Certain Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders From India: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination, 29296-29298 [2024-08451]
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29296
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 78 / Monday, April 22, 2024 / Notices
duty order directing CBP to assess, upon
further instruction by Commerce,
antidumping duties on all imports of the
subject merchandise entered or
withdrawn from warehouse for
consumption on or after the effective
date of the suspension of liquidation, as
discussed in the ‘‘Continuation of
Suspension of Liquidation’’ section.
Administrative Protective Order
This notice also serves as a reminder
to parties subject to an administrative
protective order (APO) of their
responsibility concerning the return or
destruction of proprietary information
disclosed under APO in accordance
with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely
written notification of the return or
destruction of APO materials, or
conversion to judicial protective order,
is hereby requested. Failure to comply
with the regulations and terms of an
APO is a violation which is subject to
sanction.
Notification to Interested Parties
This determination is issued and
published in accordance with sections
735(d) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.210(c).
Dated: April 15, 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.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Appendix I—Scope of the Investigation
The merchandise covered by this
investigation is certain seamed (welded or
brazed), non-refillable steel cylinders
meeting the requirements of, or produced to
meet the requirements of, U.S. Department of
Transportation specification 39,
TransportCanada specification 39M, or
United Nations pressure receptacle standard
ISO 11118 and otherwise meeting the
description provided below (non-refillable
steel cylinders). The subject non-refillable
steel cylinders are portable and range from
100-cubic inch (1.6 liter) water capacity to
1,526-cubic inch (25 liter) water capacity.
Subject non-refillable steel cylinders may be
imported with or without a valve and/or
pressure release device and are unfilled at
the time of importation. Non-refillable steel
cylinders filled with pressurized air
otherwise meeting the physical description
above are covered by this investigation.
Specifically excluded are seamless nonrefillable steel cylinders.
The merchandise subject to this
investigation is properly classified under
statistical reporting numbers 7311.00.0060
and 7311.00.0090 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The
merchandise may also enter under HTSUS
statistical reporting numbers 7310.29.0030
and 7310.29.0065. Although the HTSUS
statistical reporting numbers are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the
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06:41 Apr 20, 2024
Jkt 262001
written description of the merchandise is
dispositive.
of investigation (POI) is April 1, 2022,
through March 31, 2023.
Appendix II—List of Topics Discussed
in the Issues and Decision
Memorandum
DATES:
I. Summary
II. Background
III. Scope of the Investigation
IV. Changes Since the Preliminary
Determination
V. Discussion of the Issues
Comment 1: Whether to Apply Adverse
Facts Available to Bhiwadi/Sapphire
Comment 2: Whether to Adjust Bhiwadi/
Sapphire’s Export Prices for Average
Annual Warranty Expenses
Comment 3: Whether to Adjust Bhiwadi/
Sapphire’s Financial Expense Ratio
Comment 4: Whether Certain of Bhiwadi/
Sapphire’s Cost Reallocations Should be
Reversed
Comment 5: Whether to Include the
Purchase Cost of Semi-Finished
Cylinders in Bhiwadi/Sapphire’s Cost of
Manufacturing (COM)
Comment 6: Whether to Adjust Bhiwadi/
Sapphire’s Reported Costs for Freight
Inward and Loading and Unloading
Expenses
Comment 7: Whether to Make Certain
Revisions to SIPL’s Reported COM
Comment 8: Whether to Remove Raw
Material Offsets Related to Profit Earned
on Sales of Raw Materials Between BCPL
and SIPL
Comment 9: Whether Inox’s Cost
Reconciliation is Misstated for both the
Merchandise Under Consideration
(MUC) and Non-MUC
Comment 10: Whether Inox’s Direct
Material Costs Are Unreconciled and
Unsupported by Record Evidence
Comment 11: Whether Inox Understated its
Reported Direct Material Costs
Comment 12: Whether Commerce Should
Revise Inox’s Scrap Offset
Comment 13: Whether Commerce Should
Revise Inox’s General and
Administrative Expense Ratio
VI. Recommendation
[FR Doc. 2024–08450 Filed 4–19–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[C–533–913]
Certain Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders
From India: Final Affirmative
Countervailing Duty Determination
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Commerce (Commerce) determines that
countervailable subsidies are being
provided to producers and exporters of
certain non-refillable steel cylinders
(steel cylinders) from India. The period
AGENCY:
PO 00000
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Sfmt 4703
Applicable April 22, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shane Subler or Rachel Accorsi, AD/
CVD Operations, Office VIII,
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–6241 or
(202) 482–3149, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On September 29, 2023, Commerce
published the Preliminary
Determination in the Federal Register.1
Subsequently, on February 8, 2024,
Commerce released its Post-Preliminary
Analysis.2 For a complete description of
the events that followed the Preliminary
Determination, see the Issues and
Decision Memorandum.3 The Issues and
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 Issues and Decision
Memorandum can be accessed directly
at https://access.trade.gov/public/
FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.
