Certain Pasta From Italy: Notice of Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, Preliminary No Shipment Determination and Preliminary Intent To Revoke Order, in Part, 46377-46385 [2012-19057]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2012 / Notices
response to material submitted during
the foregoing period may be submitted
during the subsequent 15-day period to
October 17, 2012.
A copy of the application will be
available for public inspection at the
Office of the Executive Secretary,
Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room 2111,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20230–0002, and in the ‘‘Reading
Room’’ section of the Board’s Web site,
which is accessible via www.trade.gov/
ftz. For further information, contact
Elizabeth Whiteman at
Elizabeth.Whiteman@trade.gov or (202)
482–0473.
Dated: July 30, 2012.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012–19061 Filed 8–2–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
[B–58–2012]
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Foreign-Trade Zone 37—Orange
County, NY, Notification of Proposed
Production Activity, Takasago
International Corporation (Fragrances),
Harriman, NY
Takasago International Corporation
(Takasago) submitted a notification of
proposed production activity for their
facility located in Harriman, New York.
The notification conforming to the
requirements of the regulations of the
Board (15 CFR 400.22) was received on
July 26, 2012
The Takasago facility is located
within Site 10 of FTZ 37. The facility is
used for the manufacturing of fragrance
compounds. Production under FTZ
procedures could exempt Takasago from
customs duty payments on the foreign
status components used in export
production. On its domestic sales,
Takasago would be able to choose the
duty rates during customs entry
procedures that apply to fragrances
(duty-free) for the foreign status inputs
noted below. Customs duties also could
possibly be deferred or reduced on
foreign status production equipment.
Components and materials sourced
from abroad include: Caryophyllene
acetate; cooling agents; coolact; DH
citronellol; DH citronellal; florasantol;
hydroxycitronellal DMA; hedirosa;
kovanol; 1aurinal; lemon oil; longozal;
L-citrol; mercaptomenthone; meth-4propyl-1, 3-oxathia; muscone; meth
fenchol; thiogeraniol; verdone; furfural;
heliotropine; meth caproate; terpene T
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Aug 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
‘‘SP’’; thesaron; cis-jasmone; citronellolL; trepanol; menthol; musk; oxalide;
perilla oil; cyclohexyl lactone; hotact
VBE; santalex T; heliotropyl acetate;
ambretone; menthol-L synthetic flakes;
citral natural; citronellyl formate;
citronellyl tiglate; coniferan; fenchyl
ALC; hindinol; isoproppoxy ether;
isobornyl methyl ether; menthone;
ionones and methylionones; orbitone;
pinene; TH geranyl acetate; bornyl
acetate; citronellal extra;
dihydromyrcenol; fenchyl acetate;
fenchyl alcohol; dimethyl dioxolan;
isopropoxyethyl; lavender oil;
limonene-L; levosandol; myrcene;
methyl ionone gamma; nerol; nopyl
acetate; phellandrene; terpinen-4-ol;
tetrahydro myrcenol; terpinene;
estragole; neryl acetate; suzaral;
citronellyl nitrile; camphene; citronellal
natural; geraniol; methyl dioxolan;
citral; violet; isobornyl methyl ether;
cypressan; terpinene gamma; cedanol;
ambrinol; methyl ionone; and other
aroma chemicals, mixtures of odiferous
substances and essential oils (duty rate
ranges from duty free to 7%).
Public comment is invited from
interested parties. Submissions shall be
addressed to the Board’s Executive
Secretary at the address below. The
closing period for their receipt is
September 12, 2012.
A copy of the notification will be
available for public inspection at the
Office of the Executive Secretary,
Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room 2111,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20230–0002, and in the ‘‘Reading
Room’’ section of the Board’s Web site,
which is accessible via www.trade.gov/
ftz.
For further information, contact
Elizabeth Whiteman at
Elizabeth.Whiteman@trade.gov or (202)
482–0473.
Dated: July 30, 2012.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012–19063 Filed 8–2–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
PO 00000
46377
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–475–818]
Certain Pasta From Italy: Notice of
Preliminary Results of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review,
Preliminary No Shipment
Determination and Preliminary Intent
To Revoke Order, in Part
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
AGENCY:
In response to requests by
interested parties, the Department of
Commerce (‘‘the Department’’) is
conducting an administrative review of
the antidumping duty order on certain
pasta (‘‘pasta’’) from Italy for the period
of review (‘‘POR’’) July 1, 2010, through
June 30, 2011. This review covers the
following seven companies: Botticelli
Mediterraneo S.a.r.l. (‘‘Botticelli’’),
Fiamma Vesuviana S.r.L. (‘‘Fiamma’’),
Industria Alimentare Filiberto Bianconi
1947 S.p.A. (‘‘Filiberto’’), Pastificio
Fratelli Cellino, S.r.l. (‘‘Fratelli’’),
Pastificio Attilio Mastromauro Granoro
S.r.L. (‘‘Granoro’’), Rummo S.p.A.
Molino e Pastificio and its affiliates
(‘‘Rummo’’), and Pastificio Zaffiri
(‘‘Zaffiri’’). We preliminarily find that
Rummo, Filiberto, Fratelli, and Zaffiri
sold subject merchandise at less than
normal value (NV) (dumping). We
further find that there were no exports
of subject merchandise to the United
States during the POR by Fiamma and
Botticelli. Finally, in response to its
request for revocation and because this
would be the third year of no dumping
by Granoro, we preliminarily intend to
revoke the antidumping duty order with
regard to Granoro. If these preliminary
results are adopted in the final results
of this administrative review, we will
instruct U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (‘‘CBP’’) to assess
antidumping duties on all appropriate
entries of subject merchandise during
the POR. Interested parties are invited to
comment on these preliminary results.
SUMMARY:
DATES:
Effective Date: August 3, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dennis McClure or George McMahon
AD/CVD Operations, Office 3, Import
Administration, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230;
telephone: (202) 482–5973 or (202) 482–
1167, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
03AUN1
46378
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2012 / Notices
Background
On July 24, 1996, the Department
published in the Federal Register the
antidumping duty order on pasta from
Italy.1 On July 1, 2011, the Department
published a notice of opportunity to
request an administrative review of the
antidumping duty order on certain pasta
from Italy.2 Pursuant to requests from
interested parties,3 the Department
published in the Federal Register the
notice of initiation of this antidumping
duty administrative review with respect
to the following companies for the
period July 1, 2010, through June 30,
2011: Botticelli, Fiamma, Filiberto,
Labor S.r.L. (‘‘Labor’’), PAM. S.p.A. and
its affiliate, Liguori Pastificio dal 1820
SpA (‘‘PAM’’), P.A.P. SNC Di Pazienza
G.B. & C. (‘‘P.A.P.’’), Premiato Pastificio
Afeltra S.r.L. (‘‘Afeltra’’), Pasta Lensi
S.r.l. (‘‘Lensi’’), Zaffiri, Granoro,4
Pastificio Di Martino Gaetano & F.lli
SpA (‘‘Di Martino’’), Fratelli, Pastificio
Lucio Garofalo S.p.A. (‘‘Garofalo’’),
Pastificio Riscossa F.lli Mastromauro
S.p.A. (‘‘Riscossa’’), Rummo, Rustichella
d’Abruzzo S.p.A. (‘‘Rustichella’’) and
Industria Alimentare Colavita, S.p.A.
(‘‘Indalco’’).
On September 13, 2011, the
Department announced its intention to
select mandatory respondents based on
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(‘‘CBP’’) data.5 On October 3, 2011, the
Department selected Garofalo and
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
1 See
Notice of Antidumping Duty Order and
Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less
Than Fair Value: Certain Pasta From Italy, 61 FR
38547 (July 24, 1996).
2 See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order,
Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity
To Request Administrative Review, 76 FR 38609
(July 1, 2011).
3 The petitioners include New World Pasta
Company, Dakota Growers Pasta Company and
American Italian Pasta Company (collectively,
‘‘petitioners’’).
4 The Department notes that, on August 31, 2010,
the Department deferred the 7/1/2009—6/30/2010
administrative review for Pastificio Attilio
Mastromauro-Pasta Granoro S.R.L. for one year. See
Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Administrative Reviews and Deferral of Initiation of
Administrative Review, 75 FR 53274 (August 31,
2010). We initiated this review one year later along
with the 7/1/2010—6/30/2011 administrative
review. See Initiation of Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and
Requests for Revocation in Part, 76 FR 53404, 53408
(August 26, 2011) (‘‘First Initiation Notice’’). The
Department amended the Initiation of the instant
review to include Industria Alimentare Colavita,
S.p.A., because this company was inadvertently
omitted from First Initiation Notice. See Initiation
of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Administrative Reviews and Requests for
Revocations in Part, 76 FR 61076 (October 3, 2011).
5 See Memorandum from Christopher Hargett to
Melissa Skinner titled ‘‘Customs and Border
Protection Data for Selection of Respondents for
Individual Review,’’ dated September 13, 2011
(CBP Data Memo).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Aug 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
Rummo as mandatory respondents.6 On
October 5, 2011, Granoro requested that
it be granted voluntary respondent
treatment. On October 11, 2011,
Garofalo withdrew its request for a
review. On November 7, 2011, Granoro
withdrew its request for a deferred
review of certain pasta from Italy for the
POR of June 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.
On October 19, 2011, and November 17,
2011, respectively, the Department
published in the Federal Register
notices of partial rescission of the
administrative reviews with respect to
Garofalo and with respect to the
deferred review of Granoro.7 On
November 18, 2011, Lensi withdrew its
request for a review. On November 21,
2011, Indalco and Labor withdrew their
requests for a review. On November 22,
2011, Granoro timely submitted its
Sections A–D Voluntary Questionnaire
Response for the 2010–2011 review that
remains active within the case deadlines
established for the mandatory
respondent, Rummo. On November 22,
2011, PAM, P.A.P., Riscossa, and
Rustichella withdrew their requests for
a review. On November 23, 2011,
Afeltra and Di Martino withdrew their
requests for a review. On December 12,
2011, the Department published in the
Federal Register a notice of partial
rescission of the administrative reviews
with respect to Afeltra, Di Martino,
Indalco, Labor, Lensi, PAM, P.A.P.,
Riscossa, and Rustichella.8 The instant
review continues with respect to
Botticelli, Fiamma, Filiberto, Fratelli,
Granoro, Rummo, and Zaffiri. As noted
above, Rummo was selected as and
remains a mandatory respondent.
Pursuant to Granoro’s November 22,
2011 request, the Department accepted
Granoro as a voluntary respondent on
December 12, 2011.9
Between October 2011 and June 2012,
the Department issued its initial
questionnaire 10 and supplemental
6 See Memorandum from Christopher Hargett to
Melissa Skinner titled ‘‘Selection of Respondents
for Individual Review,’’ dated October 3, 2011.
7 See Certain Pasta from Italy: Notice of Partial
Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 76 FR 64897 (October 19, 2011); see also
Certain Pasta from Italy: Notice of Partial
Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 76 FR 71311 (November 17, 2011)
(‘‘Granoro: Partial Rescission of Deferred Review’’).
8 See Certain Pasta from Italy: Notice of Partial
Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 76 FR 77204 (December 12, 2011).
9 See Memorandum from Dennis McClure to
Melissa Skinner through James Terpstra, dated
December 12, 2011, titled ‘‘Treatment of Pastificio
Attilio Mastromauro-Pasta Granoro S.r.L. as a
Voluntary Respondent.’’
10 The antidumping duty questionnaire issued to
respondents includes section A (i.e., the section
covering general information about the company) of
the antidumping duty questionnaire, section B (i.e.,
the section covering comparison market sales),
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
questionnaires to each respondent, as
applicable. The Department issued the
section D questionnaire to Granoro and
Rummo because we disregarded sales by
these companies that were below the
COP in the most recently completed
administrative review of each respective
company. We received responses to the
Department’s initial questionnaire on
November 22, 2011 from Granoro. We
received responses to the Department’s
initial questionnaire from Rummo on
December 6, 2011 (Section A), and
December 12, 2011 (Sections B–D). We
issued section A, B, C, and D
supplemental questionnaires to both
Granoro and Rummo. We received
Granoro’s supplemental questionnaire
responses in February and March 2012.
We received Rummo’s supplemental
questionnaire responses in March,
April, May, and June 2012.
On February 28, 2012, the Department
fully extended the due date for the
preliminary results of review from April
2, 2012, to July 30, 2012.11
The Department conducted the sales
verification of Granoro from May 28,
2012, through June 1, 2012, in Bari,
Italy. The Department conducted the
cost verification of Granoro from May
21, 2012, through May 25, 2012, in Bari,
Italy.
Verification
As provided in section 782(i) of the
Act, we have verified information
provided by Granoro. We conducted
this verification using standard
verification procedures including the
examination of relevant sales and
financial records and the selection and
review of original documentation
containing relevant information. Our
verification results are outlined in the
public version of our verification
reports, which are on file electronically
via Import Administration’s
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Centralized Electronic Service System
(IA ACCESS). Access to IA ACCESS is
available in the Central Records Unit,
room 7046 of the main Department of
Commerce building.
section C (i.e., the section covering U.S. sales), and
section D (i.e., the section covering the cost of
production (‘‘COP’’) and constructed value (‘‘CV’’)).
