Mattresses From the Serbia: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Preliminary Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures, 69589-69591 [2020-24302]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 213 / Tuesday, November 3, 2020 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–801–002]
Mattresses From the Serbia:
Preliminary Affirmative Determination
of Sales at Less Than Fair Value,
Preliminary Negative Determination of
Critical Circumstances, Postponement
of Final Determination, and Extension
of Provisional Measures
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
(Commerce) preliminarily determines
that mattresses from Serbia are being, or
are likely to be, sold in the United States
at less than fair value (LTFV). The
period of investigation is January 1,
2019 through December 31, 2019.
Interested parties are invited to
comment on this preliminary
determination.
DATES: Applicable November 3, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joshua DeMoss, AD/CVD Operations,
Office VI, Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–3362.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:
Background
This preliminary determination is
made in accordance with section 733(b)
of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended
(the Act). Commerce published the
notice of initiation of this investigation
on April 24, 2020.1 On August 11, 2020,
Commerce postponed the preliminary
determination of this investigation and
the revised deadline is now October 27,
2020.2 For a complete description of the
events that followed the initiation of
this investigation, see the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum.3 A list of topics
included in the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum is included as Appendix
II to this notice. The Preliminary
Decision Memorandum is a public
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1 See
Mattresses from Cambodia, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, the Republic of Turkey,
and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Initiation of
Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 85 FR 23002
(April 24, 2020) (Initiation Notice).
2 See Mattresses from Cambodia, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, the Republic of Turkey,
and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam:
Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the
Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 85 FR 48505
(August 11, 2020).
3 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for
the Preliminary Determination in the Less-ThanFair-Value Investigation of Mattresses from Serbia,’’
dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by,
this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum).
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16:55 Nov 02, 2020
Jkt 253001
document and is on file electronically
via Enforcement and Compliance’s
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Centralized Electronic Service System
(ACCESS). ACCESS is available to
registered users at https://
access.trade.gov. In addition, a complete
version of the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum can be accessed directly
at https://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/.
The signed and the electronic versions
of the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum are identical in content.
Scope of the Investigation
The product covered by this
investigation is mattresses from Serbia.
For a full description of the scope of this
investigation, see Appendix I.
Scope Comments
In accordance with the preamble to
Commerce’s regulations,4 the Initiation
Notice set aside a period of time for
parties to raise issues regarding product
coverage (i.e., scope).5 Certain interested
parties commented on the scope of the
investigation as it appeared in the
Initiation Notice. For a summary of the
product coverage comments and
rebuttal responses submitted to the
record for this preliminary
determination, and accompanying
discussion and analysis of all comments
timely received, see the Preliminary
Scope Decision Memorandum.6 In the
Preliminary Scope Decision
Memorandum, Commerce determined
that it is not preliminarily modifying the
scope language as it appeared in the
Initiation Notice. See the scope in
Appendix I to this notice.
The Preliminary Scope Decision
Memorandum establishes a deadline to
submit scope case briefs, and indicates
that there will be no further opportunity
for comments on scope-related issues.7
Preliminary Negative Determination of
Critical Circumstances
In accordance with section 733(e) of
the Act and 19 CFR 351.206, Commerce
preliminarily finds that critical
circumstances do not exist with respect
4 See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties,
Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997).
5 See Initiation Notice.
6 See Memorandum, ‘‘Mattresses from Cambodia,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, the Republic
of Turkey, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and
the People’s Republic of China: Scope Comments
Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary
Determination,’’ (Preliminary Scope Decision
Memorandum), dated concurrently with this
preliminary determination.
7 Case briefs, other written comments, and
rebuttal briefs submitted in response to this
preliminary determination should not include
scope-related issues. See Preliminary Scope
Decision Memorandum; and ‘‘Public Comment’’
section of this notice.
