[Title 19 CFR ]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - April 1, 2024 Edition]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page i]]

          

          Title 19

Customs Duties


________________________

Part 200 to End

                         Revised as of April 1, 2024

          Containing a codification of documents of general 
          applicability and future effect

          As of April 1, 2024
                    Published by the Office of the Federal Register 
                    National Archives and Records Administration as a 
                    Special Edition of the Federal Register

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                            Table of Contents



                                                                    Page
  Explanation.................................................       v

  Title 19:
          Chapter II--United States International Trade 
          Commission                                                 3
          Chapter III--International Trade Administration, 
          Department of Commerce                                   225
          Chapter IV--U.S. Immigration and Customs 
          Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security 
          [Reserved]
  Finding Aids:
      Table of CFR Titles and Chapters........................     411
      Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR......     431
      List of CFR Sections Affected...........................     441

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                     ----------------------------

                     Cite this Code: CFR
                     To cite the regulations in 
                       this volume use title, 
                       part and section number. 
                       Thus, 19 CFR 200.735-101 
                       refers to title 19, part 
                       200, section 735-101.

                     ----------------------------

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                               EXPLANATION

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[[Page vi]]

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    Director,
    Office of the Federal Register
    April 1, 2024







[[Page ix]]



                               THIS TITLE

    Title 19--Customs Duties is composed of three volumes. The first two 
volumes, parts 0--140 and parts 141--199 contain the regulations in 
Chapter I--U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland 
Security; Department of the Treasury. The third volume, part 200 to end, 
contains the regulations in Chapter II--United States International 
Trade Commission; Chapter III--International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce; and Chapter IV--U.S. Immigration and Customs 
Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security. The contents of these 
volumes represent all current regulations issued under this title of the 
CFR as of April 1, 2024.

    A Subject Index to Chapter I--U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 
Department of Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury appears in 
the Finding Aids section of the first two volumes.

    For this volume, Robert J. Sheehan, III was Chief Editor. The Code 
of Federal Regulations publication program is under the direction of 
John Hyrum Martinez, assisted by Stephen J. Frattini.

[[Page 1]]



                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES




                  (This book contains part 200 to end)

  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Part

chapter ii--United States International Trade Commission....         200

chapter iii--International Trade Administration, Department 
  of Commerce...............................................         351
chapter iv--U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Department of 
  Homeland Security [Reserved]

[[Page 3]]



        CHAPTER II--UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION




  --------------------------------------------------------------------
Part                                                                Page
200             Employee responsibilities and conduct.......           5
                          SUBCHAPTER A--GENERAL
201             Rules of general application................          16
              SUBCHAPTER B--NONADJUDICATIVE INVESTIGATIONS
202             Investigations of costs of production.......          69
204             Investigations of effects of imports on 
                    agricultural programs...................          70
205             Investigations to determine the probable 
                    economic effect on the economy of the 
                    United States of proposed modifications 
                    of duties or of any barrier to (or other 
                    distortion of) international trade or of 
                    taking retaliatory actions to obtain the 
                    elimination of unjustifiable or 
                    unreasonable foreign acts or policies 
                    which restrict U.S. commerce............          71
206             Investigations relating to global and 
                    bilateral safeguard actions, market 
                    disruption, trade diversion, and review 
                    of relief actions.......................          73
207             Investigations of whether injury to domestic 
                    industries results from imports sold at 
                    less than fair value or from subsidized 
                    exports to the United States............          97
208             Investigations of United States-Mexico 
                    cross-border long-haul trucking services         131
    SUBCHAPTER C--INVESTIGATIONS OF UNFAIR PRACTICES IN IMPORT TRADE
210             Adjudication and enforcement................         143
212             Implementation of the Equal Access to 
                    Justice Act.............................         208
                    SUBCHAPTER D--SPECIAL PROVISIONS
213             Trade remedy assistance.....................         215

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214-219

[Reserved]

220             Process for consideration of petitions for 
                    duty suspensions and reductions.........         217
221-299

[Reserved]

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PART 200_EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT--Table of Contents



                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
200.735-101 Purpose.
200.735-102 Definitions.
200.735-103 Counseling service.
200.735-104 Disciplinary and other remedial action.

      Subpart B_Provisions Governing Ethical and Other Conduct and 
                      Responsibilities of Employees

200.735-104a Proscribed actions.
200.735-105 Gifts, entertainment, and favors.
200.735-106 Outside employment and other activities.
200.735-107 Financial interests.
200.735-108 Use of Government property.
200.735-109 Misuse of information.
200.735-110 Indebtedness.
200.735-111 Gambling, betting, and lotteries.
200.735-112 General conduct prejudicial to the Government.
200.735-113 Miscellaneous statutory provisions.

 Subpart C_Provisions Governing Statements of Employment and Financial 
                                Interests

200.735-114 Employees required to submit statements.
200.735-114a Employees not required to submit statements.
200.735-114b Employee complaints on filing requirements.
200.735-114c Voluntary submission by employees.
200.735-115 Forms--Interests not to be reported.
200.735-116 Time and place for submission of employees' statements.
200.735-117 Supplementary statements.
200.735-118 Interests of employees' relatives.
200.735-119 Information not known by employees.
200.735-120 Information prohibited.
200.735-121 Confidentiality of employees' statements.
200.735-122 Special Government employees.
200.735-123 Effect of employees' and special Government employees' 
          statements on other requirements.

 Subpart D_Provisions for Administrative Enforcement of Postemployment 
                    Conflict of Interest Restrictions

200.735-124 General.
200.735-125 Exemption from restrictions.
200.735-126 Administrative enforcement proceedings.

    Authority: E.O. 11222, 30 FR 6469, 3 CFR, 1965 Supp.; 5 CFR 735.101 
et seq., 5 CFR 2638.101 et seq., unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 31 FR 2593, Feb. 10, 1966, unless otherwise noted.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec.  200.735-101  Purpose.

    The purpose of the regulations in this part is to maintain the 
highest standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality, and conduct on 
the part of all employees of the U.S. International Trade Commission and 
to maintain public confidence that the business of the Commission is 
being conducted in accordance with such standards.

[31 FR 2593, Feb. 10, 1966, as amended at 46 FR 17542, Mar. 19, 1981]



Sec.  200.735-102  Definitions.

    In this part:
    (a) Commission means the U.S. International Trade Commission.
    (b) Commissioner means a Commissioner of the U.S. International 
Trade Commission.
    (c) Employee means a Commissioner, employee, or special Government 
employee of the Commission.
    (d) Executive order means Executive Order 11222 of May 8, 1965.
    (e) Person means an individual, a corporation, a company, an 
association, a firm, a partnership, a society, a joint stock company, or 
any other organization or institution.
    (f) Special Government employee means a ``special Government 
employee'' as defined in section 202 of Title 18 of the United States 
Code who is employed by the Commission.

[31 FR 2593, Feb. 10, 1966, as amended at 44 FR 23823, Apr. 23, 1979; 46 
FR 17542, Mar. 19, 1981; 56 FR 36726, Aug. 1, 1991]



Sec.  200.735-103  Counseling service.

    (a) The Chairman shall appoint a Designated Agency Ethics Official 
(DAEO) who serves as liaison to the Office of Government Ethics and who 
is responsible for carrying out the Commission's ethics program. The 
program shall be designed to implement titles II, IV, and V of the 
Ethics in Government Act of 1978, Executive Order No. 11222, the 
regulations in this part, and

[[Page 6]]

other statutes and regulations applicable to agency ethics matters. The 
DAEO will be a senior Commission employee with experience demonstrating 
the ability to review financial disclosure reports and counsel employees 
with regard to resolving conflicts of interest, review the financial 
disclosures of Presidential nominees to the Commission prior to 
confirmation hearings, counsel employees with regard to ethics 
standards, assist supervisors in implementing the Commission's ethics 
program, and periodically evaluate the ethics program.
    (b) The Chairman shall select an Alternate Agency Ethics Official 
who will serve as Deputy DAEO to whom any of the DAEO's statutory and 
regulatory duties may be delegated.
    (c) The DAEO shall coordinate and manage the agency's ethics 
program. The DAEO duties shall consist of:
    (1) Liaison with the Office of Government Ethics;
    (2) Review of financial disclosure reports, including reports filed 
by Presidential nominees to the Commission;
    (3) Initiation and maintenance of ethics education and training 
programs;
    (4) Monitoring administrative actions and sanctions; and
    (5) Implementation of the specific program elements listed in Office 
of Government Ethics regulations, 5 CFR 738.203(b).

[46 FR 17542, Mar. 19, 1981, as amended at 56 FR 36726, Aug. 1, 1991]



Sec.  200.735-104  Disciplinary and other remedial action.

    (a) An employee who violates any of the regulations in this part may 
be disciplined. The disciplinary action may be in addition to any other 
penalty prescribed by law for the violation. In addition to, or in lieu 
of, disciplinary action, remedial action to end conflicts or appearance 
of conflicts of interest may include, but is not limited to:
    (1) Changes in assigned duties;
    (2) Divestment by the employee of his conflicting interest; or
    (3) Disqualification for a particular assignment.
    (b) Remedial action, whether disciplinary or otherwise, shall be 
effected in accordance with any applicable laws, Executive orders, and 
regulations.



      Subpart B_Provisions Governing Ethical and Other Conduct and 
                      Responsibilities of Employees



Sec.  200.735-104a  Proscribed actions.

    An employee shall avoid any action, whether or not specifically 
prohibited by this subpart, which might result in, or create the 
appearance of:
    (a) Using public office for private gain;
    (b) Giving preferential treatment to any person;
    (c) Impeding Government efficiency or economy;
    (d) Losing complete independence or impartiality;
    (e) Making a Government decision outside official channels; or
    (f) Affecting adversely the confidence of the public in the 
integrity of the Government.

[32 FR 16210, Nov. 28, 1967]



Sec.  200.735-105  Gifts, entertainment, and favors.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no employee 
may solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, 
favor, entertainment, loan, or any other thing of monetary value from 
any person who:
    (1) Has, or is seeking to obtain, contractual or other business or 
financial relations with the Commission;
    (2) Conducts operations or activities that are being investigated by 
the Commission; or
    (3) Has interests that may be substantially affected by the 
performance or nonperformance of the employee's official duty.
    (b) The prohibitions set forth under paragraph (a) of this section 
shall not apply to:
    (1) Solicitations or acceptances based on obvious family or personal 
relationships (such as those between parents, children, or spouse of the 
employee and the employee) when the circumstances make it clear that it 
is those relationships rather than the business of the persons concerned 
which are the motivating factors;
    (2) The acceptance of food and refreshments of nominal value on 
infrequent occasions in the ordinary course

[[Page 7]]

of a luncheon or dinner meeting or other meeting or on a field trip, and 
of ground transportation of nominal value in the course of a field trip, 
where an employee may properly be in attendance.
    (3) The acceptance of loans from banks or other financial 
institutions on customary terms to finance proper and usual activities 
of employees, such as home mortgage loans; and
    (4) The acceptance of unsolicited advertising or promotional 
material, such as pens, pencils, note pads, calendars, and other items 
of nominal value.
    (c) An employee shall not solicit a contribution from another 
employee for a gift to an official superior, make a donation as a gift 
to an official superior, or accept a gift from an employee receiving 
less pay than himself (5 U.S.C. 7351). However, this paragraph does not 
prohibit a voluntary gift of nominal value or donation in a nominal 
amount made on a special occasion such as marriage, illness, or 
retirement.
    (d) An employee shall not accept a gift, present, decoration, or 
other thing from a foreign government unless authorized by Congress as 
provided by the Constitution and in 5 U.S.C. 7342.
    (e) Neither this section nor Sec.  200.735-106 precludes an employee 
from receipt of bona fide reimbursement, unless prohibited by law, for 
expenses of travel and such other necessary subsistence as is compatible 
with this part for which no Government payment or reimbursement is made. 
However, this paragraph does not allow an employee to be reimbursed, or 
payment to be made on his behalf, for excessive personal living 
expenses, gifts, entertainment or other personal benefits, nor does it 
allow an employee to be reimbursed by a person for travel on official 
business under agency orders when reimbursement is proscribed by 
Decision B-128527 of the Comptroller General dated March 7, 1967.

[32 FR 16210, Nov. 28, 1967, as amended at 46 FR 41036, Aug. 14, 1981]



Sec.  200.735-106  Outside employment and other activities.

    (a) An employee may engage in outside employment or other outside 
activity not incompatible with the full and proper discharge of the 
duties and responsibilities of his Government employment: Provided, That 
no Commissioner shall actively engage in any other business, vocation, 
or employment than that of serving as a Commissioner (19 U.S.C. 
1330(c)). Incompatible activities include but are not limited to:
    (1) Acceptance of a fee, compensation, gift, payment of expense, or 
any other thing of monetary value in circumstances in which acceptance 
may result in, or create the appearance of, conflicts of interest; or
    (2) Outside employment tending to impair the employee's capacity to 
perform his Government duties and responsibilities in an acceptable 
manner.
    (b) An employee (except a special Government employee) shall not 
receive any salary or anything of monetary value from a private source 
as compensation for his services to the Government (18 U.S.C. 209).
    (c) Employees are encouraged to engage in teaching, lecturing, and 
writing that is not prohibited by law, the Executive order, or this 
part. However, an employee shall not, either for or without 
compensation, engage in teaching, lecturing, or writing, including 
teaching, lecturing, or writing for the purpose of the special 
preparation of a person or class of persons for an examination of the 
Civil Service Commission or Board of Examiners for the Foreign Service, 
that is dependent on information obtained as a result of his Government 
employment, except when that information has been made available to the 
general public or will be made available on request, or when the 
Commission gives authorization for the use of nonpublic information 
(other than information received in confidence) on the basis that the 
use is in the public interest and would not be in violation of law. In 
addition, Commissioners shall not receive compensation or anything of 
monetary value for any consultation, lecture, discussion, writing, or 
appearance the subject matter of which is devoted substantially to the 
responsibilities, programs, or operations of the Commission, or which 
draws substantially on official data or

[[Page 8]]

ideas which have not become part of the body of public information.
    (d) This section does not preclude an employee from:
    (1) Participation in the activities of national or State political 
parties not proscribed by law.
    (2) Participation in the affairs of, or acceptance of, an award for 
a meritorious public contribution or achievement given by a charitable, 
religious, professional, social, fraternal, nonprofit educational and 
recreational, public service, or civic organization.

[33 FR 8447, June 7, 1968]



Sec.  200.735-107  Financial interests.

    (a) An employee shall not:
    (1) Have a direct or indirect financial interest that conflicts 
substantially, or appears to conflict substantially, with his Government 
duties or responsibilities; or
    (2) Engage in, directly or indirectly, a financial transaction as a 
result of, or primarily relying on, information obtained through his 
Government employment.
    (b) This section does not preclude an employee from having a 
financial interest or engaging in financial transactions to the same 
extent as a private citizen not employed by the Government so long as it 
is not prohibited by law, the Executive order, or this part.
    (c) Pursuant to the authority contained in 18 U.S.C. 208(b), the 
following types of financial interests are considered too remote or 
inconsequential to affect a Commission employee's integrity or services 
and do not constitute a conflict of interest under 18 U.S.C. 208(a):
    (1) In widely-held, diversified mutual funds or regulated investment 
companies, regardless of their value; and
    (2) In state or local government bonds, or other noncorporate bonds, 
regardless of their value.

[31 FR 2593, Feb. 10, 1966, as amended at 44 FR 23823, Apr. 23, 1979]



Sec.  200.735-108  Use of Government property.

    An employee shall not directly or indirectly use, or allow the use 
of, Government property of any kind, including property leased to the 
Government, for other than officially approved activities. An employee 
has a positive duty to protect and conserve Government property, 
including equipment, supplies, and other property issued to him.



Sec.  200.735-109  Misuse of information.

    For the purpose of furthering a private interest, an employee shall 
not, except as provided in Sec.  200.735-106(c), directly or indirectly 
use, or allow the use of, official information obtained through or in 
connection with his Government employment which has not been made 
available to the general public.



Sec.  200.735-110  Indebtedness.

    An employee shall pay each just financial obligation in a proper and 
timely manner, especially one imposed by law such as Federal, State or 
local taxes. For the purpose of this section a just financial obligation 
means one acknowledged by the employee or reduced to judgment by a 
court, and in a proper and timely manner means in a manner which the 
Commission determines does not, under the circumstances, reflect 
adversely on the Government as his employer. In the event of a dispute 
between an employee and an alleged creditor, the Commission shall make 
no determination of the validity or amount of the disputed debt.



Sec.  200.735-111  Gambling, betting, and lotteries.

    An employee shall not participate, while on Government-owned or 
leased property or while on duty for the Government, in any gambling 
activity including the operation of a gambling device, in conducting a 
lottery or pool, in a game for money or property, or in selling or 
purchasing a numbers slip or ticket. However, this section does not 
preclude activities:
    (a) Necessitated by an employee's law enforcement duties; or
    (b) Under section 3 of Executive Order 10927 and similar Commission-
approved activities.

[[Page 9]]



Sec.  200.735-112  General conduct prejudicial to the Government.

    An employee shall not engage in criminal, infamous, dishonest, 
immoral, or notoriously disgraceful conduct, or other conduct 
prejudicial to the Government.



Sec.  200.735-113  Miscellaneous statutory provisions.

    Each employee shall familiarize himself with each statute that 
relates to his ethical and other conduct as a Government employee, 
including the following statutes:
    (a) House Concurrent Resolution 175, 85th Congress, 2d Session, 72 
Stat. B12, the ``Code of Ethics for Government Service.''
    (b) Chapter 11 of Title 18, United States Code, relating to bribery, 
graft, and conflicts of interest.
    (c) The prohibition against lobbying with appropriated funds (18 
U.S.C. 1913).
    (d) The prohibitions against disloyalty and striking (5 U.S.C. 7311, 
18 U.S.C. 1918).
    (e) The prohibition against the employment of a member of a 
Communist organization (50 U.S.C. 784).
    (f) The prohibitions against (1) the disclosure of classified 
information (18 U.S.C. 798, 50 U.S.C. 783); and (2) the disclosure of 
confidential information (18 U.S.C. 1905).
    (g) The provision relating to the habitual use of intoxicants to 
excess (5 U.S.C. 7352).
    (h) The prohibition against the misuse of a Government vehicle (31 
U.S.C. 638a(c)).
    (i) The prohibition against the misuse of the franking privilege (18 
U.S.C. 1719).
    (j) The prohibition against the use of deceit in an examination or 
personnel action in connection with Government employment (18 U.S.C. 
1917).
    (k) The prohibition against fraud or false statements in a 
Government matter (18 U.S.C. 1001).
    (l) The prohibition against mutilating or destroying a public record 
(18 U.S.C. 2071).
    (m) The prohibition against counterfeiting and forging 
transportation requests (18 U.S.C. 508).
    (n) The prohibitions against--
    (1) Embezzlement of Government money or property (18 U.S.C. 641);
    (2) Failing to account for public money (18 U.S.C. 643); and
    (3) Embezzlement of the money or property of another person in the 
possession of an employee by reason of his employment (18 U.S.C. 654).
    (o) The prohibition against unauthorized use of documents relating 
to claims from or by the Government (18 U.S.C. 285).
    (p) The prohibitions against political activities in subchapter III 
of chapter 73 of title 5, United States Code and 18 U.S.C. 602, 603, 
607, and 608.
    (q) The prohibition against an employee acting as an agent of a 
foreign principal registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act 
(18 U.S.C. 219).

[31 FR 2593, Feb. 10, 1966, as amended at 32 FR 16210, Nov. 28, 1967]



 Subpart C_Provisions Governing Statements of Employment and Financial 
                                Interests



Sec.  200.735-114  Employees required to submit statements.

    Except as provided in Sec.  200.735-114a, the following employees 
shall submit confidential statements of employment and financial 
interests:
    (a)(1) Employees in grade GS-13 or above under section 5332 of title 
5, United States Code, or in comparable or higher positions not subject 
to that section, other than those employees who are required to file 
public financial disclosure reports by title II of the Ethics in 
Government Act of 1978.
    (2) The Director of Personnel shall list all such positions, shall 
include the listing in the chapter of the Commission's Policy Manual 
pertaining to the filing of confidential statements of employment and 
financial interests, and shall furnish copies thereof to the Deputy DAEO 
and to affected employees.
    (3) The Director of Personnel shall update the listing required by 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section and shall take all other steps required 
by paragraph (a)(2) as of January 1 and July 1 of each year.
    (b)(1) Employees classified below GS-13 under section 5332 of title 
5, United States Code, or at a comparable pay

[[Page 10]]

level under other authority, other than those employees who are required 
to file public financial disclosure reports by title II of the Ethics in 
Government Act of 1978, who are: (i) Responsible for making a decision 
or taking an action in regard to Commission contracting or procurement, 
(ii) responsible for conducting investigative and research activities 
where the decision to be made or action to be taken could have an 
economic impact on any non-Federal enterprise, or (iii) responsible for 
exercising the authority of any supervisory or investigative employee in 
the absence of such employee.
    (2) The Director of Personnel, upon obtaining the advice of the 
General Counsel, shall be responsible for determining which positions 
below GS-13 meet the criteria of paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The 
Director of Personnel shall justify his or her determination in writing 
and shall submit it to the Office of Personnel Management for its 
approval. Upon obtaining the approval of the Office of Personnel 
Management, the Director of Personnel shall include the listing of these 
positions in the chapter of the Commission's Policy Manual pertaining to 
the filing of confidential statements of employment and financial 
interests and shall furnish copies thereof to the Deputy DAEO and to 
affected employees.
    (3) The Director of Personnel shall evaluate the determination under 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section as of January 1 and July 1 of each 
year. When organizational changes or personnel actions indicate that 
positions should be either added to or taken from the list of positions 
which the Director of Personnel has determined meet the criteria of 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the Director of Personnel shall make a 
new determination under paragraph (b)(2) of this section and shall take 
all other steps required by paragraph (b)(2) immediately upon the 
implementation of said organizational changes or personnel actions.

[46 FR 17543, Mar. 19, 1981, as amended at 56 FR 36726, Aug. 1, 1991]



Sec.  200.735-114a  Employees not required to submit statements.

    (a) Employees in positions that meet the criteria in paragraphs 
(b)(1) or (c)(1) of Sec.  200.735-114 of this subpart may be exempted 
from the reporting requirement of Sec.  200.735-114 if the Director of 
Personnel, upon obtaining the advice of the General Counsel, determines 
that:
    (1) The duties of a position are such that the likelihood of the 
incumbent's involvement in a conflict-of-interest situation is remote;
    (2) The duties of a position are at such a level of responsibility 
that the submission of a statement of employment and financial interests 
is not necessary because of the degree of supervision and review over 
the incumbent or the inconsequential effect on the integrity of the 
Government.
    (b) All determinations made pursuant to paragraph (a) shall be 
documented in a writing which shall be annexed to the listings required 
by paragraphs (b)(2) and (c)(2) of Sec.  200.735-114 of this subpart. 
The factual bases and reasons for determinations under paragraphs (a)(1) 
and (a)(2) of this section shall be specified by the Director of 
Personnel in said writing. Said writing shall refer to the position only 
and shall not include the name, or other identifying particular, of the 
incumbent occupying the position.
    (c) A statement of employment and financial interests from 
commissioners is not required by this subpart. Such employees are 
subject to separate reporting requirements under section 401 of 
Executive Order 11222 (3 CFR 306 (1964-1965 Comp.)).

[42 FR 59958, Nov. 23, 1977]



Sec.  200.735-114b  Employee complaints on filing requirements.

    Any employee who believes that his position has been improperly 
included under the reporting requirements of Sec.  200.735-114 may 
obtain a review thereof through the Commission's grievance procedures.

[42 FR 59958, Nov. 23, 1977]



Sec.  200.735-114c  Voluntary submission by employees.

    Any employee not required to submit a statement of employment and 
financial interests under the criteria established by Sec.  200.735-114 
may submit such a statement to the Deputy Counselor

[[Page 11]]

in the manner specified in Sec.  200.735-116 if he or she so desires.

[42 FR 59958, Nov. 23, 1977]



Sec.  200.735-115  Forms--Interests not to be reported.

    (a) Statements required to be submitted by the provisions of this 
subpart shall be prepared on forms (the format of which is prescribed by 
the Office of Government Ethics, Office of Personnel Management) 
available from the Deputy DAEO.
    (b) Employees, GS-15 and below, who are required to file a statement 
of employment and financial interests under Sec.  200.735-114 of this 
part, need not report to the Deputy DAEO those financial interests 
specified in Sec.  200.735-107(c) (1) and (2) of this part. 
Commissioners and Commission employees, GS-16 and above, are required to 
report the financial interests specified in Sec.  200.735-107(c) (1) and 
(2) of this part under section 202(a) of the Ethics in Government Act of 
1978.

[44 FR 23823, Apr. 23, 1979, as amended at 56 FR 36726, Aug. 1, 1991]



Sec.  200.735-116  Time and place for submission of employees' statements.

    (a) An employee required to submit such a statement shall submit it 
not later than:
    (1) Ninety days after the effective date of the regulations in this 
part, if employed on or before that effective date; or
    (2) Thirty days after his entrance on duty, but not earlier than 
ninety days after the effective date, if appointed after the effective 
date.
    (b) Each such statement shall be submitted to the Office of the 
General Counsel of the Commission and shall be marked ``Submitted in 
Confidence to the Deputy DAEO.'': Provided, That the statement of the 
Deputy DAEO shall be submitted directly to the DAEO.

[31 FR 2593, Feb. 10, 1966, as amended at 56 FR 36726, Aug. 1, 1991]



Sec.  200.735-117  Supplementary statements.

    Changes in, or additions to, the information contained in an 
employee's statement of employment and financial interests shall be 
reported in a supplementary statement as of June 30 each year. If no 
changes or additions occur, a negative report is required. 
Notwithstanding the filing of the annual report under this section, each 
employee shall at all times avoid acquiring a financial interest that 
could result, or taking an action that would result, in a violation of 
the conflicts of interest provisions of section 208 of title 18, United 
States Code, or the regulations in this part.

[32 FR 16211, Nov. 28, 1967]



Sec.  200.735-118  Interests of employees' relatives.

    The interest of a spouse, minor child or other member of an 
employee's immediate household is considered to be an interest of the 
employee. For the purpose of this section, member of an employee's 
immediate household means those blood relations who are residents of the 
employee's household.



Sec.  200.735-119  Information not known by employees.

    If any information required to be included in a statement of 
employment and financial interests or supplementary statement, including 
holdings placed in trust, is not known to the employee but is known to 
another person, the employee shall request that other person to submit 
information on his behalf.



Sec.  200.735-120  Information prohibited.

    An employee is not required to submit in a statement of employment 
and financial interests or supplementary statement any information 
relating to the employee's connection with, or interest in, a 
professional society or a charitable, religious, social, fraternal, 
recreational, public service, civic, or political organization or 
similar organization not conducted as a business enterprise. For the 
purpose of this section, educational and other institutions doing 
research and development or related work involving grants of money from, 
or contracts with, the Government are deemed business enterprises and 
are required to be included in an employee's statement of employment and 
financial interests.

[[Page 12]]



Sec.  200.735-121  Confidentiality of employees' statements.

    Each statement of employment and financial interests, and each 
supplementary statement, shall be held in confidence. To ensure this 
confidentiality, the Deputy DAEO is authorized to review and retain the 
statements. He shall be responsible for maintaining the statements in 
confidence and shall not allow access to, or allow information to be 
disclosed from, a statement except to carry out the purpose of this 
part. The Deputy DAEO may not disclose information from the statement 
except as the Civil Service Commission or the Chairman of the Tariff 
Commission may determine for good cause shown.

[32 FR 16211, Nov. 28, 1967, as amended at 56 FR 36726, Aug. 1, 1991]



Sec.  200.735-122  Special Government employees.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each 
special Government employee shall submit a statement of employment and 
financial interests which reports:
    (1) All of his employment; and
    (2) The financial interests of the special Government employee which 
the Commission determines are relevant in the light of the duties he is 
to perform.
    (b) The Commission may waive the requirement in paragraph (a) of 
this section for the submission of a statement of employment and 
financial interests in the case of a special Government employee who is 
not a consultant or an expert when the Commission finds that the duties 
of the position held by that special Government employee are of a nature 
and at such a level of responsibility that the submission of the 
statement by the incumbent is not necessary to protect the integrity of 
the Government. For the purpose of this paragraph, consultant and expert 
have the meanings given those terms by Chapter 304 of the Federal 
Personnel Manual.
    (c) A statement of employment and financial interests required to be 
submitted under this section shall be submitted as provided for 
employees in Sec.  200.735-116. Each special Government employee shall 
keep his statement current throughout his employment with the Commission 
by the submission of supplementary statements.

[31 FR 2593, Feb. 10, 1966, as amended at 32 FR 16211, Nov. 28, 1967]



Sec.  200.735-123  Effect of employees' and special Government employees'
statements on other requirements.

    The statements of employment and financial interests and 
supplementary statements required of employees and special Government 
employees are in addition to, and not in substitution for, or in 
derogation of, any similar requirement imposed by law, order, or 
regulation. The submission of a statement or supplementary statement by 
an employee or special Government employee does not permit him or any 
other person to participate in a matter which his or the other person's 
participation in is prohibited by law, order, or regulation.



 Subpart D_Provisions for Administrative Enforcement of Postemployment 
                    Conflict of Interest Restrictions

    Authority: Ethics in Government Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95-521, 92 
Stat. 1864 (18 U.S.C. 207), as amended by Pub. L. 96-28, 93 Stat. 76 
(1979); 45 FR 7402, (1979) (5 CFR part 737).

    Source: 45 FR 31988, May 15, 1980, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  200.735-124  General.

    The procedures in this subpart are established pursuant to 
subsection 207(j) of title 18, United States Code, for the 
administrative enforcement of the restrictions on postemployment 
activities in Title V of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (18 U.S.C. 
207 (a), (b), and (c)) and implementing regulations published by the 
Office of Government Ethics (5 CFR part 737). Subsections 207 (a), (b), 
and (c) of Title 18, United States Code, prohibit certain forms of 
representational activity or communications by former Commission 
employees.

[[Page 13]]



Sec.  200.735-125  Exemption from restrictions.

    (a) Scientific and technological information solicited by the 
Commission. Communications of a former Commission employee solely for 
the purpose of furnishing scientific or technological information 
solicited by the Commission in the course of its statutory 
investigations are exempted from the restrictions on postemployment 
practices.
    (b) Exemption for persons with special qualifications in a technical 
discipline--(1) Applicability. A former Commission employee may be 
exempted from the restrictions on postemployment practices if the 
Chairman, in consultation with the Director, Office of Government Ethics 
(the Director), executes a certification published in the Federal 
Register that the former Commission employee has outstanding 
qualifications in a scientific, technological, or other technical 
discipline; that the former Commission employee is acting with respect 
to a particular matter which requires such qualifications; and that the 
national interest would be served by the former Commission employee's 
participation.
    (2) Certification authority. Certification shall be by the Chairman, 
or in the absence thereof, by the acting head of the Commission. 
Consultation with the Director shall precede any certification. The 
exemption is effective upon the execution of the certification. The 
Secretary shall immediately transmit the certification to the Federal 
Register for publication.
    (c) Testimony and statement under oath are subject to penalty of 
perjury--(1) Applicability. A former Commission employee may testify 
before any court, board, commission, or legislative body with respect to 
matters of fact within the personal knowledge of the former Commission 
employee. This provision does not, however, allow a former Commission 
employee, otherwise barred under 18 U.S.C. 207 (a), (b), or (c), to 
testify on behalf of another as an expert witness except (i) to the 
extent that the former employee may testify from personal knowledge as 
to occurrences which are relevant to the issues in the proceeding, 
including those in which the Commission employee participated, utilizing 
his or her expertise, or (ii) in any proceeding where it is determined 
that another expert in the field cannot practically be obtained, that it 
is impracticable for the facts or opinions on the same subject to be 
obtained by other means, and that the former Commission employee's 
testimony is required in the interest of justice.
    (2) Statements under penalty of perjury. A former Commission 
employee may make any statements required to be made under penalty of 
perjury, such as those required in registration statements for 
securities, tax returns, or security clearances. The exception does not, 
however, permit a former employee to submit pleadings, applications, or 
other documents in a representational capacity on behalf of another 
merely because the attorney or other representative must sign the 
documents under oath or penalty of perjury.



Sec.  200.735-126  Administrative enforcement proceedings.

    The following are basic guidelines for administrative enforcement of 
restrictions on postemployment activities:
    (a) Initiation of administrative disciplinary hearing. (1) On 
receipt of information regarding a possible violation of 18 U.S.C. 207, 
and after determining that such information does not appear to be 
frivolous, the Chairman shall expeditiously provide such information, 
along with any comments or agency regulations, to the Director and to 
the Criminal Division, Department of Justice. Any investigation or 
administrative action will be coordinated with the Department of Justice 
to avoid prejudicing criminal proceedings, unless the Department of 
Justice informs the Commission that it does not intend to initiate 
criminal prosecution.
    (2) Whenever the Chairman has determined after appropriate review 
that there is reasonable cause to believe that a former Commission 
employee has violated 18 U.S.C. 207 (a), (b), or (c) or implementing 
regulations of the Office of Government Ethics (5 CFR part 737), he or 
she shall initiate an administrative disciplinary proceeding by 
providing the former Commission employee with notice as defined in 
paragraph (b).

[[Page 14]]

    (3) The Chairman shall take all necessary steps to protect the 
privacy of former employees prior to a determination of sufficient cause 
to initiate an administrative disciplinary hearing.
    (b) Notice. (1) The Chairman shall provide the former Commission 
employee with notice of an administrative disciplinary proceeding and an 
opportunity for a hearing.
    (2) Notice to the former Commission employee must include--
    (i) A statement of allegations and the basis thereof in detail 
sufficient to enable the former Commission employee to prepare an 
adequate defense;
    (ii) Notification of the right to a hearing;
    (iii) An explanation of the method by which a hearing may be 
requested; and
    (iv) A copy of this subpart.
    (c) Examiner. (1) The presiding official at proceedings under this 
subpart shall be an individual to whom the Chairman has delegated 
authority to make a recommended determination (hereinafter referred to 
as examiner).
    (2) An examiner shall be an experienced government attorney of high 
moral character and sound judgment.
    (3) An examiner shall be impartial. No individual who has 
participated in any manner in the decision to initiate the proceedings 
may serve as an examiner in those proceedings.
    (d) Scheduling of hearing. In setting a hearing date, the examiner 
shall give due regard to the former Commission employee's need for--
    (1) Adequate time to prepare a defense properly, and
    (2) An expeditious resolution of allegations that may be damaging to 
his or her reputation.
    (e) Hearing rights. A hearing shall include, at a minimum, the 
following rights:
    (1) To be represented by counsel,
    (2) To introduce and examine witnesses and to submit physical 
evidence,
    (3) To confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses,
    (4) To present oral argument; and
    (5) To obtain a transcript or recording of the proceeding on 
request.
    (f) Burden of proof. In any hearing under this subpart the 
Commission has the burden of proof and must establish a violation by 
clear and convincing evidence. The case of the Commission shall be 
presented by the Office of the General Counsel.
    (g) Recommended determination. (1) The examiner shall make a 
recommended determination exclusively on matters of record in the 
proceeding and shall set forth therein all findings of fact and 
conclusions of law relevant to the matters at issue. The recommended 
determination shall be delivered to the parties.
    (2) Within ten (10) days of the date of receipt of the recommended 
determination either party may submit to the Chairman exceptions to the 
recommended determination and alternative findings of fact and 
conclusions of law.
    (h) Final administrative decision. (1) Within forty (40) days of the 
date of the recommended determination, the Chairman shall make a final 
administrative decision based solely on the record of the proceedings.
    (2) In the event that no hearing is requested, the Chairman shall 
make a final administrative decision within forty (40) days of the date 
notice is provided to the former employee and the record of the 
proceedings shall consist of the statement of allegations as defined in 
paragraph (b)(2)(i) and whatever written response the former employee 
shall provide.
    (3) The Chairman shall specify in the final administrative decision 
the findings of fact and conclusions of law that differ from the 
recommended determination of the hearing examiner.
    (i) Administrative sanctions. The Chairman may take appropriate 
action in the case of any individual who is found in violation of 18 
U.S.C. 207(a), (b), or (c) or implementing regulations of the Office of 
Government Ethics (5 CFR part 737) after a final administrative decision 
by--
    (1) Prohibiting the individual from making, on behalf of any other 
person (except the United States), any formal or informal appearance 
before, or, with the intent to influence, any oral or written 
communication to, the Commission on any matter of business for a period 
not to exceed five (5) years. This prohibition may be enforced by 
directing Commission employees to refuse to

[[Page 15]]

participate in any such appearance or to accept any such communication;
    (2) Taking other appropriate disciplinary action.
    (j) Judicial review. Any person found to have participated in a 
violation of 18 U.S.C. 207(a), (b), or (c) or these regulations may seek 
judicial review of the administrative determination. Review shall be 
before the appropriate United States district court.

[[Page 16]]



                          SUBCHAPTER A_GENERAL





PART 201_RULES OF GENERAL APPLICATION--Table of Contents



Sec.
201.0 Seal.
201.1 Applicability of part.

                         Subpart A_Miscellaneous

201.2 Definitions.
201.3 Commission offices, mailing address, and hours.
201.3a Missing children information.
201.4 Performance of functions.
201.5 Attendance fees and mileage.
201.6 Confidential business information.

           Subpart B_Initiation and Conduct of Investigations

201.7 Investigative authority and initiation of investigations.
201.8 Filing of documents.
201.9 Methods employed in obtaining information.
201.10 Public notices.
201.11 Appearance in an investigation as a party.
201.12 Requests.
201.13 Conduct of nonadjudicative hearings.
201.14 Computation of time, additional hearings, postponements, 
          continuances, and extensions of time.
201.15 Attorneys or agents.
201.16 Service of process and other documents.

Subpart C_Availability of Information to the Public Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
                                   552

201.17 Procedures for requesting access to records.
201.18 Denial of requests, appeals from denial.
201.19 Notification regarding requests for confidential business 
          information.
201.20 Fees.
201.21 Availability of specific records.

   Subpart D_Safeguarding Individual Privacy Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a

201.22 Purpose and scope.
201.23 Definitions.
201.24 Procedures for requests pertaining to individual records in a 
          records system.
201.25 Times, places, and requirements for identification of individuals 
          making requests.
201.26 Disclosure of requested information to individuals.
201.27 Special procedures: Medical records.
201.28 Requests for correction or amendment of records.
201.29 Commission disclosure of individual records, accounting of record 
          disclosures, and requests for accounting of record 
          disclosures.
201.30 Commission review of requests for access to records, for 
          correction or amendment to records, and for accounting of 
          record disclosures.
201.31 Fees and employee conduct.
201.32 Specific exemptions.

Subpart E_Opening Commission Meetings to Public Observation Pursuant to 
                              5 U.S.C. 552b

201.33 Purpose and scope.
201.34 Definitions.
201.35 Notices to the public.
201.36 Closing a portion or portions of a meeting or a series of 
          meetings.
201.37 Changing the time, place, subject matter, or determination to 
          open or close a meeting following a public notice.
201.38 Requests by interested persons that the Commission close a 
          portion of a Commission meeting.
201.39 General Counsel's certification of Commission action in closing a 
          meeting or a series of meetings.
201.40 Records-retention requirements.
201.41 Public inspection and copying of records; applicable fees.

                 Subpart F_National Security Information

201.42 Purpose and scope.
201.43 Mandatory declassification review.

 Subpart G_Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in 
    Programs or Activities Conducted by the U.S. International Trade 
                               Commission

201.101 Purpose.
201.102 Application.
201.103 Definitions.
201.104-201.109 [Reserved]
201.110 Self-evaluation.
201.111 Notice.
201.112-201.129 [Reserved]
201.130 General prohibitions against discrimination.
201.131-201.139 [Reserved]
201.140 Employment.
201.141-201.148 [Reserved]
201.149 Program accessibility: Discrimination prohibited.
201.150 Program accessibility: Existing facilities.
201.151 Program accessibility: New construction and alterations.

[[Page 17]]

201.152-201.159 [Reserved]
201.160 Communications.
201.161-201.169 [Reserved]
201.170 Compliance procedures.
201.171-201.999 [Reserved]

                        Subpart H_Debt Collection

201.201 Definitions.
201.202 Purpose and scope of salary and administrative offset rules.
201.203 Delegation of authority.
201.204 Salary offset.
201.205 Salary adjustments.
201.206 Administrative offset.
201.207 Administrative offset against amounts payable from Civil Service 
          Retirement and Disability Fund.
201.208 Tax refund offset.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1335; 19 U.S.C. 2482, unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 27 FR 12118, Dec. 7, 1962, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  201.0  Seal.

    (a) Pursuant to section 331(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended 
(19 U.S.C. 1331(g)), the United States International Trade Commission 
has adopted an official seal, the depiction of which follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC05OC91.026

    (b) Custody and certification obligations. The Secretary shall have 
custody of the seal of the United States International Trade Commission 
and he, or the Acting Secretary, may execute under seal any 
certification required to authenticate any books, records, papers, or 
other documents as true copies of official records of the United States 
International Trade Commission.

(Sec. 331(g), Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1331(g)))

[40 FR 53384, Nov. 18, 1975; 40 FR 55838, Dec. 2, 1975]



Sec.  201.1  Applicability of part.

    This part relates generally to functions and activities of the 
Commission under various statutes and other legal authority. Rules 
having special application appear separately in parts 202 through 207, 
inclusive, and parts 210, 212 and 213, of this chapter. In case of 
inconsistency between a rule of general application and a rule of 
special application, the latter is controlling.

[68 FR 32973, June 3, 2003]



                         Subpart A_Miscellaneous



Sec.  201.2  Definitions.

    As used in this chapter--
    (a) Commission means the United States International Trade 
Commission;
    (b) Inspector General means the Inspector General of the Commission;
    (c) Tariff Act means the Tariff Act of 1930, 19 U.S.C. 1202-1677j, 
1677m-n;
    (d) Trade Expansion Act means the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, 19 
U.S.C. 1801-1991;
    (e) Trade Act means the Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. 2101-2487;
    (f) Trade Agreements Act means the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, 
Public Law 96-39, 93 Stat. 144;
    (g) Rule means a section of the Commission Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (19 CFR chapter II);
    (h) Secretary means the Secretary of the Commission.
    (i) Except for adjudicative investigations under subchapter C of 
this chapter, party means any person who has filed a complaint or 
petition on the basis of which an investigation has been instituted, or 
any person whose entry of appearance has been accepted pursuant to Sec.  
201.11 (a) or (c). Mere participation in an investigation without an 
accepted entry of appearance does not confer party status.
    (j) Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, 
association, or public or private organization.

[56 FR 11922, Mar. 21, 1991, as amended at 60 FR 37336, July 20, 1995; 
68 FR 32973, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  201.3  Commission offices, mailing address, and hours.

    (a) Offices. The Commission's offices are located in the United 
States International Trade Commission Building on 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC.

[[Page 18]]

    (b) Mailing address. All communications to the Commission should be 
addressed to the ``Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20436.''
    (c) Hours. The business hours of the Commission are from 8:45 a.m. 
to 5:15 p.m., eastern standard or daylight savings time, whichever is in 
effect in Washington, DC. Any document filed with the Secretary of the 
Commission after 5:15 p.m. will be considered filed the next business 
day. If filing on that day would be untimely, the filing may not be 
accepted unless a request is made for acceptance of a late filing for 
good cause shown pursuant to 201.14(b)(2).

[45 FR 80276, Dec. 4, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 32973, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  201.3a  Missing children information.

    (a) Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3220, penalty mail sent by the Commission 
may be used to assist in the location and recovery of missing children. 
This section establishes procedures for such use and is applicable on a 
Commission-wide basis. The Commission's Office of Facilities Management, 
telephone 202-205-2741, shall be the point of contact for matters 
related to the implementation of this section.
    (b) Missing children information shall be inserted in or affixed to 
such mailings of Commission monthly calendars, notices, press releases, 
and other documents as the Commission may direct. Such missing children 
information shall be obtained exclusively from the National Center for 
Missing and Exploited Children.
    (c) The procedure established in subsection (b) above will result in 
missing childern information being inserted in an estimated 25 percent 
of the Commission's penalty mail and will cost an estimated $1,500 for 
the first year of implementation. The Director of Administration shall 
make such changes in the procedure as he deems appropriate to maximize 
the use of missing children information in the Commission's mail.

[51 FR 25195, July 11, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 32974, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  201.4  Performance of functions.

    (a) Conduct of business. A majority of the members of the Commission 
constitutes a quorum. The Commission may meet and exercise its powers at 
any place, and may, by one or more of its members, or by such agents as 
it may designate, prosecute any inquiry necessary to its duties in any 
part of the United States or in any foreign country.
    (b) Alteration or waiver of rules. Rules in this chapter may be 
amended, waived, suspended, or revoked by the Commission only. A rule 
may be waived or suspended only when in the judgment of the Commission 
there is good and sufficient reason therefor, provided the rule is not a 
matter of procedure required by law.
    (c) Authority to make decisions. Authority to interpret the 
Commission's rules and the laws applying to the Commission, and to make 
findings, determinations, or other decisions not relating to matters of 
internal management, is retained in the Commission itself and is not 
delegated.
    (d) Presentation of matter that may come within the purview of other 
laws. Whenever any party or person, including the Commission staff, has 
reason to believe that (1) a matter under investigation pursuant to 
section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, or (2) a matter under an 
investigation pursuant to section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
U.S.C. 2252), which is causing increased imports may come within the 
purview of another remedial provision of law not the basis of such 
investigation, including but not limited to the antidumping provisions 
(19 U.S.C. 1673 et seq.) or the countervailing duty provisions (19 
U.S.C. 1671 et seq.) of the Tariff Act of 1930, then the party or person 
may file a suggestion of notification with the Commission that the 
appropriate agency be notified of such matter or circumstances, together 
with such information as the party or person has available. The 
Secretary shall promptly thereafter publish notice of the filing of such 
suggestion and information, and make them available for inspection and 
copying to the extent permitted by law. Any person may comment on the 
suggestion within 10 days after the publication of said notice.

[[Page 19]]

Thereafter, the Commission shall determine whether notification is 
appropriate under the law and, if so, shall notify the appropriate 
agency of such matters or circumstances. The Commission may at any time 
make such notification in the absence of a suggestion under this rule 
when the Commission has reason to believe, on the basis of information 
before it, that notification is appropriate under law.

[27 FR 12118, Dec. 7, 1962, as amended at 45 FR 80276, Dec. 4, 1980; 68 
FR 32974, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  201.5  Attendance fees and mileage.

    (a) Deponents and witnesses. Any person compelled to appear in 
person to depose or testify in response to a subpoena shall be paid the 
same fees and mileage as are paid witnesses in the courts of the United 
States: Provided, that salaried employees of the United States summoned 
to depose or testify as to matters related to their public employment, 
irrespective of at whose instance they are summoned, shall be paid in 
accordance with applicable Government regulations.
    (b) Responsibility. The fees and mileage referred to in this section 
shall be paid by the party at whose instance deponents or witnesses 
appear: Provided, that when it is the Commission, one or more 
Commissioners, or one of its employees at whose instance deponents or 
witnesses appear, such fees and mileage shall be paid by the Commission.

[41 FR 17710, Apr. 27, 1976]



Sec.  201.6  Confidential business information.