11 See Certain Pasta From Italy: Extension of Time
Limits for the Preliminary Results of Fifteenth
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 77 FR
12008 (February 28, 2012).
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
03AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2012 / Notices
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Preliminary Determination of No
Reviewable Entries
On August 30, 2011, and September 6,
2011, Fiamma 12 and Botticelli,13
respectively, reported to the Department
that neither company had any exports,
sales or entries of pasta subject to the
antidumping order on pasta from Italy
to the United States during the POR.
The Department transmitted a ‘‘NoShipment Inquiry’’ to CBP regarding
Botticelli and Fiamma.14 Pursuant to
this inquiry, the Department received no
notifications from CBP of any entries of
subject merchandise from either
company within the 10-day deadline.
Accordingly, based on record evidence,
we preliminarily determine that
Botticelli and Fiamma had no
reviewable entries during the POR.
Our past practice concerning noshipment respondents was to rescind
the administrative review if the
respondent certified that it had no
shipments and we confirmed the
certified statement through an
examination of CBP data.15 We would
then instruct CBP to liquidate any
entries of merchandise produced by the
respondent at the deposit rate in effect
on the date of entry. However, in our
May 6, 2003, ‘‘automatic assessment’’
clarification, we explained that, where
respondents in an administrative review
demonstrated that they had no
knowledge of sales through resellers to
the United States, we would instruct
CBP to liquidate such entries at the allothers rate applicable to the proceeding.
See Antidumping and Countervailing
Duty Proceedings: Assessment of
Antidumping Duties, 68 FR 23954 (May
6, 2003) (‘‘Assessment Policy Notice’’).
Because ‘‘as entered’’ liquidation
instructions do not alleviate the
concerns which the Assessment Policy
Notice was intended to address, instead
12 In its letter of August 30, 2011, Fiamma stated
that ‘‘Fiamma Vesuviana hereby informs the
Department of Commerce that it had no exports,
sales or entries of pasta subject to the antidumping
order on pasta from Italy to the United States during
the period of review, July 1, 2010 through June 30,
2011.’’
13 In its letter of September 6, 2011, Botticelli
stated, ‘‘Botticelli Mediterraneo further informs the
Department of Commerce that it is located in
Tunisia; that it produces and exports olive oil and
is not involved in the production, distribution or
sale of pasta in any way; and that it does not have
any operations of any type in Italy.’’
14 No entries were reported in the data which the
Department relied on for its selection of
respondents. See CBP Memo (BPI document) and
CBP Message numbers: 2165302 and 2165303,
dated June 13, 2012.
15 See 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3); see also Certain
Large Diameter Carbon and Alloy Seamless
Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe (Over 41/2
Inches) From Japan: Final Results of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review, 77 FR 27428, 27430
(May 10, 2012).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Aug 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
of rescinding the review with respect to
Botticelli and Fiamma, we find it
appropriate to complete the review and
issue liquidation instructions to CBP
concerning entries for these companies
following the final results of the review.
If we continue to find that Botticelli and
Fiamma had no reviewable transactions
of subject merchandise in the final
results, we will instruct CBP to liquidate
any existing entries of merchandise
produced by Botticelli and Fiamma but
exported by other parties at the allothers rate.16
Targeted Dumping Allegations
The petitioners note that they
conducted their own targeted dumping
analysis of Granoro’s and Rummo’s U.S.
sales using the Department’s targeted
dumping methodology as applied in
Steel Nails and modified in Wood
Flooring.17 Based on their own analysis,
the petitioners argue the Department
should conduct a targeted dumping
analysis and employ average-totransaction comparisons without offsets
should the Department find that the
record supports its allegation of targeted
dumping.18 Granoro and Rummo did
not comment on the targeted dumping
allegations submitted by the petitioners.
For purposes of these preliminary
results, the Department did not conduct
a targeted dumping analysis. In
calculating the preliminary weightedaverage dumping margin, the
Department applied the calculation
methodology adopted in the Final
Modification for Reviews.19 In
particular, the Department compared
monthly, weighted-average export
prices with monthly, weighted-average
16 See, e.g., Magnesium Metal From the Russian
Federation: Preliminary Results of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review, 75 FR 26922, 26923
(May 13, 2010), unchanged in Magnesium Metal
From the Russian Federation: Final Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 75 FR
56989 (September 17, 2010).
17 See The petitioners’ Allegation of Targeted
Dumping with respect to Granoro, dated April 20,
2012, at 1–8, and the petitioners’ Allegation of
Targeted Dumping with respect to Rummo, dated
April 20, 2012, at 1–8, both (citing Certain Steel
Nails from the People’s Republic of China: Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and
Partial Affirmative Determination of Critical
Circumstances, 73 FR 33,977 (June 16, 2008) (‘‘Steel
Nails’’), and accompany Issues and Decision
Memorandum at Comment 8; Multilayered Wood
Flooring from the People’s Republic of China: Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, 76
FR 64318 (Oct. 18, 2011) (‘‘Wood Flooring’’), and
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at
Comment 4).
18 See id. at 5–9 and 6–9, respectively.
19 See Antidumping Proceedings: Calculation of
the Weighted-Average Dumping Margin and
Assessment Rate in Certain Antidumping
Proceedings; Final Modification, 77 FR 8101
(February 14, 2012) (‘‘Final Modification for
Reviews’’).
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
46379
normal values, and granted offsets for
negative comparison results in the
calculation of the weighted-average
dumping margins.20 Application of this
methodology in these preliminary
results affords parties an opportunity to
meaningfully comment on the
Department’s implementation of this
recently adopted methodology in the
context of this administrative review.
Scope of the Order
Imports covered by this order are
shipments of certain non-egg dry pasta
in packages of five pounds four ounces
or less, whether or not enriched or
fortified or containing milk or other
optional ingredients such as chopped
vegetables, vegetable purees, milk,
gluten, diastasis, vitamins, coloring and
flavorings, and up to two percent egg
white. The pasta covered by this scope
is typically sold in the retail market, in
fiberboard or cardboard cartons, or
polyethylene or polypropylene bags of
varying dimensions.
Excluded from the scope of this order
are refrigerated, frozen, or canned
pastas, as well as all forms of egg pasta,
with the exception of non-egg dry pasta
containing up to two percent egg white.
Also excluded are imports of organic
pasta from Italy that are accompanied by
the appropriate certificate issued by the
Instituto Mediterraneo Di Certificazione,
by QC&I International Services, by
Ecocert Italia, by Consorzio per il
Controllo dei Prodotti Biologici, by
Associazione Italiana per l’Agricoltura
Biologica, by Codex S.r.L., by
Bioagricert S.r.L., or by Instituto per la
Certificazione Etica e Ambientale.
Effective July 1, 2008, gluten free pasta
is also excluded from this order. See
Certain Pasta from Italy: Notice of Final
Results of Antidumping Duty Changed
Circumstances Review and Revocation,
in Part, 74 FR 41120 (August 14, 2009).
The merchandise subject to this order
is currently classifiable under items
1902.19.20 and 1901.90.9095 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (‘‘HTSUS’’). Although the
HTSUS subheadings are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the merchandise
subject to the order is dispositive.
Notice of Intent To Revoke Order, in
Part
On July 29, 2011, Granoro requested
revocation of the order on pasta from
Italy as it pertains to its sales. Pursuant
to section 751(d)(1) of the Act, the
Department ‘‘may revoke, in whole or in
part’’ an antidumping duty order upon
completion of a review. Although
20 See
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
id. at 8102.
03AUN1
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
46380
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2012 / Notices
Congress has not specified the
procedures that the Department must
follow in revoking an order, the
Department has developed a procedure
for revocation that is set forth at 19 CFR
351.222. Pursuant to 19 CFR
351.222(b)(2), the Department may
revoke an antidumping duty order in
part if it concludes that (A) an exporter
or producer has sold the merchandise at
not less than normal value for a period
of at least three consecutive years, (B)
the exporter or producer has agreed in
writing to its immediate reinstatement
in the order if the Secretary concludes
that the exporter or producer,
subsequent to the revocation, sold the
subject merchandise at less than normal
value, and (C) the continued application
of the antidumping duty order is no
longer necessary to offset dumping.
Section 351.222(b)(3) of the
Department’s regulations states that, in
the case of an exporter that is not the
producer of subject merchandise, the
Department normally will revoke an
order in part under 19 CFR
351.222(b)(2) only with respect to
subject merchandise produced or
supplied by those companies that
supplied the exporter during the time
period that formed the basis for
revocation.
A request for revocation of an order in
part for a company previously found
dumping must address three elements.
The company requesting the revocation
must do so in writing and submit the
following statements with the request:
(1) The company’s certification that it
sold the subject merchandise at not less
than normal value during the current
review period and that, in the future, it
will not sell at less than normal value;
(2) the company’s certification that,
during each of the consecutive years
forming the basis of the request, it sold
the subject merchandise to the United
States in commercial quantities; (3) the
agreement to reinstatement in the order
if the Department concludes that,
subsequent to revocation, the company
has sold the subject merchandise at less
than normal value. See 19 CFR
351.222(e)(1). We preliminarily
determine that the request dated July 29,
2011, from Granoro meets all of the
criteria under 19 CFR 351.222(e)(1).
With regard to the criteria of 19 CFR
351.222(b)(2), our preliminary margin
calculations show that Granoro sold
pasta at not less than normal value
during the current review period. See
‘‘Preliminary Results of Reviews’’
section below. In addition, it sold pasta
at not less than normal value in the
previous administrative review in
which it was reviewed, including the
intermediary period between the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Aug 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
previous administrative review and this
ongoing review. See Certain Pasta from
Italy: Notice of Final Results of the
Thirteenth Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 75 FR 81212
(December 27, 2010). Based on our
examination of the sales data submitted
by Granoro, we preliminarily determine
that Granoro sold the subject
merchandise in the United States in
commercial quantities in each of the
consecutive years cited by Granoro to
support its request for revocation. See
Granoro’s Sales Verification Report,
dated July 9, 2012, at Exhibit SVE–10.
Thus, we preliminarily find that the
Granoro sold pasta at not less than
normal value for the last three
consecutive years and sold in
commercial quantities all three years.
Also, we preliminarily determine that
application of the antidumping duty
order to Granoro is no longer warranted
for the following reasons: (1) The
company sold pasta at not less than
normal value for a period of at least
three consecutive years; (2) the
company has agreed to immediate
reinstatement of the order if we find that
it has resumed making sales at less than
fair value; (3) the continued application
of the order is not otherwise necessary
to offset dumping.
Therefore, we preliminarily determine
that Granoro qualifies for revocation
from the order on pasta from Italy
pursuant to 19 CFR 351.222(b)(2) and,
thus, we preliminarily determine to
revoke the order with respect to pasta
from Italy exported and/or sold to the
United States by Granoro. If our intent
to revoke results in revocation of the
order in part with respect to
merchandise exported and/or sold by
Granoro, the proposed effective date of
the revocation is July 1, 2011.21
Product Comparisons
In accordance with section 771(16) of
the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the
Act), we first attempted to match
contemporaneous sales of products sold
21 The Department amended its regulations
concerning the revocation of antidumping and
countervailing duty orders in whole or in part, and
the termination of suspended antidumping and
countervailing duty investigations. Specifically, the
Department’s Final Rule eliminates the provision
for revocation of an antidumping or countervailing
duty order with respect to individual exporters or
producers based on those individual exporters or
producers having received antidumping rates of
zero for three consecutive years, or countervailing
duty rates of zero for five consecutive years. This
Final Rule will apply to all reviews that are
initiated on or after June 20, 2012, however, this
provision regarding revocation does not apply to
Granoro because the instant review was initiated
prior to the aforementioned date. See Modification
to Regulation Concerning the Revocation of
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, 77
FR 29875 (May 21, 2012) (‘‘Final Rule’’).
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
by Granoro and Rummo in the United
States and comparison markets that
were identical with respect to the
following characteristics: (1) Pasta
shape; (2) wheat species; (3) milling
form; (4) protein content; (5) additives;
and (6) enrichment. In this review, the
respondents did not report the protein
content as indicated on the packaging of
the finished pasta, but instead reported
based on their internal production
records. Therefore, we clarified in a
supplemental questionnaire to the
respondents that they were expected to
report the protein content based on the
protein content indicated on the
packaging of the finished product. In
our calculations we used the protein
content indicated on the packaging of
the finished product, as reported by the
respondents in their supplemental
questionnaire responses. When there
were no sales of identical merchandise
in the comparison market to compare
with U.S. sales, we compared U.S. sales
with the most similar product based on
the characteristics listed above, in
descending order of priority. When
there were no appropriate comparison
market sales of comparable
merchandise, we compared the
merchandise sold in the United States to
CV, in accordance with section 773(a)(4)
of the Act.
We made comparisons to weightedaverage comparison market prices that
were based on all sales which passed
the cost-of-production test and on those
sales which did not pass the cost-ofproduction test but were made at prices
which were considered to have
provided for the recovery of costs
within a reasonable period of time.
