China Steel Wire Rod: New AD/CVD Investigations Deadlines & Scope
The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on carbon and alloy steel wire rod from China (A-570-012/C-570-013). The agency will determine whether imports of steel wire rod from China are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value or illegally subsidized.
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The AD duty period of investigation is July 1, 2013, through Dec. 31 2013. The CV duty period of investigation is Jan 1, 2013, through Dec. 31, 2013.
AD/CVD Respondent Selection
Commerce said it will pick respondents to the CV duty investigation based on CBP import data. The decisions will come within 20 days of the publication date of this initiation notice, by March 19. For the AD duty investigation, Commerce will send quantity and value questionnaires to each potential respondent, and will base respondent selection on the responses it receives. Chinese exporters that don't get a quantity and value questionnaire can still submit one. Commerce said it will post a copy of the quantity and value questionnaire on its website (here).
AD Separate Rate Applications
For AD investigations involving non-market economy (NME) countries such as China, Commerce requires that respondents submit a response to both the Q&V questionnaire and the separate rate application by the respective deadlines in order to prove independence from state control and receive consideration for separate rate status. Commerce will calculate combination rates for certain respondents that are eligible for a separate rate in this investigation, instead of assigning them the typically high China-wide rate. Separate-rate status applications are due 60 days after publication of the AD initiation notice in the Federal Register (i.e., April 28). The separate rate application is available (here).
Scope of the AD/CVD Investigations
"The merchandise covered by this investigation is certain hot-rolled products of carbon steel and alloy steel, in coils, of approximately circular cross section, less than 19.00 mm in actual solid cross-sectional diameter. Specifically excluded are steel products possessing the above-noted physical characteristics and meeting the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) definitions for (a) stainless steel; (b) tool steel; (c) high nickel steel; (d) ball bearing steel; or (e) concrete reinforcing bars and rods. Also excluded are free cutting steel (also known as free machining steel) products (i.e., products that contain by weight one or more of the following elements: 0.1 percent or more of lead, 0.05 percent or more of bismuth, 0.08 percent or more of sulfur, more than 0.04 percent of phosphorus, more than 0.05 percent of selenium, or more than 0.01 percent of tellurium). All products meeting the physical description of subject merchandise that are not specifically excluded are included in this scope.
"The products under investigation are currently classifiable under subheadings 7213.91.3011, 7213.91.3015, 7213.91.3020, 7213.91.3093; 7213.91.4500, 7213.91.6000, 7213.99.0030, 7227.20.0030, 7227.20.0080, 7227.90.6010, 7227.90.6020, 7227.90.6030, and 7227.90.6035 of the HTSUS. Products entered under subheadings 7213.99.0090 and 7227.90.6090 of the HTSUS also may be included in this scope if they meet the physical description of subject merchandise above. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of this proceeding is dispositive."
Comments on Scope Due by March 12
Commerce said it discussed the scope with petitioners to ensure it's an accurate reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is seeking relief. Comments on the scope of both investigations are due by March 12.
Investigations Timetable
| Event | AD Duty | CV Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Petitions filed | 01/31/14 | 01/31/14 |
| DOC initiation date | 02/20/14 | 02/20/14 |
| ITC prelim determination1 | 03/17/14 | 03/17/14 |
| DOC prelim determination2 | 07/10/14 | 04/28/14 |
| DOC final determination2 | 09/23/14 | 07/10/14 |
| ITC final determination3 | 11/07/14 | 08/25/14 |
| Issuance of orders4 | 11/14/14 | 09/02/14 |
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 14020323 for summary of the Commerce Department's receipt of the petition underlying the initiation of this investigation.)
The AD duty initiation notice is (here).
The CV duty initiation notice is (here).
The Commerce Department fact sheet on the initiation of these investigations is (here).