Diffusion-Annealed, Nickel-Plated Flat-Rolled Steel Products From Japan: Initiation of Antidumping Duty Investigation, 23905-23908 [2013-09572]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 78 / Tuesday, April 23, 2013 / Notices
Elizabeth.Whiteman@trade.gov or (202)
482–0473.
Dated: April 16, 2013.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–09562 Filed 4–22–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–588–869]
Diffusion-Annealed, Nickel-Plated FlatRolled Steel Products From Japan:
Initiation of Antidumping Duty
Investigation
Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
DATES: Effective Date: April 23, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dena Crossland or David Cordell at
(202) 482–3362 or (202) 482–0408,
respectively, AD/CVD Operations,
Office 7, Import Administration,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th
Street and Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:
Period of Investigation
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
The Petition
On March 27, 2013, the Department of
Commerce (the ‘‘Department’’) received
an antidumping duty (‘‘AD’’) petition
concerning imports of diffusionannealed, nickel-plated flat-rolled steel
products from Japan (‘‘certain nickelplated, flat-rolled steel’’), filed in proper
form by Thomas Steel Strip Corporation
(‘‘Petitioner’’).1 Petitioner is a domestic
producer of certain nickel-plated, flatrolled steel. On April 2, 2013, Petitioner
provided a clarification and supplement
to the scope language provided in the
Petition.2 The Department requested
additional information and clarification
of certain areas of the Petition on April
2, 2013.3 Petitioner filed its response to
this request on April 5, 2013.4 Petitioner
filed a business proprietary document,
which identified the source of the
pricing data included in Exhibit 11 to
the Petition, on April 9, 2013. On April
11, 2013, Department officials held a
1 See Antidumping Duty Petition on DiffusionAnnealed, Nickel-Plated Steel Flat-Rolled Products
from Japan, dated March 27, 2013 (‘‘Petition’’).
2 See Memorandum to the File from Richard
Weible, ‘‘Conversation with Petitioners Regarding
Scope,’’ dated March 29, 2013, and First
Supplement to the Petition, dated April 2, 2013.
3 See First Department Supplemental
Questionnaire issued on April 2, 2013.
4 See Second Supplement to the Petition dated
April 5, 2013 (‘‘Second Petition Supplement’’).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:51 Apr 22, 2013
Jkt 229001
telephone conference call with that
source to confirm the information
provided.5
In accordance with section 732(b) of
the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the
‘‘Act’’), Petitioner alleges that imports of
certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel
from Japan are being, or are likely to be,
sold in the United States at less than fair
value within the meaning of section 731
of the Act and that such imports are
materially injuring, or threatening
material injury to, an industry in the
United States. Also, consistent with
section 732(b)(1) of the Act, the Petition
is accompanied by information
reasonably available to Petitioner
supporting its allegations.
The Department finds that Petitioner
filed this Petition on behalf of the
domestic industry because it is an
interested party as defined in section
771(9)(C) of the Act and has
demonstrated sufficient industry
support with respect to the initiation of
the AD investigation that Petitioner is
requesting. See the ‘‘Determination of
Industry Support for the Petition’’
section below.
Because the Petition was filed on
March 27, 2013, the period of
investigation (‘‘POI’’) is January 1, 2012,
through December 31, 2012.6
Scope of the Investigation
The product covered by this
investigation is certain nickel-plated,
flat-rolled steel from Japan. For a full
description of the scope of the
investigation, see the ‘‘Scope of the
Investigation,’’ in Appendix I of this
notice.
Comments on Scope of Investigation
During our review of the Petition, we
discussed the scope with Petitioner to
ensure that it is an accurate reflection of
the products for which the domestic
industry is seeking relief. Moreover, as
discussed in the preamble to the
regulations (Antidumping Duties;
Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 62 FR
27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997)), we are
setting aside a period for interested
parties to raise issues regarding product
coverage. The Department encourages
all interested parties to submit such
comments by May 6, 2013, 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time, 20 calendar
days from the signature date of this
notice. All comments and submissions
to the Department must be filed
electronically using Import
5 See Memorandum to the File from Dena
Crossland, dated April 12, 2013.
6 See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1).
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
23905
Administration’s Antidumping
Countervailing Duty Centralized
Electronic Service System (‘‘IA
ACCESS’’).7 An electronically filed
document must be received successfully
in its entirety by the Department’s
electronic records system, IA ACCESS,
by the time and date noted above.
Documents excepted from the electronic
submission requirements must be filed
manually (i.e., in paper form) with
Import Administration’s APO/Dockets
Unit, Room 1870, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230,
and stamped with the date and time of
receipt by the deadline noted above.
The period for scope comments is
intended to provide the Department
with ample opportunity to consider all
comments and to consult with parties
prior to the issuance of the preliminary
determination.
Comments on Product Characteristics
for Antidumping Duty Questionnaire
The Department requests comments
from interested parties regarding the
appropriate physical characteristics of
certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel to
be reported in response to the
Department’s AD questionnaire. This
information will be used to identify the
key physical characteristics of the
subject merchandise in order to develop
appropriate product-comparison criteria
and to allow respondent to report the
relevant costs of production, if
necessary.
Interested parties may provide any
information or comments that they feel
are relevant to the development of an
accurate list of physical characteristics.
