Forged Steel Fittings From India: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation, 64270-64273 [2019-25044]

Download as PDF 64270 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 225 / Thursday, November 21, 2019 / Notices • International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ISO6150–B. To be excluded from the scope, products must have the appropriate standard or pressure markings and/or be accompanied by documentation showing product compliance to the applicable standard or pressure, e.g., ‘‘API 5CT’’ mark and/or a mill certification report. Subject carbon and alloy forged steel fittings are normally entered under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) 7307.92.3010, 7307.92.3030, 7307.92.9000, 7307.99.1000, 7307.99.3000, 7307.99.5045, and 7307.99.5060. They may also be entered under HTSUS 7307.93.3010, 7307.93.3040, 7307.93.6000, 7307.93.9010, 7307.93.9040, 7307.93.9060, and 7326.19.0010. The HTSUS subheadings and specifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope is dispositive. [FR Doc. 2019–25043 Filed 11–20–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [C–533–892] Forged Steel Fittings From India: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. DATES: Applicable November 12, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Caserta, AD/CVD Operations, Office VII, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–4737. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: The Petition On October 23, 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) received a countervailing duty (CVD) petition concerning imports of forged steel fittings from India, filed in proper form on behalf of Bonney Forge Corporation, a domestic producer of forged steel fittings, and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW), a certified labor union whose members include workers at the facilities in which the domestic like product is produced (collectively, the petitioners).1 The 1 See Petitioners’ Letter, ‘‘Petition for the Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties: Forged Steel Fittings from India and the VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:41 Nov 20, 2019 Jkt 250001 Petition was accompanied by antidumping duty (AD) petitions concerning imports of forged steel fittings from India and the Republic of Korea (Korea).2 On October 28, 2019, Commerce requested further information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petition in supplemental questionnaires.3 The petitioners filed responses to the supplemental questionnaires on October 30, 2019.4 In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), the petitioner alleges that the Government of India (GOI) is providing countervailable subsidies, within the meaning of sections 701 and 771(5) of the Act, to producers of forged steel fittings in India, and that imports of such products are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the forged steel fittings industry in the United States. Consistent with section 702(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(b), for those alleged programs on which we are initiating CVD investigation, the Petition is accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioners supporting their allegations. Commerce finds that the petitioners filed the Petition on behalf of the domestic industry, because the petitioners are an interested party, as defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act. Commerce also finds that the petitioners demonstrated sufficient industry support necessary for the initiation of the requested CVD investigation.5 Period of Investigation Because the Petition was filed on October 23, 2019, the period of investigation (POI) is January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.6 Scope of the Investigation The products covered by this investigation are forged steel fittings Republic of Korea,’’ dated October 23, 2019 (the Petition). 2 Id. 3 See Commerce’s Letters, ‘‘Petition for the Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of Certain Forged Steel Fittings from India: Supplemental Questions,’’ dated October 28, 2019; and ‘‘Petitions for the Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Forged Steel Fittings from India and the Republic of Korea and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Forged Steel Fittings from India: Supplemental Questions,’’ dated October 28, 2019. 4 See Petitioners’ Letters, ‘‘Forged Steel Fittings from India: Response to Supplemental Questionnaire,’’ dated October 30, 2019; and ‘‘Forged Steel Fittings from India and the Republic of Korea: Response to General Issues Questionnaire,’’ dated October 30, 2019 (General Issues Supplement). 5 See the ‘‘Determination of Industry Support for the Petition’’ section, infra. 6 See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(2). PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 from India. For a full description of the scope of this investigation, see the Appendix to this notice. Comments on the Scope of the Investigation During our review of the Petition, we contacted the petitioners 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.7 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. 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).8 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,9 all such factual information should be limited to public information. To facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that all interested parties submit such comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on December 2, 2019, which is 20 calendar days from the signature date of this notice. Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on December 12, 2019, which is 10 calendar days from the initial comments deadline.10 Commerce requests that any factual information parties consider relevant to the scope of the investigation be submitted during this 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 submissions must be filed on the records of the concurrent AD and CVD investigations. Filing Requirements All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via Enforcement and Compliance’s Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Centralized 7 See General Issues Supplemental. Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble). 9 See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ‘‘factual information’’). 10 See 19 CFR 351.303(b). 8 See E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 225 / Thursday, November 21, 2019 / Notices Electronic Service System (ACCESS).11 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. Consultations Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Act, Commerce notified representatives of the GOI of the receipt of the Petition and provided them the opportunity for consultations with respect to the Petition.12 Consultations were held with the GOI on November 7, 2019.13 Determination of Industry Support for the Petition Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(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 702(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 11 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, which went into effect on 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%20 Procedures.pdf. 12 See Memorandum, ‘‘Countervailing Duty Petition on Forged Steel Fittings from India: Invitation for Consultations to Discuss the Countervailing Duty Petition,’’ dated October 24, 2019. 13 See Memorandum, ‘‘Consultations with Government of India Officials regarding the Countervailing Duty Petition on Forged Steel Fittings from India,’’ dated November 8, 2019. