Mattresses From Slovenia: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, 15121-15124 [2024-04329]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 42 / Friday, March 1, 2024 / Notices
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Jasjit Kalra,
Executive Director, SelectUSA.
BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–856–002]
Mattresses From Slovenia: Preliminary
Affirmative Determination of Sales at
Less Than Fair Value
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
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The U.S. Department of
Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily
determines that mattresses from
Slovenia 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, 2022,
through June 30, 2023. Interested parties
are invited to comment on this
preliminary determination.
DATES: Applicable March 1, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Hart, AD/CVD Operations,
Office II, Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–1058.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
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 August 23, 2023.1 On October 23,
2023, Commerce postponed the
preliminary determination of this
investigation until February 23, 2024.2
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://access.trade.gov/public/
FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.
Scope of the Investigation
[FR Doc. 2024–04353 Filed 2–29–24; 8:45 am]
AGENCY:
15121
The products covered by this
investigation are mattresses from
1 See Mattresses from Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, Burma, India, Italy, Kosovo, Mexico, the
Philippines, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and Taiwan:
Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 88
FR 57433 (August 23, 2023) (Initiation Notice).
2 See Mattresses from Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, Burma, India, Italy, Kosovo, Mexico, the
Philippines, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and Taiwan:
Postponement of Preliminary Determinations of
Antidumping Duty Investigations, 88 FR 72737
(October 23, 2023).
3 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for
the Preliminary Affirmative Determination in the
Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation of Mattresses
from Slovenia,’’ dated concurrently with, and
hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary
Decision Memorandum).
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 42 / Friday, March 1, 2024 / Notices
Slovenia. For a complete description of
the scope of this investigation, see
Appendix I.
Scope Comments
In accordance with the Preamble,4 we
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
Commerce is not preliminarily
modifying the scope language as it
appeared in the Initiation Notice. See
the scope in Appendix I to this notice.
In the Preliminary Scope Decision
Memorandum, Commerce established
the deadline for parties to submit scope
case and rebuttal briefs.7
Methodology
Commerce is conducting this
investigation in accordance with section
731 of the Act. Pursuant to section
776(a) and (b) of the Act, Commerce has
preliminarily relied upon the facts
otherwise available with adverse
inferences for Noctis D.O.O., Stokke AS,
BBCC Int. D.O.O., and Mirisan D.O.O.
For a full description of the
methodology underlying the
preliminary determination, see the
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
All-Others Rate
Sections 733(d)(1)(A)(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.
4 See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties;
Final Rule, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997)
(Preamble).
5 See Initiation Notice, 88 FR at 57434.
6 See Memorandum, ‘‘Mattresses from Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burma, India, Indonesia,
Italy, Kosovo, Mexico, Philippines, Poland,
Slovenia, Spain, and Taiwan: Scope Comments
Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary
Determination,’’ dated concurrently with this
preliminary determination (Preliminary Scope
Decision Memorandum).
7 Id.
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Pursuant to section 735(c)(5)(B) of the
Act, if the estimated weighted-average
dumping margins established for all
exporters and producers individually
examined are zero, de minimis, or
determined based entirely on facts
otherwise available, Commerce may use
any reasonable method to establish the
estimated weighted-average dumping
margin for all other producers and
exporters. Commerce has preliminarily
determined the estimated weightedaverage dumping margin for each of the
individually examined respondents
under section 776 of the Act. Although
pursuant to section 735(c)(5)(B) of the
Act, Commerce’s normal practice under
these circumstances has been to
calculate the all-others rate as a simple
average of the alleged dumping margins
from the petition,8 the petition in this
case included only one alleged dumping
margin, revised for the initiation of this
investigation (i.e., 744.81).9
Accordingly, we are using the dumping
margin on which we initiated as the
basis for the all-others rate.
Preliminary Determination
Commerce preliminarily determines
that the following estimated weightedaverage dumping margins exist:
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 the 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 weightedaverage 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-specific estimated weightedaverage 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
Normally, Commerce discloses to
interested parties the calculations
performed in connection with a
Exporter or producer
preliminary determination within five
days of any public announcement or, if
there is no public announcement,
Noctis D.O.O ..............................
* 744.81 within five days of the date of
Stokke AS ...................................
* 744.81 publication of the notice of preliminary
BBCC Int. D.O.O ........................
* 744.81 determination in the Federal Register,
Mirisan D.O.O .............................
* 744.81 in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).