Specifically, in making our
comparisons, if an identical home
market model was reported, we made
comparisons to monthly weightedaverage home market prices that were
based on all relevant sales during the
contemporary month or, lacking such
sales, to a previous or subsequent month
in the shorter cost period (see ‘‘Cost
Averaging Methodology’’ below). If
there were no sales of an identical
model available for comparison during
the relevant months, we substituted the
most similar above cost home market
model. If there were no home market
models with a difference in
merchandise of less than twenty percent
available, we used constructed value for
comparison purposes. We calculated the
weighted-average comparison market
prices on a level of trade-specific basis.
For purposes of the preliminary
results, where appropriate, we have
calculated the adjustment for
differences in merchandise based on the
difference in the variable cost of
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
03AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2012 / Notices
manufacturing (‘‘VCOM’’) between each
U.S. model and the most similar home
market model selected for comparison.
Comparisons to Normal Value
To determine whether sales of certain
pasta from Italy were made in the
United States at prices below NV, we
compared the export price (EP) or
constructed export price (CEP) to the
NV, as described in the ‘‘Export Price
and Constructed Export Price’’ and
‘‘Normal Value’’ sections of this notice.
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.414(c)(1) and
(d), we compared the monthly
weighted-average export price of U.S.
transactions to the monthly weightedaverage normal value of the comparable
foreign like product where there were
sales made in the ordinary course of
trade.22
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Export Price and Constructed Export
Price
For the price to the United States, we
used, as appropriate, EP or CEP, in
accordance with sections 772(a) and (b)
of the Act. Pursuant to section 772(a) of
the Act, we used the EP methodology
when the merchandise was first sold by
the producer or exporter outside the
United States directly to the unaffiliated
purchaser in the United States prior to
importation and when CEP was not
otherwise warranted based on the facts
on the record. We calculated CEP for
those sales where a person in the United
States, affiliated with the foreign
exporter or acting for the account of the
exporter, made the first sale to the
unaffiliated purchaser in the United
States of the subject merchandise. See
section 772(b) of the Act. We based EP
and CEP on the packed prices charged
to the first unaffiliated customer in the
United States and the applicable terms
of sale. When appropriate, we adjusted
prices to reflect billing adjustments,
rebates, and early payment discounts,
quantity discounts, expenses recovered
from customers, and commissions. In
accordance with section 772(c)(2) of the
Act, we made deductions, where
appropriate, for movement expenses
including movement expenses incurred
at the production facility, U.S.
warehouse expense, inland freight,
inland insurance, brokerage & handling,
22 In these preliminary results, the Department
applied the weighted-average dumping margin
calculation method adopted in Antidumping
Proceedings: Calculation of the Weighted-Average
Dumping Margin and Assessment Rate in Certain
Antidumping Duty Proceedings; Final Modification,
77 FR 8101 (February 14, 2012). In particular, the
Department compared monthly weighted-average
export prices with monthly weighted-average
normal values and granted offsets for non-dumped
comparisons in the calculation of the weightedaverage dumping margin.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Aug 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
international freight, marine insurance,
freight rebate revenue, and U.S. customs
duties. With respect to Granoro, we
capped the transportation recovery
amounts by the amount of U.S. freight
expenses, incurred on the subject
merchandise, in accordance with our
practice. See Certain Orange Juice from
Brazil: Final Results and Partial
Rescission of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 73 FR 46584
(August 11, 2008), and accompanying
Issues and Decision Memorandum
(‘‘2005–2007 OJ from Brazil’’) at
Comment 7.
In addition, when appropriate, we
increased EP by an amount equal to the
countervailing duty (‘‘CVD’’) rate
attributed to export subsidies in the
most recently completed CVD
administrative review, in accordance
with section 772(c)(1)(C) of the Act. For
CEP, in accordance with section
772(d)(1) of the Act, when appropriate,
we deducted from the starting price
those selling expenses that were
incurred in selling the subject
merchandise in the United States,
including direct selling expenses (cost
of credit, warranty, and other direct
selling expenses). These expenses also
include certain indirect selling expenses
incurred by unaffiliated U.S.
commission agents.23
Normal Value
A. Selection of Comparison Markets
Section 773(a)(1) of the Act directs
that NV be based on the price of the
foreign like product sold in the home
market, provided that the merchandise
is sold in sufficient quantities (or value,
if quantity is inappropriate) and that
there is no particular market situation
that prevents a proper comparison with
the export price or constructed export
price. The statute contemplates that
quantities (or value) normally be
considered insufficient if they are less
than five percent of the aggregate
quantity (or value) of sales of the subject
merchandise to the United States. To
determine whether there was a
sufficient volume of sales in the home
market to serve as a viable basis for
calculating NV, we compared each
respondent’s volume of home market
sales of the foreign like product to the
23 See
Memorandum from Dennis McClure to
James Terpstra, Program Manager, entitled ‘‘Sales
Analysis Memorandum for the Preliminary
Results—Granoro’’ (Preliminary Results Sales
Analysis Memo—Granoro), dated concurrently with
this notice; see also Memorandum from George
McMahon to James Terpstra, Program Manager,
entitled ‘‘Sales Analysis Memorandum for the
Preliminary Results—Rummo’’ (Preliminary Results
Sales Analysis Memo—Rummo), dated
concurrently with this notice.
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
46381
volume of its U.S. sales of the subject
merchandise. Pursuant to section
773(a)(1)(B) of the Act, because Granoro
and Rummo each had an aggregate
volume of home market sales of the
foreign like product that was greater
than five percent of its aggregate volume
of U.S. sales of the subject merchandise,
we determined that the home market
was viable for both Granoro and
Rummo.
B. Arm’s-Length Sales
Granoro reported that all of its sales
to the Italian market are to unaffiliated
customers; however, it made a few sales
to employees and shareholders and
coded such sales as affiliated sales. See
Granoro’s section B questionnaire
response, dated November 22, 2011. In
accordance with the Department’s
practice, we have excluded such sales
from consideration when the sales did
not pass our Arm’s Length Test. See
Preliminary Results Sales Analysis
Memo—Granoro. Rummo reported that
all of its sales to the Italian market are
to unaffiliated customers.24 In addition,
Pasta Castiglione (‘‘PC’’), Rummo’s
affiliated producer, reported that it did
not make any sales to affiliates in the
foreign market.25 Therefore, we did not
apply the arm’s length test with respect
to Rummo’s sales.
C. Cost of Production Analysis
In the most recently completed
segment of the proceeding in which
Granoro and Rummo participated, the
Department determined that the
aforementioned respondents sold the
foreign like product at prices below the
cost of producing the merchandise and,
as a result, we excluded such sales from
the calculation of normal value.26
Therefore, pursuant to section
773(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act, there are
reasonable grounds to believe or suspect
that Granoro and Rummo’s sales of the
foreign like product under consideration
for the determination of normal value in
the instant review may have been made
at prices below the COP as provided by
section 773(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act and,
therefore, outside of the ordinary course
of trade. Pursuant to section 773(b)(1) of
the Act, we have conducted a COP
investigation of Granoro and Rummo’s
24 See Rummo’s Section B Questionnaire
Response, dated December 12, 2011, at page B–9.
25 See PC’s Section A Questionnaire Response,
dated December 5, 2011 at A–24.
26 See Certain Pasta From Italy: Notice of
Amended Final Results of the Thirteenth
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 76 FR
6601 (February 7, 2011) (Pasta Thirteenth Review);
see also Certain Pasta from Italy: Notice of Final
Results of the Tenth Administrative Review and
Partial Rescission of Review, 72 FR 70298
(December 11, 2007) (‘‘Pasta Tenth Review’’).
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
03AUN1
46382
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2012 / Notices
sales in the comparison market (sales
below cost test) and required Granoro
and Rummo to submit a response to
Section D of the Department’s
questionnaire.
1. Cost Averaging Methodology
The Department’s normal practice is
to calculate an annual weighted-average
cost for the POR.27 However, we
recognize that possible distortions may
result if we use our normal annualaverage cost method during a time of
significant cost changes. In determining
whether to deviate from our normal
methodology of calculating an annual
weighted-average cost, we evaluate the
case-specific record evidence using two
primary factors: (1) The change in the
cost of manufacturing (‘‘COM’’)
recognized by the respondent during the
POR must be deemed significant; (2) the
record evidence must indicate that sales
during the shorter cost-averaging
periods could be reasonably linked with
the COP or constructed value during the
same shorter cost-averaging periods.28
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
a. Significance of Cost Changes
In prior cases, we established 25
percent as the threshold (between the
high- and low- quarter COM) for
determining that the changes in COM
are significant enough to warrant a
departure from our standard annualaverage cost approach.29 In the instant
case, record evidence shows that
Granoro and Rummo experienced
significant changes (i.e., changes that
exceeded 25 percent) between the high
and low quarterly COM during the
POR.30 This change in COM is
27 See Certain Pasta From Italy: Final Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 65 FR
77852 (December 13, 2000), and accompanying
Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 18,
and Notice of Final Results of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review: Carbon and Certain Alloy
Steel Wire Rod from Canada, 71 FR 3822 (January
24, 2006), and accompanying Issues and Decision
Memorandum at Comment 5 (explaining the
Department’s practice of computing a single
weighted-average cost for the entire period).
28 See Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils
From Mexico: Final Results of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 75 FR 6627 (February 10,
2010) (‘‘SSSS from Mexico’’), and accompanying
Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 6
and Stainless Steel Plate in Coils From Belgium:
Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 73 FR 75398 (December 11, 2008) (‘‘SSPC
from Belgium’’), and accompanying Issues and
Decision Memorandum at Comment 4.
29 See SSPC from Belgium, and accompanying
Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 4.
30 See Memorandum from Sheikh Hannan to Neal
M. Halper, Director of Office of Accounting, entitled
‘‘Cost of Production and Constructed Value
Calculation Adjustments for the Preliminary
Results—Granoro’’ (‘‘Granoro Cost Calculation
Memo’’), dated concurrently with this notice at 2;
see also Memorandum from Heidi Schriefer to Neal
M. Halper, Director of Office of Accounting, entitled
‘‘Cost of Production and Constructed Value
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Aug 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
attributable primarily to the price
volatility for semolina used in the
production of pasta. Id.
b. Linkage Between Cost and Sales
Information
Consistent with past precedent,
because we found the changes in costs
to be significant, we evaluated whether
there is evidence of a linkage between
the cost changes and the sales prices
during the POR.31 Absent a surcharge or
other pricing mechanism, the
Department may alternatively look for
evidence of a pattern that changes in
selling prices reasonably correlate to
changes in unit costs.32 To determine
whether a reasonable correlation existed
between the sales prices and underlying
costs during the POR, we compared
weighted-average quarterly prices to the
corresponding quarterly COM for the
control numbers with the highest
volume of sales in the comparison
market and in the United States. Our
comparison revealed that sales and costs
for Granoro and Rummo showed
reasonable correlation. See Granoro Cost
Calculation Memo at pages 2–3 and
Rummo Cost Calculation Memo at pages
2–3. After reviewing this information
and determining that changes in selling
prices correlate reasonably to changes in
unit costs, we preliminarily determine
that there is linkage between Granoro’s
and Rummo’s changing sales prices and
costs during the POR.33 We have
preliminarily determined that a shorter
cost period approach, based on a
quarterly-average COP, is appropriate
for Granoro and Rummo because we
have found significant cost changes in
COM as well as reasonable linkage
between costs and sales prices.
2. Calculation of Cost of Production
Before making comparisons to normal
value, we conducted a COP analysis of
Granoro’s and Rummo’s sales pursuant
to section 773(b)(3) of the Act to
determine whether home market sales
were made at prices below COP and that
these costs were not recoverable within
a reasonable period of time. For this
analysis, the COP is based on a quarterly
average COP rather than an annual
Calculation Adjustments for the Preliminary
Results—the Rummo Group’’ (‘‘Rummo Cost
Calculation Memo’’), dated concurrently with this
notice at 2.
31 See SSSS from Mexico, and accompanying
Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 6
and SSPC from Belgium, and accompanying Issues
and Decision Memorandum at Comment 4.
32 See SSPC from Belgium, and accompanying
Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 4.
33 Id.; see also SSSS from Mexico, and
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at
Comment 6 and SSPC from Belgium, and
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at
Comment 4.
