April 10, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mark Flessner 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) 482–6312 or (202) 482–
0649, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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16359
Background
The Department published the
antidumping duty order on CMC from
Mexico on July 11, 2005. See Notice of
Antidumping Duty Orders: Purified
Carboxymethylcellulose from Finland,
Mexico, the Netherlands, and Sweden,
70 FR 39734 (July 11, 2005). On July 11,
2008, the Department published the
notice of opportunity to request an
administrative review of CMC from
Mexico for the period of July 1, 2007,
through June 30, 2008. See
Antidumping or Countervailing Duty
Order, Finding or Suspended
Investigation; Opportunity to Request
Administrative Review, 73 FR 39948
(July 11, 2008). On July 22, 2008,
respondent Amtex requested an
administrative review. On August 26,
2008, the Department published in the
Federal Register a notice of initiation of
this antidumping duty administrative
review. See Initiation of Antidumping
and Countervailing Duty Administrative
Reviews, 73 FR 50308 (August 26, 2008).
On August 26, 2008, the Department
issued its standard antidumping duty
questionnaire to Amtex. Amtex
submitted its response to section A of
the Department’s questionnaire on
October 14, 2008 (Amtex Section A
Response). Amtex submitted its
response to sections B and C of the
Department’s questionnaire on
November 6, 2008 (Amtex Sections B
and C Response).
On March 13, 2009, the Department
issued a supplemental questionnaire for
sections A, B, and C, to which Amtex
responded on March 20, 2009 (Amtex
Supplemental Response).
Period of Review
The period of review (POR) is July 1,
2007, through June 30, 2008.
Scope of the Order
The merchandise covered by this
order is all purified
carboxymethylcellulose (CMC),
sometimes also referred to as purified
sodium CMC, polyanionic cellulose, or
cellulose gum, which is a white to off–
white, non–toxic, odorless,
biodegradable powder, comprising
sodium CMC that has been refined and
purified to a minimum assay of 90
percent. Purified CMC does not include
unpurified or crude CMC, CMC
Fluidized Polymer Suspensions, and
CMC that is cross–linked through heat
treatment. Purified CMC is CMC that
has undergone one or more purification
operations which, at a minimum, reduce
the remaining salt and other by–product
portion of the product to less than ten
percent. The merchandise subject to this
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order is classified in the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States at
subheading 3912.31.00. This tariff
classification is provided for
convenience and customs purposes;
however, the written description of the
scope of the order is dispositive.
Date of Sale
The Department’s regulations state
that it will normally use the date of
invoice, as recorded in the exporter’s or
producer’s records kept in the ordinary
course of business, as the date of sale.
See 19 CFR 351.401(i). If the
Department is satisfied that ‘‘a different
date better reflects the date on which
the exporter or producer establishes the
material terms of sale,’’ the Department
may choose a different date. Id. Amtex
has reported the definitive invoice (as
differentiated from pro forma invoice)
as the invoice date. See Amtex Section
A Response at A22.
With regard to the invoice date,
Amtex bills some of its sales via
‘‘delayed invoices’’ in both the home
and U.S. markets. See Amtex Section A
Response at A22. Delivery is made to
the customer and a pro forma invoice is
issued, but the subject merchandise
remains in storage and continues to be
the property of Amtex until withdrawn
for consumption by the customer
(usually at the end of a regular, monthly
billing cycle), at which time a definitive
invoice is issued. Id. In Amtex’s normal
books and records, it is this definitive
invoice date, not the pro forma invoice
date, that is recorded as the date of sale.
Id. Therefore, the Department
preliminarily determines that the
definitive invoice date is the date of sale
provided it is issued on or before the
shipment date; and that the shipment
date is the date of sale where the invoice
is issued after the shipment date. See
Analysis Memorandum for the
Preliminary Results of the
Administrative Review of the
Antidumping Duty Order on
Carboxymethylcellulose from Mexico
dated April 2, 2009 (Analysis
Memorandum), for further discussion of
date of sale. A public version of this
memorandum is on file in the
Department’s Central Records Unit
(CRU) located in Room 1117 of the main
Department of Commerce Building, 14th
Street and Constitution Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20230.
Fair Value Comparisons
To determine whether sales of CMC in
the United States were made at less than
NV, we compared U.S. price to NV, as
described in the ‘‘Export Price,’’
‘‘Constructed Export Price,’’ and
‘‘Normal Value’’ sections of this notice.
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In accordance with section 777A(d)(2)
of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended
(the Tariff Act), we calculated monthly
weighted–average NVs and compared
these to individual U.S. transactions.
Because we determined Amtex made
both EP and CEP sales during the POR,
we used both EP and CEP as the basis
for U.S. price in our comparisons.
Product Comparisons
In accordance with section 771(16) of
the Tariff Act, we considered all
products produced by Amtex covered
by the description in the ‘‘Scope of the
Order’’ section, above, and sold in the
home market during the POR, to be
foreign like products for purposes of
determining appropriate product
comparisons to U.S. sales. We relied on
five characteristics to match U.S. sales
of subject merchandise to comparison
sales of the foreign like product (listed
in order of priority): 1) grade; 2)
viscosity; 3) degree of substitution; 4)
particle size; and 5) solution gel
characteristics. Where there were no
sales of identical merchandise in the
home market to compare to U.S. sales,
we compared U.S. sales to the next most
similar foreign like product on the basis
of these product characteristics and the
reporting instructions listed in the
Department’s August 26, 2008,
questionnaire. Because there were
contemporaneous sales of identical or
similar merchandise in the home market
suitable for comparison to all U.S. sales,
we did not compare any U.S. sales to
constructed value (CV). See the CV
section below.
Export Price (EP)
Section 772(a) of the Tariff Act
defines EP as ‘‘the price at which the
subject merchandise is first sold (or
agreed to be sold) before the date of
importation by the producer or exporter
of subject merchandise outside of the
United States to an unaffiliated
purchaser in the United States or to an
unaffiliated purchaser for exportation to
the United States,’’ as adjusted under
section 772(c) of the Tariff Act. In
accordance with section 772(a) of the
Tariff Act, we used EP for a number of
Amtex’s U.S. sales because these sales
were made before the date of
importation and were sales directly to
unaffiliated customers in the United
States, and because CEP methodology
was not otherwise indicated.