Scope of the Investigation
The products covered by this
investigation are steel cylinders. For a
complete description of the scope of this
investigation, see Appendix I.
Scope Comments
No interested party commented on the
scope of the investigation as it appeared
in the Preliminary Determination.
Therefore, no changes were made to the
scope of the investigation.
1 See Certain Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders from
India: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty
Determination and Alignment of Final
Determination With Final Antidumping Duty
Determination, 88 FR 67231 (September 29, 2023)
(Preliminary Determination), and accompanying
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
2 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for
the Post-Preliminary Analysis in the Countervailing
Duty Investigation of Certain Non-Refillable Steel
Cylinders from India,’’ dated February 8, 2024
(Post-Preliminary Analysis).
3 See Memorandum, ‘‘Issues and Decision
Memorandum for the Final Affirmative
Determination of the Countervailing Duty
Investigation of Certain Non-Refillable Steel
Cylinders from India,’’ dated concurrently with,
and hereby adopted by, this notice (Issues and
Decision Memorandum).
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 78 / Monday, April 22, 2024 / Notices
Verification
Commerce conducted verification of
the information relied upon in making
its final determination in this
investigation, in accordance with
section 782(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930,
as amended (the Act). Specifically, we
conducted on-site verifications of the
Government of India, Inox India Ltd.
(Inox), and Bhiwadi Cylinders Private
Limited (Bhiwadi) in February 2024
using standard verification procedures,
including an examination of relevant
sales and accounting records, and
original source documents provided by
the respondents.4
Analysis of Comments Received
The subsidy programs under
investigation, and the issues raised in
the case and rebuttal briefs by parties in
this investigation, are discussed in the
Issues and Decision Memorandum. For
a list of the issues raised by parties, and
to which we responded in the Issues
and Decision Memorandum, see
Appendix II.
Methodology
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Commerce conducted this
investigation in accordance with section
701 of the Act. For each of the subsidy
programs found to be countervailable,
Commerce determines that there is a
subsidy, i.e., a financial contribution by
an ‘‘authority’’ that gives rise to a
benefit to the recipient, and that the
subsidy is specific.5 For a full
description of the methodology
underlying our final determination, see
the Issues and Decision Memorandum.
In making this final determination,
Commerce relied, in part, on facts
available and, because it finds that the
Government of India did not act to the
best of its ability to respond to
Commerce’s requests for information,
Commerce has drawn an adverse
inference where appropriate in selecting
from among the facts otherwise
available. For a full discussion of our
application of adverse facts available,
see the ‘‘Use of Facts Otherwise
Available and Application of Adverse
Inferences’’ section in the Issues and
Decision Memorandum.
4 See Memoranda, ‘‘Verification of the
Questionnaire Responses of INOX India Ltd.,’’
dated March 1, 2024; ‘‘Verification of the
Questionnaire Responses of the Government of
India,’’ dated March 1, 2024; and ‘‘Verification of
the Questionnaire Responses of Bhiwadi Cylinders
Private Limited,’’ dated March 7, 2024.
5 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.
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Changes Since the Preliminary
Determination and Post-Preliminary
Analysis
Based on our findings at verification
and our review and analysis of the
comments received from parties, for this
final determination, we made certain
changes to the countervailable subsidy
rate calculations for Inox, Bhiwadi, and
for all other producers/exporters. For a
discussion of these changes, see the
Issues and Decision Memorandum.