Specifically, they may provide
comments as to which characteristics
are appropriate to use as (1) general
product characteristics and (2) the
product-comparison criteria. We find
that it is not always appropriate to use
all product characteristics as productcomparison criteria. We base productcomparison criteria on meaningful
commercial differences among products.
In other words, while there may be
some physical product characteristics
utilized by manufacturers to describe
certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel, it
may be that only a select few product
characteristics take into account
commercially meaningful physical
7 See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings: Electronic Filing Procedures;
Administrative Protective Order Procedures, 76 FR
39263 (July 6, 2011) for details of the Department’s
electronic filing requirements, which went into
effect on August 5, 2011. Information on using
IAACCESS can be found at https://iaaccess.trade.
gov/help.aspx and a handbook can be found at
https://iaaccess.trade.gov/help/Handbook%20on
%20Electronic%20Filling%20Procedures.pdf.
E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM
23APN1
23906
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 78 / Tuesday, April 23, 2013 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
characteristics. In addition, interested
parties may comment on the order in
which the physical characteristics
should be used in matching products.
Generally, the Department attempts to
list the most important physical
characteristics first and the least
important characteristics last.
In order to consider the suggestions of
interested parties in developing and
issuing the AD questionnaire, we must
receive comments filed in accordance
with the Department’s electronic filing
requirements, available at 19 CFR
351.303, by May 6, 2013. Rebuttal
comments must be received by May 13,
2013.
Determination of Industry Support for
the Petition
Section 732(b)(1) of the Act requires
that a petition be filed on behalf of the
domestic industry. Section 732(c)(4)(A)
of the Act provides that a petition meets
this requirement if the domestic
producers or workers who support the
petition account for: (i) At least 25
percent of the total production of the
domestic like product; and (ii) more
than 50 percent of the production of the
domestic like product produced by that
portion of the industry expressing
support for, or opposition to, the
petition. Moreover, section 732(c)(4)(D)
of the Act provides that, if the petition
does not establish support of domestic
producers or workers accounting for
more than 50 percent of the total
production of the domestic like product,
the Department shall: (i) Poll the
industry or rely on other information in
order to determine if there is support for
the petition, as required by
subparagraph (A); or (ii) determine
industry support using a statistically
valid sampling method to poll the
‘‘industry.’’
Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines
the ‘‘industry’’ as the producers as a
whole of a domestic like product. Thus,
to determine whether a petition has the
requisite industry support, the statute
directs the Department to look to
producers and workers who produce the
domestic like product. The International
Trade Commission (‘‘ITC’’), which is
responsible for determining whether
‘‘the domestic industry’’ has been
injured, must also determine what
constitutes a domestic like product in
order to define the industry. While both
the Department and the ITC must apply
the same statutory definition regarding
the domestic like product (see section
771(10) of the Act), they do so for
different purposes and pursuant to a
separate and distinct authority. In
addition, the Department’s
determination is subject to limitations of
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:51 Apr 22, 2013
Jkt 229001
time and information. Although this
may result in different definitions of the
like product, such differences do not
render the decision of either agency
contrary to law.8
Section 771(10) of the Act defines the
domestic like product as ‘‘a product
which is like, or in the absence of like,
most similar in characteristics and uses
with, the article subject to an
investigation under this title.’’ Thus, the
reference point from which the
domestic like product analysis begins is
‘‘the article subject to an investigation’’
(i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to
be investigated, which normally will be
the scope as defined in the petition).
With regard to the domestic like
product, Petitioner does not offer a
definition of the domestic like product
distinct from the scope of the
investigation. Based on our analysis of
the information submitted on the
record, we have determined that certain
nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel
constitutes a single domestic like
product and we have analyzed industry
support in terms of that domestic like
product.9
In determining whether Petitioner has
standing under section 732(c)(4)(A) of
the Act, we considered the industry
support data contained in the Petition
with reference to the domestic like
product as defined in the ‘‘Scope of the
Investigation,’’ in Appendix I of this
notice. To establish industry support,
Petitioner provided its own production
of the domestic like product in 2012.10
Petitioner states that it was the sole
remaining U.S. producer of the domestic
like product in calendar year 2012 and,
therefore, the Petition is supported by
100 percent of the U.S. industry.11
Our review of the data provided in the
Petition, supplemental submissions, and
other information readily available to
the Department indicates that Petitioner
has established industry support.12
First, the Petition established support
8 See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp.
2d 1, 8 (CIT 2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd.
v. United States, 688 F. Supp. 639, 644 (CIT 1988),
aff’d 865 F.2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
9 For a discussion of the domestic like product
analysis in this case, see Antidumping Duty
Investigation Initiation Checklist: DiffusionAnnealed, Nickel-Plated Flat-Rolled Steel Products
from Japan (‘‘Initiation Checklist’’) at Attachment II,
Analysis of Industry Support for the Petition
Covering Diffusion-Annealed, Nickel-Plated FlatRolled Steel Products from Japan, dated
concurrently with this notice and on file
electronically via IA ACCESS. Access to documents
filed via IA ACCESS is also available in the Central
Records Unit, Room 7046 of the main Department
of Commerce building.
10 See Petition, at 54 (Table 12).
11 See Petition, at 6–7; see also Second Petition
Supplement, at 9–10 and Exhibits 32–33.
