AD: Carbon/Alloy Steel Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe

Q&V Questionnaires Due by October 27th

The ITA is requesting quantity and value (Q&V) information from exporters and producers listed with complete contact information in the AD petition. The Q&V data received will be used to select the mandatory respondents.

Q&V questionnaires are available in Appendix II of the ITA's Federal Register notice. Completed questionnaires are due by October 27, 2009.

Separate Rate Applications Due by December 14th

The ITA also requires exporters and producers seeking separate rate status in this AD duty investigation to submit a separate rate application no later than December 14, 2009. The separate rate application will be available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/ia-highlights-and-news.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 January 8th

Any interested party that wishes to make a targeted dumping allegation in this AD investigation may submit allegations by January 8, 2010 (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 Questionnaire Due by October 26th

The ITA is also requesting comments from interested parties regarding the appropriate physical characteristics of seamless pipe 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 to more accurately report the relevant factors of production, as well as to develop appropriate product reporting criteria.

Comments on product characteristics to be reported in response to the AD questionnaire must be submitted by October 26, 2009. (Rebuttal comments are due by November 2, 2009.)

Comments on Scope of the Investigation Due by October 26th

Comments on the scope of this AD duty investigation are due by October 26, 2009.

Scope of the Investigation

The merchandise covered by this investigation is certain seamless carbon and alloy steel (other than stainless steel) pipes and redraw hollows, less than or equal to 16 inches (406.4 mm) in outside diameter, regardless of wall thickness, manufacturing process (e.g., hot-finished or cold-drawn), end finish (e.g., plain end, beveled end, upset end, threaded, or threaded and coupled), or surface finish (e.g., bare, lacquered or coated). Redraw hollows are any unfinished carbon or alloy steel (other than stainless steel) pipe or "hollow profiles" suitable for cold finishing operations, such as cold drawing, to meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or American Petroleum Institute (API) specifications referenced below, or comparable specifications.

Specifically included within the scope are seamless carbon and alloy steel (other than stainless steel) standard, line, and pressure pipes produced to the ASTM A-53, ASTM A-106, ASTM A-333, ASTM A-334, ASTM A-335, ASTM A-589, ASTM A-795, ASTM A-1024, and the API 5L specifications, or comparable specifications, and meeting the physical parameters described above, regardless of application, with the exception of the following exclusion.

Specifically excluded from the scope of the investigation are unattached couplings.

HTS classification. The merchandise covered by the investigation is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule under the following subheadings:

The ITA notes that although the HTS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope is dispositive.

(See future issue of ITT for BP summary of the initiation of the companion countervailing duty investigation.)

- ITA's preliminary AD duty determination due by 02/23/10

-International Trade Commission's preliminary AD injury determination due 11/02/09

ITA contact - Drew Jackson (202) 482-4406

ITA notice (FR Pub 10/14/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24703.pdf

ITA fact sheet available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-prc-pipe-init-100709.pdf