All-Others Rate
Pursuant to section 705(c)(5)(A)(i) of
the Act, Commerce will determine an
all-others rate equal to the weightedaverage countervailable subsidy rates
established for exporters and/or
producers individually investigated,
excluding any zero and de minimis
countervailable subsidy rates, and any
rates based entirely under section 776 of
the Act. We continue to calculate
individual estimated countervailable
subsidy rates for Bhiwadi and Inox that
are not zero, de minimis, or based
entirely on facts otherwise available.
We, therefore, continue to calculate the
all-others rate using a weighted average
of the individual estimated subsidy
rates calculated for Bhiwadi and Inox,
the individually examined exporters/
producers in this investigation,
pursuant to section 705(c)(5)(A)(i) of the
Act.
Final Determination
Commerce determines that the
following estimated countervailable
subsidy rates exist for the period April
1, 2022, through March 31, 2023:
Subsidy
rate
ad valorem
(percent)
Company
29297
Continuation of Suspension of
Liquidation
As a result of our Preliminary
Determination, and pursuant to sections
703(d)(1)(B) and (d)(2) of the Act,
Commerce instructed U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) to collect cash
deposits and suspend liquidation of
entries of subject merchandise as
described in the scope of the
investigation section entered, or
withdrawn from warehouse, for
consumption on or after September 29,
2023, the date of publication of the
Preliminary Determination in the
Federal Register. In accordance with
section 703(d) of the Act, on January 29,
2024, we instructed CBP to discontinue
the suspension of liquidation of all
entries of subject merchandise entered
or withdrawn from warehouse on or
after January 27, 2024, but to continue
the suspension of liquidation of all
entries of subject merchandise on or
after September 29, 2023, to on or before
January 26, 2024.
If the U.S. International Trade
Commission (ITC) issues a final
affirmative injury determination, we
will issue a countervailing duty order,
reinstate the suspension of liquidation
under section 706(a) of the Act, and
require a cash deposit of estimated
countervailing duties for such entries of
subject merchandise in the amounts
indicated above, in accordance with
section 706(a) of the Act. If the ITC
determines that material injury, or
threat of material injury, does not exist,
this proceeding will be terminated, and
all estimated duties deposited or
securities posted as a result of the
suspension of liquidation will be
refunded or canceled.
ITC Notification
In accordance with section 705(d) of
the Act, Commerce will notify the ITC
of its final affirmative determination
Bhiwadi Cylinders Private Limthat countervailable subsidies are being
ited 6 ........................................
2.48
provided to producers and exporters of
Inox India Ltd ..............................
2.26
steel cylinders from India. As
All Others ....................................
2.38
Commerce’s final determination is
affirmative, in accordance with section
Disclosure
705(b) of the Act, the ITC will
determine, within 45 days, whether the
Commerce intends to disclose its
domestic industry in the United States
calculations and analysis performed to
is materially injured, or threatened with
interested parties in this final
material injury, by reason of imports of
determination within five days of any
steel cylinders from India. In addition,
public announcement, or if there is no
we are making available to the ITC all
public announcement, within five days
non-privileged and non-proprietary
of the date of the publication of this
information related to this investigation.
notice in the Federal Register, in
We will allow the ITC access to all
accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).
privileged and business proprietary
information in our files, provided the
6 Commerce finds the following company to be
ITC confirms that it will not disclose
cross-owned with Bhiwadi Cylinders Private
Limited: Sapphire (India) Private Limited.
such information, either publicly or
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22APN1
29298
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 78 / Monday, April 22, 2024 / Notices
under an administrative protective order
(APO), without the written consent of
the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement
and Compliance.
Administrative Protective Order
In the event that the ITC issues a final
negative injury determination, this
notice will serve as the only reminder
to parties subject to an APO of their
responsibility concerning the
destruction of proprietary information
disclosed under APO, in accordance
with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely
written notification of the return/
destruction of APO materials or
conversion to judicial protective order is
hereby requested. Failure to comply
with the regulations and terms of an
APO is a violation which is subject to
sanction.