We based EP on the packed, delivered
duty paid, cost and freight (C&F) or free
on board (FOB) prices to unaffiliated
customers in the United States. Amtex
reported no price or billing adjustments,
and no discounts. We made deductions
for movement expenses in accordance
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with section 772(c)(2)(A) of the Tariff
Act, which included, where
appropriate, foreign inland freight from
the mill to the U.S. border, inland
freight from the border to the customer
or warehouse, and U.S. brokerage and
handling. We made adjustment for
direct expenses (credit expenses) in
accordance with section 772(c)(2)(A) of
the Tariff Act.
Constructed Export Price (CEP)
In accordance with section 772(b) of
the Tariff Act, CEP is ‘‘the price at
which the subject merchandise is first
sold (or agreed to be sold) in the United
States before or after the date of
importation by or for the account of the
producer or exporter of such
merchandise, or by a seller affiliated
with the producer or exporter, to a
purchaser not affiliated with the
producer or exporter,’’ as adjusted
under sections 772(c) and (d) of the
Tariff Act. In accordance with section
772(b) of the Tariff Act, we used CEP for
a number of Amtex’s U.S. sales because
Amtex sold merchandise to its affiliate
in the United States, Amtex Chemicals
LLC (Amtex Chemicals or ACUS),
which, in turn, sold subject
merchandise to unaffiliated U.S.
customers. See, e.g., Amtex Section A
Response at A19–A20. We preliminarily
find these U.S. sales are properly
classified as CEP sales because they
occurred in the United States and were
made through Amtex’s U.S. affiliate,
Amtex Chemicals, to unaffiliated U.S.
customers.
We based CEP on the packed,
delivered duty paid or FOB warehouse
prices to unaffiliated purchasers in the
United States. Amtex reported no price
or billing adjustments, and no discounts
or rebates. We made deductions for
movement expenses in accordance with
section 772(c)(2)(A) of the Tariff Act,
which included, where appropriate,
foreign inland freight to the border,
foreign brokerage and handling, customs
duties, U.S. brokerage, U.S. inland
freight, and U.S. warehousing expenses.
In accordance with section 772(d)(1) of
the Tariff Act, we deducted those selling
expenses associated with economic
activities occurring in the United States,
including direct selling expenses (credit
costs), inventory carrying costs, and
indirect selling expenses. We made no
adjustment for CEP profit for the reasons
set forth in the Analysis Memorandum.
See Analysis Memorandum at 11.
Normal Value
A. Selection of Comparison Market
In order to determine whether there
was a sufficient volume of sales in the
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home market to serve as a viable basis
for calculating NV, we compared the
respondent’s volume of home market
sales of the foreign like product to the
volume of U.S. sales of the subject
merchandise, in accordance with
section 773(a) of the Tariff Act. Because
Amtex’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 of the
subject merchandise, we determined the
home market was viable. See section
773(a)(1)(B) of the Tariff Act. Therefore,
we based NV on home market sales in
the usual commercial quantities and in
the ordinary course of trade.
B. Price-to-Price Comparisons
We calculated NV based on prices to
unaffiliated customers. Amtex reported
no billing adjustments, discounts or
rebates in the home market. We made
deductions for movement expenses
including, where appropriate, foreign
inland freight and insurance, pursuant
to section 773(a)(6)(B) of the Tariff Act.
In addition, when comparing sales of
similar merchandise, we made
adjustments for differences in cost
attributable to differences in physical
characteristics of the merchandise (i.e.,
DIFMER) pursuant to section
773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Tariff Act and 19
CFR 351.411. We also made adjustments
for differences in circumstances of sale
(COS) in accordance with section
773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Tariff Act and 19
CFR 351.410. We made COS
adjustments for imputed credit
expenses. Finally, we deducted home
market packing costs and added U.S.
packing costs in accordance with
sections 773(a)(6)(A) and (B) of the
Tariff Act.
C. Constructed Value (CV)
In accordance with section 773(a)(4)
of the Tariff Act, we base NV on CV if
we are unable to find a
contemporaneous comparison market
match of identical or similar
merchandise for the U.S. sale. Section
773(e) of the Act provides that CV shall
be based on the sum of the cost of
materials and fabrication employed in
making the subject merchandise, selling,
general and administrative (SG&A)
expenses, financial expenses, profit, and
U.S. packing costs. We found
contemporaneous market matches for all
the U.S. sales. Therefore, for these
preliminary results, it was not necessary
to base NV on CV. For a more detailed
explanation of our CV analysis, which
relies upon business proprietary
information, please see Analysis
Memorandum at 10–13.
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Level of Trade
In accordance with section
773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Tariff Act, to the
extent practicable, we base NV on sales
made in the comparison market at the
same level of trade (LOT) as the export
transaction. The NV LOT is based on the
starting price of sales in the home
market or, when NV is based on CV, on
the LOT of the sales from which SG&A
expenses and profit are derived. With
respect to CEP transactions in the U.S.
market, the CEP LOT is defined as the
level of the constructed sale from the
exporter to the importer. See section 19
CFR 351.412(c)(1)(ii).
To determine whether NV sales are at
a different LOT than CEP sales, we
examine stages in the marketing process
and selling functions along the chain of
distribution between the producer and
the customer. See 19 CFR 351.412(c)(2).
