The Commerce Department issued a Federal Register notice on its recently initiated antidumping duty investigation on 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane from China (A-570-044) (here). The agency will determine whether imports of merchandise subject to this investigation are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. The period of investigation is July 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2015.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a reference manual that provides duty rates for almost every item that exists. It is a system of classifying and taxing all goods imported into the United States. The HTS is based on the international Harmonized System, which is a global standard for naming and describing trade products, and consists of a hierarchical structure that assigns a specific code and rate to each type of merchandise for duty, quota, and statistical purposes. The HTS was made effective on January 1, 1989, replacing the former Tariff Schedules of the United States. It is maintained by the U.S. International Trade Commission, but the Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the HTS.
The Vanadium Producers and Reclaimers Association filed a petition on March 28 with the Commerce Department and International Trade Commission asking new antidumping duties on ferrovanadium from South Korea. The coalition of four domestic manufacturers alleges antidumping duties on ferrovanadium from China have resulted in an almost complete stop in that country's exports to the U.S., but that Chinese companies are getting around those duties by selling raw materials to South Korean companies that then sell in the U.S. at less than fair value.
CBP is requesting comments by April 14 on an existing information collection for duty free holders or containers. CBP proposes (here) to extend the expiration date of this information collection without a change to the burden hours or information collected.
The Commerce Department issued a Federal Register notice on its recently initiated countervailing duty investigation on stainless steel sheet and strip from China (C-570-043) (here). The agency will determine whether imports of merchandise subject to this investigation are being illegally subsidized. The period of investigation is Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2015.
Metallurgical Products Company filed a petition on March 9 with the Commerce Department and International Trade Commission asking new antidumping duties on phosphor copper from South Korea. Phosphor copper is used mostly to manufacture copper tubing and phosphor copper brazing rods by brazing rod manufacturers, and is also used by brass mills, foundries, and in products that are produced by copper and brass melting, said the petition.
The Commerce Department issued a Federal Register notice on its recently initiated antidumping duty investigation on stainless steel sheet and strip from China (A-570-042) (here). The agency will determine whether imports of merchandise subject to this investigation are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. The period of investigation is July 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2015.
A group of U.S. steelmakers filed a petition on March 3 with the Commerce Department and International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping duties on 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane from China. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD duty investigations on imports of the refrigerant, also known as R-134a, based on the request by the American HFC Coalition, which includes seven U.S.-based manufacturers, and District Lodge 154 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) is asking for public comment about a request by the Moroccan government for the U.S. to reconsider certain apparel rules of origin under the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement, to address availability of supply of 100-percent viscose woven fabric in both countries, CITA said (here). The U.S. received the request on Jan. 27 from the Government of Morocco on behalf of HTL Fashion to start bilateral consultation on rules of origin. Specifically, CITA is seeking information about whether 100-percent viscose woven fabric of U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule Subheading 5408.24 can be expeditiously supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities, CITA said. Comments must be submitted by March 31 to the CITA Chairman, Room 3001, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, or to OTEXA_moroccoFTA@trade.gov.
The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on truck and bus tires from China (A-570-040/C-570-041). The agency will determine whether imports of Chinese truck and bus tires are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value or illegally subsidized. The period under investigation in the CV duty case is Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2015. In the AD duty investigation, the period of investigation is July 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2015.
The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on amorphous silica fabric from China (A-570-038/C-570-039). The agency will determine whether imports of Chinese amorphous silica fabric, which is used in industrial applications to make welding curtains, welding blankets, welding pads, and fire blankets, are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value or illegally subsidized. The period under investigation in the CV duty case is Jan. 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2015. In the AD duty investigation, it's July 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2015.