12 See Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
from domestic producers (or workers)
accounting for more than 50 percent of
the total production of the domestic like
product and, as such, the Department is
not required to take further action in
order to evaluate industry support (e.g.,
polling).13 Second, the domestic
producers (or workers) have met the
statutory criteria for industry support
under section 732(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act
because the domestic producers (or
workers) who support the Petition
account for at least 25 percent of the
total production of the domestic like
product.14 Finally, the domestic
producers (or workers) have met the
statutory criteria for industry support
under section 732(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act
because the domestic producers (or
workers) who support the Petition
account for more than 50 percent of the
production of the domestic like product
produced by that portion of the industry
expressing support for, or opposition to,
the Petition.15 Accordingly, the
Department determines that the Petition
was filed on behalf of the domestic
industry within the meaning of section
732(b)(1) of the Act.
The Department finds that Petitioner
filed the Petition on behalf of the
domestic industry because it is an
interested party as defined in section
771(9)(C) of the Act and it has
demonstrated sufficient industry
support with respect to the AD
investigation that it is requesting the
Department initiate.16
Allegations and Evidence of Material
Injury and Causation
Petitioner alleges that the U.S.
industry producing the domestic like
product is being materially injured, or is
threatened with material injury, by
reason of the imports of the subject
merchandise sold at less than normal
value (‘‘NV’’). In addition, Petitioner
alleges that subject imports exceed the
negligibility threshold provided for
under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.17
Petitioner contends that the industry’s
injured condition is illustrated by
reduced market share; underselling and
price depression or suppression; lost
sales and revenue; declining capacity
utilization, production, and shipments;
reduced employment and hours worked;
increased inventories; and decline in
financial performance.18 We have
13 See section 732(c)(4)(D) of the Act; see also
Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
14 See Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
15 See id.
16 See id.
17 See Petition, at 41.
18 See Petition, at 2–4, 24–28, 40–65 and Exhibits
10–11, 14–16, 22–23, and 25–31; see also Second
E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM
23APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 78 / Tuesday, April 23, 2013 / Notices
assessed the allegations and supporting
evidence regarding material injury,
threat of material injury, and causation,
and we have determined that these
allegations are properly supported by
adequate evidence and meet the
statutory requirements for initiation.19
Allegation of Sales at Less Than Fair
Value
The following is a description of the
allegation of sales at less than fair value
upon which the Department based its
decision to initiate this investigation of
imports of certain nickel-plated, flatrolled steel from Japan. The sources of
data for the deductions and adjustments
relating to U.S. price and NV are
discussed in greater detail in the
Initiation Checklist.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Export Price
Petitioner calculated export price
(‘‘EP’’) using two sources. First,
Petitioner used competitive sales
information obtained in the market
through customer negotiations. Second,
Petitioner used U.S. Bureau of Census
(‘‘Census’’) import statistics under the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (‘‘HTSUS’’) subheadings
7210.90.6000 and 7212.50.0000,
corresponding to bills of lading, as
obtained through Zepol Corporation,20
that specifically identify the imports as
‘‘diffusion-annealed, nickel-plated
steel.’’
With respect to the competitive sales
data, Petitioner made adjustments for
CIF charges, import duties and
commissions to estimate the ex-factory
price. Petitioner also claimed that there
would be warehousing costs in the
United States as well as credit expenses,
but that for the purposes of the Petition,
these expenses were not estimated or
deducted, thereby understating the full
extent of dumping.
With respect to the import statistics,
since HTSUS subheadings 7210.90.6000
and 7212.50.0000 are ‘‘basket’’ tariff
categories include more than certain
nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel, in order
to confirm the accuracy and reliability
of the use of U.S. import statistics under
these HTSUS subheadings, Petitioner
compared the U.S. import quantity by
ports and month for these HTSUS
subheadings to the quantity of imports
of certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel
Petition Supplement, at 24–26 and Revised Exhibits
14, 23 and Exhibit 32.
19 See Initiation Checklist, at Attachment III,
Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material
Injury and Causation for the Petition Covering
Diffusion-Annealed, Nickel-Plated Flat-Rolled Steel
Products from Japan.
20 Zepol Corporation provides import data
through its international trade tools (https://
www.zepol.com).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:51 Apr 22, 2013
Jkt 229001
from Japan captured in bills of lading.
Petitioner argues that where the bill of
lading corresponds precisely to the port
of entry, month of importation and
quantity, the average unit value
provided by the Census statistics is an
appropriate indicator of the price of the
subject merchandise. In addition,
Petitioner compared the average unit
customs values and average unit landed
cost values with actual market prices.
According to Petitioner, this data
corroborates the accuracy of the Census
data. Petitioner notes that because the
customs value per metric ton represents
the F.O.B. origin value of the imported
merchandise, no adjustments were
made with respect to this value for
purposes of estimating the EP.
Normal Value
Pursuant to section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of
the Act, Petitioner based NV on prices
in Japan for sales to the largest Japanese
battery producers, which were obtained
by an independent market research
organization. Petitioner asserts that
these products correspond to the
specifications for certain nickel-plated,
flat-rolled steel exported to the United
States and represent Japanese home
market pricing for large-volume
products to major customers through the
fourth quarter 2012. While
acknowledging that no adjustments
were made to reflect credit terms,
Petitioner notes that accounting for this
deduction would have a de minimis
impact on the estimated dumping
margins.
