AD/CV: China Certain Steel Grating

The ITA has also initiated a countervailing duty investigation to determine whether producers/exporters of CSG in China receive countervailable subsidies.

AD Q&V Questionnaires Due by July 14th

For the AD duty investigation, the ITA is requesting quantity and value (Q&V) information from all known exporters and producers identified with complete contact information in the AD petition. The Q&V data received will be used as a basis to select the mandatory respondents.

Q&V questionnaires are available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/nme-sep-rates/prc-sg/prc-sg-qvq-062309.pdf. Completed questionnaires are due by July 14, 2009¹.

AD Separate Rate Applications Due by August 26th

The ITA also requires exporters and producers seeking separate rate status in the AD duty investigation to submit a separate rate application no later than August 26, 2009. The separate rate application is available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/nme/nmesep-rate.html.

The ITA requires that the respondents submit a response to both the Q&V questionnaire and the separate rate application by the respective deadlines in order to receive consideration for separate rate status.

The ITA will also calculate combination rates for certain respondents that are eligible for a separate rate in this investigation.

Comments on Targeted Dumping Due September 21st

Any interested party that wishes to make a targeted dumping allegation in the AD investigation may submit allegations by September 21, 2009 (i.e., no later than 45 days before the scheduled date of the ITA's preliminary determination).

(Note that in December 2008, the ITA issued an interim final rule for the purposes of withdrawing the regulations governing targeted dumping analysis in AD duty investigations. See ITT's Online Archives or 12/15/08 and 01/15/09 news, 08121525 and 09011535, for BP summaries of the interim final rule and extension of the comment period.)

Comments on Product Characteristics for AD Questionnaires Due by July 9th

The ITA is also requesting comments from interested parties regarding the appropriate physical characteristics of CSG to be reported in response to the AD questionnaires.

This information will be used to identify the key physical characteristics of the subject merchandise in order to more accurately report the relevant factors and costs of production, as well as to develop appropriate product comparison criteria.

Comments on product characteristics to be reported in response to the AD questionnaire must be submitted by July 9, 2009. (Rebuttal comments are due by July 16, 2009.)

Comments on CV Respondent Selection Due by July 2nd

For the CV duty investigation, the ITA expects to select respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection data for U.S. imports during the period of investigation (i.e., calendar year 2008). The ITA invites comments regarding the CBP data and respondent selection in the CV duty investigation by July 2, 2009.

Comments on Scope of AD/CV Investigations Due by July 15th

Comments on the scope of both the AD and CV duty investigations are due by July 15, 2009.

Scope of the AD/CV Investigations

The products covered by these investigations are certain steel grating, consisting of two or more pieces of steel, including loadbearing pieces and cross pieces, joined by any assembly process, regardless of: (1) size or shape; (2) method of manufacture; (3) metallurgy (carbon, alloy, or stainless); (4) the profile of the bars; and (5) whether or not they are galvanized, painted, coated, clad or plated. Steel grating is also commonly referred to as bar grating, although the components may consist of steel other than bars, such as hot-rolled sheet, plate, or wire rod.

Exclusions to the scope. The scope of these investigations excludes expanded metal grating, which is comprised of a single piece or coil of sheet or thin plate steel that has been slit and expanded, and does not involve welding or joining of multiple pieces of steel. The scope of these investigations also excludes plank type safety grating which is comprised of a single piece or coil of sheet or thin plate steel, typically in thickness of 10 to 18 gauge, that has been pierced and cold formed, and does not involve welding or joining of multiple pieces of steel.

HTS classification. Certain steel grating that is the subject of these investigations is currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule under subheading 7308.90.7000. The ITA notes that while the HTS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.

¹Note that the Q&V questionnaire posted to the ITA's Web site states that these AD questionnaires are due by July 9, 2009; however, ITA sources confirm that the correct due date is July 14, 2009.

- ITA's preliminary AD duty determination due by 11/05/09

-ITA's preliminary CV duty determination due by 08/24/09

-International Trade Commission's prelim AD/CV injury determinations due 07/13/09

ITA AD notice (FR Pub 06/25/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-15018.pdf

ITA CV notice (FR Pub 06/25/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-15017.pdf

ITA fact sheet available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-steel-grating-initiation-061909.pdf