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:41 Nov 20, 2019 Jkt 250001 (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,14 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.15 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 petitioners do not offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope of the investigation.16 Based on our analysis of the information submitted on the record, we have determined that forged steel fittings, as defined in the scope, constitute a single domestic like product, and we have analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like product.17 14 See section 771(10) of the Act. 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)). 16 See Volume I of the Petition at 12–14; see also General Issues Supplement at 6. 17 For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as applied to this case and information regarding industry support, see Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist: Forged Steel Fittings from India (India CVD Initiation Checklist), at Attachment II, Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petition Covering Forged Steel Fittings from India and the Republic of Korea (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 15 See PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 64271 In determining whether the petitioners have standing under section 702(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 petitioners provided their own production of the domestic like product in 2018, as well as the 2018 production of Capitol Manufacturing Company LLC (Capitol Manufacturing), a U.S. producer of forged steel fittings that supports the Petition.18 The petitioners compared the production of the supporters of the Petition to the estimated total production of the domestic like product for the entire domestic industry.19 We relied on data provided by the petitioners for purposes of measuring industry support.20 Our review of the data provided in the Petition, the General Issues Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce indicates that the petitioners have established industry support for the Petition.21 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., polling).22 Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 702(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.23 Finally, the domestic producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 702(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, Records Unit, Room B8024 of the main Commerce building. 18 See Volume I of the Petition at 4 and Exhibits I–3 and I–4. 19 Id. at 4–5 and Exhibits I–3 and I–4; see also General Issues Supplement at 6–8 and Exhibit 12. 20 See Volume I of the Petition at 4–5 and Exhibits I–3 and I–4; see also General Issues Supplement at 6–8 and Exhibit 12. For further discussion, see India CVD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II. 21 See India CVD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II. 22 Id.; see also section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act. 23 See India CVD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II. E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1 64272 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 225 / Thursday, November 21, 2019 / Notices the Petition.24 Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petition was filed on behalf of the domestic industry, within the meaning of section 702(b)(1) of the Act. Injury Test Because India is a ‘‘Subsidies Agreement Country’’ within the meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, section 701(a)(2) of the Act applies to this investigation. Accordingly, the ITC must determine whether imports of the subject merchandise from India materially injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S. industry. Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation The petitioners allege that imports of the subject merchandise are benefitting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports are causing, or threaten to cause, material injury to the U.S. industry producing the domestic like product. In addition, the petitioners allege that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.25 Further, section 771(24)(B) of the Act provides that imports of subject merchandise from developing and least developed countries must exceed the negligibility threshold of four percent. The petitioners also demonstrate that subject imports from India, which has been designated as a least developed country under section 771(36)(B) of the Act, exceed the negligibility threshold of four percent.26 The petitioners contend 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; and declines in the domestic industry’s production, capacity utilization, U.S. shipments, and financial performance.27 We have assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat of material injury, causation, as well as cumulation, and we have determined that these allegations are properly supported by adequate evidence, and meet the statutory requirements for initiation.28 24 Id. 25 See Volume I of the Petition at 22 and Exhibit I–15. 26 Id. 27 Id. at 16–35 and Exhibits I–1, I–14, I–15 and I–17 through I–20. 28 See India CVD Initiation Checklist at Attachment III, Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Forged Steel Fittings from India and the Republic of Korea. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:41 Nov 20, 2019 Jkt 250001 Initiation of CVD Investigation Based on the examination of the Petition and supplemental response, we find that they meet the requirements of section 702 of the Act. Therefore, we are initiating a CVD investigation to determine whether imports of forged steel fittings from India benefit from countervailable subsidies conferred by the GOI. In accordance with section 703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our preliminary determination no later than 65 days after the date of this initiation. Based on our review of the Petition, we find that there is sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 36 of the 45 alleged programs. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision to initiate (or not initiate) on each program, see CVD Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this investigation is available on ACCESS. Respondent Selection In the Petition, the petitioner named 12 companies in India as producers/ exporters of forged steel fittings.29 Commerce intends to follow its standard practice in CVD investigations and calculate company-specific subsidy rates in this investigation. In the event Commerce determines that the number of companies is large, and it cannot individually examine each company based upon Commerce’s resources, where appropriate, Commerce intends to select mandatory respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for U.S. imports of forged steel fittings from India during the POI under the appropriate Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States numbers listed in the ‘‘Scope of the Investigation,’’ in the Appendix. On November 7, 2019, Commerce released CBP data under Administrative Protective Order (APO) to all parties with access to information protected by APO and indicated that interested parties wishing to comment regarding the CBP data and respondent selection must do so within three business days of the publication date of the notice of initiation of this CVD investigation.30 Commerce will not accept rebuttal comments regarding the CBP data or respondent selection. Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). Instructions for filing such applications 29 See Volume I of the Petition at Exhibit I–13. Memorandum, ‘‘Forged Steel Fittings from India; Release of Customs Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection,’’ dated November 7, 2019. may be found on the Commerce’s 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. Distribution of Copies of the Petition In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A)(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(f), copies of the public version of the Petition have been provided to the GOI and the Government of Korea via 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 will notify the ITC of our initiation, as required by section 702(d) of the Act. Preliminary Determination 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 forged steel fittings from India are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S. industry.31 A negative ITC determination will result in the investigation being terminated with respect to that country.32 Otherwise, this CVD investigation will proceed according to statutory and regulatory time limits. 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). Section 19 CFR 351.301(b) requires any party, when submitting factual information, to specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted and, if the information is submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information already on the record, to provide an explanation 30 See PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 31 See 32 See E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM section 703(a)(2) of the Act. section 703(a)(1) of the Act. 21NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 225 / Thursday, November 21, 2019 / Notices identifying the information already on the record that the factual information seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct. 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. Interested parties should review the regulations prior to submitting factual information in this investigation. 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 the letter or memorandum setting forth 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.govinfo.gov/ content/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/201322853.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.33 Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 351.303(g).34 Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification requirements. 33 See section 782(b) of the Act. Certification of Factual Information to Import Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (Final Rule); see also frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule, available at https://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_ info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf. 34 See VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:41 Nov 20, 2019 Jkt 250001 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 at 19 CFR 351.103(d)). This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702(c)(2) and 777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.203(c). Dated: November 12, 2019. Jeffrey I. Kessler, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Appendix Scope of the Investigation The merchandise covered by this investigation is carbon and alloy forged steel fittings, whether unfinished (commonly known as blanks or rough forgings) or finished. Such fittings are made in a variety of shapes including, but not limited to, elbows, tees, crosses, laterals, couplings, reducers, caps, plugs, bushings, unions, and outlets. Forged steel fittings are covered regardless of end finish, whether threaded, socket-weld or other end connections. The scope includes integrally reinforced forged branch outlet fittings, regardless of whether they have one or more ends that is a socket welding, threaded, butt welding end, or other end connections. While these fittings are generally manufactured to specifications ASME B16.11, MSS SP–79, MSS SP–83, MSS–SP– 97, ASTM A105, ASTM A350 and ASTM A182, the scope is not limited to fittings made to these specifications. The term forged is an industry term used to describe a class of products included in applicable standards, and it does not reference an exclusive manufacturing process. Forged steel fittings are not manufactured from casings. Pursuant to the applicable standards, fittings may also be machined from bar stock or machined from seamless pipe and tube. All types of forged steel fittings are included in the scope regardless of nominal pipe size (which may or may not be expressed in inches of nominal pipe size), pressure class rating (expressed in pounds of pressure, e.g., 2,000 or 2M; 3,000 or 3M; 6,000 or 6M; 9,000 or 9M), wall thickness, and whether or not heat treated. Excluded from this scope are all fittings entirely made of stainless steel. Also excluded are flanges, nipples, and all fittings that have a maximum pressure rating of 300 pounds per square inch/PSI or less. Also excluded from the scope are fittings certified or made to the following standards, so long as the fittings are not also manufactured to the specifications of ASME PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 64273 B16.11, MSS SP–79, MSS SP–83, MSS SP– 97, ASTM A105, ASTM A350 and ASTM A182: • American Petroleum Institute (API) 5CT, API 5L, or API 11B; • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B16.9; • Manufacturers Standardization Society (MSS) SP–75; • Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) J476, SAE J514, SAE J516, SAE J517, SAE J518, SAE J1026, SAE J1231, SAE J1453, SAE J1926, J2044 or SAE AS 35411; • Hydraulic hose fittings (e.g., fittings used in high pressure water cleaning applications, in the manufacture of hydraulic engines, to connect rubber dispensing hoses to a dispensing nozzle or grease fitting) made to ISO 12151–1, 12151–2, 12151–3, 12151–4, 12151–5, or 12151–6; • Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) certified electrical conduit fittings; • ASTM A153, A536, A576, or A865; • Casing conductor connectors made to proprietary specifications; • Machined steel parts (e.g., couplers) that are not certified to any specifications in this scope description and that are not for connecting steel pipes for distributing gas and liquids; • Oil country tubular goods (OCTG) connectors (e.g., forged steel tubular connectors for API 5L pipes or OCTG for offshore oil and gas drilling and extraction); • Military Specification (MIL) MIL–C– 4109F and MIL–F–3541; and • International Organization for Standardization (ISO) ISO6150–B. To be excluded from the scope, products must have the appropriate standard or pressure markings and/or be accompanied by documentation showing product compliance to the applicable standard or pressure, e.g., ‘‘API 5CT’’ mark and/or a mill certification report. Subject carbon and alloy forged steel fittings are normally entered under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) 7307.92.3010, 7307.92.3030, 7307.92.9000, 7307.99.1000, 7307.99.3000, 7307.99.5045, and 7307.99.5060. They may also be entered under HTSUS 7307.93.3010, 7307.93.3040, 7307.93.6000, 7307.93.9010, 7307.93.9040, 7307.93.9060, and 7326.19.0010. The HTSUS subheadings and specifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope is dispositive. [FR Doc. 2019–25044 Filed 11–20–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64270-64273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25044]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-533-892]