If the comparison–market sales are at a
different LOT, and the difference affects
price comparability, as manifested in a
pattern of consistent price differences
between the sales on which NV is based
and comparison–market sales at the
LOT of the export transaction, we make
a LOT adjustment under section
773(a)(7)(A) of the Tariff Act. For CEP
sales, if the NV level is more remote
from the factory than the CEP level and
there is no basis for determining
whether the difference in the levels
between NV and CEP affects price
comparability, we adjust NV under
section 773(a)(7)(B) of the Tariff Act (the
CEP offset provision). See, e.g., Certain
Hot–Rolled Flat–Rolled Carbon Quality
Steel Products from Brazil; Preliminary
Results of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 70 FR 17406,
17410 (April 6, 2005), results
unchanged in Notice of Final Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review: Certain Hot–Rolled Flat–Rolled
Carbon Quality Steel Products from
Brazil, 70 FR 58683 (October 7, 2005);
see also Final Determination of Sales at
Less Than Fair Value: Greenhouse
Tomatoes From Canada, 67 FR 8781
(February 26, 2002) and accompanying
Issues and Decisions Memorandum at
Comment 8. For CEP sales, we consider
only the selling activities reflected in
the price after the deduction of expenses
and CEP profit under section 772(d) of
the Tariff Act. See Micron Technology,
Inc. v. United States, 243 F.3d 1301,
1314–15 (Fed. Cir. 2001). We expect that
if the claimed LOTs are the same, the
functions and activities of the seller
should be similar. Conversely, if a party
claims that the LOTs are different for
different groups of sales, the functions
and activities of the seller should be
dissimilar. See Porcelain–on-Steel
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16361
Cookware from Mexico: Final Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 65 FR 30068 (May 10, 2000) and
accompanying Issues and Decisions
Memorandum at Comment 6.
Amtex reported it had sold CMC to
end–users and distributors in the home
market and to end–users and
distributors in the United States. For the
home market, Amtex identified two
channels of distribution: end users
(channel 1) and distributors (channel 2).
See Amtex’s Section A Response at A15.
Amtex claimed a single level of trade in
the home market, stating that it
performs essentially the same selling
functions to either category of customer.
We obtained information from Amtex
regarding the marketing stages involved
in making its reported home market and
U.S. sales. Amtex provided a table
listing all selling activities it performs,
and comparing the levels of trade among
each channel of distribution in each
market. See Amtex’s Section A
Response at Exhibit A–8. We reviewed
Amtex’s claims concerning the intensity
to which all selling functions were
performed for each home market
channel of distribution and customer
category. For virtually all selling
functions, the selling activities of Amtex
were identical in both channels,
including sales forecasting, personnel
training, sales promotion, direct sales
personnel, technical assistance,
warranty service, after–sales service and
arranging delivery. Id. Amtex described
the level of activity as independent of
channel of distribution. See Amtex’s
Section A Response at A16.
While we find some differences in the
selling functions performed between the
home market end–user and distributor
channels of distribution, such
differences are minor in that they are
not the principal selling functions but
rather specific to a few customers and
rarely performed. See Amtex’s Section
A Response at Exhibit A–8. Based on
our analysis of all of Amtex’s home
market selling functions, we agree with
Amtex’s characterization of all its home
market sales as being made at the same
level of trade, the NV LOT.
In the U.S. market, Amtex reported a
single level of trade for both EP and CEP
sales through two channels of
distribution (i.e., end–users and
distributors). See Amtex Sections B and
C Response at C21. We examined the
record with respect to Amtex’s EP sales
and find that for all EP sales, Amtex
performed such selling functions as
sales forecasting, sales promotion, direct
sales personnel, technical assistance,
warranties, after–sales services and
arranging delivery. See Amtex’s Section
A Response at Exhibit A–8. In terms of
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the number and intensity of selling
functions performed on EP sales, these
were indistinguishable between sales
from Amtex to end users and to
distributors. Id. Accordingly, we agree
with Amtex and preliminarily
determine that all EP sales were made
at the same LOT.
We compared Amtex’s EP level of
trade to the single NV level of trade
found in the home market. While we
find differences in the levels of intensity
performed for some of these functions
between the home market NV level of
trade and the EP level of trade, such
differences are minor (specific to a few
customers and rarely performed) and do
not establish distinct levels of trade
within the home market. Based on our
analysis of all of Amtex’s home market
and EP selling functions, we find these
sales were made at the same level of
trade.
For CEP sales, however, we find that
the CEP LOT is more advanced than the
NV LOT. In the Selling Functions Chart,
Amtex claims that the number and
intensity of selling functions performed
by Amtex in making its sales to Amtex
Chemicals are lower than the number
and intensity of selling functions Amtex
performed for its EP sales, and further
claims that CEP sales are at a less
advanced stage than home market sales.
See Amtex’s Section A Response at A17
and Exhibit A–8. Amtex’s Section C
Response, however, indicates that
Amtex’s CEP sales are at a more
advanced marketing stage than are its
home market sales. See Amtex Sections
B and C Response at C37 and Exhibit
B12.1. Amtex reports that most of the
principal selling functions in both
markets are carried out by a single
employee in the Mexico office. Based on
the allocation of that employee’s time
between CEP sales and other sales, it is
evident that the intensity of activity for
the principal selling functions is greater
for CEP sales than other sales. Id.; see
also Exhibit A–1. Accordingly, we
preliminarily determine that the CEP
LOT (that is, sales from Amtex to its
U.S. affiliate) involves a much more
intense level of activity than the NV
LOT. See Analysis Memorandum at 4–
7; see also Purified
Carboxymethylcellulose From Mexico:
Notice of Preliminary Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 72 FR 44095, 44098 (August 7,
2007), unchanged in final results, 72 FR
70300 (December 11, 2007).
Because we found the home market
and U.S. CEP sales were made at
different LOTs, we examined whether a
LOT adjustment or a CEP offset may be
appropriate in this review. As we found
only one LOT in the home market, it
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was not possible to make a LOT
adjustment to home market sales prices,
because such an adjustment is
dependent on our ability to identify a
pattern of consistent price differences
between the home market sales on
which NV is based and home market
sales at the CEP LOT. See 19 CFR
351.412(d)(1)(ii). Furthermore, because
the CEP LOT involves a much more
intense level of activity than the NV
LOT, it is not possible to make a CEP
offset to NV in accordance with section
773(a)(7)(B) of the Tariff Act.
