AD: China Frontseating Service Valves
The International Trade Administration has initiated an antidumping duty investigation to determine whether imports of frontseating service valves (FSVs) 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 May 8th, Separate Rate Applications Due June 16th
The ITA requires that all non-market economy (NME) exporters 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 May 8, 2008. The questionnaire is available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/nme-sep-rates/prc-fsv/prc-fsv-ad-init-fr-041008.pdf.
The ITA requires exporters and producers seeking separate rate status in this investigation to submit a separate rate application by June 16, 2008. The application is available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/nme-sep-rates/prc-fsv/prc-fsv-ad-init-sr-app-041008.pdf.
Comments on Physical Characteristics Due April 28th
The ITA is also requesting comments by April 28, 2008 from interested parties regarding the appropriate physical characteristics of FSVs 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 accurately report the relevant factors of production, as well as develop appropriate product reporting criteria. (Rebuttal comments must be received by May 8, 2008.)
Scope of the Investigation
The merchandise covered by this investigation is frontseating service valves, assembled or unassembled, complete or incomplete, and certain parts thereof. Frontseating service valves contain a sealing surface on the front side of the valve stem that allows the indoor unit or outdoor unit to be isolated from the refrigerant stream when the air conditioning or refrigeration unit is being serviced. Frontseating service valves rely on an elastomer seal when the stem cap is removed for servicing and the stem cap metal to metal seat to create this seal to the atmosphere during normal operation.1
For purposes of the scope, the term ''unassembled'' frontseating service valve means a brazed subassembly requiring any one or more of the following processes: the insertion of a valve core pin, the insertion of a valve stem and/or O ring, the application or installation of a stem cap, charge port cap or tube dust cap. The term ''complete'' frontseating service valve means a product sold ready for installation into an air conditioning or refrigeration unit. The term ''incomplete'' frontseating service valve means a product that when sold is in multiple pieces, sections, subassemblies or components and is incapable of being installed into an air conditioning or refrigeration unit as a single, unified valve without further assembly.
The major parts or components of frontseating service valves intended to be covered by the scope under the term ''certain parts thereof'' are any brazed subassembly consisting of any two or more of the following components: a valve body, field connection tube, factory connection tube or valve charge port. The valve body is a rectangular block, or brass forging, machined to be hollow in the interior, with a generally square shaped seat (bottom of body). The field connection tube and factory connection tube consist of copper or other metallic tubing, cut to length, shaped and brazed to the valve body in order to create two ports, the factory connection tube and the field connection tube, each on opposite sides of the valve assembly body. The valve charge port is a service port via which a hose connection can be used to charge or evacuate the refrigerant medium or to monitor the system pressure for diagnostic purposes.
The scope includes frontseating service valves of any size, configuration, material composition or connection type.
HTS Classification. The subject imports are normally classified under HTS subheading 8481.80.1095, and also have been classified under HTS subheading 8415.90.80.85. It is possible for frontseating service valves to be manufactured out of primary materials other than copper and brass, in which case they would be classified under HTS subheadings 8481.80.3040, 8481.80.3090, or 8481.80.5090. In addition, if unassembled or incomplete frontseating service valves are imported, the various parts or components would be classified under HTS subheadings 8481.90.1000, 8481.90.3000, or 8481.90.5000.
The ITA notes that the HTS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only; the written description of the scope is dispositive.
1The frontseating service valve differs from a backseating service valve in that a backseating service valve has two sealing surfaces on the valve stem. This difference typically incorporates a valve stem on a backseating service valve to be machined of steel, where a frontseating service valve has a brass stem. The backseating service valve dual stem seal (on the back side of the stem), creates a metal to metal seal when the valve is in the open position, thus, sealing the stem from the atmosphere.
- comments on physical characteristics of FSVs due by 04/28/08, with rebuttal comments due 05/08/08
- comments on the scope of the investigation due 04/28/08
- Q&V questionnaires due 05/08/08
- separate rate applications due 06/16/08
- ITA's preliminary AD duty determination due no later than 08/26/08
- International Trade Commission's preliminary AD injury determination due no later than 05/05/08
ITA contact - Hallie Zink (202) 482-6907
ITA notice (FR Pub 04/15/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-8006.pdf
ITA fact sheet available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-prc-fsv-ad-init-040908.pdf