All Others ....................................
744.81 However, because Commerce
preliminarily applied AFA to each of
* Adverse Facts Available (AFA).
the individually examined companies in
Suspension of Liquidation
this investigation, in accordance with
section 776 of the Act, and the AFA
In accordance with section 733(d)(2)
information is sourced solely from
of the Act, Commerce will direct U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to information submitted by the
petitioners, there are no calculations to
disclose.
8 See, e.g., Notice of Preliminary Determination of
Estimated
weightedaverage
dumping
margin
(percent)
Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Sodium Nitrite from
the Federal Republic of Germany, 73 FR 21909,
21912 (April 23, 2008), unchanged in Notice of
Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair
Value: Sodium Nitrite from the Federal Republic of
Germany, 73 FR 38986, 38987 (July 8, 2008), and
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at
Comment 2; see also Notice of Final Determination
of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Raw Flexible
Magnets from Taiwan, 73 FR 39673, 39674 (July 10,
2008); Steel Threaded Rod from Thailand:
Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than
Fair Value and Affirmative Preliminary
Determination of Critical Circumstances, 78 FR
79670, 79671 (December 31, 2013), unchanged in
Steel Threaded Rod from Thailand: Final
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and
Affirmative Final Determination of Critical
Circumstances, 79 FR 14476, 14477 (March 14,
2014).
9 See Initiation Notice, 88 FR at 57436.
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Verification
Because the individually examined
respondents in this investigation did not
provide the information requested by
Commerce, and Commerce
preliminarily determines each of the
examined respondents to have been
uncooperative, we will not conduct
verification.
Public Comment
Case briefs or other written comments
may be submitted to the Assistant
Secretary for Enforcement and
Compliance no later than 30 days after
the date of publication of the
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preliminary determination.10 Rebuttal
briefs, limited to issues raised in the
case briefs, may be filed not later than
five days after the date for filing case
briefs.11 Interested parties who submit
case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this
proceeding must submit: (1) a table of
contents listing each issue; and (2) a
table of authorities.12
As provided under 19 CFR
351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), in prior
proceedings we have encouraged
interested parties to provide an
executive summary of their brief that
should be limited to five pages total,
including footnotes. In this
investigation, we instead request that
interested parties provide at the
beginning of their briefs a public,
executive summary for each issue raised
in their briefs.13 Further, we request that
interested parties limit their executive
summary of each issue to no more than
450 words, not including citations. We
intend to use the executive summaries
as the basis of the comment summaries
included in the issues and decision
memorandum that will accompany the
final determination in this investigation.
We request that interested parties
include footnotes for relevant citations
in the executive summary of each issue.
Note that Commerce has amended
certain of its requirements pertaining to
the service of documents in 19 CFR
351.303(f).14
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
will inform parties of the time and date
for the hearing. Parties should confirm
by telephone the date, time, and
location of the hearing two days before
the scheduled date.
10 Commerce is exercising its discretion under 19
CFR 351.309(c)(1)(i) to alter the time limit for the
filing of case briefs.
11 See 19 CFR 351.309(d); see also Administrative
Protective Order, Service, and Other Procedures in
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings,
88 FR 67069, 67077 (September 29, 2023) (APO and
Service Final Rule).
12 See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2).
13 We use the term ‘‘issue’’ here to describe an
argument that Commerce would normally address
in a comment of the Issues and Decision
Memorandum.
14 See APO and Service Final Rule.
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Final Determination
Section 735(a)(1) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.210(b)(1) provide that
Commerce will issue the final
determination within 75 days after the
date of its preliminary determination.
Accordingly, Commerce will make its
final determination no later than 75
days after the signature date of this
preliminary determination.
U.S. International Trade Commission
Notification
In accordance with section 733(f) of
the Act, Commerce will notify the U.S.
International Trade Commission (ITC) of
its preliminary determination of sales at
LTFV. 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 are materially
injuring, 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: February 23, 2024.
Ryan Majerus,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and
Negotiations performing the non-exclusive
functions and duties of the 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
also may 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 or how they are described
(e.g., frameless futon mattress and tri-fold
mattress).