Fair Value Comparisons
Based on the data provided by
Petitioner, there is reason to believe that
imports of certain nickel-plated, flatrolled steel from Japan are being, or are
likely to be, sold in the United States at
less than fair value. Based on
comparisons of EP to NVs, in
accordance with section 773(a)(1) of the
Act, the estimated dumping margins for
certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel
from Japan range from 56.50 percent to
77.70 percent.21
Initiation of Antidumping Investigation
Based upon the examination of the
Petition on certain nickel-plated, flatrolled steel from Japan, we find that the
Petition meets the requirements of
section 732 of the Act. Therefore, we are
initiating the AD investigation to
determine whether imports of certain
nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel from
Japan are being, or are likely to be, sold
21 See Petition, at 30 and Exhibits 10, 11, 12 and
17 and Second Petition Supplement, dated April 5,
2013, at 23 and Revised Exhibits 12, 17 and 18.
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
23907
in the United States at less than fair
value. In accordance with section
733(b)(1)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will
make our preliminary determinations no
later than 140 days after the date of this
initiation.
Respondent Selection
Following standard practice in AD
investigations involving market
economy countries, in the event the
Department determines that the number
of known exporters or producers for this
investigation is large, the Department
may select respondents based on U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (‘‘CBP’’)
data for U.S. imports under the HTSUS
7210.90.6000 and 7212.50.0000 for
certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel
from Japan. We intend to release the
CBP data under Administrative
Protective Order (‘‘APO’’) to all parties
with access to information protected by
APO within five days of publication of
this Federal Register notice and make
our decision regarding respondent
selection within 20 days of publication
of this notice. The Department invites
comments regarding the CBP data and
respondent selection within seven days
of publication of this Federal Register
notice.22
The Petition names three companies
as producers of certain nickel-plated,
flat-rolled steel from Japan: Toyo Kohan
Co., Ltd., Sumitomo-Nippon Steel Corp.,
and Katayama Special Industries.23 We
currently do not know of any other
producers of subject merchandise. We
will consider comments from interested
parties with respect to respondent
selection.
Distribution of Copies of the Petition
In accordance with section
732(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.202(f), the Government of Japan was
provided access to a copy of the public
version of the Petition via IA ACCESS.
To the extent practicable, we will
attempt to provide a copy of the public
version of the Petition to each exporter
named in the Petition, as provided
under 19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).
ITC Notification
We have notified the ITC of our
initiation, as required by section 732(d)
of the Act.
Preliminary Determination by the ITC
The ITC will preliminarily determine
no later than May 13, 2013, whether
22 See Bottom Mount Combination RefrigeratorFreezers From the Republic of Korea and Mexico:
Initiation of Antidumping Duty Investigations, 76
FR 23281, 23285 (April 26, 2011).
23 See Petition, at 22.
E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM
23APN1
23908
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 78 / Tuesday, April 23, 2013 / Notices
there is a reasonable indication that
imports of certain nickel-plated, flatrolled steel from Japan are materially
injuring or threatening material injury to
a U.S. industry. A negative ITC
determination will result in the
investigation being terminated;
otherwise, this investigation will
proceed according to statutory and
regulatory time limits.
Notification to Interested Parties
Interested parties must submit
applications for disclosure under APO
in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. On
January 22, 2008, the Department
published Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Documents Submission Procedures;
APO Procedures, 73 FR 3634 (January
22, 2008). Parties wishing to participate
in this investigation should ensure that
they meet the requirements of these
procedures (e.g., the filing of letters of
appearance as discussed at 19 CFR
351.103(d)).
Any party submitting factual
information in an AD/countervailing
duty (‘‘CVD’’) proceeding must certify to
the accuracy and completeness of that
information.24 Parties are hereby
reminded that revised certification
requirements are in effect for company/
government officials as well as their
representatives in all segments of any
AD/CVD proceedings initiated on or
after March 14, 2011.25 The formats for
the revised certifications are provided at
the end of the Interim Final Rule.
Foreign governments and their officials
may continue to submit certifications in
either the format that was in use prior
to the effective date of the Interim Final
Rule, or in the format provided in the
Supplemental Interim Final Rule.26 The
Department intends to reject factual
submissions in any proceeding
segments initiated on or after March 14,
2011, if the submitting party does not
comply with the revised certification
requirements.
This notice is issued and published
pursuant to section 777(i) of the Act.
24 See
section 782(b) of the Act.
Certification of Factual Information to
Import Administration During Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Proceedings: Interim Final
Rule, 76 FR 7491 (February 10, 2011) (Interim Final
Rule) amending 19 CFR 351.303(g)(1) and (2) and
supplemented by Certification of Factual
Information To Import Administration During
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Supplemental Interim Final Rule, 76 FR 54697
(September 2, 2011) (Supplemental Interim Final
Rule).
26 See Supplemental Interim Final Rule.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
25 See
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:51 Apr 22, 2013
Jkt 229001
Dated: April 16, 2013.
Ronald K. Lorentzen,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
Appendix I—Scope of the Investigation
The diffusion-annealed, nickel-plated flatrolled steel products included in this
investigation are flat-rolled, cold-reduced
steel products, regardless of chemistry;
whether or not in coils; either plated or
coated with nickel or nickel-based alloys and
subsequently annealed (i.e., ‘‘diffusionannealed’’); whether or not painted,
varnished or coated with plastics or other
metallic or nonmetallic substances; and less
than or equal to 2.0 mm in nominal
thickness. For purposes of this investigation,
‘‘nickel-based alloys’’ include all nickel
alloys with other metals in which nickel
accounts for at least 80 percent of the alloy
by volume.