Notification to Interested Parties
This determination is issued and
published pursuant to sections 705(d)
and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR
351.210(c).
Dated: April 15, 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.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Appendix I
Scope of the Investigation
The merchandise covered by this
investigation is certain seamed (welded or
brazed), non-refillable steel cylinders
meeting the requirements of, or produced to
meet the requirements of, U.S. Department of
Transportation specification 39,
TransportCanada specification 39M, or
United Nations pressure receptacle standard
ISO 11118 and otherwise meeting the
description provided below (non-refillable
steel cylinders). The subject non-refillable
steel cylinders are portable and range from
100-cubic inch (1.6 liter) water capacity to
1,526-cubic inch (25 liter) water capacity.
Subject non-refillable steel cylinders may be
imported with or without a valve and/or
pressure release device and are unfilled at
the time of importation. Non-refillable steel
cylinders filled with pressurized air
otherwise meeting the physical description
above are covered by this investigation.
Specifically excluded are seamless nonrefillable steel cylinders.
The merchandise subject to this
investigation is properly classified under
statistical reporting numbers 7311.00.0060
and 7311.00.0090 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The
merchandise may also enter under HTSUS
statistical reporting numbers 7310.29.0030
and 7310.29.0065. Although the HTSUS
statistical reporting numbers are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the merchandise is
dispositive.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
06:41 Apr 20, 2024
Jkt 262001
Appendix II
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
List of Topics Discussed in the Issues and
Decision Memorandum
International Trade Administration
I. Summary
II. Background
III. Scope of the Investigation
IV. Subsidies Valuation Information
V. Use of Facts Otherwise Available and
Application of Adverse Inferences
VI. Analysis of Programs
VII. Discussion of the Issues
Comment 1: Whether Commerce
Incorrectly Found the Duty Drawback
(DDB) Program to Be Countervailable
Comment 2: Whether Commerce
Incorrectly Determined that the
Mandatory Respondents Benefited from
the Merchandise Export from India
Scheme (MEIS) and Target Plus Scheme
(TPS) After the Programs Were
Discontinued
Comment 3a: Whether Commerce Should
Revise the Calculation of the Export
Promotion of Capital Goods Scheme
(EPCGS) Benefit for Inox
Comment 3b: Whether Commerce
Incorrectly Found the EPCGS to Be
Countervailable
Comment 4a: Whether Commerce
Incorrectly Found the Remission of
Duties and Taxes on Export Products
(RODTEP) Scheme to Be Countervailable
Comment 4b: Whether Commerce Should
Amend Its Benefit Calculation
Methodology for the RODTEP Program
Comment 5a: Whether Commerce Erred by
Applying Adverse Facts Available (AFA)
in Its Specificity Determinations for the
Provision of Cold-Rolled (CR) Steel by
the Steel Authority of India Limited
(SAIL) for Less Than Adequate
Remuneration (LTAR) and the Provision
of Hot-Rolled (HR) Steel by SAIL for
LTAR Programs
Comment 5b: Whether SAIL Is a
Government ‘‘Authority’’
Comment 5c: Whether Commerce Should
Find the Indian CR Steel and HR Steel
Markets to Be Distorted by the
Government of India’s (GOI)
Involvement
Comment 5d: Whether Commerce Properly
Countervailed Bhiwadi’s HR Coil
Purchases
Comment 6: Whether Commerce Should
Correct Its Status Holders Incentive
Scheme (SHIS) Benefit Calculation
Methodology
Comment 7: Whether Inox Received a
Stamp Duty Exemption Within the
Kandla Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to
Produce Subject Merchandise
Comment 8: Whether the Mukhyamantri
Apprentice Training Scheme (MATS)
Confers a Countervailable Subsidy
VIII. Recommendation
[A–580–916]
[FR Doc. 2024–08451 Filed 4–19–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
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Brass Rod From the Republic of
Korea: Final Affirmative Determination
of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Commerce (Commerce) determines that
brass rod from the Republic of Korea
(Korea) is being, or is likely to be, sold
in the United States at less than fair
value (LTFV) for the period of
investigation (POI) April 1, 2022,
through March 31, 2023.
