Vertical Metal File Cabinets From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation, 24093-24098 [2019-10937]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• International Trade Administration

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 101 (Friday, May 24, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24093-24098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10937]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-570-110]


Vertical Metal File Cabinets From the People's Republic of China: 
Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

DATES: Applicable May 20, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn Wallace at (202) 482-6251, AD/
CVD Operations, Office VII, Enforcement and Compliance, International 
Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

The Petition

    On April 30, 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) 
received an antidumping duty (AD) petition (Petition) concerning 
imports of vertical metal file cabinets (file cabinets) from the 
People's Republic of China (China), filed in proper form on behalf of 
Hirsh Industries LLC (the petitioner).\1\ The AD Petition was 
accompanied by a countervailing duty (CVD) Petition concerning imports 
of file cabinets from China.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Vertical Metal File Cabinets from 
the People's Republic of China--Petition for the Imposition of 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties,'' dated April 30, 2019 (the 
Petition).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Between May 2 and 15, 2019, Commerce requested supplemental 
information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petition.\2\ The 
petitioner filed responses to these requests between May 6 and 16, 
2019.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See Commerce's Letters, ``Petitions for the Imposition of 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Vertical Metal 
File Cabinets from the People's Republic of China: Supplemental 
Questions,'' dated May 2, 2019 (General Issues Supplemental 
Questionnaire); and, ``Petitions for the Imposition of Antidumping 
and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Vertical Metal File Cabinets 
from the People's Republic of China: Supplemental Questions,'' dated 
May 2, 2019 (AD Supplemental Questionnaire); see also Memoranda, 
``Phone Call with Counsel to the Petitioner,'' dated May 8, 2019 
(May 8, 2019 Memorandum); and, ``Phone Calls with Counsel to the 
Petitioner,'' dated May 15, 2019 (May 15, 2019 Memorandum).
    \3\ See Petitioner's Letters, ``Vertical Metal File Cabinets 
from the People's Republic of China--Petitioner's Supplement to 
Volume I Relating to General Issues,'' dated May 6, 2019 (General 
Issues Supplement); ``Vertical Metal Cabinets from the People's 
Republic of China--Petitioner's Supplement to Volume II Relating to 
China Antidumping Duties,'' dated May 6, 2019 (AD Supplement); 
``Vertical Metal File Cabinets from the People's Republic of China--
Petitioner's 2nd Supplement to Volume I Relating to General 
Issues,'' dated May 9, 2019 (Second General Issues Supplement); and, 
``Vertical Metal File Cabinets from the People's Republic of China--
Petitioner's 3rd Supplement to Volume I Relating to General 
Issues,'' dated May 16, 2019 (Third General Issues Supplement).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In accordance with section 732(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act), the petitioner alleges that imports of file cabinets 
from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at 
less-than-fair value (LTFV) within the meaning of section 731 of the 
Act, and that such imports are materially injuring, or threatening 
material injury to, the domestic industry producing file cabinets and 
in the United States. Consistent with section 732(b)(1) of the Act, the 
Petition is accompanied by information reasonably available to the 
petitioner supporting its allegations.
    Commerce finds that the petitioner filed this Petition on behalf of 
the domestic industry, because the petitioner is an interested party, 
as defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act. Commerce also finds that 
the petitioner demonstrated sufficient industry support with respect to 
the initiation of the requested AD investigation.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See ``Determination of Industry Support for the Petition'' 
section, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Period of Investigation

    Because the Petition was filed on April 30, 2019, the period of 
investigation (POI) is October 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019.

Scope of the Investigation

    The merchandise covered by this investigation is file cabinets from 
China. For a full description of the scope of this investigation, see 
the Appendix to this notice.