    (a) Definitions--(1) Confidential business information is 
information which concerns or relates to the trade secrets, processes, 
operations, style of works, or apparatus, or to the production, sales, 
shipments, purchases, transfers, identification of customers, 
inventories, or amount or source of any income, profits, losses, or 
expenditures of any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other 
organization, or other information of commercial value, the disclosure 
of which is likely to have the effect of either impairing the 
Commission's ability to obtain such information as is necessary to 
perform its statutory functions, or causing substantial harm to the 
competitive position of the person, firm, partnership, corporation, or 
other organization from which the information was obtained, unless the 
Commission is required by law to disclose such information. The term 
``confidential business information'' includes ``proprietary 
information'' within the meaning of section 777(b) of the Tariff Act of 
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1677f(b)). Nonnumerical characterizations of numerical 
confidential business information (e.g., discussion of trends) will be 
treated as confidential business information only at the request of the 
submitter for good cause shown.
    (2) Nondisclosable confidential business information is privileged 
information, classified information, or specific information (e.g., 
trade secrets) of a type for which there is a clear and compelling need 
to withhold from disclosure. Special rules for the handling of such 
information are set out in Sec.  206.17 and Sec.  207.7 of this chapter.
    (b) Procedure for submitting business information in confidence. (1) 
A request for confidential treatment of business information shall be 
addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, and shall indicate 
clearly on the envelope that it is a request for confidential treatment.
    (2) In the absence of good cause shown, any request relating to 
material to be submitted during the course of a hearing shall be 
submitted at least three (3) working days prior to the commencement of 
such hearing.
    (3) With each submission of, or offer to submit, business 
information which a submitter desires to be treated as confidential 
business information, under paragraph (a) of this section, the submitter 
shall provide the following, which may be disclosed to the public:
    (i) A written description of the nature of the subject information;
    (ii) A justification for the request for its confidential treatment;
    (iii) A certification in writing under oath that substantially 
identical information is not available to the public;
    (iv) A copy of the document

[[Page 20]]

    (A) Clearly marked on its cover as to the pages on which 
confidential information can be found;
    (B) With information for which confidential treatment is requested 
clearly identified by means of brackets; and
    (C) With information for which nondisclosable confidential treatment 
is requested clearly identified by means of triple brackets (except when 
submission of such document is withheld in accord with paragraph (b)(4) 
of this section); and
    (v) A nonconfidential copy of the documents as required by Sec.  
201.8(d).
    (4) The submission of the documents itemized in paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section will provide the basis for rulings on the confidentiality 
of submissions, including rulings on the confidentiality of submissions 
offered to the Commission which have not yet been placed under the 
possession, control, or custody of the Commission. The submitter has the 
option of providing the business information for which confidential 
treatment is sought at the time the documents itemized in paragraph 
(b)(3) of this section are provided or of withholding them until a 
ruling on their confidentiality has been issued.
    (c) Identification of business information submitted in confidence. 
Business information which a submitter desires to be treated as 
confidential shall be clearly labeled ``confidential business 
information'' when submitted, and shall be segregated from other 
material being submitted.
    (d) Approval or denial of requests for confidential treatment. 
Approval or denial of requests shall be made only by the Secretary or 
Acting Secretary. An approval or a denial of a request for confidential 
treatment shall be in writing. A denial shall specify the reason 
therefor, and shall advise the submitter of the right to appeal to the 
Commission.
    (e) Appeals from denial of confidential treatment. (1) For good 
cause shown, the Commission may grant an appeal from a denial by the 
Secretary of a request for confidential treatment of a submission. Any 
appeal filed shall be addressed to the Chairman, United States 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, 
and shall clearly indicate that it is a confidential submission appeal. 
An appeal may be made within twenty (20) days of a denial or whenever 
the approval or denial has not been forthcoming within ten (10) days 
(excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal legal holidays) of the 
receipt of a confidential treatment request, unless an extension notice 
in writing with the reasons therefor has been provided the person 
requesting confidential treatment.
    (2) An appeal will be decided within twenty (20) days of its receipt 
(excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal legal holidays) unless an 
extension notice in writing with the reasons therefor, has been provided 
the person making the appeal.
    (3) The justification submitted to the Commission in connection with 
an appeal shall be limited to that presented to the Secretary with the 
original or amended request. When the Secretary or Acting Secretary has 
denied a request on the ground that the submitter failed to provide 
adequate justification, any such additional justification shall be 
submitted to the Secretary for consideration as part of an amended 
request. For purposes of paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the twenty 
(20) day period for filing an appeal shall be tolled on the filing of an 
amended request and a new twenty (20) day period shall begin once the 
Secretary or Acting Secretary has denied the amended request, or the 
approval or denial has not been forthcoming within ten (10) days of the 
filing of the amended request. A denial of a request by the Secretary on 
the ground of inadequate justification shall not obligate a requester to 
furnish additional justification and shall not preclude a requester from 
filing an appeal with the Commission based on the justification earlier 
submitted to the Secretary.
    (f) Appeals from approval of confidential treatment. (1) For good 
cause shown, the Commission may grant an appeal from an approval by the 
Secretary of a request for confidential treatment of a submission. Any 
appeal filed shall be addressed to the Chairman, United States 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436, 
shall show that a copy thereof has been served upon the submitter, and 
shall clearly indicate that it is a

[[Page 21]]

confidential submission appeal. An appeal may be made within twenty (20) 
days of the approval by the Secretary of a request for confidential 
treatment or whenever the approval or denial has not been forthcoming 
within ten (10) days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal legal 
holidays) of the receipt of a confidential treatment request, unless an 
extension notice in writing with the reasons therefor has been provided 
the person requesting confidential treatment.
    (2) An appeal will be decided within twenty (20) days of its receipt 
(excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal legal holidays) unless an 
extension notice, in writing with the reasons therefor, has been 
provided the person making the appeal.
    (g) Granting confidential status to business information. Any 
business information submitted in confidence and determined to be 
entitled to confidential treatment shall be maintained in confidence by 
the Commission and not disclosed except as required by law. In the event 
that any business information submitted to the Commission is not 
entitled to confidential treatment, the submitter will be permitted to 
withdraw the tender within five days of its denial of confidential 
treatment unless it is the subject of a request under the Freedom of 
Information Act or of judicial discovery proceedings. After such five 
day period, the business information deemed not entitled to confidential 
treatment, and not withdrawn, will be treated as public information.
    (h) Scope of provisions. The provisions of Sec. Sec.  201.6(b) and 
201.6 (d) through (g) shall not apply to adjudicative investigations 
under subchapter C, part 210, of the Commission's rules of practice and 
procedure.

[41 FR 28951, July 14, 1976, as amended at 49 FR 32571, Aug. 15, 1984; 
54 FR 13678, Apr. 5, 1989; 61 FR 37827, July 22, 1996; 68 FR 32974, June 
3, 2003]



           Subpart B_Initiation and Conduct of Investigations



Sec.  201.7  Investigative authority and initiation of investigations.

    (a) Investigative authority. In order to expedite the performance of 
its functions, the Commission may engage in investigative activities 
preliminary to and in aid of any authorized investigation, consolidate 
proceedings before it, and determine the scope and manner of its 
proceedings;
    (b) Initiation of investigations. Investigations may be initiated by 
the Commission on the Commission's own motion, upon request of the 
President or the United States Trade Representative, upon resolution of 
the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives or the 
Committee of Finance of the Senate, upon resolution of either branch of 
Congress, or upon application, petition, complaint, or request of 
private parties, as required or provided for in the pertinent statute, 
Presidential proclamation, Executive Order, or in this chapter.

[44 FR 76476, Dec. 26, 1979, as amended at 63 FR 29351, May 29, 1998]



Sec.  201.8  Filing of documents.

    (a) Applicability; where to file; date of filing. This section 
applies to all Commission proceedings except, notwithstanding any other 
section of this chapter, those conducted under 19 U.S.C. 1337, which are 
covered by requirements set out in part 210 of this chapter. Documents 
shall be filed at the office of the Secretary of the Commission in 
Washington, DC. Such documents, if properly filed within the hours of 
operation specified in Sec.  201.3(c), will be deemed to be filed on the 
date on which they are actually received in the Commission.
    (b) Conformity with rules. Each document filed with the Commission 
for the purpose of initiating any investigation shall be considered 
properly filed if it conforms with the pertinent rules prescribed in 
this chapter. Substantial compliance with the pertinent rules may be 
accepted by the Commission provided good and sufficient reason is stated 
in the document for inability to comply fully with the pertinent rules.
    (c) Specifications for documents. Each document filed under this 
chapter shall be signed, double-spaced, clear and legible, except that a 
document of two pages or less in length need not be double-spaced. All 
submissions shall be in letter-sized format (8.5 x 11 inches), except 
copies of documents prepared for

[[Page 22]]

another agency or a court (e.g. pleadings papers), and single sided. The 
name of the person signing the original shall be typewritten or 
otherwise reproduced on each copy.
    (d) Filing. (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (d)(2) through (6) 
and (f) of this section, all documents filed with the Commission shall 
be filed electronically. Completion of filing requires the submission of 
paper copies by 12 noon, Eastern time, on the next business day. A paper 
copy provided for in this section must be a true copy of the electronic 
version of the document, i.e., a copy that is identical in all possible 
respects. All paper copies of electronic submissions exceeding fifty 
(50) pages in length must have a divider page and an identifying tab 
preceding each exhibit and/or attachment. The divider page and/or tab 
must be labeled with a letter or number that corresponds to a more fully 
descriptive index. All filings shall comply with the procedures set 
forth in the Commission's Electronic Document Information System Web 
site at https://edis.usitc.gov. Failure to comply with the requirements 
of this chapter and the Handbook on Filing Procedures that apply to the 
filing of a document may result in the rejection of the document as 
improperly filed.
    (2) Briefs, statements, responses, comments, and requests filed 
pursuant to Sec.  201.12, Sec.  201.14, Sec.  206.8, Sec.  207.15, Sec.  
207.23, Sec.  207.25, Sec.  207.28, Sec.  207.30, Sec.  207.61, Sec.  
207.62, Sec.  207.65, Sec.  207.67, or Sec.  207.68 of this chapter 
shall be filed electronically and the requisite number of true paper 
copies of these documents shall be submitted to the Commission in 
accordance with the provisions of the applicable section.
    (3) Petitions and requests filed under Sec.  206.2 or Sec.  207.10 
of this chapter shall be filed in paper form and exhibits, appendices, 
and attachments to the documents shall be filed in electronic form on 
CD-ROM, DVD or other portable electronic media approved by the Secretary 
in accordance with the provisions of the applicable section. Submitted 
media will be retained by the Commission, except that media may be 
returned to the submitter if a document is not accepted for filing.
    (4) Supplementary material and witness testimony provided for under 
Sec.  201.13, Sec.  207.15, or Sec.  207.24 of this chapter shall be 
filed in paper form in accordance with the provisions of the applicable 
section.
    (5) Certain documents filed under Sec.  201.4 of this chapter and 
applications for administrative protective orders filed under Sec. Sec.  
206.17 and 207.7 of this chapter shall only be filed electronically; no 
paper copies will be required.
    (6) The Secretary may provide for exceptions and modifications to 
the filing requirements set out in this chapter. A person seeking an 
exception should consult the Handbook on Filing Procedures.
    (7) During any period in which the Commission is closed, deadlines 
for filing documents electronically and by other means are extended so 
that documents are due on the first business day after the end of the 
closure.
    (e) Identification of party filing document. Each document filed 
with the Commission for the purpose of initiating any investigation 
shall show on the first page thereof the name, address, and telephone 
number of the party or parties by whom or on whose behalf the document 
is filed and shall be signed by the party filing the document or by a 
duly authorized officer, attorney, or agent of such party. (Also, any 
attorney or agent filing the document shall give his address and 
telephone number.) The signature of the person signing such a document 
constitutes a certification that he had read the document, that to the 
best of his knowledge and belief the statements contained therein are 
true, and that the person signing the document was duly authorized to 
sign it.
    (f) Nonconfidential copies. In the event that confidential treatment 
of a document is requested under Sec.  201.6(b), a nonconfidential 
version of the document shall be filed, in which the confidential 
business information shall have been deleted and which shall have been 
conspicuously marked ``nonconfidential'' or ``public inspection.''' The 
nonconfidential version shall be filed electronically, and two (2) true 
paper copies shall be submitted on the same business day as this 
electronic filing, except as provided in Sec.  206.8 or Sec.  207.3 of

[[Page 23]]

this chapter. In the event that confidential treatment is not requested 
for a document under Sec.  201.6(b), the document shall be conspicuously 
marked ``No confidential version filed,'' and the document shall be 
filed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section. The name of the 
person signing the original shall be typewritten or otherwise reproduced 
on each copy.
    (g) Cover sheet. When making a paper filing, parties must complete 
the cover sheet on-line at http://edis.usitc.gov and print out the cover 
sheet for submission to the Office of the Secretary with the paper 
filing. For documents that are filed electronically, parties must 
complete the cover sheet for such filing on-line at http://
edis.usitc.gov at the time of the electronic filing. The party 
submitting the cover sheet is responsible for the accuracy of all 
information contained in the cover sheet, including, but not limited to, 
the security status and the investigation number, and must comply with 
applicable limitations on disclosure of business proprietary information 
or confidential information under Sec.  201.6 and Sec. Sec.  206.8, 
206.17, 207.3, and 207.7 of this chapter.

[41 FR 17710, Apr. 27, 1976, as amended at 49 FR 32571, Aug. 15, 1984; 
56 FR 11922, Mar. 21, 1991; 67 FR 68037, Nov. 8, 2002; 68 FR 32974, June 
3, 2003; 76 FR 61941, Oct. 6, 2011; 79 FR 35924, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  201.9  Methods employed in obtaining information.

    In obtaining information necessary to carry out its functions and 
duties, the Commission may employ any means authorized by law. In 
general, the Commission obtains pertinent information from its own 
files, from other agencies of the Government, through questionnaires and 
correspondence, through field work by members of the Commission's staff, 
and from testimony and other information presented at the hearings.

[27 FR 12118, Dec. 7, 1962, as amended at 44 FR 76476, Dec. 26, 1979]



Sec.  201.10  Public notices.

    As appropriate, notice of the receipt of documents properly filed, 
of the institution of investigations, of public hearings, and of other 
formal actions of the Commission will be given by publication in the 
Federal Register. In addition to such publication, a copy of each notice 
will be posted at the Office of the Secretary to the Commission in 
Washington, DC, and, as appropriate, copies will be sent to press 
associations, trade and similar organizations of producers and 
importers, and others known to have an interest in the subject matter.

[63 FR 29347, May 29, 1998]



Sec.  201.11  Appearance in an investigation as a party.

    (a) Who may appear as a party. Any person may apply to appear in an 
investigation as a party, either in person or by representative, by 
filing an entry of appearance with the Secretary. Each entry of 
appearance shall state briefly the nature of the person's reason for 
participating in the investigation and state the person's intent to file 
briefs with the Commission regarding the subject matter of the 
investigation. The Secretary shall promptly determine whether the person 
submitting the entry of appearance has a proper reason for participating 
in the investigation. In any investigation conducted under part 207 of 
this chapter, industrial users, and if the merchandise under 
investigation is sold at the retail level, representative consumer 
organizations, will be deemed to have a proper reason for participating 
in the investigation. If it is found that a person does not have a 
proper reason for participating in the investigation, that person shall 
be so notified by the Secretary and shall not be entitled to appear in 
the investigation as a party. A person found to have a proper reason for 
participating in the investigation shall be permitted to appear in the 
investigation as a party, and acceptance of such person's entry of 
appearance shall be signified by the Secretary's inclusion of such 
person on the service list established pursuant to paragraph (d) of this 
section.
    (b) Time for filing. (1) Except in the case of investigations 
conducted under part 207 of this chapter, each entry of appearance shall 
be filed with the Secretary not later than twenty-one (21) days after 
publication of the Commission's notice of investigation in the Federal 
Register.

[[Page 24]]

    (2) In the case of investigations conducted under subpart B of part 
207 of this chapter, each entry of appearance shall be filed with the 
Secretary not later than seven (7) days after publication of the 
Commission's notice of investigation in the Federal Register. A party 
that files a notice of appearance during such time need not file an 
additional notice of appearance during the portion of the investigation 
conducted under subpart C of part 207 of this chapter.
    (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a party may 
file an entry of appearance during the final phase of an investigation 
conducted under part 207 of this chapter no later than twenty-one (21) 
days prior to the hearing date listed in the Federal Register notice 
published pursuant to Sec.  207.24(b) of this chapter.
    (4) In the case of reviews conducted under subpart F of part 207 of 
this chapter, each entry of appearance shall be filed with the Secretary 
not later than twenty-one (21) days after publication in the Federal 
Register of the notice of institution described in Sec.  207.60(d) of 
this chapter.
    (5) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(4) of this section, a party may 
file an entry of appearance in a review conducted under subpart F of 
part 207 of this chapter within the period specified in the notice 
issued under Sec.  207.62(c) of this chapter. This period shall be at 
least 45 days.
    (c) Late filing. Any entry of appearance filed with the Secretary 
after the filing date established in paragraph (b) of this section shall 
be referred to the Chairman, or other person designated to conduct the 
investigation, who shall promptly determine whether to accept such entry 
for good cause shown by the person desiring to file the notice. The 
Secretary shall promptly notify the submitter of a decision to deny the 
entry, or if the entry is accepted, include such person on the service 
list established pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section.
    (d) Service list. Upon the expiration of the time for filing notices 
of appearance established in paragraph (b) of this section, the 
Secretary shall prepare a service list. The service list shall contain 
the names and addresses of all persons, or their representatives, who 
are parties to the investigation pursuant to Sec.  201.2(h) and 
paragraph (a) of this section. Upon the acceptance of a late entry of 
appearance pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, the Secretary 
shall amend the service list to include the name and address of the 
person whose notice has been accepted and shall promptly forward such 
notice to all parties to the investigation.

[56 FR 11922, Mar. 21, 1991, as amended at 61 FR 37828, July 22, 1996; 
63 FR 30607, June 5, 1998]



Sec.  201.12  Requests.

    Any party to a nonadjudicative investigation may request the 
Commission to take particular action with respect to that investigation. 
Such requests shall be made by letter addressed to the Secretary, shall 
be placed by him in the record, and shall be served on all other 
parties. Such request shall be filed electronically and two (2) true 
paper copies shall be submitted on the same business day. The Commission 
shall take such action or make such response as it deems appropriate.

[76 FR 61941, Oct. 6, 2011]



Sec.  201.13  Conduct of nonadjudicative hearings.

    (a) In general. Public hearings are held by the Commission when 
required by law or, if not required by law, when in the judgment of the 
Commission there is good and sufficient reason therefor. Public hearings 
will be held at the time and place specified in notices issued under 
Sec.  201.10. Public hearings are ordinarily held in the Hearing Room of 
the International Trade Commission Building, in Washington, DC, but may 
be held elsewhere at the Commission's discretion.
    (b) Presiding officials--(1) Who presides. Public hearings or 
conferences in nonadjudicative investigations will be conducted by the 
Commission or by one or more Commissioners. When the Commission deems it 
necessary, such hearings will be conducted by one or more designated 
employees. In all cases the transcript of the testimony at a hearing 
will be presented for the consideration of the Commission.

[[Page 25]]

    (2) Powers and duties. The Commission, one or more of the 
Commissioners, or one or more designated employees shall have all the 
powers to conduct fair and impartial hearings, to take necessary action 
to avoid delay in the disposition of proceedings, including the 
prescription of time allocated to testimony, argument, and questioning, 
to regulate the course of hearings and the conduct of the parties and 
their counsel therein, and to maintain order.
    (c) Participation in a hearing--(1) Who may participate. A party may 
participate in the hearing, either in person or by representative. A 
nonparty who has testimony or arguments that may aid the Commission's 
deliberations may also participate, under such conditions as may be 
established by the presiding officials at the hearing.
    (2) Notices of participation. Notices of participation in a hearing 
shall be filed with the Secretary at least three (3) days in advance of 
the date set for the hearing or two (2) days in advance of the date set 
in the notice of investigation for a prehearing conference, whichever 
shall first occur, except that the presiding officials may waive this 
requirement for good cause. Witnesses on behalf of persons filing 
notices of participation need not file separate notices.
    (d) Witness list. Each person who files a notice of participation 
pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section shall simultaneously file with 
the Secretary a list of the witnesses he intends to call at the hearing.
    (e) Order of the testimony. Unless otherwise ordered by the 
presiding officials, witnesses will give testimony in the order 
designated by the Secretary to the Commission. Each witness, after being 
duly sworn, will be permitted to proceed with his or her testimony 
without interruption except by presiding officials.
    (f) Supplementary material. A party to the investigation may file 
with the Secretary supplementary material, other than remarks read into 
the record, for acceptance into the record. The party shall file any 
such material with the Secretary at the hearing. Supplementary materials 
must be marked with the name of the organization submitting it. As used 
herein, the term supplementary material refers to (1) additional graphic 
material such as charts and diagrams used to illuminate an argument or 
clarify a position and (2) information not available to a party at the 
time its prehearing brief was filed.
    (g) Questioning of witnesses. After completing testimony, a witness 
may be questioned by any member of the Commission or by its staff. Any 
participant may, with the permission of the presiding officials, direct 
questions to the witness, but only for the purpose of assisting the 
Commission in obtaining relevant and material facts with respect to the 
subject matter of the investigation.
    (h) Oral argument. When, in the opinion of the presiding officials, 
time permits and the nature of the proceedings and the complexity or 
importance of the questions of fact or law involved warrant, the 
presiding officials may allow oral argument after conclusion of the 
testimony in a hearing. The presiding officials will determine in each 
instance the time to be allowed for argument and the allocation thereof.
    (i) Briefs--(1) Parties. Briefs of the information produced at the 
hearing and arguments thereon may be presented to the Commission by 
parties to the investigation. Time to be allowed for submission of 
briefs will be set after conclusion of testimony and oral argument, if 
any.
    (2) Nonparties. Any person who is not a party to an investigation 
may submit a short statement for the record regarding the subject matter 
of an investigation.
    (j) Verification of testimony. Oral or written information submitted 
at hearings will, upon order of the Commission, be subject to 
verification from books, papers, and records of the persons submitting 
the information and from any other available sources.
    (k) Hearing transcripts. A verbatim transcript of all hearings will 
be taken. The Commission does not distribute transcripts of the records 
of such hearings. Any person may inspect the transcript of a hearing at 
the Commission's office in Washington, DC, or purchase it from the 
official reporter.

[[Page 26]]

    (l) To facilitate the conduct of hearings, parties intending to use 
easels, audio visual, and similar equipment in the course of hearing 
presentations should advise the Secretary of their intent to use such 
equipment at least three (3) working days before the hearing.
    (m) Closed sessions. (1) Upon a request filed by a party to the 
investigation no later than seven (7) days prior to the date of the 
hearing (or three (3) days prior to the date of a conference conducted 
under Sec.  207.15 of this chapter) that
    (i) Identifies the subjects to be discussed;
    (ii) Specifies the amount of time requested; and
    (iii) Justifies the need for a closed session with respect to each 
subject to be discussed, the Commission (or the Director, as defined in 
Sec.  207.2(c) of this chapter, for a conference under Sec.  207.15 of 
this chapter) may close a portion of a hearing (or conference under 
Sec.  207.15 of this chapter) held in any investigation in order to 
allow such party to address confidential business information, as 
defined in Sec.  201.6, during the course of its presentation.
    (2) In addition, during each hearing held in an investigation 
conducted under section 202 of the Trade Act, as amended, or in an 
investigation under title VII of the Tariff Act as provided in Sec.  
207.24 of this chapter, following the public presentation of the 
petitioner(s) and that of each panel of respondents, the Commission 
will, if it deems it appropriate, close the hearing in order to allow 
Commissioners to question parties and/or their representatives 
concerning matters involving confidential business information.

[47 FR 6189, Feb. 10, 1982, as amended at 47 FR 33682, Aug. 4, 1982; 54 
FR 13678, Apr. 5, 1989; 59 FR 66722, Dec. 28, 1994; 61 FR 37829, July 
22, 1996; 68 FR 32975, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  201.14  Computation of time, additional hearings, postponements,
continuances, and extensions of time.

    (a) Computation of time. Computation of any period of time 
prescribed or allowed by the rules in this chapter, by order of the 
Commission, or by order of the presiding officer under part 210 of this 
chapter shall begin with the first business day following the day on 
which the act or event initiating such period of time shall have 
occurred. The last day of the period so computed is to be included, 
unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal legal holiday, in which 
event the period runs until the end of the next business day. When the 
period of time prescribed or allowed is less than 7 days, intermediate 
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal legal holidays shall be excluded from 
the computation. As used in this rule, a Federal legal holiday refers to 
any full calendar day designated as a legal holiday by the President or 
the Congress of the United States. In the event of an early or all-day 
closing of the Commission on a business day, the Secretary is authorized 
to accept on the next full business day filings due the day of the early 
or all-day closing, without requiring the granting of an extension of 
time by the Chairman of the Commission, or such other person designated 
to conduct the investigation.
    (b) Additional hearings, postponements, continuances, and extensions 
of time. (1) Prior to its final determination in any investigation, the 
Commission may in its discretion for good cause shown grant additional 
hearings, postponements, or continuances of hearings.
    (2) The Chairman of the Commission or such other person as is 
designated to conduct the investigation shall determine whether to grant 
for good cause shown extensions of time for performing any act required 
by or pursuant to the rules contained in this chapter.
    (3) A request that the Commission take any of the actions described 
in this section shall be filed with the Secretary and served on all 
parties to the investigation. Such request shall be filed electronically 
and two (2) true paper copies shall be submitted on the same business 
day.

[41 FR 17710, Apr. 27, 1976, as amended at 56 FR 11923, Mar. 21, 1991; 
68 FR 32975, June 3, 2003; 76 FR 61941, Oct. 6, 2011]



Sec.  201.15  Attorneys or agents.

    (a) In general. No register of attorneys or agents who may practice 
before the Commission is maintained. No application for admission to 
practice is

[[Page 27]]

required. Any person desiring to appear as attorney or agent before the 
Commission may be required to show to the satisfaction of the Commission 
his acceptability in that capacity. Any attorney or agent practicing 
before the Commission, or desiring so to practice, may for good cause 
shown be suspended or barred from practicing before the Commission, or 
have imposed on him such lesser sanctions as the Commission deems 
appropriate, but only after he has been accorded an opportunity to 
present his views in the matter.
    (b) Former officers or employees. No former officer or employee of 
the Commission who personally and substantially participated in a matter 
which was pending in any manner or form in the Commission during his 
employment shall be eligible to appear before the Commission as attorney 
or agent in connection with such matter. No former officer or employee 
of the Commission shall be eligible to appear as attorney or agent 
before the Commission in connection with any matter which was pending in 
any manner or form in the Commission during his employment, unless he 
first obtains written consent from the Commission.

[27 FR 12118, Dec. 7, 1962, as amended at 56 FR 11923, Mar. 21, 1991]



Sec.  201.16  Service of process and other documents.

    (a) By the Commission. Except when service by another method shall 
be specifically ordered by the Commission, the service of a process or 
other document of the Commission shall be served by anyone duly 
authorized by the Commission and be effected--
    (1) By mailing, delivering, or serving by electronic means a copy of 
the document to the person to be served, to a member of the partnership 
to be served, to the president, secretary, other executive officer, or 
member of the board of directors of the corporation, association, or 
other organization to be served, or, if an attorney represents any of 
the above before the Commission, by mailing, delivering, or serving by 
electronic means a copy to such attorney; or
    (2) By leaving a copy thereof at the principal office of such 
person, partnership, corporation, association, or other organization, 
or, if an attorney represents any of the above before the Commission, by 
leaving a copy at the office of such attorney.
    (3) By using an express delivery service to send a copy of the 
document to the principal office of such person, partnership, 
corporation, association, or other organization, or, if an attorney 
represents any of the above before the Commission, by serving the 
attorney by express delivery.
    (4) When service is by mail, it is complete upon mailing of the 
document. When service is by an express service, service is complete 
upon submitting the document to the express delivery service or 
depositing it in the appropriate container for pick-up by the express 
delivery service. When service is by electronic means, service is 
complete upon transmission of a notification that the document has been 
placed in an appropriate repository for retrieval by the person, 
organization, representative, or attorney being served, unless the 
Commission is notified that the notification was not received by the 
party served.
    (b) By a party other than the Commission. Except when service by 
another method shall be specifically ordered by the Commission, the 
service of a document of a party shall be effected:
    (1) By mailing or delivering a copy of a nonconfidential version of 
the document to each party, or, if the party is represented by an 
attorney before the Commission, by mailing or delivering a 
nonconfidential version thereof to such attorney; or
    (2) By leaving a copy thereof at the principal office of each other 
party, or, if a party is represented by an attorney before the 
Commission, by leaving a copy at the office of such attorney.
    (3) When service is by mail, it is complete upon mailing of the 
document.
    (4) When service is by mail, it shall be by first class mail, 
postage prepaid. In the event the addressee is outside the United 
States, service shall be by first class airmail, postage prepaid.
    (c) Proof of service; certificate. (1) Each document filed with the 
Secretary to the Commission by a party in the course of an investigation 
(as provided in Sec.  201.8 of this part) shall be served on each other 
party to the investigation

[[Page 28]]

(as provided in Sec.  210.4(i) of this chapter for investigations under 
19 U.S.C. 1337).
    (2) Each document served by a party shall include a certificate of 
service, setting forth the manner and date of such service. The 
certificate of service shall be deemed proof of service of the document. 
In the event a document is not accompanied by a certificate of service, 
the Secretary shall not accept such document for filing and shall 
promptly notify the submitter.
    (d) Additional time after service by mail. Whenever a party or 
Federal agency or department has the right or is required to perform 
some act or take some action within a prescribed period after the 
service of a document upon it and the document is served upon it by 
mail, three (3) calendar days shall be added to the prescribed period, 
except that when mailing is to a person located in a foreign country, 
ten (10) calendar days shall be added to the prescribed period.
    (e) Additional time after service by express delivery. Whenever a 
party or Federal agency or department has the right or is required to 
perform some act or take some action within a prescribed period after 
the service of a document upon it and the document is served by express 
delivery, one (1) day shall be added to the prescribed period if the 
service is to a destination in the United States, and five (5) days 
shall be added to the prescribed period if the service is to a 
destination outside the United States. ``Service by express delivery'' 
refers to a method that would provide delivery by the next business day 
within the United States and refers to the equivalent express delivery 
service when the delivery is to a foreign location.
    (f) Electronic service by parties. Parties may serve documents by 
electronic means in all matters before the Commission. Parties may 
effect such service on any party, unless that party has, upon notice to 
the Secretary and to all parties, stated that it does not consent to 
electronic service. If electronic service is used, no additional time is 
added to the prescribed period. However, any dispute that arises among 
parties regarding electronic service must be resolved by the parties 
themselves, without the Commission's involvement. When a document served 
by electronic means contains confidential business information or 
business proprietary information subject to an administrative protective 
order, the document must be securely stored and transmitted by the 
serving party in a manner, including by means ordered by the presiding 
administrative law judge, that prevents unauthorized access and/or 
receipt by individuals or organizations not authorized to view the 
specified confidential business information.

(19 U.S.C. 1335 and the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 551, et 
seq.)

[41 FR 17711, Apr. 27, 1976, as amended at 47 FR 6190, Feb. 10, 1982; 47 
FR 33682, Aug. 4, 1982; 49 FR 32571, Aug. 15, 1984; 67 FR 68037, Nov. 8, 
2002; 73 FR 38320, July 7, 2008; 76 FR 61942, Oct. 6, 2011; 78 FR 23480, 
Apr. 19, 2013; 83 FR 21159, May 8, 2018]



Subpart C_Availability of Information to the Public Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
                                   552

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1335, 5 U.S.C. 552.

    Source: 40 FR 8328, Feb. 27, 1975, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  201.17  Procedures for requesting access to records.

    (a) Requests for records. (1) A request for any information or 
record shall be addressed to the Secretary, United States International 
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436 and shall 
indicate clearly in the request, and if the request is in paper form on 
the envelope, that it is a ``Freedom of Information Act Request.'' A 
written request may be made either (1) in paper form, or (2) 
electronically by contacting the Commission at http://www.usitc.gov/
foia.htm.
    (2) Any request shall reasonably describe the requested record to 
facilitate location of the record. If the request pertains to a record 
that is part of the Commission's file in an investigation, the request 
should identify the investigation by number and name. A clear 
description of the requested record(s) should reduce the time required 
by the Commission to locate and disclose releasable responsive record(s) 
and minimize any applicable search and copying charges.

[[Page 29]]

    (3) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, requests 
will be processed in the order in which they are filed.
    (4) Requests for transcripts of hearings should be addressed to the 
official hearing reporter, the name and address of which can be obtained 
from the Secretary. A copy of such request shall at the same time be 
forwarded to the Secretary.
    (5) Copies of public Commission reports and other publications are 
available online at http://www.usitc.gov/publications/by_type.htm, or 
can be requested by calling or writing the Office of the Secretary. 
Certain Commission publications are sold by the Superintendent of 
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, and are available from that 
agency at the price set by that agency.
    (6) A day-to-day, composite record will be kept by the Secretary of 
each request with the disposition thereof.
    (b) Expedited processing. (1) Requests for records under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section will be taken out of order and given expedited 
treatment whenever it is determined that they involve:
    (i) Circumstances in which the lack of expedited treatment could 
reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or 
physical safety of an individual;
    (ii) An urgency to inform the public about an actual or alleged 
federal government activity, if made by a person primarily engaged in 
disseminating information;
    (iii) The loss of substantial due process rights; or
    (iv) A matter of widespread and exceptional media interest in which 
there exist possible questions about the government's integrity which 
affect public confidence.
    (2) A request for expedited processing may be made at the time of 
the initial request for records or at any later time.
    (3) A requester who seeks expedited processing must submit a 
statement, certified to be true and correct to the best of that person's 
knowledge and belief, explaining in detail the basis for requesting 
expedited processing. For example, a requester within paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii) of this section, if not a full-time member of the news media, 
must establish that he or she is a person whose main professional 
activity or occupation is information dissemination, though it need not 
be his or her sole occupation. A requester within paragraph (b)(1)(ii) 
of this section also must establish a particular urgency to inform the 
public about the government activity involved in the request, beyond the 
public's right to know about government activity generally. The 
formality of certification may be waived as a matter of administrative 
discretion.
    (4) Within ten calendar days of receipt of a request for expedited 
processing, the Secretary will decide whether to grant it and will 
notify the requester of the decision. If a request for expedited 
treatment is granted, the request will be given priority and will be 
processed as soon as practicable. If a request for expedited processing 
is denied, any appeal of that decision will be acted on expeditiously.
    (c) Public reading room. The Commission maintains a public reading 
room in the Office of the Secretary for access to the records that the 
FOIA requires to be made regularly available for public inspection and 
copying. Reading room records created by the Commission on or after 
November 1, 1996, are available electronically. This includes a current 
subject-matter index of reading room records, which will indicate which 
records are available electronically.
    (d) Acknowledgment. The Secretary will provide to a requester an 
acknowledgment of the receipt of a request and an individualized 
tracking number for each request. The requester may obtain information 
about the status of the request and/or contact the Commission's FOIA 
Public Liaison by telephone (202-205-2595) or email 
([email protected]). The FOIA Public Liaison is responsible for 
assisting in reducing delays, increasing transparency and understanding 
of the status of requests, and assisting in the resolution of disputes.
    (e) First-party requests. The FOIA applies to third-party requests 
for documents concerning the general activities of the government and of 
the Commission in particular. When a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully 
admitted for permanent residence requests access to

[[Page 30]]

his or her own records, i.e., makes a first-party request, it is 
considered a Privacy Act request. Although requests are considered 
either FOIA requests or Privacy Act requests, the Commission processes 
first-party requests in accordance with both laws, which provides the 
greatest degree of lawful access while safeguarding an individual's 
personal privacy.
    (f) Referrals. If the Secretary refers a request or a portion 
thereof to another agency, the Secretary will notify the requester of 
the referral and the part of the request that has been referred. If 
feasible, the Secretary will provide the requester with a point of 
contact within the receiving agency regarding the referral.
    (g) Records management. (1) The Secretary shall preserve all 
correspondence pertaining to requests received as well as copies of all 
requested records, until disposition or destruction is authorized by a 
General Records Schedule of the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA) or other NARA-approved records schedule.
    (2) Materials that are identified as responsive to a FOIA request 
will not be disposed of or destroyed while the request or a related 
appeal or lawsuit is pending. This is true even if they would otherwise 
be authorized for disposition under a General Records Schedule or other 
NARA-approved records schedule.

[63 FR 29347, May 29, 1998, as amended at 68 FR 32975, June 3, 2003; 80 
FR 39379, July 9, 2015]



Sec.  201.18  Denial of requests, appeals from denial.

    (a) Written requests for inspection or copying of records shall be 
denied only by the Secretary or Acting Secretary, or, for records 
maintained by the Office of Inspector General, the Inspector General. A 
denial shall be in writing and shall provide information on the 
exemptions that justify withholding and the amount of information 
withheld. The denial also shall advise the person requesting of the 
right to appeal to the Commission.
    (b) An appeal from a denial of a request must be received within 
ninety days of the date of the letter of denial and shall be made to the 
Commission and addressed to the Chairman, United States International 
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. Any such 
appeal shall be in writing, and shall indicate clearly in the appeal, 
and if the appeal is in paper form on the envelope, that it is a 
``Freedom of Information Act Appeal.'' An appeal may be made either in 
paper form, or electronically by contacting the Commission at http://
www.usitc.gov/foia.htm.
    (c) Except when expedited treatment is requested and granted, 
appeals will be decided in the order in which they are filed, but in any 
case within twenty days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal 
holidays) unless an extension, noticed in writing with the reasons 
therefor, has been provided to the person making the request. Notice of 
the decision on appeal and the reasons therefor will be made promptly 
after a decision. Requests for expedited treatment should conform with 
the requirements in Sec.  201.17(c) of this part.
    (d) The extensions of time mentioned in paragraph (c) of this 
section shall be made only for one or more of the following reasons:
    (1) The need to search for and collect the requested records from 
field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the 
office processing the request;
    (2) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a 
voluminous amount of separate and distinct records which are requested 
in a single communication; or
    (3) The need for consultation, which shall be conducted with all 
practicable speed, with another agency having a substantial interest in 
the determination of the request or among two or more components of the 
agency having a substantial subject-matter interest therein.
    (e) The extensions of time mentioned in paragraph (c) of this 
section shall not exceed ten working days in the aggregate.
    (f) A response to an appeal will advise the requester that the 
Commission's FOIA Public Liaison officer and the Office of Government 
Information Services both offer mediation services to

[[Page 31]]

resolve disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal agencies as a non-
exclusive alternative to litigation. The requester may contact the 
Commission's FOIA Public Liaison officer by telephone (202-205-2595) or 
email ([email protected]) or the Office of Government Information 
Services at National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi 
Road--OGIS, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001.

[40 FR 8328, Feb. 27, 1975, as amended at 54 FR 13678, Apr. 5, 1989; 60 
FR 37336, July 20, 1995; 63 FR 29348, May 29, 1998; 68 FR 32975, June 3, 
2003; 80 FR 39379, July 9, 2015; 81 FR 86576, Dec. 1, 2016]



Sec.  201.19  Notification regarding requests for confidential business
information.

    (a) In general. Business information provided to the Commission by a 
business submitter which the Commission has designated as ``confidential 
business information'' will not be disclosed pursuant to a Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) request except in accordance with this section.
    (b) Definitions. The following definitions are to be used in 
reference to this section:
    Confidential business information means commercial or financial 
information that has been designated as confidential business 
information by the Commission under Sec.  201.6 of this part.
    Submitter means any person or entity who provides confidential 
business information, directly or indirectly, to the Commission. The 
term includes, but is not limited to, corporations, producers, 
importers, and state and federal governments, as well as others who have 
an administrative relationship with the Commission such as contractors, 
bidders and vendors.
    (c) Notice to submitters. Except as provided for in paragraph (e) of 
this section, the Commission will, to the extent permitted by law, 
provide a submitter with prompt written notice of a FOIA request or 
administrative appeal encompassing its confidential business information 
whenever required under paragraph (d) of this section, in order to 
afford the submitter an opportunity to object to disclosure pursuant to 
paragraph (f) of this section. Such written notice will describe the 
nature of the confidential business information requested. The requester 
will also be notified that notice and opportunity to object to are being 
provided to a submitter.
    (d) When notice is required. Notice will be given to a submitter in 
writing at submitter's last known address whenever:
    (1) The information the subject of the FOIA request or appeal has 
been designated by the Commission as confidential business information; 
and
    (2) The Commission has reason to believe that the information may 
not be protected from disclosure under FOIA Exemptions 3 or 4.
    (e) Exceptions to notice requirment. The notice requirements of 
paragraph (c) of this section will not apply if:
    (1) The Commission determines that the information should not be 
disclosed;
    (2) The information lawfully has been published or has been 
officially made available to the public; or
    (3) Disclosure of the information is required by law (other than 5 
U.S.C. 552).
    (f) Opportunity to object to disclosure. Through the notice 
described in paragraph (c) of this section, the Commission will afford a 
submitter an opportunity, within the period afforded to the Commission 
to make its decision in response to the FOIA request, to provide the 
Commission with a detailed written statement of any objection to 
disclosure. Such statement shall be filed by a deadline set by the 
Secretary, and it shall specify all grounds for withholding any of the 
information under any exemption of FOIA. In the case of FOIA Exemptions 
3 or 4, it shall demonstrate why the information should continue to be 
considered confidential business information within the meaning of Sec.  
201.6 of this part and should not be disclosed. The submitter's claim of 
continued confidentiality should be supported by a certification by an 
officer or authorized representative of the submitter. Information 
provided by a submitter pursuant to this paragraph may itself be subject 
to disclosure under FOIA.
    (g) Notice of intent to disclose. The Commission will consider 
carefully a

[[Page 32]]

submitter's objections and specific grounds for nondisclosure prior to 
determining whether to disclose the information. Whenever the Commission 
decides to disclose such information over the objection of a submitter, 
the Commission will forward to the submitter a written notice which will 
include:
    (1) A statement of the reasons for which the submitter's disclosure 
objections were not sustained;
    (2) A description of the information to be disclosed; and
    (3) A specified disclosure date.

Such notice of intent to disclose will be forwarded to the submitter a 
reasonable number of days prior to the specified disclosure date and the 
requester will be notified likewise.
    (h) Notice of FOIA lawsuit. Whenever a requester brings suit seeking 
to compel disclosure of information that the Commission has designated 
as confidential business information, the Commission will promptly 
notify the submitter at its last known address. For the purpose of this 
paragraph, the Secretary may assume such address to be that given on the 
submission.

[54 FR 13678, Apr. 5, 1989, as amended at 68 FR 32975, June 3, 2003; 80 
FR 39379, July 9, 2015]



Sec.  201.20  Fees.

    (a) In general. Fees pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552 shall be assessed 
according to the schedule contained in paragraph (b) of this section for 
services rendered by agency personnel in responding to and processing 
requests for records under this subpart. All fees so assessed shall be 
charged to the requester, except where the charging of fees is limited 
under paragraph (c) of this section or where a waiver or reduction of 
fees is granted under paragraph (d) of this section. The Secretary will 
collect all applicable fees. Requesters shall pay fees by check or money 
order made payable to the Treasury of the United States.
    (b) Charges. In responding to requests under this subpart, the 
following fees shall be assessed, unless a waiver or reduction of fees 
has been granted pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section:
    (1) Search. (i) No search fee shall be assessed with respect to 
requests by educational institutions, noncommercial scientific 
institutions, and representatives of the news media as defined in 
paragraphs (j) (6), (7), and (8) of this section, respectively. Search 
fees shall be assessed with respect to all other requests, subject to 
the limitations of paragraph (c) of this section. The secretary may 
assess fees for time spent searching even if agency personnel fail to 
locate any respective record or where records located are subsequently 
determined to be entirely exempt from disclosure.
    (ii) For each quarter hour spent by agency personnel in salary 
grades GS-2 through GS-10 in searching for and retrieving a requested 
record, the fee shall be $4.00. When the time of agency personnel in 
salary grades GS-11 and above is required, the fee shall be $6.50 for 
each quarter hour of search and retrieval time spent by such personnel.
    (iii) For computer searches of records, which may be undertaken 
through the use of existing programming, requester shall be charged the 
actual direct costs of conducting the search, although certain 
requesters (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section) shall be 
entitled to the cost equivalent of two hours of manual search time 
without charge. These direct costs shall include the cost of operating a 
central processing unit for that portion of operating time that is 
directly attributable to searching for records responsive to a request, 
as well as the costs of operator/programmer salary apportionable to the 
search (at no more than $6.50 per quarter hour of time so spent).
    (2) Duplication. Duplication fees shall be assessed with respect to 
all requesters, subject to the limitations of paragraph (c) of this 
section. For a paper photocopy of a record (no more than one copy of 
which need be supplied), the fee shall be $0.10 per page. For copies 
produced by computer, such as tapes or printouts, the Secretary shall 
charge the actual direct costs, including operator time, of producing 
the copy. For other methods of duplication, the Secretary shall charge 
the actual direct costs of duplicating a record.