351.309(d)(1). Parties who submit
arguments in these proceedings are
requested to submit with the argument:
1) a statement of the issue; 2) a brief
summary of the argument; and 3) a table
of authorities. Further, parties
submitting written comments must
provide the Department with an
additional copy of the public version of
any such comments on diskette. The
Department will issue final results of
this administrative review, including
the results of our analysis of the issues
in any such written comments or at a
hearing, within 120 days of publication
Currency Conversions
of these preliminary results.
Amtex reported certain home market
The Department shall determine, and
and U.S. sales prices and adjustments in CBP shall assess, antidumping duties on
both U.S. dollars and Mexican pesos.
all appropriate entries. Upon
Therefore, we made peso–U.S. dollar
completion of this administrative
currency conversions, where
review, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.212(b),
appropriate, based on the exchange rates the Department will calculate an
in effect on the date of the sale, as
assessment rate on all appropriate
certified by the Federal Reserve Board,
entries. Amtex has reported entered
in accordance with section 773A(a) of
values for all of its sales of subject
the Tariff Act.
merchandise to the United States during
the POR. Therefore, in accordance with
Preliminary Results of Review
19 CFR 351.212(b)(1), we will calculate
As a result of our review, we
importer–specific duty assessment rates
preliminarily find the following
on the basis of the ratio of the total
weighted–average dumping margin
amount of antidumping duties
exists for the period July 1, 2007
calculated for the examined sales to the
through June 30, 2008:
total entered value of the examined
sales of that importer. These rates will
Weighted–Average be assessed uniformly on all entries the
Producer/Exporter
Margin
respective importers made during the
(Percentage)
POR if these preliminary results are
Quimica Amtex, S.A. de
adopted in the final results of review.
C.V. ...........................
3.95 Where the assessment rate is above de
minimis, we will instruct CBP to assess
The Department will disclose
duties on all entries of subject
calculations performed within five days merchandise by that importer. In
of the date of publication of this notice
accordance with 19 CFR 356.8(a), the
in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).
Department intends to issue appropriate
An interested party may request a
assessment instructions directly to CBP
hearing within thirty days of
on or after 41 days following the
publication. See 19 CFR 351.310(c).
publication of the final results of
Requests should contain the party’s
review.
name, address, and telephone number,
The Department clarified its
the number of participants, and a list of
‘‘automatic assessment’’ regulation on
the issues to be discussed. At the
May 6, 2003. See Antidumping and
hearing, each party may make an
Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
affirmative presentation only on issues
Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68
raised in that party’s case brief, and may FR 23954 (May 6, 2003). This
make rebuttal presentations only on
clarification will apply to entries of
arguments included in that party’s
subject merchandise during the POR
rebuttal brief. Any hearing, if requested, produced by the company included in
will be held 37 days after the date of
these preliminary results that the
publication, or the first business day
company did not know were destined
thereafter, unless the Department alters
for the United States. In such instances
the date pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(d). we will instruct CBP to liquidate
Interested parties may submit case briefs unreviewed entries at the ‘‘all others’’
no later than 30 days after the date of
rate if there is no rate for the
publication of these preliminary results
intermediate company or companies
of review. See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(ii).
involved in the transaction.
Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised
Cash Deposit Requirements
in the case briefs, may be filed no later
than 35 days after the date of
Furthermore, the following cash
publication of this notice. See 19 CFR
deposit requirements will be effective
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10APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 68 / Friday, April 10, 2009 / Notices
for all shipments of CMC from Mexico
entered, or withdrawn from warehouse,
for consumption on or after the
publication date of the final results of
this administrative review, as provided
by section 751(a)(1) of the Tariff Act: 1)
the cash deposit rate for Amtex will be
the rate established in the final results
of review, unless that rate is less than
0.50 percent (de minimis within the
meaning of 19 CFR 351.106(c)(1)), in
which case the cash deposit rate will be
zero; 2) if the exporter is not a firm
covered in this review or the less–thanfair–value (LTFV) investigation, but the
manufacturer is, the cash deposit rate
will be the rate established for the most
recent period for the manufacturer of
the merchandise; and 3) if neither the
exporter nor the manufacturer is a firm
covered in this or any previous review
conducted by the Department, the cash
deposit rate will be the all–others rate
of 12.61 percent from the LTFV
investigation. See Notice of
Antidumping Duty Orders: Purified
Carboxymethylcellulose from Finland,
Mexico, the Netherlands and Sweden,
70 FR 39734 (July 11, 2005).
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.
We are issuing and publishing this
notice in accordance with sections
751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Tariff Act
and 19 CFR 351.221.
Dated: April 2, 2009.
Ronald K. Lorentzen,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E9–8233 Filed 4–9–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XO41
Magnuson–Stevens Act Provisions;
General Provisions for Domestic
Fisheries; Application for Exempted
Fishing Permits
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:54 Apr 09, 2009
Jkt 217001
ACTION:
Notice; request for comments.
SUMMARY: The Assistant Regional
Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries,
Northeast Region, NMFS (Assistant
Regional Administrator), has made a
preliminary determination that an
Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP)
application contains all of the required
information and warrants further
consideration. This EFP would allow
two commercial fishing vessels to
temporarily retain undersize fish and
fish in excess of possession limits for
the purpose of data collection in
support of research conducted by the
University of Rhode Island (URI). The
Assistant Regional Administrator has
made a preliminary determination that
the activities authorized under this EFP
would be consistent with the goals and
objectives of the Summer Flounder,
Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery
Management Plan (FMP). However,
further review and consultation may be
necessary before a final determination is
made to issue an EFP. Therefore, NMFS
announces that the Assistant Regional
Administrator proposes to recommend
that an EFP be issued.
Regulations under the Magnuson–
Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act require publication of
this notification to provide interested
parties the opportunity to comment on
applications for proposed EFPs.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before April 27, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
comments by any of the following
methods:
• Email: DA9–087@noaa.gov. Include
in the subject line ‘‘Comments on URI
TED EFP.’’
• Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional
Administrator, NMFS, NE Regional
Office, 55 Great Republic Drive,
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside
of the envelope ‘‘Comments on URI TED
EFP.’’
