Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe From the Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 47176-47180 [2020-16911]
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[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 4, 2020)] [Notices] [Pages 47176-47180] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2020-16911] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A-851-804, A-580-909, A-821-826, A-823-819] Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe From the Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. DATES: Applicable July 28, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Hollander at (202) 482-2805 (the Czech Republic); Joshua DeMoss at (202) 482-3362 (the Republic of Korea (Korea)); Kathryn Turlo at (202) 482-3870 (the Russian Federation (Russia)); Zachary Shaykin at (202) 482-2638 (Ukraine); AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Petitions On July 8, 2020, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) received antidumping duty (AD) petitions concerning imports of seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe (seamless pipe) from the Czech Republic, Korea, Russia, and Ukraine filed in proper form on behalf the Vallourec Star, LP (the petitioner), a domestic producer of seamless pipe.\1\ The Petitions were accompanied by a countervailing duty (CVD) petitions concerning imports of seamless pipe from Korea and Russia.\2\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Petitions for the Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties: Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe from the Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and Ukraine,'' dated July 8, 2020 (the Petitions). \2\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- On July 13 and 17, 2020, Commerce requested supplemental information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petitions in separate supplemental questionnaires.\3\ The petitioner filed responses to the supplemental questionnaires on July 15 and 21, 2020.\4\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ See Commerce's Letters, ``Petitions for the Imposition of Antidumping Duties on Imports of Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe from the Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and Ukraine and Countervailing Duties on Imports from the Republic of Korea and Russia: Supplemental Questions,'' dated July 13, 2020 (General Issues Supplemental); and Country-Specific Supplemental Questionnaires: Czech Republic Supplemental, Korea Supplemental, Russia Supplemental, and Ukraine Supplemental, dated July 13, 2020 and Korea Second Supplemental, dated July 17, 2020. \4\ See Petitioner's Country-Specific Supplemental Responses, dated July 15, 2020; Korea Second Supplemental Response, dated July 21, 2020; see also Petitioner's Letter, ``Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe from the Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and Ukraine: Response to General Issues Questionnaire,'' dated July 15, 2020 (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 seamless pipe from the Czech Republic, Korea, Russia, and Ukraine 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 imports of such products are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the seamless pipe industry in the United States. Consistent with section 732(b)(1) of the Act, the Petitions are accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioner supporting its allegations. Commerce finds that the petitioner filed the Petitions 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 for the initiation of the requested LTFV investigations.\5\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ See infra, section on ``Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions.'' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Periods of Investigation Because the Petitions were filed on July 8, 2020, the periods of investigation (POI) for these LTFV investigations is July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1).\6\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ See 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scope of the Investigations The products covered by these investigations are seamless pipe from the Czech Republic, Korea, Russia, and Ukraine. For a full description of the scope of these investigations, see the appendix to this notice. Comments on the Scope of the Investigations On July 13, 2020, Commerce requested further information from the petitioner regarding the proposed scope to ensure that the scope language in the Petitions is an accurate reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is seeking relief.\7\ On July 15, 2020, the petitioner revised the scope.\8\ The description of merchandise covered by these investigations, as described in the appendix to this notice, reflects these clarifications. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ See General Issues Supplemental. \8\ See General Issues Supplement at 4 and Exhibit 3. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding product coverage (i.e., scope).\9\ Commerce will consider all comments received from interested parties and, if necessary, will consult with interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary determinations. If scope comments include factual information,\10\ 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 August 17, 2020, 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 August 27, 2020, which is ten calendar days from the initial comment deadline. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \9\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble). \10\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual information''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commerce requests that any factual information that parties consider relevant to the scope of these investigations be submitted during this period. However, if a party subsequently finds that additional factual information pertaining to the scope of these investigations 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 each 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 Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception applies.\11\ An [[Page 47177]] electronically filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by the time and date on which it is due. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \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, 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_on_Electronic_Filing_Procedures.pdf. