AD: China Steel Threaded Rod
The International Trade Administration has initiated an antidumping duty investigation to determine whether imports of steel threaded rod from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.
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Q&V Questionnaires Due April 22nd, Separate Rate Applications Due June 2nd
The ITA requires that all non-market economy (NME) exporters/producers identified in the petition in this investigation submit a response to both the quantity and value (Q&V) questionnaire and the separate-rate application in order to receive consideration for separate-rate status. The ITA requests Q&V information no later than April 22, 2008, which is available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/ia-highlights-and-news.html.
The ITA requires exporters and producers seeking separate-rate status in this investigation to submit a separate rate application by June 2, 2008, which is available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/nme-sep-rates/prc-str/prc-str-init-sra-032608.pdf.
Comments on Physical Characteristics Due April 15th
The ITA is also requesting comments by April 15, 2008 from interested parties regarding the appropriate physical characteristics of steel threaded rod to be reported in response to the AD questionnaire. This information will be used to identify the key physical characteristics of the subject merchandise in order for respondents to report more accurately the relevant factors of production, as well as develop appropriate product reporting criteria. (Rebuttal comments must be received by April 25, 2008.)
Scope of the Investigation
The merchandise covered by this investigation is steel threaded rod. Steel threaded rod is certain threaded rod, bar, or studs, of carbon quality steel, having a solid, circular cross section, of any diameter, in any straight length, that have been forged, turned, cold-drawn, cold-rolled, machine straightened, or otherwise cold-finished, and into which threaded grooves have been applied. In addition, the steel threaded rod, bar, or studs subject to this investigation are non-headed and threaded along greater than 25 percent of their total length. A variety of finishes or coatings, such as plain oil finish as a temporary rust protectant, zinc coating (i.e., galvanized, whether by electroplating or hot-dipping), paint, and other similar finishes and coatings, may be applied to the merchandise.
Included in the scope of this investigation are steel threaded rod, bar, or studs, in which: (1) iron predominates, by weight, over each of the other contained elements; (2) the carbon content is 2 percent or less, by weight; and (3) none of the elements listed below exceeds the quantity, by weight, respectively indicated: 1.80 percent of manganese, or 1.50 percent of silicon, or 1.00 percent of copper, or 0.50 percent of aluminum, or 1.25 percent of chromium, or 0.30 percent of cobalt, or 0.40 percent of lead, or 1.25 percent of nickel, or 0.30 percent of tungsten, or 0.012 percent of boron, or 0.10 percent of molybdenum, or 0.10 percent of niobium, or 0.41 percent of titanium, or 0.15 percent of vanadium, or 0.15 percent of zirconium.
Exclusions from the scope. Excluded from the scope of the investigation are: (a) threaded rod, bar, or studs which are threaded only on one or both ends and the threading covers 25 percent or less of the total length; and (b) threaded rod, bar, or studs made to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A193 Grade B7, ASTM A193 Grade B7M, ASTM A193 Grade B16, or ASTM A320 Grade L7.
HTS classification. Steel threaded rod is currently classifiable under HTS 7318.15.5060. The ITA states that although the HTS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive.
- comments on physical characteristics of steel threaded rod due by 04/15/08, with rebuttal comments due by 04/25/08
- Q&V questionnaires due 04/22/08
- separate rate applications due 06/02/08
- comments on the scope of the investigation due 04/15/08
- ITA's preliminary AD duty determination due no later than 08/12/08
- International Trade Commission's preliminary AD injury determination due no later than 04/21/08
ITA contact - Juanita Chen (202) 482-1904
ITA notice (FR Pub 04/01/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-6712.pdf
ITA fact sheet available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-prc-str-init-032608.pdf