Forged Steel Fittings From India: Initiation of Countervailing 
Duty Investigation

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

DATES: Applicable November 12, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Caserta, AD/CVD Operations, 
Office VII, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-4737.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

The Petition

    On October 23, 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) 
received a countervailing duty (CVD) petition concerning imports of 
forged steel fittings from India, filed in proper form on behalf of 
Bonney Forge Corporation, a domestic producer of forged steel fittings, 
and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, 
Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union 
(USW), a certified labor union whose members include workers at the 
facilities in which the domestic like product is produced 
(collectively, the petitioners).\1\ The Petition was accompanied by 
antidumping duty (AD) petitions concerning imports of forged steel 
fittings from India and the Republic of Korea (Korea).\2\
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    \1\ See Petitioners' Letter, ``Petition for the Imposition of 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties: Forged Steel Fittings from 
India and the Republic of Korea,'' dated October 23, 2019 (the 
Petition).
    \2\ Id.
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    On October 28, 2019, Commerce requested further information 
pertaining to certain aspects of the Petition in supplemental 
questionnaires.\3\ The petitioners filed responses to the supplemental 
questionnaires on October 30, 2019.\4\
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    \3\ See Commerce's Letters, ``Petition for the Imposition of 
Countervailing Duties on Imports of Certain Forged Steel Fittings 
from India: Supplemental Questions,'' dated October 28, 2019; and 
``Petitions for the Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing 
Duties on Imports of Forged Steel Fittings from India and the 
Republic of Korea and Countervailing Duties on Imports of Forged 
Steel Fittings from India: Supplemental Questions,'' dated October 
28, 2019.
    \4\ See Petitioners' Letters, ``Forged Steel Fittings from 
India: Response to Supplemental Questionnaire,'' dated October 30, 
2019; and ``Forged Steel Fittings from India and the Republic of 
Korea: Response to General Issues Questionnaire,'' dated October 30, 
2019 (General Issues Supplement).
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    In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act), the petitioner alleges that the Government of India 
(GOI) is providing countervailable subsidies, within the meaning of 
sections 701 and 771(5) of the Act, to producers of forged steel 
fittings in India, and that imports of such products are materially 
injuring, or threatening material injury to, the forged steel fittings 
industry in the United States. Consistent with section 702(b)(1) of the 
Act and 19 CFR 351.202(b), for those alleged programs on which we are 
initiating CVD investigation, the Petition is accompanied by 
information reasonably available to the petitioners supporting their 
allegations.
    Commerce finds that the petitioners filed the Petition on behalf of 
the domestic industry, because the petitioners are an interested party, 
as defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act. Commerce also finds that 
the petitioners demonstrated sufficient industry support necessary for 
the initiation of the requested CVD investigation.\5\
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    \5\ See the ``Determination of Industry Support for the 
Petition'' section, infra.
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Period of Investigation