Comments on Scope of the Investigation

    During our review of the Petition, we contacted the petitioner 
regarding the proposed scope to ensure that the scope language in the 
Petition is an accurate reflection of the products for which the 
domestic industry is seeking relief.\5\ As a result, the scope of the 
Petition was modified to clarify the description of the merchandise 
covered by the Petition. The description of the merchandise covered by 
this investigation, as described in the Appendix to this notice, 
reflects these clarifications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See General Issues Supplement; see also May 8, 2019 
Memorandum; Second General Issues Supplement; May 15, 2019 
Memorandum; Third General Issues Supplement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are 
setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding 
product coverage (scope).\6\ Commerce will consider all comments 
received from interested parties and, if necessary, will consult with 
interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary 
determination. If scope comments include factual information,\7\ all 
such factual information should be limited to public information. To 
facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that 
all interested parties submit scope comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time 
(ET) on June 10, 2019, which is 20 calendar days from the signature 
date of this notice.\8\ Any rebuttal comments, which may include 
factual information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 20, 2019, 
which is 10 calendar days from the initial comment deadline.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997).
    \7\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual 
information'').
    \8\ Because the deadline falls on a Sunday (i.e., June 9, 2019), 
the deadline becomes the next business day (i.e., June 10, 2019).
    \9\ See 19 CFR 351.303(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Commerce requests that any factual information the parties consider 
relevant to the scope of the investigation be submitted during this 
time period. However, if a party subsequently finds that additional 
factual information pertaining to the scope of the investigation may be 
relevant, the party may contact Commerce and request permission to 
submit the additional information. All such comments must

[[Page 24094]]

also be filed on the record of the concurrent CVD investigation.

Filing Requirements

    All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically using 
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty 
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS).\10\ An electronically 
filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by the 
time and date it is due. Documents exempted from the electronic 
submission requirements must be filed manually (i.e., in paper form) 
with Enforcement and Compliance's APO/Dockets Unit, Room 18022, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20230, and stamped with the date and time of receipt by the applicable 
deadlines.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: 
Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order 
Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011); see also Enforcement and 
Compliance; Change of Electronic Filing System Name, 79 FR 69046 
(November 20, 2014) for details of Commerce's electronic filing 
requirements, effective August 5, 2011. Information on help using 
ACCESS can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx and a 
handbook can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help/Handbook%20on%20Electronic%20Filling%20Procedures.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comments on Product Characteristics for AD Questionnaires

    Commerce is providing interested parties an opportunity to comment 
on the appropriate physical characteristics of file cabinets to be 
reported in response to Commerce's AD questionnaire. This information 
will be used to identify the key physical characteristics of the 
subject merchandise in order to report the relevant factors of 
production (FOPs) accurately, as well as to develop appropriate 
product-comparison criteria.
    Interested parties may provide any information or comments that 
they feel are relevant to the development of an accurate list of 
physical characteristics. In order to consider the suggestions of 
interested parties in developing and issuing the AD questionnaire, all 
comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 10, 2019, which is 20 
calendar days from the signature date of this notice.\11\ Any rebuttal 
comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 20, 2019. All comments 
and submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically using ACCESS, 
as explained above, on the record of this AD investigation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ See 19 CFR 351.303(b). Because the deadline falls on a 
Sunday (i.e., June 9, 2019), the deadline becomes the next business 
day (i.e., June 10, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, Commerce 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 Commerce 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 Commerce and the 
ITC must apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic 
like product,\12\ they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a 
separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce'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.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
    \13\ 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, the petitioner does not 
offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope 
of the Petition.\14\ Based on our analysis of the information submitted 
on the record, we have determined that file cabinets, as defined in the 
scope, constitute a single domestic like product, and we have analyzed 
industry support in terms of that domestic like product.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ See Volume I of the Petition at 11-13; see also General 
Issues Supplement at 11-13 and Exhibits GEN-Supp-1 through GEN-Supp-
4.
    \15\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as 
applied to this case and information regarding industry support, see 
Antidumping Duty Initiation Checklist: Vertical Metal File Cabinets 
from the People's Republic of China (AD Initiation Checklist) at 
Attachment II, Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Vertical Metal File Cabinets 
from the People's Republic of China (Attachment II). This checklist 
is dated concurrently with this notice and on file electronically 
via ACCESS. Access to documents filed via ACCESS is also available 
in the Central Records Unit, Room B8024 of the main Department of 
Commerce building.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In determining whether the 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 the Appendix to 
this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioner provided its 
own 2018 production of the domestic like product, as well as the 2018 
production of companies that support the Petition.\16\ The petitioner 
compared the total production of the supporters of the Petition to the 
estimated total production of the domestic like product for the entire 
domestic industry.\17\ We relied on data provided by the petitioner for 
purposes of measuring industry support.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See Volume I of the Petition at 2-3 and Exhibit GEN-3.
    \17\ See id.; see also General Issues Supplement, 14-15 and 
Exhibit GEN-Supp-5.
    \18\ See Volume I of the Petition at 2-3 and Exhibit GEN-3; see 
also General Issues Supplement at 14-15 and Exhibit GEN-Supp-5. For 
further discussion, see AD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Our review of the data provided in the Petition, the General Issues 
Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce 
indicates that the petitioner has established industry support for the 
Petition.\19\ 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, Commerce is not 
required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support 
(e.g.,