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69589
to Healthcare and for all other
companies. For a full description of the
methodology and results of Commerce’s
critical circumstances analysis, see the
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
All-Others Rate
Sections 733(d)(1)(ii) and 735(c)(5)(A)
of the Act provide that in the
preliminary determination Commerce
shall determine an estimated all-others
rate for all exporters and producers not
individually examined. This rate shall
be an amount equal to the weighted
average of the estimated weightedaverage dumping margins established
for exporters and producers
individually investigated, excluding any
zero and de minimis margins, and any
margins determined entirely under
section 776 of the Act.
Commerce calculated an individual
estimated weighted-average dumping
margin for Healthcare Europe DOO
Ruma (Healthcare), the only
individually examined exporter/
producer in this investigation. Because
the only individually calculated
dumping margin is not zero, de
minimis, or based entirely on facts
otherwise available, the estimated
weighted-average dumping margin
calculated for Healthcare is the margin
preliminarily assigned to all other
producers and exporters, pursuant to
section 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act.
Preliminary Determination
Commerce preliminarily determines
that the following estimated weightedaverage dumping margins exist:
Exporter/producer
Healthcare Europe DOO Ruma
All Others ....................................
Estimated
weightedaverage
dumping
margin
(percent)
13.65
13.65
Suspension of Liquidation
In accordance with section 733(d)(2)
of the Act, Commerce will direct U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to
suspend liquidation of entries of subject
merchandise, as described in Appendix
I, entered, or withdrawn from
warehouse, for consumption on or after
the date of publication of this notice in
the Federal Register. Further, pursuant
to section 733(d)(1)(B) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.205(d), Commerce will instruct
CBP to require a cash deposit equal to
the estimated weighted-average
dumping margin or the estimated allothers rate, as follows: (1) The cash
deposit rate for the respondents listed
above will be equal to the company-
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 213 / Tuesday, November 3, 2020 / Notices
specific estimated weighted-average
dumping margins determined in this
preliminary determination; (2) if the
exporter is not a respondent identified
above, but the producer is, then the cash
deposit rate will be equal to the
company-specific estimated weightedaverage dumping margin established for
that producer of the subject
merchandise; and (3) the cash deposit
rate for all other producers and
exporters will be equal to the all-others
estimated weighted-average dumping
margin. These suspension of liquidation
instructions will remain in effect until
further notice.
Disclosure
Commerce intends to disclose its
calculations and analysis performed to
interested parties in this preliminary
determination within five days of any
public announcement or, if there is no
public announcement, within five days
of the date of publication of this notice
in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).
Verification
Commerce is currently unable to
conduct on-site verification of the
information relied upon in making its
final determination in this investigation.
Accordingly, we intend to take
additional steps in lieu of on-site
verification. Commerce will notify
interested parties of any additional
documentation or information required.
Public Comment
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Case briefs or other written comments
may be submitted to the Assistant
Secretary for Enforcement and
Compliance. Commerce will notify
interested parties of the deadline for the
submission of case briefs. Rebuttal
briefs, limited to issues raised in case
briefs, may be submitted no later than
seven days after the deadline date for
case briefs.8 Note that Commerce has
modified certain of its requirements for
serving documents containing business
proprietary information until further
notice.9 Pursuant to 19 CFR
351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), parties who
submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in
this investigation are encouraged to
submit with each argument: (1) A
statement of the issue; (2) a brief
summary of the argument; and (3) a
table of authorities.
8 See 19 CFR 351.309; see also 19 CFR 351.303
(for general filing requirements); see also
Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service
Requirements Due to COVID–19, 85 FR 17006
(March 26, 2020); and Temporary Rule Modifying
AD/CVD Service Requirements Due to COVID–19;
Extension of Effective Period, 85 FR 41363 (July 10,
2020) (Temporary Rule).
9 See Temporary Rule.
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Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c),
interested parties who wish to request a
hearing, limited to issues raised in the
case and rebuttal briefs, must submit a
written request to the Assistant
Secretary for Enforcement and
Compliance, U.S. Department of
Commerce within 30 days after the date
of publication of this notice. Requests
should contain the party’s name,
address, and telephone number, the
number of participants, whether any
participant is a foreign national, and a
list of the issues to be discussed. If a
request for a hearing is made, Commerce
intends to hold the hearing at a date and
time to be determined. Parties should
confirm by telephone the date, time, and
location of the hearing two days before
the scheduled date.