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
average COP. See the ‘‘Cost Averaging
Methodology’’ section, above, for further
discussion. We calculated Granoro’s and
Rummo’s quarterly COP on a productspecific basis, based on the sum of the
Granoro’s and Rummo’s respective cost
of materials and fabrication for the
foreign like product, plus amounts for
general and administrative expenses,
interest expenses, and the costs of all
expenses incidental to packing the
merchandise. We relied on the COP
information submitted by both Granoro
and Rummo except the following
adjustments. With respect to Granoro,
we corrected several errors noted during
the cost verification, revised the
reported semolina costs to differentiate
for the protein content (the
Department’s fourth physical product
characteristic), and we weight-averaged
the per-unit costs for certain control
numbers (CONNUMs). For further
discussion of these adjustments, see
Granoro Cost Calculation Memo. With
respect to Rummo, we have revised
Rummo’s and Pasta Castiglioni’s
reported protein-specific quarterly
semolina costs to correct errors
discovered in the calculation of the
quarterly average semolina purchase
prices. We have also revised the
semolina calculations to express and
apply yield losses as a percentage rather
than as a nominal value. We then
calculated and applied a POR scrap
offset for each company. See Rummo
Cost Calculation Memo at 4–5. For
control numbers for which there was no
production during the POR or during a
POR quarter we chose or calculated
surrogates respectively.34
4. Cost Recovery Analysis
In accordance with sections
773(b)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act, for sales
found to be made below cost, we
examined whether, within an extended
period of time, such sales were made in
substantial quantities, and whether such
sales were made at prices which
permitted the recovery of all costs
within a reasonable period of time in
the normal course of trade. As stated in
section 773(b)(2)(D) of the Act, prices
are considered to provide for recovery of
costs if such prices are above the
weighted average per-unit COP for the
period of investigation or review.
In light of the Court’s directives in
SeAH Steel Corp. v. United States, 704
F. Supp. 2d 1353 (Ct. Int’l Trade 2010),
and SeAH Steel Corporation v. United
States, 764 F. Supp. 2d 1322 (Ct. Int’l.
Trade 2011) to use an unadjusted
34 See Preliminary Sales Analysis
Memorandum—Granoro and Preliminary Sales
Analysis Memorandum—Rummo.
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
03AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2012 / Notices
annual average cost for purposes of the
cost recovery test, in the instant review
we have used the approach to test for
cost recovery when using a shorter cost
period methodology.35 Using the
methodology adopted in SPT from
Turkey, we calculated a control number
specific weighted-average annual price
using only those sales that were made
below their quarterly COP, and
compared the resulting weightedaverage price to the annual weightedaverage cost per control number. If the
annual weighted-average price per
control number was above the annual
weighted-average cost per control
number then we considered those sales
to have provided for the recovery of
costs and restored all such sales to the
normal value pool of comparisonmarket sales available for comparison
with U.S. sales. For further details
regarding the cost recovery methodology
and the application of our shorter-cost
period methodology, see the Granoro
Cost Calculation Memo at 1–2; see also
the Rummo Cost Calculation Memo at
1–2.
5. Results of the Sales Below Cost Test
We found that for certain products,
more than 20 percent of Granoro’s and
Rummo’s home market sales were made
at prices below COP and, in addition,
these below cost sales were made within
an extended period of time and in
substantial quantities. In addition,
pursuant to the cost recovery analysis
described above, we found that these
sales were at prices which did not
permit the recovery of costs within a
reasonable period of time. Therefore, we
disregarded these sales from the
calculation of normal value, in
accordance with section 773(b)(1) of the
Act.
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
D. Calculation of Normal Value Based
on Comparison Market Prices
We calculated NV based on ex-works,
free on board (‘‘FOB’’) or delivered
prices to comparison market customers.
We made deductions from the starting
price, when appropriate, for discounts
and rebates. We added expenses
recovered from customers. We deducted
home market packing costs and added
U.S. packing costs, in accordance with
sections 773(a)(6)(A) and (B) of the Act.
We also deducted home market
movement expenses pursuant to section
773(a)(6)(B) of the Act. In addition, we
made adjustments for differences in
circumstances of sale (‘‘COS’’) pursuant
35 See Certain Welded Carbon Steel Pipe and
Tube From Turkey; Notice of Final Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 76 FR
76939 (December 9, 2011) (‘‘SPT From Turkey’’).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Aug 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
to section 773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Act.
Specifically, we made adjustments to
normal value for comparison to
Granoro’s and Rummo’s EP transactions
by deducting direct selling expenses
incurred for home market sales (i.e.,
credit expenses) and adding U.S. direct
selling expenses (i.e., credit expenses)
and U.S. commissions. See section
773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Act, and 19 CFR
351.410(c). We also made adjustments
for Granoro and Rummo, in accordance
with 19 CFR 351.410(e), for indirect
selling expenses incurred in the home
market or the United States where
commissions were granted on sales in
one market but not in the other, the
‘‘commission offset.’’ Specifically,
where commissions are incurred in one
market, but not in the other, we will
limit the amount of such allowance to
the amount of either the selling
expenses incurred in the one market or
the commissions allowed in the other
market, whichever is less.
When comparing U.S. sales with
comparison market sales of similar, but
not identical, merchandise, we also
made adjustments for physical
differences in the merchandise in
accordance with section 773(a)(6)(C)(ii)
of the Act and 19 CFR 351.411. We
based this adjustment on the difference
in the VCOM for the foreign like
product and subject merchandise, using
weighted-average costs.
Sales of pasta purchased by Granoro
and Rummo from unaffiliated producers
and resold in the comparison market
were disregarded. See Preliminary
Results Sales Analysis Memo—Granoro
and Preliminary Results Sales Analysis
Memo—Rummo.
E. Level of Trade
In accordance with section
773(a)(1)(B) of the Act, we determine
NV based on sales in the comparison
market at the same level of trade
(‘‘LOT’’) as the EP and CEP sales, to the
extent practicable. When there are no
sales at the same LOT, we compare U.S.
sales to comparison market sales at a
different LOT. When NV is based on CV,
the NV LOT is that of the sales from
which we derive SG&A expenses and
profit.
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.412(c)(2), to
determine whether comparison market
sales were at a different LOT, we
examine stages in the marketing process
and selling functions along the chain of
distribution between the producer and
the unaffiliated (or arm’s-length
affiliated) customers. The Department
identifies the LOT based on: The
starting price or constructed value (for
normal value); the starting price (for EP
sales); and the starting price, as adjusted
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
46383
under section 772(d) of the Act (for CEP
sales). If the comparison-market sales
were at a different LOT and the
differences affect price comparability, as
manifested in a pattern of consistent
price differences between the sales on
which NV is based and comparisonmarket sales at the LOT of the export
transaction, we will make an LOT
adjustment under section 773(a)(7)(A) of
the Act.
Finally, if the NV LOT is more remote
from the factory than the CEP LOT and
there is no basis for determining
whether the differences in LOT between
NV and CEP affected price
comparability, we will grant a CEP
offset, as provided in section
773(a)(7)(B) of the Act. See Notice of
Final Determination of Sales at Less
Than Fair Value: Certain Cut-to-Length
Carbon Steel Plate from South Africa,
62 FR 61731, 61732–33 (November 19,
1997).
Granoro indicated there was a single
level of trade for all sales in both
markets, and petitioners have not
claimed that multiple levels of trade
existed for Granoro. Granoro provided
information regarding channels of
distribution and selling activities
performed for different categories of
customers. See Granoro’s November 22,
2011, section A response, at Exhibit 3.
Granoro’s chart of specific selling
functions indicates the selling functions
performed for sales in both markets are
virtually identical, with no significant
variation across the broader categories
of sales process/marketing support,
freight and delivery, inventory and
warehousing, and quality assurance/
warranty services. For more details, see
Preliminary Results Analysis
Memorandum—Granoro. We have
preliminarily determined there is one
single level of trade for all sales in both
the home market and the U.S. market
and, therefore, that no basis exists for a
level of trade adjustment.
Rummo reported that there was a
single level of trade for its sales in the
home market and claimed two levels of
trade in the U.S. market. Rummo
provided information regarding
channels of distribution and selling
activities performed for different
categories of customers.36 Rummo’s and
PC’s 37 charts of specific selling
functions indicate the selling functions
performed for sales in both markets and
demonstrates that there are significantly
greater sales activities performed in the
home market as compared to Rummo’s
36 See Rummo’s and PC’s December 5, 2011,
section A response, at Exhibits A–3 and A–4.
37 See PC’s March 8, 2012 Supplemental response
at page 33.
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
03AUN1
46384
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2012 / Notices
U.S. sales. We have preliminarily
determined that these differences
support a finding that the home market
sales are made at a different and more
advanced stage of marketing than the
level of trade of Rummo’s CEP sales.
Accordingly, we have made a CEP offset
to NV pursuant to section 773(a)(7)(B) of
the Act.38
For a detailed description of our LOT
methodology and a summary of
company-specific LOT findings for
these preliminary results, see our
analysis contained in Preliminary
Results Sales Analysis Memo—Granoro
and Preliminary Results Sales Analysis
Memo—Rummo.
Currency Conversion
For purposes of these preliminary
results, we made currency conversions
in accordance with section 773A(a) of
the Act, based on the official exchange
rates published by the Federal Reserve
Bank. See Preliminary Results Sales
Analysis Memo—Granoro and
Preliminary Results Sales Analysis
Memo—Rummo.
Preliminary Results of Review
As a result of our review, we
preliminarily determine that the
following weighted-average percentage
margins exist for the period July 1, 2010,
through June 30, 2011:
Manufacturer/exporter
Margin
(percent) 39
Granoro ...................................
Rummo ...................................
Review-Specific Average
Rate 40.
Applicable to the Following
Companies: Filiberto,
Fratelli, and Zaffiri ...............
0.00
6.97
6.97
39 The
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
antidumping duty margins for
Granoro and Rummo include an adjustment
for the countervailing duty offset to account for
the export subsidy portion of the countervailing
duties applied to these companies, as defined
in the field CVDU.
40 This rate is a weight-average percentage
margin calculated based on the two companies that were selected for individual review,
excluding de minimis margins or margins
based entirely on adverse facts available.
Public Comment
The Department intends to disclose
the calculations performed for these
preliminary results within five days of
the date of publication of this notice to
the parties of this proceeding, in
accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b). An
38 The Department made a CEP offset to NV for
Rummo in the most recent administrative review
(2005–2006) in which Rummo was a mandatory
respondent. See Certain Pasta from Italy; Notice of
Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Tenth
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 72 FR
44082 (August 7, 2007).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Aug 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
interested party may request a hearing
within 30 days of publication of this
notice in the Federal Register. See 19
CFR 351.310(c). If a hearing is
requested, the Department will notify
interested parties of the hearing
schedule.
Interested parties are invited to
comment on the preliminary results of
this review. Interested parties may
submit case briefs within 30 days of the
date of publication of this notice.
Rebuttal briefs, which must be limited
to issues raised in the case briefs, may
be filed not later than 35 days after the
date of publication of this notice. Parties
who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs
in this review are requested to submit
with each argument (1) a statement of
the issue and (2) a brief summary of the
argument with an electronic version
included.
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(h), the
Department intends to issue the final
results of this review, including the
results of our analysis of issues raised in
any submitted written comments,
within 120 days after publication of this
notice.
expenses (e.g., international freight)
from the gross sales value.
The Department clarified its
‘‘automatic assessment’’ regulation on
May 6, 2003 (68 FR 23954). This
clarification will apply to entries of
subject merchandise during the POR
produced by companies included in
these preliminary results of review for
which the reviewed companies did not
know their merchandise was destined
for the United States. In such instances,
we will instruct CBP to liquidate
unreviewed entries at the all-others rate
if there is no rate for the intermediate
company(ies) involved in the
transaction. For a full discussion of this
clarification, see Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68
FR 23954 (May 6, 2003).
Cash Deposit Requirements
To calculate the cash deposit rate, we
divided the total dumping margin by the
total net value of the sales during the
review period. The following deposit
rates will be effective upon publication
of the final results of this administrative
Assessment Rate
review for all shipments of pasta from
Italy entered, or withdrawn from
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.212(b), the
warehouse, for consumption on or after
Department calculated an assessment
the publication date, as provided by
rate for each importer of the subject
merchandise. Upon issuance of the final section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) The
cash deposit rate for companies subject
results of this administrative review, if
to this review will be the rate
any importer-specific assessment rates
established in the final results of this
calculated in the final results are above
de minimis (i.e., at or above 0.5 percent), review, except if the rate is less than 0.5
the Department will issue appraisement percent and, therefore, de minimis, no
cash deposit will be required; (2) for
instructions directly to CBP to assess
previously reviewed or investigated
antidumping duties on appropriate
companies not listed above, the cash
entries by applying the assessment rate
to the entered value of the merchandise. deposit rate will continue to be the
company-specific rate published for the
Pursuant to the Final Modification for
most recent final results for a review in
Reviews, ‘‘when a review is conducted
applying the A–A {(average-to-average)} which that manufacturer or exporter
participated; (3) if the exporter is not a
comparison methodology, and the
weighted-average margin of dumping for firm covered in this review, a prior
review, or the original less-than-fairthe exporter or producer is determined
to be zero or de minimis, no assessment value (‘‘LTFV’’) investigation, but the
manufacturer is, the cash deposit rate
rates will be calculated and the
will be the rate established for the most
Department will instruct CBP to
recent final results for the manufacturer
liquidate all imports from the exporter
of the merchandise; and (4) if neither
or producer without regard to
the exporter nor the manufacturer is a
antidumping duties, regardless of
firm covered in this or any previous
importer.’’ 41 For assessment purposes,
review conducted by the Department,
we calculated importer-specific
the cash deposit rate will be 15.45
assessment rates for the subject
percent, the all-others rate established
merchandise by aggregating the
in the LTFV investigation. See
dumping margins for all U.S. sales to
Implementation of the Findings of the
each importer and dividing the amount
by the total entered value of the sales to WTO Panel in US—Zeroing (EC): Notice
of Determination Under Section 129 of
that importer. Where appropriate, to
the Uruguay Round Agreements Act and
calculate the entered value, we
Revocations and Partial Revocations of
subtracted international movement
Certain Antidumping Duty Orders, 72
FR 25261 (May 4, 2007). These cash
41 See Final Modification for Reviews, 77 FR at
8107.
deposit requirements, when imposed,
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
03AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2012 / Notices
shall remain in effect until further
notice.
