Diamond Sawblades Importer Under EAPA Investigation
CBP is investigating Gogo International in response to allegations of evasion of antidumping duties required on imported diamond sawblades from China, CBP said in a May 19 notice. The investigation stems from allegations filed under the Enforce and Protect Act by the Diamond Sawblades Manufacturers’ Coalition, CBP said. The group alleged that Gogo evaded AD/CV duties using transshipment. The coalition is represented by Wiley lawyer Daniel Pickard. The Commerce Department recently issued a scope ruling in the case following a CBP request (see 2104300081).
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Diamond sawblades from China are subject to AD order (A-570-900) and the DSMC alleged “that Gogo acts as the importer of record for Chinese-origin diamond sawblades that are wholly manufactured in China, transshipped through Canada, and presented as Canadian-origin goods upon" importation, CBP said. The group also alleged that "an affiliate of Gogo, Protech Diamond Tools Inc. (Protech Canada), attaches Chinese-origin segments and Chinese-origin cores to assemble diamond sawblades in Canada, which Gogo then imports" into the U.S.
CBP found that there was evidence to create reasonable suspicion of evasion based on a combination of reports of large inventories of Chinese diamond sawblades, “the absence of Canadian production operational resources" and other factors, it said. In response to requests for information, Gogo's documentation “showed that the merchandise Gogo imported into the United States consisted of diamond sawblades that were assembled at Protech Canada’s facility in Canada using Chinese-origin segments and Chinese-origin cores," CBP said. “In particular, both of Gogo’s CF-28 responses contained documentation demonstrating that Protech Canada had sourced steel cores and diamond segments from" China.
The record shows that reasonable suspicion exists, CBP said. As a result, it imposed “interim measures" on Gogo, it said. The measures include suspended liquidation for past entries and live entry requirements for future entries.