DATES: Applicable April 22, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Krisha Hill or Drew Jackson, 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) 482–4037 or (202) 482–4406,
respectively.
AGENCY:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On December 1, 2023, Commerce
published in the Federal Register its
preliminary affirmative determination
in the LTFV investigation of brass rod
from Korea, in which it also postponed
the final determination until April 15,
2023.1 We invited interested parties to
comment on the Preliminary
Determination.
A summary of the events that
occurred since Commerce published the
Preliminary Determination, as well as a
full discussion of the issues raised by
parties for this final determination may
be found in the Issues and Decision
Memorandum.2 The Issues and Decision
1 See Brass Rod from the Republic of Korea:
Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at
Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final
Determination, and Extension of Provisional
Measures, 88 FR 83915 (December 1, 2023)
(Preliminary Determination), and accompanying
Preliminary Decision Memorandum (PDM)
(Postponing the final determination to 135 days
after the publication of the Preliminary
Determination would place the deadline on Sunday
April 14, 2024. Pursuant to the ‘‘Next Business
Day’’ rule, where a deadline falls on a weekend or
federal holiday, the appropriate deadline is the next
business day. See Notice of Clarification:
Application of ‘‘Next Business Day’’ Rule for
Administrative Determination Deadlines Pursuant
to the Tariff Act of 1930, As Amended, 70 FR 24533
(May 10, 2005)).
2 See Memorandum, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for
the Final Affirmative Determination of Sales at
Less-Than-Fair-Value in the Investigation of Brass
Rod from the Republic of Korea,’’ dated
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 78 (Monday, April 22, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29296-29298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08451]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[C-533-913]
Certain Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders From India: Final
Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that
countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters
of certain non-refillable steel cylinders (steel cylinders) from India.
The period of investigation (POI) is April 1, 2022, through March 31,
2023.
DATES: Applicable April 22, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shane Subler or Rachel Accorsi, AD/CVD
Operations, Office VIII, Enforcement and Compliance, International
Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-6241 or (202)
482-3149, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On September 29, 2023, Commerce published the Preliminary
Determination in the Federal Register.\1\ Subsequently, on February 8,
2024, Commerce released its Post-Preliminary Analysis.\2\ For a
complete description of the events that followed the Preliminary
Determination, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.\3\ The Issues
and 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 Issues and Decision Memorandum can
be accessed directly at https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Certain Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders from India:
Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and
Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty
Determination, 88 FR 67231 (September 29, 2023) (Preliminary
Determination), and accompanying Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
\2\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Post-
Preliminary Analysis in the Countervailing Duty Investigation of
Certain Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders from India,'' dated February
8, 2024 (Post-Preliminary Analysis).
\3\ See Memorandum, ``Issues and Decision Memorandum for the
Final Affirmative Determination of the Countervailing Duty
Investigation of Certain Non-Refillable Steel Cylinders from
India,'' dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice
(Issues and Decision Memorandum).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scope of the Investigation
The products covered by this investigation are steel cylinders. For
a complete description of the scope of this investigation, see Appendix
I.
Scope Comments
No interested party commented on the scope of the investigation as
it appeared in the Preliminary Determination. Therefore, no changes
were made to the scope of the investigation.
[[Page 29297]]
Verification
Commerce conducted verification of the information relied upon in
making its final determination in this investigation, in accordance
with section 782(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act).
Specifically, we conducted on-site verifications of the Government of
India, Inox India Ltd. (Inox), and Bhiwadi Cylinders Private Limited
(Bhiwadi) in February 2024 using standard verification procedures,
including an examination of relevant sales and accounting records, and
original source documents provided by the respondents.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See Memoranda, ``Verification of the Questionnaire Responses
of INOX India Ltd.,'' dated March 1, 2024; ``Verification of the
Questionnaire Responses of the Government of India,'' dated March 1,
2024; and ``Verification of the Questionnaire Responses of Bhiwadi
Cylinders Private Limited,'' dated March 7, 2024.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analysis of Comments Received
The subsidy programs under investigation, and the issues raised in
the case and rebuttal briefs by parties in this investigation, are
discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum. For a list of the
issues raised by parties, and to which we responded in the Issues and
Decision Memorandum, see Appendix II.