The scope encompasses all types of
‘‘innerspring mattresses,’’ ‘‘non-innerspring
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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
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 such 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 the
People’s Republic of China, South Africa,
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and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. See
Uncovered Innerspring Units from the
People’s Republic of China, South Africa,
and Socialist Republic of Vietnam:
Continuation of Antidumping Duty Orders,
84 FR 55285 (October 16, 2019).
Also excluded from the scope of this
investigation are bassinet pads with a
nominal length of less than 39 inches, a
nominal width of 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 classifiable under Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)
subheadings: 9404.21.0010, 9404.21.0013,
9404.21.0095, 9404.29.1005, 9404.29.1013,
9404.29.1095, 9404.29.9085, 9404.29.9087,
and 9404.29.9095. Products subject to this
investigation may also enter under HTSUS
subheadings: 9401.41.0000, 9401.49.0000,
and 9401.99.9081. Although the HTSUS
subheadings are provided for convenience
and customs purposes, the written
description of the merchandise subject to this
investigation is dispositive.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On October 5, 2023, Commerce
published the Preliminary Results of
this administrative review in the
Federal Register and invited interested
parties to comment.1 On January 12,
2024, Commerce extended the deadline
for issuing the final results until
February 23, 2024.2
For a complete description of the
events that occurred since the
Preliminary Results, see the Issues and
Decision Memorandum.3
Appendix II
Scope of the Order 4
List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum
The merchandise covered by this
Order is cold-rolled steel.5
I. Summary
II. Background
III. Period of Investigation
IV. Application of Facts Available With
Adverse Inferences
V. Recommendation
Analysis of Comments Received
All issues raised in interested parties’
case briefs are addressed in the Issues
and Decision Memorandum. A list of
the issues addressed is attached as an
appendix to this notice. The Issues and
Decision Memorandum is a public
document and is on file electronically
[FR Doc. 2024–04329 Filed 2–29–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[C–580–882]
Certain Cold-Rolled Steel Flat Products
From the Republic of Korea: Final
Results and Partial Rescission of
Countervailing Duty Administrative
Review; 2021
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Commerce (Commerce) determines that
Hyundai Steel Co., Ltd. (Hyundai Steel)
and POSCO/POSCO International
Corporation (collectively POSCO),
producers/exporters of certain coldrolled steel flat products (cold-rolled
steel) from the Republic of Korea
AGENCY:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
(Korea), received countervailable
subsidies during the period of review
(POR) January 1, 2021, through
December 31, 2021.
DATES: Applicable March 1, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam
Evans or Benito Ballesteros, AD/CVD
Operations, Office IX, Enforcement and
Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone:
(202) 482–2420 and (202) 705–7455,
respectively.
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1 See Certain Cold-Rolled Steel Flat Products from
the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results of
Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, Partial
Rescission, and Preliminary Intent to Rescind, in
Part: 2021, 88 FR 69136 (October 5, 2023)
(Preliminary Results), and accompanying
Preliminary Decision Memorandum (PDM).
2 See Memorandum, ‘‘Extension of Deadline for
Final Results of 2021 Countervailing Duty
Administrative Review,’’ dated January 12, 2024.
3 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for
the Final Results and Partial Rescission of the
Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2021:
Certain Cold-Rolled Steel Flat Products from the
Republic of Korea,’’ dated concurrently with, and
hereby adopted by, this notice (Issues and Decision
Memorandum).
4 See Certain Cold-Rolled Steel Flat Products from
Brazil, India, and the Republic of Korea: Amended
Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty
Determination and Countervailing Duty Order (the
Republic of Korea) and Countervailing Duty Orders
(Brazil and India), 81 FR 64436 (September 20,
2016) (Order).
5 For a complete description of the scope of the
Order, see Preliminary Results PDM.
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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 Issues and Decision
Memorandum can be accessed directly
at https://access.trade.gov/public/
FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.
Rescission of Administrative Review, In
Part
As noted in the Preliminary Results,6
based on our analysis of U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) data, we
determine that two companies, Hyundai
Group and POSCO C&C Co., Ltd. had no
reviewable shipments, sales, or entries
of subject merchandise during the POR.
We received no comments or additional
information from any interested parties
regarding these two companies.
Therefore, absent evidence of shipments
on the record, we are rescinding the
administrative review of these
companies, pursuant to 19 CFR
351.213(d)(3).
Changes Since the Preliminary Results
Based comments received from
interested parties, we made certain
changes to Hyundai Steel’s and
POSCO’s countervailable subsidy rate
calculations from the Preliminary
Results.7
Methodology
Commerce conducted this review in
accordance with section 751(a)(1)(A) of
the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the
Act). For each of the subsidy programs
found countervailable, we find that
there is a subsidy, i.e., a governmentprovided financial contribution that
gives rise to a benefit to the recipient,
and that the subsidy is specific.8 For a
full description of the methodologies
underlying all of Commerce’s
conclusions, see the Issues and Decision
Memorandum.