• Fax: (978) 281–9135.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ryan Silva, Cooperative Research
Liaison, 978–281–9326.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
Southern New England Collaborative
Research Initiative, URI was selected by
the Commercial Fisheries Research
Foundation to conduct a study titled,
‘‘Evaluation of a Modified Turtle
Excluder Device (TED) Design in the
Southern New England and Mid–
Atlantic Summer Trawl Fisheries.’’ The
primary objective of this experiment is
to evaluate the catch performance of a
summer flounder trawl fitted with a
TED. This objective would be
accomplished through comparative tows
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Fmt 4703
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16363
between two summer flounder trawls,
one of which has the experimental TED.
URI proposes to employ two
commercial vessels that operate in the
summer flounder fishery to conduct this
research. Investigators propose to
conduct approximately 80, 90-minute
tows (40 paired tows) in the New
England and Mid–Atlantic regions over
the course of 22 sea days in the summer
of 2009, starting in early June.
Investigators would collect data on
estimated total catch weight, and weight
and length measurements on summer
flounder and other bycatch species. All
legal catch would be sold.
URI submitted a complete EFP
application on March 26, 2009,
requesting exemption from minimum
fish size and possession limit
regulations for the purpose of data
collection prior to discarding undersize
fish and fish above the vessel’s
possession limit. Aside from these
exemptions, all other elements of these
fishing trips would comply with fishing
regulations.
The applicant may request minor
modifications and extensions to the EFP
throughout the year. EFP modifications
and extensions may be granted without
further notice if they are deemed
essential to facilitate completion of the
proposed research and have minimal
impacts that do not change the scope or
impact of the initially approved EFP
request. Any fishing activity conducted
outside the scope of the exempted
fishing activity would be prohibited. If
the research project is terminated for
any reason prior to completion, any
unused funds collected from catch sold
to pay for research expenses may be
refunded to NOAA.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 3, 2009.
Kristen C. Koch,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9–8236 Filed 4–9–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[Application No. 97–9A003]
Export Trade Certificate of Review
ACTION: Notice of Issuance (# 97–9A003)
of an Amended Export Trade Certificate
of Review Issued to the Association for
the Administration of Rice Quotas, Inc.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Commerce issued an amended Export
Trade Certificate of Review to the
E:\FR\FM\10APN1.SGM
10APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 68 (Friday, April 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16359-16363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8233]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
(A-201-834)
Purified Carboxymethylcellulose From Mexico: Notice of
Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review
AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: In response to a request from Quimica Amtex S.A. de C.V.
(Amtex), the Department of Commerce (the Department) is conducting an
administrative review of the antidumping duty order on purified
carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) from Mexico. The review covers exports of
the subject merchandise to the United States produced and exported by
Amtex; the period of review (POR) is July 1, 2007, through June 30,
2008.
We preliminarily find that Amtex made sales at less than normal
value (NV) during the POR. If these preliminary results are adopted in
our final results of this review, we will instruct U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) to assess antidumping duties based on
differences between the export price (EP) or constructed export price
(CEP) and NV.
Interested parties are invited to comment on these preliminary
results. Parties who submit arguments in this proceeding are requested
to submit with the arguments: (1) a statement of the issues, (2) a
brief summary of the arguments (no longer than five pages, including
footnotes) and (3) a table of authorities.
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 10, 2009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Flessner 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-
6312 or (202) 482-0649, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Department published the antidumping duty order on CMC from
Mexico on July 11, 2005. See Notice of Antidumping Duty Orders:
Purified Carboxymethylcellulose from Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands,
and Sweden, 70 FR 39734 (July 11, 2005). On July 11, 2008, the
Department published the notice of opportunity to request an
administrative review of CMC from Mexico for the period of July 1,
2007, through June 30, 2008. See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty
Order, Finding or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity to Request
Administrative Review, 73 FR 39948 (July 11, 2008). On July 22, 2008,
respondent Amtex requested an administrative review. On August 26,
2008, the Department published in the Federal Register a notice of
initiation of this antidumping duty administrative review. See
Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative
Reviews, 73 FR 50308 (August 26, 2008).
On August 26, 2008, the Department issued its standard antidumping
duty questionnaire to Amtex. Amtex submitted its response to section A
of the Department's questionnaire on October 14, 2008 (Amtex Section A
Response). Amtex submitted its response to sections B and C of the
Department's questionnaire on November 6, 2008 (Amtex Sections B and C
Response).
On March 13, 2009, the Department issued a supplemental
questionnaire for sections A, B, and C, to which Amtex responded on
March 20, 2009 (Amtex Supplemental Response).
Period of Review
The period of review (POR) is July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008.
Scope of the Order
The merchandise covered by this order is all purified
carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), sometimes also referred to as purified
sodium CMC, polyanionic cellulose, or cellulose gum, which is a white
to off-white, non-toxic, odorless, biodegradable powder, comprising
sodium CMC that has been refined and purified to a minimum assay of 90
percent. Purified CMC does not include unpurified or crude CMC, CMC
Fluidized Polymer Suspensions, and CMC that is cross-linked through
heat treatment. Purified CMC is CMC that has undergone one or more
purification operations which, at a minimum, reduce the remaining salt
and other by-product portion of the product to less than ten percent.
The merchandise subject to this
[[Page 16360]]
order is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States at subheading 3912.31.00. This tariff classification is provided
for convenience and customs purposes; however, the written description
of the scope of the order is dispositive.
Date of Sale
The Department's regulations state that it will normally use the
date of invoice, as recorded in the exporter's or producer's records
kept in the ordinary course of business, as the date of sale. See 19
CFR 351.401(i). If the Department is satisfied that ``a different date
better reflects the date on which the exporter or producer establishes
the material terms of sale,'' the Department may choose a different
date. Id. Amtex has reported the definitive invoice (as differentiated
from pro forma invoice) as the invoice date. See Amtex Section A
Response at A22.
With regard to the invoice date, Amtex bills some of its sales via
``delayed invoices'' in both the home and U.S. markets. See Amtex
Section A Response at A22. Delivery is made to the customer and a pro
forma invoice is issued, but the subject merchandise remains in storage
and continues to be the property of Amtex until withdrawn for
consumption by the customer (usually at the end of a regular, monthly
billing cycle), at which time a definitive invoice is issued. Id. In
Amtex's normal books and records, it is this definitive invoice date,
not the pro forma invoice date, that is recorded as the date of sale.