[[Page 24095]]

polling).\20\ 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.\21\ 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.\22\ 
Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petition was filed on behalf 
of the domestic industry within the meaning of section 732(b)(1) of the 
Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ See AD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
    \20\ See section 732(c)(4)(D) of the Act; see also AD Initiation 
Checklist at Attachment II.
    \21\ See AD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
    \22\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation

    The 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 LTFV. In addition, the petitioner alleges that 
subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided for under 
section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ See Volume I of the Petition at 13-14 and Exhibits GEN-7 
and GEN-10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The petitioner contends that the industry's injured condition is 
illustrated by a significant and increasing volume of subject imports; 
reduced market share; underselling and price depression or suppression; 
lost sales and revenues; and a decline in the domestic industry's 
production, capacity utilization, domestic shipments, employment 
variables, and financial performance.\24\ We have assessed the 
allegations and supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat 
of material injury, causation, as well as negligibility, and we have 
determined that these allegations are properly supported by adequate 
evidence, and meet the statutory requirements for initiation.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ See id. at 10, 13-23 and Exhibits GEN-1, GEN-7, and GEN-10 
through GEN-14; see also General Issues Supplement at 15-16 and 
Exhibit GEN-Supp-5.
    \25\ See AD Initiation Checklist at Attachment III, Analysis of 
Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation for the 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Vertical 
Metal File Cabinets from the People's Republic of China (Attachment 
III).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allegations of Sales at Less Than Fair Value

    The following is a description of the allegation of sales at LTFV 
upon which Commerce based its decision to initiate an AD investigation 
of imports of file cabinets from China. The sources of data for the 
deductions and adjustments relating to U.S. price and normal value (NV) 
are discussed in greater detail in the AD Initiation Checklist.

Export Price

    The petitioner based export price (EP) on the retail price of a 
vertical metal file cabinet produced in China and sold at a major 
office supply retailer in the U.S. market during the POI.\26\ The 
petitioner made deductions from U.S. price for movement and other 
expenses, consistent with the terms of sale.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ See Volume II of the Petition at Exhibit AD-1 attachments 
1-2.
    \27\ See id. at 3, Exhibit AD-1 attachment 1; see also AD 
Supplement at 2-3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Normal Value

    Commerce considers China to be a non-market economy (NME) 
country.\28\ In accordance with section 771(18)(C)(i) of the Act, any 
determination that a foreign country is an NME country shall remain in 
effect until revoked by Commerce. Therefore, we continue to treat China 
as an NME country for purposes of the initiation of this investigation. 
Accordingly, NV in China is appropriately based on FOPs valued in a 
surrogate market economy country, in accordance with section 773(c) of 
the Act.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ See Antidumping Duty Investigation of Certain Aluminum Foil 
from the People's Republic of China: Affirmative Preliminary 
Determination of Sales at Less-Than-Fair Value and Postponement of 
Final Determination, 82 FR 50858, 50861 (November 2, 2017), and 
accompanying decision memorandum, China's Status as a Non-Market 
Economy, unchanged in Certain Aluminum Foil from the People's 
Republic of China: Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair 
Value, 83 FR 9282 (March 5, 2018).
    \29\ See AD Initiation Checklist.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The petitioner claims that Mexico is an appropriate surrogate 
country for China, because it is a market economy that is at a level of 
economic development comparable to that of China and it is a 
significant producer of comparable merchandise.\30\ The petitioner 
provided publicly available information from Mexico to value all FOPs. 
Based on the information provided by the petitioner, we determine that 
it is appropriate to use Mexico as a surrogate country for initiation 
purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ See Volume II of the Petition at 5 and Exhibits AD-3-1 and 
AD-3-2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Interested parties will have the opportunity to submit comments 
regarding surrogate country selection and, pursuant to 19 CFR 
351.301(c)(3)(i), will be provided an opportunity to submit publicly 
available information to value FOPs within 30 days before the scheduled 
date of the preliminary determination.

