Commerce Initiates Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations of Circular Welded Austenitic Stainless Pressure Pipe from China
February 25, 2008On February 20, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced its decision to initiate antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations on imports of circular welded austenitic stainless pressure pipe (CWASPP) from the People’s Republic of China (China).
Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than fair value. Subsidies are financial assistance from foreign governments that benefit the production, manufacture, or exportation of goods.
The merchandise covered by each of these investigations is CWASPP not greater than 14 inches in outside diameter. This merchandise includes, but is not limited to, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A-312 or ASTM A-778 specifications, or comparable domestic or foreign specifications. CWASPP is a commodity product generally used as a conduit for liquids or gasses.
CWASPP is currently classifiable in Chapter 73 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 7306.40.5005, 7306.40.5040, 7306.40.5062, 7306.40.5064, and 7306.40.5085. It may also enter under HTSUS subheadings 7306.40.1010, 7306.40.1015, 7306.40.5042, 7306.40.5044, 7306.40.5080, and 7306.40.5090. While HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, Commerce’s written description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.
Excluded from the scope are the following: (1) welded stainless mechanical tubing, meeting ASTM A-554 or comparable domestic or foreign specifications; (2) boiler, heat exchanger, superheater, refining furnace, feedwater heater, and condenser tubing, meeting ASTM A-249, ASTM A-688 or comparable domestic or foreign specifications; and (3) specialized tubing, meeting ASTM A- 269, ASTM A-270 or comparable domestic or foreign specifications.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determination on or about March 17, 2008. If the ITC determines that there is a reasonable indication that imports from China are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the domestic industry, the investigations will continue, and Commerce will be scheduled to make its preliminary CVD determination in April 2008, and its preliminary AD determination in July 2008.
For a fact sheet, visit the International Trade Administration’s Web site.
