Uncoated Paper From Five Countries: New AD/CVD Investigations Deadlines & Scope
The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping duty investigations on uncoated paper from Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia and Portugal (A-602-807, A-351-842, A-570-022, A-560-828, A-471-807), and countervailing duty investigations on uncoated paper from China and Indonesia (C-570-023, C-560-829)
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The AD period of investigation for China is July 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2014. The AD period of investigation all other investigated countries is Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2014. The CVD period of investigation for China and Indonesia is Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2014.
AD/CVD Respondent Selection
For its China 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). Questionnaire responses are due Feb. 24.
For its other AD duty investigations, Commerce said it will pick respondents based on the petitions for the investigations and CBP data. Comments on respondent selection in the AD duty investigations on uncoated paper from Australia, Brazil, Indonesia and Portugal are due Feb. 18.
Commerce said it will rely on CBP data to pick the respondents for the China and Indonesia CVD investigations. Comments on CVD respondent selection are due by Feb. 18.
Scope of the AD/CVD Investigations
"The merchandise covered by these investigations includes uncoated paper in sheet form; weighing at least 40 grams per square meter but not more than 150 grams per square meter; that either is a white paper with a GE brightness level of 85 or higher or is a colored paper; whether or not surface-decorated, printed (except as described below), embossed, perforated, or punched; irrespective of the smoothness of the surface; and irrespective of dimensions (Certain Uncoated Paper).
"Certain Uncoated Paper includes (a) uncoated free sheet paper that meets this scope definition; (b) uncoated groundwood paper produced from bleached chemi-thermo-mechanical pulp (BCTMP) that meets this scope definition; and (c) any other uncoated paper that meets this scope definition regardless of the type of pulp used to produce the paper.
"Specifically excluded from the scope are (1) paper printed with final content of printed text or graphics and (2) lined paper products, typically school supplies, composed of paper that incorporates straight horizontal and/or vertical lines that would make the paper unsuitable for copying or printing purposes.
"Imports of the subject merchandise are provided for under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) categories 4802.56.1000, 4802.56.2000, 4802.56.3000, 4802.56.4000, 4802.56.6000, 4802.56.7020, 4802.56.7040, 4802.57.1000, 4802.57.2000, 4802.57.3000, and 4802.57.4000. Some imports of subject merchandise may also be classified under 4802.62.1000, 4802.62.2000, 4802.62.3000, 4802.62.5000, 4802.62.6020, 4802.62.6040, 4802.69.1000, 4802.69.2000, 4802.69.3000, 4811.90.8050 and 4811.90.9080. While HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of the investigations is dispositive."
Comments on Scope Due March 2
Participants in the AD/CVD investigations may submit comments on product coverage under the scope of the investigations. Comments on the scope are due by March 2.
Investigations Timetable
| Event | AD Duty | CV Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Petitions filed | 01/21/15 | 01/21/15 |
| DOC initiation date | 02/10/15 | 02/10/15 |
| ITC prelim determinations* | 03/09/15 | 03/09/15 |
| DOC prelim determinations† | 06/30/15 | 04/16/15 |
| DOC final determinations† | 09/14/15 | 06/30/15 |
| ITC final determinations‡ | 10/28/15 | 08/14/15 |
| Issuance of orders+ | 11/04/15 | 08/21/15 |
*If the ITC makes a negative determination of injury, the investigations are terminated.
†These deadlines may be extended under the governing statute.
‡This will take place only in the event of Commerce Department final affirmative determinations.
+This will take place only in the event of Commerce and ITC final affirmative determinations.
(See 1501220046 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).