Factors of Production

    Because information regarding the volume of inputs consumed by the 
Chinese producer/exporter was not reasonably available, the petitioner 
used the product-specific consumption rates of a U.S. file cabinet 
producer as a surrogate to estimate the Chinese manufacturer's 
FOPs.\31\ The petitioner valued the estimated FOPs using surrogate 
values from Mexico, as noted above.\32\ The petitioner calculated 
factory overhead, selling, general and administrative expenses, and 
profit based on the experience of a Mexican producer of comparable 
merchandise.\33\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ Id. at 5 and Exhibits AD-2, AD-3 and AD-4.
    \32\ See id. at Exhibit AD-3; see also AD Supplement at Exhibit 
AD-S3.
    \33\ See Volume II of the Petition at 15-17 and Exhibit AD-2 
attachment 10; see also AD Supplement at 5-8.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fair Value Comparisons

    Based on the data provided in the Petition, there is reason to 
believe that imports of file cabinets from China are being, or are 
likely to be, sold in the United States at LTFV. Based on comparisons 
of EP to NV, in accordance with sections 772 and 773 of the Act, the 
estimated dumping margins for file cabinets from China range from 
121.75 to 198.50 percent.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ See AD Supplement at Exhibit AD-S5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Initiation of LTFV Investigation

    Based upon the examination of the Petition on file cabinets from 
China, we find that the Petition meets the requirements of section 732 
of the Act. Therefore, we are initiating an AD investigation to 
determine whether imports of file cabinets from China are being, or are 
likely to be, sold in the United States at LTFV. 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 determination no later than 140 
days after the date of this initiation.

Respondent Selection

    The petitioner named 62 companies in China as producers/exporters 
of file

[[Page 24096]]

cabinets.\35\ After considering our resources, Commerce has determined 
that we do not have sufficient administrative resources to issue 
quantity and value (Q&V) questionnaires to all 62 identified producers 
and exporters. Therefore, Commerce has determined to limit the number 
of Q&V questionnaires we will send out to exporters and producers 
identified in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for U.S. 
imports of file cabinets during the POI under the appropriate 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States numbers listed in the 
``Scope of the Investigation,'' in the Appendix. Accordingly, Commerce 
will send Q&V questionnaires to the largest producers and exporters 
that are identified in the CBP data for which there is address 
information on the record.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ See Volume I of the Petition at Exhibit GEN-8.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On May 15, 2019, Commerce released CBP data on imports of file 
cabinets from China under (administrative protective order) APO to all 
parties with access to information protected by APO and indicated that 
interested parties wishing to comment on the CBP data must do so within 
three business days of the publication date of the notice of initiation 
of this investigation.\36\ We further stated that we will not accept 
rebuttal comments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ See Memorandum, ``Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation of 
File Cabinets from China: Release of U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection Data;'' dated May 15, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). Instructions for filing such 
applications may be found on the Commerce website at https://enforcement.trade.gov/apo.
    Comments must be filed electronically using ACCESS. An 
electronically filed document must be received successfully, in its 
entirety, by ACCESS no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on the date noted above. 
We intend to finalize our decisions regarding respondent selection 
within 20 days of publication of this notice.
    In addition, Commerce will post the Q&V questionnaire along with 
filing instructions on the Enforcement and Compliance website at https://www.trade.gov/enforcement/news.asp. In accordance with our standard 
practice for respondent selection in AD cases involving NME countries, 
we intend to base respondent selection on the responses to the Q&V 
questionnaire that we receive.
    Producers/exporters of file cabinets from China that do not receive 
Q&V questionnaires by mail may still submit a response to the Q&V 
questionnaire and can obtain a copy from the Enforcement & Compliance 
website. The Q&V response must be submitted by the relevant China 
exporters/producers no later than June 10, 2019.\37\ All Q&V responses 
must be filed electronically via ACCESS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ Because the deadline falls on a Sunday (i.e., June 9, 
2019), the deadline becomes the next business day (i.e., June 10, 
2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Separate Rates