Parties are reminded that briefs and
hearing requests are to be filed
electronically using ACCESS and that
electronically filed documents must be
received successfully in their entirety by
5 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.
Postponement of Final Determination
and Extension of Provisional Measures
Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides
that a final determination may be
postponed until not later than 135 days
after the date of the publication of the
preliminary determination if, in the
event of an affirmative preliminary
determination, a request for such
postponement is made by exporters who
account for a significant proportion of
exports of the subject merchandise, or in
the event of a negative preliminary
determination, a request for such
postponement is made by the petitioner.
Section 351.210(e)(2) of Commerce’s
regulations requires that a request by
exporters for postponement of the final
determination be accompanied by a
request for extension of provisional
measures from a four-month period to a
period not more than six months in
duration.
On October 9, 2020, pursuant to 19
CFR 351.210(e), Healthcare requested
that Commerce postpone the final
determination and that provisional
measures be extended to a period not to
exceed six months.10 In accordance with
section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because: (1) The
preliminary determination is
affirmative; (2) the requesting exporter
accounts for a significant proportion of
exports of the subject merchandise; and
(3) no compelling reasons for denial
exist, Commerce is postponing the final
determination and extending the
10 See Healthcare’s Letter, ‘‘Mattresses from
Serbia: Request to Postpone Final Determination,’’
dated October 9, 2020.
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provisional measures from a four-month
period to a period not greater than six
months. Accordingly, Commerce will
make its final determination no later
than 135 days after the date of
publication of this preliminary
determination.
International Trade Commission
Notification
In accordance with section 733(f) of
the Act, Commerce will notify the
International Trade Commission (ITC) of
its preliminary determination. If the
final determination is affirmative, the
ITC will determine before the later of
120 days after the date of this
preliminary determination or 45 days
after the final determination whether
these imports materially injure, or
threaten material injury to, the U.S.
industry.
Notification to Interested Parties
This determination is issued and
published in accordance with sections
733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.205(c).
Dated: October 27, 2020.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and
Compliance.
Appendix I
Scope of the Investigation
The products covered by this investigation
are all types of youth and adult mattresses.
The term ‘‘mattress’’ denotes an assembly of
materials that at a minimum includes a
‘‘core,’’ which provides the main support
system of the mattress, and may consist of
innersprings, foam, other resilient filling, or
a combination of these materials. Mattresses
may also contain: (1) ‘‘upholstery,’’ the
material between the core and the top panel
of the ticking on a single-sided mattress; or
between the core and the top and bottom
panel of the ticking on a double-sided
mattress; and/or (2) ‘‘ticking,’’ the outermost
layer of fabric or other material (e.g., vinyl)
that encloses the core and any upholstery,
also known as a cover.
The scope of this investigation is restricted
to only ‘‘adult mattresses’’ and ‘‘youth
mattresses.’’ ‘‘Adult mattresses’’ are
frequently described as ‘‘twin,’’ ‘‘extra-long
twin,’’ ‘‘full,’’ ‘‘queen,’’ ‘‘king,’’ or ‘‘California
king’’ mattresses. ‘‘Youth mattresses’’ are
typically described as ‘‘crib,’’ ‘‘toddler,’’ or
‘‘youth’’ mattresses. All adult and youth
mattresses are included regardless of size and
size description.
The scope encompasses all types of
‘‘innerspring mattresses,’’ ‘‘non-innerspring
mattresses,’’ and ‘‘hybrid mattresses.’’
‘‘Innerspring mattresses’’ contain
innersprings, a series of metal springs joined
together in sizes that correspond to the
dimensions of mattresses. Mattresses that
contain innersprings are referred to as
‘‘innerspring mattresses’’ or ‘‘hybrid
mattresses.’’ ‘‘Hybrid mattresses’’ contain two
E:\FR\FM\03NON1.SGM
03NON1
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or more support systems as the core, such as
layers of both memory foam and innerspring
units.
