AD/CV: China, Germany, Korea Lightweight Thermal Paper

Separate Rate Applications for China AD Investigation Due December 10th

The ITA requires exporters and producers seeking separate rate status in the AD investigation for China to submit a separate rate application no later than December 10, 2007. The AD separate rate application is available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/ia-highlights-and-news.html.

(The ITA notes that it intends to select respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for U.S. imports during the period of investigation.)

Scope of the Investigations

The merchandise covered by each of these investigations includes certain lightweight thermal paper, which is thermal paper with a basis weight of 70 grams per square meter (g/m) (with a tolerance of 4.0 g/m) or less; irrespective of dimensions¹; with or without a base coat² on one or both sides; with thermal active coating(s)³ on one or both sides that is a mixture of the dye and the developer that react and form an image when heat is applied; with or without a top coat⁴; and without an adhesive backing. Certain lightweight thermal paper is typically (but not exclusively) used in point-of-sale applications such as ATM receipts, credit card receipts, gas pump receipts, and retail store receipts.

HTS Classification. The merchandise subject to these investigations may be classified in HTS 4811.90.8040 and 4811.90.9090⁵. The ITA notes that although HTS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written descriptions of the scope of these investigations are dispositive.

¹LWTP is typically produced in jumbo rolls that are slit to the specifications of the converting equipment and then converted into finished slit rolls. Both jumbo rolls and converted rolls (as well as LWTP in any other forms, presentations, or dimensions) are

covered by the scope of these investigations.

²A base coat, when applied, is typically made of clay and/or latex and like materials and is intended to cover the rough surface of the paper substrate and to provide insulating value.

³A thermal active coating is typically made of sensitizer, dye, and co-reactant.

⁴A top coat, when applied, is typically made of polyvinyl acetone, polyvinyl alcohol, and/or like materials and is intended to provide environmental protection, an improved surface for press printing, and/or wear protection for the thermal print head.

⁵HTS 4811.90.8000 was a classification used for LWTP until January 1, 2007. Effective that date, HTS 4811.90.8000 was replaced with 4811.90.8020 (for gift wrap, a non-subject product) and 4811.90.8040 (for "other," including LWTP). HTS 4811.90.9000 was a classification for LWTP until July 1, 2005. Effective that date, subheading 4811.90.9000 was replaced with 4811.90.9010 (for tissue paper, a non-subject product) and 4811.90.9090 (for "other," including LWTP). The petitioner in this investigation indicated that, from time to time, LWTP also may have been entered under HTS 3703.90, HTS heading 4805, and perhaps other HTS subheadings.

- separate rate applications for the China AD investigation due no later than 12/10/07

- comments on the scope of the AD investigations due within 20 calendar days of 10/29/07

- comments on the scope of the China CV investigation due within 20 calendar days of 11/02/07

- ITA's preliminary AD duty determinations due no later than 03/17/08

- ITA's preliminary China CV duty determination due no later than 01/02/08

- International Trade Commission's preliminary AD/CV injury determinations due no later than 11/23/07

ITA AD notice (FR Pub 11/05/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-21710.pdf

ITA China CV notice (FR Pub 11/02/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-21616.pdf

ITA Fact Sheet available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-lwtp-init-103007.pdf