Id. Therefore, the Department preliminarily determines that the
definitive invoice date is the date of sale provided it is issued on or
before the shipment date; and that the shipment date is the date of
sale where the invoice is issued after the shipment date. See Analysis
Memorandum for the Preliminary Results of the Administrative Review of
the Antidumping Duty Order on Carboxymethylcellulose from Mexico dated
April 2, 2009 (Analysis Memorandum), for further discussion of date of
sale. A public version of this memorandum is on file in the
Department's Central Records Unit (CRU) located in Room 1117 of the
main Department of Commerce Building, 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.
Fair Value Comparisons
To determine whether sales of CMC in the United States were made at
less than NV, we compared U.S. price to NV, as described in the
``Export Price,'' ``Constructed Export Price,'' and ``Normal Value''
sections of this notice. In accordance with section 777A(d)(2) of the
Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Tariff Act), we calculated monthly
weighted-average NVs and compared these to individual U.S.
transactions. Because we determined Amtex made both EP and CEP sales
during the POR, we used both EP and CEP as the basis for U.S. price in
our comparisons.
Product Comparisons
In accordance with section 771(16) of the Tariff Act, we considered
all products produced by Amtex covered by the description in the
``Scope of the Order'' section, above, and sold in the home market
during the POR, to be foreign like products for purposes of determining
appropriate product comparisons to U.S. sales. We relied on five
characteristics to match U.S. sales of subject merchandise to
comparison sales of the foreign like product (listed in order of
priority): 1) grade; 2) viscosity; 3) degree of substitution; 4)
particle size; and 5) solution gel characteristics. Where there were no
sales of identical merchandise in the home market to compare to U.S.
sales, we compared U.S. sales to the next most similar foreign like
product on the basis of these product characteristics and the reporting
instructions listed in the Department's August 26, 2008, questionnaire.
Because there were contemporaneous sales of identical or similar
merchandise in the home market suitable for comparison to all U.S.
sales, we did not compare any U.S. sales to constructed value (CV). See
the CV section below.
Export Price (EP)
Section 772(a) of the Tariff Act defines EP as ``the price at which
the subject merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be sold) before the
date of importation by the producer or exporter of subject merchandise
outside of the United States to an unaffiliated purchaser in the United
States or to an unaffiliated purchaser for exportation to the United
States,'' as adjusted under section 772(c) of the Tariff Act. In
accordance with section 772(a) of the Tariff Act, we used EP for a
number of Amtex's U.S. sales because these sales were made before the
date of importation and were sales directly to unaffiliated customers
in the United States, and because CEP methodology was not otherwise
indicated.
We based EP on the packed, delivered duty paid, cost and freight
(C&F) or free on board (FOB) prices to unaffiliated customers in the
United States. Amtex reported no price or billing adjustments, and no
discounts. We made deductions for movement expenses in accordance with
section 772(c)(2)(A) of the Tariff Act, which included, where
appropriate, foreign inland freight from the mill to the U.S. border,
inland freight from the border to the customer or warehouse, and U.S.
brokerage and handling. We made adjustment for direct expenses (credit
expenses) in accordance with section 772(c)(2)(A) of the Tariff Act.
Constructed Export Price (CEP)
In accordance with section 772(b) of the Tariff Act, CEP is ``the
price at which the subject merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be
sold) in the United States before or after the date of importation by
or for the account of the producer or exporter of such merchandise, or
by a seller affiliated with the producer or exporter, to a purchaser
not affiliated with the producer or exporter,'' as adjusted under
sections 772(c) and (d) of the Tariff Act. In accordance with section
772(b) of the Tariff Act, we used CEP for a number of Amtex's U.S.
sales because Amtex sold merchandise to its affiliate in the United
States, Amtex Chemicals LLC (Amtex Chemicals or ACUS), which, in turn,
sold subject merchandise to unaffiliated U.S. customers. See, e.g.,
Amtex Section A Response at A19-A20. We preliminarily find these U.S.
sales are properly classified as CEP sales because they occurred in the
United States and were made through Amtex's U.S. affiliate, Amtex
Chemicals, to unaffiliated U.S. customers.
We based CEP on the packed, delivered duty paid or FOB warehouse
prices to unaffiliated purchasers in the United States. Amtex reported
no price or billing adjustments, and no discounts or rebates. We made
deductions for movement expenses in accordance with section
772(c)(2)(A) of the Tariff Act, which included, where appropriate,
foreign inland freight to the border, foreign brokerage and handling,
customs duties, U.S. brokerage, U.S. inland freight, and U.S.
warehousing expenses. In accordance with section 772(d)(1) of the
Tariff Act, we deducted those selling expenses associated with economic
activities occurring in the United States, including direct selling
expenses (credit costs), inventory carrying costs, and indirect selling
expenses. We made no adjustment for CEP profit for the reasons set
forth in the Analysis Memorandum. See Analysis Memorandum at 11.
Normal Value
A. Selection of Comparison Market
In order to determine whether there was a sufficient volume of
sales in the
[[Page 16361]]
home market to serve as a viable basis for calculating NV, we compared
the respondent's volume of home market sales of the foreign like
product to the volume of U.S. sales of the subject merchandise, in
accordance with section 773(a) of the Tariff Act. Because Amtex'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 of the
subject merchandise, we determined the home market was viable. See
section 773(a)(1)(B) of the Tariff Act. Therefore, we based NV on home
market sales in the usual commercial quantities and in the ordinary
course of trade.