Imports of merchandise included in the
scope of this investigation are classified
primarily under Harmonized Tariff Schedule
of the United States (‘‘HTSUS’’) subheadings
7212.50.0000 and 7210.90.6000, but may also
be classified under HTSUS subheadings
7210.70.6090, 7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000,
7219.90.0020, 7219.90.0025, 7219.90.0060,
7219.90.0080, 7220.90.0010, 7220.90.0015,
7225.99.0090, or 7226.99.0180. The foregoing
HTSUS subheadings are provided only for
convenience and customs purposes. The
written description of the scope is
dispositive.
[FR Doc. 2013–09572 Filed 4–22–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XC632
Marine Mammals; File No. 14809
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
Douglas Nowacek, Ph.D., Duke
University—Marine Laboratory, 135
Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC
28516, has applied in due form for a
permit to conduct research on 34
cetacean species.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email
comments must be received on or before
May 23, 2013.
ADDRESSES: The application and related
documents are available for review by
selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public
Comment’’ from the Features box on the
Applications and Permits for Protected
Species (APPS) home page, https://
apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
File No. 14809 from the list of available
applications.
These documents are also available
upon written request or by appointment
in the following offices: see
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Written comments on this application
should be submitted to the Chief,
Permits and Conservation Division, at
the address listed above. Comments may
also be submitted by facsimile to
(301)713–0376, or by email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
include the File No. in the subject line
of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public
hearing should submit a written request
to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
Division at the address listed above. The
request should set forth the specific
reasons why a hearing on this
application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carrie Hubard or Amy Hapeman,
(301)427–8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the
regulations governing the taking and
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR
part 216), the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.), and the regulations governing
the taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50
CFR 222–226).
The applicant is requesting a five-year
permit to conduct comparative research
on cetaceans in the North Atlantic,
North Pacific and Southern Oceans.
Methods to be used include suction cup
tagging, acoustic playbacks, passive
acoustics, biopsy sampling, photoidentification, and behavioral
observations. The applicant proposes to
take three endangered cetacean species:
humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae),
sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), and
southern right (Eubalaena australis)
whales, as well as 31 cetacean species
that are not listed as threatened or
endangered. Of the 25 species that
would be targeted for tagging and active
acoustic playbacks, a maximum of 50
individuals of each species or stock
could be tagged and exposed to
playbacks annually. The primary
research objectives are to: (1) document
baseline foraging and social behavior of
cetacean species under different
ecological conditions; (2) place these
behaviors in a population-level context;
and (3) determine how these species
respond to various natural sound
sources. Specifically, the applicant is
interested in the influence of acoustic
E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM
23APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 23, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23905-23908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09572]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-588-869]
Diffusion-Annealed, Nickel-Plated Flat-Rolled Steel Products From
Japan: Initiation of Antidumping Duty Investigation
AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
DATES: Effective Date: April 23, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dena Crossland or David Cordell at
(202) 482-3362 or (202) 482-0408, respectively, AD/CVD Operations,
Office 7, Import Administration, International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Petition
On March 27, 2013, the Department of Commerce (the ``Department'')
received an antidumping duty (``AD'') petition concerning imports of
diffusion-annealed, nickel-plated flat-rolled steel products from Japan
(``certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel''), filed in proper form by
Thomas Steel Strip Corporation (``Petitioner'').\1\ Petitioner is a
domestic producer of certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel. On April
2, 2013, Petitioner provided a clarification and supplement to the
scope language provided in the Petition.\2\ The Department requested
additional information and clarification of certain areas of the
Petition on April 2, 2013.\3\ Petitioner filed its response to this
request on April 5, 2013.\4\ Petitioner filed a business proprietary
document, which identified the source of the pricing data included in
Exhibit 11 to the Petition, on April 9, 2013. On April 11, 2013,
Department officials held a telephone conference call with that source
to confirm the information provided.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Antidumping Duty Petition on Diffusion-Annealed, Nickel-
Plated Steel Flat-Rolled Products from Japan, dated March 27, 2013
(``Petition'').
\2\ See Memorandum to the File from Richard Weible,
``Conversation with Petitioners Regarding Scope,'' dated March 29,
2013, and First Supplement to the Petition, dated April 2, 2013.
\3\ See First Department Supplemental Questionnaire issued on
April 2, 2013.
\4\ See Second Supplement to the Petition dated April 5, 2013
(``Second Petition Supplement'').
\5\ See Memorandum to the File from Dena Crossland, dated April
12, 2013.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In accordance with section 732(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (the ``Act''), Petitioner alleges that imports of certain
nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel from Japan are being, or are likely to
be, sold in the United States at less than fair value within the
meaning of section 731 of the Act and that such imports are materially
injuring, or threatening material injury to, an industry in the United
States. Also, consistent with section 732(b)(1) of the Act, the
Petition is accompanied by information reasonably available to
Petitioner supporting its allegations.
The Department finds that Petitioner filed this Petition on behalf
of the domestic industry because it is an interested party as defined
in section 771(9)(C) of the Act and has demonstrated sufficient
industry support with respect to the initiation of the AD investigation
that Petitioner is requesting. See the ``Determination of Industry
Support for the Petition'' section below.