[[Page 33]]

    (3) Review. (i) Review fees shall be assessed with respect to only 
those requesters who seek records for a commercial use, as defined in 
paragraph (j)(5) of this section. For each quarter hour spent by agency 
personnel in reviewing a requested record for possible disclosure, the 
fee shall be $6.50.
    (ii) Review fees shall be assessed only for the initial record 
review, i.e., all of the review undertaken when a component analyzes the 
applicability of a particular exemption to a particular record or record 
portion at the initial request level. No charge shall be assessed for 
review at the administrative appeal level of an exemption already 
applied. However, records or record portions withheld pursuant to an 
exemption that is subsequently determined not to apply may be reviewed 
again to determine the applicability of other exemptions not previously 
considered. The costs of such a subsequent review are properly 
assessable, particularly where that review is made necessary by a change 
of circumstances.
    (c) Limitations on charging fees. (1) No search or review fee shall 
be charged for a quarter-hour period unless more than half of that 
period is required for search or review.
    (2) Except for requesters seeking records for a commercial use (as 
defined in paragraph (j)(5) of this section), the Secretary shall 
provide without charge--
    (i) The first 100 pages of duplication (or its cost equivalent), and
    (ii) The first two hours of search (or its cost equivalent).
    (3) Whenever a total fee calculated under paragraph (b) of this 
section is $25.00 or less, no fee shall be charged.
    (4) The provisions of paragraphs (c)(2) and (3) of this section work 
together. For requesters other than those seeking records for a 
commercial use, no fee shall be charged unless the cost of search is in 
excess of two hours plus the cost of duplication in excess of 100 pages 
exceeds $25.00.
    (5) The Commission will not charge fees if it fails to comply with 
any time limit under the FOIA or these regulations, and if it has not 
timely notified the requester, in writing, that an unusual circumstance 
exists. If an unusual circumstance exists, and timely written notice is 
given to the requester, the Commission will have an additional 10 
working days to respond to the request before fees are automatically 
waived under this paragraph.
    (6) If the Commission determines that unusual circumstances apply 
and that more than 5,000 pages are necessary to respond to a request, it 
may charge fees if it has provided a timely written notice to the 
requester and discusses with the requester via mail, Email, or telephone 
how the requester could effectively limit the scope of the request (or 
make at least three good faith attempts to do so).
    (7) If a court has determined that exceptional circumstances exist, 
a failure to comply with time limits imposed by these regulations or 
FOIA shall be excused for the length of time provided by court order.
    (d) Waiver or reduction of fees. (1) Records responsive to a request 
under 5 U.S.C. 552 shall be furnished without charge or at a charge 
reduced below that established under paragraph (b) of this section where 
the Secretary determines, based upon information provided by a requester 
in support of a fee waiver request or otherwise made known to the 
Secretary that disclosure of the requested information is in the public 
interest, because it is likely to contribute significantly to public 
understanding of the operations or activities of the Government and is 
not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. Requests for 
a waiver or reduction of fees shall be considered on a case-by-case 
basis.
    (2) In order to determine whether the first fee waiver requirement 
is met--i.e., that disclosure of the requested information is in the 
public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to 
public understanding of the operations or activities of the government--
the Secretary shall consider the following four factors in sequence:
    (i) The subject of the request: Whether the subject of the requested 
records concerns ``the operations or activities of the government.'' The 
subject matter of the requested records, in the context of the request, 
must specifically concern identifiable operations or activities of

[[Page 34]]

the federal government--with a connection that is direct and clear, not 
remote or attenuated. Furthermore, the records must be sought for their 
informative value with respect to those government operations or 
activities; a request for access to records for their intrinsic 
informational content alone will not satisfy this threshold 
consideration.
    (ii) The informative value of the information to be disclosed: 
Whether the disclosure is ``likely to contribute'' to an understanding 
of government operations or activities. The disclosable portions of the 
requested records must be meaningfully informative on specific 
government operations or activities in order to hold potential for 
contributing to increased public understanding of those operations and 
activities. The disclosure of information that already is in the public 
domain, in either a duplicative or a substantially identical form, would 
not be likely to contribute to such understanding, as nothing new would 
be added to the public record.
    (iii) The contribution of an understanding of the subject by the 
public likely to result from disclosure: Whether disclosure of the 
requested information will contribute to ``public understanding.'' The 
disclosure must contribute to the understanding of the public at large, 
as opposed to the individual understanding of the requester or a narrow 
segment of interested persons. A requester's identity and 
qualifications--e.g., expertise in the subject area and ability and 
intention to effectively convey information to the general public--shall 
be considered. It will be presumed that a representative of the news 
media (as defined in paragraph (j)(8) of this section) who has access to 
the means of public dissemination readily will be able to satisfy this 
consideration. Requests from libraries or other record repositories (or 
requesters who intend merely to disseminate information to such 
institutions) shall be analyzed, like those of other requesters, to 
identify a particular person who represents that he actually will use 
the requested information in scholarly or other analytic work and then 
disseminate it to the general public.
    (iv) The significance of the contribution to public understanding: 
Whether the disclosure is likely to contribute ``significantly'' to 
public understanding of government operations or activities. The 
public's understanding of the subject matter in question, as compared to 
the level of public understanding existing prior to the disclosure, must 
be likely to be enhanced by the disclosure to a significant extent. The 
Secretary shall not make separate judgments as to whether information, 
even though it in fact would contribute significantly to public 
understanding of the operations or activities of the government, is 
``important'' enough to be made public.
    (3) In order to determine whether the second fee waiver requirement 
is met--i.e., that disclosure of the requested information is not 
primarily in the commercial interest of the requester--the Secretary 
shall consider the following two factors in sequence:
    (i) The existence and magnitude of a commercial interest: Whether 
the requester has a commercial interest that would be furthered by the 
requested disclosure. The Secretary shall consider all commercial 
interests of the requester (with reference to the definition of 
commercial use in paragraph (j)(5) of this section), or any person on 
whose behalf the requester may be acting, but shall consider only those 
interests which would be furthered by the requested disclosure. In 
assessing the magnitude of identified commercial interests, 
consideration shall be given to the role that such FOIA-disclosed 
information plays with respect to those commercial interests, as well as 
to the extent to which FOIA disclosures serve those interests overall. 
Requesters shall be given a reasonable opportunity in the administrative 
process to provide information bearing upon this consideration.
    (ii) The primary interest in disclosure: Whether the magnitude of 
the identified commercial interest of the requester is sufficiently 
large, in comparison with the public interest in disclosure, that 
disclosure is ``primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.'' 
A fee waiver or reduction is warranted only where, once the ``public 
interest'' standard set out in paragraph (d)(2) of this section is 
satisfied, that public interest can fairly be regarded as greater in 
magnitude

[[Page 35]]

than that of the requester's commercial interest in disclosure. The 
Secretary shall ordinarily presume that, where a news media requester 
has satisfied the ``public interest'' standard, that will be the 
interest primarily served by disclosure to that requester. Disclosure to 
data brokers or others who compile and market government information for 
direct economic return shall not be presumed to primarily serve the 
``public interest.''
    (4) Where only a portion of the requested records satisfies both of 
the requirements for a waiver or reduction of fees under this paragraph, 
a waiver or reduction shall be granted only as to that portion.
    (5) Requests for the waiver or reduction of fees shall address each 
of the factors listed in paragraphs (d) (2) and (3) of this section, as 
they apply to each record request.
    (e) Notice of anticipated fees in excess of $25.00. Where the 
Secretary determines or estimates that the fees to be assessed under 
this section may amount to more than $25.00, he shall notify the 
requester as soon as practicable of the actual or estimated amount of 
the fees, unless the requester has indicated in advance his willingness 
to pay fees as high as those anticipated. (If only a portion of the fee 
can be estimated readily, the Secretary shall advise the requester that 
the estimated fee may be only a portion of the total fee.) In cases 
where a requester has been notified that actual or estimated fees may 
amount to more than $25.00, the request will be deemed not to have been 
received until the requester has agreed to pay the anticipated total 
fee. A notice of the requester pursuant to this paragraph shall offer 
him the opportunity to confer with agency personnel in order to 
reformulate his request to meet his needs at a lower cost.
    (f) Aggregating requests. Where the Secretary reasonably believes 
that a requester or a group of requesters acting in concert is 
attempting to divide a request into a series of requests for the purpose 
of evading the assessment of fees, the Secretary may aggregate any such 
requests and charge accordingly. The Secretary may presume that multiple 
requests of such type made within a 30-day period have been made in 
order to evade fees. Where requests are separated by a longer period, 
the Secretary shall aggregate them only where there exists a reasonable 
basis for determining that said aggregation is warranted, e.g., where 
the requests involve clearly related matters. Multiple requests 
involving unrelated matters shall not be aggregated
    (g) Advance payments. (1) Where the Secretary estimates that a total 
fee to be assessed under this section is likely to exceed $250.00, the 
Secretary may require the requester to make an advance payment of an 
amount up to the entire estimated fee before beginning to process the 
request, except where the Secretary receives a satisfactory assurance of 
full payment from a requester with a history of prompt payment.
    (2) Where a requester has previously failed to pay a records access 
fee within 30 days of the date of billing, the Secretary may require the 
requester to pay the full amount owed, plus any applicable interest (as 
provided for in paragraph (h) of this section), and to make an advance 
payment of the full amount of any estimated fee before he begins to 
process a new request or continues to process a pending request from 
that requester.
    (3) For requests other than those described in paragraphs (g) (1) 
and (2) of this section, the Secretary shall not require the requester 
to make an advance payment, i.e., a payment made before work is 
commenced or continued on a request. Payment owed on work already 
completed is not an advance payment.
    (4) Where the Secretary acts under paragraph (g) (1) or (2) of this 
section, the administrative time limits described in subsection (a)(6) 
of the FOIA for the processing of an initial request or an appeal, plus 
permissible extensions of these time limits, shall be deemed not to 
begin to run until the Secretary has received payment of the assessed 
fee.
    (h) Charging interest. The Secretary may assess interest charges on 
an unpaid bill starting on the 31st day following the day on which the 
bill was

[[Page 36]]

sent to the requester. Once a fee payment has been received by the 
Secretary, even if not processed, the accrual of interest shall be 
stayed. Interest charges shall be assessed at the rate prescribed in 
section 3717 of title 31 U.S.C. and shall accrue from the date of the 
billing. The Secretary shall follow the provisions of the Debt 
Collection Act of 1982, Pub. L. 97-265 (Oct. 25, 1982), and its 
implementing procedures, including the use of consumer reporting 
agencies, collection agencies, and offset.
    (i) Other statutes specifically providing for fees. (1) The fee 
schedule of this section does not apply with respect to the charging of 
fees under a statute specifically providing for setting the level of 
fees for particular types of records--i.e., any statute that 
specifically requires a government entity such as the Government 
Printing Office or the National Technical Information Service, to set 
and collect fees for particular types of records--in order to:
    (i) Serve both the general public and private sector organizations 
by conveniently making available government information;
    (ii) Ensure that groups and individuals pay the cost of publications 
and other services that are for their special use so that these costs 
are not borne by the general taxpaying public;
    (iii) Operate an information-dissemination activity on a self-
sustaining basis to the maximum extent possible; or
    (iv) Return revenue to the Treasury for defraying, wholly or in 
part, appropriate funds used to pay the costs of disseminating 
government information.
    (2) Where records responsive to requests are maintained for 
distribution by agencies operating statutorily based fee schedule 
programs, the Secretary shall inform requesters of the steps necessary 
to obtain records from those sources.
    (j) Definitions. For the purpose of this section:
    (1) The term direct costs means those expenditures which the agency 
actually incurs in searching for and duplicating (and, in the case of 
commercial use requesters, reviewing) records to respond to a FOIA 
request. Direct costs include, for example the salary of the employee 
performing the work (the basic rate of pay for the employee plus 16 
percent of that rate to cover benefits) and the cost of operating 
duplicating machinery. Not included in direct costs are overhead 
expenses such as costs of space and heating or lighting of the facility 
in which the records are stored.
    (2) The term search includes all time spent looking for material 
that is responsive to a request, including page-by-page or line-by-line 
identification of material within documents. The Secretary shall ensure, 
however, that searches are undertaken in the most efficient and least 
expensive manner reasonably possible; thus, for example, the Secretary 
shall not engage in line-by-line search where merely duplicating an 
entire document would be quicker and less expensive.
    (3) The term duplication refers to the process of making a copy of a 
record necessary to respond to a FOIA request. Such copies can take the 
form of paper copy, microform, audio-visual materials, or machine-
readable documentation (e.g., magnetic tape or disk), among others. The 
copy provided shall be in a form that is reasonably usable by 
requesters.
    (4) The term review refers to the process of examining a record 
located in response to a request in order to determine whether any 
portion of it is permitted to be withheld. It also includes processing 
any record for disclosure, e.g., doing all that is necessary to excise 
it and otherwise prepare it for release, although review costs shall be 
recoverable even where there ultimately is no disclosure of a record. 
Review time does not include time spent resolving general legal or 
policy issues regarding the application of exemptions.
    (5) The term commercial use in the context of a request refers to a 
request from or on behalf of one who seeks information for a use or 
purpose that furthers the commercial, trade, or profit interests of the 
requester or the person on whose behalf the request is made,

[[Page 37]]

which can include furthering those interests through litigation. The 
Secretary shall determine, as well as reasonably possible, the use to 
which a requester will put the records requested. Where the 
circumstances of a request suggest that the requester will put the 
records sought to a commercial use, either because of the nature of the 
request itself or because the Secretary otherwise has reasonable cause 
to doubt a requester's stated use, the Secretary shall provide the 
requester a reasonable opportunity to submit further clarification.
    (6) The term educational institution refers to a preschool, a public 
or private elementary or secondary school, an institution of 
undergraduate higher education, an institution of graduate higher 
education, an institution of professional education, and an institution 
of vocational education, which operates a program or programs of 
scholarly research. To be eligible for inclusion in this category, a 
requester must show that the request is being made as authorized by and 
under the auspices of a qualifying institution and that the records are 
not sought for a commercial use but are sought in furtherance of 
scholarly research.
    (7) The term noncommercial scientific institution refers to an 
institution that is not operated on a ``commercial'' basis as that term 
is referenced in paragraph (j)(5) of this section, and which is operated 
solely for the purpose of conducting scientific research the results of 
which are not intended to promote any particular product or industry. To 
be eligible for inclusion in this category, a requester must show that 
the request is being made as authorized by and under the auspices of a 
qualifying institution and that the records are not sought for a 
commercial use but are sought in furtherance of scientific research.
    (8) The term representative of the news media refers to any person 
or entity that gathers information of potential interest to a segment of 
the public, uses its editorial skills to turn the raw materials into a 
distinct work, and distributes that work to an audience. The term 'news' 
means information that is about current events or that would be of 
current interest to the public. Examples of news-media entities are 
television or radio stations broadcasting to the public at large and 
publishers of periodicals (but only if such entities qualify as 
disseminators of 'news') who make their products available for purchase 
by or subscription by or free distribution to the general public. These 
examples are not all-inclusive. Moreover, as methods of news delivery 
evolve (for example, the adoption of the electronic dissemination of 
newspapers through telecommunications services), such alternative media 
shall be considered to be news-media entities. A freelance journalist 
shall be regarded as working for a news-media entity if the journalist 
can demonstrate a solid basis for expecting publication through that 
entity, whether or not the journalist is actually employed by the 
entity. A publication contract would present a solid basis for such an 
expectation; the Government may also consider the past publication 
record of the requester in making such a determination.
    (9) The term requester category means one of the three categories 
that requesters are placed in for the purpose of determining whether a 
requester will be charged fees for search, review and duplication, 
including commercial requesters; non-commercial scientific or 
educational institutions or news media requesters, and all other 
requesters.
    (10) The term fee waiver means the waiver or reduction of processing 
fees if a requester can demonstrate that certain statutory standards are 
satisfied including that the information is in the public interest and 
is not requested for a commercial interest.
    (k) Charges for other services and materials. Apart from the other 
provisions of this section, where the Secretary elects, as a matter of 
administrative discretion, to comply with a request for a special 
service or materials, such as certifying that records are true copies or 
sending them other than by ordinary mail, the actual direct costs of 
providing the service or materials shall be charged.

[54 FR 13673, Apr. 5, 1989, as amended at 63 FR 29348, May 29, 1998; 80 
FR 39379, July 9, 2015; 81 FR 86577, Dec. 1, 2016]

[[Page 38]]



Sec.  201.21  Availability of specific records.

    (a) Records available. The following information, on request to the 
Secretary of the Commission, is available for public inspection and 
copying: (1) final opinions, including concurring and dissenting 
opinions, as well as orders, made in the adjudication of cases; (2) 
those statements of policy and interpretations which have been adopted 
by the agency; and (3) administrative staff manuals and instructions to 
staff that affect a member of the public. Available information 
includes, but is not limited to: (i) Applications, petitions, and other 
formal documents filed with the Commission, (ii) notices to the public 
concerning Commission matters, (iii) transcripts of testimony taken and 
exhibits submitted at hearings, (iv) reports to the President, to either 
or both Houses of Congress, or to Committees of Congress, release of 
which has been authorized by the President or the legislative body 
concerned, (v) reports and other documents issued for general 
distribution. Much of the information described above also is available 
on the Commission's World Wide Web site. The Commission's home page is 
at http://www.usitc.gov. The Web site also includes information subject 
to repeated Freedom of Information Act requests. Persons accessing the 
Web site can find instructions on how to locate Commission information 
by following the ``Freedom of Information Act'' link on the home page.
    (b) Records not available. Information specifically exempted from 
disclosure by 5 U.S.C. 552(b), including reports to the President, to 
either or both Houses of Congress, or to Committees of Congress, the 
release of which has not been authorized by the President or the 
legislative body concerned, and confidential business data as defined in 
18 U.S.C. 1905 and 19 CFR 201.06 are not available to the public.
    (c) Information requested in cases or matters to which the 
Commission is not a party. (1) The procedure specified in this section 
will apply to all demands directed to Commission employees for the 
production of documents or for testimony that relates in any way to the 
employees' official duties. These procedures will also apply to demands 
directed to former employees if the demands seek nonpublic materials or 
information acquired during Commission employment. The provisions of 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section will also apply to demands directed to 
the agency. For purposes of this section, the term demand means any 
request, order or subpoena for testimony or production of documents; the 
term subpoena means any compulsory process in a case or matter to which 
the Commission is not a party; the term nonpublic includes any material 
or information which, under Sec.  201.21(b), is exempt from availability 
for public inspection and copying; the term employee means any current 
or former officer or employee of the Commission; the term documents 
means all records, papers or official files, including without 
limitation, official letters, telegrams, memoranda, reports, studies, 
calendar and diary entries, graphs, notes, charts, tabulations, data 
analysis, statistical or information accumulations, records of meetings 
and conversations, film impressions, magnetic tapes, and sound or 
mechanical reproductions; the term case or matter means any civil 
proceeding before a court of law, administrative board, hearing officer, 
or other body conducting a legal or administrative proceeding in which 
the Commission is not a named party.
    (2) Prior to or simultaneously with a demand to a Commission 
employee for the production of documents or for testimony concerning 
matters relating to official duties, the party seeking such production 
or testimony must serve upon the General Counsel of the Commission an 
affidavit, or if that is not feasible, then a statement which sets forth 
the title of the case, the forum, the party's interest in the case, the 
reasons for the request, and a showing that the desired testimony or 
documents are not reasonably available from any other source. Where 
testimony is sought, the party must also provide a summary of the 
testimony desired, the intended use of the testimony, and show that 
Commission records could not be provided and used instead of the 
requested testimony. A subpoena for testimony from a Commission employee 
concerning official

[[Page 39]]

matters or for the production of documents shall be served in accordance 
with Rule 45 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and a copy of the 
subpoena shall be sent to the General Counsel.
    (3) Any employee or former employee who is served with a subpoena or 
other demand shall promptly advise the General Counsel of the service of 
the subpoena or other demand, the nature of the documents or information 
sought, and all relevant facts and circumstances.
    (4) Absent written authorization from the Chairman of the Commission 
(``Chairman''), the employee shall respectfully decline to produce the 
requested documents, to testify, or to otherwise disclose requested 
information. If a court rules that the demand must be complied with 
despite the absence of such written authorization, the employee upon 
whom the demand is made shall respectfully refuse to comply based upon 
these regulations and Touhy v. Ragan, 340 U.S. 462 (1951).
    (5) The Chairman will consider and act upon subpoenas under this 
section with due regard for statutory restrictions, the Commission's 
rules and the public interest, taking into account such factors as the 
need to conserve employees' time for conducting official business, the 
need to prevent the expenditure of the United States government's time 
and money for private purposes, the need to maintain impartiality 
between private litigants in cases where no substantial governmental 
interest is involved, and the relevant legal standards for determining 
whether justification exists for the disclosure of nonpublic information 
and documents. If the Chairman determines that the subpoenaed documents 
or information are protected by a privilege or that the Commission has a 
duty in law or equity to protect such documents or information from 
disclosure, the General Counsel shall move the court to quash the 
subpoena or for other appropriate action.
    (6) The General Counsel may consult or negotiate with counsel or the 
party seeking testimony or documents to refine and limit the demand so 
that compliance is less burdensome, or obtain information necessary to 
make the determination described in paragraph (c)(5) of this section. 
Failure of the counsel or party seeking the testimony or documents to 
cooperate in good faith to enable the General Counsel to make an 
informed recommendation to the Chairman under paragraph (c)(5) of this 
section may serve as the basis for a determination not to comply with 
the demand.
    (7) Permission to testify will, in all cases, be limited to the 
information set forth in the affidavit as described in paragraph (c)(2) 
of this section, or to such portions thereof as the Chairman deems 
proper.
    (8) If the Chairman authorizes the testimony of an employee, then 
the General Counsel shall arrange for the taking of the testimony by 
methods that are least disruptive of the official duties of the 
employee. Testimony may, for example, be provided by affidavits, answers 
to interrogatories, written depositions, or depositions transcribed, 
recorded, or preserved by any other means allowable by law. Costs of 
providing testimony, including transcripts, will be borne by the party 
requesting the testimony. Such costs shall also include reimbursing the 
Commission for the usual and ordinary expenses attendant upon the 
employee's absence from his or her official duties in connection with 
the case or matter, including the employee's salary and applicable 
overhead charges and any necessary travel expenses.
    (9) The Secretary in consultation with the General Counsel is 
further authorized to charge reasonable fees to parties demanding 
documents or information. Such fees, calculated to reimburse the 
government for the expense of responding to such demand, may include the 
costs of time expended by Commission employees to process and respond to 
the demand, attorney time for reviewing the demand and for related legal 
work in connection with the demand, and expenses generated by equipment 
used to search for, produce and copy the responsive information. In 
general, such fees will be assessed at the rates and in the manner 
specified in Sec.  201.20 of this part.
    (10) This section does not affect the rights and procedures 
governing the

[[Page 40]]

public access to official documents pursuant to the Freedom of 
Information Act or the Privacy Act.
    (11) This section is intended to provide instructions to Commission 
employees and does not create any right or benefit, substantive or 
procedural, enforceable by any party against the Commission.

[40 FR 8328, Feb. 27, 1975, as amended at 54 FR 13676, Apr. 5, 1989; 68 
FR 32975, June 3, 2003]



   Subpart D_Safeguarding Individual Privacy Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a

    Source: 63 FR 29348, May 29, 1998, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  201.22  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart contains the rules that the Commission follows under 
the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a. The rules in this subpart apply 
to all records in systems of records maintained by the Commission that 
are retrieved by an individual's name or other personal identifier. They 
describe the procedures by which individuals may request access to 
records about themselves, request amendment or correction of those 
records, and request an accounting of disclosures of those records by 
the Commission.



Sec.  201.23  Definitions.

    For the purpose of these regulations:
    (a) The term individual means a citizen of the United States or an 
alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence;
    (b) The term maintain includes maintain, collect, use, or 
disseminate;
    (c) The term record means any item, collection, or grouping of 
information about an individual that is maintained by the Commission, 
including, but not limited to, his or her education, financial 
transactions, medical history, and criminal or employment history and 
that contains his or her name, or the identifying number, symbol, or 
other identifying particular assigned to the individual;
    (d) The term system of records means a group of any records under 
the control of the Commission from which information is retrieved by the 
name of the individual or by some identifying particular assigned to the 
individual;
    (e) The term Privacy Act Officer refers to the Secretary, United 
States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 
20436, or his or her designee.

[63 FR 29348, May 29, 1998, as amended at 80 FR 39380, July 9, 2015]



Sec.  201.24  Procedures for requests pertaining to individual records
in a records system.

    (a) A request by an individual to gain access to his or her 
record(s) or to any information pertaining to him or her which is 
contained in a system of records maintained by the Commission shall be 
addressed to the Privacy Act Officer, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, and shall indicate 
clearly both on the envelope and in the letter that it is a Privacy Act 
request.
    (b) In order to facilitate location of requested records, whenever 
possible, the request of the individual shall name the system(s) of 
records maintained by the Commission which he or she believes contain 
records pertaining to him or her, shall reasonably describe the 
requested records, and identify the time period in which the records 
were compiled.
    (c) The Privacy Act Officer shall acknowledge receipt of a request 
within ten days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public 
holidays), and wherever practicable, indicate whether or not access can 
be granted. If access is not to be granted, the requestor shall be 
notified of the reason in writing.
    (d) The Privacy Act Officer, or, the Inspector General, if such 
records are maintained by the Inspector General, shall ascertain whether 
the systems of records maintained by the Commission contain records 
pertaining to the individual, and whether access will be granted. 
Thereupon the Privacy Act Officer shall:
    (1) Notify the individual whether or not the requested record is 
contained in any system of records maintained by the Commission; and

[[Page 41]]

    (2) Notify the individual of the procedures as prescribed in Secs. 
201.25 and 201.26 of this part by which the individual may gain access 
to those records maintained by the Commission which pertain to him or 
her. Access to the records will be provided within 30 days (excluding 
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays).



Sec.  201.25  Times, places, and requirements for identification of 
individuals making requests.

    (a) If an individual wishes to examine his or her records in person, 
it shall be the responsibility of the individual requester to arrange an 
appointment with the Privacy Act Officer for the purpose of inspecting 
individual records. The time of inspection shall be during the regular 
office hours of the Commission, 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Monday through 
Friday. The time arranged should be mutually convenient to the requester 
and to the Commission.
    (b) The place where an individual may gain access to records 
maintained by the Commission which pertain to him or her shall be at the 
United States International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20436. The Privacy Act Officer shall inform the 
individual requester of the specific room wherein inspection will take 
place.
    (c) An individual may also request the Privacy Act Officer to 
provide the individual with a copy of his or her records by certified 
mail.
    (d) An individual who requests to gain access to those records 
maintained by the Commission which pertain to him or her shall not be 
granted access to those records without first presenting adequate 
identification to the Privacy Act Officer. Adequate identification may 
include, but is not limited to, a government identification card, a 
driver's license, Medicare card, a birth certificate, or a passport. If 
requesting records by mail, an individual must provide full name, 
current address, and date and place of birth. The request must be signed 
and either notarized or submitted under 28 U.S.C. 1746, which permits 
statements to be made under penalty of perjury as a substitute for 
notarization. In order to help the identification and location of 
requested records, a requestor may also, at his or her option, include 
the individual's social security number.



Sec.  201.26  Disclosure of requested information to individuals.

    (a) Once the Privacy Act Officer has made a determination to grant a 
request for access to individual records, in whole or in part, the 
Privacy Act Officer shall inform the requesting individual in writing 
and permit the individual to review the pertinent records and to have a 
copy made of all or any portion of them. Where redactions due to 
exemptions pursuant to Sec.  201.32 would render such records or 
portions thereof incomprehensible, the Privacy Act Officer shall furnish 
an abstract in addition to an actual copy.
    (b) An individual has the right to have a person of his or her own 
choosing accompany him or her to review his or her records. The Privacy 
Act Officer shall permit a person of the individual requester's choosing 
to accompany the individual during inspection.
    (c) When the individual requests the Privacy Act Officer to permit a 
person of the individual's choosing to accompany him or her during the 
inspection of his or her records, the Privacy Act Officer shall require 
the individual requester to furnish a written statement authorizing 
discussion of the records in the accompanying person's presence.
    (d) The Privacy Act Officer shall take all necessary steps to insure 
that individual privacy is protected while the individual requester is 
inspecting his or her records or while those records are being 
discussed. Only the Privacy Act Officer shall accompany the individual 
as representative of the Commission during the inspection of the 
individual's records. The Privacy Act Officer shall be authorized to 
discuss the pertinent records with the individual.



Sec.  201.27  Special procedures: Medical records.

    (a) While an individual has an unqualified right of access to the 
records in systems of records maintained by the Commission which pertain 
to him or her, medical and psychological records merit special treatment 
because of the possibility that disclosure

[[Page 42]]

will have an adverse physical or psychological effect upon the 
requesting individual. Accordingly, in those instances where an 
individual is requesting the medical and/or psychological records which 
pertain to him or her, he or she shall, in his or her Privacy Act 
request to the Privacy Act Officer as called for in Sec.  201.24(a) of 
this part, specify a physician to whom the medical and/or psychological 
records may be released.
    (b) It shall be the responsibility of the individual requesting 
medical or psychological records to specify a physician to whom the 
requested records may be released. If an individual refuses to name a 
physician and insists on inspecting his or her medical or psychological 
records in the absence of a doctor's discussion and advice, the 
individual shall so state in his or her Privacy Act request to the 
Privacy Act Officer as called for in Sec.  201.24(a) of this part and 
the Privacy Act Officer shall provide access to or transmit such records 
directly to the individual.



Sec.  201.28  Requests for correction or amendment of records.

    (a) If, upon viewing his or her records, an individual disagrees 
with a portion thereof or feels sections thereof to be erroneous, the 
individual may request amendment[s] of the records pertaining to him or 
her. The individual should request such an amendment in writing and 
should identify each particular record in question, the system[s] of 
records wherein the records are located, specify the amendment 
requested, and specify the reasons why the records are not correct, 
relevant timely or complete. The individual may submit any documentation 
that would be helpful. The request for amendment of records shall be 
addressed to the Privacy Act Officer, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, and shall clearly 
indicate both on the envelope and in the letter that it is a Privacy Act 
request for amendment of records.
    (b) Not later than 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal 
public holidays) after the date of receipt of a Privacy Act request for 
amendment of records, the Privacy Act Officer shall acknowledge such 
receipt in writing. Such a request for amendment will be granted or 
denied by the Privacy Act Officer or, for records maintained by the 
Inspector General. If the request is granted, the Privacy Act Officer, 
or the Inspector General for records maintained by the Inspector 
General, shall promptly make any correction of any portion of the record 
which the individual believes is not accurate, relevant, timely, or 
complete. If, however, the request is denied, the Privacy Act Officer 
shall inform the individual of the refusal to amend the record in 
accordance with the individual's request and give the reason(s) for the 
refusal. In cases where the Privacy Act Officer or the Inspector General 
has refused to amend in accordance with an individual's request, he or 
she also shall advise the individual of the procedures under Sec.  
201.30 of this part for the individual to request a review of that 
refusal by the full Commission or by an officer designated by the 
Commission.



Sec.  201.29  Commission disclosure of individual records, accounting
of record disclosures, and requests for accounting of record disclosures.

    (a) It is the policy of the Commission not to disclose, except as 
permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b), any record which is contained in any 
system of records maintained by the Commission to any person, or to 
another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or with the 
prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains.
    (b) Except for disclosures either to officers and employees of the 
Commission, or to contractor employees who, in the Inspector General's 
or the Privacy Act Officer's judgment, as appropriate, are acting as 
federal employees, who have a need for the record in the performance of 
their duties, and any disclosure required by 5 U.S.C. 552, the Privacy 
Act Officer shall keep an accurate accounting of:
    (1) The date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure of a record to 
any person or to another agency under paragraph (a) of this section; and
    (2) The name or address of the person or agency to whom the 
disclosure is made.

[[Page 43]]

    (c) The Privacy Act Officer shall retain the accounting required by 
paragraph (b) of this section for at least five years or the life of the 
record, whichever is longer, after such disclosure.
    (d) Except for disclosures made to other agencies for civil or 
criminal law enforcement purposes pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(7), the 
Privacy Act Officer shall make any accounting made under paragraph (b) 
of this section available to the individual named in the record at the 
individual's request.
    (e) An individual requesting an accounting of disclosure of his or 
her records should make the request in writing to the Privacy Act 
Officer, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20436. The request should identify each particular record 
in question and, whenever possible, the system[s] of records wherein the 
requested records are located, and clearly indicate both on the envelope 
and in the letter that it is a Privacy Act request for an accounting of 
disclosure of records.
    (f) Where the Commission has provided any person or other agency 
with an individual record and such accounting as required by paragraph 
(b) of this section has been made, the Privacy Act Officer shall inform 
all such persons or other agencies of any correction, amendment, or 
notation of dispute concerning said record.



Sec.  201.30  Commission review of requests for access to records, for
correction or amendment to records, and for accounting of record 
disclosures.

    (a) The individual who disagrees with the refusal of the Privacy Act 
Officer or the Inspector General for access to a record, to amend a 
record, or to obtain an accounting of any record disclosure, may request 
a review of such refusal by the Commission within 60 days of receipt of 
the denial of his or her request. A request for review of such a refusal 
should be addressed to the Chairman, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436, and shall clearly 
indicate both on the envelope and in the letter that it is a Privacy Act 
review request.
    (b) Not later than 30 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal 
public holidays) from the date on which the Commission receives a 
request for review of the Privacy Act Officer's or the Inspector 
General's refusal to grant access to a record, to amend a record, or to 
provide an accounting of a record disclosure, the Commission shall 
complete such a review and make a final determination thereof unless, 
for good cause shown, the Commission extends the 30-day period.
    (c) After the individual's request has been reviewed by the 
Commission, if the Commission agrees with the Privacy Act Officer's or 
the Inspector General's refusal to grant access to a record, to amend a 
record, or to provide an accounting of a record disclosure, in 
accordance with the individual's request, the Commission shall:
    (1) Notify the individual in writing of the Commission's decision;
    (2) For requests to amend or correct records, advise the individual 
that he or she has the right to file a concise statement of disagreement 
with the Commission which sets forth his or her reasons for disagreement 
with the refusal of the Commission to grant the individual's request; 
and
    (3) Notify the individual of his or her legal right, if any, to 
judicial review of the Commission's final determination.
    (d) In any disclosure, containing information about which the 
individual has filed a statement of disagreement regarding an amendment 
of an individual's record, the Privacy Act Officer, or, for records 
maintained by the Inspector General, the Inspector General, shall 
clearly note any portion of the record which is disputed and shall 
provide copies of the statement and, if the Commission deems it 
appropriate, copies of a concise statement of the reasons of the 
Commission for not making the amendments requested, to persons or other 
agencies to whom the disputed record has been disclosed.



Sec.  201.31  Fees and employee conduct.

    (a) The Commission shall not charge any fee for the cost of 
searching for and reviewing an individual's records.
    (b) Reproduction, duplication or copying of records by the 
Commission shall be at the rate of $0.10 per page.

[[Page 44]]

There shall be no charge, however, when the total amount does not exceed 
$25.00.
    (c) The Privacy Act Officer shall establish rules of conduct for 
persons involved in the design, development, operation, or maintenance 
of any system of records, or in maintaining any record, and periodically 
instruct each such person with respect to such rules and the 
requirements of the Privacy Act including the penalties for 
noncompliance.

[63 FR 29348, May 29, 1998, as amended at 68 FR 32975, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  201.32  Specific exemptions.

    (a) Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1), (5) and (6), records contained 
in the system entitled ``Personnel Security Investigative Files'' have 
been exempted from subsections (c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G) through 
(I) and (f) of the Privacy Act. Pursuant to section 552a(k)(1) of the 
Privacy Act, the Commission exempts records that contain properly 
classified information that pertains to national defense or foreign 
policy and is obtained from other systems of records or another Federal 
agency. Application of exemption (k)(1) may be necessary to preclude the 
data subject's access to and amendment of such classified information 
under 5 U.S.C. 552a(d). All information about individuals in these 
records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) is also 
exempted because this system contains investigatory material compiled 
solely for determining suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for 
Federal civilian employment, Federal contracts or access to classified 
information. To the extent that the disclosure of such material would 
reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the 
Government under an express promise that the identity of the source 
would be held in confidence, or, prior to September 27, 1975, under an 
implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in 
confidence, the application of exemption (k)(5) will be required to 
honor such a promise should an individual request access to the 
accounting of disclosure, or access to or amendment of the record, that 
would reveal the identity of a confidential source. All information in 
these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6) is 
also exempt because portions of a case file record may relate to testing 
and examining material used solely to determine individual 
qualifications for appointment or promotion in the Federal service. 
Access to or amendment of this information by the data subject would 
compromise the objectivity and fairness of the testing or examining 
process.
    (b) Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1) and (k)(2), records contained in 
the system entitled ``Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act 
Records'' have been exempted from subsections (c)(3), (d), (e)(1), 
(e)(4)(G) through (I) and (f) of the Privacy Act. Pursuant to section 
552a(k)(1) of the Privacy Act, the Commission exempts records that 
contain properly classified information pertaining to national defense 
or foreign policy. Application of exemption (k)(1) may be necessary to 
preclude individuals' access to or amendment of such classified 
information under the Privacy Act. Pursuant to section 552a(k)(2) of the 
Privacy Act, and in order to protect the effectiveness of Inspector 
General investigations by preventing individuals who may be the subject 
of an investigation from obtaining access to the records and thus 
obtaining the opportunity to conceal or destroy evidence or to 
intimidate witnesses, the Commission exempts records insofar as they 
include investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes. 
However, if any individual is denied any right, privilege, or benefit to 
which he is otherwise entitled under Federal law due to the maintenance 
of this material, such material shall be provided to such individual 
except to the extent that the disclosure of such material would reveal 
the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government 
under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held 
in confidence.

[63 FR 29348, May 29, 1998, as amended at 82 FR 60865, Dec. 26, 2017]

[[Page 45]]



Subpart E_Opening Commission Meetings to Public Observation Pursuant to 
                              5 U.S.C. 552b

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552b; 19 U.S.C. 1335.

    Source: 42 FR 11243, Feb. 28, 1977, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  201.33  Purpose and scope.

    (a) Consistent with the principle that the public is entitled to the 
fullest practicable information regarding the decisionmaking processes 
of the Federal Government, it is the purpose of this subpart to open the 
meetings of the United States International Trade Commission to public 
observation while protecting the rights of individuals and the ability 
of the Commission to carry out its statutory functions and 
responsibilities. These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the 
directive of section (g) of the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 
552b(g)), and specifically implement sections (b) through (f) of said 
act (5 U.S.C. 552(b) through (f)).
    (b) Public access to documents being considered at Commission 
meetings may be obtained by access to the public files of the Commission 
or, where documents are not in said public files, shall be obtained in 
the manner set forth in subpart C of this part (Sec. Sec.  201.17 
through 201.21).
    (c) Unless otherwise provided by the public notices as described in 
Sec.  201.35 of this subpart, public observation of Commission meetings 
does not encompass public participation in the deliberations at such 
meetings.



Sec.  201.34  Definitions.

    For the purpose of this subpart:
    (a)(1) Except as hereinafter provided, the term meeting means the 
deliberations of at least the number of individual Commissioners 
required to take action on behalf of the Commission where such 
deliberations determine or result in the joint conduct or disposition of 
official Commission business.
    (2) The consideration by individual Commissioners of business which 
is circulated sequentially in writing (circulation by ``action jacket'') 
is not considered a meeting under paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
because circulation by action jacket does not determine or result in the 
joint conduct or disposition of Commission business until ratification 
thereof by formal vote of the Commissioners in a meeting as defined by 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, although action proposed by action 
jacket may be taken before or after formal ratification thereof by vote 
at a Commission meeting.
    (3) Conference telephone calls among the Commissioners are 
considered meetings as defined by paragraph (a)(1) of this section if 
they involve the number of Commissioners requisite for Commission 
action, and where the deliberations of the Commissioners determine or 
result in the joint conduct or disposition of official Commission 
business.
    (4) Deliberations of a majority of the entire membership of the 
Commission with the sole purpose of determining whether or not to call a 
meeting at a date earlier than the requisite public notice period as 
specified in Sec.  201.35 of this subpart are not considered to 
constitute a meeting or portion of a meeting as defined by paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section.
    (5) Deliberations of a majority of the entire membership of the 
Commission with the sole purpose of determining whether or not to close 
a portion or portions of a meeting or series of meetings pursuant to 
Sec.  201.36 of this subpart are not considered to constitute a meeting 
or portion of a meeting within the meaning of paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section.
    (6) Deliberations of a majority of the entire membership of the 
Commission with the sole purpose of determining whether or not to change 
the subject matter of a publicly announced meeting, or to change the 
determination of the Commission to open or close a meeting, or portion 
thereof, to the public, following a public notice, as permitted under 
Sec.  201.37(b) of this subpart, are not considered to constitute a 
meeting or portion of a meeting under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (b) The terms Secretary and General Counsel mean the Secretary and 
General Counsel of the Commission and

[[Page 46]]

their respective designees within their respective offices.

[63 FR 29348, May 29, 1998, as amended at 80 FR 39380, July 9, 2015]



Sec.  201.35  Notices to the public.

    (a) At least seven (7) days before each Commission meeting the 
Commission shall issue a public notice which:
    (1) States the time and place of the meeting;
    (2) Lists the subjects or agenda items to be discussed at the 
meeting;
    (3) States whether the meeting or portion thereof is to be open or 
closed to public observation; and
    (4) Gives the name and business phone number of the Secretary to the 
Commission.
    (b) When the Commission has voted to close any portion of any 
meeting in accordance with Sec.  201.36 of this subpart, the notice 
referred to in paragraph (a) of this section shall also include, or be 
amended to include, if already issued, (1) A list of the persons 
reasonably expected to be present at such closed portion or portions of 
the meeting, (2) A corresponding list of the affiliations of those 
persons reasonably expected to be present, (3) A written copy of the 
vote of each Commissioner on whether or not the portion or portions of 
the meeting or series of meetings should be closed to public 
observation, (4) A full, written explanation of the Commission's action 
in closing the portion or portions of the meeting or series of meetings, 
and (5) A copy of the certification of the General Counsel, called for 
by Sec.  201.39 of this subpart, that such portion or portions of the 
meeting or series of meetings were properly closed to the public by the 
Commission. When a vote to close a portion or portions of a meeting in 
accordance with Sec.  201.36 of this subpart or a vote to change the 
subject matter of a meeting or to change a determination to open or 
close a meeting, or portion thereof, to the public in accordance with 
Sec.  201.37(b) of this subpart fails for lack of a majority of the 
entire membership of the Commission, the vote shall also be published as 
part of the notice required by paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c)(1) The 7-day period for public notice provided for in paragraph 
(a) of this section shall not apply when a majority of the entire 
membership of the Commission determines by recorded vote that Commission 
business requires that a particular meeting be called with less than 7 
days' notice and that no earlier announcement of such meeting was 
possible.
    (2) When the Commission has voted in conformity with paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section to shorten the 7-day period for public notice 
provided for by paragraph (a) of this section with respect to a 
particular meeting, the Commission shall issue the public notice 
required by paragraph (a) of this section at the earliest practicable 
time.
    (3) When the Commission not only has voted in conformity with 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section to shorten the 7-day period for public 
notice provided for in paragraph (a) of this section with respect to a 
particular meeting, but also has voted to close a portion or portions of 
such meeting in accordance with Sec.  201.36 of this subpart, the public 
notice required by paragraph (c)(2) of this section shall also include, 
or be amended to include, if already issued, those items specified in 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (d)(1) When the Commission has changed the time or place of a 
publicly announced meeting by acting under Sec.  201.37(a) of this 
subpart, the public notice required by paragraph (a) or (c)(2) of this 
section shall be amended to reflect such changed time or place.
    (2) When the Commission has changed the subject matter of a meeting 
or its determination to open or close a meeting, or portion thereof, to 
the public following a public notice by acting under Sec.  201.37(b) of 
this subpart, the public notice required by paragraph (a) or (c)(2) of 
this section shall be amended to
    (i) Include a statement affirming that Commission business required 
the change in subject matter and that no earlier announcement of such 
change was possible and
    (ii) Indicate the change in subject matter and the vote of each 
Commissioner upon such change.
    (e)(1) The Secretary shall issue the public notices required by this 
section and such amendments thereto as are appropriate to the specific 
meeting to which they pertain.

[[Page 47]]

    (2) The Secretary
    (i) Shall promptly post the public notices referred to in paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section on bulletin boards outside the Office of the 
Secretary to the Commission,
    (ii) Shall make copies thereof available to interested members of 
the public, including mailing copies thereof through a mailing list of 
those persons desiring to receive such notices and distributing copies 
to the press, whether of specialized or general readership, and
    (iii) Shall immediately submit said public notices to the Federal 
Register for publication.
    (3) The Office of the Secretary shall respond to all questions from 
the public concerning the agendas of Commission meetings. Persons 
desiring to receive copies of notices of Commission meetings should 
contact the Office of the Secretary and request to be placed on the 
mailing list.

[42 FR 11243, Feb. 28, 1977, as amended at 58 FR 64121, Dec. 6, 1993]



Sec.  201.36  Closing a portion or portions of a meeting or a series
of meetings.

    (a) Every meeting of the Commission shall be open to public 
observation except when the Commission properly determines in the manner 
specified in paragraph (d) of this section that a portion or portions of 
a Commission meeting shall be closed to the public for the specific 
reasons enumerated in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) The Commission may close a portion or portions of a Commission 
meeting only when it determines that public disclosure of information to 
be discussed at such meeting is likely to:
    (1) Disclose matters that are (i) Specifically authorized under 
criteria established by Executive order to be kept secret in the 
interests of national defense or foreign policy and (ii) in fact 
properly classified pursuant to such Executive order;
    (2) Relate solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of 
the Commission;
    (3) Disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by 
statute (other than the Freedom of Information Act), provided that such 
statute (i) Requires that the matters be withheld from the public in 
such a manner as to leave no discretion on the issue, or (ii) 
Establishes particular criteria for withholding or refers to particular 
types of matters to be withheld.
    (4) Disclose trade secrets and commercial or financial information 
obtained from a person and privileged or confidential;
    (5) Involve accusing any person of a crime, or formally censuring 
any person;
    (6) Disclose information of a personal nature when disclosure would 
constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
    (7) Disclose investigatory records compiled for law-enforcement 
purposes, or information which, if written, would be contained in such 
records, but only to the extent that the production of such records or 
information would: (i) Interfere with enforcement proceedings, (ii) 
deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or to an impartial 
adjudication, (iii) constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal 
privacy, or (iv) disclose the identity of a confidential source, and, in 
the case of a record compiled by a criminal law-enforcement authority in 
the course of a criminal investigation or by an agency conducting a 
lawful national-security intelligence investigation, confidential 
information furnished only by the confidential source;
    (8)(i) Disclose information the premature disclosure of which would, 
in those instances where the Commission regulates commodities, be likely 
to lead to significant financial speculation in such commodities;
    (ii) Disclose information the premature disclosure of which would be 
likely to significantly frustrate implementation of a proposed 
Commission action except (A) When the Commission has already disclosed 
to the public the content or nature of its proposed action or (B) when 
the Commission is required by law to make such disclosure on its own 
initiative prior to taking final Commission action on such proposal; or
    (9) Specifically concern:
    (i) The Commission's issuance of a subpoena,
    (ii) The Commission's participation in a civil action or proceeding, 
or

[[Page 48]]

    (iii) The initiation, conduct, or disposition by the Commission of a 
particular case of formal Commission adjudication under 19 U.S.C. 1337 
pursuant to the procedures of 5 U.S.C. 554 or otherwise involving a 
determination on the record after opportunity for a hearing.
    (c)(1) When the Commission has determined that one or more of the 
specific reasons enumerated in paragraph (b) of this section for closing 
a portion or portions of a Commission meeting is applicable to the 
subject matter or matters to be discussed, the Commission shall consider 
whether or not the public interest requires that such portion or 
portions of the meeting be open to public observation.
    (2) In making the public-interest determination under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section, the Commission shall consider whether public 
disclosure would (i) Interfere with the Commission's carrying out its 
statutory responsibilities, (ii) Conflict with the individual right of 
privacy under the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), or (iii) Place 
the Commission in violation of any other applicable provision of law, in 
addition to any other factors which it deems to be relevant to the 
particular meeting in question.
    (d)(1) Action by the Commission to close a portion or portions of a 
meeting for one or more of the specific reasons enumerated in paragraphs 
(b) (1) through (9) of this section shall be taken only when a majority 
of the entire membership of the Commission has voted to take such 
action.
    (2) A single recorded vote of the Commission shall be taken with 
respect to: (i) Each Commission meeting of which the Commission proposes 
to close a portion or portions to the public for one or more of the 
specific reasons enumerated in paragraphs (b) (1) through (9) of this 
section, or (ii) any information which the Commission proposes to 
withhold from the public for one or more of the specific reasons 
enumerated in paragraphs (b) (1) through (9) of this section. No proxy 
votes are permissible.
    (e)(1) Action by the Commission to close a series of meetings of 
which the Commission proposes to close a portion or portions to the 
public for one or more of the specific reasons enumerated in paragraphs 
(b) (1) through (9) of this section may be taken by a single recorded 
vote of the Commission to close such portion or portions of the series. 
No proxy votes are permissible.
    (2) A series of meetings may be closed pursuant to paragraph (e)(1) 
of this section so long as each meeting in such series: (i) Involves the 
same particular matters and (ii) is scheduled to be held no more than 30 
days after the initial meeting in such series.
    (f) When the Commission (i) Has voted to close a portion or portions 
of a meeting in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section or (ii) 
has voted to close a portion or portions of a series of meetings in 
accordance with paragraph (e) of this section, the public notices 
referred to in paragraph (a) or (c)(2) of Sec.  201.35 shall be issued 
or amended in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c)(3) of Sec.  201.35 at 
the earliest practicable time, but no later than one (1) working day 
following such vote.



Sec.  201.37  Changing the time, place, subject matter, or determination
to open or close a meeting following a public notice.

    (a) The time or place of a Commission meeting may be changed 
following a public announcement required by Sec.  201.35 only if the 
Commission publicly announces such change or changes at the earliest 
practicable time by issuing an appropriate amendment to the public 
notice as required by Sec.  201.35.
    (b) The subject matter or matters of a Commission meeting or the 
determination of the Commission to open or close a meeting, or portion 
of a meeting, to the public may be changed following a public 
announcement required by Sec.  201.35 only if:
    (i) A majority of the entire membership of the Commission determines 
by recorded vote that Commission business so requires and that no 
earlier announcement of the change was possible and
    (ii) The Commission publicly announces such change in subject matter 
or such change in the determination of the Commission to open or close a 
meeting, or a portion of a meeting, to the public and the vote of each 
Commissioner upon such change or changes

[[Page 49]]

in a subsequent amendment of the public notice required by Sec.  201.35.



Sec.  201.38  Requests by interested persons that the Commission close
a portion of a Commission meeting.

    (a) Whenever any person whose interests may be directly affected by 
a portion of a Commission meeting requests that the Commission close 
such portion to the public for any of the specific reasons enumerated in 
paragraphs (b) (5), (6), or (7) of Sec.  201.36, the Commission, upon 
the request of any one of the Commissioners, shall take a vote in the 
manner specified in Sec.  201.36 of this subpart on whether or not to 
close such portion of the meeting.
    (b) When the Commission votes on a request to close a portion of a 
meeting under paragraph (a) of this section in the manner specified in 
Sec.  201.36(d), a public notice as required by paragraphs (a) and (b) 
of Sec.  201.35 shall be issued.



Sec.  201.39  General Counsel's certification of Commission action in
closing a meeting or a series of meetings.

    Before a Commission meeting may be closed for the specific reasons 
enumerated in paragraphs (b) (1) through (9) of Sec.  201.36, the 
General Counsel (i) Shall, in the related public notice, certify that in 
his or her opinion the meeting may be closed to the public and (ii) 
Shall state each applicable exemptive provision of paragraphs (b) (1) 
through (9) of Sec.  201.36.



Sec.  201.40  Records-retention requirements.