Final Results of Administrative Review
We determine that, for the period
January 1, 2021, through December 31,
2021, the following total net
countervailable subsidy rates exist:
6 Id.,
88 FR at 88137.
a full description of these revisions, see the
Issues and Decision Memorandum.
8 See sections 771(5)(B) and (D) of the Act
regarding financial contribution; section 771(5)(E)
of the Act regarding benefit; and section 771(5A) of
the Act regarding specificity.
7 For
E:\FR\FM\01MRN1.SGM
01MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 42 (Friday, March 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15121-15124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04329]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-856-002]
Mattresses From Slovenia: Preliminary Affirmative Determination
of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily
determines that mattresses from Slovenia 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, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary
determination.
DATES: Applicable March 1, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Hart, AD/CVD Operations, Office
II, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-1058.
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 August 23,
2023.\1\ On October 23, 2023, Commerce postponed the preliminary
determination of this investigation until February 23, 2024.\2\
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\1\ See Mattresses from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burma,
India, Italy, Kosovo, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Slovenia,
Spain, and Taiwan: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value
Investigations, 88 FR 57433 (August 23, 2023) (Initiation Notice).
\2\ See Mattresses from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burma,
India, Italy, Kosovo, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Slovenia,
Spain, and Taiwan: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations of
Antidumping Duty Investigations, 88 FR 72737 (October 23, 2023).
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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://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.
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\3\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary
Affirmative Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation
of Mattresses from Slovenia,'' dated concurrently with, and hereby
adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum).
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Scope of the Investigation
The products covered by this investigation are mattresses from
[[Page 15122]]
Slovenia. For a complete description of the scope of this
investigation, see Appendix I.
Scope Comments
In accordance with the Preamble,\4\ we 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\ Commerce is not preliminarily modifying the
scope language as it appeared in the Initiation Notice. See the scope
in Appendix I to this notice.
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\4\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties; Final Rule,
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble).
\5\ See Initiation Notice, 88 FR at 57434.
\6\ See Memorandum, ``Mattresses from Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, Burma, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kosovo, Mexico,
Philippines, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and Taiwan: Scope Comments
Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Determination,'' dated
concurrently with this preliminary determination (Preliminary Scope
Decision Memorandum).
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In the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum, Commerce established
the deadline for parties to submit scope case and rebuttal briefs.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ Id.
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Methodology
Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with
section 731 of the Act. Pursuant to section 776(a) and (b) of the Act,
Commerce has preliminarily relied upon the facts otherwise available
with adverse inferences for Noctis D.O.O., Stokke AS, BBCC Int. D.O.O.,
and Mirisan D.O.O. For a full description of the methodology underlying
the preliminary determination, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
All-Others Rate
Sections 733(d)(1)(A)(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.
Pursuant to section 735(c)(5)(B) of the Act, if the estimated
weighted-average dumping margins established for all exporters and
producers individually examined are zero, de minimis, or determined
based entirely on facts otherwise available, Commerce may use any
reasonable method to establish the estimated weighted-average dumping
margin for all other producers and exporters. Commerce has
preliminarily determined the estimated weighted-average dumping margin
for each of the individually examined respondents under section 776 of
the Act. Although pursuant to section 735(c)(5)(B) of the Act,
Commerce's normal practice under these circumstances has been to
calculate the all-others rate as a simple average of the alleged
dumping margins from the petition,\8\ the petition in this case
included only one alleged dumping margin, revised for the initiation of
this investigation (i.e., 744.81).\9\ Accordingly, we are using the
dumping margin on which we initiated as the basis for the all-others
rate.
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\8\ See, e.g., Notice of Preliminary Determination of Sales at
Less Than Fair Value: Sodium Nitrite from the Federal Republic of
Germany, 73 FR 21909, 21912 (April 23, 2008), unchanged in Notice of
Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Sodium Nitrite
from the Federal Republic of Germany, 73 FR 38986, 38987 (July 8,
2008), and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 2;
see also Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair
Value: Raw Flexible Magnets from Taiwan, 73 FR 39673, 39674 (July
10, 2008); Steel Threaded Rod from Thailand: Preliminary
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Affirmative
Preliminary Determination of Critical Circumstances, 78 FR 79670,
79671 (December 31, 2013), unchanged in Steel Threaded Rod from
Thailand: Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and
Affirmative Final Determination of Critical Circumstances, 79 FR
14476, 14477 (March 14, 2014).