    Because the Petition was filed on October 23, 2019, the period of 
investigation (POI) is January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.\6\
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    \6\ See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(2).
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Scope of the Investigation

    The products covered by this investigation are forged steel 
fittings from India. For a full description of the scope of this 
investigation, see the Appendix to this notice.

Comments on the Scope of the Investigation

    During our review of the Petition, we contacted the petitioners 
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.\7\ 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.
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    \7\ See General Issues Supplemental.
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    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).\8\ 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,\9\ all 
such factual information should be limited to public information. To 
facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that 
all interested parties submit such comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time 
(ET) on December 2, 2019, which is 20 calendar days from the signature 
date of this notice. Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual 
information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on December 12, 2019, which 
is 10 calendar days from the initial comments deadline.\10\
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    \8\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties; Final Rule, 
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble).
    \9\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual 
information'').
    \10\ See 19 CFR 351.303(b).
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    Commerce requests that any factual information parties consider 
relevant to the scope of the investigation be submitted during this 
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 submissions must be filed 
on the records of the concurrent AD and CVD investigations.

Filing Requirements

    All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via 
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty 
Centralized

[[Page 64271]]

Electronic Service System (ACCESS).\11\ 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.
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    \11\ 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, which went into effect on 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultations

    Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Act, Commerce 
notified representatives of the GOI of the receipt of the Petition and 
provided them the opportunity for consultations with respect to the 
Petition.\12\ Consultations were held with the GOI on November 7, 
2019.\13\
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    \12\ See Memorandum, ``Countervailing Duty Petition on Forged 
Steel Fittings from India: Invitation for Consultations to Discuss 
the Countervailing Duty Petition,'' dated October 24, 2019.
    \13\ See Memorandum, ``Consultations with Government of India 
Officials regarding the Countervailing Duty Petition on Forged Steel 
Fittings from India,'' dated November 8, 2019.
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Determination of Industry Support for the Petition

    Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on 
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(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 702(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,\14\ 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.\15\
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    \14\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
    \15\ 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)).
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    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 petitioners do not 
offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope 
of the investigation.\16\ Based on our analysis of the information 
submitted on the record, we have determined that forged steel fittings, 
as defined in the scope, constitute a single domestic like product, and 
we have analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like 
product.\17\
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    \16\ See Volume I of the Petition at 12-14; see also General 
Issues Supplement at 6.
    \17\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as 
applied to this case and information regarding industry support, see 
Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist: Forged Steel 
Fittings from India (India CVD Initiation Checklist), at Attachment 
II, Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Petition Covering Forged Steel Fittings from 
India and the Republic of Korea (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 Commerce building.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In determining whether the petitioners have standing under section 
702(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 petitioners provided 
their own production of the domestic like product in 2018, as well as 
the 2018 production of Capitol Manufacturing Company LLC (Capitol 
Manufacturing), a U.S. producer of forged steel fittings that supports 
the Petition.\18\ The petitioners compared the production of the 
supporters of the Petition to the estimated total production of the 
domestic like product for the entire domestic industry.\19\ We relied 
on data provided by the petitioners for purposes of measuring industry 
support.\20\
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    \18\ See Volume I of the Petition at 4 and Exhibits I-3 and I-4.
    \19\ Id. at 4-5 and Exhibits I-3 and I-4; see also General 
Issues Supplement at 6-8 and Exhibit 12.
    \20\ See Volume I of the Petition at 4-5 and Exhibits I-3 and I-
4; see also General Issues Supplement at 6-8 and Exhibit 12. For 
further discussion, see India CVD 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 petitioners have established industry support for 
the Petition.\21\ 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., polling).\22\ Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have 
met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 
702(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.\23\ Finally, the domestic 
producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry 
support under section 702(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,

[[Page 64272]]

the Petition.\24\ Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petition 
was filed on behalf of the domestic industry, within the meaning of 
section 702(b)(1) of the Act.
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    \21\ See India CVD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
    \22\ Id.; see also section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act.
    \23\ See India CVD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
    \24\ Id.
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Injury Test

    Because India is a ``Subsidies Agreement Country'' within the 
meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, section 701(a)(2) of the Act 
applies to this investigation. Accordingly, the ITC must determine 
whether imports of the subject merchandise from India materially 
injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S. industry.

Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation

    The petitioners allege that imports of the subject merchandise are 
benefitting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports are 
causing, or threaten to cause, material injury to the U.S. industry 
producing the domestic like product. In addition, the petitioners 
allege that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided 
for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\25\ Further, section 
771(24)(B) of the Act provides that imports of subject merchandise from 
developing and least developed countries must exceed the negligibility 
threshold of four percent. The petitioners also demonstrate that 
subject imports from India, which has been designated as a least 
developed country under section 771(36)(B) of the Act, exceed the 
negligibility threshold of four percent.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ See Volume I of the Petition at 22 and Exhibit I-15.
    \26\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The petitioners contend 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; 
and declines in the domestic industry's production, capacity 
utilization, U.S. shipments, and financial performance.\27\ We have 
assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material 
injury, threat of material injury, causation, as well as cumulation, 
and we have determined that these allegations are properly supported by 
adequate evidence, and meet the statutory requirements for 
initiation.\28\
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    \27\ Id. at 16-35 and Exhibits I-1, I-14, I-15 and I-17 through 
I-20.
    \28\ See India CVD Initiation Checklist at Attachment III, 
Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and 
Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions 
Covering Forged Steel Fittings from India and the Republic of Korea.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Initiation of CVD Investigation

    Based on the examination of the Petition and supplemental response, 
we find that they meet the requirements of section 702 of the Act. 
Therefore, we are initiating a CVD investigation to determine whether 
imports of forged steel fittings from India benefit from 
countervailable subsidies conferred by the GOI. In accordance with 
section 703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless 
postponed, we will make our preliminary determination no later than 65 
days after the date of this initiation.
    Based on our review of the Petition, we find that there is 
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 36 of the 45 
alleged programs. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision 
to initiate (or not initiate) on each program, see CVD Initiation 
Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this 
investigation is available on ACCESS.

Respondent Selection

    In the Petition, the petitioner named 12 companies in India as 
producers/exporters of forged steel fittings.\29\ Commerce intends to 
follow its standard practice in CVD investigations and calculate 
company-specific subsidy rates in this investigation. In the event 
Commerce determines that the number of companies is large, and it 
cannot individually examine each company based upon Commerce's 
resources, where appropriate, Commerce intends to select mandatory 
respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for 
U.S. imports of forged steel fittings from India during the POI under 
the appropriate Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States numbers 
listed in the ``Scope of the Investigation,'' in the Appendix.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ See Volume I of the Petition at Exhibit I-13.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On November 7, 2019, Commerce released CBP data under 
Administrative Protective Order (APO) to all parties with access to 
information protected by APO and indicated that interested parties 
wishing to comment regarding the CBP data and respondent selection must 
do so within three business days of the publication date of the notice 
of initiation of this CVD investigation.\30\ Commerce will not accept 
rebuttal comments regarding the CBP data or respondent selection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ See Memorandum, ``Forged Steel Fittings from India; Release 
of Customs Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection,'' dated 
November 7, 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's 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.

Distribution of Copies of the Petition

    In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A)(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.202(f), copies of the public version of the Petition have been 
provided to the GOI and the Government of Korea via 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 will notify the ITC of our initiation, as required by section 
702(d) of the Act.

Preliminary Determination 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 forged steel fittings from India are 
materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S. 
industry.\31\ A negative ITC determination will result in the 
investigation being terminated with respect to that country.\32\ 
Otherwise, this CVD investigation will proceed according to statutory 
and regulatory time limits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ See section 703(a)(2) of the Act.
    \32\ See section 703(a)(1) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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). Section 19 CFR 351.301(b) requires 
any party, when submitting factual information, to specify under which 
subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted 
and, if the information is submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct 
factual information already on the record, to provide an explanation

[[Page 64273]]

identifying the information already on the record that the factual 
information seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct. 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. Interested parties should review the 
regulations prior to submitting factual information in this 
investigation.