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments on Product Characteristics Commerce is providing interested parties an opportunity to comment on the appropriate physical characteristics of seamless pipe to be reported in response to Commerce's AD questionnaires. This information will be used to identify the key physical characteristics of the subject merchandise in order to report the relevant costs of production 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. Specifically, they may provide comments as to which characteristics are appropriate to use as: (1) General product characteristics, and (2) product comparison criteria. We note that it is not always appropriate to use all product characteristics as product comparison criteria. We base product comparison criteria on meaningful commercial differences among products. In other words, although there may be some physical product characteristics utilized by manufacturers to describe seamless pipe, it may be that only a select few product characteristics take into account commercially meaningful physical characteristics. In addition, interested parties may comment on the order in which the physical characteristics should be used in matching products. Generally, Commerce attempts to list the most important physical characteristics first and the least important characteristics last. In order to consider the suggestions of interested parties in developing and issuing the AD questionnaires, all product characteristics comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on August 17, 2020, which is 20 calendar days from the signature date of this notice. Any rebuttal comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on August 27, 2020. All comments and submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically using ACCESS, as explained above, on the record of each of the LTFV investigations. Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions 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 investigations.\14\ Based on our analysis of the information submitted on the record, we have determined that seamless pipe, as defined in the scope, constitutes 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 Petitions at 12-14 and Exhibits I-7 and I-8. \15\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as applied to these cases and information regarding industry support, see country-specific AD Initiation Checklists at Attachment II, Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe from the Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and Ukraine (Attachment II). These checklists are dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice and on file electronically via ACCESS. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Petitions with reference to the domestic like product as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigations,'' in the appendix to this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioner provided its own shipments of the domestic like product in 2019, as well as the shipments of United States Steel Corporation, a supporter of the Petitions, and compared this to the estimated total shipments of the domestic like product for the entire domestic industry.\16\ Because total industry production data for the domestic like product for 2019 are not reasonably available to the petitioner, and the petitioner has established that shipments are a reasonable proxy for production data,\17\ we have relied on the data provided by the petitioner for purposes of measuring industry support.\18\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \16\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 4-5 and Exhibits I-1 through I-3; see also General Issues Supplement at 5-10 and Exhibit 6. \17\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 4-5 and Exhibit I-1. \18\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 4-5 and Exhibits I-1 through I-3; see also General Issues Supplement at 5-10 and Exhibits 6, 9, and 10. For further discussion, see country-specific AD Initiation Checklists at Attachment II. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our review of the data provided in the Petitions, the General Issues Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce indicates that the petitioner has established industry support for the Petitions.\19\ First, the Petitions 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 [[Page 47178]] required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support (e.g., 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 Petitions 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 Petitions 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 Petitions.\22\ Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petitions were filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of section 732(b)(1) of the Act.\23\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \19\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists at Attachment II. \20\ Id.; see also section 732(c)(4)(D) of the Act. \21\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists at Attachment II. \22\ Id. \23\ 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.\24\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \24\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 18 and Exhibit I-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; declines in production, shipments, capacity utilization, and employment; and declining financial performance.\25\ We 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.\26\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \25\ See Volume I of the Petitions at 1, 17-34 and Exhibits I-1, I-2, I-10, and I-12 through I-15. \26\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists at Attachment III, Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe from the Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and Ukraine (Attachment III). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allegations of Sales at LTFV The following is a description of the allegations of sales at LTFV upon which Commerce based its decision to initiate these LTFV investigations of imports of seamless pipe from the Czech Republic, Korea, Russia, and Ukraine. 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 country-specific AD Initiation Checklists. U.S. Price For the Czech Republic, Korea, Russia, and Ukraine, the petitioner based export price (EP) on the average unit values of publicly available import data. The petitioner made certain adjustments to U.S. price to calculate a net ex-factory U.S. price.