International Trade Commission October 7, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Following adoption by the World Customs Organization (WCO) of certain recommended modifications to the Harmonized System on June 11, 2015, the Commission has instituted investigation No. 1205-12, Commission Recommendations to the President to Modify the Tariff Nomenclature in Chapters 3, 44, and 63 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, pursuant to section 1205 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (the 1988 Act) (19 U.S.C. 3005). The WCO recommendation calls upon the Contracting Parties to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Convention) to amend their tariff nomenclature to make certain corrections to Chapters 3 and 63, and to make further amendments to their nomenclature relating to Chapter 44 that were inadvertently omitted from the Council Recommendation of June 27, 2014. The amendments to Chapters 3 and 63 are expected to enter into force on January 1, 2017, and the amendments to Chapter 44, on January 1, 2018. The amendments to Chapters 3 and 63 relate to the text of certain subheadings of headings 03.01 and 03.03 (certain fish), and Subheading Note 1 to Chapter 63 and subheading 6304.20 (certain textiles). The amendments to Chapter 44 relate to several subheadings for certain wood and wood products.

The Commission hereby gives notice of the institution of investigations and commencement of preliminary phase antidumping and countervailing duty investigation Nos. 701-TA-548 and 731-TA-1298 (Preliminary) pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930 (``the Act'') to determine whether there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury, or the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded, by reason of imports of welded stainless steel pressure pipe from India, provided for in subheadings 7306.40.50 and 7306.40.10 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that are alleged to be subsidized by the Government of India and are alleged to be sold in the United States at less than fair value. Unless the Department of Commerce extends the time for initiation, the Commission must reach a preliminary determination in antidumping and countervailing duty investigations in 45 days, or in this case by November 16, 2015. The Commission's views must be transmitted to Commerce within five business days thereafter, or by November 23, 2015.