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 the letter or memorandum setting 
forth 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.govinfo.gov/content/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.\33\ 
Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 
351.303(g).\34\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the 
submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification 
requirements.
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    \33\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
    \34\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import 
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (Final Rule); see also 
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule, 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 at 19 CFR 351.103(d)).
    This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702(c)(2) 
and 777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

     Dated: November 12, 2019.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix

Scope of the Investigation

    The merchandise covered by this investigation is carbon and 
alloy forged steel fittings, whether unfinished (commonly known as 
blanks or rough forgings) or finished. Such fittings are made in a 
variety of shapes including, but not limited to, elbows, tees, 
crosses, laterals, couplings, reducers, caps, plugs, bushings, 
unions, and outlets. Forged steel fittings are covered regardless of 
end finish, whether threaded, socket-weld or other end connections. 
The scope includes integrally reinforced forged branch outlet 
fittings, regardless of whether they have one or more ends that is a 
socket welding, threaded, butt welding end, or other end 
connections.
    While these fittings are generally manufactured to 
specifications ASME B16.11, MSS SP-79, MSS SP-83, MSS-SP-97, ASTM 
A105, ASTM A350 and ASTM A182, the scope is not limited to fittings 
made to these specifications.
    The term forged is an industry term used to describe a class of 
products included in applicable standards, and it does not reference 
an exclusive manufacturing process. Forged steel fittings are not 
manufactured from casings. Pursuant to the applicable standards, 
fittings may also be machined from bar stock or machined from 
seamless pipe and tube.
    All types of forged steel fittings are included in the scope 
regardless of nominal pipe size (which may or may not be expressed 
in inches of nominal pipe size), pressure class rating (expressed in 
pounds of pressure, e.g., 2,000 or 2M; 3,000 or 3M; 6,000 or 6M; 
9,000 or 9M), wall thickness, and whether or not heat treated.
    Excluded from this scope are all fittings entirely made of 
stainless steel. Also excluded are flanges, nipples, and all 
fittings that have a maximum pressure rating of 300 pounds per 
square inch/PSI or less.
    Also excluded from the scope are fittings certified or made to 
the following standards, so long as the fittings are not also 
manufactured to the specifications of ASME B16.11, MSS SP-79, MSS 
SP-83, MSS SP-97, ASTM A105, ASTM A350 and ASTM A182:
     American Petroleum Institute (API) 5CT, API 5L, or API 
11B;
     American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B16.9;
     Manufacturers Standardization Society (MSS) SP-75;
     Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) J476, SAE J514, 
SAE J516, SAE J517, SAE J518, SAE J1026, SAE J1231, SAE J1453, SAE 
J1926, J2044 or SAE AS 35411;
     Hydraulic hose fittings (e.g., fittings used in high 
pressure water cleaning applications, in the manufacture of 
hydraulic engines, to connect rubber dispensing hoses to a 
dispensing nozzle or grease fitting) made to ISO 12151-1, 12151-2, 
12151-3, 12151-4, 12151-5, or 12151-6;
     Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) certified electrical 
conduit fittings;
     ASTM A153, A536, A576, or A865;
     Casing conductor connectors made to proprietary 
specifications;
     Machined steel parts (e.g., couplers) that are not 
certified to any specifications in this scope description and that 
are not for connecting steel pipes for distributing gas and liquids;
     Oil country tubular goods (OCTG) connectors (e.g., 
forged steel tubular connectors for API 5L pipes or OCTG for 
offshore oil and gas drilling and extraction);
     Military Specification (MIL) MIL-C-4109F and MIL-F-
3541; and
     International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 
ISO6150-B.
    To be excluded from the scope, products must have the 
appropriate standard or pressure markings and/or be accompanied by 
documentation showing product compliance to the applicable standard 
or pressure, e.g., ``API 5CT'' mark and/or a mill certification 
report.
    Subject carbon and alloy forged steel fittings are normally 
entered under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
(HTSUS) 7307.92.3010, 7307.92.3030, 7307.92.9000, 7307.99.1000, 
7307.99.3000, 7307.99.5045, and 7307.99.5060. They may also be 
entered under HTSUS 7307.93.3010, 7307.93.3040, 7307.93.6000, 
7307.93.9010, 7307.93.9040, 7307.93.9060, and 7326.19.0010.
    The HTSUS subheadings and specifications are provided for 
convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the 
scope is dispositive.

[FR Doc. 2019-25044 Filed 11-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
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