\27\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \27\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Normal Value \28\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \28\ In accordance with section 773(b)(2) of the Act, for these investigations, Commerce will request information necessary to calculate the constructed value and cost of production (COP) to determine whether there are reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that sales of the foreign like product have been made at prices that represent less than the COP of the product.. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the Czech Republic, Russia, and Ukraine, the petitioner based NV on a home market price quote obtained through market research for seamless pipe produced in and sold, or offered for sale, in each country within the applicable time period.\29\ For Russia, the information provided by the petitioner indicates that the home market price quote was below the COP; therefore, the petitioner also calculated NV based on constructed value (CV).\30\ For Korea, the petitioner stated it was unable to obtain home market or third country prices to use as a basis for NV, and, therefore, the petitioner calculated NV based on CV.\31\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \29\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists. \30\ See Russia AD Initiation Checklist. \31\ See Korea AD Initiation Checklist. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- For further discussion of CV, see the section ``Normal Value Based on Constructed Value.'' Normal Value Based on Constructed Value As noted above, the information provided by the petitioner indicates that the price charged for seamless pipe produced in and sold, or offered for sale, in Russia was below the COP. Accordingly, for Russia, the petitioner also based NV on CV.\32\ Additionally, the petitioner was not able to obtain home market prices or third country prices in Korea. Accordingly, for Korea, the petitioner based NV on CV.\33\ Pursuant to section 773(e) of the Act, the petitioner calculated CV as the sum of the cost of manufacturing, selling, general, and administrative expenses, financial expenses, and profit.\34\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \32\ See Russia AD Initiation Checklist. \33\ See Korea AD Initiation Checklist. \34\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fair Value Comparisons Based on the data provided by the petitioner, there is reason to believe that imports of seamless pipe from the Czech Republic, Korea, Russia, and Ukraine are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at LTFV. Based on comparisons of EP to NV or CV in accordance with sections 772 and 773 of the Act, the estimated dumping margins for seamless pipe for each of the countries covered by this initiation are as follows: (1) The Czech Republic--50.45 and 51.70 percent; (2) Korea--114.80 to 131.31 percent; (3) Russia--41.07 to 273.47 percent; and (4) Ukraine--42.38 and 42.88 percent.\35\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \35\ See country-specific AD Initiation Checklists. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Initiation of LTFV Investigations Based upon the examination of the Petitions and supplemental responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 732 of the Act. Therefore, we are initiating these LTFV investigations to determine whether imports of seamless pipe from the Czech Republic, Korea, Russia, and Ukraine 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 determinations no later than 140 days after the date of this initiation. Respondent Selection In the Petitions, the petitioner named three companies in the Czech Republic, three companies in Korea, and two companies in Russia \36\ as producers and/or exporters of seamless pipe. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \36\ See Volume I of the Petitions at Exhibit I-9. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Following standard practice in LTFV investigations involving market economy countries, in the event Commerce determines that the number of exporters or producers in any individual case is large such that Commerce cannot individually examine each company based upon its resources, where appropriate, Commerce intends to select mandatory respondents in that case based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for U.S. imports under the appropriate Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States numbers listed in the ``Scope of the Investigations,'' in the appendix. [[Page 47179]] On July 21, 2020, Commerce released CBP data on imports of seamless pipe from the Czech Republic, Korea, and Russia 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 these investigations.\37\ Commerce will not accept rebuttal comments regarding the CBP data or respondent selection. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \37\ See Memoranda, ``Antidumping Duty Petition on Seamless Pipe from the Czech Republic: Release of Customs Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection,'' ``Antidumping Duty Petition on Seamless Pipe from Korea: Release of Customs Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection,'' and ``Antidumping Duty Petition on Seamless Pipe from Russia: Release of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Data,'' dated July 21, 2020. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Commerce's website at https://enforcement.trade.gov/apo. The petitioner identified one company in Ukraine as the producer and/or exporter of seamless pipe (i.e., Interpipe NTRP), and provided independent third-party information as support.\38\ We currently know of no additional producers or exporters of seamless pipe from Ukraine. Accordingly, Commerce intends to individually examine all known producers and exporters in the investigation of seamless pipe from Ukraine (i.e., Interpipe NTRP). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \38\ See Volume I of the Petitions at Exhibit I-9; see also Volume VII of the Petitions at Exhibit VII-3; see also Ukraine Supplement at 7. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parties wishing to comment on respondent selection for Ukraine must do so within three business days of the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Commerce will not accept rebuttal comments regarding respondent selection for Ukraine. Comments on CBP data and respondent selection must be filed electronically using ACCESS. An electronically-filed document must be received successfully in its entirety via ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. ET on the specified deadline. Distribution of Copies of the AD Petitions In accordance with section 732(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(f), copies of the public version of the AD Petitions have been provided to the governments of the Czech Republic, Korea, Russia, and Ukraine via ACCESS. To the extent practicable, we will attempt to provide a copy of the public version of the AD Petitions to each exporter named in the AD Petitions, 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 AD Petitions were filed, whether there is a reasonable indication that imports of seamless pipe from the Czech Republic, Korea, Russia, and/or Ukraine are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S. industry.