Notification to Importers
This notice 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
increase the subsequent assessment of
the antidumping duties by the amount
of antidumping duties reimbursed.
These preliminary results of
administrative review are issued and
published in accordance with sections
751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.221(b)(4).
Dated: July 27, 2012.
Paul Piquado,
Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012–19057 Filed 8–2–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–428–820]
Certain Small Diameter Seamless
Carbon and Alloy Standard, Line, and
Pressure Pipe From Germany: Final
Results of the Expedited Third Sunset
Review of the Antidumping Duty Order
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: On April 2, 2012, the
Department of Commerce (the
Department) initiated the third sunset
review of the antidumping duty order
on certain small diameter seamless
carbon and alloy steel standard, line,
and pressure pipe (seamless pipe) from
Germany pursuant to section 751(c) of
the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the
Act). See Initiation of Five-Year
(‘‘Sunset’’) Review, 77 FR 19643 (April
2, 2012) (Sunset Initiation). On the basis
of a notice of intent to participate and
an adequate substantive response filed
on behalf of a domestic interested party,
and no response from a respondent
interested party, the Department
conducted an expedited (120-day)
sunset review. As a result of this sunset
review, the Department finds that
revocation of the antidumping duty
order would likely lead to the
continuation or recurrence of dumping.
TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:33 Aug 02, 2012
Jkt 226001
The magnitude of dumping likely to
prevail if the order were revoked is
identified in the ‘‘Final Results of
Review’’ section of this notice.
DATES: Effective Date: August 3, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ericka Ukrow or Angelica Mendoza,
AD/CVD Operations, Import
Administration, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230;
telephone: (202) 482–0405 or (202) 482–
3019, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On April 2, 2012, the Department
initiated the sunset review of the
antidumping duty order on seamless
pipe from Germany pursuant to section
751(c) of the Act. See Sunset Initiation.
The Department received a notice of
intent to participate from one domestic
interested party, United States Steel
Corporation (U.S. Steel), within the
deadline specified in 19 CFR
351.218(d)(1)(i). The domestic
interested party claimed interested party
status under section 771(9)(C) of the Act
as a U.S. producer of a domestic like
product. We received a complete
substantive response from the domestic
interested party within the 30-day
deadline specified in 19 CFR
351.218(d)(3)(i) on May 2, 2012. No
respondent interested parties submitted
responses. As a result of the timely
filed, substantive response from the
domestic interested party the
Department conducted an expedited
sunset review of the order, pursuant to
section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(2).
Scope of the Order
The scope of the order includes small
diameter seamless carbon and alloy
standard, line and pressure pipes
(seamless pipes) produced to the ASTM
A–335, ASTM A–106, ASTM A–53 and
API 5L specifications and meeting the
physical parameters described below,
regardless of application. The scope of
the order also includes all products
used in standard, line, or pressure pipe
applications and meeting the physical
parameters below, regardless of
specification.
For purposes of the order, seamless
pipes are seamless carbon and alloy
(other than stainless) steel pipes, of
circular cross-section, not more than
114.3 mm (4.5 inches) in outside
diameter, regardless of wall thickness,
manufacturing process (hot-finished or
cold-drawn), end finish (plain end,
beveled end, upset end, threaded, or
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
46385
threaded and coupled), or surface finish.
These pipes are commonly known as
standard pipe, line pipe or pressure
pipe, depending upon the application.
They may also be used in structural
applications. Pipes produced in nonstandard wall thicknesses are commonly
referred to as tubes.
The seamless pipes subject to the
order are currently classifiable under
subheadings 7304.19.10.20,
7304.19.50.20, 7304.31.60.50,
7304.39.00.16, 7304.39.00.20,
7304.39.00.24, 7304.39.00.28,
7304.39.00.32, 7304.51.50.05,
7304.51.50.60, 7304.59.60.00,
7304.59.80.10, 7304.59.80.15,
7304.59.80.20, and 7304.59.80.25 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTSUS).
The following information further
defines the scope of the order, which
covers pipes meeting the physical
parameters described above:
Specifications, Characteristics and
Uses: Seamless pressure pipes are
intended for the conveyance of water,
steam, petrochemicals, chemicals, oil
products, natural gas and other liquids
and gasses in industrial piping systems.
They may carry these substances at
elevated pressures and temperatures
and may be subject to the application of
external heat. Seamless carbon steel
pressure pipe meeting the American
Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM) standard A–106 may be used in
temperatures of up to 1000 degrees
Fahrenheit, at various American Society
of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) code
stress levels. Alloy pipes made to ASTM
standard A–335 must be used if
temperatures and stress levels exceed
those allowed for A–106 and the ASME
codes. Seamless pressure pipes sold in
the United States are commonly
produced to the ASTM A–106 standard.
Seamless standard pipes are most
commonly produced to the ASTM A–53
specification and generally are not
intended for high temperature service.
They are intended for the low
temperature and pressure conveyance of
water, steam, natural gas, air and other
liquids and gasses in plumbing and
heating systems, air conditioning units,
automatic sprinkler systems, and other
related uses. Standard pipes (depending
on type and code) may carry liquids at
elevated temperatures but must not
exceed relevant ASME code
requirements.
Seamless line pipes are intended for
the conveyance of oil and natural gas or
other fluids in pipe lines. Seamless line
pipes are produced to the API 5L
specification.
Seamless pipes are commonly
produced and certified to meet ASTM
E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM
03AUN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 150 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46377-46385]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19057]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-475-818]
Certain Pasta From Italy: Notice of Preliminary Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, Preliminary No Shipment
Determination and Preliminary Intent To Revoke Order, in Part
AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: In response to requests by interested parties, the Department
of Commerce (``the Department'') is conducting an administrative review
of the antidumping duty order on certain pasta (``pasta'') from Italy
for the period of review (``POR'') July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011.
This review covers the following seven companies: Botticelli
Mediterraneo S.a.r.l. (``Botticelli''), Fiamma Vesuviana S.r.L.
(``Fiamma''), Industria Alimentare Filiberto Bianconi 1947 S.p.A.
(``Filiberto''), Pastificio Fratelli Cellino, S.r.l. (``Fratelli''),
Pastificio Attilio Mastromauro Granoro S.r.L. (``Granoro''), Rummo
S.p.A. Molino e Pastificio and its affiliates (``Rummo''), and
Pastificio Zaffiri (``Zaffiri''). We preliminarily find that Rummo,
Filiberto, Fratelli, and Zaffiri sold subject merchandise at less than
normal value (NV) (dumping). We further find that there were no exports
of subject merchandise to the United States during the POR by Fiamma
and Botticelli. Finally, in response to its request for revocation and
because this would be the third year of no dumping by Granoro, we
preliminarily intend to revoke the antidumping duty order with regard
to Granoro. If these preliminary results are adopted in the final
results of this administrative review, we will instruct U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (``CBP'') to assess antidumping duties on all
appropriate entries of subject merchandise during the POR. Interested
parties are invited to comment on these preliminary results.
DATES: Effective Date: August 3, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis McClure or George McMahon AD/
CVD Operations, Office 3, Import Administration, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-5973
or (202) 482-1167, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
[[Page 46378]]
Background
On July 24, 1996, the Department published in the Federal Register
the antidumping duty order on pasta from Italy.\1\ On July 1, 2011, the
Department published a notice of opportunity to request an
administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain pasta
from Italy.\2\ Pursuant to requests from interested parties,\3\ the
Department published in the Federal Register the notice of initiation
of this antidumping duty administrative review with respect to the
following companies for the period July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011:
Botticelli, Fiamma, Filiberto, Labor S.r.L. (``Labor''), PAM. S.p.A.
and its affiliate, Liguori Pastificio dal 1820 SpA (``PAM''), P.A.P.
SNC Di Pazienza G.B. & C. (``P.A.P.''), Premiato Pastificio Afeltra
S.r.L. (``Afeltra''), Pasta Lensi S.r.l. (``Lensi''), Zaffiri,
Granoro,\4\ Pastificio Di Martino Gaetano & F.lli SpA (``Di Martino''),
Fratelli, Pastificio Lucio Garofalo S.p.A. (``Garofalo''), Pastificio
Riscossa F.lli Mastromauro S.p.A. (``Riscossa''), Rummo, Rustichella
d'Abruzzo S.p.A. (``Rustichella'') and Industria Alimentare Colavita,
S.p.A. (``Indalco'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Notice of Antidumping Duty Order and Amended Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Certain Pasta From
Italy, 61 FR 38547 (July 24, 1996).
\2\ See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or
Suspended Investigation; Opportunity To Request Administrative
Review, 76 FR 38609 (July 1, 2011).
\3\ The petitioners include New World Pasta Company, Dakota
Growers Pasta Company and American Italian Pasta Company
(collectively, ``petitioners'').
\4\ The Department notes that, on August 31, 2010, the
Department deferred the 7/1/2009--6/30/2010 administrative review
for Pastificio Attilio Mastromauro-Pasta Granoro S.R.L. for one
year. See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Administrative Reviews and Deferral of Initiation of Administrative
Review, 75 FR 53274 (August 31, 2010). We initiated this review one
year later along with the 7/1/2010--6/30/2011 administrative review.
See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative
Reviews and Requests for Revocation in Part, 76 FR 53404, 53408
(August 26, 2011) (``First Initiation Notice''). The Department
amended the Initiation of the instant review to include Industria
Alimentare Colavita, S.p.A., because this company was inadvertently
omitted from First Initiation Notice. See Initiation of Antidumping
and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Requests for
Revocations in Part, 76 FR 61076 (October 3, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On September 13, 2011, the Department announced its intention to
select mandatory respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (``CBP'') data.\5\ On October 3, 2011, the Department
selected Garofalo and Rummo as mandatory respondents.\6\ On October 5,
2011, Granoro requested that it be granted voluntary respondent
treatment. On October 11, 2011, Garofalo withdrew its request for a
review. On November 7, 2011, Granoro withdrew its request for a
deferred review of certain pasta from Italy for the POR of June 1, 2009
to June 30, 2010. On October 19, 2011, and November 17, 2011,
respectively, the Department published in the Federal Register notices
of partial rescission of the administrative reviews with respect to
Garofalo and with respect to the deferred review of Granoro.\7\ On
November 18, 2011, Lensi withdrew its request for a review. On November
21, 2011, Indalco and Labor withdrew their requests for a review. On
November 22, 2011, Granoro timely submitted its Sections A-D Voluntary
Questionnaire Response for the 2010-2011 review that remains active
within the case deadlines established for the mandatory respondent,
Rummo. On November 22, 2011, PAM, P.A.P., Riscossa, and Rustichella
withdrew their requests for a review. On November 23, 2011, Afeltra and
Di Martino withdrew their requests for a review. On December 12, 2011,
the Department published in the Federal Register a notice of partial
rescission of the administrative reviews with respect to Afeltra, Di
Martino, Indalco, Labor, Lensi, PAM, P.A.P., Riscossa, and
Rustichella.\8\ The instant review continues with respect to
Botticelli, Fiamma, Filiberto, Fratelli, Granoro, Rummo, and Zaffiri.
As noted above, Rummo was selected as and remains a mandatory
respondent. Pursuant to Granoro's November 22, 2011 request, the
Department accepted Granoro as a voluntary respondent on December 12,
2011.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See Memorandum from Christopher Hargett to Melissa Skinner
titled ``Customs and Border Protection Data for Selection of
Respondents for Individual Review,'' dated September 13, 2011 (CBP
Data Memo).
\6\ See Memorandum from Christopher Hargett to Melissa Skinner
titled ``Selection of Respondents for Individual Review,'' dated
October 3, 2011.
\7\ See Certain Pasta from Italy: Notice of Partial Rescission
of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 76 FR 64897 (October 19,
2011); see also Certain Pasta from Italy: Notice of Partial
Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 76 FR 71311
(November 17, 2011) (``Granoro: Partial Rescission of Deferred
Review'').
\8\ See Certain Pasta from Italy: Notice of Partial Rescission
of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 76 FR 77204 (December 12,
2011).