    (a) The Secretary shall maintain a copy of the certification by the 
General Counsel required by Sec.  201.39 for each Commission meeting of 
which a portion or portions are closed to the public pursuant to a vote 
under Sec.  201.36(d).
    (b) The Secretary shall also maintain a copy of a statement from the 
presiding officer of each Commission meeting or portion thereof which 
was closed to the public for the specific reasons enumerated in 
paragraphs (b) (1) through (9) of Sec.  201.36(b) setting forth (i) The 
time and place of the closed meeting, or portion thereof, and (ii) A 
list of the persons present thereat.
    (c) The Secretary shall also maintain a complete transcript or 
electronic recording of the proceedings of each Commission meeting or 
portion of a meeting, whether open to public observation or closed to 
the public. The Secretary shall also maintain a complete transcript or 
electronic recording of all deliberations conducted under paragraphs (a) 
(4), (5), and (6) of Sec.  201.34 of this subpart.
    (d) Where portions of a Commission meeting are closed for the 
reasons contained in paragraphs (b) (8)(A) or (9) of Sec.  201.36, the 
Commission preserves the option to maintain detailed minutes of such 
portions. Such detailed minutes shall fully and clearly describe all 
matters discussed and shall provide a full and accurate summary of any 
actions taken, and the reasons therefor, including a description of each 
of the views expressed on any item and the record of any rollcall vote 
(reflecting the vote of each member on the question). All documents 
considered in connection with any action shall be identified in such 
minutes.
    (e) The retention period for the records required by paragraphs (a), 
(b), (c), and (d) of this section shall be for a period of at least two 
(2) years after the particular Commission meeting, or until one (1) year 
after the conclusion of any Commission proceeding with respect to which 
the meeting or portion thereof was held, whichever occurs later.
    (f) The requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section shall 
not affect or supplant the existing duty of the Secretary to maintain 
permanent minutes of each Commission meeting. The Secretary shall also 
maintain permanent minutes of all deliberations conducted under 
paragraphs (a) (4), (5), and (6) of Sec.  201.34 of this subpart.



Sec.  201.41  Public inspection and copying of records; applicable fees.

    (a) The Secretary shall promptly make available to interested 
members of the public the transcript or electronic recording of the 
discussion of any item on the agenda of a Commission meeting or of any 
item of the testimony of any witness received at the meeting, except for 
such item or items of such discussion or testimony as the

[[Page 50]]

Secretary determines to contain information which may be withheld for 
reasons specified in paragraphs (b) (1) through (9) of Sec.  201.36. The 
determination of the Secretary shall be in conformity with a prior vote 
of the Commission under Sec.  201.36(d) to close a portion or portions 
of a meeting.
    (b) Public inspection of electronic recordings, transcripts, or 
minutes of Commission meetings shall take place at the United States 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. 
A room is designated by the Office of the Secretary and tape recorders 
with earphones are provided by the Commission for public-inspection 
purposes when proceedings are recorded on tape.
    (c)(1) The Secretary shall provide any person with copies of 
transcripts, minutes of Commission meetings, or transcriptions of 
electronic recordings of Commission meetings, which disclose the 
identity of each speaker, at the actual cost of transcription or 
duplication.
    (2) The Secretary shall not include items of discussion or testimony 
determined by the Secretary to contain information which may be withheld 
from the public for the reasons specified in paragraphs (b) (1) through 
(9) of Sec.  201.36 in the copies furnished to the public in accordance 
with paragraph (c)(1) of this section. The determination of the 
Secretary shall be in conformity with a prior vote of the Commission 
under Sec.  201.36(d) to close a portion or portions of a meeting.



                 Subpart F_National Security Information

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1335; E.O. 13526, 75 FR 707.

    Source: 79 FR 46350, Aug. 8, 2014, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  201.42  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart supplements Executive Order 13526 of December 29, 2009, 
and its implementing directive (32 CFR part 2001) as it applies to the 
Commission.



Sec.  201.43  Mandatory declassification review.

    (a) Requests for mandatory declassification review--(1) Definitions. 
Mandatory declassification review (``MDR'') means the review for 
declassification of classified information in response to a request for 
declassification that meets the requirements under section 3.5 of 
Executive Order 13526.
    (2) Procedures. Requests for MDR of information in the custody of 
the Commission that is classified under Executive Order 13526 or 
predecessor orders shall be directed to the Secretary to the Commission, 
U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 
20436. MDR requests will be processed in accordance with Executive Order 
13526, its implementing directive, and this section. An MDR request must 
describe the document or material containing the requested information 
with sufficient specificity to enable Commission personnel to locate it 
with a reasonable amount of effort. Requests for broad types of 
information, entire file series of records, or similar non-specific 
requests may be denied processing. The Secretary shall notify a 
requester who has submitted a non-specific request that no further 
action will be taken on the request unless the requester provides 
additional description.
    (b) Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act requests. (1) 
Requests for records submitted under the Freedom of Information Act 
(``FOIA'') (5 U.S.C. 552), as amended, or the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 
U.S.C. 552a), as amended, which include classified information shall be 
processed in accordance with the provisions of those acts and applicable 
Commission regulations (subpart C of this part (FOIA regulations); 
subpart D of this part (Privacy Act regulations)).
    (2) If a requester submits a request under FOIA and also requests 
MDR, the Secretary shall require the requester to select one process or 
the other. If the requester fails to select one or the other process, 
the Secretary will treat the request as a FOIA request unless the 
requested materials are subject only to MDR.
    (c) Referral of MDR requests. (1) Because the Commission does not 
have original classification authority and

[[Page 51]]

all U.S. originated classified information in its custody has been 
originally classified by another Federal agency, the Secretary shall 
refer all requests for MDR and the pertinent records to the originating 
agency for review. Following consultations with the originating agency, 
the Secretary shall notify the requester of the referral unless such 
association is itself classified under Executive Order 13526 or its 
predecessor orders. The Secretary shall request that the originating 
agency, in accordance with 32 CFR 2001.33(a)(2)(ii) and 2001.34(e):
    (i) Promptly process the request for declassification,
    (ii) Communicate its declassification determination to the 
Secretary, and
    (iii) If the originating agency proposes to withhold any information 
from public release, notify the Secretary of the specific information at 
issue and the applicable law that authorizes and warrants withholding 
such information.
    (2) Unless a prior arrangement has been made with the originating 
agency, the Secretary shall collect the results of that agency's review 
and inform the requester of any final decision regarding the 
declassification of the requested information as follows:
    (i) If the originating agency denies declassification of the 
requested information in whole or in part, the Secretary shall ensure 
that the decision provided to the requester includes notification of the 
right to file an administrative appeal with the originating agency 
within 60 days of receipt of the denial and the mailing address for the 
appellate authority at the originating agency.
    (ii) If the originating agency declassifies the requested 
information in whole or in part, the Secretary shall determine whether 
the requested declassified information is exempt from disclosure, in 
whole or in part, under the provisions of a statutory authority, such as 
the FOIA. The Secretary shall inform the requester that an appeal from a 
denial of requested declassified information must be received within 60 
days of the date of the letter of denial and shall be made to the 
Commission and addressed to the Chairman, United States International 
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436.
    (d) Foreign Government Information--(1) Definitions. ``Foreign 
government information'' (``FGI'') means information provided to the 
United States Government by a foreign government or governments, an 
international organization of governments, or any element thereof, with 
the expectation that the information, the source of the information, or 
both, are to be held in confidence; information produced by the United 
States Government pursuant to or as a result of a joint arrangement with 
a foreign government or governments, or an international organization of 
governments, or any element thereof, requiring that the information, the 
arrangement, or both, are to be held in confidence; or information 
received and treated as FGI under the terms of a predecessor of 
Executive Order 13526.
    (2) MDR requests for classified records in Commission custody that 
contain FGI. The Commission will handle such MDR requests consistent 
with the requirements of Executive Order 13526 and 32 CFR part 2001. MDR 
requests for FGI initially received or classified by another Federal 
agency shall be referred to such agency following the referral 
procedures in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (e) Appeals of denials of MDR requests. MDR appeals are for the 
denial of classified information only. Appeals of denials are handled in 
accordance with 32 CFR 2001.33(a)(2)(iii), which provides that the 
agency appellate authority deciding an administrative appeal of the 
denial of an MDR request shall notify the requester in writing of the 
reasons for any denial and inform the requester of his or her final 
appeal rights to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel.



 Subpart G_Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in 
    Programs or Activities Conducted by the U.S. International Trade 
                               Commission

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 794.

[[Page 52]]


    Source: 51 FR 4575, 4579, Feb. 5, 1986, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  201.101  Purpose.

    This part effectuates section 119 of the Rehabilitation, 
Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 
1978, which amended section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to 
prohibit discrimination on the basis of handicap in programs or 
activities conducted by Executive agencies or the United States Postal 
Service.



Sec.  201.102  Application.

    This part applies to all programs or activities conducted by the 
agency.



Sec.  201.103  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part, the term--
    Assistant Attorney General means the Assistant Attorney General, 
Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice.
    Auxiliary aids means services or devices that enable persons with 
impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills to have an equal 
opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, programs or 
activities conducted by the agency. For example, auxiliary aids useful 
for persons with impaired vision include readers, Brailled materials, 
audio recordings, telecommunications devices and other similar services 
and devices. Auxiliary aids useful for persons with impaired hearing 
include telephone handset amplifiers, telephones compatible with hearing 
aids, telecommunication devices for deaf persons (TDD's), interpreters, 
notetakers, written materials, and other similar services and devices.
    Complete complaint means a written statement that contains the 
complainant's name and address and describes the agency's alleged 
discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the agency of the 
nature and date of the alleged violation of section 504. It shall be 
signed by the complainant or by someone authorized to do so on his or 
her behalf. Complaints filed on behalf of classes or third parties shall 
describe or identify (by name, if possible) the alleged victims of 
discrimination.
    Facility means all or any portion of buildings, structures, 
equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, rolling stock or other 
conveyances, or other real or personal property.
    Handicapped person means any person who has a physical or mental 
impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, 
has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an 
impairment.
    As used in this definition, the phrase:
    (1) Physical or mental impairment includes--
    (i) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, 
or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: 
Neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, 
including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; 
genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or
    (ii) Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental 
retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and 
specific learning disabilities. The term physical or mental impairment 
includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and conditions as 
orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, 
epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, 
diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, and drug addition and 
alcholism.
    (2) Major life activities includes functions such as caring for 
one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, 
breathing, learning, and working.
    (3) Has a record of such an impairment means has a history of, or 
has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that 
substantially limits one or more major life activities.
    (4) Is regarded as having an impairment means--
    (i) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially 
limit major life activities but is treated by the agency as constituting 
such a limitation;
    (ii) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits 
major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward 
such impairment; or

[[Page 53]]

    (iii) Has none of the impairments defined in subparagraph (1) of 
this definition but is treated by the agency as having such an 
impairment.
    Qualified handicapped person means--
    (1) With respect to any agency program or activity under which a 
person is required to perform services or to achieve a level of 
accomplishment, a handicapped person who meets the essential eligibility 
requirements and who can achieve the purpose of the program or activity 
without modifications in the program or activity that the agency can 
demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in its nature; or
    (2) With respect to any other program or activity, a handicapped 
person who meets the essential eligibility requirements for 
participation in, or receipt of benefits from, that program or activity.
    (3) Qualified handicapped person is defined for purposes of 
employment in 29 CFR 1613.702(f), which is made applicable to this part 
by Sec.  201.140.
    Section 504 means section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
(Pub. L. 93-112, 87 Stat. 394 (29 U.S.C. 794)), as amended by the 
Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-516, 88 Stat. 1617), 
and the Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental 
Disabilities Amendments of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-602, 92 Stat. 2955). As used 
in this part, section 504 applies only to programs or activities 
conducted by Executive agencies and not to federally assisted programs.

[51 FR 4575, 4579, Feb. 5, 1986; 51 FR 7543, Mar. 5, 1986]



Sec. Sec.  201.104-201.109  [Reserved]



Sec.  201.110  Self-evaluation.

    (a) The agency shall, by April 9, 1987, evaluate its current 
policies and practices, and the effects thereof, that do not or may not 
meet the requirements of this part, and, to the extent modification of 
any such policies and practices is required, the agency shall proceed to 
make the necessary modifications.
    (b) The agency shall provide an opportunity to interested persons, 
including handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped 
persons, to participate in the self-evaluation process by submitting 
comments (both oral and written).
    (c) The agency shall, until three years following the completion of 
the self-evaluation, maintain on file and make available for public 
inspections:
    (1) A description of areas examined and any problems identified, and
    (2) A description of any modifications made.



Sec.  201.111  Notice.

    The agency shall make available to employees, applicants, 
participants, beneficiaries, and other interested persons such 
information regarding the provisions of this part and its applicability 
to the programs or activities conducted by the agency, and make such 
information available to them in such manner as the head of the agency 
finds necessary to apprise such persons of the protections against 
discrimination assured them by section 504 and this regulation.



Sec. Sec.  201.112-201.129  [Reserved]



Sec.  201.130  General prohibitions against discrimination.

    (a) No qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of handicap, 
be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or 
otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity 
conducted by the agency.
    (b)(1) The agency, in providing any aid, benefit, or service, may 
not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, 
on the basis of handicap--
    (i) Deny a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to 
participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service;
    (ii) Afford a qualified handicapped person an opportunity to 
participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service that is not 
equal to that afforded others;
    (iii) Provide a qualified handicapped person with an aid, benefit, 
or service that is not as effective in affording equal opportunity to 
obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit, or to reach the same 
level of achievement as that provided to others;

[[Page 54]]

    (iv) Provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to 
handicapped persons or to any class of handicapped persons than is 
provided to others unless such action is necessary to provide qualified 
handicapped persons with aid, benefits, or services that are as 
effective as those provided to others;
    (v) Deny a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to 
participate as a member of planning or advisory boards; or
    (vi) Otherwise limit a qualified handicapped person in the enjoyment 
of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by others 
receiving the aid, benefit, or service.
    (2) The agency may not deny a qualified handicapped person the 
opportunity to participate in programs or activities that are not 
separate or different, despite the existence of permissibly separate or 
different programs or activities.
    (3) The agency may not, directly or through contractual or other 
arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration the purpose 
or effect of which would--
    (i) Subject qualified handicapped persons to discrimination on the 
basis of handicap; or
    (ii) Defeat or substantially impair accomplishment of the objectives 
of a program or activity with respect to handicapped persons.
    (4) The agency may not, in determining the site or location of a 
facility, make selections the purpose or effect of which would--
    (i) Exclude handicapped persons from, deny them the benefits of, or 
otherwise subject them to discrimination under any program or activity 
conducted by the agency; or
    (ii) Defeat or substantially impair the accomplishment of the 
objectives of a program or activity with respect to handicapped persons.
    (5) The agency, in the selection of procurement contractors, may not 
use criteria that subject qualified handicapped persons to 
discrimination on the basis of handicap.
    (c) The exclusion of nonhandicapped persons from the benefits of a 
program limited by Federal statute or Executive order to handicapped 
persons or the exclusion of a specific class of handicapped persons from 
a program limited by Federal statute or Executive order to a different 
class of handicapped persons is not prohibited by this part.
    (d) The agency shall administer programs and activities in the most 
integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified handicapped 
persons.



Sec. Sec.  201.131-201.139  [Reserved]



Sec.  201.140  Employment.

    No qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of handicap, be 
subjected to discrimination in employment under any program or activity 
conducted by the agency. The definitions, requirements, and procedures 
of section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791), as 
established by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 29 CFR 
part 1613, shall apply to employment in federally conducted programs or 
activities.



Sec. Sec.  201.141-201.148  [Reserved]



Sec.  201.149  Program accessibility: Discrimination prohibited.

    Except as otherwise provided in Sec.  201.150, no qualified 
handicapped person shall, because the agency's facilities are 
inaccessible to or unusable by handicapped persons, be denied the 
benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or otherwise be 
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by 
the agency.



Sec.  201.150  Program accessibility: Existing facilities.

    (a) General. The agency shall operate each program or activity so 
that the program or activity, when viewed in its entirety, is readily 
accessible to and usable by handicapped persons. This paragraph does 
not--
    (1) Necessarily require the agency to make each of its existing 
facilities accessible to and usable by handicapped persons; or
    (2) Require the agency to take any action that it can demonstrate 
would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a program or 
activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. In those 
circumstances where agency personnel believe that the proposed action 
would fundamentally

[[Page 55]]

alter the program or activity or would result in undue financial and 
administrative burdens, the agency has the burden of proving that 
compliance with Sec.  201.150(a) would result in such alteration or 
burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such alteration or 
burdens must be made by the agency head or his or her designee after 
considering all agency resources available for use in the funding and 
operation of the conducted program or activity, and must be accompanied 
by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion. If 
an action would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the agency 
shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration 
or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that handicapped persons 
receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.
    (b) Methods. The agency may comply with the requirements of this 
section through such means as redesign of equipment, reassignment of 
services to accessible buildings, assignment of aides to beneficiaries, 
home visits, delivery of services at alternate accessible sites, 
alteration of existing facilities and construction of new facilities, 
use of accessible rolling stock, or any other methods that result in 
making its programs or activities readily accessible to and usable by 
handicapped persons. The agency is not required to make structural 
changes in existing facilities where other methods are effective in 
achieving compliance with this section. The agency, in making 
alterations to existing buildings, shall meet accessibility requirements 
to the extent compelled by the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), and any regulations implementing it. In 
choosing among available methods for meeting the requirements of this 
section, the agency shall give priority to those methods that offer 
programs and activities to qualified handicapped persons in the most 
integrated setting appropriate.
    (c) Time period for compliance. The agency shall comply with the 
obligations established under this section by June 6, 1986, except that 
where structural changes in facilities are undertaken, such changes 
shall be made by April 7, 1989, but in any event as expeditiously as 
possible.
    (d) Transition plan. In the event that structural changes to 
facilities will be undertaken to achieve program accessibility, the 
agency shall develop, by October 7, 1986, a transition plan setting 
forth the steps necessary to complete such changes. The agency shall 
provide an opportunity to interested persons, including handicapped 
persons or organizations representing handicapped persons, to 
participate in the development of the transition plan by submitting 
comments (both oral and written). A copy of the transition plan shall be 
made available for public inspection. The plan shall, at a minimum--
    (1) Identify physical obstacles in the agency's facilities that 
limit the accessibility of its programs or activities to handicapped 
persons;
    (2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the 
facilities accessible;
    (3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve 
compliance with this section and, if the time period of the transition 
plan is longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during 
each year of the transition period; and
    (4) Indicate the official responsible for implementation of the 
plan.

[51 FR 4575, 4579, Feb. 5, 1986; 51 FR 7543, Mar. 5, 1986]



Sec.  201.151  Program accessibility: New construction and alterations.

    Each building or part of a building that is constructed or altered 
by, on behalf of, or for the use of the agency shall be designed, 
constructed, or altered so as to be readily accessible to and usable by 
handicapped persons. The definitions, requirements, and standards of the 
Architectural Barriers Act (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), as established in 41 
CFR 101-19.600 to 101-19.607, apply to buildings covered by this 
section.

[[Page 56]]



Sec. Sec.  201.152-201.159  [Reserved]



Sec.  201.160  Communications.

    (a) The agency shall take appropriate steps to ensure effective 
communication with applicants, participants, personnel of other Federal 
entities, and members of the public.
    (1) The agency shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids where 
necessary to afford a handicapped person an equal opportunity to 
participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a program or activity 
conducted by the agency.
    (i) In determining what type of auxiliary aid is necessary, the 
agency shall give primary consideration to the requests of the 
handicapped person.
    (ii) The agency need not provide individually prescribed devices, 
readers for personal use or study, or other devices of a personal 
nature.
    (2) Where the agency communicates with applicants and beneficiaries 
by telephone, telecommunication devices for deaf persons (TDD's) or 
equally effective telecommunication systems shall be used.
    (b) The agency shall ensure that interested persons, including 
persons with impaired vision or hearing, can obtain information as to 
the existence and location of accessible services, activities, and 
facilities.
    (c) The agency shall provide signage at a primary entrance to each 
of its inaccessible facilities, directing users to a location at which 
they can obtain information about accessible facilities. The 
international symbol for accessibility shall be used at each primary 
entrance of an accessible facility.
    (d) This section does not require the agency to take any action that 
it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the 
nature of a program or activity or in undue financial and administrative 
burdens. In those circumstances where agency personnel believe that the 
proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or 
would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the agency 
has the burden of proving that compliance with Sec.  201.160 would 
result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would 
result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the agency head or 
his or her designee after considering all agency resources available for 
use in the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity, 
and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for 
reaching that conclusion. If an action required to comply with this 
section would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the agency 
shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration 
or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum 
extent possible, handicapped persons receive the benefits and services 
of the program or activity.



Sec. Sec.  201.161-201.169  [Reserved]



Sec.  201.170  Compliance procedures.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this 
section applies to all allegations of discrimination on the basis of 
handicap in programs or activities conducted by the agency.
    (b) The agency shall process complaints alleging violations of 
section 504 with respect to employment according to the procedures 
established by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 29 CFR 
part 1613 pursuant to section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
U.S.C. 791).
    (c) The Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, shall be 
responsible for coordinating implementation of this section. Complaints 
may be sent to the Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, 
United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20436.
    (d) The agency shall accept and investigate all complete complaints 
for which it has jurisdiction. All complete complaints must be filed 
within 180 days of the alleged act of discrimination. The agency may 
extend this time period for good cause.
    (e) If the agency receives a complaint over which it does not have 
jurisdiction, it shall promptly notify the complainant and shall make 
reasonable efforts to refer the complaint to the appropriate government 
entity.
    (f) The agency shall notify the Architectural and Transportation 
Barriers Compliance Board upon receipt of any complaint alleging that a 
building or

[[Page 57]]

facility that is subject to the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), or section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 792), is not readily accessible to and 
usable by handicapped persons.
    (g) Within 180 days of the receipt of a complete complaint for which 
it has jurisdiction, the agency shall notify the complainant of the 
results of the investigation in a letter containing--
    (1) Findings of fact and conclusions of law;
    (2) A description of a remedy for each violation found;
    (3) A notice of the right to appeal.
    (h) Appeals of the findings of fact and conclusions of law or 
remedies must be filed by the complainant within 90 days of receipt from 
the agency of the letter required by Sec.  201.170(g). The agency may 
extend this time for good cause.
    (i) Timely appeals shall be accepted and processed by the head of 
the agency.
    (j) The head of the agency shall notify the complainant of the 
results of the appeal within 60 days of the receipt of the request. If 
the head of the agency determines that additional information is needed 
from the complainant, he or she shall have 60 days from the date of 
receipt of the additional information to make his or her determination 
on the appeal.
    (k) The time limits cited in paragraphs (g) and (j) of this section 
may be extended with the permission of the Assistant Attorney General.
    (l) The agency may delegate its authority for conducting complaint 
investigations to other Federal agencies, except that the authority for 
making the final determination may not be delegated to another agency.

[51 FR 4575, 4579, Feb. 5, 1986, as amended at 51 FR 4576, Feb. 5, 1986; 
68 FR 32975, June 3, 2003]



Sec. Sec.  201.171-201.999  [Reserved]



                        Subpart H_Debt Collection

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1335; 5 U.S.C. 5514(b)(1); 31 U.S.C. 3716(b); 
31 U.S.C. 3720A(b)(4); 31 CFR chapter IX; 26 CFR 301.6402-6(b).

    Source: 62 FR 38019, July 16, 1997, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  201.201  Definitions.

    Except where the context clearly indicates otherwise or where the 
term is defined elsewhere in this section, the following definitions 
shall apply to this subpart.
    (a) Agency means a department, agency, court, court administrative 
office, or instrumentality in the executive, judicial, or legislative 
branch of Government, including government corporations.
    (b) Certification means a written statement received by a paying 
agency from a creditor agency that requests the paying agency to offset 
the salary of an employee and specifies that required procedural 
protections have been afforded the employee.
    (c) Chairman means the Chairman of the Commission.
    (d) Compromise means the settlement or forgiveness of a debt.
    (e) Creditor agency means an agency of the Federal government to 
which the debt is owed.
    (f) Director means the Director, Office of Finance of the Commission 
or an official designated to act on the Director's behalf.
    (g) Disposable pay means that part of current basic pay, special 
pay, incentive pay, retired pay, retainer pay, and, in the case of an 
employee not entitled to basic pay, other authorized pay, remaining for 
each pay period after the deduction of any amount required by law to be 
withheld. The Commission shall allow the following deductions in 
determining the amount of disposable pay that is subject to salary 
offset:
    (1) Federal employment taxes;
    (2) Amounts mandatorily withheld for the United States Soldiers' and 
Airmen's Home;
    (3) Fines and forfeiture ordered by a court-martial or by a 
commanding officer;
    (4) Amounts deducted for Medicare;
    (5) Federal, state, or local income taxes to the extent authorized 
or required by law, but no greater than would be the case if the 
employee claimed all dependents to which he or she is entitled and such 
additional

[[Page 58]]

amounts for which the employee presents evidence of a tax obligation 
supporting the additional withholding;
    (6) Health insurance premiums;
    (7) Normal retirement contributions, including employee 
contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan;
    (8) Normal life insurance premiums (e.g., Serviceman's Group Life 
Insurance and ``Basic Life'' Federal Employee's Group Life Insurance 
premiums), not including amounts deducted for supplementary coverage.
    (h) Employee means a current employee of the Commission or other 
agency, including a current member of the Armed Forces or a Reserve of 
the Armed Forces of the United States.
    (i) Federal Claims Collection Standards (FCCS) means standards 
published at 31 CFR chapter IX.
    (j) Hearing official means an individual responsible for conducting 
any hearing with respect to the existence or amount of a debt claimed 
and for rendering a decision on the basis of such hearing. A hearing 
official may not be under the supervision or control of the Chairman 
when the Commission is the creditor agency but may be an administrative 
law judge.
    (k) Notice of Intent to Offset or Notice of Intent means a written 
notice from a creditor agency to an employee, organization, or entity 
stating that the debtor is indebted to the creditor agency and apprising 
the debtor of certain procedural rights.
    (l) Notice of Salary Offset means a written notice from the paying 
agency to an employee after a certification has been issued by a 
creditor agency, informing the employee that salary offset will begin at 
the next officially established pay interval.
    (m) Office of Finance means the Office of Finance of the Commission.
    (n) Paying agency means the agency of the Federal government that 
employs the individual who owes a debt to an agency of the Federal 
government. In some cases, the Commission may be both the creditor 
agency and the paying agency.

[62 FR 38019, July 16, 1997, as amended at 68 FR 32976, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  201.202  Purpose and scope of salary and administrative offset rules.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of sections 201.201 through 201.207 is to 
implement 5 U.S.C. 5514, 31 U.S.C. 3716, and 31 U.S.C. 3720A which 
authorize the collection by salary offset, administrative offset, or tax 
refund offset of debts owed by persons, organizations, or entities to 
the Federal government. Generally, however, a debt may not be collected 
by such means if it has been outstanding for more than ten years after 
the agency's right to collect the debt first accrued. These proposed 
regulations are consistent with the Office of Personnel Management 
regulations on salary offset, codified at 5 CFR Part 550, subpart K, and 
with regulations on administrative offset codified at 31 CFR part 901.
    (b) Scope. (1) Sections 201.201 through 201.207 establish agency 
procedures for the collection of certain debts owed the Government.
    (2) Sections 201.201 through 201.207 apply to collections by the 
Commission from:
    (i) Federal employees who are indebted to the Commission;
    (ii) Employees of the Commission who are indebted to other agencies; 
and
    (iii) Other persons, organizations, or entities that are indebted to 
the Commission.
    (3) Sections 201.201 through 201.207 do not apply:
    (i) To debts or claims arising under the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 (26 U.S.C. et seq.), the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et 
seq.), or the tariff laws of the United States;
    (ii) To a situation to which the Contract Disputes Act (41 U.S.C. 
601 et seq.) applies; or
    (iii) In any case where collection of a debt is explicitly provided 
for or prohibited by another statute (e.g., travel advances in 5 U.S.C. 
4108).
    (4) Nothing in Sections 201.201 through 201.207 precludes the 
compromise, suspension, or termination of collection actions where 
appropriate under the standards implementing the Federal Claims 
Collection Act (31 U.S.C. 3711 et seq.), namely, 31 CFR chapter IX.

[62 FR 38019, July 16, 1997, as amended at 68 FR 32976, June 3, 2003]

[[Page 59]]



Sec.  201.203  Delegation of authority.

    Authority to conduct the following activities is hereby delegated to 
the Director:
    (a) Initiate and effectuate the administrative collection process;
    (b) Accept or reject compromise offers and suspend or terminate 
collection actions where the claim does not exceed $100,000 or such 
higher amount as the Chairman may from time to time prescribe, exclusive 
of interest, administrative costs, and penalties as provided herein, as 
set forth in 31 U.S.C. 3711(a)(2);
    (c) Report to consumer reporting agencies certain data pertaining to 
delinquent debts;
    (d) Use offset procedures to effectuate collection; and
    (e) Take any other action necessary to facilitate and augment 
collection in accordance with the policies contained herein and as 
otherwise provided by law.



Sec.  201.204  Salary offset.

    (a) Notice requirements before offset where the Commission is the 
creditor agency. Deductions under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 5514 will 
not be made unless the Commission provides the employee with a written 
Notice of Intent to Offset a minimum of 30 calendar days before salary 
offset is initiated. The Notice of Intent shall state:
    (1) That the Director has reviewed the records relating to the claim 
and has determined that a debt is owed;
    (2) The Director's intention to collect the debt by means of 
deduction from the employee's current disposable pay account until the 
debt and all accumulated interest is paid in full;
    (3) The amount of the debt and the facts giving rise to the debt;
    (4) A repayment schedule that includes the amount, frequency, 
proposed beginning date, and duration of the intended deductions;
    (5) The opportunity for the employee to propose an alternative 
written schedule for the voluntary repayment of the debt, in lieu of 
offset, on terms acceptable to the Commission. The employee shall 
include a justification in the request for the alternative schedule. The 
schedule shall be agreed to and signed by both the employee and the 
Director;
    (6) An explanation of the Commission's policy concerning interest, 
penalties, and administrative costs, including a statement that such 
assessments must be made unless excused in accordance with the Federal 
Claims Collection Standards;
    (7) The employee's right to inspect and copy all records of the 
Commission not exempt from disclosure pertaining to the debt claimed or 
to receive copies of such records if the debtor is unable personally to 
inspect the records, due to geographical or other constraints;
    (8) The name, address, and telephone number of the Director to whom 
requests for access to records relating to the debt must be sent;
    (9) The employee's right to a hearing conducted by an impartial 
hearing official (an administrative law judge or other hearing official 
not under the supervision or control of the Chairman) with respect to 
the existence and amount of the debt claimed or the repayment schedule 
(i.e., the percentage of disposable pay to be deducted each pay period), 
so long as a request is filed by the employee as prescribed in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section;
    (10) The name, address, and telephone number of the Director to whom 
a proposal for voluntary repayment must be sent and who may be contacted 
concerning procedures for requesting a hearing;
    (11) The method and deadline for requesting a hearing;
    (12) That the timely filing of a request for a hearing on or before 
the 15th calendar day following receipt of the Notice of Intent will 
stay the commencement of collection proceedings;
    (13) The name and address of the office to which the request should 
be sent;
    (14) That the Commission will initiate certification procedures to 
implement a salary offset not less than 30 days from the date of receipt 
of the Notice of Intent to Offset, unless the employee files a timely 
request for a hearing;
    (15) That a final decision on whether a hearing will be held (if one 
is requested) will be issued at the earliest practical date;

[[Page 60]]

    (16) That any knowingly false or frivolous statements, 
representations, or evidence may subject the employee to:
    (i) Disciplinary procedures appropriate under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 75, 5 
CFR part 752, or any other applicable statutes or regulations;
    (ii) Penalties under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729-3733, or 
under any other applicable statutory authority; or
    (iii) Criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. 286, 287, 1001, and 1002 or 
under any other applicable statutory authority;
    (17) Any other rights and remedies available to the employee under 
statutes or regulations governing the program for which the collection 
is being made;
    (18) That unless there are applicable contractual or statutory 
provisions to the contrary, amounts paid on or deducted from debts that 
are later waived or found not to be owed to the United States will be 
promptly refunded to the employee; and
    (19) That proceedings with respect to such debt are governed by 5 
U.S.C. 5514.
    (b) Review of Commission records related to the debt. (1) An 
employee who desires to inspect or copy Commission records related to a 
debt owed to the Commission must send a letter to the Director as 
designated in the Notice of Intent requesting access to the relevant 
records. The letter must be received in the office of the Director 
within 15 calendar days after the employee's receipt of the Notice of 
Intent.
    (2) In response to a timely request submitted by the debtor, the 
Director will notify the employee of the location and time when the 
employee may inspect and copy records related to the debt.
    (3) If the employee is unable personally to inspect the records, due 
to geographical or other constraints, the Director shall arrange to send 
copies of such records to the employee.
    (c) Opportunity for a hearing where the Commission is the creditor 
agency--(1) Request for a hearing. (i) An employee who requests a 
hearing on the existence or amount of the debt held by the Commission or 
on the offset schedule proposed by the Commission must send such request 
to the Director. The request for a hearing must be received by the 
Director on or before the 15th calendar day following receipt by the 
employee of the notice.
    (ii) The employee must specify whether an oral hearing is requested. 
If an oral hearing is desired, the request should explain why the matter 
cannot be resolved by review of the documentary evidence alone. The 
request must be signed by the employee and must fully identify and 
explain with reasonable specificity all the facts, evidence, and 
witnesses, if any, that the employee believes support his or her 
position.
    (2) Failure to timely submit. If the employee files a request for 
hearing after the expiration of the 15-calendar-day period provided for 
in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the Director may accept the request 
if the employee can show that the delay was the result of circumstances 
beyond his or her control or that he or she failed to receive actual 
notice of the filing deadline.
    (3) Obtaining the services of a hearing official. (i) When the 
debtor is not a Commission employee and the Commission cannot provide a 
prompt and appropriate hearing before an administrative law judge or 
other hearing official, the Commission may request a hearing official 
from an agent of the paying agency, as designated in 5 CFR part 581, 
appendix A, or as otherwise designated by the paying agency.
    (ii) When the debtor is a Commission employee, the Commission may 
contact any agent of another agency, as designated in 5 CFR part 581, 
appendix A, or as otherwise designated by the agency, to request a 
hearing official.
    (4) Procedure--(i) Notice. After the employee requests a hearing, 
the hearing official shall notify the employee of the form of the 
hearing to be provided. If the hearing will be oral, the notice shall 
set forth the date, time, and location of the hearing, which must occur 
no more than 30 calendar days after the request is received, unless the 
employee requests that the hearing be delayed. If the hearing will be 
conducted by examination of documents, the employee shall be notified 
within 30 calendar days that he or she should submit evidence and 
arguments in writing to the hearing official.

[[Page 61]]

    (ii) Oral hearing. An employee who requests an oral hearing shall be 
provided an oral hearing if the hearing official determines that the 
matter cannot be resolved by review of documentary evidence alone (e.g., 
when an issue of credibility or veracity is involved). The hearing need 
not be an adversarial adjudication, and rules of evidence need not 
apply. Witnesses who testify in oral hearings shall do so under oath or 
affirmation. Oral hearings may take the form of, but are not limited to:
    (A) Informal conferences with the hearing official in which the 
employee and agency representative are given full opportunity to present 
evidence, witnesses, and argument;
    (B) Informal meetings in which the hearing examiner interviews the 
employee; or
    (C) Formal written submissions followed by an opportunity for oral 
presentation.
    (iii) Documentary hearing. If the hearing official determines that 
an oral hearing is not necessary, he or she shall make the determination 
based upon a review of the written record.
    (iv) Record. The hearing official shall maintain a summary record of 
any hearing conducted under this section.
    (5) Date of decision. The hearing official shall issue a written 
opinion stating his or her decision, based upon all evidence and 
information developed at the hearing, as soon as practicable after the 
hearing, but not later than 60 calendar days after the date on which the 
request was received by the Commission, unless the hearing was delayed 
at the request of the employee, in which case the 60 day decision period 
shall be extended by the number of days by which the hearing was 
postponed. The decision of the hearing official shall be final.
    (6) Content of decision. The written decision shall include:
    (i) A summary of the facts concerning the origin, nature, and amount 
of the debt;
    (ii) The hearing official's findings, analysis, and conclusions; and
    (iii) The terms of any repayment schedules, if applicable.
    (7) Failure to appear. If, in the absence of good cause shown (e.g., 
illness), the employee or the representative of the Commission fails to 
appear, the hearing official shall proceed with the hearing as 
scheduled, and make his or her determination based upon the oral 
testimony presented and the documentation submitted by both parties. At 
the request of both parties, the hearing official may schedule a new 
hearing date. Both parties shall be given reasonable notice of the time 
and place of this new hearing.
    (d) Certification where the Commission is the creditor agency. (1) 
The Director shall issue a certification in all cases where:
    (i) The hearing official determines that a debt exists; or
    (ii) The employee admits the existence and amount of the debt, for 
example, by failing to request a hearing.
    (2) The certification must be in writing and must state:
    (i) That the employee owes the debt;
    (ii) The amount and basis of the debt;
    (iii) The date the Government's right to collect the debt first 
accrued;
    (iv) That the Commission's regulations have been approved by OPM 
pursuant to 5 CFR part 550, subpart K;
    (v) If the collection is to be made by lump-sum payment, the amount 
and date such payment will be collected;
    (vi) If the collection is to be made in installments, the number of 
installments to be collected, the amount of each installment, and the 
date of the first installment, if a date other than the next officially 
established pay period; and
    (vii) The date the employee was notified of the debt, the action(s) 
taken pursuant to the Commission's regulations, and the dates such 
actions were taken.
    (e) Voluntary repayment agreements as alternative to salary offset 
where the Commission is the creditor agency. (1) In response to a Notice 
of Intent, an employee may propose to repay the debt in accordance with 
scheduled installment payments. Any employee who wishes to repay a debt 
without salary offset shall submit in writing a proposed agreement to 
repay the debt. The proposal shall set forth a proposed repayment 
schedule. Any proposal under paragraph (e) of this section must be

[[Page 62]]

received by the Director within 15 calendar days after receipt of the 
Notice of Intent.
    (2) In response to a timely proposal by the debtor, the Director 
shall notify the employee whether the employee's proposed written 
agreement for repayment is acceptable. It is within the discretion of 
the Director to accept, reject, or propose to the debtor a modification 
of the proposed repayment agreement.
    (3) If the Director decides that the proposed repayment agreement is 
unacceptable, the employee shall have 15 calendar days from the date he 
or she received notice of the decision in which to file a request for a 
hearing.
    (4) If the Director decides that the proposed repayment agreement is 
acceptable or the debtor agrees to a modification proposed by the 
Director, the agreement shall be put in writing and signed by both the 
employee and the Director.
    (f) Special review where the Commission is the creditor agency. (1) 
An employee subject to salary offset or a voluntary repayment agreement 
may, at any time, request a special review by the Director of the amount 
of the salary offset or voluntary payment, based on materially changed 
circumstances, including, but not limited to, catastrophic illness, 
divorce, death, or disability.
    (2) In determining whether, as a result of materially changed 
circumstances, an offset would prevent the employee from meeting 
essential subsistence expenses (costs incurred for food, housing, 
clothing, transportation, and medical care), the employee shall submit 
to the Director a detailed statement and supporting documents for the 
employee, his or her spouse, and dependents indicating:
    (i) Income from all sources;
    (ii) Assets;
    (iii) Liabilities;
    (iv) Number of dependents;
    (v) Expenses for food, housing, clothing, and transportation;
    (vi) Medical expenses; and
    (vii) Exceptional expenses, if any.
    (3) If the employee requests a special review under paragraph (f) of 
this section, the employee shall file an alternative proposed offset or 
payment schedule and a statement, with supporting documents, showing why 
the current salary offset or payments result in extreme financial 
hardship to the employee.
    (4) The Director shall evaluate the statement and supporting 
documents and determine whether the original offset or repayment 
schedule imposes extreme financial hardship on the employee. The 
Director shall notify the employee in writing within 30 calendar days of 
such determination, including, if appropriate, his or her acceptance of 
a revised offset or payment schedule.
    (5) If the special review results in a revised offset or repayment 
schedule, the Director shall provide a new certification to the paying 
agency.
    (g) Notice of salary offset where the Commission is the paying 
agency. (1) Upon issuance of a proper certification by the Director (for 
debts owed to the Commission) or upon receipt of a proper certification 
from another creditor agency, the Office of Finance shall send the 
employee a written notice of salary offset. Such notice shall advise the 
employee:
    (i) Of the certification that has been issued by the Director or 
received from another creditor agency;
    (ii) Of the amount of the debt and of the deductions to be made; and
    (iii) Of the initiation of salary offset at the next officially 
established pay interval or as otherwise provided for in the 
certification.
    (2) The Office of Finance shall provide a copy of the notice to the 
creditor agency and advise such agency of the dollar amount to be offset 
and the pay period when the offset will begin.
    (h) Procedures for salary offset where the Commission is the paying 
agency--(1) Generally. (i) The Director shall coordinate salary 
deductions under this section.
    (ii) The Director shall determine the amount of an employee's 
disposable pay and the amount of the salary offset subject to the 
requirements in this paragraph.
    (iii) Deductions shall begin the pay period following the issuance 
of the certification by the Director or the receipt by the Office of 
Finance of the certification from another agency or as soon thereafter 
as possible.

[[Page 63]]

    (2) Types of collection--(i) Lump-sum payment. If the amount of the 
debt is equal to or less than 15 percent of the employee's disposable 
pay, such debt ordinarily will be collected in one lump-sum payment.
    (ii) Installment deductions. Installment deductions will be made 
over a period not greater than the anticipated period of employment. The 
size and frequency of installment deductions will bear a reasonable 
relation to the size of the debt and the employee's ability to pay. 
However, the amount deducted for any pay period will not exceed 15 
percent of the disposable pay from which the deduction is made unless 
the employee has agreed in writing to the deduction of a greater amount. 
The installment payment should normally be sufficient in size and 
frequency to liquidate the debt in no more than three years. Installment 
payments of less than $50 should be accepted only in the most unusual 
circumstances.
    (iii) Lump-sum deductions from final check. In order to liquidate a 
debt, a lump-sum deduction exceeding 15 percent of disposable pay may be 
made pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3716 and 5 U.S.C. 5514(a)(1) from any final 
salary payment due a former employee, whether the former employee was 
separated voluntarily or involuntarily.
    (iv) Lump-sum deductions from other sources. Whenever an employee 
subject to salary offset is separated from the Commission, and the 
balance of the debt cannot be liquidated by offset of the final salary 
check, the Commission, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3716, may offset any later 
payments of any kind to the former employee to collect the balance of 
the debt.
    (3) Multiple debts. Where two or more creditor agencies are seeking 
salary offset, or where two or more debts are owed to a single creditor 
agency, the Office of Finance may, at its discretion, determine whether 
one or more debts should be offset simultaneously within the 15 percent 
limitation.
    (4) Order of precedence for recovery of debts owed the Government. 
(i) For Commission employees, subject to paragraph (h)(3) of this 
section and (paragraph (h)(4)(ii) of this section, offsets to recover 
debts owed the United States Government shall be made from disposable 
pay in the following order of precedence:
    (A) Indebtedness due the Commission;
    (B) Indebtedness due other agencies.
    (ii) In the event that a debt to the Commission is certified while 
an employee is subject to salary offset to repay another agency, the 
Office of Finance may, at its discretion, determine whether the debt to 
the Commission should be repaid before the debt to the other agency, 
repaid simultaneously, or repaid after the debt to the other agency.
    (iii) A levy pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall 
take precedence over other deductions under this section, as provided in 
5 U.S.C. 5514(d).
    (i) Coordinating salary offset with other agencies--(1) 
Responsibility of the Commission as the creditor agency. (i) The 
Director shall be responsible for:
    (A) Arranging for a hearing upon proper request by a Federal 
employee;
    (B) Preparing the Notice of Intent to Offset consistent with the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this section;
    (C) Obtaining hearing officials from other agencies pursuant to 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section; and
    (D) Ensuring that each certification of debt is sent to a paying 
agency pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
    (ii) Upon completion of the procedures established in paragraphs (a) 
through (f) of this section, the Director shall submit a certified debt 
claim and an installment agreement or other instruction on the payment 
schedule, if applicable, to the employee's paying agency.
    (iii) If the employee is in the process of separating from 
Government employment, the Commission shall submit its debt claim to the 
employee's paying agency for collection by lump-sum deduction from the 
employee's final check. The paying agency shall certify the total amount 
of its collection and furnish a copy of the certification to the 
Commission and to the employee.
    (iv) If the employee is already separated and all payments due from 
his or her former paying agency have been paid, the Commission may, 
unless otherwise prohibited, request that money

[[Page 64]]

due and payable to the employee from the Federal Government be 
administratively offset to collect the debt.
    (v) When an employee transfers to another paying agency, the 
Commission shall not repeat the procedures described in paragraphs (a) 
through (f) of this section in order to resume collecting the debt. 
Instead, the Commission shall review the debt upon receiving the former 
paying agency's notice of the employee's transfer and shall ensure that 
collection is resumed by the new paying agency.
    (2) Responsibility of the Commission as the paying agency--(i) 
Complete claim. When the Commission receives a certified claim from a 
creditor agency, the employee shall be given written notice of the 
certification, the date salary offset will begin, and the amount of the 
periodic deductions. Deductions shall be scheduled to begin at the next 
officially established pay interval or as otherwise provided for in the 
certification.
    (ii) Incomplete claim. When the Commission receives an incomplete 
certification of debt from a creditor agency, the Commission shall 
return the debt claim with notice that procedures under 5 U.S.C. 5514 
and 5 CFR 550.1104 must be followed and that a properly certified debt 
claim must be received before action will be taken to collect from the 
employee's current pay account.
    (iii) Review. The Commission is not authorized to review the merits 
of the creditor agency's determination with respect to the amount or 
validity of the debt certified by the creditor agency.
    (iv) Employees who transfer from one paying agency to another 
agency. If, after the creditor agency has submitted the debt claim to 
the Commission, the employee transfers to an agency outside the 
Commission before the debt is collected in full, the Commission must 
certify the total amount collected on the debt. One copy of the 
certification shall be furnished to the employee and one copy shall be 
sent to the creditor agency along with notice of the employee's 
transfer. If the Commission is aware that the employee is entitled to 
payments from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, or other 
similar payments, it must provide written notification to the agency 
responsible for making such payments that the debtor owes a debt 
(including the amount) and that the requirements set forth herein and in 
the Office of Personnel Management's regulation (5 CFR part 550) have 
been fully met.
    (j) Interest, Penalties, and Administrative Costs. Where the 
Commission is the creditor agency, it shall assess interest, penalties, 
and administrative costs pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3717 and 31 CFR 901.9.
    (k) Refunds. (1) Where the Commission is the creditor agency, it 
shall promptly refund any amount deducted under the authority of 5 
U.S.C. 5514 when:
    (i) The debt is compromised or otherwise found not to be owing to 
the United States; or
    (ii) An administrative or judicial order directs the Commission to 
make a refund.
    (2) Unless required by law or contract, refunds under this paragraph 
(k) shall not bear interest.
    (l) Request from a creditor agency for the services of a hearing 
official. (1) The Commission may provide a hearing official upon request 
of the creditor agency when the debtor is employed by the Commission and 
the creditor agency cannot provide a prompt and appropriate hearing 
before a hearing official furnished pursuant to another lawful 
arrangement.
    (2) The Commission may provide a hearing official upon request of a 
creditor agency when the debtor works for the creditor agency and that 
agency cannot arrange for a hearing official.
    (3) The Director shall arrange for qualified personnel to serve as 
hearing officials.
    (4) Services rendered under this paragraph (l) shall be provided on 
a fully reimbursable basis pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1535.
    (m) Non-waiver of rights by payments. A debtor's payment, whether 
voluntary or involuntary, of all or any portion of a debt being 
collected pursuant to this section shall not be construed as a waiver of 
any rights that the debtor

[[Page 65]]

may have under any statute, regulation, or contract except as otherwise 
provided by law or contract.
    (n) Exception to due process procedures. The procedures set forth in 
this section shall not apply to adjustments described in 5 U.S.C. 
5514(a)(3) and 5 CFR 550.1104(c).

[62 FR 38019, July 16, 1997, as amended at 68 FR 32976, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  201.205  Salary adjustments.

    Any negative adjustment to pay arising out of an employee's election 
of coverage, or a change in coverage, under a Federal benefits program 
requiring periodic deductions from pay shall not be considered 
collection of a ``debt'' for the purposes of this section if the amount 
to be recovered was accumulated over four pay periods or less. In such 
cases, the Commission need not comply with Sec.  201.204, but it will 
provide a clear and concise statement in the employee's earnings 
statement advising the employee of the previous overpayment at the time 
the adjustment is made.