Methodology
Commerce conducted this investigation in accordance with section
701 of the Act. For each of the subsidy programs found to be
countervailable, Commerce determines that there is a subsidy, i.e., a
financial contribution by an ``authority'' that gives rise to a benefit
to the recipient, and that the subsidy is specific.\5\ For a full
description of the methodology underlying our final determination, see
the Issues and Decision Memorandum.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In making this final determination, Commerce relied, in part, on
facts available and, because it finds that the Government of India did
not act to the best of its ability to respond to Commerce's requests
for information, Commerce has drawn an adverse inference where
appropriate in selecting from among the facts otherwise available. For
a full discussion of our application of adverse facts available, see
the ``Use of Facts Otherwise Available and Application of Adverse
Inferences'' section in the Issues and Decision Memorandum.
Changes Since the Preliminary Determination and Post-Preliminary
Analysis
Based on our findings at verification and our review and analysis
of the comments received from parties, for this final determination, we
made certain changes to the countervailable subsidy rate calculations
for Inox, Bhiwadi, and for all other producers/exporters. For a
discussion of these changes, see the Issues and Decision Memorandum.
All-Others Rate
Pursuant to section 705(c)(5)(A)(i) of the Act, Commerce will
determine an all-others rate equal to the weighted-average
countervailable subsidy rates established for exporters and/or
producers individually investigated, excluding any zero and de minimis
countervailable subsidy rates, and any rates based entirely under
section 776 of the Act. We continue to calculate individual estimated
countervailable subsidy rates for Bhiwadi and Inox that are not zero,
de minimis, or based entirely on facts otherwise available. We,
therefore, continue to calculate the all-others rate using a weighted
average of the individual estimated subsidy rates calculated for
Bhiwadi and Inox, the individually examined exporters/producers in this
investigation, pursuant to section 705(c)(5)(A)(i) of the Act.
Final Determination
Commerce determines that the following estimated countervailable
subsidy rates exist for the period April 1, 2022, through March 31,
2023:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ Commerce finds the following company to be cross-owned with
Bhiwadi Cylinders Private Limited: Sapphire (India) Private Limited.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsidy
rate ad
Company valorem
(percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bhiwadi Cylinders Private Limited \6\....................... 2.48
Inox India Ltd.............................................. 2.26
All Others.................................................. 2.38
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclosure
Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis
performed to interested parties in this final determination within five
days of any public announcement, or if there is no public announcement,
within five days of the date of the publication of this notice in the
Federal Register, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).
Continuation of Suspension of Liquidation
As a result of our Preliminary Determination, and pursuant to
sections 703(d)(1)(B) and (d)(2) of the Act, Commerce instructed U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect cash deposits and
suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise as described in
the scope of the investigation section entered, or withdrawn from
warehouse, for consumption on or after September 29, 2023, the date of
publication of the Preliminary Determination in the Federal Register.
In accordance with section 703(d) of the Act, on January 29, 2024, we
instructed CBP to discontinue the suspension of liquidation of all
entries of subject merchandise entered or withdrawn from warehouse on
or after January 27, 2024, but to continue the suspension of
liquidation of all entries of subject merchandise on or after September
29, 2023, to on or before January 26, 2024.
If the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issues a final
affirmative injury determination, we will issue a countervailing duty
order, reinstate the suspension of liquidation under section 706(a) of
the Act, and require a cash deposit of estimated countervailing duties
for such entries of subject merchandise in the amounts indicated above,
in accordance with section 706(a) of the Act. If the ITC determines
that material injury, or threat of material injury, does not exist,
this proceeding will be terminated, and all estimated duties deposited
or securities posted as a result of the suspension of liquidation will
be refunded or canceled.