\9\ See Memorandum from Dennis McClure to Melissa Skinner
through James Terpstra, dated December 12, 2011, titled ``Treatment
of Pastificio Attilio Mastromauro-Pasta Granoro S.r.L. as a
Voluntary Respondent.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Between October 2011 and June 2012, the Department issued its
initial questionnaire \10\ and supplemental questionnaires to each
respondent, as applicable. The Department issued the section D
questionnaire to Granoro and Rummo because we disregarded sales by
these companies that were below the COP in the most recently completed
administrative review of each respective company. We received responses
to the Department's initial questionnaire on November 22, 2011 from
Granoro. We received responses to the Department's initial
questionnaire from Rummo on December 6, 2011 (Section A), and December
12, 2011 (Sections B-D). We issued section A, B, C, and D supplemental
questionnaires to both Granoro and Rummo. We received Granoro's
supplemental questionnaire responses in February and March 2012. We
received Rummo's supplemental questionnaire responses in March, April,
May, and June 2012.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ The antidumping duty questionnaire issued to respondents
includes section A (i.e., the section covering general information
about the company) of the antidumping duty questionnaire, section B
(i.e., the section covering comparison market sales), section C
(i.e., the section covering U.S. sales), and section D (i.e., the
section covering the cost of production (``COP'') and constructed
value (``CV'')).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On February 28, 2012, the Department fully extended the due date
for the preliminary results of review from April 2, 2012, to July 30,
2012.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ See Certain Pasta From Italy: Extension of Time Limits for
the Preliminary Results of Fifteenth Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 77 FR 12008 (February 28, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Department conducted the sales verification of Granoro from May
28, 2012, through June 1, 2012, in Bari, Italy. The Department
conducted the cost verification of Granoro from May 21, 2012, through
May 25, 2012, in Bari, Italy.
Verification
As provided in section 782(i) of the Act, we have verified
information provided by Granoro. We conducted this verification using
standard verification procedures including the examination of relevant
sales and financial records and the selection and review of original
documentation containing relevant information. Our verification results
are outlined in the public version of our verification reports, which
are on file electronically via Import Administration's Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (IA ACCESS).
Access to IA ACCESS is available in the Central Records Unit, room 7046
of the main Department of Commerce building.
[[Page 46379]]
Preliminary Determination of No Reviewable Entries
On August 30, 2011, and September 6, 2011, Fiamma \12\ and
Botticelli,\13\ respectively, reported to the Department that neither
company had any exports, sales or entries of pasta subject to the
antidumping order on pasta from Italy to the United States during the
POR. The Department transmitted a ``No-Shipment Inquiry'' to CBP
regarding Botticelli and Fiamma.\14\ Pursuant to this inquiry, the
Department received no notifications from CBP of any entries of subject
merchandise from either company within the 10-day deadline.
Accordingly, based on record evidence, we preliminarily determine that
Botticelli and Fiamma had no reviewable entries during the POR.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ In its letter of August 30, 2011, Fiamma stated that
``Fiamma Vesuviana hereby informs the Department of Commerce that it
had no exports, sales or entries of pasta subject to the antidumping
order on pasta from Italy to the United States during the period of
review, July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.''
\13\ In its letter of September 6, 2011, Botticelli stated,
``Botticelli Mediterraneo further informs the Department of Commerce
that it is located in Tunisia; that it produces and exports olive
oil and is not involved in the production, distribution or sale of
pasta in any way; and that it does not have any operations of any
type in Italy.''
\14\ No entries were reported in the data which the Department
relied on for its selection of respondents. See CBP Memo (BPI
document) and CBP Message numbers: 2165302 and 2165303, dated June
13, 2012.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our past practice concerning no-shipment respondents was to rescind
the administrative review if the respondent certified that it had no
shipments and we confirmed the certified statement through an
examination of CBP data.\15\ We would then instruct CBP to liquidate
any entries of merchandise produced by the respondent at the deposit
rate in effect on the date of entry. However, in our May 6, 2003,
``automatic assessment'' clarification, we explained that, where
respondents in an administrative review demonstrated that they had no
knowledge of sales through resellers to the United States, we would
instruct CBP to liquidate such entries at the all-others rate
applicable to the proceeding. See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings: Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68 FR 23954 (May 6,
2003) (``Assessment Policy Notice''). Because ``as entered''
liquidation instructions do not alleviate the concerns which the
Assessment Policy Notice was intended to address, instead of rescinding
the review with respect to Botticelli and Fiamma, we find it
appropriate to complete the review and issue liquidation instructions
to CBP concerning entries for these companies following the final
results of the review. If we continue to find that Botticelli and
Fiamma had no reviewable transactions of subject merchandise in the
final results, we will instruct CBP to liquidate any existing entries
of merchandise produced by Botticelli and Fiamma but exported by other
parties at the all-others rate.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ See 19 CFR 351.213(d)(3); see also Certain Large Diameter
Carbon and Alloy Seamless Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe (Over
41/2 Inches) From Japan: Final Results of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 77 FR 27428, 27430 (May 10, 2012).
\16\ See, e.g., Magnesium Metal From the Russian Federation:
Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 75 FR
26922, 26923 (May 13, 2010), unchanged in Magnesium Metal From the
Russian Federation: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 75 FR 56989 (September 17, 2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Targeted Dumping Allegations
The petitioners note that they conducted their own targeted dumping
analysis of Granoro's and Rummo's U.S. sales using the Department's
targeted dumping methodology as applied in Steel Nails and modified in
Wood Flooring.\17\ Based on their own analysis, the petitioners argue
the Department should conduct a targeted dumping analysis and employ
average-to-transaction comparisons without offsets should the
Department find that the record supports its allegation of targeted
dumping.\18\ Granoro and Rummo did not comment on the targeted dumping
allegations submitted by the petitioners.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ See The petitioners' Allegation of Targeted Dumping with
respect to Granoro, dated April 20, 2012, at 1-8, and the
petitioners' Allegation of Targeted Dumping with respect to Rummo,
dated April 20, 2012, at 1-8, both (citing Certain Steel Nails from
the People's Republic of China: Final Determination of Sales at Less
Than Fair Value and Partial Affirmative Determination of Critical
Circumstances, 73 FR 33,977 (June 16, 2008) (``Steel Nails''), and
accompany Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 8; Multilayered
Wood Flooring from the People's Republic of China: Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, 76 FR 64318 (Oct.
18, 2011) (``Wood Flooring''), and accompanying Issues and Decision
Memorandum at Comment 4).
\18\ See id. at 5-9 and 6-9, respectively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For purposes of these preliminary results, the Department did not
conduct a targeted dumping analysis. In calculating the preliminary
weighted-average dumping margin, the Department applied the calculation
methodology adopted in the Final Modification for Reviews.\19\ In
particular, the Department compared monthly, weighted-average export
prices with monthly, weighted-average normal values, and granted
offsets for negative comparison results in the calculation of the
weighted-average dumping margins.\20\ Application of this methodology
in these preliminary results affords parties an opportunity to
meaningfully comment on the Department's implementation of this
recently adopted methodology in the context of this administrative
review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\ See Antidumping Proceedings: Calculation of the Weighted-
Average Dumping Margin and Assessment Rate in Certain Antidumping
Proceedings; Final Modification, 77 FR 8101 (February 14, 2012)
(``Final Modification for Reviews'').
\20\ See id. at 8102.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scope of the Order
Imports covered by this order are shipments of certain non-egg dry
pasta in packages of five pounds four ounces or less, whether or not
enriched or fortified or containing milk or other optional ingredients
such as chopped vegetables, vegetable purees, milk, gluten, diastasis,
vitamins, coloring and flavorings, and up to two percent egg white. The
pasta covered by this scope is typically sold in the retail market, in
fiberboard or cardboard cartons, or polyethylene or polypropylene bags
of varying dimensions.
Excluded from the scope of this order are refrigerated, frozen, or
canned pastas, as well as all forms of egg pasta, with the exception of
non-egg dry pasta containing up to two percent egg white. Also excluded
are imports of organic pasta from Italy that are accompanied by the
appropriate certificate issued by the Instituto Mediterraneo Di
Certificazione, by QC&I International Services, by Ecocert Italia, by
Consorzio per il Controllo dei Prodotti Biologici, by Associazione
Italiana per l'Agricoltura Biologica, by Codex S.r.L., by Bioagricert
S.r.L., or by Instituto per la Certificazione Etica e Ambientale.
Effective July 1, 2008, gluten free pasta is also excluded from this
order. See Certain Pasta from Italy: Notice of Final Results of
Antidumping Duty Changed Circumstances Review and Revocation, in Part,
74 FR 41120 (August 14, 2009).
The merchandise subject to this order is currently classifiable
under items 1902.19.20 and 1901.90.9095 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS''). Although the HTSUS
subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the merchandise subject to the order is
dispositive.
Notice of Intent To Revoke Order, in Part
On July 29, 2011, Granoro requested revocation of the order on
pasta from Italy as it pertains to its sales. Pursuant to section
751(d)(1) of the Act, the Department ``may revoke, in whole or in
part'' an antidumping duty order upon completion of a review. Although
[[Page 46380]]
Congress has not specified the procedures that the Department must
follow in revoking an order, the Department has developed a procedure
for revocation that is set forth at 19 CFR 351.222. Pursuant to 19 CFR
351.222(b)(2), the Department may revoke an antidumping duty order in
part if it concludes that (A) an exporter or producer has sold the
merchandise at not less than normal value for a period of at least
three consecutive years, (B) the exporter or producer has agreed in
writing to its immediate reinstatement in the order if the Secretary
concludes that the exporter or producer, subsequent to the revocation,
sold the subject merchandise at less than normal value, and (C) the
continued application of the antidumping duty order is no longer
necessary to offset dumping. Section 351.222(b)(3) of the Department's
regulations states that, in the case of an exporter that is not the
producer of subject merchandise, the Department normally will revoke an
order in part under 19 CFR 351.222(b)(2) only with respect to subject
merchandise produced or supplied by those companies that supplied the
exporter during the time period that formed the basis for revocation.
A request for revocation of an order in part for a company
previously found dumping must address three elements. The company
requesting the revocation must do so in writing and submit the
following statements with the request: (1) The company's certification
that it sold the subject merchandise at not less than normal value
during the current review period and that, in the future, it will not
sell at less than normal value; (2) the company's certification that,
during each of the consecutive years forming the basis of the request,
it sold the subject merchandise to the United States in commercial
quantities; (3) the agreement to reinstatement in the order if the
Department concludes that, subsequent to revocation, the company has
sold the subject merchandise at less than normal value. See 19 CFR
351.222(e)(1). We preliminarily determine that the request dated July
29, 2011, from Granoro meets all of the criteria under 19 CFR
351.222(e)(1).
With regard to the criteria of 19 CFR 351.222(b)(2), our
preliminary margin calculations show that Granoro sold pasta at not
less than normal value during the current review period. See
``Preliminary Results of Reviews'' section below. In addition, it sold
pasta at not less than normal value in the previous administrative
review in which it was reviewed, including the intermediary period
between the previous administrative review and this ongoing review. See
Certain Pasta from Italy: Notice of Final Results of the Thirteenth
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 75 FR 81212 (December 27,
2010). Based on our examination of the sales data submitted by Granoro,
we preliminarily determine that Granoro sold the subject merchandise in
the United States in commercial quantities in each of the consecutive
years cited by Granoro to support its request for revocation. See
Granoro's Sales Verification Report, dated July 9, 2012, at Exhibit
SVE-10. Thus, we preliminarily find that the Granoro sold pasta at not
less than normal value for the last three consecutive years and sold in
commercial quantities all three years. Also, we preliminarily determine
that application of the antidumping duty order to Granoro is no longer
warranted for the following reasons: (1) The company sold pasta at not
less than normal value for a period of at least three consecutive
years; (2) the company has agreed to immediate reinstatement of the
order if we find that it has resumed making sales at less than fair
value; (3) the continued application of the order is not otherwise
necessary to offset dumping.
Therefore, we preliminarily determine that Granoro qualifies for
revocation from the order on pasta from Italy pursuant to 19 CFR
351.222(b)(2) and, thus, we preliminarily determine to revoke the order
with respect to pasta from Italy exported and/or sold to the United
States by Granoro. If our intent to revoke results in revocation of the
order in part with respect to merchandise exported and/or sold by
Granoro, the proposed effective date of the revocation is July 1,
2011.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\ The Department amended its regulations concerning the
revocation of antidumping and countervailing duty orders in whole or
in part, and the termination of suspended antidumping and
countervailing duty investigations. Specifically, the Department's
Final Rule eliminates the provision for revocation of an antidumping
or countervailing duty order with respect to individual exporters or
producers based on those individual exporters or producers having
received antidumping rates of zero for three consecutive years, or
countervailing duty rates of zero for five consecutive years. This
Final Rule will apply to all reviews that are initiated on or after
June 20, 2012, however, this provision regarding revocation does not
apply to Granoro because the instant review was initiated prior to
the aforementioned date. See Modification to Regulation Concerning
the Revocation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, 77 FR
29875 (May 21, 2012) (``Final Rule'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product Comparisons
In accordance with section 771(16) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (the Act), we first attempted to match contemporaneous sales of
products sold by Granoro and Rummo in the United States and comparison
markets that were identical with respect to the following
characteristics: (1) Pasta shape; (2) wheat species; (3) milling form;
(4) protein content; (5) additives; and (6) enrichment. In this review,
the respondents did not report the protein content as indicated on the
packaging of the finished pasta, but instead reported based on their
internal production records. Therefore, we clarified in a supplemental
questionnaire to the respondents that they were expected to report the
protein content based on the protein content indicated on the packaging
of the finished product. In our calculations we used the protein
content indicated on the packaging of the finished product, as reported
by the respondents in their supplemental questionnaire responses. When
there were no sales of identical merchandise in the comparison market
to compare with U.S. sales, we compared U.S. sales with the most
similar product based on the characteristics listed above, in
descending order of priority. When there were no appropriate comparison
market sales of comparable merchandise, we compared the merchandise
sold in the United States to CV, in accordance with section 773(a)(4)
of the Act.
