Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepacked for Sale From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Orders, 75592-75594 [2022-26788]

Download as PDF 75592 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 236 / Friday, December 9, 2022 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 appropriate entries of subject merchandise in accordance with the final results of this review. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1), we calculated importer-specific ad valorem duty assessment rates based on the ratio of the total amount of dumping calculated for the examined sales to the total entered value of the sales. Where either the respondent’s weightedaverage dumping margin is zero or de minimis, within the meaning of 19 CFR 351.106(c)(1), or an importer-specific rate is zero or de minimis, we will instruct CBP to liquidate the appropriate entries without regard to antidumping duties. The final results of this review shall be the basis for the assessment of antidumping duties on entries of merchandise covered by the final results of this review and for future deposits of estimated duties, where applicable.8 Commerce’s ‘‘automatic assessment’’ will apply to entries of subject merchandise during the POR produced by Industeel in these final results of review for which Industeel did not know that the merchandise it sold to the intermediary (e.g., a reseller, trading company, or exporter) was destined for the United States. In such instances, we will instruct CBP to liquidate unreviewed entries at the all-others rate if there is no rate for the intermediate company(ies) involved in the transaction. Commerce intends to issue assessment instructions to CBP no earlier than 35 days after the date of publication of the final results of this review in the Federal Register. If a timely summons is filed at the U.S. Court of International Trade, the assessment instructions will direct CBP not to liquidate relevant entries until the time for parties to file a request for a statutory injunction has expired (i.e., within 90 days of publication). Cash Deposit Requirements The following cash deposit requirements will be effective for all shipments of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date of the final results of this administrative review, as provided by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) the cash deposit rate for each specific company listed above will be that established in the final results of this review, except if the rate is less than 0.50 percent and, therefore, de minimis within the meaning of 19 CFR 351.106(c)(1), in which case the cash deposit rate will be zero; (2) for 8 See section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:50 Dec 08, 2022 Jkt 259001 previously investigated companies not participating in this review, the cash deposit will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the most recently completed segment of this proceeding; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review, or the original less-than-fair-value (LTFV) investigation, but the manufacturer is, then the cash deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recent segment for the manufacturer of the merchandise; and (4) the cash deposit rate for all other manufacturers or exporters will continue to be 5.40 percent, the all-others rate established in the LTFV investigation.9 These deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until further notice. Notification to Importers Notification Regarding Administrative Protective Order This notice serves as the only reminder to parties subject to administrative protective order (APO) of their responsibility concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3), which continues to govern business proprietary information in this segment of the proceeding. Timely written notification of return/destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and the terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation. Notification to Interested Parties This notice is being issued and published in accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i) of the Act. 9 See Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-ToLength Plate from Austria, Belgium, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan: Amended Final Affirmative Antidumping Determinations for France, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan, and Antidumping Duty Orders, 82 FR 24096, 24098 (May 25, 2017). Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Appendix List of Topics Discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Scope of the Order IV. Changes Since the Preliminary Results V. Discussion of Issues Comment 1: Application of Facts Available to Home Market Inland Freight Comment 2: Adjustment to Scrap Offset Comment 3: Adjustments to General and Administrative Expense Ratio VI. Recommendation [FR Doc. 2022–26730 Filed 12–8–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE This notice serves as a final reminder to importers of their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in Commerce’s presumption that reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent assessment of double antidumping duties. PO 00000 Dated: December 2, 2022. Lisa W. Wang, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. International Trade Administration [A–570–018, C–570–019] Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepacked for Sale From the People’s Republic of China: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Orders Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: In response to a request from Edsal Manufacturing Company, Inc. (Edsal), the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) is initiating a circumvention inquiry to determine whether imports of boltless steel shelving units prepackaged for sale (boltless steel shelving), which are completed or assembled in Malaysia using certain components from the People’s Republic of China (China), are circumventing the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on boltless steel shelving from China. DATES: Applicable December 9, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kabir Archuletta, AD/CVD Operations, Office V, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–2593. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: Background On October 20, 2022, pursuant to section 781(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and 19 CFR 351.226(c), Edsal filed a circumvention inquiry request alleging that boltless E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM 09DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 236 / Friday, December 9, 2022 / Notices steel shelving completed or assembled in Malaysia using certain components manufactured in China and imported to the United States are circumventing the Orders 1 and, accordingly, should be included within the scope of the Orders.2 On November 21, 2022, we extended the deadline to initiate this circumvention inquiry by 15 days, to December 5, 2022, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.226(d)(1).3 Scope of the Orders The merchandise covered by these Orders is boltless steel shelving units prepackaged for sale. Merchandise covered by these Orders is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 9403.20.0018, 9403.20.0020, 9403.20.0025, and 9403.20.0026, but may also enter through HTSUS 9403.10.0040. Although these HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of the Orders is dispositive. For a complete description of the scope of the Orders, see the Initiation Memorandum.4 Merchandise Subject to the Circumvention Inquiry This circumvention inquiry covers boltless steel shelving that has been completed or assembled in Malaysia using, at a minimum, the key components of boltless steel shelving, i.e., vertical posts and horizontal beams, from China, that are then subsequently exported to the United States. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry Section 351.226(d) of Commerce’s regulations states that if Commerce determines that a request for a circumvention inquiry satisfies the requirements of 19 CFR 351.226(c), then Commerce ‘‘will accept the request and initiate a circumvention inquiry.’’ Section 351.226(c)(1) of Commerce’s regulations, in turn, requires that each 1 See Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepackaged for Sale from the People’s Republic of China: Antidumping Duty Order, 80 FR 63741 (October 21, 2015); Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepackaged for Sale from the People’s Republic of China: Amended Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Countervailing Duty Order, 80 FR 63745 (October 21, 2015) (collectively, Orders). 2 See Edsal’s Letter, ‘‘Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepackaged for Sale from China—Petitioner’s Request for Circumvention Ruling Pursuant to Section 781(b), as Amended,’’ dated October 20, 2022. 3 See Memorandum, ‘‘Extension of Time to Determine Whether to Initiate Circumvention Inquiry,’’ dated November 21, 2022. 4 See Memorandum, ‘‘Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepackaged for Sale from the People’s Republic of China: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiries,’’ dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Initiation Memorandum). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:50 Dec 08, 2022 Jkt 259001 request for a circumvention inquiry allege ‘‘that the elements necessary for a circumvention determination under section 781 of the Act exist’’ and be ‘‘accompanied by information reasonably available to the interested party supporting these allegations.’’ Edsal alleged circumvention pursuant to section 781(b) of the Act (merchandise completed or assembled in other foreign countries). According to section 781(b)(1) of the Act, after taking into account any advice provided by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) under section 781(e) of the Act, Commerce may find merchandise imported into the United States to be covered by the scope of an order if: (A) merchandise imported into the United States is of the same class or kind as any merchandise produced in a foreign country that is the subject of an AD order or finding or a CVD order; (B) before importation into the United States, such imported merchandise is completed or assembled in another foreign country from merchandise which is subject to the order or finding or is produced in the foreign country with respect to which such order or finding applies; (C) the process of assembly or completion in the foreign country referred to in subparagraph (B) is minor or insignificant; (D) the value of the merchandise produced in the foreign country to which the AD (or CVD) order applies is a significant portion of the total value of the merchandise exported to the United States; and (E) the administering authority determines that action is appropriate to prevent evasion of such order or finding. In determining whether the process of assembly or completion in a third country is minor or insignificant under section 781(b)(1)(C) of the Act, section 781(b)(2) of the Act directs Commerce to consider: (A) the level of investment in the foreign country; (B) the level of research and development in the foreign country; (C) the nature of the production process in the foreign country; (D) the extent of production facilities in the foreign country; and (E) whether the value of processing performed in the foreign country represents a small proportion of the value of the merchandise imported into the United States. In addition, section 781(b)(3) of the Act sets forth additional factors to consider in determining whether to include merchandise completed or assembled in a third country within the scope of an AD or CVD order. Specifically, Commerce shall take into account such factors as: (A) the pattern of trade, including sourcing patterns; (B) PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 75593 whether the manufacturer or exporter of the merchandise that was shipped to the third country for completion or assembly is affiliated with the person in the third country who assembles or completes the merchandise that is subsequently imported into the United States; and (C) whether imports of the merchandise into the third country that was completed or assembled have increased after the initiation of the investigation which resulted in the issuance of the order or finding. Based on our analysis of Edsal’s circumvention request, we determined that Edsal’s request satisfied the criteria under 19 CFR 351.226(c), and thus, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.226(d)(1)(ii), we have accepted the request and are initiating the requested circumvention inquiry of the Orders. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision to initiate the requested circumvention inquiry, see the Initiation Memorandum.5 Moreover, as explained in the Initiation Memorandum, based on the information provided by Edsal, we are initiating a country-wide circumvention inquiry. Commerce has taken this approach in prior circumvention inquiries where the facts warranted initiation on a country-wide basis.6 Consistent with the approach taken in prior circumvention inquiries that Commerce initiated on a country-wide basis, we intend to solicit information from certain companies in Malaysia concerning their production of boltless steel shelving and their shipments thereof to the United States. A company’s failure to completely respond to Commerce’s requests for information may result in the application of partial or total facts available, pursuant to section 776(a) of the Act, which may include adverse inferences, pursuant to section 776(b) of the Act. For companion AD and CVD proceedings, ‘‘the Secretary will initiate 5 See Initiation Memorandum. e.g., Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products from the Republic of Korea and Taiwan: Initiation of Anti-Circumvention Inquiries on the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Orders, 83 FR 37785 (August 2, 2018); Carbon Steel ButtWeld Pipe Fittings from the People’s Republic of China: Initiation of Anti-Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty Order, 82 FR 40556, 40560 (August 25, 2017) (stating at initiation that Commerce would evaluate the extent to which a country-wide finding applicable to all exports might be warranted); and Certain CorrosionResistant Steel Products from the People’s Republic of China: Initiation of Anti-Circumvention Inquiries on the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Orders, 81 FR 79454, 79458 (November 14, 2016) (stating at initiation that Commerce would evaluate the extent to which a country-wide finding applicable to all exports might be warranted). 