Period of Investigation
Because the Petition was filed on March 27, 2013, the period of
investigation (``POI'') is January 1, 2012, through December 31,
2012.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scope of the Investigation
The product covered by this investigation is certain nickel-plated,
flat-rolled steel from Japan. For a full description of the scope of
the investigation, see the ``Scope of the Investigation,'' in Appendix
I of this notice.
Comments on Scope of Investigation
During our review of the Petition, we discussed the scope with
Petitioner to ensure that it is an accurate reflection of the products
for which the domestic industry is seeking relief. Moreover, as
discussed in the preamble to the regulations (Antidumping Duties;
Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997)),
we are setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues
regarding product coverage. The Department encourages all interested
parties to submit such comments by May 6, 2013, 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Standard Time, 20 calendar days from the signature date of this notice.
All comments and submissions to the Department must be filed
electronically using Import Administration's Antidumping Countervailing
Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (``IA ACCESS'').\7\ An
electronically filed document must be received successfully in its
entirety by the Department's electronic records system, IA ACCESS, by
the time and date noted above. Documents excepted from the electronic
submission requirements must be filed manually (i.e., in paper form)
with Import Administration's APO/Dockets Unit, Room 1870, U.S.
Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230, and stamped with the date and time of receipt by
the deadline noted above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order
Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011) for details of the
Department's electronic filing requirements, which went into effect
on August 5, 2011. Information on using IAACCESS can be found at
https://iaaccess.trade.gov/help.aspx and a handbook can be found at
https://iaaccess.trade.gov/help/Handbook%20on%20Electronic%20Filling%20Procedures.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The period for scope comments is intended to provide the Department
with ample opportunity to consider all comments and to consult with
parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary determination.
Comments on Product Characteristics for Antidumping Duty Questionnaire
The Department requests comments from interested parties regarding
the appropriate physical characteristics of certain nickel-plated,
flat-rolled steel to be reported in response to the Department's AD
questionnaire. This information will be used to identify the key
physical characteristics of the subject merchandise in order to develop
appropriate product-comparison criteria and to allow respondent to
report the relevant costs of production, if necessary.
Interested parties may provide any information or comments that
they feel are relevant to the development of an accurate list of
physical characteristics. Specifically, they may provide comments as to
which characteristics are appropriate to use as (1) general product
characteristics and (2) the product-comparison criteria. We find that
it is not always appropriate to use all product characteristics as
product-comparison criteria. We base product-comparison criteria on
meaningful commercial differences among products. In other words, while
there may be some physical product characteristics utilized by
manufacturers to describe certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel, it
may be that only a select few product characteristics take into account
commercially meaningful physical
[[Page 23906]]
characteristics. In addition, interested parties may comment on the
order in which the physical characteristics should be used in matching
products. Generally, the Department attempts to list the most important
physical characteristics first and the least important characteristics
last.
In order to consider the suggestions of interested parties in
developing and issuing the AD questionnaire, we must receive comments
filed in accordance with the Department's electronic filing
requirements, available at 19 CFR 351.303, by May 6, 2013. Rebuttal
comments must be received by May 13, 2013.
Determination of Industry Support for the Petition
Section 732(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 732(c)(4)(A) of the Act
provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic
producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) At least
25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and
(ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like
product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support
for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 732(c)(4)(D) of
the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of
domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of
the total production of the domestic like product, the Department
shall: (i) Poll the industry or rely on other information in order to
determine if there is support for the petition, as required by
subparagraph (A); or (ii) determine industry support using a
statistically valid sampling method to poll the ``industry.''
Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the
producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine
whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute
directs the Department to look to producers and workers who produce the
domestic like product. The International Trade Commission (``ITC''),
which is responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry''
has been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like
product in order to define the industry. While both the Department and
the ITC must apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic
like product (see section 771(10) of the Act), they do so for different
purposes and pursuant to a separate and distinct authority. In
addition, the Department's determination is subject to limitations of
time and information. Although this may result in different definitions
of the like product, such differences do not render the decision of
either agency contrary to law.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (CIT
2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 688 F.
Supp. 639, 644 (CIT 1988), aff'd 865 F.2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation
under this title.'' Thus, the reference point from which the domestic
like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an
investigation'' (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be
investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the
petition).
With regard to the domestic like product, Petitioner does not offer
a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope of
the investigation. Based on our analysis of the information submitted
on the record, we have determined that certain nickel-plated, flat-
rolled steel constitutes a single domestic like product and we have
analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like product.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis in
this case, see Antidumping Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist:
Diffusion-Annealed, Nickel-Plated Flat-Rolled Steel Products from
Japan (``Initiation Checklist'') at Attachment II, Analysis of
Industry Support for the Petition Covering Diffusion-Annealed,
Nickel-Plated Flat-Rolled Steel Products from Japan, dated
concurrently with this notice and on file electronically via IA
ACCESS. Access to documents filed via IA ACCESS is also available in
the Central Records Unit, Room 7046 of the main Department of
Commerce building.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In determining whether Petitioner has standing under section
732(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data
contained in the Petition with reference to the domestic like product
as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigation,'' in Appendix I of this
notice. To establish industry support, Petitioner provided its own
production of the domestic like product in 2012.\10\ Petitioner states
that it was the sole remaining U.S. producer of the domestic like
product in calendar year 2012 and, therefore, the Petition is supported
by 100 percent of the U.S. industry.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ See Petition, at 54 (Table 12).