‘‘Non-innerspring mattresses’’ are those
that do not contain any innerspring units.
They are generally produced from foams
(e.g., polyurethane, memory (viscoelastic),
latex foam, gel-infused viscoelastic (gel
foam), thermobonded polyester,
polyethylene) or other resilient filling.
Mattresses covered by the scope of this
investigation may be imported
independently, as part of furniture or
furniture mechanisms (e.g., convertible sofa
bed mattresses, sofa bed mattresses imported
with sofa bed mechanisms, corner group
mattresses, day-bed mattresses, roll-away bed
mattresses, high risers, trundle bed
mattresses, crib mattresses), or as part of a set
in combination with a ‘‘mattress foundation.’’
‘‘Mattress foundations’’ are any base or
support for a mattress. Mattress foundations
are commonly referred to as ‘‘foundations,’’
‘‘boxsprings,’’ ‘‘platforms,’’ and/or ‘‘bases.’’
Bases can be static, foldable, or adjustable.
Only the mattress is covered by the scope if
imported as part of furniture, with furniture
mechanisms, or as part of a set in
combination with a mattress foundation.
Excluded from the scope of this
investigation are ‘‘futon’’ mattresses. A
‘‘futon’’ is a bi-fold frame made of wood,
metal, or plastic material, or any combination
thereof, that functions as both seating
furniture (such as a couch, love seat, or sofa)
and a bed. A ‘‘futon mattress’’ is a tufted
mattress, where the top covering is secured
to the bottom with thread that goes
completely through the mattress from the top
through to the bottom, and it does not
contain innersprings or foam. A futon
mattress is both the bed and seating surface
for the futon.
Also excluded from the scope are airbeds
(including inflatable mattresses) and
waterbeds, which consist of air- or liquidfilled bladders as the core or main support
system of the mattress.
Also excluded is certain multifunctional
furniture that is convertible from seating to
sleeping, regardless of filler material or
components, where that filler material or
components are upholstered, integrated into
the design and construction of, and
inseparable from, the furniture framing, and
the outermost layer of the multifunctional
furniture converts into the sleeping surface.
Such furniture may, and without limitation,
be commonly referred to as ‘‘convertible
sofas,’’ ‘‘sofabeds,’’ ‘‘sofa chaise sleepers,’’
‘‘futons,’’ ‘‘ottoman sleepers’’ or a like
description.
Also excluded from the scope of this
investigation are any products covered by the
existing antidumping duty orders on
uncovered innerspring units from China or
Vietnam. See Uncovered Innerspring Units
from the People’s Republic of China: Notice
of Antidumping Duty Order, 74 FR 7661
(February 19, 2009); Uncovered Innerspring
Units from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,
73 FR 75391 (December 11, 2008).
Also excluded from the scope of this
investigation are bassinet pads with a
nominal length of less than 39 inches, a
nominal width less than 25 inches, and a
nominal depth of less than 2 inches.
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16:55 Nov 02, 2020
Jkt 253001
Additionally, also excluded from the scope
of this investigation are ‘‘mattress toppers.’’
A ‘‘mattress topper’’ is a removable bedding
accessory that supplements a mattress by
providing an additional layer that is placed
on top of a mattress. Excluded mattress
toppers have a height of four inches or less.
The products subject to this investigation
are currently properly classifiable under
HTSUS subheadings: 9404.21.0010,
9404.21.0013, 9404.29.1005, 9404.29.1013,
9404.29.9085, and 9404.29.9087. Products
subject to this investigation may also enter
under HTSUS subheadings: 9404.21.0095,
9404.29.1095, 9404.29.9095, 9401.40.0000,
and 9401.90.5081. Although the HTSUS
subheadings are provided for convenience
and customs purposes, the written
description of the merchandise subject to this
investigation is dispositive.