6 See, E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM 09DEN1 75594 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 236 / Friday, December 9, 2022 / Notices and conduct a single inquiry with respect to the product at issue for both orders only on the record of the antidumping proceeding.’’ 7 Further, once ‘‘the Secretary issues a final circumvention determination on the record of the antidumping duty proceeding, the Secretary will include a copy of that determination on the record of the countervailing duty proceeding.’’ 8 Accordingly, once Commerce concludes this circumvention inquiry, Commerce intends to place its final circumvention determination on the record of the companion CVD proceeding. Suspension of Liquidation Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.226(l)(1), Commerce will notify U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of its initiation of the requested circumvention inquiries and direct CBP to continue the suspension of liquidation of entries of products subject to the circumvention inquiries that were already subject to the suspension of liquidation and to apply the cash deposit rate that would be applicable if the products were determined to be covered by the scope of the Orders. Should Commerce issue preliminary or final circumvention determinations, Commerce will follow the suspension of liquidation rules under 19 CFR 351.226(l)(2)–(4). lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Notification to Interested Parties In accordance with 19 CFR 351.226(d) and section 781(b) of the Act, Commerce has determined that Edsal’s request for a circumvention inquiry satisfies the requirements of 19 CFR 351.226(c). Accordingly, Commerce is notifying all interested parties of the initiation of a circumvention inquiry to determine whether U.S. imports of boltless steel shelving that have been completed or assembled in, and exported from, Malaysia using certain components manufactured in China, are circumventing the Orders. We included a description of the products that are subject to the circumvention inquiry, and an explanation of the reasons for Commerce’s decision to initiate these inquiries, in the accompanying Initiation Memorandum.9 In accordance with 19 CFR 351.226(e)(2), Commerce intends to issue its preliminary determination in these circumvention proceedings no later than 150 days from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. 7 See 19 CFR 351.226(m)(2). 8 Id. 9 See Initiation Memorandum. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:50 Dec 08, 2022 Jkt 259001 This notice is published in accordance with section 781(b) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.226(d)(1)(ii). Dated: December 5, 2022. Lisa W. Wang, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Appendix List of Topics Discussed in the Circumvention Initiation Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Scope of the Orders IV. Merchandise Subject to the Circumvention Inquiry V. Statutory and Regulatory Framework for Circumvention Inquiries VI. Statutory Analysis for the Circumvention Inquiry VII. Country-Wide Circumvention Inquiry VIII. Recommendation [FR Doc. 2022–26788 Filed 12–8–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A–523–810] Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin From the Sultanate of Oman: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2020–2021 Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined that OCTAL SAOC—FZC (OCTAL), the sole respondent subject to this antidumping duty (AD) administrative review, made sales of subject merchandise at less than normal value during the period of review (POR) May 1, 2020, through April 30, 2021. DATES: Applicable December 9, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Hill, AD/CVD Operations, Office IV, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–3518. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: Background On June 7, 2022, Commerce published the Preliminary Results in the Federal Register and invited interested parties to comment on those results.1 On July 1 See Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin from the Sultanate of Oman: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2020– 2021, 87 FR 34643 (June 7, 2022), and accompanying Preliminary Decision Memorandum (Preliminary Results). PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14, 2022, DAK Americas LLC, Indorama Ventures USA, Inc., and Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America (collectively, the petitioners) filed a case brief and OCTAL filed a letter in lieu of a case brief.2 On July 22, 2022, OCTAL filed a rebuttal brief.3 For a complete description of the events that occurred since publication of the Preliminary Results, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.4 Commerce conducted this administrative review in accordance with section 751 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Scope of the Order The merchandise covered by this order is PET resin having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.70, but not more than 0.88, deciliters per gram. The merchandise subject to this Order is properly classified under subheadings 3907.60.00.30, 3907.61.0000, 3907.61.0010, 3907.61.0050, 3907.69.0000, 3907.69.0010, and 3907.69.0050 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).5 Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise covered by this Order is dispositive. For a complete description of the scope of the order, see Issues and Decision Memorandum. Analysis of Comments Received We listed all the issues that interested parties raised in their case and rebuttal briefs, and which we addressed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum, in 2 See Petitioners’ Letter, ‘‘Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin from the Sultanate of Oman: Petitioners’ Case Brief,’’ dated July 14, 2022; see also OCTAL’s Letter, ‘‘OCTAL’s Letter in Lieu of Case Brief: Certain Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from the Sultanate of Oman,’’ dated July 14, 2022. 3 See OCTAL’s Letter, ‘‘OCTAL’s Rebuttal Brief Certain Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Resin from the Sultanate of Oman,’’ dated July 22, 2022. 4 See Memorandum, ‘‘Issues and Decision Memorandum for the Final Results of the 2020– 2021 Administrative Review of the Antidumping Duty Order on Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin from the Sultanate of Oman,’’ dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Issues and Decision Memorandum). 5 On January 27, 2017, Commerce added HTSUS subheadings 3907.61.0000 and 3907.69.0000 to the Case Reference File. See Memorandum, ‘‘Request from Customs and Border Protection to Update the ACE Case Reference File: Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin form the Sultanate of Oman (A–523–810),’’ dated January 31, 2017. Further, on February 28, 2019, Commerce added HTSUS subheadings 3907.61.0010, 3907.61.0050, 3907.69.0010, and 3907.69.0050 to the Case Reference File. See Memorandum, ‘‘Request from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Update the ACE Case Reference File: Polyethylene Terephthalate Resin form the Sultanate of Oman (A–523–810),’’ dated February 28, 2019. E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM 09DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 236 (Friday, December 9, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75592-75594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26788]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-570-018, C-570-019]


Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepacked for Sale From the 
People's Republic of China: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry on the 
Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Orders

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

SUMMARY: In response to a request from Edsal Manufacturing Company, 
Inc. (Edsal), the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) is initiating 
a circumvention inquiry to determine whether imports of boltless steel 
shelving units prepackaged for sale (boltless steel shelving), which 
are completed or assembled in Malaysia using certain components from 
the People's Republic of China (China), are circumventing the 
antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on boltless 
steel shelving from China.

DATES: Applicable December 9, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kabir Archuletta, AD/CVD Operations, 
Office V, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-2593.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On October 20, 2022, pursuant to section 781(b) of the Tariff Act 
of 1930, as amended (the Act), and 19 CFR 351.226(c), Edsal filed a 
circumvention inquiry request alleging that boltless

[[Page 75593]]

steel shelving completed or assembled in Malaysia using certain 
components manufactured in China and imported to the United States are 
circumventing the Orders \1\ and, accordingly, should be included 
within the scope of the Orders.\2\ On November 21, 2022, we extended 
the deadline to initiate this circumvention inquiry by 15 days, to 
December 5, 2022, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.226(d)(1).\3\
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    \1\ See Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepackaged for Sale from 
the People's Republic of China: Antidumping Duty Order, 80 FR 63741 
(October 21, 2015); Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepackaged for 
Sale from the People's Republic of China: Amended Final Affirmative 
Countervailing Duty Determination and Countervailing Duty Order, 80 
FR 63745 (October 21, 2015) (collectively, Orders).
    \2\ See Edsal's Letter, ``Boltless Steel Shelving Units 
Prepackaged for Sale from China--Petitioner's Request for 
Circumvention Ruling Pursuant to Section 781(b), as Amended,'' dated 
October 20, 2022.
    \3\ See Memorandum, ``Extension of Time to Determine Whether to 
Initiate Circumvention Inquiry,'' dated November 21, 2022.
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Scope of the Orders