    In order to obtain separate-rate status in an NME investigation, 
exporters and producers must submit a separate-rate application.\38\ 
The specific requirements for submitting a separate-rate application in 
the China investigation are outlined in detail in the application 
itself, which is available on Commerce's website at https://enforcement.trade.gov/nme/nme-sep-rate.html. The separate-rate 
application will be due 30 days after publication of this initiation 
notice.\39\ Exporters and producers who submit a separate-rate 
application and have been selected as mandatory respondents will be 
eligible for consideration for separate-rate status only if they 
respond to all parts of Commerce's AD questionnaire as mandatory 
respondents. Commerce requires that companies from China submit a 
response to both the Q&V questionnaire and the separate-rate 
application by the respective deadlines in order to receive 
consideration for separate-rate status. Companies not filing a timely 
Q&V response will not receive separate rate consideration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ See Policy Bulletin 05.1: Separate-Rates Practice and 
Application of Combination Rates in Antidumping Investigation 
involving Non-Market Economy Countries (April 5, 2005), available at 
https://enforcement.trade.gov/policy/bull05-1.pdf (Policy Bulletin 
05.1).
    \39\ Although in past investigations this deadline was 60 days, 
consistent with 19 CFR 351.301(a), which states that ``the Secretary 
may request any person to submit factual information at any time 
during a proceeding,'' this deadline is now 30 days.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Use of Combination Rates

    Commerce will calculate combination rates for certain respondents 
that are eligible for a separate rate in an NME investigation. The 
Separate Rates and Combination Rates Bulletin states:

{w{time} hile continuing the practice of assigning separate rates 
only to exporters, all separate rates that the Department will now 
assign in its NME Investigation will be specific to those producers 
that supplied the exporter during the period of investigation. Note, 
however, that one rate is calculated for the exporter and all of the 
producers which supplied subject merchandise to it during the period 
of investigation. This practice applies both to mandatory 
respondents receiving an individually calculated separate rate as 
well as the pool of non-investigated firms receiving the weighted-
average of the individually calculated rates. This practice is 
referred to as the application of ``combination rates'' because such 
rates apply to specific combinations of exporters and one or more 
producers. The cash-deposit rate assigned to an exporter will apply 
only to merchandise both exported by the firm in question and 
produced by a firm that supplied the exporter during the period of 
investigation.\40\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ See Policy Bulletin 05.1 at 6 (emphasis added).

Distribution of Copies of the Petition

    In accordance with section 732(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.202(f), a copy of the public version of the Petition has been 
provided to the government of China via ACCESS.
    Furthermore, 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 will notify the ITC of our initiation, as required by section 
732(d) of the Act.

Preliminary Determinations by the ITC

    The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date 
on which the Petition was filed, whether there is a reasonable 
indication that imports of file cabinets from China are materially 
injuring or threatening material injury to a U.S. industry.\41\ A 
negative ITC determination will result in the investigation being 
terminated.\42\ Otherwise, this investigation will proceed according to 
statutory and regulatory time limits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ See section 733(a) of the Act.
    \42\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submission of Factual Information

    Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) 
Evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence 
submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available 
information to value factors under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the 
adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence 
placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other than factual 
information described in (i)-(iv). Any party, when submitting factual 
information, must specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 
351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted \43\ and, if the 
information is submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct factual 
information already on the record, to provide an explanation 
identifying the information already on the record that the factual

[[Page 24097]]

information seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct.\44\ Time limits for 
the submission of factual information are addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, 
which provides specific time limits based on the type of factual 
information being submitted. Please review the regulations prior to 
submitting factual information in this investigation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
    \44\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extensions of Time Limits

    Parties may request an extension of time limits before the 
expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as 
otherwise specified by the Secretary. In general, an extension request 
will be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the 
time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301. For submissions that are 
due from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request will be 
considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date. 
Under certain circumstances, we may elect to specify a different time 
limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for 
submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such 
a case, we will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the 
deadline (including a specified time) by which extension requests must 
be filed to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in 
a separate, stand-alone submission; under limited circumstances we will 
grant untimely-filed requests for the extension of time limits. Parties 
should review Extension of Time Limits; Final Rule, 78 FR 57790 
(September 20, 2013), available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm, prior to submitting factual information 
in this investigation.