\39\ A negative ITC determination for any country will result in the investigation being terminated with respect to that country.\40\ Otherwise, these LTFV investigations will proceed according to statutory and regulatory time limits. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \39\ See section 733(a) of the Act. \40\ 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). Section 351.301(b) of Commerce's regulations requires any party, when submitting factual information, to specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted \41\ 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 information seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct.\42\ 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 these investigations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \41\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b). \42\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Particular Market Situation Allegation Section 773(e) of the Act addresses the concept of particular market situation (PMS) for purposes of CV, stating that ``if a particular market situation exists such that the cost of materials and fabrication or other processing of any kind does not accurately reflect the cost of production in the ordinary course of trade, the administering authority may use another calculation methodology under this subtitle or any other calculation methodology.'' When an interested party submits a PMS allegation pursuant to section 773(e) of the Act, Commerce will respond to such a submission consistent with 19 CFR 351.301(c)(2)(v). If Commerce finds that a PMS exists under section 773(e) of the Act, then it will modify its dumping calculations appropriately. Neither section 773(e) of the Act, nor 19 CFR 351.301(c)(2)(v), set a deadline for the submission of PMS allegations and supporting factual information. However, in order to administer section 773(e) of the Act, Commerce must receive PMS allegations and supporting factual information with enough time to consider the submission. Thus, should an interested party wish to submit a PMS allegation and supporting new factual information pursuant to section 773(e) of the Act, it must do so no later than 20 days after submission of a respondent's initial section D questionnaire response. 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 Commerce. 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 [[Page 47180]] submitting factual information in these investigations. Certification Requirements Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.\43\ Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 351.303(g).\44\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification requirements. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \43\ See section 782(b) of the Act. \44\ 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 these investigations 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)). Note that Commerce has temporarily modified certain of its requirements for serving documents containing business proprietary information, until further notice.\45\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \45\ See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements Due to COVID-19; Extension of Effective Period, 85 FR 41363 (July 10, 2020). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: July 28, 2020. Jeffrey I. Kessler, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Appendix Scope of the Investigations The merchandise covered by the scope of these investigations is seamless carbon and alloy steel (other than stainless steel) pipes and redraw hollows, less than or equal to 16 inches (406.4 mm) in nominal outside diameter, regardless of wall-thickness, manufacturing process (e.g., hot-finished or cold-drawn), end finish (e.g., plain end, beveled end, upset end, threaded, or threaded and coupled), or surface finish (e.g., bare, lacquered or coated). Redraw hollows are any unfinished carbon or alloy steel (other than stainless steel) pipe or ``hollow profiles'' suitable for cold finishing operations, such as cold drawing, to meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or American Petroleum Institute (API) specifications referenced below, or comparable specifications. Specifically included within the scope are seamless carbon and alloy steel (other than stainless steel) standard, line, and pressure pipes produced to the ASTM A-53, ASTM A-106, ASTM A- 333, ASTM A-334, ASTM A-589, ASTM A-795, ASTM A-1024, and the API 5L specifications, or comparable specifications, and meeting the physical parameters described above, regardless of application, with the exception of the exclusions discussed below. Specifically excluded from the scope of the investigations are: (1) All pipes meeting aerospace, hydraulic, and bearing tubing specifications, including pipe produced to the ASTM A-822 standard; (2) all pipes meeting the chemical requirements of ASTM A-335, whether finished or unfinished; and (3) unattached couplings. Also excluded from the scope of the investigations are all mechanical, boiler, condenser and heat exchange tubing, except when such products conform to the dimensional requirements, i.e., outside diameter and wall thickness, of ASTM A-53, ASTM A-106 or API 5L specifications. Subject seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe are normally entered under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings 7304.19.1020, 7304.19.1030, 7304.19.1045, 7304.19.1060, 7304.19.5020, 7304.19.5050, 7304.31.6050, 7304.39.0016, 7304.39.0020, 7304.39.0024, 7304.39.0028, 7304.39.0032, 7304.39.0036, 7304.39.0040, 7304.39.0044, 7304.39.0048, 7304.39.0052, 7304.39.0056, 7304.39.0062, 7304.39.0068, 7304.39.0072, 7304.51.5005, 7304.51.5060, 7304.59.6000, 7304.59.8010, 7304.59.8015, 7304.59.8020, 7304.59.8025, 7304.59.8030, 7304.59.8035, 7304.59.8040, 7304.59.8045, 7304.59.8050, 7304.59.8055, 7304.59.8060, 7304.59.8065, and 7304.59.8070. The HTSUS subheadings and specifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope is dispositive. [FR Doc. 2020-16911 Filed 8-3-20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
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