Appendix II
List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum
I. Summary
II. Background
III. Period of Investigation
IV. Preliminary Negative Determination of
Critical Circumstances
V. MNC Provision
VI. Discussion of the Methodology
VII. Currency Conversion
VIII. Recommendation
[FR Doc. 2020–24302 Filed 11–2–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–552–827]
Mattresses From the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam: Preliminary Affirmative
Determination of Sales at Less Than
Fair Value, Postponement of Final
Determination, and Extension of
Provisional Measures
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce
(Commerce) preliminarily determines
that mattresses from the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam) are
being, or are likely to be, sold in the
United States at less than fair value
(LTFV). The period of investigation
(POI) is July 1, 2019 through December
31, 2019. Interested parties are invited
to comment on this preliminary
determination.
DATES: Applicable November 3, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stephen Bailey or Dakota Potts, AD/
CVD Operations, Office IV, Enforcement
and Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone:
AGENCY:
PO 00000
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69591
(202) 482–0193 or (202) 482–0223,
respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
This preliminary determination is
made in accordance with section 733(b)
of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended
(the Act). Commerce published the
notice of initiation of this investigation
on April 24, 2020.1 On August 11, 2020,
Commerce postponed the preliminary
determination of this investigation and
the revised deadline is now October 27,
2020.2 For a complete description of the
events that followed the initiation of
this investigation, see the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum.3 A list of topics
included in the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum is included as Appendix
II to this notice. The Preliminary
Decision Memorandum is a public
document and is on file electronically
via Enforcement and Compliance’s
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Centralized Electronic Service System
(ACCESS). ACCESS is available to
registered users at https://
access.trade.gov. In addition, a complete
version of the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum can be accessed directly
at https://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/.
The signed and the electronic versions
of the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum are identical in content.
Scope of the Investigation
The product covered by this
investigation is mattresses from
Vietnam. For a full description of the
scope of this investigation, see
Appendix I.
Scope Comments
In accordance with the preamble to
Commerce’s regulations,4 the Initiation
Notice set aside a period of time for
parties to raise issues regarding product
coverage (i.e., scope).5 Certain interested
parties commented on the scope of the
investigation as it appeared in the
1 See Mattresses from Cambodia, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, the Republic of Turkey,
and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Initiation of
Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 85 FR 23002
(April 24, 2020) (Initiation Notice).
2 See Mattresses from Cambodia, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, the Republic of Turkey,
and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam:
Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the
Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 85 FR 48505
(August 11, 2020).
3 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for
the Preliminary Determination in the Less-ThanFair-Value Investigation of Mattresses from the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam,’’ dated concurrently
with, and hereby adopted by, this notice
(Preliminary Decision Memorandum).
4 See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties,
Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997).
5 See Initiation Notice.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 213 (Tuesday, November 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69589-69591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24302]
[[Page 69589]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-801-002]
Mattresses From the Serbia: Preliminary Affirmative Determination
of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Preliminary Negative Determination of
Critical Circumstances, Postponement of Final Determination, and
Extension of Provisional Measures
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines
that mattresses from Serbia are being, or are likely to be, sold in the
United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of
investigation is January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. Interested
parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.
DATES: Applicable November 3, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua DeMoss, AD/CVD Operations,
Office VI, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3362.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section
733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce
published the notice of initiation of this investigation on April 24,
2020.\1\ On August 11, 2020, Commerce postponed the preliminary
determination of this investigation and the revised deadline is now
October 27, 2020.\2\ For a complete description of the events that
followed the initiation of this investigation, see the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum.\3\ A list of topics included in the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum is included as Appendix II to this notice. The
Preliminary Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file
electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS).
ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov. In
addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can
be accessed directly at https://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/. The signed
and the electronic versions of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum are
identical in content.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Mattresses from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia,
Thailand, the Republic of Turkey, and the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 85 FR
23002 (April 24, 2020) (Initiation Notice).
\2\ See Mattresses from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia,
Thailand, the Republic of Turkey, and the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the Less-
Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 85 FR 48505 (August 11, 2020).