\11\ See Petition, at 6-7; see also Second Petition Supplement,
at 9-10 and Exhibits 32-33.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our review of the data provided in the Petition, supplemental
submissions, and other information readily available to the Department
indicates that Petitioner has established industry support.\12\ First,
the Petition established support from domestic producers (or workers)
accounting for more than 50 percent of the total production of the
domestic like product and, as such, the Department is not required to
take further action in order to evaluate industry support (e.g.,
polling).\13\ Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have met the
statutory criteria for industry support under section 732(c)(4)(A)(i)
of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers) who support the
Petition account for at least 25 percent of the total production of the
domestic like product.\14\ Finally, the domestic producers (or workers)
have met the statutory criteria for industry support under section
732(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers)
who support the Petition account for more than 50 percent of the
production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the
industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the Petition.\15\
Accordingly, the Department determines that the Petition was filed on
behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of section 732(b)(1)
of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ See Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
\13\ See section 732(c)(4)(D) of the Act; see also Initiation
Checklist at Attachment II.
\14\ See Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
\15\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Department finds that Petitioner filed the Petition on behalf
of the domestic industry because it is an interested party as defined
in section 771(9)(C) of the Act and it has demonstrated sufficient
industry support with respect to the AD investigation that it is
requesting the Department initiate.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation
Petitioner alleges that the U.S. industry producing the domestic
like product is being materially injured, or is threatened with
material injury, by reason of the imports of the subject merchandise
sold at less than normal value (``NV''). In addition, Petitioner
alleges that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold
provided for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ See Petition, at 41.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petitioner contends that the industry's injured condition is
illustrated by reduced market share; underselling and price depression
or suppression; lost sales and revenue; declining capacity utilization,
production, and shipments; reduced employment and hours worked;
increased inventories; and decline in financial performance.\18\ We
have
[[Page 23907]]
assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material
injury, threat of material injury, and causation, and we have
determined that these allegations are properly supported by adequate
evidence and meet the statutory requirements for initiation.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\18\ See Petition, at 2-4, 24-28, 40-65 and Exhibits 10-11, 14-
16, 22-23, and 25-31; see also Second Petition Supplement, at 24-26
and Revised Exhibits 14, 23 and Exhibit 32.
\19\ See Initiation Checklist, at Attachment III, Analysis of
Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation for the
Petition Covering Diffusion-Annealed, Nickel-Plated Flat-Rolled
Steel Products from Japan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allegation of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
The following is a description of the allegation of sales at less
than fair value upon which the Department based its decision to
initiate this investigation of imports of certain nickel-plated, flat-
rolled steel from Japan. The sources of data for the deductions and
adjustments relating to U.S. price and NV are discussed in greater
detail in the Initiation Checklist.
Export Price
Petitioner calculated export price (``EP'') using two sources.
First, Petitioner used competitive sales information obtained in the
market through customer negotiations. Second, Petitioner used U.S.
Bureau of Census (``Census'') import statistics under the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS'') subheadings
7210.90.6000 and 7212.50.0000, corresponding to bills of lading, as
obtained through Zepol Corporation,\20\ that specifically identify the
imports as ``diffusion-annealed, nickel-plated steel.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\20\ Zepol Corporation provides import data through its
international trade tools (https://www.zepol.com).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
With respect to the competitive sales data, Petitioner made
adjustments for CIF charges, import duties and commissions to estimate
the ex-factory price. Petitioner also claimed that there would be
warehousing costs in the United States as well as credit expenses, but
that for the purposes of the Petition, these expenses were not
estimated or deducted, thereby understating the full extent of dumping.
With respect to the import statistics, since HTSUS subheadings
7210.90.6000 and 7212.50.0000 are ``basket'' tariff categories include
more than certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel, in order to confirm
the accuracy and reliability of the use of U.S. import statistics under
these HTSUS subheadings, Petitioner compared the U.S. import quantity
by ports and month for these HTSUS subheadings to the quantity of
imports of certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel from Japan captured
in bills of lading. Petitioner argues that where the bill of lading
corresponds precisely to the port of entry, month of importation and
quantity, the average unit value provided by the Census statistics is
an appropriate indicator of the price of the subject merchandise. In
addition, Petitioner compared the average unit customs values and
average unit landed cost values with actual market prices. According to
Petitioner, this data corroborates the accuracy of the Census data.
Petitioner notes that because the customs value per metric ton
represents the F.O.B. origin value of the imported merchandise, no
adjustments were made with respect to this value for purposes of
estimating the EP.
Normal Value
Pursuant to section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act, Petitioner based NV
on prices in Japan for sales to the largest Japanese battery producers,
which were obtained by an independent market research organization.
Petitioner asserts that these products correspond to the specifications
for certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel exported to the United
States and represent Japanese home market pricing for large-volume
products to major customers through the fourth quarter 2012. While
acknowledging that no adjustments were made to reflect credit terms,
Petitioner notes that accounting for this deduction would have a de
minimis impact on the estimated dumping margins.