Sec.  201.206  Administrative offset.

    (a) Collection. The Director may collect a claim pursuant to 31 
U.S.C. 3716 from a person, organization, or entity other than an agency 
of the United States Government by administrative offset of monies 
payable by the Government. Collection by administrative offset shall be 
undertaken where the claim is certain in amount, where offset is 
feasible and desirable and not otherwise prohibited, where the 
applicable statute of limitations has not expired, and where the offset 
is in the best interest of the United States.
    (b) Offset prior to completion of procedures. Prior to the 
completion of the procedures described in paragraph (c) of this section, 
the Commission may effect offset if:
    (1) Failure to offset would substantially prejudice the Commission's 
ability to collect the debt; and
    (2) The time before the payment is to be made does not reasonably 
permit completion of the procedures described in paragraph (c) of this 
section. Such prior offsetting shall be followed promptly by the 
completion of the procedures described in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (c) Debtor's rights. (1) Unless the procedures described in 
paragraph (b) of this section are used, prior to collecting any claim by 
administrative offset or referring such claim to another agency for 
collection through administrative offset, the Director shall provide the 
debtor with the following:
    (i) Written notification of the nature and amount of the claim, the 
intention of the Director to collect the claim through administrative 
offset, and a statement of the rights of the debtor under this 
paragraph;
    (ii) An opportunity to inspect and copy the records of the 
Commission not exempt from disclosure with respect to the claim;
    (iii) An opportunity to have the Commission's determination of 
indebtedness reviewed by the Director. Any request for review by the 
debtor shall be in writing and be submitted to the Commission within 30 
calendar days of the date of the notice of the offset. The Director may 
waive the time limit for requesting review for good cause shown by the 
debtor. The Commission shall provide the debtor with a reasonable 
opportunity for an oral hearing when:
    (A) An applicable statute authorizes or requires the Commission to 
consider waiver of the indebtedness involved, the debtor requests waiver 
of the indebtedness, and the waiver determination turns on an issue of 
credibility or veracity; or
    (B) The debtor requests reconsideration of the debt and the 
Commission determines that the question of the indebtedness cannot be 
resolved by review of the documentary evidence, for example, when the 
validity of the debt turns on an issue of credibility or veracity. 
Unless otherwise required by law, an oral hearing under this section is 
not required to be a formal evidentiary hearing, although the Commission 
shall document all significant matters discussed at the hearing. In 
those cases where an oral hearing is not required by this section, the 
Commission shall nevertheless accord the debtor a ``paper hearing,'' 
(i.e., the

[[Page 66]]

Commission will make its determination on the request for waiver or 
reconsideration based upon a review of the written record); and
    (iv) An opportunity to enter into a written agreement for the 
repayment of the amount of the claim at the discretion of the 
Commission.
    (2) If the procedures described in paragraph (b) of this section are 
employed, the procedures described in this paragraph shall be effected 
after offset.
    (d) Interest. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3717 and 31 CFR 901.9, the 
Commission shall assess interest, penalties and administrative costs on 
debts owed to the United States. The Commission is authorized to assess 
interest and related charges on debts that are not subject to 31 U.S.C. 
3717 to the extent authorized under the common law or other applicable 
statutory authority.
    (e) Refunds. Amounts recovered by offset but later found not to be 
owed to the Government shall be promptly refunded.
    (f) Requests for offset to other Federal agencies. The Director may 
request that a debt owed to the Commission be administratively offset 
against funds due and payable to a debtor by another Federal agency. In 
requesting administrative offset, the Commission, as creditor, will 
certify in writing to the Federal agency holding funds of the debtor:
    (1) That the debtor owes the debt;
    (2) The amount and basis of the debt; and
    (3) That the Commission has complied with the requirements of its 
own administrative offset regulations and the applicable provisions of 
31 CFR part 901 with respect to providing the debtor with due process.
    (g) Requests for offset from other Federal agencies. Any Federal 
agency may request that funds due and payable to its debtor by the 
Commission be administratively offset in order to collect a debt owed to 
such Federal agency by the debtor. The Commission shall initiate the 
requested offset only upon:
    (1) Receipt of written certification from the creditor agency:
    (i) That the debtor owes the debt;
    (ii) The amount and basis of the debt;
    (iii) That the agency has prescribed regulations for the exercise of 
administrative offset; and
    (iv) That the agency has complied with its own administrative offset 
regulations and with the applicable provisions of 31 CFR part 901, 
including providing any required hearing or review.
    (2) A determination by the Commission that collection by offset 
against funds payable by the Commission would be in the best interest of 
the United States as determined by the facts and circumstances of the 
particular case and that such offset would not otherwise be contrary to 
law.

[62 FR 38019, July 16, 1997, as amended at 68 FR 32976, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  201.207  Administrative offset against amounts payable from Civil
Service Retirement and Disability Fund

    (a) Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Commission may request 
that moneys which are due and payable to a debtor from the Civil Service 
Retirement and Disability Fund be administratively offset in reasonable 
amounts in order to collect in one full payment or a minimal number of 
payments debt owed to the Commission by the debtor. Such requests shall 
be made to the appropriate officials of the Office of Personnel 
Management in accordance with such regulations as may be prescribed by 
the Director of that Office.
    (b) When making a request for administrative offset under paragraph 
(a) of this section, the Commission shall include a written 
certification that:
    (1) The debtor owes the Commission a debt, including the amount of 
the debt;
    (2) The Commission has complied with the applicable statutes, 
regulations, and procedures of the Office of Personnel Management; and
    (3) The Commission has complied with the requirements of 31 CFR 
901.3, including any required hearing or review.
    (c) Once the Commission decides to request administrative offset 
under paragraph (a) of this section, it shall make the request as soon 
as practical after completion of the applicable procedures. This will 
satisfy any requirement that offset be initiated prior to expiration of 
the applicable statute of limitations. At such time as the debtor

[[Page 67]]

makes a claim for payments from the Fund, if at least a year has elapsed 
since the offset request was originally made, the debtor shall be 
permitted to offer a satisfactory repayment plan in lieu of offset upon 
establishing that changed financial circumstances would render the 
offset unjust.
    (d) If the Commission collects part or all of the debt by other 
means before deductions are made or completed pursuant to paragraph (a) 
of this section, the Commission shall act promptly to modify or 
terminate its request for offset under paragraph (a) of this section.

[62 FR 38019, July 16, 1997, as amended at 68 FR 32976, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  201.208  Tax refund offset.

    (a) Scope. The provisions of 26 U.S.C. 6402(d) and 31 U.S.C. 3720A 
authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to offset a delinquent debt owed 
to the United States Government from the tax refund due a taxpayer when 
other collection efforts have failed to recover the amount due.
    (b) Definitions--(1) Debt. Debt means money owed by an individual, 
organization or entity from sources which include loans insured or 
guaranteed by the United States and all other amounts due the United 
States from fees, leases, services, overpayments, civil and criminal 
penalties, damages, interest, fines, administrative costs, and all other 
similar sources. A debt becomes eligible for tax refund offset 
procedures if:
    (i) It cannot currently be collected pursuant to the salary offset 
procedures of 5 U.S.C. 5514(a)(1);
    (ii) The debt is ineligible for administrative offset under 31 
U.S.C. 3716(a) by reason of 31 U.S.C. 3716(c)(2) or cannot currently be 
collected by administrative offset under 31 U.S.C. 3716(a); and
    (iii) The requirements of this section are otherwise satisfied.
    (2) Dispute. A dispute is a written statement supported by 
documentation or other evidence that all or part of an alleged debt is 
not past due or legally enforceable, that the amount is not the amount 
currently owed, that the outstanding debt has been satisfied, or, in the 
case of a debt reduced to judgment, that the judgment has been satisfied 
or stayed.
    (3) Notice. Notice means the information sent to the debtor pursuant 
to Sec.  201.208(d). The date of the notice is the date shown on the 
notice letter as its date of issuance.
    (4) Past due. All judgment debts are past due for purposes of this 
section. Such debts remain past due until paid in full.
    (c) The Commission may refer any past due, legally enforceable non-
judgment debt of an individual, organization or entity to Treasury for 
offset if the Commission's or the referring agency's rights of action 
accrued more than three months but less than ten years before the offset 
is made. Debts reduced to judgment may be referred at any time. Debts in 
amounts lower than $25.00 are not subject to referral.
    (d) The Commission will provide the debtor with written notice of 
its intent to offset before initiating the offset. Notice will be mailed 
to the debtor at the current address of the debtor, as determined from 
information obtained from the IRS pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 6103(m)(2), (4), 
(5) or from information regarding the debt maintained by the Commission. 
The notice sent to the debtor will state the amount of the debt and 
inform the debtor that:
    (1) The debt is past due;
    (2) The Commission intends to refer the debt to Treasury for offset 
from tax refunds that may be due to the taxpayer;
    (3) The Commission intends to provide information concerning the 
delinquent debt exceeding $100 to a consumer reporting bureau unless 
such debt has already been disclosed; and
    (4) The debtor has 65 calendar days from the date of notice in which 
to present evidence that all or part of the debt is not past due, that 
the amount is not the amount currently owed, that the outstanding debt 
has been satisfied, or, if a judgment debt, that the debt has been 
satisfied, or stayed, before the debt is reported to a consumer 
reporting agency, if applicable, and referred to Treasury for offset 
from tax refunds.
    (e) If the debtor neither pays the amount due nor presents evidence 
that the amount is not past due or is satisfied or stayed, the 
Commission will report the debt to a consumer reporting

[[Page 68]]

agency at the end of the notice period, if applicable, and refer the 
debt to Treasury for offset from the taxpayer's federal tax refund. The 
Commission shall certify to Treasury that reasonable efforts have been 
made by the Commission to obtain payment of such debt.
    (f) A debtor may request a review by the Commission if the debtor 
believes that all or part of the debt is not past due or is not legally 
enforceable, or, in the case of a judgment debt, that the debt has been 
stayed or the amount satisfied, as follows:
    (1) The debtor must send a written request for review to the 
Director at the address provided in the notice.
    (2) The request must state the amount disputed and the reasons why 
the debtor believes that the debt is not past due, is not legally 
enforceable, has been satisfied, or, if a judgment debt, has been 
satisfied or stayed.
    (3) The request must include any documents that the debtor wishes to 
be considered or state that additional information will be submitted 
within the time permitted.
    (4) If the debtor wishes to inspect records establishing the nature 
and amount of the debt, the debtor must make a written request to the 
Director for an opportunity for such an inspection. The office holding 
the relevant records not exempt from disclosure shall make them 
available for inspection during normal business hours within one week 
from the date of receipt of the request.
    (5) The request for review and any additional information submitted 
pursuant to the request must be received by the Director at the address 
stated in the notice within 65 calendar days of the date of issuance of 
the notice.
    (6) The Commission will review disputes and shall consider its 
records and any documentation and arguments submitted by the debtor. The 
Commission's decision to refer to Treasury any disputed portion of the 
debt shall be made by the Chairman. The Commission shall send a written 
notice of its decision to the debtor. There is no administrative appeal 
of this decision.
    (7) If the evidence presented by the debtor is considered by a non-
Commission agent or other entities or persons acting on the Commission's 
behalf, the debtor will be accorded at least 30 calendar days from the 
date the agent or other entity or person determines that all or part of 
the debt is past-due and legally enforceable to request review by an 
officer or employee of the Commission of any unresolved dispute.
    (8) Any debt that previously has been reviewed pursuant to this 
section or any other section of this subpart, or that has been reduced 
to a judgment, may not be disputed except on the grounds of payments 
made or events occurring subsequent to the previous review or judgment.
    (g) The Commission will notify Treasury of any change in the amount 
due promptly after receipt of payments or notice of other reductions.
    (h) In the event that more than one debt is owed, the tax refund 
offset procedure will be applied in the order in which the debts became 
past due.

[[Page 69]]



               SUBCHAPTER B_NONADJUDICATIVE INVESTIGATIONS





PART 202_INVESTIGATIONS OF COSTS OF PRODUCTION--Table of Contents



Sec.
202.1 Applicability of part.
202.2 Applications.
202.3 Preliminary inquiry.
202.4 Public hearing.
202.5 Type of information to be developed at hearing.
202.6 Reports.

    Authority: Sec. 335, 72 Stat. 680; 19 U.S.C. 1335.

    Source: 27 FR 12120, Dec. 7, 1962, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  202.1  Applicability of part.

    This part 202 applies specifically to investigations under section 
366 of the Tariff Act (19 U.S.C. 1336). \1\ For other applicable rules 
see part 201 of this chapter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Section 336(a) of the Tariff Act provides in part that ``(1) 
upon request of the President, or (2) upon resolution of either or both 
Houses of Congress, or (3) upon its own motion, or (4) when in the 
judgment of the Commission there is good and sufficient reason therefor, 
upon application of any interested party, [the commission] shall 
investigate the differences in the costs of production of any domestic 
article and of any like or similar foreign article''. (19 U.S.C. 1336.) 
The provisions of section 336 of the Tariff Act may not be applied to 
any article with respect to the importation of which into the United 
States a foreign trade agreement has been concluded under the Trade 
Agreements Act of 1934, as amended, or the Trade Expansion Act. (19 
U.S.C. 1352(a)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sec.  202.2  Applications.

    (a) Who may file. Applications for an investigation to which this 
part 202 relates may be filed by any firm, association of firms, or 
corporation engaged in the production of a domestic article, or by any 
duly authorized representative of the foregoing.
    (b) Requirements for applications. In addition to conforming with 
the requirements of Sec.  201.8 of this chapter, applications under this 
part 202 shall include the following:
    (1) A clear statement that they are requests for investigations for 
the purposes of section 336;
    (2) The name or description of the article concerning which an 
investigation is sought;
    (3) A reference to the tariff provision or provisions applicable to 
such article; and
    (4) A statement indicating whether an increase or a decrease in the 
rate of duty is sought.
    (c) Supporting information. The applicant must file with his 
application such supporting information as may be in his possession. As 
far as practicable, information of the following character should be 
furnished:
    (1) Comparability of the domestic and foreign articles and the 
degree of competition between them.
    (2) Trend in recent years of (i) domestic production, (ii) domestic 
sales, (iii) imports, (iv) costs of production, and (v) prices.
    (3) Evidence of difference between domestic and foreign costs of 
production of the articles involved.
    (4) Areas of greatest competition between the imported and domestic 
products and the principal market or markets in the United States.
    (5) Other relevant factors that constitute, in the opinion of the 
applicant, an advantage or disadvantage in competition, and any other 
information which the applicant believes the Commission should consider.



Sec.  202.3  Preliminary inquiry.

    Upon the receipt of an application properly filed, the Commission 
will make a preliminary inquiry for the purpose of determining whether 
there is good and sufficient reason for a full investigation. If such 
determination is in the affirmative, a full investigation will be 
instituted.



Sec.  202.4  Public hearing.

    A public hearing will be held in connection with each full 
investigation to which this part 202 relates.



Sec.  202.5  Type of information to be developed at hearing.

    Without excluding other factors, but with a view to assisting 
parties interested to present information necessary

[[Page 70]]

for the formulation of findings required by the statute, the Commission 
will expect attention in the hearing to be concentrated upon facts 
relating to:
    (a) The degree of competition between the foreign and domestic 
articles in the markets of the United States.
    (b) The degree of likeness or similarity between grades, classes, 
and price groups of the American product and the imported article.
    (c) Costs of production and importation. Statements of average cost 
of production, domestic and, so far as known, foreign, may be submitted 
subject to verification and review in the Commission's investigation. 
Such statements should include not only the direct costs for materials 
and labor, commonly termed prime cost, but also indirect costs such as 
indirect labor, overhead factory expenses, fixed charges, the portion of 
general and administrative expense chargeable to manufacture, imputed 
interest on investment equity, and transportation to markets. For the 
foreign product the expenses (other than duties) incident to importation 
are also important. Any information which may be available bearing on 
the general levels of domestic and foreign costs of production, the 
differentials between particular elements of domestic and foreign costs, 
and the extent to which invoice or wholesale prices are reliable 
evidence of foreign costs, will be pertinent.
    (d) Other significant advantages or disadvantages in competition.



Sec.  202.6  Reports.

    After the completion of its investigation, the Commission will 
incorporate its findings in a report, and the report will be transmitted 
to the President.



PART 204_INVESTIGATIONS OF EFFECTS OF IMPORTS ON AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS-
-Table of Contents



Sec.
204.1 Applicability of part.
204.2 Investigations.
204.3 Public hearings.
204.4 Supplemental investigations.
204.5 Reports.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1335.

    Source: 27 FR 12121, Dec. 7, 1962, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  204.1  Applicability of part.

    This part 204 applies specifically to investigations under section 
22 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 624). \1\ 
For other applicable rules see part 201 of this chapter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Section 22 provides in part as follows:
    ``(a) Whenever the Secretary of Agriculture has reason to believe 
that any article or articles are being or are practically certain to be 
imported into the United States under such conditions and in such 
quantities as to render or tend to render ineffective, or materially 
interfere with * * * any loan, purchase, or other program or operation 
undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, or any agency operating 
under its direction, with respect to any agricultural commodity or 
product thereof, or to reduce substantially the amount of any product 
processed in the United States from any agricultural commodity or 
product thereof with respect to which any such program or operation is 
being undertaken he shall so advise the President, and, if the President 
agrees that there is reason for such belief, the President shall cause 
an immediate investigation to be made by the United States Tariff 
Commission, which shall give precedence to investigations under this 
section to determine such facts. Such investigation shall be made after 
due notice and opportunity for hearing to interested parties, and shall 
be conducted subject to such regulations as the President shall specify.
     * * * * *
    ``(d) After investigation, report, finding and declaration in the 
manner provided in the case of a proclamation issued pursuant to 
subsection (b) of this section, any proclamation or provision of such 
proclamation may be suspended or terminated by the President whenever he 
finds and proclaims that the circumstances requiring the proclamation or 
provision thereof no longer exist or may be modified by the President 
whenever he finds and proclaims that changed circumstances require such 
modification to carry out the purposes of this section.'' (7 U.S.C. 
624.)
    Regulations of the President are set forth in Executive Order 7233 
of November 23, 1935.

[27 FR 12121, Dec. 7, 1962, as amended at 68 FR 32977, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  204.2  Investigations.

    The Commission will make an investigation for the purposes of 
section 22(a) of the Agricultural Adjustment

[[Page 71]]

Act, as amended, only upon request of the President. \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Applications for investigations for the purposes of section 22 
of this Agricultural Adjustment Act, as amended, must be filed with the 
Secretary of Agriculture (Executive Order 7233).

[27 FR 12121, Dec. 7, 1962, as amended at 68 FR 32977, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  204.3  Public hearings.

    A public hearing will be held in connection with each investigation 
to which this part 204 relates. The Foreign Agricultural Service of the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture may have a representative or 
representatives at each hearing who shall have the privilege of 
examining witnesses.



Sec.  204.4  Supplemental investigations.

    An investigation for the purposes of section 22(d) of the 
Agricultural Adjustment Act, as amended, will be made upon request of 
the President, or upon the Commission's own motion when in its judgment 
there is good and sufficient reason therefor. A public hearing will be 
held in connection with each such supplemental investigation.



Sec.  204.5  Reports.

    After completion of its investigation, the Commission will transmit 
to the President a report of the results thereof, including its findings 
and recommendations based thereon, and a statement of the steps taken in 
the investigation, together with a transcript of the evidence submitted 
at the hearing. A copy of such report will be transmitted to the 
Secretary of Agriculture.

[49 FR 32571, Aug. 15, 1984]



 PART 205_INVESTIGATIONS TO DETERMINE THE PROBABLE ECONOMIC EFFECT ON
 THE ECONOMY OF THE UNITED STATES OF PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS OF DUTIES OR 
 OF ANY BARRIER TO (OR OTHER DISTORTION OF) INTERNATIONAL TRADE OR OF TAKING 
 RETALIATORY ACTIONS TO OBTAIN THE ELIMINATION OF UNJUSTIFIABLE OR 
 UNREASONABLE FOREIGN ACTS OR POLICIES WHICH RESTRICT U.S. COMMERCE-
 -Table of Contents



Sec.
205.1 Applicability of part.

 Subpart A_Investigations To Determine the Probable Economic Effect of 
  Modifications of United States Duties or of Any Barrier to (or Other 
    Distortion of) International Trade on Domestic Industries and on 
                                Consumers

205.2 Applicability of subpart.
205.3 Investigations under sections 131 and 503 of the Trade Act of 
          1974.
205.4 [Reserved]

 Subpart B_Investigations Concerning the Probable Impact on the Economy 
  of the United States of the President's Taking Retaliatory Action To 
Obtain the Elimination of Unjustifiable or Unreasonable Foreign Acts or 
                  Policies Which Restrict U.S. Commerce

205.5 Applicability of subpart.
205.6 Investigations under section 301(e)(3) of the Trade Act of 1974.

    Authority: Sec. 335, Tariff Act of 1930 (72 Stat. 680; 19 U.S.C. 
1335); sec. 603, Trade Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 2073); (19 U.S.C. 2482).

    Source: 42 FR 40426, Aug. 10, 1977, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  205.1  Applicability of part.

    This part 205 applies to functions and duties of the Commission 
under sections 131, 301(e)(3), and 503(a) of the Trade Act of 1974. For 
other applicable rules, see part 201 of this chapter.

[[Page 72]]



 Subpart A_Investigations To Determine the Probable Economic Effect of 
  Modifications of United States Duties or of Any Barrier to (or Other 
    Distortion of) International Trade on Domestic Industries and on 
                                Consumers



Sec.  205.2  Applicability of subpart.

    This subpart A of part 205 applies to investigations for the 
purposes of section 131(a)-(b), 131(c), and 503 of the Trade Act of 
1974. For other applicable rules, see part 201 of this chapter.



Sec.  205.3  Investigations under sections 131 and 503 of the 
Trade Act of 1974.

    (a) Purpose of investigations--(1) Sections 131(a)-(b) and 503(a). 
Upon the receipt of a list of articles from the President or from the 
United States Trade Representative as provided in section 131(a) or 
503(a), and in Executive Order No. 11846, as amended, which may be 
considered for modification of United States duties, or as eligible 
articles for duty-free treatment under the generalized system of 
preferences, respectively, the Commission shall initiate an 
investigation to obtain information pertinent to the fomulation of its 
advice to the President under section 131(b) with respect to such 
articles to assist him in making an informed judgment as to the impact 
which might be caused by such duty modifications or duty-free treatment 
on U.S. manufacturing, agriculture, mining, fishing, labor, and 
consumers, including whether any reductions in rates of duty should take 
place over a period longer than the minimum periods provided by section 
109(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 1985; 19 U.S.C. 2119).
    (2) Section 131(c). Upon the receipt of a request from the President 
or from the United States Trade Representative as provided in section 
131(c) and in Executive Order No. 11846, as amended, to assist him in 
his determination of whether to enter into any trade agreement under 
section 102, the Commission shall institute an investigation to obtain 
information pertinent to the formulation of its views with respect to 
the probable economic effects of modifications of any barrier to (or 
other distortion of) international trade on domestic industries and 
purchasers and on prices and quantities of articles in the United 
States.
    (b) Institution and notice of investigation. An investigation to 
which this subpart A relates will be instituted promptly after the 
receipt from the President or the United States Trade Representative of 
(1) a list of articles which may be considered for duty modifications or 
duty-free treatment, or (2) a request for an investigation and report 
concerning the probable economic effects of modifications of any barrier 
to (or other distortion of) international trade.
    (c) Hearings. Public hearings will be held in connection with every 
investigation to which this subpart A relates. For other applicable 
rules, see Sec.  201.11 of this chapter.
    (d) Report to the President. After the completion of its 
investigation, the Commission will incorporate its advice or views in a 
report which together with hearing transcripts, briefs and other 
information will be transmitted to the President through the United 
States Trade Representative.

[42 FR 40426, Aug. 10, 1977, as amended at 63 FR 29351, May 29, 1998]



Sec.  205.4  [Reserved]



 Subpart B_Investigations Concerning the Probable Impact on the Economy 
  of the United States of the President's Taking Retaliatory Action To 
Obtain the Elimination of Unjustifiable or Unreasonable Foreign Acts or 
                  Policies Which Restrict U.S. Commerce



Sec.  205.5  Applicability of subpart.

    This subpart B of part 205 applies to investigations for the purpose 
of section 301(e)(3) of the Trade Act of 1974. For other applicable 
rules, see part 201 of this chapter.



Sec.  205.6  Investigations under section 301(e)(3) of the Trade Act of 1974.

    (a) Purpose of investigation. The purpose of an investigation by the 
Commission is to provide the President

[[Page 73]]

with its views pursuant to section 301(e)(3) as to the probable impact 
on the economy of the United States of imposing retaliatory restrictions 
on imports into the United States from countries or foreign 
instrumentalities which maintain restrictions against U.S. exports.
    (b) Institution and notice of investigation. An investigation to 
which this subpart B relates will be instituted promptly after the 
receipt from the President of a request for the views of the Commission 
with regard to the matters indicated in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) Public hearings. If, in the judgment of the Commission, there is 
good and sufficient reason therefor, the Commission, in the course of 
its investigation, will hold a public hearing and afford interested 
parties opportunity to appear and be heard at such hearing. If no notice 
of public hearing issues concurrently with a notice of investigation, 
any interested party who believes that a public hearing should be held 
may, within thirty (30) days after the date of publication in the 
Federal Register of the notice of investigation, submit a request in 
writing to the Secretary of the Commission that a public hearing be 
held, stating the reasons for such request.
    (d) Written statements. Any interested party may submit to the 
Commission a written statement of information pertinent to the subject 
matter of such investigation not later than thirty (30) days after a 
notice of investigation under paragraph (b) of this section is published 
in the Federal Register. If a public hearing is held in the 
investigation, a statement may be received in lieu of or in addition to 
appearance at the hearing. Statements shall conform with the 
requirements for documents set forth in Sec. Sec.  201.6 and 201.8 of 
this chapter.
    (e) Report to the President. After the completion of its 
investigation, the Commission will incorporate its views in a report 
which will be transmitted promptly to the President.



PART 206_INVESTIGATIONS RELATING TO GLOBAL AND BILATERAL SAFEGUARD ACTIONS,
MARKET DISRUPTION, TRADE DIVERSION, AND REVIEW OF RELIEF ACTIONS--
Table of Contents



Sec.
206.1 Applicability of part.

                            Subpart A_General

206.2 Identification of type of petition or request.
206.3 Institution of investigations; publication of notice; and 
          availability for public inspection.
206.4 Notification of other agencies.
206.5 Public hearing.
206.6 Report to the President.
206.7 Confidential business information; furnishing of nonconfidential 
          summaries thereof.
206.8 Service, filing, and certification of documents.

      Subpart B_Investigations Relating to Global Safeguard Actions

206.11 Applicability of subpart.
206.12 Definitions applicable to subpart B of this part.
206.13 Who may file a petition.
206.14 Contents of petition.
206.15 Institution of investigation.
206.16 Industry adjustment plan and commitments.
206.17 Limited disclosure of certain confidential business information 
          under administrative protective order.
206.18 Time for determinations, reporting.
206.19 Public report.

  Subpart C_Investigations Relating to a Surge in Imports From a USMCA 
                                 Country

206.21 Applicability of subpart.
206.22 Definition applicable to subpart C.
206.23 Who may file a request.
206.24 Contents of request.
206.25 Time for reporting.
206.26 Public report.

    Subpart D_Investigations Relating to Bilateral Safeguard Actions

206.31 Applicability of subpart.
206.32 Definitions applicable to subpart D.
206.33 Who may file a petition.
206.34 Contents of petition.
206.35 Time for determinations, reporting.
206.36 Public report.
206.37 Limited disclosure of certain confidential business information 
          under administrative protective order.

[[Page 74]]

       Subpart E_Investigations for Relief From Market Disruption

206.41 Applicability of subpart.
206.42 Who may file a petition.
206.43 Contents of a petition under section 406(a) of the Trade Act.
206.44 Contents of a petition under section 421(b) or (o) of the Trade 
          Act.
206.44a Special rules for conducting investigations under section 421(b) 
          of the Trade Act.
206.45 Time for reporting.
206.46 Public report.
206.47 Limited disclosure of certain confidential business information 
          under administrative protective order.

   Subpart F_Monitoring; Advice As to Effect of Extension, Reduction, 
              Modification, or Termination of Relief Action

206.51 Applicability of subpart.
206.52 Monitoring.
206.53 Investigations to advise the President as to the probable 
          economic effect of reduction, modification, or termination of 
          action.
206.54 Investigations with respect to extension of action.
206.55 Investigations to evaluate the effectiveness of relief.

  Subpart G_Investigations For Action in Response to Trade Diversion; 
                         Reviews of Action Taken

206.61 Applicability of subpart.
206.62 Who may file a petition.
206.63 Contents of petition.
206.64 Institution of investigation or review; publication of notice; 
          and availability for public inspection.
206.65 Public hearing.
206.66 Limited disclosure of certain confidential business information 
          under administrative protective order.
206.67 Time for determination and report.
206.68 Public report.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1335, 2112 note, 2251-2254, 2436, 3805 note, 
4051-4065, 4101, and 4551-4552.

    Source: 59 FR 5091, Feb. 3, 1994, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  206.1  Applicability of part.

    This part applies to proceedings of the Commission under sections 
201-202, 204, and 406 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 
2251-2252, 2254, and 2436), and sections 301-302 of the United States-
Mexico-Canada Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 4551-4552) (hereinafter 
USMCA Implementation Act), and the statutory provisions listed in Sec.  
206.31 that implement bilateral safeguard provisions in other free trade 
agreements into which the United States has entered.

[88 FR 14890, Mar. 10, 2023]



                            Subpart A_General

    Source: 60 FR 10, Jan. 3, 1995, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  206.2  Identification of type of petition or request.

    An investigation under this part may be commenced on the basis of a 
petition, request, resolution, or motion as provided for in the 
statutory provisions listed in Sec. Sec.  206.1 and 206.31. Each 
petition or request, as the case maybe, filed by an entity 
representative of a domestic industry under this part shall state 
clearly on the first page thereof ``This is a [petition or request] 
under section [citing the statutory provision] and Subpart [B, C, D, E, 
F, or G] of part 206 of the rules of practice and procedure of the 
United States International Trade Commission.'' A paper original and 
eight (8) true paper copies of a petition, request, resolution, or 
motion shall be filed. One copy of any exhibits, appendices, and 
attachments to the document shall be filed in electronic form on CD-ROM, 
DVD, or other portable electronic format approved by the Secretary.

[80 FR 39380, July 9, 2015]



Sec.  206.3  Institution of investigations; publication of notice; and
availability for public inspection.

    (a) Institution of investigation and publication of notice. Except 
as provided in Sec.  206.15(b), the Commission, after receipt of a 
petition or request under part 206, properly filed, will promptly 
institute an appropriate investigation and publish notice thereof in the 
Federal Register. The Commission also will institute an investigation 
and publish a notice following receipt of a resolution or on the 
Commission's own motion under part 206.
    (b) Contents of notice. The notice will identify the petitioner or 
other requestor, the imported article that is the subject of the 
investigation and its

[[Page 75]]

tariff subheading, the nature and timing of the determination to be 
made, the time and place of any public hearing, dates of deadlines for 
filing briefs, statements, and other documents, limits on page lengths 
for posthearing briefs, the place at which the petition or request and 
any other documents filed in the course of the investigation may be 
inspected, and the name, address, and telephone number of the office 
that may be contacted for more information. The Commission will provide 
the same sort of information in its notice when the investigation was 
instituted following receipt of a resolution or on the Commission's own 
motion.
    (c) Availability for public inspection. The Commission will promptly 
make each petition, request, resolution, or Commission motion available 
for public inspection (with the exception of confidential business 
information).

[60 FR 10, Jan. 3, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 8190, Feb. 22, 2002; 68 FR 
32977, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  206.4  Notification of other agencies.

    For each investigation subject to provisions of part 206, the 
Commission will transmit copies of the petition, request, resolution, or 
Commission motion as required by the relevant statute, along with a copy 
of the notice of investigation.

[67 FR 8190, Feb. 22, 2002]



Sec.  206.5  Public hearing.

    (a) Investigations under subpart B of this part. A public hearing on 
the question of injury and a second public hearing on remedy (if 
necessary) will be held in connection with each investigation instituted 
under subpart B of this part after reasonable notice thereof has been 
caused to be published in the Federal Register. A hearing on remedy is 
not necessary if the Commission has made a negative determination on the 
question of injury.
    (b) Investigations under subpart C, D, E, or G of this part. A 
public hearing on the subject of injury and remedy will be held in 
connection with each investigation instituted under subpart C or D of 
this part or section 406(a) of the Trade Act and subpart E of this part, 
after reasonable notice thereof has been published in the Federal 
Register. The Commission also will conduct a public hearing in each 
investigation instituted under section 421(b) or (o) of the Trade Act 
and subpart E of this part or section 422(b) of the Act and subpart G. 
The Federal Register notice announcing the institution of such an 
investigation will list the date, time, and location of the hearing, the 
subjects to be addressed, and the procedures to be followed.
    (c) Investigations under subpart F of this part. A public hearing on 
the subject of whether an action taken under section 203 of the Trade 
Act of 1974 should be extended will be held in connection with each 
investigation instituted under subpart F of this part after reasonable 
notice thereof has been published in the Federal Register.
    (d) Opportunity to appear and to cross-question. All interested 
parties and consumers, including any association representing the 
interests of consumers, will be afforded an opportunity to be present, 
to present evidence, to comment on the adjustment plan, if any, 
submitted in the case of an investigation under section 202(b) of the 
Trade Act of 1974, and to be heard at such hearings. All interested 
parties and consumers, including any association representing the 
interests of consumers, will be afforded an opportunity to cross-
question interested parties making presentations at the hearing.

[60 FR 10, Jan. 3, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 8190, Feb. 22, 2002]



Sec.  206.6  Report to the President.

    (a) In general. The Commission will include in its report to the 
President the following:
    (1) The determination made and an explanation of the basis for the 
determination;
    (2) If the determination is affirmative or if the Commission is 
equally divided in its determination, such remedy recommendation or 
proposal as may be appropriate under the statute and an explanation of 
the basis for each recommendation or proposal.
    (3) Any dissenting or separate views by members of the Commission 
regarding the determination and any recommendations;

[[Page 76]]

    (b) Additional findings and information. (1) In the case of a 
determination made under section 202(b) of the Trade Act, the Commission 
will also include in its report the following:
    (i) The findings with respect to the results of an examination of 
the factors other than imports which may be a cause of serious injury or 
threat thereof to the domestic industry;
    (ii) A copy of the adjustment plan, if any, submitted by the 
petitioner;
    (iii) Commitments submitted and information obtained by the 
Commission regarding steps that firms and workers in the domestic 
industry are taking, or plan to take, to facilitate positive adjustment 
to import competition;
    (iv) A description of the short- and long-term effects that 
implementation of the action recommended is likely to have on the 
petitioning domestic industry, other domestic industries, and consumers; 
and
    (v) A description of the short- and long-term effects of not taking 
the recommended action on the petitioning domestic industry, its workers 
and communities where production facilities of such industry are 
located, and other domestic industries.
    (2) In the case of a determination made under section 301(b) of the 
USMCA Implementation Act, the Commission will include in its report the 
findings with respect to the results of an examination of the factors 
other than imports which may be a cause of serious injury or threat 
thereof to the domestic industry.
    (3) In the case of a determination made under section 421(b) or 
422(b) of the Trade Act, the Commission will also include in its report 
a description of--
    (i) The short- and long-term effects that implementation of the 
action recommended is likely to have on the petitioning domestic 
industry, on other domestic industries, and on consumers; and
    (ii) The short- and long-term effects of not taking the recommended 
action on the petitioning domestic industry, its workers, and the 
communities where production facilities of such industry are located, 
and on other domestic industries.

[60 FR 10, Jan. 3, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 8190, Feb. 22, 2002; 77 FR 
3925, Jan. 26, 2012; 88 FR 14890, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  206.7  Confidential business information; furnishing of 
nonconfidential summaries thereof.

    (a) Nonrelease of information. Except as provided for in Sec.  
206.17, in the case of an investigation under subpart B, C, D, F, or G 
of this part or an investigation under section 422 of the Trade Act and 
subpart E of this part, the Commission will not release information 
which the Commission considers to be confidential business information 
within the meaning of Sec.  201.6 of this chapter unless the party 
submitting the confidential business information had notice, at the time 
of submission, that such information would be released by the 
Commission, or such party subsequently consents to the release of the 
information. When appropriate, the Commission will include confidential 
business information in reports transmitted to the President and the 
Trade Representative; such reports will be marked as containing 
confidential business information, and a nonconfidential version of such 
report will be made available to the public.
    (b) Nonconfidential summaries. Except as the Commission may 
otherwise provide, a party submitting confidential business information 
shall also submit to the Commission, at the time it submits such 
information, a nonconfidential summary of the information. If a party 
indicates that the confidential business information cannot be 
summarized, it shall state in writing the reasons why a summary cannot 
be provided. If the Commission finds that a request for confidentiality 
is not warranted and if the party concerned is either unwilling to make 
the information public or to authorize its disclosure in generalized or 
summarized form, the Commission may disregard the submission.

[60 FR 10, Jan. 3, 1995, as amended at 67 FR 8190, Feb. 22, 2002]

[[Page 77]]



Sec.  206.8  Service, filing, and certification of documents.

    (a) Certification. Any person submitting factual information on 
behalf of the petitioner or any other interested party for the 
consideration of the Commission in the course of an investigation to 
which this part pertains, and any person submitting a response to a 
Commission questionnaire issued in connection with an investigation to 
which this part pertains, must certify that such information is accurate 
and complete to the best of the submitter's knowledge.
    (b) Service. Any party submitting a document for the consideration 
of the Commission in the course of an investigation to which this part 
pertains shall, in addition to complying with Sec.  201.8 of this 
chapter, serve a copy of the public version of such document on all 
other parties to the investigation in the manner prescribed in Sec.  
201.16 of this chapter, and, when appropriate, serve a copy of the 
confidential version of such document in the manner provided for in 
Sec.  206.17(f). The Secretary shall promptly notify a petitioner when, 
before the establishment of a service list under Sec.  206.17(a)(4), an 
application under Sec.  206.17(a) is approved. When practicable, this 
notification shall be made by facsimile transmission. A copy of the 
petition including all confidential business information shall then be 
served by petitioner on those approved applicants in accordance with 
this section within two (2) calendar days of the time notification is 
made by the Secretary. If a document is filed before the Secretary's 
issuance of the service list provided for in Sec.  201.11 of this 
chapter or the administrative protective order list provided for in 
Sec.  206.17, the document need not be accompanied by a certificate of 
service, but the document shall be served on all appropriate parties 
within two (2) days of the issuance of the service list or the 
administrative protective order list and a certificate of service shall 
then be filed. Notwithstanding Sec.  201.16 of this chapter, petitions, 
briefs, and testimony filed by parties shall be served by hand or, if 
served by mail, by overnight mail or its equivalent. Failure to comply 
with the requirements of this rule may result in removal from status as 
a party to the investigation. The Commission shall make available, upon 
request, to all parties to the investigation a copy of each document, 
except transcripts of hearings, confidential business information, 
privileged information, and information required to be served under this 
section, placed in the docket file of the investigation by the 
Commission.
    (c) Filing. Documents to be filed with the Commission must comply 
with applicable rules, including Sec.  201.8 of this chapter. If the 
Commission establishes a deadline for the filing of a document, and the 
submitter includes confidential business information in the document, 
the submitter is to file and, if the submitter is a party, serve the 
confidential version of the document on the deadline and may file and 
serve the nonconfidential version of the document no later than one 
business day after the deadline for filing the document. The 
confidential version shall enclose all confidential business information 
in brackets and have the following warning marked on every page: 
``Bracketing of CBI not final for one business day after date of 
filing.'' The bracketing becomes final one business day after the date 
of filing of the document, i.e., at the same time as the nonconfidential 
version of the document is due to be filed. Until the bracketing becomes 
final, recipients of the document may not divulge any part of the 
contents of the document to anyone not subject to the administrative 
protective order issued in the investigation. If the submitter discovers 
it has failed to bracket correctly, the submitter may file a corrected 
version or portion of the confidential document at the same time as the 
nonconfidential version is filed. No changes to the document other than 
bracketing and deletion of confidential business information are 
permitted after the deadline. Failure to comply with this paragraph may 
result in the striking of all or a portion of a submitter's document.
    (d) Briefs. All briefs filed in proceedings subject to this part 
shall be filed electronically, and eight (8) true paper copies shall be 
filed on the same business day.

[59 FR 5091, Feb. 3, 1994, as amended at 68 FR 32977, June 3, 2003; 76 
FR 61942, Oct. 6, 2011]

[[Page 78]]



      Subpart B_Investigations Relating to Global Safeguard Actions

    Source: 60 FR 12, Jan. 3, 1995, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  206.11  Applicability of subpart.

    This subpart B applies specifically to investigations under section 
202(b) of the Trade Act. For other applicable rules, see subpart A of 
this part and part 201 of this chapter.



Sec.  206.12  Definitions applicable to subpart B of this part.

    For the purposes of this subpart, the following terms have the 
meanings hereby assigned to them:
    (a) Adjustment plan means a plan to facilitate positive adjustment 
to import competition submitted by a petitioner to the Commission and 
USTR either with the petition or at any time within 120 days after the 
date of filing of the petition.
    (b) Commitment means commitments that a firm in the domestic 
industry, a certified or recognized union or group of workers in the 
domestic industry, a local community, a trade association representing 
the domestic industry, or any other person or group of persons submits 
to the Commission regarding actions such persons and entities intend to 
take to facilitate positive adjustment to import competition.



Sec.  206.13  Who may file a petition.

    A petition under this subpart B may be filed by an entity, including 
a trade association, firm, certified or recognized union, or group of 
workers, that is representative of a domestic industry producing an 
article like or directly competitive with a foreign article that is 
allegedly being imported into the United States in such increased 
quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, or the threat 
thereof, to such domestic industry.



Sec.  206.14  Contents of petition.

    A petition under this subpart B shall include specific information 
in support of the claim that an article is being imported into the 
United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause 
of serious injury, or the threat thereof, to the domestic industry 
producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported 
article. Such petition shall state whether provisional relief is sought 
because critical circumstances exist or because the imported article is 
a perishable agricultural product. In addition, such petition shall 
include the following information, to the extent that such information 
is available from governmental or other sources, or best estimates and 
the basis therefor if such information is not available:
    (a) Product description. The name and description of the imported 
article concerned, specifying the United States tariff provision under 
which such article is classified and the current tariff treatment 
thereof, and the name and description of the like or directly 
competitive domestic article concerned;
    (b) Representativeness. (1) The names and addresses of the firms 
represented in the petition and/or the firms employing or previously 
employing the workers represented in the petition and the locations of 
their establishments in which the domestic article is produced;
    (2) The percentage of domestic production of the like or directly 
competitive domestic article that such represented firms and/or workers 
account for and the basis for claiming that such firms and/or workers 
are representative of an industry; and
    (3) The names and locations of all other producers of the domestic 
article known to the petitioner;
    (c) Import data. Import data for at least each of the most recent 5 
full years which form the basis of the claim that the article concerned 
is being imported in increased quantities, either actual or relative to 
domestic production;
    (d) Domestic production data. Data on total U.S. production of the 
domestic article for each full year for which data are provided pursuant 
to paragraph (c) of this section;
    (e) Data showing injury. Quantitative data indicating the nature and 
extent of injury to the domestic industry concerned:
    (1) With respect to serious injury, data indicating:

[[Page 79]]

    (i) A significant idling of production facilities in the industry, 
including data indicating plant closings or the underutilization of 
production capacity;
    (ii) The inability of a significant number of firms to carry out 
domestic production operations at a reasonable level of profit; and
    (iii) Significant unemployment or underemployment within the 
industry; and/or
    (2) With respect to the threat of serious injury, data relating to:
    (i) A decline in sales or market share, a higher and growing 
inventory (whether maintained by domestic producers, importers, 
wholesalers, or retailers), and a downward trend in production, profits, 
wages, productivity, or employment (or increasing underemployment);
    (ii) The extent to which firms in the industry are unable to 
generate adequate capital to finance the modernization of their domestic 
plants and equipment, or are unable to maintain existing levels of 
expenditures for research and development;
    (iii) The extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for the 
diversion of exports of the article concerned by reason of restraints on 
exports of such article to, or on imports of such article into, third 
country markets; and
    (3) Changes in the level of prices, production, and productivity.
    (f) Cause of injury. An enumeration and description of the causes 
believed to be resulting in the injury, or threat thereof, described 
under paragraph (e) of this section, and a statement regarding the 
extent to which increased imports, either actual or relative to domestic 
production, of the imported article are believed to be such a cause, 
supported by pertinent data;
    (g) Relief sought and purpose thereof. A statement describing the 
import relief sought, including the type, amount, and duration, and the 
specific purposes therefor, which may include facilitating the orderly 
transfer of resources to more productive pursuits, enhancing 
competitiveness, or other means of adjustment to new conditions of 
competition;
    (h) Efforts to compete. A statement on the efforts being taken, or 
planned to be taken, or both, by firms and workers in the industry to 
make a positive adjustment to import competition.
    (i) Imports from USMCA countries. Quantitative data indicating the 
share of imports accounted for by imports from each USMCA country 
(Canada and Mexico), and petitioner's view on the extent to which 
imports from such USMCA country or countries are contributing 
importantly to the serious injury, or threat thereof, caused by total 
imports of such article.
    (j) Critical circumstances. If the petition alleges the existence of 
critical circumstances, a statement setting forth the basis for the 
belief that there is clear evidence that increased imports (either 
actual or relative to domestic production) of the article are a 
substantial cause of serious injury, or the threat thereof, to the 
domestic industry, and that delay in taking action would cause damage to 
that industry that would be difficult to repair, and a statement 
concerning the provisional relief requested and the basis therefor.

[60 FR 12, Jan. 3, 1995, as amended at 88 FR 14890, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  206.15  Institution of investigation.

    (a) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, 
the Commission, after receipt of a petition under this subpart B, 
properly filed, will promptly institute an appropriate investigation and 
will cause a notice thereof to be published in the Federal Register.
    (b) Exceptions--(1) Reinvestigation within one (1) year. Except for 
good cause determined by the Commission to exist, no new investigation 
will be made under section 202 of the Trade Act with respect to the same 
subject matter as a previous investigation under section 202 unless one 
(1) year has elapsed since the Commission made its report to the 
President of the results of such previous investigation.
    (2) Articles subject to prior action. No new investigation will be 
made under section 202 of the Trade Act with respect to an article that 
is or has been the subject of an action under section 203(a) (3)(A), 
(B), (C), or (E) of the Trade Act if the last day on which the

[[Page 80]]

President could take action under section 203 of the Trade Act in the 
new investigation is a date earlier than that permitted under section 
203(e)(7) of the Trade Act.
    (3) Articles subject to the Textiles Agreement. No investigation 
will be made under section 202 of the Trade Act with respect to an 
article that is the subject of the WTO Agreement on Textiles and 
Clothing unless the United States has integrated the article into GATT 
1994 and the Secretary of Commerce has published notice to such effect 
in the Federal Register.
    (4) Perishable agricultural product. An entity of the type described 
in Sec.  206.13 that represents a domestic industry producing a 
perishable agricultural product may petition for provisional relief with 
respect to such product only if such product has been subject to 
monitoring by the Commission for not less than 90 days as of the date 
the allegation of injury is included in the petition.



Sec.  206.16  Industry adjustment plan and commitments.

    (a) Adjustment plan. A petitioner may submit to the Commission, 
either with the petition or at any time within 120 days after the date 
of filing of the petition, a plan to facilitate positive adjustment to 
import competition.
    (b) Commitments. If the Commission makes an affirmative injury 
determination, any firm in the domestic industry, certified or 
recognized union or group of workers in the domestic industry, local 
community, trade association representing the domestic industry, or any 
other person or group of persons may, individually, submit to the 
Commission commitments regarding actions such persons and entities 
intend to take to facilitate positive adjustment to import competition.



Sec.  206.17  Limited disclosure of certain confidential business 
information under administrative protective order.