B. Price-to-Price Comparisons
We calculated NV based on prices to unaffiliated customers. Amtex
reported no billing adjustments, discounts or rebates in the home
market. We made deductions for movement expenses including, where
appropriate, foreign inland freight and insurance, pursuant to section
773(a)(6)(B) of the Tariff Act. In addition, when comparing sales of
similar merchandise, we made adjustments for differences in cost
attributable to differences in physical characteristics of the
merchandise (i.e., DIFMER) pursuant to section 773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the
Tariff Act and 19 CFR 351.411. We also made adjustments for differences
in circumstances of sale (COS) in accordance with section
773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Tariff Act and 19 CFR 351.410. We made COS
adjustments for imputed credit expenses. Finally, we deducted home
market packing costs and added U.S. packing costs in accordance with
sections 773(a)(6)(A) and (B) of the Tariff Act.
C. Constructed Value (CV)
In accordance with section 773(a)(4) of the Tariff Act, we base NV
on CV if we are unable to find a contemporaneous comparison market
match of identical or similar merchandise for the U.S. sale. Section
773(e) of the Act provides that CV shall be based on the sum of the
cost of materials and fabrication employed in making the subject
merchandise, selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses,
financial expenses, profit, and U.S. packing costs. We found
contemporaneous market matches for all the U.S. sales. Therefore, for
these preliminary results, it was not necessary to base NV on CV. For a
more detailed explanation of our CV analysis, which relies upon
business proprietary information, please see Analysis Memorandum at 10-
13.
Level of Trade
In accordance with section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Tariff Act, to
the extent practicable, we base NV on sales made in the comparison
market at the same level of trade (LOT) as the export transaction. The
NV LOT is based on the starting price of sales in the home market or,
when NV is based on CV, on the LOT of the sales from which SG&A
expenses and profit are derived. With respect to CEP transactions in
the U.S. market, the CEP LOT is defined as the level of the constructed
sale from the exporter to the importer. See section 19 CFR
351.412(c)(1)(ii).
To determine whether NV sales are at a different LOT than CEP
sales, we examine stages in the marketing process and selling functions
along the chain of distribution between the producer and the customer.
See 19 CFR 351.412(c)(2). If the comparison-market sales are at a
different LOT, and the difference affects price comparability, as
manifested in a pattern of consistent price differences between the
sales on which NV is based and comparison-market sales at the LOT of
the export transaction, we make a LOT adjustment under section
773(a)(7)(A) of the Tariff Act. For CEP sales, if the NV level is more
remote from the factory than the CEP level and there is no basis for
determining whether the difference in the levels between NV and CEP
affects price comparability, we adjust NV under section 773(a)(7)(B) of
the Tariff Act (the CEP offset provision). See, e.g., Certain Hot-
Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon Quality Steel Products from Brazil;
Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 70 FR
17406, 17410 (April 6, 2005), results unchanged in Notice of Final
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Certain Hot-Rolled
Flat-Rolled Carbon Quality Steel Products from Brazil, 70 FR 58683
(October 7, 2005); see also Final Determination of Sales at Less Than
Fair Value: Greenhouse Tomatoes From Canada, 67 FR 8781 (February 26,
2002) and accompanying Issues and Decisions Memorandum at Comment 8.
For CEP sales, we consider only the selling activities reflected in the
price after the deduction of expenses and CEP profit under section
772(d) of the Tariff Act. See Micron Technology, Inc. v. United States,
243 F.3d 1301, 1314-15 (Fed. Cir. 2001). We expect that if the claimed
LOTs are the same, the functions and activities of the seller should be
similar. Conversely, if a party claims that the LOTs are different for
different groups of sales, the functions and activities of the seller
should be dissimilar. See Porcelain-on-Steel Cookware from Mexico:
Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 65 FR 30068
(May 10, 2000) and accompanying Issues and Decisions Memorandum at
Comment 6.
Amtex reported it had sold CMC to end-users and distributors in the
home market and to end-users and distributors in the United States. For
the home market, Amtex identified two channels of distribution: end
users (channel 1) and distributors (channel 2). See Amtex's Section A
Response at A15. Amtex claimed a single level of trade in the home
market, stating that it performs essentially the same selling functions
to either category of customer.
We obtained information from Amtex regarding the marketing stages
involved in making its reported home market and U.S. sales. Amtex
provided a table listing all selling activities it performs, and
comparing the levels of trade among each channel of distribution in
each market. See Amtex's Section A Response at Exhibit A-8. We reviewed
Amtex's claims concerning the intensity to which all selling functions
were performed for each home market channel of distribution and
customer category. For virtually all selling functions, the selling
activities of Amtex were identical in both channels, including sales
forecasting, personnel training, sales promotion, direct sales
personnel, technical assistance, warranty service, after-sales service
and arranging delivery. Id. Amtex described the level of activity as
independent of channel of distribution. See Amtex's Section A Response
at A16.
While we find some differences in the selling functions performed
between the home market end-user and distributor channels of
distribution, such differences are minor in that they are not the
principal selling functions but rather specific to a few customers and
rarely performed. See Amtex's Section A Response at Exhibit A-8. Based
on our analysis of all of Amtex's home market selling functions, we
agree with Amtex's characterization of all its home market sales as
being made at the same level of trade, the NV LOT.
In the U.S. market, Amtex reported a single level of trade for both
EP and CEP sales through two channels of distribution (i.e., end-users
and distributors). See Amtex Sections B and C Response at C21. We
examined the record with respect to Amtex's EP sales and find that for
all EP sales, Amtex performed such selling functions as sales
forecasting, sales promotion, direct sales personnel, technical
assistance, warranties, after-sales services and arranging delivery.
See Amtex's Section A Response at Exhibit A-8. In terms of
[[Page 16362]]
the number and intensity of selling functions performed on EP sales,
these were indistinguishable between sales from Amtex to end users and
to distributors. Id. Accordingly, we agree with Amtex and preliminarily
determine that all EP sales were made at the same LOT.
We compared Amtex's EP level of trade to the single NV level of
trade found in the home market. While we find differences in the levels
of intensity performed for some of these functions between the home
market NV level of trade and the EP level of trade, such differences
are minor (specific to a few customers and rarely performed) and do not
establish distinct levels of trade within the home market. Based on our
analysis of all of Amtex's home market and EP selling functions, we
find these sales were made at the same level of trade.
