New AD/CV Duties Requested on Gas Pressure Washers From China, Vietnam
A U.S. manufacturer seeks the imposition of new antidumping duties on gas powered pressure washers from China and Vietnam and countervailing duties on the same product from China, it said in petitions filed Dec. 29 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations, which could result in the imposition of permanent AD/CVD orders and the assessment of AD/CVD on importers. The investigations were requested by FNA Group.
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Proposed Scope
The petition proposes the following scope for the investigations:
"The merchandise covered by this investigation is cold water gas powered pressure washers (also commonly known as power washers), which are machines that clean surfaces using water pressure that are powered by an internal combustion engine, air-cooled with a power take-off shaft, in combination with a positive displacement pump. This combination of components (i.e., the internal combustion engine, the power take-off shaft, and the positive displacement pump) is defined as the 'power unit.' The scope of the investigation covers cold water gas powered pressure washers, whether finished or unfinished, whether assembled or unassembled, and whether or not containing any additional parts or accessories to assist in the function of the 'power unit,' including, but not limited to, spray guns, hoses, lances, and nozzles. The scope of the investigation covers cold water gas powered pressure washers, whether or not assembled or packaged with a frame, cart, or trolley, with or without wheels attached.
"For purposes of this investigation, an unfinished and/or unassembled cold water gas powered pressure washer consists of, at a minimum, the power unit or components of the power unit, packaged or imported together. Importation of the power unit whether or not accompanied by, or attached to, additional components including, but not limited to a frame, spray guns, hoses, lances, and nozzles constitutes an unfinished cold water gas powered pressure washer for purposes of this scope. The inclusion in a third country of any components other than the power unit does not remove the cold water gas powered pressure washer from the scope. A cold water gas powered pressure washer is within the scope of this investigation regardless of the origin of its engine. Subject merchandise also includes finished and unfinished cold water gas powered pressure washers that are further processed in a third country or in the United States, including, but not limited to, assembly or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of this investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the in-scope cold water gas powered pressure washers.
"Cold water gas powered pressure washers are easily distinguishable from hot water gas powered pressure washers and have different physical characteristics. While a hot water pressure washer also includes an engine and a pump, it must also include a boiler to heat the water as it [leaves] the pump. The boiler also includes a heating coil. The boiler needs a separate energy source such as natural gas, butane, propane, kerosene or diesel fuel. In addition, it needs a burner system to ignite the boiler. Hot water pressure washers are generally larger in size than cold water pressure washers due to the need for the boiler. The scope does not include hot water gas powered pressure washers.
"Also specifically excluded from the scope of this investigation is merchandise covered by the scope of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on certain vertical shaft engines between 99cc and up to 225cc, and parts thereof from the People's Republic of China. See Certain Vertical Shaft Engines Between 99 cc and Up to 22Scc, and Parts Thereof from the People's Republic of China: Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, 86 FR 023675 (May 4, 2021).
"The cold water gas powered pressure washers subject to this investigation are classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheadings 8424.30.9000 and 8424.90.9040. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope is dispositive."
Commerce Accepting Comments on Petition Support
The Commerce Department is accepting comments on domestic industry support for the petitions to determine whether the petitions meet the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic-like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic-like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. If the petitions meet these requirements, among others, Commerce will initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. Comments are due Jan. 11.