Certification Requirements

    Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding 
must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.\45\ 
Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 
351.303(g).\46\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the 
submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification 
requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
    \46\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import 
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (Final Rule). Answers to 
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule are available at 
https://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notification to Interested Parties

    Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. On January 22, 2008, Commerce 
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 in 19 CFR 351.103(d)).
    This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 732(c)(2) 
and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

    Dated: May 20, 2019.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix

Scope of the Investigation

    The scope of this investigation covers freestanding vertical 
metal file cabinets containing two or more extendable file storage 
elements and having an actual width of 25 inches or less. The 
subject vertical metal file cabinets have bodies made of carbon and/
or alloy steel and or other metals, regardless of whether painted, 
powder coated, or galvanized or otherwise coated for corrosion 
protection or aesthetic appearance. The subject vertical metal file 
cabinets must have two or more extendable elements for file storage 
(e.g., file drawers) of a height that permits hanging files of 
either letter (8.5'' x 11'') or legal (8.5'' x 14'') sized 
documents.
    An ``extendable element'' is defined as a movable load-bearing 
storage component including, but not limited to, drawers and filing 
frames. Extendable elements typically have suspension systems, 
consisting of glide blocks or ball bearing glides, to facilitate 
opening and closing.
    The subject vertical metal file cabinets typically come in 
models with two, three, four, or five-file drawers. The inclusion of 
one or more additional non-file-sized extendable storage elements, 
not sized for storage files (e.g., box or pencil drawers), does not 
remove an otherwise in-scope product from the scope as long as the 
combined height of the non-file-sized extendable storage elements 
does not exceed six inches. The inclusion of an integrated storage 
area that is not extendable (e.g., a cubby) and has an actual height 
of six inches or less, also does not remove a subject vertical metal 
file cabinet from the scope. Accessories packaged with a subject 
vertical file cabinet, such as separate printer stands or shelf kits 
that sit on top of the in-scope vertical file cabinet are not 
considered integrated storage.
    ``Freestanding'' means the unit has a solid top and does not 
have an open top or a top with holes punched in it that would permit 
the unit to be attached to, hung from, or otherwise used to support 
a desktop or other work surface. The ability to anchor a vertical 
file cabinet to a wall for stability or to prevent it from tipping 
over does not exclude the unit from the scope.
    The addition of mobility elements such as casters, wheels, or a 
dolly does not remove the product from the scope. Packaging a 
subject vertical metal file cabinet with other accessories, 
including, but not limited to, locks, leveling glides, caster kits, 
drawer accessories (e.g., including but not limited to follower 
wires, follower blocks, file compressors, hanger rails, pencil 
trays, and hanging file folders), printer stand, shelf kit and 
magnetic hooks, also does not remove the product from the scope. 
Vertical metal file cabinets are also in scope whether they are 
imported assembled or unassembled with all essential parts and 
components included.
    Excluded from the scope are lateral metal file cabinets. Lateral 
metal file cabinets have a width that is greater than the body 
depth, and have a body with an actual width that is more than 25 
inches wide.
    Also excluded from the scope are pedestal file cabinets. 
Pedestal file cabinets are metal file cabinets with body depths that 
are greater than or equal to their width, are under 31 inches in 
actual height, and have the following characteristics: (1) An open 
top or other the means for the cabinet to be attached to or hung 
from a desktop or other work surface such as holes punched in the 
top (i.e., not freestanding); or (2) freestanding file cabinets that 
have all of the following: (a) At least a 90 percent drawer 
extension for all extendable file storage elements; (b) a central 
locking system; (c) a minimum weight density of 9.5 lbs./cubic foot; 
and (d) casters or leveling glides.
    ``Percentage drawer extension'' is defined as the drawer travel 
distance divided by the inside depth dimension of the drawer. Inside 
depth of drawer is measured from the inside of the drawer face to 
the inside face of the drawer back. Drawer extension is the distance 
the drawer travels from the closed position to the maximum travel 
position which is limited by the out stops. In situations where 
drawers do not include an outstop, the drawer is extended until the 
drawer back is 3-\l/2\ inches from the closed position of inside 
face of the drawer front. The ``weight density'' is calculated by 
dividing the cabinet's actual weight by its volume in cubic feet 
(the multiple of the product's actual width, depth, and height). A 
``central locking system'' locks all drawers in a unit.
    Also excluded from the scope are fire proof or fire-resistant 
file cabinets that meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) fire 
protection standard 72, class 350, which covers the test procedures 
applicable to fire-resistant equipment intended to protect paper 
records.
    The merchandise subject to the investigation is classified under 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 
9403.10.0020. The subject merchandise may also enter under HTSUS 
subheadings 9403.10.0040, 9403.20.0080, and 9403.20.0090. While 
HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, 
the written

[[Page 24098]]

description of the scope of the investigation is dispositive.

[FR Doc. 2019-10937 Filed 5-23-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P