We made comparisons to weighted-average comparison market prices
that were based on all sales which passed the cost-of-production test
and on those sales which did not pass the cost-of-production test but
were made at prices which were considered to have provided for the
recovery of costs within a reasonable period of time. Specifically, in
making our comparisons, if an identical home market model was reported,
we made comparisons to monthly weighted-average home market prices that
were based on all relevant sales during the contemporary month or,
lacking such sales, to a previous or subsequent month in the shorter
cost period (see ``Cost Averaging Methodology'' below). If there were
no sales of an identical model available for comparison during the
relevant months, we substituted the most similar above cost home market
model. If there were no home market models with a difference in
merchandise of less than twenty percent available, we used constructed
value for comparison purposes. We calculated the weighted-average
comparison market prices on a level of trade-specific basis.
For purposes of the preliminary results, where appropriate, we have
calculated the adjustment for differences in merchandise based on the
difference in the variable cost of
[[Page 46381]]
manufacturing (``VCOM'') between each U.S. model and the most similar
home market model selected for comparison.
Comparisons to Normal Value
To determine whether sales of certain pasta from Italy were made in
the United States at prices below NV, we compared the export price (EP)
or constructed export price (CEP) to the NV, as described in the
``Export Price and Constructed Export Price'' and ``Normal Value''
sections of this notice. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.414(c)(1) and (d), we
compared the monthly weighted-average export price of U.S. transactions
to the monthly weighted-average normal value of the comparable foreign
like product where there were sales made in the ordinary course of
trade.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\22\ In these preliminary results, the Department applied the
weighted-average dumping margin calculation method adopted in
Antidumping Proceedings: Calculation of the Weighted-Average Dumping
Margin and Assessment Rate in Certain Antidumping Duty Proceedings;
Final Modification, 77 FR 8101 (February 14, 2012). In particular,
the Department compared monthly weighted-average export prices with
monthly weighted-average normal values and granted offsets for non-
dumped comparisons in the calculation of the weighted-average
dumping margin.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Export Price and Constructed Export Price
For the price to the United States, we used, as appropriate, EP or
CEP, in accordance with sections 772(a) and (b) of the Act. Pursuant to
section 772(a) of the Act, we used the EP methodology when the
merchandise was first sold by the producer or exporter outside the
United States directly to the unaffiliated purchaser in the United
States prior to importation and when CEP was not otherwise warranted
based on the facts on the record. We calculated CEP for those sales
where a person in the United States, affiliated with the foreign
exporter or acting for the account of the exporter, made the first sale
to the unaffiliated purchaser in the United States of the subject
merchandise. See section 772(b) of the Act. We based EP and CEP on the
packed prices charged to the first unaffiliated customer in the United
States and the applicable terms of sale. When appropriate, we adjusted
prices to reflect billing adjustments, rebates, and early payment
discounts, quantity discounts, expenses recovered from customers, and
commissions. In accordance with section 772(c)(2) of the Act, we made
deductions, where appropriate, for movement expenses including movement
expenses incurred at the production facility, U.S. warehouse expense,
inland freight, inland insurance, brokerage & handling, international
freight, marine insurance, freight rebate revenue, and U.S. customs
duties. With respect to Granoro, we capped the transportation recovery
amounts by the amount of U.S. freight expenses, incurred on the subject
merchandise, in accordance with our practice. See Certain Orange Juice
from Brazil: Final Results and Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 73 FR 46584 (August 11, 2008), and accompanying
Issues and Decision Memorandum (``2005-2007 OJ from Brazil'') at
Comment 7.
In addition, when appropriate, we increased EP by an amount equal
to the countervailing duty (``CVD'') rate attributed to export
subsidies in the most recently completed CVD administrative review, in
accordance with section 772(c)(1)(C) of the Act. For CEP, in accordance
with section 772(d)(1) of the Act, when appropriate, we deducted from
the starting price those selling expenses that were incurred in selling
the subject merchandise in the United States, including direct selling
expenses (cost of credit, warranty, and other direct selling expenses).
These expenses also include certain indirect selling expenses incurred
by unaffiliated U.S. commission agents.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\23\ See Memorandum from Dennis McClure to James Terpstra,
Program Manager, entitled ``Sales Analysis Memorandum for the
Preliminary Results--Granoro'' (Preliminary Results Sales Analysis
Memo--Granoro), dated concurrently with this notice; see also
Memorandum from George McMahon to James Terpstra, Program Manager,
entitled ``Sales Analysis Memorandum for the Preliminary Results--
Rummo'' (Preliminary Results Sales Analysis Memo--Rummo), dated
concurrently with this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Normal Value
A. Selection of Comparison Markets
Section 773(a)(1) of the Act directs that NV be based on the price
of the foreign like product sold in the home market, provided that the
merchandise is sold in sufficient quantities (or value, if quantity is
inappropriate) and that there is no particular market situation that
prevents a proper comparison with the export price or constructed
export price. The statute contemplates that quantities (or value)
normally be considered insufficient if they are less than five percent
of the aggregate quantity (or value) of sales of the subject
merchandise to the United States. To determine whether there was a
sufficient volume of sales in the home market to serve as a viable
basis for calculating NV, we compared each respondent's volume of home
market sales of the foreign like product to the volume of its U.S.
sales of the subject merchandise. Pursuant to section 773(a)(1)(B) of
the Act, because Granoro and Rummo each had an aggregate volume of home
market sales of the foreign like product that was greater than five
percent of its aggregate volume of U.S. sales of the subject
merchandise, we determined that the home market was viable for both
Granoro and Rummo.
B. Arm's-Length Sales
Granoro reported that all of its sales to the Italian market are to
unaffiliated customers; however, it made a few sales to employees and
shareholders and coded such sales as affiliated sales. See Granoro's
section B questionnaire response, dated November 22, 2011. In
accordance with the Department's practice, we have excluded such sales
from consideration when the sales did not pass our Arm's Length Test.
See Preliminary Results Sales Analysis Memo--Granoro. Rummo reported
that all of its sales to the Italian market are to unaffiliated
customers.\24\ In addition, Pasta Castiglione (``PC''), Rummo's
affiliated producer, reported that it did not make any sales to
affiliates in the foreign market.\25\ Therefore, we did not apply the
arm's length test with respect to Rummo's sales.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\24\ See Rummo's Section B Questionnaire Response, dated
December 12, 2011, at page B-9.
\25\ See PC's Section A Questionnaire Response, dated December
5, 2011 at A-24.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. Cost of Production Analysis
In the most recently completed segment of the proceeding in which
Granoro and Rummo participated, the Department determined that the
aforementioned respondents sold the foreign like product at prices
below the cost of producing the merchandise and, as a result, we
excluded such sales from the calculation of normal value.\26\
Therefore, pursuant to section 773(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act, there are
reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that Granoro and Rummo's sales
of the foreign like product under consideration for the determination
of normal value in the instant review may have been made at prices
below the COP as provided by section 773(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act and,
therefore, outside of the ordinary course of trade. Pursuant to section
773(b)(1) of the Act, we have conducted a COP investigation of Granoro
and Rummo's
[[Page 46382]]
sales in the comparison market (sales below cost test) and required
Granoro and Rummo to submit a response to Section D of the Department's
questionnaire.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\26\ See Certain Pasta From Italy: Notice of Amended Final
Results of the Thirteenth Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 76
FR 6601 (February 7, 2011) (Pasta Thirteenth Review); see also
Certain Pasta from Italy: Notice of Final Results of the Tenth
Administrative Review and Partial Rescission of Review, 72 FR 70298
(December 11, 2007) (``Pasta Tenth Review'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Cost Averaging Methodology
The Department's normal practice is to calculate an annual
weighted-average cost for the POR.\27\ However, we recognize that
possible distortions may result if we use our normal annual-average
cost method during a time of significant cost changes. In determining
whether to deviate from our normal methodology of calculating an annual
weighted-average cost, we evaluate the case-specific record evidence
using two primary factors: (1) The change in the cost of manufacturing
(``COM'') recognized by the respondent during the POR must be deemed
significant; (2) the record evidence must indicate that sales during
the shorter cost-averaging periods could be reasonably linked with the
COP or constructed value during the same shorter cost-averaging
periods.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\27\ See Certain Pasta From Italy: Final Results of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review, 65 FR 77852 (December 13, 2000), and
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 18, and
Notice of Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review:
Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Canada, 71 FR 3822
(January 24, 2006), and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum
at Comment 5 (explaining the Department's practice of computing a
single weighted-average cost for the entire period).
\28\ See Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils From Mexico:
Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 75 FR 6627
(February 10, 2010) (``SSSS from Mexico''), and accompanying Issues
and Decision Memorandum at Comment 6 and Stainless Steel Plate in
Coils From Belgium: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review, 73 FR 75398 (December 11, 2008) (``SSPC from Belgium''), and
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
a. Significance of Cost Changes
In prior cases, we established 25 percent as the threshold (between
the high- and low- quarter COM) for determining that the changes in COM
are significant enough to warrant a departure from our standard annual-
average cost approach.\29\ In the instant case, record evidence shows
that Granoro and Rummo experienced significant changes (i.e., changes
that exceeded 25 percent) between the high and low quarterly COM during
the POR.\30\ This change in COM is attributable primarily to the price
volatility for semolina used in the production of pasta. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\29\ See SSPC from Belgium, and accompanying Issues and Decision
Memorandum at Comment 4.
\30\ See Memorandum from Sheikh Hannan to Neal M. Halper,
Director of Office of Accounting, entitled ``Cost of Production and
Constructed Value Calculation Adjustments for the Preliminary
Results--Granoro'' (``Granoro Cost Calculation Memo''), dated
concurrently with this notice at 2; see also Memorandum from Heidi
Schriefer to Neal M. Halper, Director of Office of Accounting,
entitled ``Cost of Production and Constructed Value Calculation
Adjustments for the Preliminary Results--the Rummo Group'' (``Rummo
Cost Calculation Memo''), dated concurrently with this notice at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
b. Linkage Between Cost and Sales Information
Consistent with past precedent, because we found the changes in
costs to be significant, we evaluated whether there is evidence of a
linkage between the cost changes and the sales prices during the
POR.\31\ Absent a surcharge or other pricing mechanism, the Department
may alternatively look for evidence of a pattern that changes in
selling prices reasonably correlate to changes in unit costs.\32\ To
determine whether a reasonable correlation existed between the sales
prices and underlying costs during the POR, we compared weighted-
average quarterly prices to the corresponding quarterly COM for the
control numbers with the highest volume of sales in the comparison
market and in the United States. Our comparison revealed that sales and
costs for Granoro and Rummo showed reasonable correlation. See Granoro
Cost Calculation Memo at pages 2-3 and Rummo Cost Calculation Memo at
pages 2-3. After reviewing this information and determining that
changes in selling prices correlate reasonably to changes in unit
costs, we preliminarily determine that there is linkage between
Granoro's and Rummo's changing sales prices and costs during the
POR.\33\ We have preliminarily determined that a shorter cost period
approach, based on a quarterly-average COP, is appropriate for Granoro
and Rummo because we have found significant cost changes in COM as well
as reasonable linkage between costs and sales prices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\31\ See SSSS from Mexico, and accompanying Issues and Decision
Memorandum at Comment 6 and SSPC from Belgium, and accompanying
Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 4.
\32\ See SSPC from Belgium, and accompanying Issues and Decision
Memorandum at Comment 4.