For CEP sales, however, we find that the CEP LOT is more advanced
than the NV LOT. In the Selling Functions Chart, Amtex claims that the
number and intensity of selling functions performed by Amtex in making
its sales to Amtex Chemicals are lower than the number and intensity of
selling functions Amtex performed for its EP sales, and further claims
that CEP sales are at a less advanced stage than home market sales. See
Amtex's Section A Response at A17 and Exhibit A-8. Amtex's Section C
Response, however, indicates that Amtex's CEP sales are at a more
advanced marketing stage than are its home market sales. See Amtex
Sections B and C Response at C37 and Exhibit B12.1. Amtex reports that
most of the principal selling functions in both markets are carried out
by a single employee in the Mexico office. Based on the allocation of
that employee's time between CEP sales and other sales, it is evident
that the intensity of activity for the principal selling functions is
greater for CEP sales than other sales. Id.; see also Exhibit A-1.
Accordingly, we preliminarily determine that the CEP LOT (that is,
sales from Amtex to its U.S. affiliate) involves a much more intense
level of activity than the NV LOT. See Analysis Memorandum at 4-7; see
also Purified Carboxymethylcellulose From Mexico: Notice of Preliminary
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 72 FR 44095, 44098
(August 7, 2007), unchanged in final results, 72 FR 70300 (December 11,
2007).
Because we found the home market and U.S. CEP sales were made at
different LOTs, we examined whether a LOT adjustment or a CEP offset
may be appropriate in this review. As we found only one LOT in the home
market, it was not possible to make a LOT adjustment to home market
sales prices, because such an adjustment is dependent on our ability to
identify a pattern of consistent price differences between the home
market sales on which NV is based and home market sales at the CEP LOT.
See 19 CFR 351.412(d)(1)(ii). Furthermore, because the CEP LOT involves
a much more intense level of activity than the NV LOT, it is not
possible to make a CEP offset to NV in accordance with section
773(a)(7)(B) of the Tariff Act.
Currency Conversions
Amtex reported certain home market and U.S. sales prices and
adjustments in both U.S. dollars and Mexican pesos. Therefore, we made
peso-U.S. dollar currency conversions, where appropriate, based on the
exchange rates in effect on the date of the sale, as certified by the
Federal Reserve Board, in accordance with section 773A(a) of the Tariff
Act.
Preliminary Results of Review
As a result of our review, we preliminarily find the following
weighted-average dumping margin exists for the period July 1, 2007
through June 30, 2008:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted-Average
Producer/Exporter Margin
(Percentage)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quimica Amtex, S.A. de C.V.......................... 3.95
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Department will disclose calculations performed within five
days of the date of publication of this notice in accordance with 19
CFR 351.224(b). An interested party may request a hearing within thirty
days of publication. See 19 CFR 351.310(c). Requests should contain the
party's name, address, and telephone number, the number of
participants, and a list of the issues to be discussed. At the hearing,
each party may make an affirmative presentation only on issues raised
in that party's case brief, and may make rebuttal presentations only on
arguments included in that party's rebuttal brief. Any hearing, if
requested, will be held 37 days after the date of publication, or the
first business day thereafter, unless the Department alters the date
pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(d). Interested parties may submit case
briefs no later than 30 days after the date of publication of these
preliminary results of review. See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(ii). Rebuttal
briefs, limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may be filed no
later than 35 days after the date of publication of this notice. See 19
CFR 351.309(d)(1). Parties who submit arguments in these proceedings
are requested to submit with the argument: 1) a statement of the issue;
2) a brief summary of the argument; and 3) a table of authorities.
Further, parties submitting written comments must provide the
Department with an additional copy of the public version of any such
comments on diskette. The Department will issue final results of this
administrative review, including the results of our analysis of the
issues in any such written comments or at a hearing, within 120 days of
publication of these preliminary results.
The Department shall determine, and CBP shall assess, antidumping
duties on all appropriate entries. Upon completion of this
administrative review, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.212(b), the Department
will calculate an assessment rate on all appropriate entries. Amtex has
reported entered values for all of its sales of subject merchandise to
the United States during the POR. Therefore, in accordance with 19 CFR
351.212(b)(1), we will calculate importer-specific duty assessment
rates on the basis of the ratio of the total amount of antidumping
duties calculated for the examined sales to the total entered value of
the examined sales of that importer. These rates will be assessed
uniformly on all entries the respective importers made during the POR
if these preliminary results are adopted in the final results of
review. Where the assessment rate is above de minimis, we will instruct
CBP to assess duties on all entries of subject merchandise by that
importer. In accordance with 19 CFR 356.8(a), the Department intends to
issue appropriate assessment instructions directly to CBP on or after
41 days following the publication of the final results of review.
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). This
clarification will apply to entries of subject merchandise during the
POR produced by the company included in these preliminary results that
the company did not know were 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 intermediate company or
companies involved in the transaction.
Cash Deposit Requirements
Furthermore, the following cash deposit requirements will be
effective
[[Page 16363]]
for all shipments of CMC from Mexico entered, or withdrawn from
warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date of the
final results of this administrative review, as provided by section
751(a)(1) of the Tariff Act: 1) the cash deposit rate for Amtex will be
the rate established in the final results of review, unless that rate
is less than 0.50 percent (de minimis within the meaning of 19 CFR
351.106(c)(1)), in which case the cash deposit rate will be zero; 2) if
the exporter is not a firm covered in this review or the less-than-
fair-value (LTFV) investigation, but the manufacturer is, the cash
deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recent period
for the manufacturer of the merchandise; and 3) if neither the exporter
nor the manufacturer is a firm covered in this or any previous review
conducted by the Department, the cash deposit rate will be the all-
others rate of 12.61 percent from the LTFV investigation. See Notice of
Antidumping Duty Orders: Purified Carboxymethylcellulose from Finland,
Mexico, the Netherlands and Sweden, 70 FR 39734 (July 11, 2005).
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.
We are issuing and publishing this notice in accordance with
sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Tariff Act and 19 CFR 351.221.
Dated: April 2, 2009.
Ronald K. Lorentzen,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-8233 Filed 4-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S