AD: China Drill Pipe

(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/27/10 news, 10012735, for BP summary of the ITA's initiation of the companion countervailing duty investigation.)

Comments on Scope of the Investigation Due by February 10th

Comments on the scope of this AD duty investigation are due by February 10, 2010.

Comments on Product Characteristics for AD Questionnaire Due by Feb. 10th

The ITA is also requesting comments from interested parties regarding the appropriate physical characteristics of drill pipe to be reported in response to the AD questionnaire.

This information will be used to identify the key physical characteristics of the merchandise under consideration in order to more accurately report the relevant factors and costs of production, as well as to develop appropriate product comparison criteria.

Comments on product characteristics to be reported in response to the AD questionnaire must be submitted by February 10, 2010. (Rebuttal comments are due by February 17, 2010.)

Q&V Questionnaires Due by February 11th

The ITA is requesting quantity and value (Q&V) information from known exporters and producers identified with complete contact information in the AD petition. The Q&V data received will be used as the basis to select the mandatory respondents.

Q&V questionnaires will be available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/ia-highlights-and-news.html. Completed questionnaires are due by February 11, 2010.

Separate Rate Applications Due by March 29th

The ITA also requires exporters and producers seeking separate rate status in this AD duty investigation to submit a separate rate application no later than March 29, 2010. The separate rate application will be available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/nme-sep-rates/prc-dp/prc-dp-sra-012110.pdf.

The ITA requires that the respondents submit a response to both the Q&V questionnaire and the separate rate application by the respective deadlines in order to receive consideration for separate rate status.

The ITA will also calculate combination rates for certain respondents that are eligible for a separate rate in this investigation.

Comments on Targeted Dumping Due April 26th

Any interested party that wishes to make a targeted dumping allegation in this AD investigation may submit allegations by April 26, 2010 (i.e., no later than 45 days before the scheduled date of the ITA's preliminary determination).

(Note that in December 2008, the ITA issued an interim final rule for the purposes of withdrawing the regulations governing targeted dumping analysis in AD duty investigations. See ITT's Online Archives or 12/15/08 and 01/15/09 news, 08121525 and 09011535, for BP summaries of the interim final rule and extension of the comment period.)

Scope of the Investigation

The products covered by this investigation are steel drill pipe, and steel drill collars, whether or not conforming to American Petroleum Institute (API) or non-API specifications, whether finished or unfinished (including green tubes suitable for drill pipe), without regard to the specific chemistry of the steel (i.e., carbon, stainless steel, or other alloy steel), and without regard to length or outer diameter. The scope does not include tool joints not attached to the drill pipe, nor does it include unfinished tubes for casing or tubing covered by any other antidumping or countervailing duty order.

HTS classification. The subject products are currently classified in the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule numbers:

The ITA notes that although these HTS numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope is dispositive.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/06/10 news, 10010655, for BP summary of the International Trade Commission's institution of the AD/CV injury investigations on drill pipe from China.)

- ITA's preliminary AD duty determination due by 06/09/10

-International Trade Commission's preliminary AD injury determination due 02/16/10

ITA contact - Toni Dach (202) 482-1386

ITA notice (FR Pub 01/28/10) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-1795.pdf

ITA fact sheet available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-prc-drill-pipe-init-012110.pdf