    (a)(1) Disclosure. Upon receipt of a timely application filed by an 
authorized applicant, as defined in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, 
which describes in general terms the information requested, and sets 
forth the reasons for the request (e.g., all confidential business 
information properly disclosed pursuant to this section for the purpose 
of representing an interested party in investigations pending before the 
Commission), the Secretary shall make available all confidential 
business information contained in Commission memoranda and reports and 
in written submissions filed with the Commission at any time during the 
investigation (except privileged information, classified information, 
and specific information of a type which there is a clear and compelling 
need to withhold from disclosure, e.g., trade secrets) to the authorized 
applicant under an administrative protective order described in 
paragraph (b) of this section. The term ``confidential business 
information'' is defined in Sec.  201.6 of this chapter.
    (2) Application. An application under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section must be made by an authorized applicant on a form adopted by the 
Secretary or a photocopy thereof. A signed application shall be filed 
electronically. An application on behalf of an authorized applicant must 
be made no later than the time that entries of appearance are due 
pursuant to Sec.  201.11 of this chapter. In the event that two or more 
authorized applicants represent one interested party who is a party to 
the investigation, the authorized applicants must select one of their 
number to be lead authorized applicant. The lead authorized applicant's 
application must be filed no later than the time that entries of 
appearance are due. Provided that the application is accepted, the lead 
authorized applicant shall be served with confidential business 
information pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section. The other 
authorized applicants representing the same party may file their 
applications after the deadline for entries of appearance but at least 
five days before the deadline for filing posthearing briefs in the 
investigation, and shall not be served with confidential business 
information.
    (3) Authorized applicant. (i) Only an authorized applicant may file 
an application under this subsection. An authorized applicant is:

[[Page 81]]

    (A) An attorney for an interested party which is a party to the 
investigation;
    (B) A consultant or expert under the direction and control of a 
person under paragraph (a)(3)(i)(A) of this section;
    (C) A consultant or expert who appears regularly before the 
Commission and who represents an interested party which is a party to 
the investigation; or
    (D) A representative of an interested party which is a party to the 
investigation, if such interested party is not represented by counsel.
    (ii) In addition, an authorized applicant must not be involved in 
competitive decisionmaking for an interested party which is a party to 
the investigation. Involvement in ``competitive decisionmaking'' 
includes past, present, or likely future activities, associations, and 
relationships with an interested party which is a party to the 
investigation that involve the prospective authorized applicant's advice 
or participation in any of such party's decisions made in light of 
similar or corresponding information about a competitor (pricing, 
product design, etc.).
    (iii) For purposes of this Sec.  206.17, the term interested party 
means:
    (A) A foreign manufacturer, producer, or exporter, or the United 
States importer, of an article which is the subject of an investigation 
under this section or a trade or business association a majority of the 
members of which are producers, exporters, or importers of such article;
    (B) The government of a country in which such article is produced or 
manufactured;
    (C) A manufacturer, producer, or wholesaler in the United States of 
a like or directly competitive article;
    (D) A certified union or recognized union or group of workers which 
is representative of an industry engaged in the manufacture, production, 
or wholesale of a like or directly competitive article in the United 
States;
    (E) A trade or business association a majority of whose members 
manufacture, produce, or wholesale a like or directly competitive 
article in the United States; and
    (F) An association, a majority of whose members is composed of 
interested parties described in paragraphs (a)(3)(iii) (C), (D), or (E) 
of this section with respect to a like or directly competitive article.
    (4) Forms and determinations. (i) The Secretary may adopt, from time 
to time, forms for submitting requests for disclosure pursuant to an 
administrative protective order incorporating the terms of this rule. 
The Secretary shall determine whether the requirements for release of 
information under this rule have been satisfied. This determination 
shall be made concerning specific confidential business information as 
expeditiously as possible but in no event later than fourteen (14) days 
from the filing of the information, except if the submitter of the 
information objects to its release or the information is unusually 
voluminous or complex, in which case the determination shall be made 
within thirty (30) days from the filing of the information. The 
Secretary shall establish a list of parties whose applications have been 
granted. The Secretary's determination shall be final.
    (ii) Should the Secretary determine pursuant to this section that 
materials sought to be protected from public disclosure by a person do 
not constitute confidential business information or were not required to 
be served under paragraph (f) of this section, then the Secretary shall, 
upon request, issue an order on behalf of the Commission requiring the 
return of all copies of such materials served in accordance with 
paragraph (f) of this section.
    (iii) The Secretary shall release confidential business information 
only to an authorized applicant whose application has been accepted and 
who presents the application along with adequate personal 
identification; or a person described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this 
section who presents a copy of the statement referred to in that 
paragraph along with adequate personal identification.
    (b) Administrative protective order. The administrative protective 
order under which information is made available to the authorized 
applicant shall require the applicant to submit to the Secretary a 
personal sworn statement

[[Page 82]]

that, in addition to such other conditions as the Secretary may require, 
the applicant shall:
    (1) Not divulge any of the confidential business information 
obtained under the administrative protective order and not otherwise 
available to the applicant, to any person other than
    (i) Personnel of the Commission concerned with the investigation,
    (ii) The person or agency from whom the confidential business 
information was obtained,
    (iii) A person whose application for access to confidential business 
information under the administrative protective order has been granted 
by the Secretary, and
    (iv) Other persons, such as paralegals and clerical staff, who are 
employed or supervised by an authorized applicant; who have a need 
thereof in connection with the investigation; who are not involved in 
competitive decisionmaking on behalf of an interested party which is a 
party to the investigation; and who have signed a statement in a form 
approved by the Secretary that they agree to be bound by the 
administrative protective order (the authorized applicant shall be 
responsible for retention and accuracy of such forms and shall be deemed 
responsible for such persons' compliance with the administrative 
protective order);
    (2) Use such confidential business information solely for the 
purposes of representing an interested party in the Commission 
investigation then in progress;
    (3) Not consult with any person not described in paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section concerning such confidential business information without 
first having received the written consent of the Secretary and the party 
or the attorney of the party from whom such confidential business 
information was obtained;
    (4) Whenever materials (e.g., documents, computer disks, etc.) 
containing such confidential business information are not being used, 
store such material in a locked file cabinet, vault, safe, or other 
suitable container;
    (5) Serve all materials containing confidential business information 
as directed by the Secretary and pursuant to paragraph (f) of this 
section;
    (6) Transmit all materials containing confidential business 
information with a cover sheet identifying the materials as containing 
confidential business information;
    (7) Comply with the provisions of this section;
    (8) Make true and accurate representations in the authorized 
applicant's application and promptly notify the Secretary of any changes 
that occur after the submission of the application and that affect the 
representations made in the application (e.g., change in personnel 
assigned to the investigation);
    (9) Report promptly and confirm in writing to the Secretary any 
breach of the administrative protective order; and
    (10) Acknowledge that breach of the administrative protective order 
may subject the authorized applicant to such sanctions or other actions 
as the Commission deems appropriate.
    (c) Final disposition of material released under administrative 
protective order. At such date as the Secretary may determine 
appropriate for particular data, each authorized applicant shall return 
or destroy all copies of materials released to authorized applicants 
pursuant to this section and all other materials containing confidential 
business information, such as charts or notes based on any such 
information received under administrative protective order, and file 
with the Secretary a certificate attesting to his personal, good faith 
belief that all copies of such material have been returned or destroyed 
and no copies of such material have been made available to any person to 
whom disclosure was not specifically authorized.
    (d) Commission responses to a breach of administrative protective 
order. A breach of an administrative protective order may subject an 
offender to:
    (1) Disbarment from practice in any capacity before the Commission 
along with such person's partners, associates, employer, and employees, 
for up to seven years following publication of a determination that the 
order has been breached;
    (2) Referral to the United States Attorney;

[[Page 83]]

    (3) In the case of an attorney, accountant, or other professional, 
referral to the ethics panel of the appropriate professional 
association;
    (4) Such other administrative sanctions as the Commission determines 
to be appropriate, including public release of or striking from the 
record any information or briefs submitted by, or on behalf of, the 
offender or the party represented by the offender, denial of further 
access to confidential business information in the current or any future 
investigations before the Commission, and issuance of a public or 
private letter of reprimand; and
    (5) Such other actions, including but not limited to, a warning 
letter, as the Commission determines to be appropriate.
    (e) Breach investigation procedure. (1) The Commission shall 
determine whether any person has violated an administrative protective 
order, and may impose sanctions or other actions in accordance with 
paragraph (d) of this section. At any time within sixty (60) days of the 
later of
    (i) The date on which the alleged violation occurred or, as 
determined by the Commission, could have been discovered through the 
exercise of reasonable and ordinary care; or
    (ii) The completion of an investigation conducted under this 
subpart, the Commission may commence an investigation of any breach of 
an administrative protective order alleged to have occurred at any time 
during the pendency of the investigation, including all appeals, 
remands, and subsequent appeals. Whenever the Commission has reason to 
believe that a person may have breached an administrative protective 
order issued pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall issue a 
letter informing such person that the Commission has reason to believe a 
breach has occurred and that the person has a reasonable opportunity to 
present his views on whether a breach has occurred. If subsequently the 
Commission determines that a breach has occurred and that further 
investigation is warranted, then the Secretary shall issue a letter 
informing such person of that determination and that the person has a 
reasonable opportunity to present his views on whether mitigating 
circumstances exist and on the appropriate sanction to be imposed, but 
no longer on whether a breach has occurred. Once such person has been 
afforded a reasonable opportunity to present his views, the Commission 
shall determine what sanction if any to impose.
    (2) Where the sanction imposed is a private letter of reprimand, the 
Secretary shall expunge the sanction from the recipient's record two (2) 
years from the date of issuance of the sanction, provided that
    (i) The recipient has not received another unexpunged sanction 
pursuant to this section at any time prior to the end of the two year 
period, and
    (ii) The recipient is not the subject of an investigation for 
possible breach of administrative protective order under this section at 
the end of the two year period. Upon the completion of such a pending 
breach investigation without the issuance of a sanction, the original 
sanction shall be expunged. The Secretary shall notify a sanction 
recipient in the event that the sanction is expunged.
    (f) Service. (1) Any party filing written submissions which include 
confidential business information to the Commission during an 
investigation shall at the same time serve complete copies of such 
submissions upon all authorized applicants specified on the list 
established by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section, and, except as provided in Sec.  206.8(c), a nonconfidential 
version on all other parties. All such submissions must be accompanied 
by a certificate attesting that complete copies of the submission have 
been properly served. In the event that a submission is filed before the 
Secretary's list is established, the document need not be accompanied by 
a certificate of service, but the submission shall be served within two 
(2) days of the establishment of the list and a certificate of service 
shall then be filed.
    (2) A party may seek an exemption from the service requirement of 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section for particular confidential business 
information by filing a request for exemption from disclosure in 
accordance with

[[Page 84]]

paragraph (g) of this section. The Secretary shall promptly respond to 
the request. If a request is granted, the Secretary shall accept the 
information. The party shall file three versions of the submission 
containing the information in accordance with paragraph (g) of this 
section, and serve the submission in accordance with the requirements of 
Sec.  206.8(b) and paragraph (f)(1) of this section, with the specific 
information as to which exemption from disclosure under administrative 
protective order has been granted redacted from the copies served. If a 
request is denied, the copy of the information lodged with the Secretary 
shall promptly be returned to the requester.
    (3) The Secretary shall not accept for filing into the record of an 
investigation submissions filed without a proper certificate of service. 
Failure to comply with paragraph (f) of this section may result in 
denial of party status and such sanctions as the Commission deems 
appropriate. Confidential business information in submissions must be 
clearly marked as such when submitted, and must be segregated from other 
material being submitted.
    (g) Exemption from disclosure--(1) In general. Any person may 
request exemption from the disclosure of confidential business 
information under administrative protective order, whether the person 
desires to include such information in a petition filed under this 
subpart B, or any other submission to the Commission during the course 
of an investigation. Such a request shall only be granted if the 
Secretary finds that such information is nondisclosable confidential 
business information. As defined in Sec.  201.6(a)(2) of this chapter, 
nondisclosable confidential business information is privileged 
information, classified information, or specific information (e.g., 
trade secrets) of a type for which there is a clear and compelling need 
to withhold from disclosure.
    (2) Request for exemption. A request for exemption from disclosure 
must be filed with the Secretary in writing with the reasons therefor. 
At the same time as the request is filed, one copy of the confidential 
business information in question must be lodged with the Secretary 
solely for the purpose of obtaining a determination as to the request. 
The confidential business information for which exemption from 
disclosure is sought shall remain the property of the requester, and 
shall not become or be incorporated into any agency record until such 
time as the request is granted. A request should, when possible, be 
filed two business days prior to the deadline, if any, for filing the 
document in which the information for which exemption from disclosure is 
sought is proposed to be included. The Secretary shall promptly notify 
the requester as to whether the request has been approved or denied.
    (3) Procedure if request is approved. If the request is approved, 
the person shall file three versions of the submission containing the 
nondisclosable confidential business information in question. One 
version shall contain all confidential business information, bracketed 
in accordance with Sec.  201.6 of this chapter and Sec.  206.8(c), with 
the specific information as to which exemption from disclosure was 
granted enclosed in triple brackets. This version shall have the 
following warning marked on every page: ``CBI exempted from disclosure 
under APO enclosed in triple brackets.'' The other two versions shall 
conform to and be filed in accordance with the requirements of Sec.  
201.6 of this chapter and Sec.  206.8(c), except that the specific 
information as to which exemption from disclosure was granted shall be 
redacted from those versions of the submission.
    (4) Procedure if request is denied. If the request is denied, the 
copy of the information lodged with the Secretary shall promptly be 
returned to the requester.

[60 FR 12, Jan. 3, 1995, as amended at 68 FR 32977, June 3, 2003; 70 FR 
8511, Feb. 22, 2005; 76 FR 61942, Oct. 6, 2011]



Sec.  206.18  Time for determinations, reporting.

    (a) In general. The Commission will make its determination with 
respect to injury within 120 days after the date on which the petition 
is filed, the request or resolution is received, or the motion is 
adopted, as the case may be, except that--
    (1) If the Commission determines before the 100th day that the 
investigation is extraordinarily complicated,

[[Page 85]]

the Commission will make its determination within 150 days; or
    (2) If critical circumstances are alleged, the Commission will make 
its determination within 120 days after completion of its investigation 
with respect to critical circumstances. The Commission will make its 
report to the President at the earliest practicable time, but not later 
than 180 days (240 days if critical circumstances are alleged) after the 
date on which the petition is filed, the request or resolution is 
received, or the motion is adopted, as the case may be.
    (b) Perishable agricultural product. In the case of a request in a 
petition for provisional relief with respect to a perishable 
agricultural product that has been the subject of monitoring by the 
Commission, the Commission will report its determination and any finding 
to the President not later than 21 days after the date on which the 
request for provisional relief is received.
    (c) Critical circumstances. If petitioner alleges the existence of 
critical circumstances in the petition, the Commission will report its 
determination regarding such allegation and any finding on or before the 
60th day after such filing date.



Sec.  206.19  Public report.

    Upon making a report to the President of the results of an 
investigation to which this subpart B relates, the Commission will make 
such report public (with the exception of information which the 
Commission determines to be confidential) and cause a summary thereof to 
be published in the Federal Register.



  Subpart C_Investigations Relating to a Surge in Imports From a USMCA 
                                 Country



Sec.  206.21  Applicability of subpart.

    This subpart applies specifically to investigations under section 
302 of the USMCA Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 4552). For other 
applicable rules, see subpart A of this part and part 201 of this 
chapter.

[88 FR 14890, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  206.22  Definition applicable to subpart C.

    For the purposes of this subpart, the term surge means a significant 
increase in imports over the trend for a recent representative base 
period.



Sec.  206.23  Who may file a request.

    If the President, under section 302(b) of the USMCA Implementation 
Act (19 U.S.C. 4552(b)), has excluded imports from a USMCA country or 
countries from an action under chapter 1 of title II of the Trade Act of 
1974, any entity that is representative of an industry for which such 
action is being taken may request the Commission to conduct an 
investigation to determine whether a surge in such imports undermines 
the effectiveness of the action.

[88 FR 14890, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  206.24  Contents of request.

    The request for an investigation shall include the following 
information:
    (a) The identity of the entity submitting the request; a description 
of the relief action the effectiveness of which is allegedly being 
undermined; and a description of the imported article, identifying the 
United States tariff provision under which it is classified, and the 
name of the country or countries from which the surge in imports is 
alleged to be coming;
    (b) The information required in Sec.  206.14(b) of this subpart 
concerning representativeness of the entity filing the request;
    (c) Data concerning imports from the USMCA country or countries that 
form the basis of requestor's claim that a surge in imports has 
occurred;
    (d) Information supporting the claim that such surge in imports 
undermines the effectiveness of the relief action.

[59 FR 5091, Feb. 3, 1994, as amended at 88 FR 14890, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  206.25  Time for reporting.

    The Commission will submit the findings of its investigation to the 
President no later than 30 days after the request is received.



Sec.  206.26  Public report.

    Upon making a report to the President of the results of an 
investigation

[[Page 86]]

to which this subpart C relates, the Commission will make such report 
public (with the exception of any confidential business information) and 
cause a summary thereof to be published in the Federal Register.



    Subpart D_Investigations Relating to Bilateral Safeguard Actions



Sec.  206.31  Applicability of subpart.

    This subpart applies specifically to investigations under section 
311(b) of the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement 
Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), section 311(b) of the United 
States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3805 
note), section 311(b) of the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion 
Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), section 211(b) of 
the United States-Jordan Free Trade Area Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 
2112 note), section 311(b) of the United States-Korea Free Trade 
Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), section 311(b) of 
the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 
U.S.C. 3805 note), section 311(b) of the United States-Oman Free Trade 
Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), section 311(b) of 
the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act 
(19 U.S.C. 3805 note), and section 311(b) of the United States-Singapore 
Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3805 note). For other 
applicable rules, see subpart A of this part and part 201 of this 
chapter.

[88 FR 14890, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  206.32  Definitions applicable to subpart D.

    For the purposes of this subpart, the following terms have the 
meanings hereby assigned to them:
    (a) The term substantial cause has the same meaning as in section 
202(b)(1)(B) of the Trade Act.
    (b) The terms domestic industry, serious injury, and threat of 
serious injury have the same meanings as in section 202(c)(6) of the 
Trade Act.
    (c) Critical circumstances mean such circumstances as are described 
in section 202(d) of the Trade Act;
    (d) Perishable agricultural product means any agricultural product 
or citrus product, including livestock, which is the subject of 
monitoring pursuant to section 202(d) of the Trade Act.
    (e) Korean motor vehicle article means a good provided for in 
heading 8703 or 8704 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule that 
qualifies as an originating good under section 202(b) of the United 
States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.

[77 FR 3926, Jan. 26, 2012, as amended at 77 FR 37805, June 25, 2012]



Sec.  206.33  Who may file a petition.

    (a) In general. A petition under this subpart may be filed by an 
entity, including a trade association, firm, certified or recognized 
union, or group of workers, that is representative of a domestic 
industry producing an article that is like or directly competitive with 
an article that is allegedly, as a result of the reduction or 
elimination of a duty provided for under a free trade agreement listed 
in paragraph (b) of this section, being imported into the United States 
in such increased quantities, in absolute terms or relative to domestic 
production, and under such conditions that imports of the article 
constitute a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat thereof, to 
such domestic industry. Unless the implementation statute provides 
otherwise, a petition may be filed only during the transition period of 
the particular free trade agreement.
    (b) List of free trade agreements. The free trade agreements 
referred to in paragraph (a) of this section include the United States-
Australia Free Trade Agreement, the United States-Bahrain Free Trade 
Agreement, the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, the 
United States-Jordan Free Trade Area Agreement, the United States-Korea 
Free Trade Agreement, the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement, 
the United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement, the United States-Panama 
Trade Promotion Agreement, and the United

[[Page 87]]

States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, to the extent that such 
agreements have entered into force.
    (c) Critical circumstances. An entity of the type described in 
paragraph (a) of this section that represents a domestic industry may 
allege that critical circumstances exist and petition for provisional 
relief with respect to imports if such product is from Australia, 
Jordan, Korea, Morocco, or Singapore.
    (d) Perishable agricultural product. An entity of the type described 
in paragraph (a) of this section that represents a domestic industry 
producing a perishable agricultural product may petition for provisional 
relief with respect to imports of such product from Australia, Jordan, 
Korea, Morocco, or Singapore, but only if such product has been subject 
to monitoring by the Commission for not less than 90 days as of the date 
the allegation of injury is included in the petition.
    (e) Korean motor vehicle article. An entity of the type described in 
paragraph (a) of this section that is filing a petition with respect to 
a product from Korea shall state whether it represents a domestic 
industry producing an article that is like or directly competitive with 
a Korean motor vehicle article.

[77 FR 3926, Jan. 26, 2012, as amended at 88 FR 14890, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  206.34  Contents of petition.

    A petition under this subpart shall include specific information in 
support of the claim that, as a result of the reduction or elimination 
of a duty provided for under a free trade agreement listed in Sec.  
206.33(b), an article is being imported into the United States in such 
increased quantities, in absolute terms or relative to domestic 
production, and under such conditions that imports of the article 
constitute a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat thereof, to 
the domestic industry producing an article that is like or directly 
competitive with the imported article. If provisional relief is 
requested in a petition concerning an article from Australia, Jordan, 
Korea, Morocco, or Singapore, the petition shall state whether 
provisional relief is sought because critical circumstances exist or 
because the imported article is a perishable agricultural product. In 
addition, a petition filed under this subpart shall include the 
following information, to the extent that such information is publicly 
available from governmental or other sources, or best estimates and the 
basis therefor if such information is not available:
    (a) Product description. The name and description of the imported 
article concerned, specifying the United States tariff provision under 
which such article is classified and the current tariff treatment 
thereof, and the name and description of the like or directly 
competitive domestic article concerned;
    (b) Representativeness. (1) The names and addresses of the firms 
represented in the petition and/or the firms employing or previously 
employing the workers represented in the petition and the locations of 
their establishments in which the domestic article is produced;
    (2) The percentage of domestic production of the like or directly 
competitive domestic article that such represented firms and/or workers 
account for and the basis for claiming that such firms and/or workers 
are representative of an industry; and
    (3) The names and locations of all other producers of the domestic 
article known to the petitioner;
    (c) Import data. Import data for at least each of the most recent 5 
full years that form the basis of the claim that the article concerned 
is being imported in increased quantities in absolute terms;
    (d) Domestic production data. Data on total U.S. production of the 
domestic article for each full year for which data are provided pursuant 
to paragraph (c) of this section;
    (e) Data showing injury. Quantitative data for each of the most 
recent 5 full years indicating the nature and extent of injury to the 
domestic industry concerned:
    (1) With respect to serious injury, data indicating:
    (i) A significant idling of production facilities in the industry, 
including data indicating plant closings or the underutilization of 
production capacity;
    (ii) The inability of a significant number of firms to carry out 
domestic production operations at a reasonable level of profit; and

[[Page 88]]

    (iii) Significant unemployment or underemployment within the 
industry; and/or
    (2) With respect to the threat of serious injury, data relating to:
    (i) A decline in sales or market share, a higher and growing 
inventory (whether maintained by domestic producers, importers, 
wholesalers, or retailers), and a downward trend in production, profits, 
wages, productivity, or employment (or increasing underemployment);
    (ii) The extent to which firms in the industry are unable to 
generate adequate capital to finance the modernization of their domestic 
plants and equipment, or are unable to maintain existing levels of 
expenditures for research and development;
    (iii) The extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for the 
diversion of exports of the article concerned by reason of restraints on 
exports of such article to, or on imports of such article into, third 
country markets; and
    (3) Changes in the level of prices, production, and productivity.
    (f) Cause of injury. An enumeration and description of the causes 
believed to be resulting in the injury, or threat thereof, described 
under paragraph (e) of this section, and a statement regarding the 
extent to which increased imports of the subject article are believed to 
be such a cause, supported by pertinent data;
    (g) Relief sought and purpose thereof. A statement describing the 
import relief sought, including the type, amount, and duration, and the 
specific purposes therefor, which may include facilitating the orderly 
transfer of resources to more productive pursuits, enhancing 
competitiveness, or other means of adjustment to new conditions of 
competition;
    (h) Efforts to compete. A statement on the efforts being taken, or 
planned to be taken, or both, by firms and workers in the industry to 
make a positive adjustment to import competition.
    (i) Critical circumstances. If the petition alleges the existence of 
critical circumstances, a statement setting forth the basis for the 
belief that there is clear evidence that increased imports (either 
actual or relative to domestic production) of the article are a 
substantial cause of serious injury, or the threat thereof, to the 
domestic industry, and that delay in taking action would cause damage to 
that industry that would be difficult to repair, and a statement 
concerning the provisional relief requested and the basis therefor.

[77 FR 3926, Jan. 26, 2012, as amended at 88 FR 14890, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  206.35  Time for determinations, reporting.

    (a) In general. The Commission will make its determination with 
respect to injury within 120 days (180 days if critical circumstances 
are alleged) after the date on which the investigation is initiated. The 
Commission will make its report to the President no later than 30 days 
after the date on which its determination is made.
    (b) Perishable agricultural product. In the case of a request in a 
petition for provisional relief with respect to a perishable 
agricultural product that has been the subject of monitoring by the 
Commission, the Commission will report its determination and any finding 
to the President not later than 21 days after the date on which the 
request for provisional relief is received.
    (c) Critical circumstances. If petitioner alleges the existence of 
critical circumstances in the petition, the Commission will report its 
determination regarding such allegation and any finding on or before the 
60th day after such filing date.

[77 FR 3927, Jan. 26, 2012]



Sec.  206.36  Public report.

    Upon making a report to the President of the results of an 
investigation to which this subpart D relates, the Commission will make 
such report public (with the exception of information which the 
Commission determines to be confidential) and cause a summary thereof to 
be published in the Federal Register.



Sec.  206.37  Limited disclosure of certain confidential business 
information under administrative protective order.

    Except in the case of an investigation under the United States-
Jordan Free Trade Area Implementation Act, the

[[Page 89]]

Secretary shall make available to authorized applicants, in accordance 
with the provisions of Sec.  206.17, confidential business information 
obtained in an investigation under this subpart.

[88 FR 14891, Mar. 10, 2023]



       Subpart E_Investigations for Relief From Market Disruption



Sec.  206.41  Applicability of subpart.

    This subpart E applies specifically to investigations under section 
406(a) or 421(b) or (o) of the Trade Act. For other applicable rules, 
see subpart A of this part and part 201 of this chapter.

[59 FR 5091, Feb. 3, 1994, as amended at 67 FR 8190, Feb. 22, 2002]



Sec.  206.42  Who may file a petition.

    (a) A petition under section 406(a) of the Trade Act may be filed by 
an entity, including a trade association, firm, certified or recognized 
union, or group of workers, that is representative of a domestic 
industry producing an article with respect to which there are imports of 
a like or directly competitive article which is the product of a 
Communist country, which imports, allegedly, are increasing rapidly, 
either absolutely or relative to domestic production, so as to be a 
significant cause of material injury, or the threat thereof, to such 
domestic industry.
    (b) A petition under section 421(b) or (o) of the Trade Act may be 
filed by an entity, including a trade association, firm, certified or 
recognized union, or group of workers, which is representative of an 
industry.

[67 FR 8191, Feb. 22, 2002]



Sec.  206.43  Contents of a petition under section 406(a) of the Trade Act.

    A petition for relief under section 406(a) of the Trade Act shall 
include specific information in support of the claim that imports of an 
article that are the product of a Communist country which are like or 
directly competitive with an article produced by a domestic industry, 
are increasing rapidly, either absolutely or relative to domestic 
production, so as to be a significant cause of material injury, or the 
threat thereof, to such domestic industry. In addition, such petition 
shall, to the extent practicable, include the following information:
    (a) Product description. The name and description of the imported 
article concerned, specifying the United States tariff provision under 
which such article is classified and the current tariff treatment 
thereof, and the name and description of the like or directly 
competitive domestic article concerned;
    (b) Representativeness. (1) The names and addresses of the firms 
represented in the petition and/or the firms employing or previously 
employing the workers represented in the petition and the locations of 
their establishments in which the domestic article is produced; (2) the 
percentage of domestic production of the like or directly competitive 
domestic article that such represented firms and/or workers account for 
and the basis for asserting that petitioner is representative of an 
industry; and (3) the names and locations of all other producers of the 
domestic article known to the petitioner;
    (c) Import data. Import data for at least each of the most recent 5 
full years which form the basis of the claim that imports from a 
Communist country of an article like or directly competitive with the 
article produced by the domestic industry concerned are increasing 
rapidly, either absolutely or relative to domestic production;
    (d) Domestic production data. Data on total U.S. production of the 
domestic article for each full year for which data are provided pursuant 
to paragraph (c) of this section;
    (e) Data showing injury. Quantitative data indicating the nature and 
extent of injury to the domestic industry concerned:
    (1) With respect to material injury, data indicating:
    (i) An idling of production facilities in the industry, including 
data indicating plant closings or the underutilization of production 
capacity;
    (ii) The inability of a number of firms to carry out domestic 
production operations at a reasonable level of profit; and
    (iii) Unemployment or underemployment within the industry; and/or
    (2) With respect to the threat of material injury, data relating to:

[[Page 90]]

    (i) A decline in sales or market share, a higher and growing 
inventory (whether maintained by domestic producers, importers, 
wholesalers, or retailers), and a downward trend in production, profits, 
wages, or employment (or increasing underemployment);
    (ii) The extent to which firms in the industry are unable to 
generate adequate capital to finance the modernization of their domestic 
plants and equipment, or are unable to maintain existing levels of 
expenditures for research and development; and
    (iii) The extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for the 
diversion of exports of the article concerned by reason of restraints on 
exports of such article to, or on imports of such article into, third 
country markets;
    (f) Cause of injury. An enumeration and description of the causes 
believed to be resulting in the material injury, or threat thereof, 
described in paragraph (e) of this section; information relating to the 
effect of imports of the subject merchandise on prices in the United 
States for like or directly competitive articles; evidence of disruptive 
pricing practices, or other efforts to unfairly manage trade patterns; 
and a statement regarding the extent to which increased imports, either 
actual or relative to domestic production, of the imported article are 
believed to be such a cause, supported by pertinent data;
    (g) Relief sought and purpose thereof. A statement describing the 
import relief sought.

[59 FR 5091, Feb. 3, 1994, as amended at 67 FR 8191, Feb. 22, 2002]



Sec.  206.44  Contents of a petition under section 421(b) or (o) of 
the Trade Act.

    (a) Petitions under section 421(b). (1) A petition for relief under 
section 421(b) of the Trade Act shall provide specific information in 
support of the claim that products of the People's Republic of China are 
being imported into the United States in such increased quantities or 
under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause market disruption 
to the domestic producers of like or directly competitive products. In 
addition, such petition shall include the information described in 
paragraphs (b) through (j) of this section. The petition shall provide 
the information required by this paragraph and paragraphs (b) through 
(j) of this section to the extent that such information is reasonably 
available to the petitioner with due diligence.
    (2) If the petition fails to provide any item of information 
specified in paragraphs (b) through (j) of this section, the petition 
shall include a certification that such information was not reasonably 
available to the petitioner.
    (b) Product description. Each petition shall include the name and 
description of the imported product concerned, specifying the United 
States tariff provision under which such product is classified and the 
current tariff treatment thereof, and the name and description of the 
like or directly competitive domestic product concerned.
    (c) Representativeness. Each petition shall include:
    (1) The names and street addresses of the firms represented in the 
petition and/or the firms employing or previously employing the workers 
represented in the petition, the locations of the establishments in 
which each such firm produces the domestic product, and the telephone 
number and contact person(s) for each such firm;
    (2) The percentage of domestic production of the like or directly 
competitive domestic product that such represented firms and/or workers 
account for and the basis for asserting that petitioner is 
representative of an industry; and
    (3) The names and street addresses of all other producers of the 
domestic product known to the petitioner, and the telephone number and 
contact person(s) for each such producer.
    (d) Import data. Each petition shall include import data for at 
least each of the most recent 5 full years which form the basis of the 
claim that imports from the People's Republic of China of a product like 
or directly competitive with the product produced by the domestic 
industry concerned are increasing rapidly, either absolutely or 
relatively.
    (e) Domestic production data. Each petition shall include data on 
total U.S. production of the domestic product for

[[Page 91]]

each full year for which data are provided pursuant to paragraph (d) of 
this section.
    (f) Data showing injury and/or threat of injury. Each petition shall 
include the following quantitative data indicating the nature and extent 
of injury to the domestic industry concerned:
    (1) With respect to material injury, information, including data on 
production, capacity, capacity utilization, shipments, net sales, 
profits, employment, productivity, inventories, and expenditures on 
capital and research and development, indicating:
    (i) An idling of production facilities in the industry, including 
data indicating plant closings or the underutilization of production 
capacity;
    (ii) The inability of a number of firms to carry out domestic 
production operations at a reasonable level of profit; and
    (iii) Unemployment or underemployment within the industry; and/or
    (2) With respect to the threat of material injury, data relating to:
    (i) Declines in sales or market share, increases in inventory 
(whether maintained by domestic producers, importers, wholesalers, 
retailers, or producers or exporters in the People's Republic of China), 
and/or a downward trend in production, profits, wages, or employment (or 
increasing underemployment);
    (ii) The extent to which firms in the industry are unable to 
generate adequate capital to finance the modernization of their domestic 
plants and equipment, or are unable to maintain existing levels of 
expenditures for research and development;
    (iii) The extent to which the U.S. market is the focal point for the 
diversion of exports of the article concerned by reason of restraints on 
exports of such article to, or on imports of such article into, third 
country markets; and
    (iv) Data regarding productive capacity in the People's Republic of 
China, any unused productive capacity, and any potential for product 
shifting in the People's Republic of China.
    (g) Cause of injury. Each petition shall enumerate and describe the 
causes believed to be resulting in the material injury, or threat 
thereof, described in paragraph (f) of this section. The petition shall 
provide information relating to the effect of imports of the subject 
merchandise on prices in the United States for like or directly 
competitive articles. The petition shall also include a statement 
regarding the extent to which increased imports, either actual or 
relative, of the imported product are believed to be such a cause, 
supported by pertinent data.
    (h) Critical circumstances. If the petition alleges that critical 
circumstances exist within the meaning of section 421(i)(1) of the Trade 
Act, the petition shall provide detailed information supporting that 
claim as well as detailed information demonstrating that delay in taking 
action under section 421 of the Act would cause damage to the relevant 
domestic industry that would be difficult to repair.
    (i) Relief sought and purpose thereof. The petition shall include a 
statement describing the import relief sought under section 421(i)(4) 
and/or section 421(a) of the Trade Act and the purpose thereof.
    (j) Additional information. The petition shall include:
    (1) The names of all U.S. importers and all producers in China of 
the subject merchandise known to petitioner, and the street address, 
telephone and fax number, and primary contact person(s) for each such 
importer and producer in China;
    (2) A detailed description of each product for which the petitioner 
requests the Commission to seek pricing information in its 
questionnaires, and an explanation of why the petitioner believes the 
Commission should collect pricing information for each such product;
    (3) For each domestic producer represented by petitioner, the 
company names of its 10 largest purchasers, and the street address, 
telephone number, and primary contact person(s) for each such purchaser;
    (4) For each allegation of lost sales and/or lost revenues, 
supporting information with regard to each such alleged loss, including 
the name of the company represented by petitioner that lost the sale or 
revenue, the name of the company that captured the sale or whose 
competition resulted in lost

[[Page 92]]

revenue (including company street address, company contact person, and 
telephone and fax numbers for each contact person), the date and total 
value of the lost sale or lost revenue, and the total quantity of 
product involved (by weight or number of units).
    (k) Petitions under section 421(o). A petition under section 421(o) 
of the Trade Act shall include evidence of representativeness, as 
described in paragraph (b) of this section, as well as specific 
information in support of the claim that action under section 421 of the 
Act continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy market disruption. 
The information provided in support of that claim should take into 
account factors such as those specified in paragraphs (c) through (g) of 
this section. To comply with this paragraph, the petition should contain 
all relevant information that is reasonably available to the petitioner 
with due diligence.

[67 FR 8191, Feb. 22, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 65167, Nov. 19, 2003]



Sec.  206.44a  Special rules for conducting investigations under
section 421(b) of the Trade Act.

    (a) Service of the petition. (1)(i) The Secretary shall promptly 
notify a petitioner when, before the establishment of a service list 
under Sec.  206.17(a)(4) of this part, he or she approves an application 
under Sec.  206.17(a)(2) of this part pursuant to Sec.  206.47. When 
practicable, this notification shall be made by facsimile transmission. 
The petitioner shall then serve a copy of the petition, including all 
confidential business information, on the approved lead authorized 
applicants in accord with Sec.  206.17(f) within 2 calendar days of the 
time notification is made by the Secretary.
    (ii) Upon establishment and issuance of the service list, the 
petitioner shall serve the lead authorized applicants enumerated on the 
list established by the Secretary pursuant to Sec.  206.17(a)(4) that 
have not been served pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section 
within 2 calendar days of the establishment and issuance of the 
Secretary's list.
    (2) As the Secretary adds new authorized applicants to the service 
list described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the Secretary shall 
notify the petitioner and issue an amended list, and the petitioner 
shall serve new lead authorized applicants with a copy of the petition 
in the same manner as under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section.
    (3) The petitioner shall serve a copy of the non-confidential 
version of the petition on those persons enumerated on the list 
established by the Secretary pursuant to Sec.  201.11(d) of this chapter 
within 2 calendar days of the establishment and issuance of the 
Secretary's list, and on any additional persons within 2 calendar days 
of receiving notification from the Secretary of an amended list.
    (4) The petitioner shall attest service of the petition by filing a 
certificate of service with the Commission.
    (b) Comment on information. The parties shall have an opportunity to 
file comments on any information disclosed to them after they have filed 
their posthearing brief. Comments shall concern only such information, 
and shall not exceed 15 pages of textual material, double-spaced and on 
single-sided stationery measuring 8\1/2\ x 11 inches. A comment may 
address the accuracy, reliability, or probative value of such 
information by reference to information elsewhere in the record, in 
which case the comment shall identify where in the record such 
information is found. New factual information and arguments based on 
that information shall be disregarded. The date on which such comments 
must be filed will be specified by the Commission when it specifies the 
time that information will be disclosed. The record shall close on the 
date such comments are due, except with respect to changes in bracketing 
of confidential business information permitted by Sec.  206.8(c) of this 
part.

[68 FR 65168, Nov. 19, 2003]



Sec.  206.45  Time for reporting.

    (a) In an investigation under section 406(a) of the Trade Act, the 
Commission will make its report to the President at the earliest 
practical time, but not later than 3 months after the date on which the 
petition is filed, the request or resolution is received, or the motion 
is adopted, as the case may be.
    (b) In an investigation under section 421(b) of the Trade Act, the 
Commission will transmit to the President and

[[Page 93]]

the United States Trade Representative its determination at the earliest 
practicable time, but in no case later than 60 days (or 90 days in the 
case of a petition requesting provisional relief under section 421(i) of 
the Act) after the date on which the petition is filed, the request or 
resolution is received, or the motion is adopted. The Commission will 
transmit its report to the President and the Trade Representative no 
later than 20 days after the transmittal of the determination.
    (c) In an investigation under section 421(b) of the Trade Act in 
which the petition requests provisional relief under section 421(i) of 
the Act, the Commission will transmit to the President and the Trade 
Representative its determination and report with respect to section 
421(i) of the Act no later than 45 days after the petition is filed.
    (d) In an investigation under section 421(o) of the Trade Act, the 
Commission shall transmit to the President a report on its investigation 
and determination not later than 60 days before the action under section 
421(m) of the Trade Act is to terminate.
    (e) Date of filing. Any petition under this subpart E that is filed 
after 12:00 noon shall be deemed to be filed on the next business day.

[67 FR 8192, Feb. 22, 2002, as amended at 70 FR 8511, Feb. 22, 2005]



Sec.  206.46  Public report.

    Upon making a report to the President of the results of an 
investigation to which this subpart E relates, the Commission will make 
such report public (with the exception of information which the 
Commission determines to be confidential) and cause a summary thereof to 
be published in the Federal Register.

[59 FR 5091, Feb. 3, 1994. Redesignated at 67 FR 8191, Feb. 22, 2002]



Sec.  206.47  Limited disclosure of certain confidential business 
information under administrative protective order.

    In an investigation under section 421(b) or (o) of the Trade Act, 
the Secretary shall make confidential business information available to 
authorized applicants, subject to the provisions of Sec.  206.17.

[67 FR 8192, Feb. 22, 2002]



   Subpart F_Monitoring; Advice As to Effect of Extension, Reduction, 
              Modification, or Termination of Relief Action

    Source: 60 FR 10, Jan. 3, 1995, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  206.51  Applicability of subpart.

    This subpart F applies specifically to investigations under section 
204 of the Trade Act. For other applicable rules, see subpart A of this 
part and part 201 of this chapter.



Sec.  206.52  Monitoring.

    (a) In general. As long as any import relief imposed by the 
President pursuant to section 203 of the Trade Act remains in effect, 
the Commission will monitor developments with respect to the domestic 
industry, including the progress and specific efforts made by workers 
and firms in the industry to make a positive adjustment to import 
competition.
    (b) Reports. Whenever the initial period of import relief, or any 
extension thereof, exceeds three (3) years, the Commission will submit a 
report on the results of such monitoring to the President and the 
Congress. Such report will be submitted not later than the date which is 
the mid-point of the initial period of import relief, or any extension 
thereof. In the course of preparing each such report, the Commission 
will hold a hearing at which interested persons will be given a 
reasonable opportunity to be present, to produce evidence, and to be 
heard.
    (c) Limited disclosure of certain confidential business information 
under administrative protective order. Upon receipt of a timely 
application filed by an authorized applicant, the Secretary shall make 
available to an authorized applicant under administrative protective 
order all confidential business information contained in Commission 
memoranda and reports and in written submissions filed with the 
Commission at any time during an investigation under this section with 
respect to an

[[Page 94]]

article that was the subject of an affirmative Commission determination 
under section 202 of the Trade Act (except privileged information, 
classified information, and specific information of a type which there 
is a clear and compelling need to withhold from disclosure). Such 
disclosure shall be made in the manner provided for and in accordance 
with the procedures set forth in Sec.  206.17. The provisions in 
paragraphs (d) and (e) of Sec.  206.17 relating to Commission responses 
to a breach of an administrative protective order and breach procedure 
shall apply with respect to orders issued under this paragraph.

[60 FR 10, Jan. 3, 1995, as amended at 66 FR 32218, June 14, 2001]



Sec.  206.53  Investigations to advise the President as to the probable 
economic effect of reduction, modification, or termination of action.

    Upon the request of the President, the Commission will conduct an 
investigation for the purpose of gathering information in order that it 
might advise the President of its judgment as to the probable economic 
effect on the industry concerned of any reduction, modification, or 
termination of the action taken under section 203 of the Trade Act which 
is under consideration.



Sec.  206.54  Investigations with respect to extension of action.

    (a) Institution of investigations. Upon the request of the 
President, or upon petition on behalf of the industry concerned, the 
Commission will investigate to determine whether an action taken under 
section 203 of the Trade Act continues to be necessary to prevent or 
remedy serious injury and whether there is evidence that the industry is 
making a positive adjustment to import competition.
    (b) Who may file a petition. A petition under this Sec.  206.54 may 
be filed by an entity, including a trade association, firm, certified or 
recognized union, or group of workers, which is representative of the 
industry producing the domestic article concerned in the investigation 
of the Commission which resulted in the imposition by the President of 
the import relief action.
    (c) Time for filing. Any petition filed on behalf of an industry for 
a determination under this Sec.  206.54 must be filed with the 
Commission not earlier than the date which is 9 months, and not later 
than the date which is 6 months, before the date any action taken under 
section 203 of the Trade Act is to terminate.
    (d) Contents of petition. A petition under this Sec.  206.54 shall 
include the following information, to the extent that such information 
is publicly available from governmental or other sources, or best 
estimates and the basis therefor if such information is not available:
    (1) Identification of relief action. An identification of the action 
under section 203, or portion of such action, for which a determination 
under this Sec.  206.54 is sought;
    (2) Representativeness. (i) The names and addresses of the firms 
represented in the petition and/or the firms employing or previously 
employing the workers represented in the petition and the locations of 
their establishments in which the domestic article is produced;
    (ii) The percentage of domestic production of the like or directly 
competitive domestic article that such represented firms and/or workers 
account for and the basis for claiming that such firms and/or workers 
are representative of an industry; and
    (iii) The names and locations of all other producers of the domestic 
article known to the petitioner;
    (3) Import data. Import data on the foreign article concerned for 
each full year since action was taken under section 203 of the Trade 
Act, starting with the year in which action was taken;
    (4) Domestic production data. Data on total U.S. production of the 
domestic article concerned for each year for which data are provided 
pursuant to paragraph (d)(3) of this section;
    (5) Efforts to adjust. Specific information in support of the claim 
that action under section 203 of the Trade Act continues to be necessary 
to prevent or remedy serious injury and that there is evidence that the 
industry is making a positive adjustment to import competition.

[[Page 95]]

    (e) Limited disclosure of certain confidential business information 
under administrative protective order. Upon receipt of a timely 
application filed by an authorized applicant, the Secretary shall make 
available to an authorized applicant under administrative protective 
order all confidential business information contained in Commission 
memoranda and reports and in written submissions filed with the 
Commission at any time during an investigation under this section with 
respect to an article that was the subject of an affirmative Commission 
determination under section 202 of the Trade Act (except privileged 
information, classified information, and specific information of a type 
which there is a clear and compelling need to withhold from disclosure). 
Such disclosure shall be made in the manner provided for and in 
accordance with the procedures set forth in Sec.  206.17. The provisions 
in paragraphs (d) and (e) of Sec.  206.17 relating to Commission 
responses to a breach of an administrative protective order and breach 
procedure shall apply with respect to orders issued under this 
paragraph.
    (f) Time for reporting. The Commission will make its report to the 
President at the earliest practical time, but not later than 60 days 
before the action under section 203 of the Trade Act is to terminate, 
unless the President specifies a different date.
    (g) Public report. Upon making a report to the President of the 
results of an investigation to which this Sec.  206.54 relates, the 
Commission will make such report public (with the exception of 
information which the Commission determines to be confidential) and 
cause a summary thereof to be published in the Federal Register.



Sec.  206.55  Investigations to evaluate the effectiveness of relief.

    (a) Investigation. After any action taken under section 203 has 
terminated, the Commission will conduct an investigation for the purpose 
of evaluating the effectiveness of the relief action in facilitating 
positive adjustment by the domestic industry to import competition, 
consistent with the reasons set out by the President in the report 
submitted to the Congress under section 203(b) of the Trade Act.
    (b) Hearing. In the course of such investigation, the Commission 
will hold a hearing at which interested persons will be given an 
opportunity to be present, to produce evidence, and to be heard.
    (c) Time for reporting. The Commission will submit its report to the 
President and to the Congress by no later than the 180th day after the 
day on which the action terminated.



  Subpart G_Investigations For Action in Response to Trade Diversion; 
                         Reviews of Action Taken

    Source: 67 FR 8192, Feb. 22, 2002, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  206.61  Applicability of subpart.

    The provisions of this subpart G apply to investigations under 
section 422(b) and/or reviews under section 422(j) of the Trade Act. For 
other applicable rules, see subpart A of this part and part 201 of this 
chapter.



Sec.  206.62  Who may file a petition.

    A petition for an investigation under section 422(b) of the Trade 
Act may be filed by an entity, including a trade association, firm, 
certified or recognized union, or group of workers, which is 
representative of an industry.



Sec.  206.63  Contents of petition.