\3\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary
Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation of
Mattresses from Serbia,'' dated concurrently with, and hereby
adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scope of the Investigation
The product covered by this investigation is mattresses from
Serbia. For a full description of the scope of this investigation, see
Appendix I.
Scope Comments
In accordance with the preamble to Commerce's regulations,\4\ the
Initiation Notice set aside a period of time for parties to raise
issues regarding product coverage (i.e., scope).\5\ Certain interested
parties commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in
the Initiation Notice. For a summary of the product coverage comments
and rebuttal responses submitted to the record for this preliminary
determination, and accompanying discussion and analysis of all comments
timely received, see the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum.\6\ In
the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum, Commerce determined that it
is not preliminarily modifying the scope language as it appeared in the
Initiation Notice. See the scope in Appendix I to this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule,
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997).
\5\ See Initiation Notice.
\6\ See Memorandum, ``Mattresses from Cambodia, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, the Republic of Turkey, the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam, and the People's Republic of China: Scope
Comments Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Determination,''
(Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum), dated concurrently with
this preliminary determination.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum establishes a deadline to
submit scope case briefs, and indicates that there will be no further
opportunity for comments on scope-related issues.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ Case briefs, other written comments, and rebuttal briefs
submitted in response to this preliminary determination should not
include scope-related issues. See Preliminary Scope Decision
Memorandum; and ``Public Comment'' section of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preliminary Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances
In accordance with section 733(e) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206,
Commerce preliminarily finds that critical circumstances do not exist
with respect to Healthcare and for all other companies. For a full
description of the methodology and results of Commerce's critical
circumstances analysis, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
All-Others Rate
Sections 733(d)(1)(ii) and 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act provide that in
the preliminary determination Commerce shall determine an estimated
all-others rate for all exporters and producers not individually
examined. This rate shall be an amount equal to the weighted average of
the estimated weighted-average dumping margins established for
exporters and producers individually investigated, excluding any zero
and de minimis margins, and any margins determined entirely under
section 776 of the Act.
Commerce calculated an individual estimated weighted-average
dumping margin for Healthcare Europe DOO Ruma (Healthcare), the only
individually examined exporter/producer in this investigation. Because
the only individually calculated dumping margin is not zero, de
minimis, or based entirely on facts otherwise available, the estimated
weighted-average dumping margin calculated for Healthcare is the margin
preliminarily assigned to all other producers and exporters, pursuant
to section 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act.
Preliminary Determination
Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated
weighted-average dumping margins exist:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
weighted-
average
Exporter/producer dumping
margin
(percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Healthcare Europe DOO Ruma.................................. 13.65
All Others.................................................. 13.65
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suspension of Liquidation
In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, Commerce will
direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation
of entries of subject merchandise, as described in Appendix I, entered,
or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of
publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Further, pursuant
to section 733(d)(1)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(d), Commerce will
instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the estimated weighted-
average dumping margin or the estimated all-others rate, as follows:
(1) The cash deposit rate for the respondents listed above will be
equal to the company-
[[Page 69590]]
specific estimated weighted-average dumping margins determined in this
preliminary determination; (2) if the exporter is not a respondent
identified above, but the producer is, then the cash deposit rate will
be equal to the company-specific estimated weighted-average dumping
margin established for that producer of the subject merchandise; and
(3) the cash deposit rate for all other producers and exporters will be
equal to the all-others estimated weighted-average dumping margin.
These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect
until further notice.
Disclosure
Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis
performed to interested parties in this preliminary determination
within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public
announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this
notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).
Verification
Commerce is currently unable to conduct on-site verification of the
information relied upon in making its final determination in this
investigation. Accordingly, we intend to take additional steps in lieu
of on-site verification. Commerce will notify interested parties of any
additional documentation or information required.
Public Comment
Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Commerce will
notify interested parties of the deadline for the submission of case
briefs. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in case briefs, may
be submitted no later than seven days after the deadline date for case
briefs.\8\ Note that Commerce has modified certain of its requirements
for serving documents containing business proprietary information until
further notice.\9\ Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), parties
who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this investigation are
encouraged to submit with each argument: (1) A statement of the issue;
(2) a brief summary of the argument; and (3) a table of authorities.