\33\ Id.; see also SSSS from Mexico, and accompanying Issues and
Decision Memorandum at Comment 6 and SSPC from Belgium, and
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Calculation of Cost of Production
Before making comparisons to normal value, we conducted a COP
analysis of Granoro's and Rummo's sales pursuant to section 773(b)(3)
of the Act to determine whether home market sales were made at prices
below COP and that these costs were not recoverable within a reasonable
period of time. For this analysis, the COP is based on a quarterly
average COP rather than an annual average COP. See the ``Cost Averaging
Methodology'' section, above, for further discussion. We calculated
Granoro's and Rummo's quarterly COP on a product-specific basis, based
on the sum of the Granoro's and Rummo's respective cost of materials
and fabrication for the foreign like product, plus amounts for general
and administrative expenses, interest expenses, and the costs of all
expenses incidental to packing the merchandise. We relied on the COP
information submitted by both Granoro and Rummo except the following
adjustments. With respect to Granoro, we corrected several errors noted
during the cost verification, revised the reported semolina costs to
differentiate for the protein content (the Department's fourth physical
product characteristic), and we weight-averaged the per-unit costs for
certain control numbers (CONNUMs). For further discussion of these
adjustments, see Granoro Cost Calculation Memo. With respect to Rummo,
we have revised Rummo's and Pasta Castiglioni's reported protein-
specific quarterly semolina costs to correct errors discovered in the
calculation of the quarterly average semolina purchase prices. We have
also revised the semolina calculations to express and apply yield
losses as a percentage rather than as a nominal value. We then
calculated and applied a POR scrap offset for each company. See Rummo
Cost Calculation Memo at 4-5. For control numbers for which there was
no production during the POR or during a POR quarter we chose or
calculated surrogates respectively.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\34\ See Preliminary Sales Analysis Memorandum--Granoro and
Preliminary Sales Analysis Memorandum--Rummo.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Cost Recovery Analysis
In accordance with sections 773(b)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act, for
sales found to be made below cost, we examined whether, within an
extended period of time, such sales were made in substantial
quantities, and whether such sales were made at prices which permitted
the recovery of all costs within a reasonable period of time in the
normal course of trade. As stated in section 773(b)(2)(D) of the Act,
prices are considered to provide for recovery of costs if such prices
are above the weighted average per-unit COP for the period of
investigation or review.
In light of the Court's directives in SeAH Steel Corp. v. United
States, 704 F. Supp. 2d 1353 (Ct. Int'l Trade 2010), and SeAH Steel
Corporation v. United States, 764 F. Supp. 2d 1322 (Ct. Int'l. Trade
2011) to use an unadjusted
[[Page 46383]]
annual average cost for purposes of the cost recovery test, in the
instant review we have used the approach to test for cost recovery when
using a shorter cost period methodology.\35\ Using the methodology
adopted in SPT from Turkey, we calculated a control number specific
weighted-average annual price using only those sales that were made
below their quarterly COP, and compared the resulting weighted-average
price to the annual weighted-average cost per control number. If the
annual weighted-average price per control number was above the annual
weighted-average cost per control number then we considered those sales
to have provided for the recovery of costs and restored all such sales
to the normal value pool of comparison-market sales available for
comparison with U.S. sales. For further details regarding the cost
recovery methodology and the application of our shorter-cost period
methodology, see the Granoro Cost Calculation Memo at 1-2; see also the
Rummo Cost Calculation Memo at 1-2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\35\ See Certain Welded Carbon Steel Pipe and Tube From Turkey;
Notice of Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review,
76 FR 76939 (December 9, 2011) (``SPT From Turkey'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Results of the Sales Below Cost Test
We found that for certain products, more than 20 percent of
Granoro's and Rummo's home market sales were made at prices below COP
and, in addition, these below cost sales were made within an extended
period of time and in substantial quantities. In addition, pursuant to
the cost recovery analysis described above, we found that these sales
were at prices which did not permit the recovery of costs within a
reasonable period of time. Therefore, we disregarded these sales from
the calculation of normal value, in accordance with section 773(b)(1)
of the Act.
D. Calculation of Normal Value Based on Comparison Market Prices
We calculated NV based on ex-works, free on board (``FOB'') or
delivered prices to comparison market customers. We made deductions
from the starting price, when appropriate, for discounts and rebates.
We added expenses recovered from customers. We deducted home market
packing costs and added U.S. packing costs, in accordance with sections
773(a)(6)(A) and (B) of the Act. We also deducted home market movement
expenses pursuant to section 773(a)(6)(B) of the Act. In addition, we
made adjustments for differences in circumstances of sale (``COS'')
pursuant to section 773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Act. Specifically, we made
adjustments to normal value for comparison to Granoro's and Rummo's EP
transactions by deducting direct selling expenses incurred for home
market sales (i.e., credit expenses) and adding U.S. direct selling
expenses (i.e., credit expenses) and U.S. commissions. See section
773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.410(c). We also made
adjustments for Granoro and Rummo, in accordance with 19 CFR
351.410(e), for indirect selling expenses incurred in the home market
or the United States where commissions were granted on sales in one
market but not in the other, the ``commission offset.'' Specifically,
where commissions are incurred in one market, but not in the other, we
will limit the amount of such allowance to the amount of either the
selling expenses incurred in the one market or the commissions allowed
in the other market, whichever is less.
When comparing U.S. sales with comparison market sales of similar,
but not identical, merchandise, we also made adjustments for physical
differences in the merchandise in accordance with section
773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.411. We based this
adjustment on the difference in the VCOM for the foreign like product
and subject merchandise, using weighted-average costs.
Sales of pasta purchased by Granoro and Rummo from unaffiliated
producers and resold in the comparison market were disregarded. See
Preliminary Results Sales Analysis Memo--Granoro and Preliminary
Results Sales Analysis Memo--Rummo.
E. Level of Trade
In accordance with section 773(a)(1)(B) of the Act, we determine NV
based on sales in the comparison market at the same level of trade
(``LOT'') as the EP and CEP sales, to the extent practicable. When
there are no sales at the same LOT, we compare U.S. sales to comparison
market sales at a different LOT. When NV is based on CV, the NV LOT is
that of the sales from which we derive SG&A expenses and profit.
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.412(c)(2), to determine whether comparison
market sales were at a different LOT, we examine stages in the
marketing process and selling functions along the chain of distribution
between the producer and the unaffiliated (or arm's-length affiliated)
customers. The Department identifies the LOT based on: The starting
price or constructed value (for normal value); the starting price (for
EP sales); and the starting price, as adjusted under section 772(d) of
the Act (for CEP sales). If the comparison-market sales were at a
different LOT and the differences affect 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 will make an LOT adjustment under section
773(a)(7)(A) of the Act.
Finally, if the NV LOT is more remote from the factory than the CEP
LOT and there is no basis for determining whether the differences in
LOT between NV and CEP affected price comparability, we will grant a
CEP offset, as provided in section 773(a)(7)(B) of the Act. See Notice
of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Certain Cut-
to-Length Carbon Steel Plate from South Africa, 62 FR 61731, 61732-33
(November 19, 1997).
Granoro indicated there was a single level of trade for all sales
in both markets, and petitioners have not claimed that multiple levels
of trade existed for Granoro. Granoro provided information regarding
channels of distribution and selling activities performed for different
categories of customers. See Granoro's November 22, 2011, section A
response, at Exhibit 3. Granoro's chart of specific selling functions
indicates the selling functions performed for sales in both markets are
virtually identical, with no significant variation across the broader
categories of sales process/marketing support, freight and delivery,
inventory and warehousing, and quality assurance/warranty services. For
more details, see Preliminary Results Analysis Memorandum--Granoro. We
have preliminarily determined there is one single level of trade for
all sales in both the home market and the U.S. market and, therefore,
that no basis exists for a level of trade adjustment.
Rummo reported that there was a single level of trade for its sales
in the home market and claimed two levels of trade in the U.S. market.
Rummo provided information regarding channels of distribution and
selling activities performed for different categories of customers.\36\
Rummo's and PC's \37\ charts of specific selling functions indicate the
selling functions performed for sales in both markets and demonstrates
that there are significantly greater sales activities performed in the
home market as compared to Rummo's
[[Page 46384]]
U.S. sales. We have preliminarily determined that these differences
support a finding that the home market sales are made at a different
and more advanced stage of marketing than the level of trade of Rummo's
CEP sales. Accordingly, we have made a CEP offset to NV pursuant to
section 773(a)(7)(B) of the Act.\38\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\36\ See Rummo's and PC's December 5, 2011, section A response,
at Exhibits A-3 and A-4.
\37\ See PC's March 8, 2012 Supplemental response at page 33.
\38\ The Department made a CEP offset to NV for Rummo in the
most recent administrative review (2005-2006) in which Rummo was a
mandatory respondent. See Certain Pasta from Italy; Notice of
Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Tenth Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review, 72 FR 44082 (August 7, 2007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a detailed description of our LOT methodology and a summary of
company-specific LOT findings for these preliminary results, see our
analysis contained in Preliminary Results Sales Analysis Memo--Granoro
and Preliminary Results Sales Analysis Memo--Rummo.
Currency Conversion
For purposes of these preliminary results, we made currency
conversions in accordance with section 773A(a) of the Act, based on the
official exchange rates published by the Federal Reserve Bank. See
Preliminary Results Sales Analysis Memo--Granoro and Preliminary
Results Sales Analysis Memo--Rummo.
Preliminary Results of Review
As a result of our review, we preliminarily determine that the
following weighted-average percentage margins exist for the period July
1, 2010, through June 30, 2011:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Margin
Manufacturer/exporter (percent)
\39\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Granoro................................................... 0.00
Rummo..................................................... 6.97
Review-Specific Average Rate \40\.........................
Applicable to the Following Companies: Filiberto, 6.97
Fratelli, and Zaffiri....................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\39\ The antidumping duty margins for Granoro and Rummo include an
adjustment for the countervailing duty offset to account for the
export subsidy portion of the countervailing duties applied to these
companies, as defined in the field CVDU.
\40\ This rate is a weight-average percentage margin calculated based on
the two companies that were selected for individual review, excluding
de minimis margins or margins based entirely on adverse facts
available.
Public Comment
The Department intends to disclose the calculations performed for
these preliminary results within five days of the date of publication
of this notice to the parties of this proceeding, in accordance with 19
CFR 351.224(b). An interested party may request a hearing within 30
days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. See 19 CFR
351.310(c). If a hearing is requested, the Department will notify
interested parties of the hearing schedule.
Interested parties are invited to comment on the preliminary
results of this review. Interested parties may submit case briefs
within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice. Rebuttal
briefs, which must be limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may
be filed not later than 35 days after the date of publication of this
notice. Parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this
review are requested to submit with each argument (1) a statement of
the issue and (2) a brief summary of the argument with an electronic
version included.
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(h), the Department intends to issue the
final results of this review, including the results of our analysis of
issues raised in any submitted written comments, within 120 days after
publication of this notice.
Assessment Rate
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.212(b), the Department calculated an
assessment rate for each importer of the subject merchandise. Upon
issuance of the final results of this administrative review, if any
importer-specific assessment rates calculated in the final results are
above de minimis (i.e., at or above 0.5 percent), the Department will
issue appraisement instructions directly to CBP to assess antidumping
duties on appropriate entries by applying the assessment rate to the
entered value of the merchandise. Pursuant to the Final Modification
for Reviews, ``when a review is conducted applying the A-A {(average-
to-average){time} comparison methodology, and the weighted-average
margin of dumping for the exporter or producer is determined to be zero
or de minimis, no assessment rates will be calculated and the
Department will instruct CBP to liquidate all imports from the exporter
or producer without regard to antidumping duties, regardless of
importer.'' \41\ For assessment purposes, we calculated importer-
specific assessment rates for the subject merchandise by aggregating
the dumping margins for all U.S. sales to each importer and dividing
the amount by the total entered value of the sales to that importer.
Where appropriate, to calculate the entered value, we subtracted
international movement expenses (e.g., international freight) from the
gross sales value.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\41\ See Final Modification for Reviews, 77 FR at 8107.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Department clarified its ``automatic assessment'' regulation on
May 6, 2003 (68 FR 23954). This clarification will apply to entries of
subject merchandise during the POR produced by companies included in
these preliminary results of review for which the reviewed companies
did not know their merchandise was destined for the United States. In
such instances, we will instruct CBP to liquidate unreviewed entries at
the all-others rate if there is no rate for the intermediate
company(ies) involved in the transaction. For a full discussion of this
clarification, see Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68 FR 23954 (May 6, 2003).
Cash Deposit Requirements
To calculate the cash deposit rate, we divided the total dumping
margin by the total net value of the sales during the review period.
The following deposit rates will be effective upon publication of the
final results of this administrative review for all shipments of pasta
from Italy entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or
after the publication date, as provided by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the
Act: (1) The cash deposit rate for companies subject to this review
will be the rate established in the final results of this review,
except if the rate is less than 0.5 percent and, therefore, de minimis,
no cash deposit will be required; (2) for previously reviewed or
investigated companies not listed above, the cash deposit rate will
continue to be the company-specific rate published for the most recent
final results for a review in which that manufacturer or exporter
participated; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review,
a prior review, or the original less-than-fair-value (``LTFV'')
investigation, but the manufacturer is, the cash deposit rate will be
the rate established for the most recent final results for the
manufacturer of the merchandise; and (4) 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 15.45
percent, the all-others rate established in the LTFV investigation. See
Implementation of the Findings of the WTO Panel in US--Zeroing (EC):
Notice of Determination Under Section 129 of the Uruguay Round
Agreements Act and Revocations and Partial Revocations of Certain
Antidumping Duty Orders, 72 FR 25261 (May 4, 2007). These cash deposit
requirements, when imposed,
[[Page 46385]]
shall remain in effect until further notice.
Notification to Importers
This notice 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 increase the
subsequent assessment of the antidumping duties by the amount of
antidumping duties reimbursed.
These preliminary results of administrative review are issued and
published in accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the
Act and 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4).
Dated: July 27, 2012.
Paul Piquado,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-19057 Filed 8-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P