    The merchandise covered by these Orders is boltless steel shelving 
units prepackaged for sale. Merchandise covered by these Orders is 
currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States (HTSUS) under subheadings 9403.20.0018, 9403.20.0020, 
9403.20.0025, and 9403.20.0026, but may also enter through HTSUS 
9403.10.0040. Although these HTSUS subheadings are provided for 
convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope 
of the Orders is dispositive. For a complete description of the scope 
of the Orders, see the Initiation Memorandum.\4\
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    \4\ See Memorandum, ``Boltless Steel Shelving Units Prepackaged 
for Sale from the People's Republic of China: Initiation of 
Circumvention Inquiries,'' dated concurrently with, and hereby 
adopted by, this notice (Initiation Memorandum).
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Merchandise Subject to the Circumvention Inquiry

    This circumvention inquiry covers boltless steel shelving that has 
been completed or assembled in Malaysia using, at a minimum, the key 
components of boltless steel shelving, i.e., vertical posts and 
horizontal beams, from China, that are then subsequently exported to 
the United States.

Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry

    Section 351.226(d) of Commerce's regulations states that if 
Commerce determines that a request for a circumvention inquiry 
satisfies the requirements of 19 CFR 351.226(c), then Commerce ``will 
accept the request and initiate a circumvention inquiry.'' Section 
351.226(c)(1) of Commerce's regulations, in turn, requires that each 
request for a circumvention inquiry allege ``that the elements 
necessary for a circumvention determination under section 781 of the 
Act exist'' and be ``accompanied by information reasonably available to 
the interested party supporting these allegations.'' Edsal alleged 
circumvention pursuant to section 781(b) of the Act (merchandise 
completed or assembled in other foreign countries).
    According to section 781(b)(1) of the Act, after taking into 
account any advice provided by the U.S. International Trade Commission 
(ITC) under section 781(e) of the Act, Commerce may find merchandise 
imported into the United States to be covered by the scope of an order 
if: (A) merchandise imported into the United States is of the same 
class or kind as any merchandise produced in a foreign country that is 
the subject of an AD order or finding or a CVD order; (B) before 
importation into the United States, such imported merchandise is 
completed or assembled in another foreign country from merchandise 
which is subject to the order or finding or is produced in the foreign 
country with respect to which such order or finding applies; (C) the 
process of assembly or completion in the foreign country referred to in 
subparagraph (B) is minor or insignificant; (D) the value of the 
merchandise produced in the foreign country to which the AD (or CVD) 
order applies is a significant portion of the total value of the 
merchandise exported to the United States; and (E) the administering 
authority determines that action is appropriate to prevent evasion of 
such order or finding.
    In determining whether the process of assembly or completion in a 
third country is minor or insignificant under section 781(b)(1)(C) of 
the Act, section 781(b)(2) of the Act directs Commerce to consider: (A) 
the level of investment in the foreign country; (B) the level of 
research and development in the foreign country; (C) the nature of the 
production process in the foreign country; (D) the extent of production 
facilities in the foreign country; and (E) whether the value of 
processing performed in the foreign country represents a small 
proportion of the value of the merchandise imported into the United 
States.
    In addition, section 781(b)(3) of the Act sets forth additional 
factors to consider in determining whether to include merchandise 
completed or assembled in a third country within the scope of an AD or 
CVD order. Specifically, Commerce shall take into account such factors 
as: (A) the pattern of trade, including sourcing patterns; (B) whether 
the manufacturer or exporter of the merchandise that was shipped to the 
third country for completion or assembly is affiliated with the person 
in the third country who assembles or completes the merchandise that is 
subsequently imported into the United States; and (C) whether imports 
of the merchandise into the third country that was completed or 
assembled have increased after the initiation of the investigation 
which resulted in the issuance of the order or finding.
    Based on our analysis of Edsal's circumvention request, we 
determined that Edsal's request satisfied the criteria under 19 CFR 
351.226(c), and thus, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.226(d)(1)(ii), we have 
accepted the request and are initiating the requested circumvention 
inquiry of the Orders. For a full discussion of the basis for our 
decision to initiate the requested circumvention inquiry, see the 
Initiation Memorandum.\5\ Moreover, as explained in the Initiation 
Memorandum, based on the information provided by Edsal, we are 
initiating a country-wide circumvention inquiry. Commerce has taken 
this approach in prior circumvention inquiries where the facts 
warranted initiation on a country-wide basis.\6\
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    \5\ See Initiation Memorandum.
    \6\ See, e.g., Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products from 
the Republic of Korea and Taiwan: Initiation of Anti-Circumvention 
Inquiries on the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Orders, 83 
FR 37785 (August 2, 2018); Carbon Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from 
the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Anti-Circumvention 
Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty Order, 82 FR 40556, 40560 (August 
25, 2017) (stating at initiation that Commerce would evaluate the 
extent to which a country-wide finding applicable to all exports 
might be warranted); and Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products 
from the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Anti-
Circumvention Inquiries on the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing 
Duty Orders, 81 FR 79454, 79458 (November 14, 2016) (stating at 
initiation that Commerce would evaluate the extent to which a 
country-wide finding applicable to all exports might be warranted).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Consistent with the approach taken in prior circumvention inquiries 
that Commerce initiated on a country-wide basis, we intend to solicit 
information from certain companies in Malaysia concerning their 
production of boltless steel shelving and their shipments thereof to 
the United States. A company's failure to completely respond to 
Commerce's requests for information may result in the application of 
partial or total facts available, pursuant to section 776(a) of the 
Act, which may include adverse inferences, pursuant to section 776(b) 
of the Act.
    For companion AD and CVD proceedings, ``the Secretary will initiate