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\8\ See 19 CFR 351.309; see also 19 CFR 351.303 (for general
filing requirements); see also Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD
Service Requirements Due to COVID-19, 85 FR 17006 (March 26, 2020);
and Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements Due to
COVID-19; Extension of Effective Period, 85 FR 41363 (July 10, 2020)
(Temporary Rule).
\9\ See Temporary Rule.
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Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to
request a hearing, limited to issues raised in the case and rebuttal
briefs, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for
Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce within 30 days
after the date of publication of this notice. Requests should contain
the party's name, address, and telephone number, the number of
participants, whether any participant is a foreign national, and a list
of the issues to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is made,
Commerce intends to hold the hearing at a date and time to be
determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and
location of the hearing two days before the scheduled date.
Parties are reminded that briefs and hearing requests are to be
filed electronically using ACCESS and that electronically filed
documents must be received successfully in their entirety by 5 p.m.
Eastern Time on the due date.
Postponement of Final Determination and Extension of Provisional
Measures
Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides that a final determination
may be postponed until not later than 135 days after the date of the
publication of the preliminary determination if, in the event of an
affirmative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement
is made by exporters who account for a significant proportion of
exports of the subject merchandise, or in the event of a negative
preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by
the petitioner. Section 351.210(e)(2) of Commerce's regulations
requires that a request by exporters for postponement of the final
determination be accompanied by a request for extension of provisional
measures from a four-month period to a period not more than six months
in duration.
On October 9, 2020, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.210(e), Healthcare
requested that Commerce postpone the final determination and that
provisional measures be extended to a period not to exceed six
months.\10\ In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because: (1) The preliminary determination is
affirmative; (2) the requesting exporter accounts for a significant
proportion of exports of the subject merchandise; and (3) no compelling
reasons for denial exist, Commerce is postponing the final
determination and extending the provisional measures from a four-month
period to a period not greater than six months. Accordingly, Commerce
will make its final determination no later than 135 days after the date
of publication of this preliminary determination.
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\10\ See Healthcare's Letter, ``Mattresses from Serbia: Request
to Postpone Final Determination,'' dated October 9, 2020.
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International Trade Commission Notification
In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify
the International Trade Commission (ITC) of its preliminary
determination. If the final determination is affirmative, the ITC will
determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this
preliminary determination or 45 days after the final determination
whether these imports materially injure, or threaten material injury
to, the U.S. industry.
Notification to Interested Parties
This determination is issued and published in accordance with
sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c).
Dated: October 27, 2020.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
Appendix I
Scope of the Investigation
The products covered by this investigation are all types of
youth and adult mattresses. The term ``mattress'' denotes an
assembly of materials that at a minimum includes a ``core,'' which
provides the main support system of the mattress, and may consist of
innersprings, foam, other resilient filling, or a combination of
these materials. Mattresses may also contain: (1) ``upholstery,''
the material between the core and the top panel of the ticking on a
single-sided mattress; or between the core and the top and bottom
panel of the ticking on a double-sided mattress; and/or (2)
``ticking,'' the outermost layer of fabric or other material (e.g.,
vinyl) that encloses the core and any upholstery, also known as a
cover.
The scope of this investigation is restricted to only ``adult
mattresses'' and ``youth mattresses.'' ``Adult mattresses'' are
frequently described as ``twin,'' ``extra-long twin,'' ``full,''
``queen,'' ``king,'' or ``California king'' mattresses. ``Youth
mattresses'' are typically described as ``crib,'' ``toddler,'' or
``youth'' mattresses. All adult and youth mattresses are included
regardless of size and size description.
The scope encompasses all types of ``innerspring mattresses,''
``non-innerspring mattresses,'' and ``hybrid mattresses.''