    A petition under section 422(b) of the Trade Act shall include 
specific information in support of the claim that an action described in 
section 422(c) of the Trade Act has caused, or threatens to cause, a 
significant diversion of trade into the domestic market of the United 
States. To comply with that requirement and the requirements in 
paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section, the petition shall include 
all relevant information that is reasonably available to the petitioner 
with due diligence. The petition shall include the following 
information:
    (a) Product description. The name and description of the imported 
product concerned, specifying the United States tariff provision under 
which

[[Page 96]]

such article is classified and the current tariff treatment thereof, and 
the name and description of the domestic product concerned;
    (b) Representativeness. (1) The names and addresses of the firms 
represented in the petition and/or the firms employing or previously 
employing the workers represented in the petition and the locations of 
their establishments in which the domestic product is produced;
    (2) The percentage of domestic production of the domestic product 
that such represented firms and/or workers account for and the basis for 
asserting that petitioner is representative of an industry; and
    (3) The names and locations of all other producers of the domestic 
product known to the petitioner;
    (c) Description of the action. A description of the action or 
actions, as defined in section 422(c) of the Trade Act, that allegedly 
has caused or threatens to cause a significant diversion of trade into 
the domestic market of the United States;
    (d) Trade diversion data. (1) The actual or imminent increase in 
United States market share held by such imports from the People's 
Republic of China;
    (2) The actual or imminent increase in volume of such imports into 
the United States;
    (3) The nature and extent of the action taken or proposed by the WTO 
member concerned;
    (4) The extent of exports from the People's Republic of China to 
that WTO member and to the United States;
    (5) The actual or imminent changes in exports to that WTO member due 
to the action taken or proposed;
    (6) The actual or imminent diversion of exports from the People's 
Republic of China to countries other than the United States;
    (7) Cyclical or seasonal trends in import volumes into the United 
States of the products at issue; and
    (8) Conditions of demand and supply in the United States market for 
the products at issue;
    (e) Import data. Any import data available to the petitioner that 
will aid the Commission in examining, pursuant to section 422(d)(2) of 
the Trade Act, the changes in imports into the United States from the 
People's Republic of China since the time that the WTO member commenced 
the investigation that led to a request for consultations described in 
section 422(a) of the Act; and
    (f) Relief sought and purpose thereof. A statement describing the 
import relief sought under section 422(h) of the Trade Act and the 
purpose thereof.



Sec.  206.64  Institution of investigation or review; publication of notice;
and availability for public inspection.

    (a) Paragraphs (a) and (b) in Sec.  206.3 govern the institution of 
an investigation under section 422(b) of the Act and the publication of 
a Federal Register notice concerning the investigation. Following 
receipt of notification that the WTO member or members involved have 
notified the Committee on Safeguards of the WTO of a modification in the 
action taken by them against the People's Republic of China pursuant to 
consultation referred to in section 422(a) of the Act, the Commission 
will promptly conduct a review under section 422(j) of the Act regarding 
the continued need for action taken under section 422(h) of the Act. The 
Commission also will publish notice of the review in the Federal 
Register.
    (b) The Commission will make available for public inspection the 
notification document that prompted a review under paragraph (a) of this 
section, excluding any confidential business information in the 
document. Paragraph (c) in Sec.  206.3 governs the availability for 
public inspection of a petition, request, resolution, or motion that 
prompted the Commission to institute an investigation under section 
422(b) of the Act.



Sec.  206.65  Public hearing.

    Public hearings in investigations under section 422(b) of the Act 
are provided for in Sec.  206.5(b).



Sec.  206.66  Limited disclosure of certain confidential business 
information under administrative protective order.

    In an investigation under section 422(b) of the Trade Act, the 
Secretary

[[Page 97]]

shall make confidential business information available to authorized 
applicants, subject to the provisions of Sec.  206.17.



Sec.  206.67  Time for determination and report.

    (a) In an investigation under section 422(b) of the Trade Act, the 
Commission will transmit its determination under that section of the Act 
to the President and the Trade Representative at the earliest practical 
time, but not later than 45 days after the date on which the petition is 
filed, the request or resolution is received, or the motion is adopted, 
as the case may be. The Commission shall issue and transmit its report 
on the determination not later than 10 days after the determination is 
issued.
    (b) In a review under section 422(j) of the Trade Act, the 
Commission will report its determination to the President not later than 
60 days after the notification described in that section of the Act.



Sec.  206.68  Public report.

    Upon making a report to the President of the results of an 
investigation under section 422(b) or a review under section 422(j) of 
the Trade Act, the Commission will make such report public (with the 
exception of information which the Commission determines to be 
confidential) and cause a summary thereof to be published in the Federal 
Register.



  PART 207_INVESTIGATIONS OF WHETHER INJURY TO DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES RESULTS
  FROM IMPORTS SOLD AT LESS THAN FAIR VALUE OR FROM SUBSIDIZED EXPORTS 
  TO THE UNITED STATES--Table of Contents



Sec.
207.1 Applicability of part.

                      Subpart A_General Provisions

207.2 Definitions applicable to part 207.
207.3 Service, filing, and certification of documents.
207.4 The record.
207.5 Ex parte meetings.
207.6 [Reserved]
207.7 Limited disclosure of certain business proprietary information 
          under administrative protective order.
207.8 Questionnaires to have the force of subpoenas; subpoena 
          enforcement.

                  Subpart B_Preliminary Determinations

207.10 Filing of petition with the Commission.
207.11 Contents of petition.
207.12 Notice of preliminary phase of investigation.
207.13 Cooperation with administering authority; preliminary phase of 
          investigation.
207.14 Negative petition determination.
207.15 Written briefs and conference.
207.16 [Reserved]
207.17 Staff report.
207.18 Notice of preliminary determination.

        Subpart C_Final Determinations, Short Life Cycle Products

207.20 Investigative activity following preliminary determination.
207.21 Final phase notice of scheduling.
207.22 Prehearing and final staff reports.
207.23 Prehearing brief.
207.24 Hearing.
207.25 Posthearing briefs.
207.26 Statements by nonparties.
207.27 Short life cycle products.
207.28 Anticircumvention.
207.29 Publication of notice of determination.
207.30 Comment on information.

     Subpart D_Terminated, Suspended, and Continued Investigations, 
 Investigations to Review Negotiated Agreements, and Investigations To 
                    Review Outstanding Determinations

207.40 Termination and suspension of investigation.
207.41 Commission review of agreements to eliminate the injurious effect 
          of subsidized imports or imports sold at less than fair value.
207.42 Investigation continued upon request.
207.43 [Reserved]
207.44 Consolidation of investigations.
207.45 Investigation to review outstanding determination.
207.46 Investigations concerning certain countervailing duty orders.

                        Subpart E_Judicial Review

207.50 Judicial review.
207.51 Judicial review of denial of application for disclosure of 
          certain business proprietary information under administrative 
          protective order.

[[Page 98]]

                       Subpart F_Five-Year Reviews

207.60 Definitions.
207.61 Responses to notice of institution.
207.62 Rulings on adequacy and nature of Commission review.
207.63 Circulation of draft questionnaires.
207.64 Staff reports.
207.65 Prehearing briefs.
207.66 Hearing.
207.67 Posthearing briefs and statements.
207.68 Final comments on information.
207.69 Publication of determinations.

 Subpart G_Implementing Regulations for the United States-Mexico-Canada 
                                Agreement

207.90 Scope.
207.91 Definitions.
207.92 Procedures for commencing review of final determinations.
207.93 Protection of proprietary information during panel and committee 
          proceedings.
207.94 Protection of privileged information during panel and committee 
          proceedings.

 Procedures for Imposing Sanctions for Violation of the Provisions of a 
     Protective Order Issued During Panel and Committee Proceedings

207.100 Sanctions.
207.101 Reporting of prohibited act and commencement of investigation.
207.102 Initiation of proceedings.
207.103 Charging letter.
207.104 Response to charging letter.
207.105 Confidentiality.
207.106 Interim measures.
207.107 Motions.
207.108 Preliminary conference.
207.109 Discovery.
207.110 Subpoenas.
207.111 Prehearing conference.
207.112 Hearings.
207.113 The record.
207.114 Initial determination.
207.115 Petition for review.
207.116 Commission review on its own motion.
207.117 Review by Commission.
207.118 Role of the General Counsel in advising the Commission.
207.119 Reconsideration.
207.120 Public notice of sanctions.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1335, 1671-1677n, 2482, 3513, 4582.

    Source: 44 FR 76468, Dec. 26, 1979, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  207.1  Applicability of part.

    Part 207 applies to proceedings of the Commission under section 516A 
and title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1303, 1516A and 1671-
1677n) (the Act), other than investigations under section 783 (19 U.S.C. 
1677n), which will be conducted pursuant to procedures specified by the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative.

[61 FR 37829, July 22, 1996]



                      Subpart A_General Provisions

    Source: 56 FR 11923, Mar. 21, 1991, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  207.2  Definitions applicable to part 207.

    For the purposes of this part, the following terms have the meanings 
hereby assigned to them:
    (a) The term the Act means: The Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.
    (b) The term administering authority means: The Secretary of 
Commerce, or any other officer of the United States to whom the 
responsibility for carrying out the duties of the administering 
authority under section 303 or title VII of the Act is transferred by 
law.
    (c) The term Director means: The incumbent Commission Director or 
Acting Director, Office of Operations, or, in the absence of either, a 
person designated by the Director.
    (d) The term ex parte meeting means: Any communication between
    (1) Any interested party or other person providing factual 
information in connection with an investigation, and
    (2) Any Commissioner, or member of a Commissioner's staff, in which 
less than all parties participate, and which is not a hearing or 
conference for which an opportunity to participate is given to the 
parties.
    (e) The term injury means: Material injury or threat of material 
injury to an industry in the United States, or material retardation of 
the establishment of an industry in the United States, by reason of 
imports into the United States of subject merchandise which is found by 
the administering authority to be subsidized, or sold, or likely to be 
sold, at less than its fair value.
    (f) The term record means:
    (1) All information presented to or obtained by the Commission 
during the course of an investigation, including

[[Page 99]]

completed questionnaires, any information obtained from the 
administering authority, written communications from any person filed 
with the Secretary, staff reports, all governmental memoranda pertaining 
to the case, and the record of ex parte meetings required to be kept 
pursuant to section 777(a)(3) of the Act; and
    (2) A copy of all Commission orders and determinations, all 
transcripts or records of conferences or hearings, and all notices 
published in the Federal Register concerning the investigation.
    (g) The term coalition or trade association as used in an 
investigation referred to in section 771(9)(G) of the Act means a 
coalition or trade association which is representative of domestic 
processors, domestic processors and producers, or domestic processors 
and growers.

[44 FR 76468, Dec. 26, 1979, as amended at 60 FR 21, Jan. 3, 1995]



Sec.  207.3  Service, filing, and certification of documents.

    (a) Certification. Any person submitting factual information on 
behalf of the petitioner or any other interested party for inclusion in 
the record, and any person submitting a response to a Commission 
questionnaire, must certify that such information is accurate and 
complete to the best of the submitter's knowledge.
    (b) Service. Any party submitting a document for inclusion in the 
record of the investigation shall, in addition to complying with Sec.  
201.8 of this chapter, serve a copy of each such document on all other 
parties to the investigation in the manner prescribed in Sec.  201.16 of 
this chapter. If a document is filed before the Secretary's issuance of 
the service list provided for in Sec.  201.11 of this chapter or the 
administrative protective order list provided for in Sec.  207.7, the 
document need not be accompanied by a certificate of service, but the 
document shall be served on all appropriate parties within two (2) days 
of the issuance of the service list or the administrative protective 
order list and a certificate of service shall then be filed. 
Notwithstanding Sec.  201.16 of this chapter, petitions, briefs, 
requests to close a portion of the hearing, comments on requests to 
close a portion of the hearing, and testimony filed by parties pursuant 
to Sec. Sec.  207.10, 207.15, 207.23, 207.24, 207.25, 207.65, 207.66, 
and 207.67, shall be served by hand or, if served by mail, by overnight 
mail or its equivalent. Failure to comply with the requirements of this 
rule may result in removal from status as a party to the investigation. 
The Commission shall make available to all parties to the investigation 
a copy of each document, except transcripts of conferences and hearings, 
business proprietary information, privileged information, and 
information required to be served under this section, placed in the 
record of the investigation by the Commission.
    (c) Filing. Documents to be filed with the Commission must comply 
with applicable rules, including Sec.  201.8 of this chapter. If the 
Commission establishes a deadline for the filing of a document, and the 
submitter includes business proprietary information in the document, the 
submitter is to file and, if the submitter is a party, serve the 
business proprietary version of the document on the deadline and may 
file and serve the nonbusiness proprietary version of the document no 
later than one business day after the deadline for filing the document. 
The business proprietary version shall enclose all business proprietary 
information in brackets and have the following warning marked on every 
page: ``Bracketing of BPI not final for one business day after date of 
filing.'' The bracketing becomes final one business day after the date 
of filing of the document, i.e., at the same time as the nonbusiness 
proprietary version of the document is due to be filed. Until the 
bracketing becomes final, recipients of the document may not divulge any 
part of the contents of the document to anyone not subject to the 
administrative protective order issued in the investigation. If the 
submitter discovers it has failed to bracket correctly, the submitter 
may file a corrected version or portion of the business proprietary 
document at the same time as the nonbusiness proprietary version is 
filed. No changes, including typographical changes, to the document 
other than bracketing and deletion of business proprietary information 
are permitted

[[Page 100]]

after the deadline unless an extension of time is granted to file an 
amended document pursuant to Sec.  201.14(b)(2) of this chapter. Failure 
to comply with this paragraph may result in the striking from the record 
of all or a portion of a submitter's document.

[44 FR 76468, Dec. 26, 1979, as amended at 61 FR 37829, July 22, 1996; 
63 FR 30607, June 5, 1998; 70 FR 8511, Feb. 22, 2005]



Sec.  207.4  The record.

    (a) Maintenance of the record. The Secretary shall maintain the 
record of each investigation conducted by the Commission pursuant to 
title VII of the Act. The record shall be maintained contemporaneously 
with each actual filing in the record. It shall be divided into public 
and nonpublic sections. The Secretary shall also maintain a 
contemporaneous index of all materials filed in the record. All material 
properly filed with the Secretary shall be placed in the record. The 
Commission need not consider in its determinations or include in the 
record any material that is not filed with the Secretary. All material 
which is placed in the record shall be maintained in the public record, 
with the exception of material which is privileged, or which is business 
proprietary information submitted in accordance with Sec.  201.6 of this 
chapter. Privileged and business proprietary material shall be 
maintained in the nonpublic record.
    (b) Audits. The Commission may in its discretion verify information 
received in the course of an investigation. To the extent a verification 
results in new or different information, the Commission shall place such 
information on the record.
    (c) Materials provided by the administering authority. Materials 
received by the Commission from the administering authority shall be 
placed on the Commission's record and shall be designated by the 
Commission as public or nonpublic in conformity with the applicable 
designation of the administering authority. Any requests to the 
Commission either to permit access to such materials or to release such 
materials shall be referred to the administering authority for its 
advice.

[44 FR 76468, Dec. 26, 1979, as amended at 61 FR 37829, July 22, 1996]



Sec.  207.5  Ex parte meetings.

    There shall be included in the record of each investigation a record 
of ex parte meetings as required by section 777(a)(3) of the Act. The 
record of each ex parte meeting shall include the identity of the 
persons present at the meeting, the date, time, and place of the 
meeting, and a summary of the matters discussed or submitted.



Sec.  207.6  [Reserved]



Sec.  207.7  Limited disclosure of certain business proprietary information
under administrative protective order.

    (a)(1) Disclosure. Upon receipt of a timely application filed by an 
authorized applicant, as defined in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, 
which describes in general terms the information requested, and sets 
forth the reasons for the request (e.g., all business proprietary 
information properly disclosed pursuant to this section for the purpose 
of representing an interested party in investigations pending before the 
Commission), the Secretary shall make available all business proprietary 
information contained in Commission memoranda and reports and in written 
submissions filed with the Commission at any time during the 
investigation (except nondisclosable confidential business information) 
to the authorized applicant under an administrative protective order 
described in paragraph (b) of this section. The term ``business 
proprietary information'' has the same meaning as the term 
``confidential business information'' as defined in Sec.  201.6 of this 
chapter.
    (2) Application. An application under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section must be made by an authorized applicant on a form adopted by the 
Secretary or a photocopy thereof. A signed application shall be filed 
electronically. An application on behalf of a petitioner, a respondent, 
or another party must be made no later than the time that entries of 
appearance are due pursuant to Sec.  201.11 of this chapter. In the 
event that two or more authorized applicants represent one interested 
party who is a party to the investigation, the authorized applicants 
must select one of their

[[Page 101]]

number to be lead authorized applicant. The lead authorized applicant's 
application must be filed no later than the time that entries of 
appearance are due. Provided that the application is accepted, the lead 
authorized applicant shall be served with business proprietary 
information pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section. The other 
authorized applicants representing the same party may file their 
applications after the deadline for entries of appearance but at least 
five days before the deadline for filing posthearing briefs in the 
investigation, or the deadline for filing briefs in the preliminary 
phase of an investigation, or the deadline for filing submissions in a 
remanded investigation, and shall not be served with business 
proprietary information.
    (3) Authorized applicant. (i) Only an authorized applicant may file 
an application under this subsection. An authorized applicant is:
    (A) An attorney for an interested party which is a party to the 
investigation;
    (B) A consultant or expert under the direction and control of a 
person under paragraph (a)(3)(i)(A) of this section;
    (C) A consultant or expert who appears regularly before the 
Commission and who represents an interested party which is a party to 
the investigation; or
    (D) A representative of an interested party which is a party to the 
investigation, if such interested party is not represented by counsel.
    (ii) In addition, an authorized applicant must not be involved in 
competitive decisionmaking for an interested party which is a party to 
the investigation. Involvement in ``competitive decisionmaking'' 
includes past, present, or likely future activities, associations, and 
relationships with an interested party which is a party to the 
investigation that involve the prospective authorized applicant's advice 
or participation in any of such party's decisions made in light of 
similar or corresponding information about a competitor (pricing, 
product design, etc.).
    (4) Forms and determinations. (i) The Secretary may adopt, from time 
to time, forms for submitting requests for disclosure pursuant to an 
administrative protective order incorporating the terms of this rule. 
The Secretary shall determine whether the requirements for release of 
information under this rule have been satisfied. This determination 
shall be made concerning specific business proprietary information as 
expeditiously as possible but in no event later than fourteen (14) days 
from the filing of the information, or seven (7) days in the preliminary 
phase of an investigation, except if the submitter of the information 
objects to its release or the information is unusually voluminous or 
complex, in which case the determination shall be made within thirty 
(30) days from the filing of the information, or ten (10) days in the 
preliminary phase of an investigation. The Secretary shall establish a 
list of parties whose applications have been granted. The Secretary's 
determination shall be final for purposes of review by the U.S. Court of 
International Trade under section 777(c)(2) of the Act.
    (ii) Should the Secretary determine pursuant to this section that 
materials sought to be protected from public disclosure by a person do 
not constitute business proprietary information or were not required to 
be served under paragraph (f) of this section, then the Secretary shall, 
upon request, issue an order on behalf of the Commission requiring the 
return of all copies of such materials served in accordance with 
paragraph (f) of this section.
    (iii) The Secretary shall release business proprietary information 
only to an authorized applicant whose application has been accepted and 
who presents the application along with adequate personal 
identification; or a person described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this 
section who presents a copy of the statement referred to in that 
paragraph along with adequate personal identification.
    (iv) An authorized applicant granted access to business proprietary 
information in the preliminary phase of an investigation may, subject to 
paragraph (c) of this section, retain such business proprietary 
information during any final phase of that investigation, provided that 
the authorized applicant has not lost his authorized applicant status 
(e.g., by terminating his representation of an interested party who is a 
party). When retaining business proprietary

[[Page 102]]

information pursuant to this paragraph, the authorized applicant need 
not file a new application in the final phase of the investigation.
    (b) Administrative protective order. The administrative protective 
order under which information is made available to the authorized 
applicant shall require the applicant to submit to the Secretary a 
personal sworn statement that, in addition to such other conditions as 
the Secretary may require, the applicant shall:
    (1) Not divulge any of the business proprietary information obtained 
under the administrative protective order and not otherwise available to 
the applicant, to any person other than
    (i) Personnel of the Commission concerned with the investigation,
    (ii) The person or agency from whom the business proprietary 
information was obtained,
    (iii) A person whose application for access to business proprietary 
information under the administrative protective order has been granted 
by the Secretary, and
    (iv) Other persons, such as paralegals and clerical staff, who are 
employed or supervised by the authorized applicant; who have a need 
thereof in connection with the investigation; who are not involved in 
competitive decision making for an interested party which is a party to 
the investigation; and who have signed a statement in a form approved by 
the Secretary that they agree to be bound by the administrative 
protective order (the authorized applicant shall be responsible for 
retention and accuracy of such forms and shall be deemed responsible for 
such persons' compliance with the administrative protective order);
    (2) Use such business proprietary information solely for the 
purposes of representing an interested party in the Commission 
investigation then in progress or during judicial or other review of 
such Commission investigation;
    (3) Not consult with any person not described in paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section concerning such business proprietary information without 
first having received the written consent of the Secretary and the party 
or the attorney of the party from whom such business proprietary 
information was obtained;
    (4) Whenever materials (e.g., documents, computer disks, etc.) 
containing such business proprietary information are not being used, 
store such material in a locked file cabinet, vault, safe, or other 
suitable container;
    (5) Serve all materials containing business proprietary information 
as directed by the Secretary and pursuant to paragraph (f) of this 
section;
    (6) Transmit all materials containing business proprietary 
information with a cover sheet identifying the materials as containing 
business proprietary information;
    (7) Comply with the provisions of this section;
    (8) Make true and accurate representations in the authorized 
applicant's application and promptly notify the Secretary of any changes 
that occur after the submission of the application and that affect the 
representations made in the application (e.g., change in personnel 
assigned to the investigation);
    (9) Report promptly and confirm in writing to the Secretary any 
breach of the administrative protective order; and
    (10) Acknowledge that breach of the administrative protective order 
may subject the authorized applicant to such sanctions or other actions 
as the Commission deems appropriate.
    (c) Final disposition of material released under administrative 
protective order. At such date as the Secretary may determine 
appropriate for particular data, each authorized applicant shall return 
or destroy all copies of materials released to authorized applicants 
pursuant to this section and all other materials containing business 
proprietary information, such as charts or notes based on any such 
information received under administrative protective order, and file 
with the Secretary a certificate attesting to his personal, good faith 
belief that all copies of such material have been returned or destroyed 
and no copies of such material have been made available to any person to 
whom disclosure was not specifically authorized.
    (d) Commission responses to a breach of administrative protective 
order. A breach

[[Page 103]]

of an administrative protective order may subject an offender to:
    (1) Disbarment from practice in any capacity before the Commission 
along with such person's partners, associates, employer, and employees, 
for up to seven years following publication of a determination that the 
order has been breached;
    (2) Referral to the United States Attorney;
    (3) In the case of an attorney, accountant, or other professional, 
referral to the ethics panel of the appropriate professional 
association;
    (4) Such other administrative sanctions as the Commission determines 
to be appropriate, including public release of or striking from the 
record any information or briefs submitted by, or on behalf of, the 
offender or the party represented by the offender, denial of further 
access to business proprietary information in the current or any future 
investigations before the Commission, and issuance of a public or 
private letter of reprimand; and
    (5) Such other actions, including but not limited to, a warning 
letter, as the Commission determines to be appropriate.
    (e) Breach investigation procedure. (1) The Commission shall 
determine whether any person has violated an administrative protective 
order, and may impose sanctions or other actions in accordance with 
paragraph (d) of this section. At any time within sixty (60) days of the 
later of the date on which the alleged violation occurred or, as 
determined by the Commission, could have been discovered through the 
exercise of reasonable and ordinary care, or the completion of an 
investigation conducted under subpart B or C of this part, the 
Commission may commence an investigation of any breach of an 
administrative protective order alleged to have occurred at any time 
during the pendency of the investigation, including all appeals, 
remands, and subsequent appeals. Whenever the Commission has reason to 
believe that a person may have breached an administrative protective 
order issued pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall issue a 
letter informing such person that the Commission has reason to believe a 
breach has occurred and that the person has a reasonable opportunity to 
present his views on whether a breach has occurred. If subsequently the 
Commission determines that a breach has occurred and that further 
investigation is warranted, the Secretary shall issue a letter informing 
such person of that determination and that the person has a reasonable 
opportunity to present his views on whether mitigating circumstances 
exist and on the appropriate sanction to be imposed, but no longer on 
whether a breach has occurred. Once such person has been afforded a 
reasonable opportunity to present his views, the Commission shall 
determine what sanction if any to impose.
    (2) Where the sanction imposed is a private letter of reprimand, the 
Secretary shall expunge the sanction from the recipient's record two (2) 
years from the date of issuance of the sanction, provided that
    (i) The recipient has not received another unexpunged sanction 
pursuant to this section at any time prior to the end of the two year 
period, and
    (ii) The recipient is not the subject of an investigation for 
possible breach of administrative protective order under this section at 
the end of the two year period. Upon the completion of such a pending 
breach investigation without the issuance of a sanction, the original 
sanction shall be expunged. The Secretary shall notify a sanction 
recipient in the event that the sanction is expunged.
    (f) Service. (1) Any party filing written submissions which include 
business proprietary information to the Commission during an 
investigation shall at the same time serve complete copies of such 
submissions upon all authorized applicants specified on the list 
established by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section, and, except as provided in Sec.  207.3, a nonbusiness 
proprietary version on all other parties. All such submissions must be 
accompanied by a certificate attesting that complete copies of the 
submission have been properly served. In the event that a submission is 
filed before the Secretary's list is established, the document need not 
be accompanied by a certificate of service, but the submission shall be 
served within two (2) days

[[Page 104]]

of the establishment of the list and a certificate of service shall then 
be filed.
    (2) If a party's request under paragraph (g) of this section is 
granted, the Secretary shall accept the nondisclosable confidential 
business information into the record. The party shall serve the 
submission containing such information in accordance with the 
requirements of Sec.  207.3(b) and paragraph (f)(1) of this section, 
with the information redacted from the copies served.
    (3) The Secretary shall not accept for filing into the record of an 
investigation submissions filed without a proper certificate of service. 
Failure to comply with paragraph (f) of this section may result in 
denial of party status and such sanctions as the Commission deems 
appropriate. Business proprietary information in submissions must be 
dealt with as required by Sec.  207.3(c).
    (g) Exemption from disclosure--(1) In general. Any person may 
request exemption from the disclosure of business proprietary 
information under administrative protective order, whether the person 
desires to include such information in a petition filed under Sec.  
207.10, or any other submission to the Commission during the course of 
an investigation. Such a request shall only be granted if the Secretary 
finds that such information is nondisclosable confidential business 
information. As defined in Sec.  201.6(a)(2) of this chapter, 
nondisclosable confidential business information is privileged 
information, classified information, or specific information (e.g., 
trade secrets) of a type for which there is a clear and compelling need 
to withhold from disclosure. The request will be granted or denied not 
later than thirty (30) days (ten (10) days in a preliminary phase 
investigation) after the date on which the request is filed.
    (2) Request for exemption. A request for exemption from disclosure 
must be filed with the Secretary in writing with the reasons therefor. 
At the same time as the request is filed, one copy of the business 
proprietary information in question must be lodged with the Secretary 
solely for the purpose of obtaining a determination as to the request. 
The business proprietary information for which exemption from disclosure 
is sought shall remain the property of the requester, and shall not 
become or be incorporated into any agency record until such time as the 
request is granted. A request should, when possible, be filed two 
business days prior to the deadline, if any, for filing the document in 
which the information for which exemption from disclosure is sought is 
proposed to be included. If the request is denied, the copy of the 
information lodged with the Secretary shall promptly be returned to the 
requester. Such a request shall only be granted if the Secretary finds 
that such information is privileged information, classified information, 
or specific information of a type for which there is a clear and 
compelling need to withhold from disclosure. The Secretary shall 
promptly notify the requester as to whether the request has been 
approved or denied.
    (3) Procedure if request is approved. If the request is approved, 
the person shall file three versions of the submission containing the 
nondisclosable confidential business information in question. One 
version shall contain all business proprietary information, bracketed in 
accordance with Sec.  201.6 of this chapter and Sec.  207.3. The other 
two versions shall conform to and be filed in accordance with the 
requirements of Sec.  201.6 of this chapter and Sec.  207.3, except that 
the specific information as to which exemption from disclosure was 
granted shall be redacted from the submission.
    (4) Procedure if request is denied. If the request is denied, the 
copy of the information lodged with the Secretary shall promptly be 
returned to the requester. The requester may file the submission in 
question without that information, in accordance with the requirements 
of Sec.  207.3.

[44 FR 76468, Dec. 26, 1979, as amended at 59 FR 66723, Dec. 28, 1994; 
61 FR 37829, July 22, 1996; 68 FR 32978, June 3, 2003; 70 FR 8512, Feb. 
22, 2005; 76 FR 61942, Oct. 6, 2011]



Sec.  207.8  Questionnaires to have the force of subpoenas; 
subpoena enforcement.

    Any questionnaire issued by the Commission in connection with any 
investigation under title VII of the Act

[[Page 105]]

may be issued as a subpoena and subscribed by a Commissioner, after 
which it shall have the force and effect of a subpoena authorized by the 
Commission. Whenever any party or any other person fails to respond 
adequately to such a subpoena or whenever a party or any other person 
refuses or is unable to produce information requested in a timely manner 
and in the form required, or otherwise significantly impedes an 
investigation, the Commission may:
    (a) Use the facts otherwise available in making its determination;
    (b) Seek judicial enforcement of the subpoena pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 
1333;
    (c) Make inferences adverse to such person's position, if such 
person is an interested party that has failed to cooperate by not acting 
to the best of its ability to comply with a request for information; and
    (d) Take such other actions as necessary to obtain needed 
information.

[61 FR 37831, July 22, 1996]



                  Subpart B_Preliminary Determinations

    Source: 56 FR 11927, Mar. 21, 1991, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  207.10  Filing of petition with the Commission.

    (a) Filing of the petition. Any interested party who files a 
petition with the administering authority pursuant to section 702(b) or 
section 732(b) of the Act in a case in which a Commission determination 
under title VII of the Act is required, shall file copies of the 
petition and all exhibits, appendices, and attachments thereto, pursuant 
to Sec.  201.8 of this chapter, with the Secretary on the same day the 
petition is filed with the administering authority. A paper original and 
eight (8) true paper copies of a petition shall be filed. One copy of 
all exhibits, appendices, and attachments to the petition shall be filed 
in electronic form on CD-ROM, DVD, or other portable electronic format 
approved by the Secretary. Petitioners also must file one unbound copy 
of the petition (the unbound copy of the petition may be stapled or held 
together by means of a clip). If the petition complies with the 
provisions of Sec.  207.11, it shall be deemed to be properly filed on 
the date on which the requisite number of copies of the petition is 
received by the Secretary, provided that, if the petition is filed with 
the Secretary after 12:00 noon, eastern time, the petition shall be 
deemed filed on the next business day. Notwithstanding Sec.  207.11 of 
this chapter, a petitioner need not file an entry of appearance in the 
investigation instituted upon the filing of its petition, which shall be 
deemed an entry of appearance.
    (b) Service of the petition. (1)(i) The Secretary shall promptly 
notify a petitioner when, before the establishment of a service list 
under Sec.  207.7(a)(4), he or she approves an application under Sec.  
207.7(a). When practicable, this notification shall be made by facsimile 
transmission. A copy of the petition including all business proprietary 
information shall then be served by petitioner on those approved 
applicants in accord with Sec.  207.3(b) within two (2) calendar days of 
the time notification is made by the Secretary.
    (ii) The petitioner shall serve persons enumerated on the list 
established by the Secretary pursuant to Sec.  207.7(a)(4) that have not 
been served pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section within two 
(2) calendar days of the establishment of the Secretary's list.
    (2) A copy of the petition omitting business proprietary information 
shall be served by petitioner on those persons enumerated on the list 
established by the Secretary pursuant to Sec.  201.11(d) of this chapter 
within two (2) calendar days of the establishment of the Secretary's 
list.
    (3) Service of the petition shall be attested by filing a 
certificate of service with the Commission.
    (c) Amendments and withdrawals; critical circumstances. (1) Any 
amendment or withdrawal of a petition shall be filed on the same day 
with both the Secretary and the administering authority, without regard 
to whether the requester seeks action only by one agency.
    (2) When not made in the petition, any allegations of critical 
circumstances under section 703 or section 733 of the Act shall be made 
in an

[[Page 106]]

amendment to the petition and shall be filed as early as possible. 
Critical circumstances allegations, whether made in the petition or in 
an amendment thereto, shall contain information reasonably available to 
petitioner concerning the factors enumerated in sections 705(b)(4)(A) 
and 735(b)(4)(A) of the Act.

[61 FR 37831, July 22, 1996, as amended at 70 FR 8512, Feb. 22, 2005; 76 
FR 61942, Oct. 6, 2011; 79 FR 35924, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  207.11  Contents of petition.

    (a) The petition shall be signed by the petitioner or its duly 
authorized officer, attorney, or agent, and shall set forth the name, 
address, and telephone number of the petitioner and any such officer, 
attorney, or agent, and the names of all representatives of petitioner 
who will appear in the investigation.
    (b)(1) The petition shall allege the elements necessary for the 
imposition of a duty under section 701(a) or section 731(a) of the Act 
and contain information reasonably available to the petitioner 
supporting the allegations.
    (2) The petition shall also include the following specific 
information, to the extent reasonably available to the petitioner:
    (i) Identification of the domestic like product(s) proposed by 
petitioner;
    (ii) A listing of all U.S. producers of the proposed domestic like 
product(s), including a street address, phone number, and contact 
person(s) with email address(es) for each producer;
    (iii) A listing of all U.S. importers of the subject merchandise, 
including street addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers for each 
importer.
    (iv) Identification of each product on which the petitioner requests 
the Commission to seek pricing information in its questionnaires; and
    (v) A listing of the main purchasers from which each petitioning 
firm experienced lost sales or lost revenue by reason of the subject 
merchandise during a period covering the three most recently completed 
calendar years and that portion of the current calendar year for which 
information is reasonably available. For each named purchaser, 
petitioners must provide the email address of the specific contact 
person, 5-digit zip code, and the information identified in the template 
spreadsheet specified in the Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures. 
Petitioners must certify that all lost sales or lost revenue allegations 
identified in the petition will also be submitted electronically in the 
manner specified in the Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures.
    (3) The petition shall contain a certification that each item of 
information specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section that the 
petition does not include was not reasonably available to the 
petitioner.
    (4) Petitioners are also advised to refer to the administering 
authority's regulations concerning the contents of petitions.

[61 FR 37831, July 22, 1996, as amended at 79 FR 35924, June 25, 2014; 
80 FR 52618, Sept. 1, 2015]



Sec.  207.12  Notice of preliminary phase of investigation.

    Upon receipt by the Commission of a petition under Sec.  207.10 or 
receipt of notice that the administering authority has commenced an 
investigation under section 702(a) or section 732(a) of the Act, the 
Director shall, as soon as practicable after consultation with the 
administering authority, institute an investigation and commence the 
preliminary phase of the investigation under section 703(a) or section 
733(a) of the Act and shall publish a notice to that effect in the 
Federal Register.

[61 FR 37832, July 22, 1996]



Sec.  207.13  Cooperation with administering authority; preliminary 
phase of investigation.

    Subsequent to institution of an investigation pursuant to section 
207.12, the Director shall conduct such investigation as the Director 
deems appropriate. Information adduced in the investigation shall be 
placed on the record. The Director shall cooperate with the 
administering authority in its determination of the sufficiency of a 
petition and in its decision whether to permit any proposed amendment to 
a petition. Notwithstanding Sec. Sec.  201.11(c) and 201.14(b) of this 
chapter, late filings

[[Page 107]]

in the preliminary phase of an investigation shall be referred to the 
Director, who shall determine whether to accept such filing for good 
cause shown by the person making the filing.

[61 FR 37832, July 22, 1996]



Sec.  207.14  Negative petition determination.

    Upon receipt by the Commission of notice from the administering 
authority under section 702(d) or section 732(d) of the Act that the 
administering authority has made a negative petition determination under 
section 702(c)(3) or section 732(c)(3) of the Act, the investigation 
begun pursuant to Sec.  207.12 shall terminate. All persons who have 
received requests for information from the Director shall be notified of 
the termination.

[61 FR 37832, July 22, 1996]



Sec.  207.15  Written briefs and conference.

    Each party may submit to the Commission on or before a date 
specified in the notice of investigation issued pursuant to 207.12 a 
written brief containing information and arguments pertinent to the 
subject matter of the investigation. Briefs shall be signed, shall 
include a table of contents, and shall contain no more than fifty (50) 
double-spaced and single-sided pages of textual material, and shall be 
filed electronically, and nine (9) true paper copies shall be submitted 
on the same business day (on paper measuring 8.5 x 11 inches, double-
spaced and single-sided). Any person not a party may submit a brief 
written statement of information pertinent to the investigation within 
the time specified and the same manner specified for the filing of 
briefs. In addition, the presiding official may permit persons to file 
within a specified time answers to questions or requests made by the 
Commission's staff. If he deems it appropriate, the Director shall hold 
a conference. The conference, if any, shall be held in accordance with 
the procedures in Sec.  201.13 of this chapter, except that in 
connection with its presentation a party may provide written witness 
testimony at the conference; if written testimony is provided, nine (9) 
true paper copies shall be submitted. The Director may request the 
appearance of witnesses, take testimony, and administer oaths.

[79 FR 35924, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  207.16  [Reserved]



Sec.  207.17  Staff report.

    Prior to the Commission's preliminary determination, the Director 
shall submit to the Commission a staff report. A public version of the 
staff report shall be made available to the public after the 
Commission's preliminary determination and a business proprietary 
version shall also be made available to persons authorized to receive 
business proprietary information under Sec.  207.7.



Sec.  207.18  Notice of preliminary determination.

    Whenever the Commission makes a preliminary determination, the 
Secretary shall serve copies of the determination and a public version 
of the staff report on the petitioner, other parties to the 
investigation, and the administering authority. The Secretary shall 
publish a notice of such determination in the Federal Register. If the 
Commission's determination is negative, or that imports are negligible, 
the investigation shall be terminated. If the Commission's determination 
is affirmative, the notice shall announce commencement of the final 
phase of the investigation.

[61 FR 37832, July 22, 1996]



        Subpart C_Final Determinations, Short Life Cycle Products

    Source: 56 FR 11928, Mar. 21, 1991, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  207.20  Investigative activity following preliminary determination.

    (a) If the Commission's preliminary determination is affirmative, 
the Director shall continue investigative activities pending notice by 
the administering authority of its preliminary determination under 
section 703(b) or section 733(b) of the Act.
    (b) The Director shall circulate draft questionnaires for the final 
phase of an

[[Page 108]]

investigation to parties to the investigation for comment. Any party 
desiring to comment on draft questionnaires shall submit such comments 
in writing to the Commission within a time specified by the Director. 
All requests for collecting new information shall be presented at this 
time. The Commission will disregard subsequent requests for collection 
of new information absent a showing that there is a compelling need for 
the information and that the information could not have been requested 
in the comments on the draft questionnaires.

[61 FR 37832, July 22, 1996, as amended at 79 FR 35925, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  207.21  Final phase notice of scheduling.

    (a) Notice from the administering authority of an affirmative 
preliminary determination under section 703(b) or section 733(b) of the 
Act and notice from the administering authority of an affirmative final 
determination under section 705(a) or section 735(a) of the Act shall be 
deemed to occur on the date on which the transmittal letter of such 
determination is received by the Secretary from the administering 
authority or the date on which notice of such determination is published 
in the Federal Register, whichever shall first occur.
    (b) Upon receipt of notice from the administering authority of an 
affirmative preliminary determination under section 703(b) or section 
733(b) of the Act or, if the administering authority's preliminary 
determination is negative, notice of an affirmative final determination 
under section 705(a) or section 735(a) of the Act, the Commission shall 
publish in the Federal Register a Final Phase Notice of Scheduling.
    (c) If the administering authority's preliminary determination is 
negative, the Director shall continue such investigative activities as 
the Director deems appropriate pending a final determination by the 
administering authority under section 705(a) or section 735(a) of the 
Act.
    (d) Upon receipt by the Commission of notice from the administering 
authority of its final negative determination under section 705(a) or 
section 735(a) of the Act, the corresponding Commission investigation 
shall be terminated.

[61 FR 37832, July 22, 1996]



Sec.  207.22  Prehearing and final staff reports.

    (a) Prehearing staff report. The Director shall prepare and place in 
the record, prior to the hearing, a prehearing staff report containing 
information concerning the subject matter of the investigation. A 
version of the staff report containing business proprietary information 
shall be placed in the nonpublic record and made available to persons 
authorized to receive business proprietary information under Sec.  
207.7, and a nonbusiness proprietary version of the staff report shall 
be placed in the public record.
    (b) Final staff report. After the hearing, the Director shall revise 
the prehearing staff report and submit to the Commission, prior to the 
Commission's final determination, a final version of the staff report. 
The final staff report is intended to supplement and correct the 
information contained in the prehearing staff report. A public version 
of the final staff report shall be made available to the public and a 
business proprietary version shall also be made available to persons 
authorized to receive business proprietary information under section 
207.7.

[56 FR 11927, Mar. 21, 1991, as amended at 60 FR 22, Jan. 3, 1995. 
Redesignated at 61 FR 37832, July 22, 1996]



Sec.  207.23  Prehearing brief.

    Each party who is an interested party shall submit to the 
Commission, no later than five (5) business days prior to the date of 
the hearing specified in the notice of scheduling, a prehearing brief. 
Prehearing briefs shall be signed and shall include a table of contents 
and shall be filed electronically, and nine (9) true paper copies shall 
be submitted on the same business day. The prehearing brief should 
present a party's case concisely and shall, to the extent possible, 
refer to the record and include information and arguments which the 
party believes relevant to the subject matter of the Commission's 
determination under section 705(b) or section 735(b) of the Act.

[[Page 109]]

Any person not an interested party may submit a brief written statement 
of information pertinent to the investigation within the time specified 
and the same manner specified for filing of prehearing briefs.

[79 FR 35925, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  207.24  Hearing.

    (a) In general. The Commission shall hold a hearing concerning an 
investigation before making a final determination under section 705(b) 
or section 735(b) of the Act.
    (b) Procedures. Any hearing shall be conducted after notice 
published in the Federal Register. The hearing shall not be subject to 
the provisions of 5 U.S.C. subchapter II, chapter 5, or to 5 U.S.C. 702. 
Each party shall limit its presentation at the hearing to a summary of 
the information and arguments contained in its prehearing brief, an 
analysis of the information and arguments contained in the prehearing 
briefs described in Sec.  207.23, and information not available at the 
time its prehearing brief was filed. Unless a portion of the hearing is 
closed, presentations at the hearing shall not include business 
proprietary information. Notwithstanding Sec.  201.13(f) of this 
chapter, in connection with its presentation, a party may provide 
written witness testimony at the hearing; if written testimony is 
provided, eight (8) true paper copies shall be submitted. In the case of 
testimony to be presented at a closed session held in response to a 
request under Sec.  207.24(d), confidential and non-confidential 
versions shall be filed in accordance with Sec.  207.3. Any person not a 
party may make a brief oral statement of information pertinent to the 
investigation.
    (c) Hearing transcripts--(1) In general. A verbatim transcript shall 
be made of all hearings or conferences held in connection with 
Commission investigations conducted under this part.
    (2) Revision of transcripts. Within ten (10) days of the completion 
of a hearing, but in any event at least one (1) day prior to the date 
for disclosure of information set pursuant to Sec.  207.30(a), any 
person who testified at the hearing may submit proposed revisions to the 
transcript of his or her testimony to the Secretary. No substantive 
revisions shall be permitted. If in the judgment of the Secretary a 
proposed revision does not alter the substance of the testimony in 
question, the Secretary shall incorporate the revision into a revised 
transcript.
    (d) Closed sessions. Upon a request filed by a party to the 
investigation no later than seven (7) business days prior to the date of 
the hearing that identifies the subjects to be discussed, specifies the 
amount of time requested, and justifies the need for a closed session 
with respect to each subject to be discussed, the Commission may close a 
portion of a hearing to persons not authorized under Sec.  207.7 to have 
access to business proprietary information in order to allow such party 
to address business proprietary information during the course of its 
presentation. If any party wishes to comment on the request to close a 
portion of the hearing, such comments must be filed within two (2) 
business days after the filing of the request. In addition, during each 
hearing held in an investigation conducted under section 705(b) or 
section 735(b) of the Act, following the public presentation of the 
petitioner(s) and that of each panel of respondents, the Commission 
will, if it deems it appropriate, close the hearing to persons not 
authorized under Sec.  207.7 to have access to business proprietary 
information in order to allow Commissioners to question parties and/ or 
their representatives concerning matters involving business proprietary 
information.

[61 FR 37832, July 22, 1996, as amended at 70 FR 8512, Feb. 22, 2005; 76 
FR 61943, Oct. 6, 2011]



Sec.  207.25  Posthearing briefs.

    Any party may file a posthearing brief concerning the information 
adduced at or after the hearing with the Secretary within a time 
specified in the notice of scheduling or by the presiding official at 
the hearing. A posthearing brief shall be filed electronically, and nine 
(9) true paper copies shall be submitted on the same business day. No 
such posthearing brief shall exceed fifteen (15) pages of textual 
material, double-spaced and single-sided, when printed out on paper 
measuring 8.5 x 11 inches. In addition,

[[Page 110]]

the presiding official may permit persons to file answers to questions 
or requests made by the Commission at the hearing within a specified 
time. The Secretary shall not accept for filing posthearing briefs or 
answers which do not comply with this section.

[79 FR 35925, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  207.26  Statements by nonparties.

    Any person other than a party may submit a brief written statement 
of information pertinent to the investigation within the time specified 
for the filing of posthearing briefs.

[56 FR 11928, Mar. 21, 1991. Redesignated at 61 FR 37832, July 22, 1996]



Sec.  207.27  Short life cycle products.

    (a) An eligible domestic entity may file a petition to establish a 
product category for short life cycle merchandise which has been the 
subject of two or more affirmative dumping determinations. The 
Commission shall within thirty (30) days of the filing of the petition 
determine its sufficiency. If the petition is found to be sufficient, 
the Commission shall institute a proceeding to establish a product 
category and publish a notice of institution in the Federal Register. 
Upon request of an interested person filed within fifteen (15) days 
after publication of the notice of institution, the Commission shall 
conduct a hearing which shall be transcribed. The Commission's 
determination concerning the scope of the product category into which to 
classify the short life cycle merchandise identified by the petition 
shall be issued no later than ninety (90) days after the filing of the 
petition.
    (b) The Commission may on its own initiative and at any time modify 
the scope of a product category established in a proceeding pursuant to 
paragraph (a) of this section. Ninety (90) days prior to such 
modification, the Commission shall publish a notice of proposed 
modification in the Federal Register. Upon request of an interested 
party filed within fifteen (15) days after publication of the notice of 
proposed modification, the Commission shall conduct a hearing which 
shall be transcribed. Written submissions concerning the proposed 
modification shall be accepted if filed no later than sixty (60) days 
after publication of the notice of proposed modification.

[56 FR 11928, Mar. 21, 1991. Redesignated at 61 FR 37832, July 22, 1996]



Sec.  207.28  Anticircumvention.

    Prior to providing advice to the administering authority pursuant to 
section 781(e)(3) of the Act, the Commission shall publish in the 
Federal Register a notice that such advice is contemplated. Any person 
may file one written submission concerning the matter described in the 
notice no later than fourteen (14) days after publication of the notice. 
Such a statement shall be filed electronically, and nine (9) true paper 
copies shall be submitted on the same business day. The statement shall 
contain no more than fifty (50) double-spaced and single-sided pages of 
textual material, when printed out on paper measuring 8.5 x 11 inches. 
The Commission shall by notice provide for additional statements as it 
deems necessary.

[79 FR 35925, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  207.29  Publication of notice of determination.

    Whenever the Commission makes a final determination, the Secretary 
shall serve copies of the determination and the nonbusiness proprietary 
version of the final staff report on the petitioner, other parties to 
the investigation, and the administering authority. The Secretary shall 
publish notice of such determination in the Federal Register.

[61 FR 37833, July 22, 1996]



Sec.  207.30  Comment on information.

    (a) In any final phase of an investigation under section 705 or 
section 735 of the Act, the Commission shall specify a date on which it 
will disclose to all parties to the investigation all information it has 
obtained on which the parties have not previously had an opportunity to 
comment. Any such information that is business proprietary information 
will be released to persons authorized to obtain such information 
pursuant to Sec.  207.7. The date on which disclosure is made will occur 
after the

[[Page 111]]

filing of posthearing briefs pursuant to Sec.  207.25.
    (b) The parties shall have an opportunity to file comments on any 
information disclosed to them after they have filed their posthearing 
brief pursuant to Sec.  207.25. A comment shall be filed electronically, 
and nine (9) true paper copies shall be submitted on the same business 
day. Comments shall only concern such information, and shall not exceed 
15 pages of textual material, double-spaced and single-sided, when 
printed out on paper measuring 8.5 x 11 inches. A comment may address 
the accuracy, reliability, or probative value of such information by 
reference to information elsewhere in the record, in which case the 
comment shall identify where in the record such information is found. 
Comments containing new factual information shall be disregarded. The 
date on which such comments must be filed will be specified by the 
Commission when it specifies the time that information will be disclosed 
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section. The record shall close on the 
date such comments are due, except with respect to investigations 
subject to the provisions of section 771(7)(G)(iii) of the Act, and with 
respect to changes in bracketing of business proprietary information in 
the comments permitted by Sec.  207.3(c).