\9\ See Initiation Notice, 88 FR at 57436.
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Preliminary Determination
Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated
weighted-average dumping margins exist:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
weighted-
average
Exporter or producer dumping
margin
(percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noctis D.O.O................................................ * 744.81
Stokke AS................................................... * 744.81
BBCC Int. D.O.O............................................. * 744.81
Mirisan D.O.O............................................... * 744.81
All Others.................................................. 744.81
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Adverse Facts Available (AFA).
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
the 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-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
Normally, Commerce discloses to interested parties the calculations
performed in connection with a 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 the notice of
preliminary determination in the Federal Register, in accordance with
19 CFR 351.224(b). However, because Commerce preliminarily applied AFA
to each of the individually examined companies in this investigation,
in accordance with section 776 of the Act, and the AFA information is
sourced solely from information submitted by the petitioners, there are
no calculations to disclose.
Verification
Because the individually examined respondents in this investigation
did not provide the information requested by Commerce, and Commerce
preliminarily determines each of the examined respondents to have been
uncooperative, we will not conduct verification.
Public Comment
Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than 30
days after the date of publication of the
[[Page 15123]]
preliminary determination.\10\ Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues
raised in the case briefs, may be filed not later than five days after
the date for filing case briefs.\11\ Interested parties who submit case
briefs or rebuttal briefs in this proceeding must submit: (1) a table
of contents listing each issue; and (2) a table of authorities.\12\
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\10\ Commerce is exercising its discretion under 19 CFR
351.309(c)(1)(i) to alter the time limit for the filing of case
briefs.
\11\ See 19 CFR 351.309(d); see also Administrative Protective
Order, Service, and Other Procedures in Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Proceedings, 88 FR 67069, 67077 (September 29,
2023) (APO and Service Final Rule).
\12\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2).
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As provided under 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), in prior
proceedings we have encouraged interested parties to provide an
executive summary of their brief that should be limited to five pages
total, including footnotes. In this investigation, we instead request
that interested parties provide at the beginning of their briefs a
public, executive summary for each issue raised in their briefs.\13\
Further, we request that interested parties limit their executive
summary of each issue to no more than 450 words, not including
citations. We intend to use the executive summaries as the basis of the
comment summaries included in the issues and decision memorandum that
will accompany the final determination in this investigation. We
request that interested parties include footnotes for relevant
citations in the executive summary of each issue. Note that Commerce
has amended certain of its requirements pertaining to the service of
documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).\14\
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\13\ We use the term ``issue'' here to describe an argument that
Commerce would normally address in a comment of the Issues and
Decision Memorandum.
\14\ See APO and Service Final Rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 will inform parties of the time and date for the hearing.
Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the
hearing two days before the scheduled date.
Final Determination
Section 735(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1) provide that
Commerce will issue the final determination within 75 days after the
date of its preliminary determination. Accordingly, Commerce will make
its final determination no later than 75 days after the signature date
of this preliminary determination.
U.S. International Trade Commission Notification
In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify
the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) of its preliminary
determination of sales at LTFV. 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 are materially injuring, 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: February 23, 2024.
Ryan Majerus,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations performing the
non-exclusive functions and duties of the 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 also may 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 or how they are described
(e.g., frameless futon mattress and tri-fold mattress).
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 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 such 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 the People's Republic of China,
South Africa,
[[Page 15124]]
and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. See Uncovered Innerspring
Units from the People's Republic of China, South Africa, and
Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Continuation of Antidumping Duty
Orders, 84 FR 55285 (October 16, 2019).
Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are bassinet
pads with a nominal length of less than 39 inches, a nominal width
of 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
classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS) subheadings: 9404.21.0010, 9404.21.0013, 9404.21.0095,
9404.29.1005, 9404.29.1013, 9404.29.1095, 9404.29.9085,
9404.29.9087, and 9404.29.9095. Products subject to this
investigation may also enter under HTSUS subheadings: 9401.41.0000,
9401.49.0000, and 9401.99.9081. 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. Application of Facts Available With Adverse Inferences
V. Recommendation
[FR Doc. 2024-04329 Filed 2-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