``Innerspring mattresses'' contain innersprings, a series of metal
springs joined together in sizes that correspond to the dimensions
of mattresses. Mattresses that contain innersprings are referred to
as ``innerspring mattresses'' or ``hybrid mattresses.'' ``Hybrid
mattresses'' contain two
[[Page 69591]]
or more support systems as the core, such as layers of both memory
foam and innerspring units.
``Non-innerspring mattresses'' are those that do not contain any
innerspring units. They are generally produced from foams (e.g.,
polyurethane, memory (viscoelastic), latex foam, gel-infused
viscoelastic (gel foam), thermobonded polyester, polyethylene) or
other resilient filling.
Mattresses covered by the scope of this investigation may be
imported independently, as part of furniture or furniture mechanisms
(e.g., convertible sofa bed mattresses, sofa bed mattresses imported
with sofa bed mechanisms, corner group mattresses, day-bed
mattresses, roll-away bed mattresses, high risers, trundle bed
mattresses, crib mattresses), or as part of a set in combination
with a ``mattress foundation.'' ``Mattress foundations'' are any
base or support for a mattress. Mattress foundations are commonly
referred to as ``foundations,'' ``boxsprings,'' ``platforms,'' and/
or ``bases.'' Bases can be static, foldable, or adjustable. Only the
mattress is covered by the scope if imported as part of furniture,
with furniture mechanisms, or as part of a set in combination with a
mattress foundation.
Excluded from the scope of this investigation are ``futon''
mattresses. A ``futon'' is a bi-fold frame made of wood, metal, or
plastic material, or any combination thereof, that functions as both
seating furniture (such as a couch, love seat, or sofa) and a bed. A
``futon mattress'' is a tufted mattress, where the top covering is
secured to the bottom with thread that goes completely through the
mattress from the top through to the bottom, and it does not contain
innersprings or foam. A futon mattress is both the bed and seating
surface for the futon.
Also excluded from the scope are airbeds (including inflatable
mattresses) and waterbeds, which consist of air- or liquid-filled
bladders as the core or main support system of the mattress.
Also excluded is certain multifunctional furniture that is
convertible from seating to sleeping, regardless of filler material
or components, where that filler material or components are
upholstered, integrated into the design and construction of, and
inseparable from, the furniture framing, and the outermost layer of
the multifunctional furniture converts into the sleeping surface.
Such furniture may, and without limitation, be commonly referred to
as ``convertible sofas,'' ``sofabeds,'' ``sofa chaise sleepers,''
``futons,'' ``ottoman sleepers'' or a like description.
Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are any
products covered by the existing antidumping duty orders on
uncovered innerspring units from China or Vietnam. See Uncovered
Innerspring Units from the People's Republic of China: Notice of
Antidumping Duty Order, 74 FR 7661 (February 19, 2009); Uncovered
Innerspring Units from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 73 FR
75391 (December 11, 2008).
Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are bassinet
pads with a nominal length of less than 39 inches, a nominal width
less than 25 inches, and a nominal depth of less than 2 inches.
Additionally, also excluded from the scope of this investigation
are ``mattress toppers.'' A ``mattress topper'' is a removable
bedding accessory that supplements a mattress by providing an
additional layer that is placed on top of a mattress. Excluded
mattress toppers have a height of four inches or less.
The products subject to this investigation are currently
properly classifiable under HTSUS subheadings: 9404.21.0010,
9404.21.0013, 9404.29.1005, 9404.29.1013, 9404.29.9085, and
9404.29.9087. Products subject to this investigation may also enter
under HTSUS subheadings: 9404.21.0095, 9404.29.1095, 9404.29.9095,
9401.40.0000, and 9401.90.5081. Although the HTSUS subheadings are
provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written
description of the merchandise subject to this investigation is
dispositive.
Appendix II
List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum
I. Summary
II. Background
III. Period of Investigation
IV. Preliminary Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances
V. MNC Provision
VI. Discussion of the Methodology
VII. Currency Conversion
VIII. Recommendation
[FR Doc. 2020-24302 Filed 11-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P