[[Page 75594]]

and conduct a single inquiry with respect to the product at issue for 
both orders only on the record of the antidumping proceeding.'' \7\ 
Further, once ``the Secretary issues a final circumvention 
determination on the record of the antidumping duty proceeding, the 
Secretary will include a copy of that determination on the record of 
the countervailing duty proceeding.'' \8\ Accordingly, once Commerce 
concludes this circumvention inquiry, Commerce intends to place its 
final circumvention determination on the record of the companion CVD 
proceeding.
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    \7\ See 19 CFR 351.226(m)(2).
    \8\ Id.
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Suspension of Liquidation

    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.226(l)(1), Commerce will notify U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection (CBP) of its initiation of the requested 
circumvention inquiries and direct CBP to continue the suspension of 
liquidation of entries of products subject to the circumvention 
inquiries that were already subject to the suspension of liquidation 
and to apply the cash deposit rate that would be applicable if the 
products were determined to be covered by the scope of the Orders. 
Should Commerce issue preliminary or final circumvention 
determinations, Commerce will follow the suspension of liquidation 
rules under 19 CFR 351.226(l)(2)-(4).

Notification to Interested Parties

    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.226(d) and section 781(b) of the Act, 
Commerce has determined that Edsal's request for a circumvention 
inquiry satisfies the requirements of 19 CFR 351.226(c). Accordingly, 
Commerce is notifying all interested parties of the initiation of a 
circumvention inquiry to determine whether U.S. imports of boltless 
steel shelving that have been completed or assembled in, and exported 
from, Malaysia using certain components manufactured in China, are 
circumventing the Orders. We included a description of the products 
that are subject to the circumvention inquiry, and an explanation of 
the reasons for Commerce's decision to initiate these inquiries, in the 
accompanying Initiation Memorandum.\9\ In accordance with 19 CFR 
351.226(e)(2), Commerce intends to issue its preliminary determination 
in these circumvention proceedings no later than 150 days from the date 
of publication of this notice in the Federal Register.
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    \9\ See Initiation Memorandum.
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    This notice is published in accordance with section 781(b) of the 
Act and 19 CFR 351.226(d)(1)(ii).

    Dated: December 5, 2022.
Lisa W. Wang,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix

List of Topics Discussed in the Circumvention Initiation Memorandum

I. Summary
II. Background
III. Scope of the Orders
IV. Merchandise Subject to the Circumvention Inquiry
V. Statutory and Regulatory Framework for Circumvention Inquiries
VI. Statutory Analysis for the Circumvention Inquiry
VII. Country-Wide Circumvention Inquiry
VIII. Recommendation

[FR Doc. 2022-26788 Filed 12-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
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