Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam Welded Pressure Pipe: New AD Investigations Deadlines & Scope
The Commerce Department issued a Federal Register notice on its recently initiated antidumping investigations on welded stainless pressure pipe from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam (A-557-815, A-549-830, A-552-816). The agency will determine whether imports of the subject merchandise are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. A Commerce Department fact sheet said domestic petitioners alleged AD rates of 22.67 to 22.73 percent for Malaysian exporters, 23.77 to 24.01 percent for Thai companies, and 89.4 to 90.8 percent for Vietnamese exporters (see 13060702).
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The period of investigation for Vietnam is Oct. 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013. The period of investigation for Malaysia and Thailand is April 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013.
Respondent Selection
Commerce said the petition named one company as a producer of welded pressure pipe from Vietnam (Sonha), and two companies as producers from Thailand (Thai-German Products Public Co., Ltd. and Toyo Millennium). The agency said it knows of no other producers of subject merchandise. For Malaysia, Commerce said the petition identified seven exporters of welded pressure pipe. It said it will cut down on the number of respondents using CBP import data, and will make its decision within 20 days.
Scope of the AD Investigation
"The merchandise covered by these investigations is circular welded austenitic stainless pressure pipe not greater than 14 inches in outside diameter. For purposes of these investigations, references to size are in nominal inches and include all products within tolerances allowed by pipe specifications. This merchandise includes, but is not limited to, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A-312 or ASTM A-778 specifications, or comparable domestic or foreign specifications. ASTM A-358 products are only included when they are produced to meet ASTM A-312 or ASTM A-778 specifications, or comparable domestic or foreign specifications.
"Excluded from the scope are: (1) welded stainless mechanical tubing, meeting ASTM A-554 or comparable domestic or foreign specifications; (2) boiler, heat exchanger, superheater, refining furnace, feedwater heater, and condenser tubing, meeting ASTM A-249, ASTM A-688 or comparable domestic or foreign specifications; and (3) specialized tubing, meeting ASTM A269, ASTM A-270 or comparable domestic or foreign specifications.
"The subject imports are normally classified in subheadings 7306.40.5005, 7306.40.5040, 7306.40.5062, 7306.40.5064, and 7306.40.5085 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). They may also enter under HTSUS subheadings 7306.40.1010, 7306.40.1015, 7306.40.5042, 7306.40.5044, 7306.40.5080, and 7306.40.5090. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only; the written description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive."
Comments on Scope Due by June 25
Commerce said that it discussed the scope with petitioners to ensure that it is an accurate reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is seeking relief. Comments on the scope are due by June 25.
Investigations Timetable
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Petitions filed | 05/16/13 |
| DOC initiation date | 06/05/13 |
| ITC prelim determination1 | 07/01/13 |
| DOC prelim determination2 | 10/23/13 |
| DOC final determination2 | 01/06/14 |
| ITC final determination3 | 02/20/14 |
| Issuance of orders4 | 02/27/14 |
1If the ITC makes a negative determination of injury, the investigations are terminated.
2These deadlines may be extended under the governing statute.
3This will take place only in the event of Commerce Department final affirmative determinations.
4This will take place only in the event of Commerce and ITC final affirmative determinations.
(See 13052033 for summary of the Commerce Department's receipt of the petition underlying the initiation of this investigation.)
Commerce Department fact sheet available (here).