Fair Value Comparisons
Based on the data provided by Petitioner, there is reason to
believe that imports of certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel from
Japan are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less
than fair value. Based on comparisons of EP to NVs, in accordance with
section 773(a)(1) of the Act, the estimated dumping margins for certain
nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel from Japan range from 56.50 percent to
77.70 percent.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\ See Petition, at 30 and Exhibits 10, 11, 12 and 17 and
Second Petition Supplement, dated April 5, 2013, at 23 and Revised
Exhibits 12, 17 and 18.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initiation of Antidumping Investigation
Based upon the examination of the Petition on certain nickel-
plated, flat-rolled steel from Japan, we find that the Petition meets
the requirements of section 732 of the Act. Therefore, we are
initiating the AD investigation to determine whether imports of certain
nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel from Japan are being, or are likely to
be, sold in the United States at less than fair value. In accordance
with section 733(b)(1)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless
postponed, we will make our preliminary determinations no later than
140 days after the date of this initiation.
Respondent Selection
Following standard practice in AD investigations involving market
economy countries, in the event the Department determines that the
number of known exporters or producers for this investigation is large,
the Department may select respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (``CBP'') data for U.S. imports under the HTSUS 7210.90.6000
and 7212.50.0000 for certain nickel-plated, flat-rolled steel from
Japan. We intend to release the CBP data under Administrative
Protective Order (``APO'') to all parties with access to information
protected by APO within five days of publication of this Federal
Register notice and make our decision regarding respondent selection
within 20 days of publication of this notice. The Department invites
comments regarding the CBP data and respondent selection within seven
days of publication of this Federal Register notice.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\22\ See Bottom Mount Combination Refrigerator-Freezers From the
Republic of Korea and Mexico: Initiation of Antidumping Duty
Investigations, 76 FR 23281, 23285 (April 26, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Petition names three companies as producers of certain nickel-
plated, flat-rolled steel from Japan: Toyo Kohan Co., Ltd., Sumitomo-
Nippon Steel Corp., and Katayama Special Industries.\23\ We currently
do not know of any other producers of subject merchandise. We will
consider comments from interested parties with respect to respondent
selection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\23\ See Petition, at 22.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distribution of Copies of the Petition
In accordance with section 732(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.202(f), the Government of Japan was provided access to a copy of
the public version of the Petition via IA ACCESS. To the extent
practicable, we will attempt to provide a copy of the public version of
the Petition to each exporter named in the Petition, as provided under
19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).
ITC Notification
We have notified the ITC of our initiation, as required by section
732(d) of the Act.
Preliminary Determination by the ITC
The ITC will preliminarily determine no later than May 13, 2013,
whether
[[Page 23908]]
there is a reasonable indication that imports of certain nickel-plated,
flat-rolled steel from Japan are materially injuring or threatening
material injury to a U.S. industry. A negative ITC determination will
result in the investigation being terminated; otherwise, this
investigation will proceed according to statutory and regulatory time
limits.
Notification to Interested Parties
Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. On January 22, 2008, the
Department published Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Documents Submission Procedures; APO Procedures, 73 FR 3634 (January
22, 2008). Parties wishing to participate in this investigation should
ensure that they meet the requirements of these procedures (e.g., the
filing of letters of appearance as discussed at 19 CFR 351.103(d)).
Any party submitting factual information in an AD/countervailing
duty (``CVD'') proceeding must certify to the accuracy and completeness
of that information.\24\ Parties are hereby reminded that revised
certification requirements are in effect for company/government
officials as well as their representatives in all segments of any AD/
CVD proceedings initiated on or after March 14, 2011.\25\ The formats
for the revised certifications are provided at the end of the Interim
Final Rule. Foreign governments and their officials may continue to
submit certifications in either the format that was in use prior to the
effective date of the Interim Final Rule, or in the format provided in
the Supplemental Interim Final Rule.\26\ The Department intends to
reject factual submissions in any proceeding segments initiated on or
after March 14, 2011, if the submitting party does not comply with the
revised certification requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\24\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
\25\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings: Interim Final Rule, 76 FR 7491 (February 10, 2011)
(Interim Final Rule) amending 19 CFR 351.303(g)(1) and (2) and
supplemented by Certification of Factual Information To Import
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings: Supplemental Interim Final Rule, 76 FR 54697 (September
2, 2011) (Supplemental Interim Final Rule).
\26\ See Supplemental Interim Final Rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 777(i) of
the Act.
Dated: April 16, 2013.
Ronald K. Lorentzen,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
Appendix I--Scope of the Investigation
The diffusion-annealed, nickel-plated flat-rolled steel products
included in this investigation are flat-rolled, cold-reduced steel
products, regardless of chemistry; whether or not in coils; either
plated or coated with nickel or nickel-based alloys and subsequently
annealed (i.e., ``diffusion-annealed''); whether or not painted,
varnished or coated with plastics or other metallic or nonmetallic
substances; and less than or equal to 2.0 mm in nominal thickness.
For purposes of this investigation, ``nickel-based alloys'' include
all nickel alloys with other metals in which nickel accounts for at
least 80 percent of the alloy by volume.
Imports of merchandise included in the scope of this
investigation are classified primarily under Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS'') subheadings 7212.50.0000
and 7210.90.6000, but may also be classified under HTSUS subheadings
7210.70.6090, 7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000, 7219.90.0020,
7219.90.0025, 7219.90.0060, 7219.90.0080, 7220.90.0010,
7220.90.0015, 7225.99.0090, or 7226.99.0180. The foregoing HTSUS
subheadings are provided only for convenience and customs purposes.
The written description of the scope is dispositive.
[FR Doc. 2013-09572 Filed 4-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P