Domestic Coalition Requests New AD/CV Duties on Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings From China
A coalition of domestic manufacturers filed a petition on July 13 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping and countervailing duties on cast iron soil pipe fittings from China. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations on cast iron soil pipe fittings that could eventually result in the assessment of AD/CV duties. The coalition that requested the duties, known as the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, includes as individual members AB&I Foundry, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, and Tyler Pipe.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
Proposed Scope
The petition proposes the following scope for the investigations:
The merchandise covered by these investigations is finished and unfinished cast iron soil pipe fittings (“CISPF”), regardless of industry or proprietary specifications. These are nonmalleable iron castings of various shapes and sizes used in conjunction with cast iron soil pipe in the sanitary and storm drain, waste and vent piping of buildings. These fittings include various designs and sizes, consisting of bends, tees, wyes, traps, drains, and other common or special fittings, with or without side inlets. CISPF are chemically different from most other types of nonmalleable fittings, and the configurations of the fittings are specific to the application. CISPF are not interchangeable with other types of non-malleable fittings.
Cast iron soil pipe and fittings are classified into two major types -- hub and spigot, and hubless. Hubless pipe and fittings are also referred to in the plumbing industry as no-hub. CISPF are distinguished from other types of nonmalleable cast iron fitting by the manner in which they are connected to cast iron soil pipe and other fittings. Hubless cast iron soil pipe and fittings are manufactured without a hub, generally in compliance with Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institue designation (CISPI) 301 and/or ASTM A888. The method of joining the pipe and fittings utilizes a metallic shielded hubless coupling, generally manufactured to CISPI 310 and/or ASTM A74, that telescopes over the plain ends of the pipe and fittings and is torqued to seal the joint. Hub and spigot pipe and fittings have hubs into which the spigot (plain end) of the pipe or fitting is inserted. The joint is sealed with a thermoset elastomeric gasket or lead and oakum.
The subject imports are normally classified in subheading 7307.11.0045 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”): Cast fittings of nonmalleable cast iron for cast iron soil pipe. They may also enter under other HTSUS subheadings. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only; the written description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.
Commerce Accepting Comments on Petition Support
The Commerce Department is accepting comments on domestic industry support for the petitions to determine whether the petitions meet the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic-like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic-like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. If the petitions meet these requirements, among others, Commerce will initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. Comments are due by Aug. 2.
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the petition.