ITC Notification
In accordance with section 705(d) of the Act, Commerce will notify
the ITC of its final affirmative determination that countervailable
subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of steel
cylinders from India. As Commerce's final determination is affirmative,
in accordance with section 705(b) of the Act, the ITC will determine,
within 45 days, whether the domestic industry in the United States is
materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of
imports of steel cylinders from India. In addition, we are making
available to the ITC all non-privileged and non-proprietary information
related to this investigation. We will allow the ITC access to all
privileged and business proprietary information in our files, provided
the ITC confirms that it will not disclose such information, either
publicly or
[[Page 29298]]
under an administrative protective order (APO), without the written
consent of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
Administrative Protective Order
In the event that the ITC issues a final negative injury
determination, this notice will serve as the only reminder to parties
subject to an APO of their responsibility concerning the destruction of
proprietary information disclosed under APO, in accordance with 19 CFR
351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return/destruction of
APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby
requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO
is a violation which is subject to sanction.
Notification to Interested Parties
This determination is issued and published pursuant to sections
705(d) and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.210(c).
Dated: April 15, 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 merchandise covered by this investigation is certain seamed
(welded or brazed), non-refillable steel cylinders meeting the
requirements of, or produced to meet the requirements of, U.S.
Department of Transportation specification 39, TransportCanada
specification 39M, or United Nations pressure receptacle standard
ISO 11118 and otherwise meeting the description provided below (non-
refillable steel cylinders). The subject non-refillable steel
cylinders are portable and range from 100-cubic inch (1.6 liter)
water capacity to 1,526-cubic inch (25 liter) water capacity.
Subject non-refillable steel cylinders may be imported with or
without a valve and/or pressure release device and are unfilled at
the time of importation. Non-refillable steel cylinders filled with
pressurized air otherwise meeting the physical description above are
covered by this investigation.
Specifically excluded are seamless non-refillable steel
cylinders.
The merchandise subject to this investigation is properly
classified under statistical reporting numbers 7311.00.0060 and
7311.00.0090 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS). The merchandise may also enter under HTSUS statistical
reporting numbers 7310.29.0030 and 7310.29.0065. Although the HTSUS
statistical reporting numbers are provided for convenience and
customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise is
dispositive.
Appendix II
List of Topics Discussed in the Issues and Decision Memorandum
I. Summary
II. Background
III. Scope of the Investigation
IV. Subsidies Valuation Information
V. Use of Facts Otherwise Available and Application of Adverse
Inferences
VI. Analysis of Programs
VII. Discussion of the Issues
Comment 1: Whether Commerce Incorrectly Found the Duty Drawback
(DDB) Program to Be Countervailable
Comment 2: Whether Commerce Incorrectly Determined that the
Mandatory Respondents Benefited from the Merchandise Export from
India Scheme (MEIS) and Target Plus Scheme (TPS) After the Programs
Were Discontinued
Comment 3a: Whether Commerce Should Revise the Calculation of
the Export Promotion of Capital Goods Scheme (EPCGS) Benefit for
Inox
Comment 3b: Whether Commerce Incorrectly Found the EPCGS to Be
Countervailable
Comment 4a: Whether Commerce Incorrectly Found the Remission of
Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RODTEP) Scheme to Be
Countervailable
Comment 4b: Whether Commerce Should Amend Its Benefit
Calculation Methodology for the RODTEP Program
Comment 5a: Whether Commerce Erred by Applying Adverse Facts
Available (AFA) in Its Specificity Determinations for the Provision
of Cold-Rolled (CR) Steel by the Steel Authority of India Limited
(SAIL) for Less Than Adequate Remuneration (LTAR) and the Provision
of Hot-Rolled (HR) Steel by SAIL for LTAR Programs
Comment 5b: Whether SAIL Is a Government ``Authority''
Comment 5c: Whether Commerce Should Find the Indian CR Steel and
HR Steel Markets to Be Distorted by the Government of India's (GOI)
Involvement
Comment 5d: Whether Commerce Properly Countervailed Bhiwadi's HR
Coil Purchases
Comment 6: Whether Commerce Should Correct Its Status Holders
Incentive Scheme (SHIS) Benefit Calculation Methodology
Comment 7: Whether Inox Received a Stamp Duty Exemption Within
the Kandla Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to Produce Subject
Merchandise
Comment 8: Whether the Mukhyamantri Apprentice Training Scheme
(MATS) Confers a Countervailable Subsidy
VIII. Recommendation
[FR Doc. 2024-08451 Filed 4-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P