AD/CV: China, Indonesia Certain Coated Paper

The ITA has also initiated countervailing duty investigations to determine whether manufacturers, producers, or exporters of certain coated paper in China and Indonesia receive countervailable subsidies.

Comments on CV Respondent Selection for China/Indonesia Due Oct. 27th/26th

For the China 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. The ITA invites comments regarding the CBP data and respondent selection in the China CV duty investigation by October 27, 2009.

For the Indonesia CV duty investigation, the ITA is selecting Asia Pulp & Paper/Sinar Mas Group (APP/SMG) as a mandatory respondent, and invites comments regarding this respondent selection by October 26, 2009.

Comments on Product Characteristics for AD Questionnaires Due by Nov. 2nd

The ITA is also requesting comments from interested parties regarding the appropriate physical characteristics of certain coated paper 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 questionnaires must be submitted by November 2, 2009. (Rebuttal comments are due by November 9, 2009.)

Comments on Scope of AD/CV Investigations Due by Nov. 2nd

Comments on the scope of all of the AD and CV duty investigations are due by November 2, 2009.

China - AD Q&V Questionnaires Due by November 3rd

For the China AD duty investigation, the ITA will request 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-cp/prc-cp-qvq-101409.pdf. Completed questionnaires are due by November 3, 2009.

China - AD Separate Rate Applications Due by December 21st

The ITA also requires exporters and producers seeking separate rate status in the China AD duty investigation to submit a separate rate application no later than December 21, 2009. The separate rate application is available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/nme-sep-rates/prc-cp/prc-cp-sra-101409.pdf.

In addition to submitting a complete separate rate application, firms must also respond to the Q&V questionnaire to receive consideration for a separate rate, with certain exceptions¹.

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 15th

Any interested party that wishes to make a targeted dumping allegation in the AD investigation smay submit allegations by January 15, 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.)

Scope of the AD/CV Investigations

The merchandise covered by each of these investigations includes certain coated paper and paperboard² in sheets suitable for high quality print graphics using sheet-fed presses; coated on one or both sides with kaolin (China or other clay), calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, and/or other inorganic substances; with or without a binder; having a GE brightness level of 80 or higher³; weighing not more than 340 grams per square meter; whether gloss grade, satin grade, matte grade, dull grade, or any other grade of finish; whether or not surface-colored, surface-decorated, printed (except as described below), embossed, or perforated; and irrespective of dimensions ("certain coated paper").

Certain coated paper includes (a) coated free sheet paper and paperboard that meets this scope definition; (b) coated groundwood paper and paperboard produced from bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp ("BCTMP") that meets this scope definition; and (c) any other coated paper that meets this scope definition.

Certain coated paper is typically (but not exclusively) used for printing multi-colored graphics for catalogues, books, magazines, envelopes, labels and wraps, greeting cards, and other commercial printing applications requiring high quality print graphics.

Exclusions from the scope. Specifically excluded from the scope are imports of paper and paperboard printed with final content printed text or graphics.

HTS classifications. As of 2009, imports of the subject merchandise are provided for under the following categories of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule:

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

¹The ITA notes in the separate rate application that if a firm is participating in an administrative review, it will not need to respond to a Q&V questionnaire unless instructed to do so by the ITA.

²The scope states that "paperboard' refers to certain coated paper that is heavier, thicker and more rigid than coated paper which otherwise meets the product description. In the context of certain coated paper, paperboard typically is referred to as 'cover,' to distinguish it from 'text.'

³The scope states that one of the key measurements of any grade of paper is brightness. Generally speaking, the brighter the paper, the better the contrast between the paper and the ink. Brightness is measured using a GE Reflectance Scale, which measures the reflection of light off of a grade of paper. One is the lowest reflection, or what would be given to a totally black grade, and 100 is the brightest measured grade.

- ITA's preliminary AD duty determination due by 03/02/10, unless extended

-ITA's preliminary CV duty determinations due by 12/17/09, unless extended

-International Trade Commission's prelim AD/CV injury determinations due 11/09/09

ITA China/Indonesia AD notice (FR Pub 10/20/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25213.pdf.

ITA China CV notice (FR Pub 10/20/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25210.pdf.

ITA Indonesia CV notice (FR Pub 10/20/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25187.pdf.

ITA fact sheet available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-prc-indonesia-paper-init-101409.pdf