[61 FR 37833, July 22, 1996, as amended at 76 FR 61943, Oct. 6, 2011; 79 
FR 35925, June 25, 2014]



     Subpart D_Terminated, Suspended, and Continued Investigations, 
 Investigations to Review Negotiated Agreements, and Investigations To 
                    Review Outstanding Determinations

    Source: 56 FR 11929, Mar. 21, 1991, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  207.40  Termination and suspension of investigation.

    (a) An investigation under title VII may be terminated by the 
Commission by giving notice in the Federal Register to all parties to 
the investigation, upon withdrawal of the petition by the petitioner, or 
upon issuance of a final negative determination or termination of its 
investigation by the administering authority under section 303, 705 or 
735 of the Act. The Commission may not terminate an investigation upon 
withdrawal of the petition by the petitioner, however, before a 
determination is made by the administering authority under section 
702(c), 703(b), 732(c) or 733(b) of the Act.
    (b) Upon receipt of notice of suspension of an investigation by the 
administering authority under section 704 (b) or (c) or 734(b), (c), or 
(1), of the Act, the Secretary shall issue a notice of suspension of the 
Commission investigation. Such suspension shall not prevent the Director 
from conducting such other investigative activities as he deems 
appropriate with respect to the subject matter of the suspended 
investigation.
    (c) Resumption of suspended investigation--(1) Purpose. If the 
administering authority determines pursuant to section 704(i) or 734(i) 
of the Act to resume a suspended investigation and so notifies the 
Commission of its determination, and in the event that the suspended 
investigation was not terminated, the Commission shall resume the 
investigation.
    (2) Procedures. The procedures set forth in subpart C shall apply to 
all investigations instituted under this section.

[56 FR 11927, Mar. 21, 1991, as amended at 60 FR 22, Jan. 3, 1995]



Sec.  207.41  Commission review of agreements to eliminate the injurious
effect of subsidized imports or imports sold at less than fair value.

    If the administering authority determines to suspend an 
investigation upon acceptance of an agreement to eliminate the injurious 
effect of subsidized imports or imports sold at less than fair value, 
the Commission shall, upon petition, initiate an investigation to 
determine whether the injurious effect of imports of the merchandise 
which was the subject of the suspended investigation is eliminated 
completely by the agreement. Petitions may be filed by a party to the 
investigation which is an interested party described in paragraph (C), 
(D), (E), (F), or (G) of section 771(9) of the Act. Investigations

[[Page 112]]

under this section shall be completed within seventy five (75) days of 
their initiation.



Sec.  207.42  Investigation continued upon request.

    Upon receipt of advice from the administering authority that it has 
received a request for the continuation of a suspended investigation 
pursuant to section 704(g) or 734(g) of the Act, the Commission shall 
continue the investigation. The procedures set forth in subparts B and C 
of this part, including applicable time limitations, shall apply to all 
continued investigations within this rule.



Sec.  207.43  [Reserved]



Sec.  207.44  Consolidation of investigations.

    The Commission may, when appropriate, consolidate continued 
investigations under section 704(g) or section 734(g) of the Act with 
investigations to review agreements for the elimination of injury under 
section 704(h) or section 734(h) of the Act.



Sec.  207.45  Investigation to review outstanding determination.

    (a) Request for review. Any person may file with the Commission a 
request for the institution of a review investigation under section 
751(b) of the Act. The person making the request shall also promptly 
serve copies of the request on the parties to the original investigation 
upon which the review is to be based. All requests shall set forth a 
description of changed circumstances sufficient to warrant the 
institution of a review investigation by the Commission.
    (b) Notice of receipt of a request. Upon the receipt of a properly 
filed and sufficient request for a review investigation, the Secretary 
shall publish a notice of having received such a request in the Federal 
Register inviting public comment on the question of whether the 
Commission should institute a review investigation. Persons shall have 
at least thirty (30) days from the date of publication in the Federal 
Register within which to submit comments to the Commission.
    (c) Institution of an investigation. Within forty-five (45) days 
after the close of the period for public comments following publication 
of the receipt of a request, the Commission shall determine whether the 
request shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review and, 
if so, shall institute a review investigation. The Commission may also 
institute a review investigation on its own initiative. The review 
investigation shall be instituted by notice published in the Federal 
Register and shall be completed within one hundred eighty (180) days of 
the date of such publication. If the Commission determines that a 
request does not show changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a 
review, the request shall be dismissed and a notice of the dismissal 
published in the Federal Register stating the reasons therefor.
    (d) Conduct of review investigation. The procedures set forth in 
subpart C of part 207 shall apply to all investigations instituted under 
this section.

[56 FR 11929, Mar. 21, 1991, as amended at 63 FR 30607, June 5, 1998; 79 
FR 35925, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  207.46  Investigations concerning certain countervailing duty orders.

    (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
    (1) Requesting party means an interested party described in section 
771(9) (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) of the Act.
    (2) Order means a countervailing duty order issued under section 303 
of the Act as to which the requirement of an affirmative determination 
of material injury under section 303(a)(2) of the Act was not applicable 
at the time such order was issued.
    (3) WTO Agreement means the Agreement Establishing the World Trade 
Organization entered into on April 15, 1994.
    (b) Request for review. A requesting party may file with the 
Commission a request for an investigation under section 753 of the Act 
within the time period established by section 753(a)(3) of the Act. The 
request should contain the following information:
    (1) A description and identification of the relevant domestic like 
product, the industry in the United States producing that product that 
is likely to be

[[Page 113]]

materially injured by reason of imports of the subject merchandise if 
the Order is revoked, and each individual member of that industry.
    (2) Information reasonably available to the requesting party 
concerning the names and addresses of all known enterprises believed to 
be manufacturing, producing, exporting, or importing the subject 
merchandise;
    (3) Information reasonably available to the requesting party 
documenting that the industry described in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section is likely to be materially injured by reason of subject imports 
if the Order is revoked, including:
    (i) Information concerning the capacity, production, sales, market 
share, inventories, employment, wages, productivity, profits, ability to 
raise capital, and development and production efforts of the industry 
described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (ii) Information concerning current and projected production 
capacity in the exporting country of the subject merchandise, 
inventories of the subject merchandise, and the existence of barriers to 
the importation of such merchandise into countries other than the United 
States.
    (4) Information concerning any scope and anticircumvention rulings 
issued by the administering authority with respect to the Order.
    (c) Initiation of Investigation. (1) Upon the receipt of a timely 
filed request for a section 753 investigation satisfying the 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, the Secretary shall 
publish a notice of initiation of such investigation in the Federal 
Register.
    (2) Subject to paragraph (c)(3) of this section, a section 753 
investigation shall be completed within one year of the date of 
publication of the notice of initiation of such investigation in the 
Federal Register.
    (3) The Commission may take more than one year to complete section 
753 investigations for which requests for investigations are received 
within one year after the date on which the WTO Agreement enters into 
force with respect to the United States. All such investigations must be 
completed within four years of that date, however. In determining 
whether to extend the completion date for a section 753 investigation, 
the Commission shall consult with the administering authority. Grounds 
for extending completion include, but are not limited to, the desire to 
conduct investigations involving the same or similar domestic industries 
and domestic like products on a simultaneous basis, and the desire to 
efficiently manage the Commission's caseload.
    (d) Conduct of Investigations. The procedures set forth in subparts 
A and C of this part shall apply to all investigations initiated under 
this section.
    (e) When No Request for Review Is Filed. When there has been no 
properly filed and sufficient request for a section 753 investigation of 
an Order, the Commission shall notify the administering authority that a 
negative determination has been made under section 753(a) of the Act 
with respect to that Order.
    (f) Pending and Suspended Section 303 Investigations. If, on the 
data on which a country becomes a signatory to the Agreement on 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures referred to in section 101(d)(12) 
of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, there is a section 303 
countervailing duty investigation in progress or suspended with respect 
to that country's merchandise for which the requirement of a material 
injury determination under section 303(a)(2) of the Act was not 
applicable at the time the investigation was initiated, the Commission 
shall commence an investigation pursuant to the provisions of section 
753(c) of the Act with respect to pending investigations and suspended 
investigations to which section 704(i)(1)(B) of the Act applies.
    (g) Request for simultaneous section 751(c) review. (1) A requesting 
party who requests a section 753 review may at the same time request 
from the Commission and the administering authority a review under 
section 751(c) of the Act of a countervailing or antidumping duty order 
involving the same or comparable subject merchandise.
    (2) Should the administering authority, after consulting with the 
Commission, determine to initiate a section 751(c) review, the 
Commission shall conduct a consolidated review under sections 751(c) and 
753 of the Act of the

[[Page 114]]

orders involving the same or comparable subject merchandise. Any such 
consolidated review shall be conducted under the applicable procedures 
set forth in subparts A and F of this part.
    (3) Should the administering authority, after consulting with the 
Commission, determine not to initiate a section 751(c) review, the 
Commission will consider the request for a section 753 review pursuant 
to the procedures established in this section.

[60 FR 23, Jan. 3, 1995, as amended at 63 FR 30607, June 5, 1998]



                        Subpart E_Judicial Review

    Source: 56 FR 11930, Mar. 21, 1991, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  207.50  Judicial review.

    (a) In general. Persons entitled to judicial review under section 
516A of the Act may seek review in the U.S. Court of International 
Trade.
    (b) Transmittal of record. In the event a Commission determination 
is appealed to the U.S. Court of International Trade under section 516A, 
a copy of the record in the investigation before the Commission, as such 
record is defined in Sec.  207.2(f), or a certified list of all items 
therein, shall be transmitted to the court by the Secretary in 
accordance with the rules of the court.
    (c) Service of process. The Commission's General Counsel shall be 
the Commission's agent for service of process in cases arising under 
section 516A of the Act.



Sec.  207.51  Judicial review of denial of application for disclosure of
certain business proprietary information under administrative protective order.

    (a) In general. Persons entitled to judicial review under section 
777(c)(2) of the Commission determination not to disclose business 
proprietary information may apply to the U.S. Court of International 
Trade for an order directing the Commission to make the information 
involved available.
    (b) Transmittal of record. In the event a court order is sought 
under section 777(c)(2) requiring the Commission to disclose business 
proprietary information, the Secretary shall within 20 days after 
service of a summons and complaint upon the Commission transmit to the 
court under seal the business proprietary information involved along 
with pertinent parts of the record.
    (c) Pertinent parts of the record. The pertinent parts of the record 
shall consist of:
    (1) The application for Commission disclosure together with any 
documents filed in support thereof or in opposition thereto.
    (2) Any Government memoranda relating to the Commission's 
determination, and
    (3) The Commission's action on the application.
    (d) Service of process. The Commission's General Counsel shall be 
the Commission's agent for service of process in cases under section 
777(c)(2) of the Act.



                       Subpart F_Five-Year Reviews

    Source: 63 FR 30608, June 5, 1998, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  207.60  Definitions.

    For purposes of this subpart:
    (a) The term five-year review means a five-year review conducted 
pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act. The provisions of part 201 of 
this chapter and subpart A of this part pertaining to ``investigations'' 
are generally applicable to five-year reviews, unless superseded by a 
provision in this subpart of more specific application.
    (b) The term expedited review means a five-year review conducted by 
the Commission pursuant to section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act.
    (c) The term full review means a five-year review that has not been 
expedited by the Commission or terminated pursuant to section 751(c)(3) 
of the Act.
    (d) The term notice of institution shall refer to the notice of 
institution of five-year review that the Commission shall publish in the 
Federal Register requesting that interested parties provide information 
to the Commission upon initiation of a five-year review.



Sec.  207.61  Responses to notice of institution.

    (a) When information must be filed. Responses to the notice of 
institution

[[Page 115]]

shall be submitted to the Commission no later than 30 days after its 
publication in the Federal Register.
    (b) Information to be filed with the Secretary. The notice of 
institution shall direct each interested party to make a filing pursuant 
to Sec. Sec.  201.6, 201.8 and 207.3 of this chapter containing the 
following:
    (1) A statement expressing its willingness to participate in the 
review by providing information requested by the Commission;
    (2) A statement regarding the likely effects of revocation of the 
order(s) or termination of the suspended investigation(s) under review;
    (3) Such information or industry data as the Commission may specify 
in the notice of institution.
    (c) When requested information cannot be supplied. Any interested 
party that cannot furnish the information requested by the notice of 
institution in the requested form and manner shall, promptly after 
issuance of the notice, notify the Commission, provide a full 
explanation of why it cannot furnish the requested information, and 
indicate alternative forms in which it can provide equivalent 
information. The Commission may modify its requests to the extent 
necessary to avoid posing an unreasonable burden on that party.
    (d) Submissions by persons other than interested parties. Any person 
who is not an interested party may submit to the Commission, in a filing 
satisfying the requirements of Sec.  201.8 of this chapter, information 
relevant to the Commission's review no later than 50 days after 
publication of the notice of institution in the Federal Register.
    (e) A document filed under this section shall be filed 
electronically, and nine (9) true paper copies shall be submitted on the 
same business day.

[44 FR 76468, Dec. 26, 1979, as amended at 74 FR 2849, Jan. 16, 2009; 76 
FR 61944, Oct. 6, 2011; 79 FR 35925, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  207.62  Rulings on adequacy and nature of Commission review.

    (a) Basis for rulings on adequacy. The Commission will assess the 
adequacy of aggregate interested party responses to the notice of 
institution with respect to each order or suspension agreement under 
review and, where the underlying affirmative Commission determination 
found multiple domestic like products, on the basis of each domestic 
like product.
    (b) Comments to the Commission. (1) Comments to the Commission 
concerning whether the Commission should conduct an expedited review may 
be submitted by:
    (i) Any interested party that is a party to the five-year review and 
that has responded to the notice of institution; and
    (ii) Any party, other than an interested party, that is a party to 
the five-year review.
    (2) Comments shall be submitted within the time specified in the 
notice of institution. In a grouped review, only one set of comments 
shall be filed per party. Comments shall be filed electronically, and 
nine (9) true paper copies shall be submitted on the same business day. 
Comments shall not exceed fifteen (15) pages of textual material, double 
spaced and single sided, when printed out on paper measuring 8.5 x 11 
inches. Comments containing new factual information shall be 
disregarded.
    (c) Notice of scheduling of full review. If the Commission concludes 
that interested parties' responses to the notice of institution are 
adequate, or otherwise determines that a full review should proceed, 
investigative activities pertaining to that review will continue. The 
Commission will publish in the Federal Register a notice of scheduling 
pertaining to subsequent procedures in the review.
    (d) Procedures for expedited reviews. (1) If the Commission 
concludes that interested parties' responses to the notice of 
institution are inadequate, it may decide to conduct an expedited 
review. In that event, the Commission shall direct the Secretary to 
issue a notice stating that the Commission has decided to conduct an 
expedited review and inviting those parties to the review described in 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section to file written comments with the 
Secretary on what determination the Commission should reach in the 
review. The date on which such comments must be filed will be specified 
in

[[Page 116]]

the notice to be issued by the Secretary. Comments containing new 
factual information shall be disregarded.
    (2) The following parties may file the comments described in 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section:
    (i) Any interested party that is a party to the five-year review and 
that has filed an adequate response to the notice of institution; and
    (ii) Any party, other than an interested party, that is a party to 
the five-year review.
    (3) Any person that is neither a party to the five-year review nor 
an interested party may submit a brief written statement (which shall 
not contain any new factual information) pertinent to the review within 
the time specified for the filing of written comments.
    (4) The Director shall prepare and place in the record, prior to the 
date on which the comments described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section 
must be filed, a staff report containing information concerning the 
subject matter of the review. A version of the staff report containing 
business proprietary information shall be placed in the nonpublic record 
and made available to persons authorized to receive business proprietary 
information under Sec.  207.7, and a nonbusiness proprietary version of 
the staff report shall be placed in the public record.
    (e) Use of facts available. The Commission's determination in an 
expedited review will be based on the facts available, in accordance 
with section 776 of the Act.

[63 FR 30608, June 5, 1998, as amended at 68 FR 32978, June 3, 2003; 76 
FR 61944, Oct. 6, 2011; 79 FR 35925, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  207.63  Circulation of draft questionnaires.

    (a) The Director shall circulate draft questionnaires to the parties 
for comment in each full review.
    (b) Any party desiring to comment on the draft questionnaires shall 
submit such comments in writing to the Commission within a time 
specified by the Director. All requests for collecting new information 
should be presented at this time. The Commission will disregard 
subsequent requests for collection of new information absent a showing 
that there is a compelling need for the information and that the 
information could not have been requested in the comments on the draft 
questionnaires.



Sec.  207.64  Staff reports.

    (a) Prehearing staff report. The Director shall prepare and place in 
the record, prior to the hearing, a prehearing staff report containing 
information concerning the subject matter of the five-year review. A 
version of the staff report containing business proprietary information 
shall be placed in the nonpublic record and made available to persons 
authorized to receive business proprietary information under Sec.  
207.7, and a nonbusiness proprietary version of the staff report shall 
be placed in the public record.
    (b) Final staff report. After the hearing, the Director shall revise 
the prehearing staff report and submit to the Commission, prior to the 
Commission's determination, a final version of the staff report. The 
final staff report is intended to supplement and correct the information 
contained in the prehearing staff report. The Director shall place the 
final staff report in the record. A public version of the final staff 
report shall be made available to the public and a business proprietary 
version shall also be made available to persons authorized to receive 
business proprietary information under Sec.  207.7.

[63 FR 30608, June 5, 1998, as amended at 68 FR 32978, June 3, 2003]



Sec.  207.65  Prehearing briefs.

    Each party to a five-year review may submit a prehearing brief to 
the Commission on the date specified in the scheduling notice. A 
prehearing brief shall be signed and shall include a table of contents. 
A prehearing brief shall be filed electronically, and nine (9) true 
paper copies shall be submitted (on paper measuring 8.5 x 11 inches and 
single-sided) on the same business day. The prehearing brief should 
present a party's case concisely and shall, to the extent possible, 
refer to the record and include information and arguments which the 
party believes relevant to the subject matter of the Commission's 
determination.

[79 FR 35925, June 25, 2014]

[[Page 117]]



Sec.  207.66  Hearing.

    (a) In general. The Commission shall hold a hearing in each full 
review. The date of the hearing shall be specified in the scheduling 
notice.
    (b) Procedures. Hearing procedures in five-year reviews will conform 
to those for final phase antidumping and countervailing duty 
investigations set forth in Sec.  207.24.



Sec.  207.67  Posthearing briefs and statements.

    (a) Briefs from parties. Any party to a five-year review may file 
with the Secretary a posthearing brief concerning the information 
adduced at or after the hearing within a time specified in the 
scheduling notice or by the presiding official at the hearing. A 
posthearing brief shall be filed electronically, and nine (9) true paper 
copies shall be submitted on the same business day. No such posthearing 
brief shall exceed fifteen (15) pages of textual material, double spaced 
and single sided, when printed out on paper measuring 8.5 x 11 inches 
and single-sided. In addition, the presiding official may permit persons 
to file answers to questions or requests made by the Commission at the 
hearing within a specified time. The Secretary shall not accept for 
filing posthearing briefs or answers which do not comply with this 
section.
    (b) Statements from nonparties. Any person other than a party may 
submit a brief written statement of information pertinent to the review 
within the time specified for the filing of posthearing briefs.

[63 FR 30608, June 5, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 61944, Oct. 6, 2011; 79 
FR 35926, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  207.68  Final comments on information.

    (a) The Commission shall specify a date after the filing of 
posthearing briefs on which it will disclose to all parties to the five-
year review all information it has obtained on which the parties have 
not previously had an opportunity to comment. Any such information that 
is business proprietary information will be released to persons 
authorized to obtain such information pursuant to Sec.  207.7.
    (b) The parties shall have an opportunity to file comments on any 
information disclosed to them after they have filed their posthearing 
brief pursuant to Sec.  207.67. Comments shall be filed electronically, 
and nine (9) true paper copies shall be submitted on the same business 
day. Comments shall only concern such information, and shall not exceed 
15 pages of textual material, double spaced and single-sided, when 
printed out on paper measuring 8.5 x 11 inches and single-sided. A 
comment may address the accuracy, reliability, or probative value of 
such information by reference to information elsewhere in the record, in 
which case the comment shall identify where in the record such 
information is found. Comments containing new factual information shall 
be disregarded. The date on which such comments must be filed will be 
specified by the Commission when it specifies the time that information 
will be disclosed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section. The record 
shall close on the date such comments are due, except with respect to 
changes in bracketing of business proprietary information in the 
comments permitted by Sec.  207.3(c).

[63 FR 30608, June 5, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 61944, Oct. 6, 2011; 79 
FR 35926, June 25, 2014]



Sec.  207.69  Publication of determinations.

    Whenever the Commission makes a determination concluding a five-year 
review, the Secretary shall serve copies of the determination and, when 
applicable, the nonbusiness proprietary version of the final staff 
report on all parties to the review, and on the administering authority. 
The Secretary shall publish notice of such determination in the Federal 
Register.



 Subpart G_Implementing Regulations for the United States-Mexico-Canada 
                                Agreement

    Authority: Sec. 777(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1677f 
(d); secs. 402(g), 405 of the North American Free Trade Agreement 
Implementation Act (107 Stat. 2057, Pub. L. 103-182, Dec. 8, 1993).

    Source: 59 FR 5097, Feb. 3, 1994, unless otherwise noted.

[[Page 118]]



Sec.  207.90  Scope.

    This subpart sets forth the procedures and regulations for 
implementation of Section D of Chapter 10 of the Agreement between the 
United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada, as 
provided by Section 422(a) of the United States-Mexico-Canada 
Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 1677(f)). These regulations are authorized 
by section 412(g), as amended by section 504(c)(3)(G), of the United 
States-Mexico-Canada Implementation Act and 19 U.S.C. 4582.

[88 FR 14891, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  207.91  Definitions.

    Except as otherwise provided in this subpart, the definitions set 
forth in the Binational Panel Rules and the ECC Rules (as defined in 
this section) are applicable to this subpart and to any protective 
orders issued pursuant to this subpart. As used in this subpart--
    Administrative Law Judge means the United States Government employee 
appointed under 5 U.S.C. 310(f) to conduct proceedings under this part 
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 554.
    Agreement means Article 10.12 of the Agreement between the United 
States of America, the United Mexican States (``Mexico''), and Canada 
entered into among these states, effective July 1, 2020 (``USMCA''); or, 
with respect to binational panel proceedings between either of Canada 
and the United States or Mexico and the United States underway as of the 
date of enactment of the Agreement, it means the Article 1904 of the 
North American Free Trade Agreement entered into between the governments 
of the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada, effective January 
1, 1994 (``NAFTA'').
    Binational Panel Rules means the Rules of Procedure for Article 
10.12 published by the United States Trade Representative in 88 FR 
10171, February 16, 2023, or, where applicable, Article 1904 of the 
NAFTA.
    Canadian Secretary means the Secretary of the Canadian section of 
the Secretariat and includes any person authorized to act on the 
Secretary's behalf.
    Charged party means a person who is charged by the Commission with 
committing a prohibited act under 19 U.S.C. 1677f(f)(3).
    Clerical person means a person such as a paralegal, secretary, or 
law clerk who is employed or retained by and under the direction and 
control of an authorized applicant.
    Commission means the United States International Trade Commission.
    Commission Secretary means the Secretary to the Commission.
    Complaint means the complaint referred to in the Binational Panel 
Rules.
    Counsel means a person entitled to appear as counsel before a 
Federal court in the United States, consistent with the Binational Panel 
and ECC Rules, and counsel for an interested person who plans to file a 
timely complaint or notice of appearance in the panel review.
    Date of service means the day a document is deposited in the mail, 
electronically sent, or delivered in person, as applicable.
    Days means calendar days, but if a deadline falls on a weekend or 
United States Federal holiday, it will be extended to the next working 
day.
    ECC Rules means the Rules of Procedure for Annex 10-B.3 published by 
the United States Trade Representative in 88 FR 10171, February 16, 
2023, or, where applicable, Annex 1904.13 of the NAFTA.
    Extraordinary challenge committee (``ECC'') means the committee 
established to review decisions of a panel or conduct of a panelist, 
pursuant to Annex 10-B.3 to Chapter 10 of the USMCA or to Annex 1904.13 
of the NAFTA.
    Final determination means ``final determination'' under Article 10.8 
of the USMCA or Article 1911 of the NAFTA.
    Free Trade Area country means the ``free trade area country'' as 
defined in 19 U.S.C. 1516a(f)(9).
    Investigative attorney means an attorney designated by the Office of 
Unfair Import Investigations to engage in inquiries and proceedings 
under Sec. Sec.  207.100 through 207.120.
    Mexican Secretary means the Secretary of the Mexican section of the 
Secretariat and includes any persons authorized to act on the 
Secretary's behalf.

[[Page 119]]

    Notice of appearance means the notice of appearance provided for by 
the Binational Panel Rules or ECC Rules, as applicable.
    Panel review means review of a final determination, including review 
by an extraordinary challenge committee, pursuant to Section D of 
Chapter 10 of the USMCA or Chapter 19 of the NAFTA.
    Party means, for the purposes of Sec. Sec.  207.100 through 207.120, 
either the investigative attorney(ies) or the charged party(ies).
    Person means, for the purposes of Sec. Sec.  207.100 through 
207.120, an individual, partnership, corporation, association, 
organization, or other entity.
    Privileged information means all information covered by the 
provisions of the second sentence of 19 U.S.C. 1677f(f)(1)(A).
    Professional means an accountant, economist, engineer, or other non-
legal specialist who is employed by, or under the direction and control, 
of a counsel.
    Prohibited act means the violation of a protective order, the 
inducement of a violation of a protective order, or the knowing receipt 
of information the receipt of which constitutes a violation of a 
protective order.
    Proprietary information means confidential business information as 
defined in 19 CFR 201.6(a).
    Protective order means an administrative protective order issued by 
the Commission.
    Responsible Secretary means the Secretary of the Section of the 
Secretariat located in the country in which the final determination 
under review was made.
    Secretariat means the Secretariat established pursuant to Article 
30.6 of the USMCA and Article 2002 of the NAFTA, and includes the 
Secretariat sections located in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
    Service address means the address filed with the Secretariat as the 
service address for that person, including any electronic mail address 
submitted with that address.
    Service list means the list maintained by the Commission Secretary 
under 19 CFR 201.11(d) of persons in the administrative proceeding 
leading to the final determination under panel review.
    United States Secretary means the Secretary of the United States 
section of the Secretariat and includes any person authorized to act on 
the Secretary's behalf.
    USMCA Act means the United States-Mexico-Canada Implementation Act, 
Public Law 116-113 (January 29, 2020).

[88 FR 14891, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  207.92  Procedures for commencing review of final determinations.

    (a) Notice of Intent to Commence Judicial Review. A Notice of Intent 
to Commence Judicial Review shall contain such information, and be in 
such form, manner, and style, including service requirements, as 
prescribed by the Binational Panel Rules.
    (b) Request for Panel Review. A Request for Panel Review shall 
contain such information, and be in such form, manner, and style, 
including service requirements, as prescribed by the Binational Panel 
Rules.

[88 FR 14892, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  207.93  Protection of proprietary information during panel and
committee proceedings.

    (a) Requests for protective orders. A request for access to 
proprietary information pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1677f(f)(1) shall be made 
to the Secretary of the Commission.
    (b) Persons authorized to receive proprietary information under 
protective order. The following persons may be authorized by the 
Commission to receive access to proprietary information if they comply 
with the regulations in this section and such other conditions imposed 
upon them by the Commission:
    (1) The members of a binational panel or an extraordinary challenge 
committee, any assistant to a member, court reporters and translators;
    (2) Counsel and professionals, provided that the counsel or 
professional does not participate in competitive decision-making, as 
defined in US Steel Corp. v. United States, 730 F.2d 1465 (Fed. Cir. 
1984), for the person represented or for any person that would gain a 
competitive advantage through knowledge of the proprietary information 
sought;

[[Page 120]]

    (3) Clerical persons who are employed or retained by and under the 
direction and control of a person described in paragraph (b) (1), (2), 
(5) or (6) of this section who has been issued a protective order, if 
such clerical persons:
    (i) Are not involved in the competitive decision-making, or the 
support functions for the competitive decision-making, of a participant 
to the proceeding or of any person that would gain a competitive 
advantage through knowledge of the proprietary information sought, and
    (ii) Have agreed to be bound by the terms set forth in the 
application for protective order of the person who retains or employs 
him or her;
    (4) The Secretaries of the United States, Canadian and Mexican 
sections of the Secretariat and members of their staffs;
    (5) Any officer or employee of the United States Government who the 
United States Trade Representative informs the Commission Secretary 
needs access to proprietary information to make recommendations 
regarding the convening of extraordinary challenge committees; and
    (6) Any officer or employee of the Government of Canada or the 
Government of Mexico who the Canadian Minister of Trade or the Mexican 
Secretary of Economia (Secretar[iacute]a de Econom[iacute]a), as the 
case may be, informs the Commission Secretary needs access to 
proprietary information to make recommendations regarding the convening 
of extraordinary challenge committees; and
    (7) Counsel representing, and other staff providing support to, the 
investigating authority, the Commission.
    (c) Procedures for obtaining access to proprietary information under 
protective order--(1) Persons who must file an application for release 
under protective order. To be permitted access to proprietary 
information in the administrative record of a determination under panel 
review, all persons described in paragraphs (b)(1), (2), (4), (5), (6), 
or (c)(5)(i) of this section shall file an application for a protective 
order.
    (2) Contents of applications for release under protective order.
    (i) The Commission Secretary shall adopt from time to time forms for 
submitting requests for release pursuant to protective order that 
incorporate the terms of this section. The Commission Secretary shall 
supply the United States Secretary with copies of the forms for persons 
described in paragraphs (b)(1), (4), (5), and (6) of this section. Other 
applicants may obtain the forms at the Commission Secretary's office at 
500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, or from the website of the 
Commission Secretary.
    (ii) Such forms shall require the applicant to submit a personal 
sworn statement that, in addition to such other conditions as the 
Commission Secretary may require, the applicant will:
    (A) Not disclose any proprietary information obtained under 
protective order and not otherwise available to any person other than:
    (1) Personnel of the Commission involved in the particular panel 
review in which the proprietary information is part of the 
administrative record,
    (2) The person from whom the information was obtained,
    (3) A person who is authorized to have access to the same 
proprietary information pursuant to a Commission protective order, and
    (4) A clerical person retained or employed by and under the 
direction and control of a person described in paragraph (b)(1), (2), 
(5), or (6) of this section who has been issued a protective order, if 
such clerical person has signed and dated an agreement, provided to the 
Commission Secretary upon request, to be bound by the terms set forth in 
the application for a protective order of the person who retains or 
employs him or her (the authorized applicant shall be responsible for 
retention and accuracy of such forms and shall be deemed responsible for 
such persons' compliance with the administrative protective order);
    (B) Not use any of the proprietary information released under 
protective order and not otherwise available for purposes other than the 
particular proceedings under Section D of Chapter 10 of the USMCA, or 
Article 1904 of the NAFTA, as applicable;
    (C) Upon completion of panel review, or at such other date as may be 
determined by the Commission Secretary,

[[Page 121]]

return to the Commission, or certify to the Commission Secretary the 
destruction of, all documents released under the protective order and 
all other material (such as briefs, notes, or charts), containing the 
proprietary information released under the protective order, except that 
those described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section may return such 
documents and other materials to the United States Secretary. The United 
States Secretary may retain a single file copy of each document for the 
official file.
    (D) Update information in the application for protective order as 
required by the protective order; and
    (E) Acknowledge that the person becomes subject to the provisions of 
19 U.S.C. 1677f(f) and to this subpart, as well as corresponding 
provisions of Canadian and Mexican law on disclosure undertakings 
concerning proprietary information.
    (3) Timing of applications. An application for any person described 
in paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section may be filed after a notice 
of request for panel review has been filed with the Secretariat. A 
person described in paragraph (b)(4) of this section shall file an 
application immediately upon assuming official responsibilities in the 
United States, Canadian, or Mexican Secretariat. An application for any 
person described in paragraph (b)(5) or (6) of this section may be filed 
at any time after the United States Trade Representative, the Canadian 
Minister of Trade, or the Mexican Secretar[iacute]a de Econom[iacute]a, 
as the case may be, has notified the Commission Secretary that such 
person requires access.
    (4) Filing and service of applications--(i) Applications of persons 
described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. A person described in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall submit the completed original of 
the form to the United States Secretary, NAFTA Secretariat, room 2061, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230. The United States Secretary, in turn, shall file 
the original plus three (3) copies of the application with the 
Commission Secretary.
    (ii) Applications of persons described in paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section--(A) Filing. A person described in paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, concurrent with the filing of a complaint or notice of 
appearance in the panel review on behalf of the participant represented 
by such person, shall file the completed original of the form (USMCA APO 
Form C) and three (3) copies with the Commission Secretary, and four (4) 
copies with the United States Secretary.
    (B) Service. If an applicant files before the deadline for filing 
notices of appearance for the panel review, the applicant shall 
concurrently serve each person on the service list with a copy of the 
application. If the applicant files after the deadline for filing 
notices of appearance for the panel review, the applicant shall serve 
each participant in the panel review in accordance with the applicable 
Binational Panel Rules and ECC Rules. Service on a person may be 
effected by delivering a copy to the person's service address; by 
sending a copy to the person's service address by facsimile 
transmission, expedited courier service, expedited mail service; or by 
personal service.
    (iii) Applications of persons described in paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section. A person described in paragraph (b)(4) of this section shall 
file the original and three (3) copies of the protective order 
application with the Commission Secretary.
    (iv) Applications of persons described in paragraph (b)(5) of this 
section. A person described in paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall 
file the original and three (3) copies with the Commission Secretary and 
four (4) copies with the United States Secretary.
    (v) Applications of persons described in paragraph (b)(6) of this 
section. A person described in paragraph (b)(6) of this section shall 
submit the completed original of the protective order application to the 
Responsible Secretary. The Responsible Secretary in turn, shall file the 
original and three (3) copies with the Commission Secretary.
    (5) Persons who retain access to proprietary information under a 
protective order issued during the administrative proceedings. (i) If 
counsel or a professional has been granted access in an administrative 
proceeding to proprietary information under a protective order that

[[Page 122]]

contains a provision governing continued access to that information 
during panel review, and that counsel or professional retains the 
proprietary information more than fifteen (15) days after a First 
Request for Panel Review is filed with the Secretariat, that counsel or 
professional, and such clerical persons with access on or after that 
date, become immediately subject to the terms and conditions of USMCA 
APO Form C maintained by the Commission Secretary on that date including 
provisions regarding sanctions for violations thereof.
    (ii) Any person described in paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section, 
concurrent with the filing of a complaint or notice of appearance in the 
panel review on behalf of the participant represented by such person, 
shall:
    (A) File the completed original of the form (USMCA APO Form C) and 
three (3) copies with the Commission Secretary; and
    (B) File four (4) copies of the completed USMCA APO Form C with the 
United States Secretary.
    (iii) Any person described in paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section 
must submit a new application for a protective order at the commencement 
of a panel review.
    (d) Issuance of protective orders--(1) Applicants described in 
paragraphs (b)(1), (4), (5), and (6) of this section. Upon approval of 
an application of persons described in paragraph (b)(1), (4), (5), or 
(6) of this section, the Commission Secretary shall issue a protective 
order permitting release of proprietary information. Any member of a 
binational panel proceeding initiated under the NAFTA to whom the 
Commission Secretary issues a protective order must countersign it and 
return one copy of the countersigned order to the United States 
Secretary. Any other applicant under paragraph (b)(1) of this section 
must file a copy of the order with the United States Secretary.
    (2) Applicants described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. (i) 
The Commission shall not rule on an application filed by a person 
described in paragraph (b)(2) until ten (10) days after the request is 
filed unless there is a compelling need to rule more expeditiously. Any 
person may file an objection to the application within seven (7) days of 
the application's filing date, stating the specific reasons why the 
Commission should not grant the application. One (1) copy of the 
objection shall be served on the applicant and on all persons who were 
served with the application. Any reply to an objection will be 
considered if it is filed and served before the Commission Secretary 
renders a decision. Service of objections and replies shall be made in 
accordance with paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(B) of this section.
    (ii) Denial of application. The Commission's Secretary may deny an 
application by serving a letter notifying the applicant of the decision 
and the reasons therefor within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of the 
application. The letter shall advise the applicant of the right to 
appeal to the Commission. Any appeal must be made within five (5) days 
of the service of the Commission Secretary's letter.
    (iii) Appeal from denial of an application. An appeal from a denial 
of a request must be addressed to the Chairman, United States 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436. 
Such appeal must be served in accordance with paragraph (c)(4)(ii)(B) of 
this section. The Commission shall make a final decision granting or 
denying the appeal within thirty (30) days from the day on which the 
application was filed with the Commission Secretary.
    (iv) Approval of the application. If the Commission Secretary does 
not deny an application pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this 
section, the Commission shall, by the fifteenth day following the 
receipt of the application, issue a protective order permitting the 
release of proprietary information to the applicant.
    (v) Filing of protective orders. If a protective order is issued to 
a person described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the person shall 
immediately file one (1) copy of the protective order with the United 
States Secretary.
    (e) Retention of protective orders; service list. The Commission 
Secretary shall retain, in a public file, copies of applications 
granted, including any updates thereto, and protective orders issued 
under this section, including protective orders filed in accordance

[[Page 123]]

with paragraph (b)(6)(ii) of this section. The Secretary shall establish 
a list of persons authorized to receive proprietary information in a 
review, including parties whose applications have been granted.
    (f) Filing of amendments to granted applications. Any person who has 
been issued a protective order under this section shall:
    (1) If a person described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, 
submit any amendments to the application for a protective order to the 
United States Secretary, who shall file the original and three (3) 
copies with the Commission Secretary;
    (2) If a person described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, file 
the original and three (3) copies of any amendments to the application 
with the Commission Secretary and four (4) copies with the United States 
Secretary; or
    (3) If any other person, file the original and three (3) copies of 
any amendments to the application with the Commission Secretary.
    (g) Modification or revocation of protective orders. (1) Any person 
may file with the Commission Secretary a request that a protective order 
issued under this section be modified or revoked because of changed 
conditions of fact or law, or on grounds of the public interest. The 
request shall state the changes desired and include any supporting 
materials and arguments. The person filing the request shall serve a 
copy of the request upon the person to whom the protective order was 
issued.
    (2) Any person may file a response to the request within twenty (20) 
days after it is filed, unless the Commission issues a notice indicating 
otherwise. After consideration of the request and any responses thereto, 
the Commission shall take such action as it deems appropriate.
    (3) If a request filed under this paragraph alleges that a person is 
violating the terms of a protective order, the Commission may treat the 
request as a report of violation under Sec.  207.101 of this subpart.
    (4) The Commission may also modify or revoke a protective order on 
its own initiative.
    (5) If the Commission revokes, amends or modifies a person's 
protective order, it shall provide to the person, the United States 
Secretary and all participants a copy of the Notice of Revocation, 
amendment or modification.

[59 FR 5097, Feb. 3, 1994, as amended at 70 FR 8512, Feb. 22, 2005; 88 
FR 14892, Mar. 10, 2023]



Sec.  207.94  Protection of privileged information during panel and
committee proceedings.

    If a panel or ECC decides that the Commission is required, pursuant 
to the United States law, to grant access pursuant to a protective order 
to information for which the Commission has claimed a privilege, any 
individual to whom the panel or ECC has directed the Commission release 
information and who is otherwise within the category of individuals 
eligible to receive proprietary information pursuant to Sec.  207.93(b), 
may file an application for a protective order with the Commission. Upon 
receipt of such application, the Commission Secretary shall certify to 
the Commission that a panel or ECC has required the Commission to 
release such information to specified persons, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 
1677f(f)(1). Twenty-four hours following such certification, the 
Commission Secretary shall issue a protective order releasing such 
information to any authorized applicant subject to terms and conditions 
equivalent to those described in Sec.  207.93(c)(2).

[88 FR 14893, Mar. 10, 2023]

 Procedures for Imposing Sanctions for Violation of the Provisions of a 
     Protective Order Issued During Panel and Committee Proceedings



Sec.  207.100  Sanctions.

    (a) A person, other than a person exempted from this regulation by 
the provisions of 19 U.S.C. 1677f(f)(4), who is determined under this 
subpart to have committed a prohibited act, may be subject to one or 
more of the following sanctions:
    (1) A civil penalty not to exceed $100,000 for each violation, each 
day of a continuing violation constituting a separate violation;
    (2) Debarment from practice in any capacity before the Commission, 
which

[[Page 124]]

disbarment may, in appropriate circumstances, include such person's 
partners, associates, employers and employees, for a designated time 
period following publication of a determination that the protective 
order has been breached;
    (3) Denial of further access to proprietary or privileged 
information covered by the breached protective order or to proprietary 
information in future Commission proceedings;
    (4) An official reprimand by the Commission;
    (5) In the case of an attorney, accountant, or other professional, 
referral of the facts underlying the prohibited act to the ethics panel 
or other disciplinary body of the appropriate professional association 
or licensing authority;
    (6) When appropriate, referral of the facts underlying the violation 
to the United States Trade Representative or his or her designees, or to 
another government agency; and
    (7) Any other administrative sanctions as the Commission determines 
to be appropriate.
    (b) Each partner, associate, employer, and employee described in 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section is entitled to all the administrative 
rights set forth in this subpart.
    (c) For the purposes of this subpart, the knowing receipt of 
information the receipt of which constitutes a violation of a protective 
order includes, but is not limited to, the reading or unauthorized 
dissemination of the information covered by a protective order by a 
person who knows or should reasonably believe that he or she is not 
authorized to read or disseminate such information.



Sec.  207.101  Reporting of prohibited act and commencement of 
investigation.

    (a) Any person who has information indicating that a prohibited act 
has been committed shall immediately report all pertinent facts relating 
thereto to the Commission Secretary.
    (b) Upon receipt, the Commission Secretary shall record the 
information, assign an investigation number, and forward all information 
he or she received to the Office of Unfair Import Investigations.
    (c) As expeditiously as possible, the Office of Unfair Import 
Investigations shall conduct an inquiry to determine whether there is 
reasonable cause to believe that a person or persons have committed a 
prohibited act. At any time, the Office of Unfair Import Investigations 
may request that the Commission assign an administrative law judge to 
oversee the inquiry.
    (d) At the conclusion of the inquiry, the Office of Unfair Import 
Investigations shall assess whether the available information is 
sufficient to provide reasonable cause to believe that a person or 
persons have committed a prohibited act.



Sec.  207.102  Initiation of proceedings.

    (a) Upon completion of the inquiry,
    (1) If the Office of Unfair Import Investigations concludes that 
there is not reasonable cause to believe that a person or persons have 
committed a prohibited act, the Office of Unfair Import Investigations 
shall:
    (i) Submit a report to the Commission; and
    (ii) Unless the Commission directs otherwise, the file shall be 
closed and returned to the Commission Secretary.
    (2) If the Office of Unfair Import Investigations concludes that 
there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or persons have 
committed a prohibited act, the Office of Unfair Import Investigations 
shall:
    (i) Make a recommendation to the Commission regarding whether and to 
what extent it is appropriate to notify the person whose proprietary 
information may have been compromised; and
    (ii) Submit a report and recommendation to the Commission regarding 
whether to initiate sanctions proceedings or to take other appropriate 
action.
    (b) The Commission may make any appropriate determination regarding 
the initiation of sanctions proceedings, including rejecting, approving, 
or approving and amending any recommendation made by the Office of 
Unfair Import Investigations.

[[Page 125]]

    (c) If the Commission determines that it is appropriate to issue a 
charging letter, the Commission shall appoint an administrative law 
judge to oversee the proceeding and the Commission Secretary shall 
initiate a proceeding under this subpart by issuing a charging letter as 
set forth in 19 CFR 207.103.
    (d) If the Commission determines that it is appropriate to initiate 
proceedings, but that the party to be charged is beyond the jurisdiction 
of the Commission and within the jurisdiction of another Free Trade Area 
country, or that for other reasons an authorized agency of another Free 
Trade Area country would be the more appropriate forum for initiation of 
a proceeding, the Commission shall take the necessary steps for issuance 
of a letter requesting the authorized agency of another Free Trade Area 
country to initiate proceedings under applicable law on the basis of an 
alleged prohibited act.
    (e) The Commission may make any determination regarding notification 
about the alleged prohibited act and the relevant underlying facts to 
the persons who submitted the proprietary information that allegedly has 
been disclosed. A determination by the Commission on this subject does 
not foreclose the administrative law judge from redetermining at any 
time during the hearing whether notification to the compromised party is 
appropriate.
    (f) If the Commission determines that it is not appropriate to issue 
a charging letter or to refer the facts to the authorized agency of 
another Free Trade Area country, the file shall be closed and returned 
to the Commission Secretary, unless the Commission directs otherwise.
    (g) All aspects of the inquiry shall remain confidential, except as 
deemed reasonably necessary to the Office of Unfair Import 
Investigations to gather relevant information and to protect the 
interests of the person who submitted the proprietary information, or 
except as otherwise ordered by the Commission. Except as the Commission 
may otherwise order, the Commission Secretary shall maintain all closed 
investigatory files in confidence to the extent permitted by law, and 
shall destroy any documentary evidence containing allegations of a 
prohibited act for which no proceeding is initiated one year after the 
file is closed.



Sec.  207.103  Charging letter.

    (a) Contents of charging letter. Each charged party shall be served 
by the Commission with a copy of a charging letter and any accompanying 
motion for interim measures, as provided for in 19 CFR 207.106. The 
charging letter shall include:
    (1) Allegations concerning a prohibited act;
    (2) A citation to Sec.  207.100 of this subpart, for a listing of 
sanctions that may be imposed for a prohibited act;
    (3) A statement that a proceeding has been initiated and that an APA 
hearing will be held before an administrative law judge;
    (4) A statement that the charged party or his or her attorney may 
request the issuance of an appropriate administrative protective order 
to obtain access to the information upon which the charge is based;
    (5) A statement that the charged party has a right to retain an 
attorney at the charged party's own expense for purposes of 
representation; and
    (6) A statement that the charged party has the right to request in 
the response described in Sec.  207.104 of this subpart that the 
proceedings remain confidential to the extent practicable.
    (b) Service of charging letter. (1) The charging letter shall be 
served in a double envelope. The inner envelope shall indicate that it 
is to be opened only by the addressee. Service of a charging letter 
shall be made by one of the following methods:
    (i) Mailing a copy by registered or certified mail addressed to the 
charged party at the party's last known permanent address; or
    (ii) Personal service; or
    (iii) Any other method acceptable under Rule 4 of the Federal Rules 
of Civil Procedure.
    (2) Service shall be evidenced by a certificate of service signed by 
the person making such service.
    (c) Confidentiality of charging letter. Prior to entry of an order 
by the administrative law judge under Sec.  207.105 of

[[Page 126]]

this subpart, the charging letter will be confidential and disclosed 
only to necessary Commission staff and the charged parties.
    (d) Amendment of charging letter. (1) At any time after proceedings 
have been initiated, the investigative attorney may move for leave to 
amend or withdraw the charging letter.
    (2) If the administrative law judge determines that the charging 
letter should be amended to include additional parties, the judge shall 
issue a recommended determination to that effect. The Commission shall 
review the recommended determination, and issue a determination granting 
or denying the motion to amend the charging letter to include additional 
parties.
    (3) Upon motion, the administrative law judge may grant leave to 
amend the charging letter for good cause shown upon such conditions as 
are necessary to avoid prejudicing the public interest and the rights of 
the parties already charged.
    (4) Any amended charging letter shall be served upon all charged 
parties in the form and manner set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
this section.



Sec.  207.104  Response to charging letter.

    (a) Time for filing. A charged party shall have twenty (20) days 
from the date of service of the charging letter within which to file a 
written response to the allegations made in the charging letter unless 
otherwise ordered by the administrative law judge.
    (b) Form and content. Each response shall be under oath and signed 
by the charged party or its duly authorized officer, attorney, or agent, 
with the name, address, and telephone number of the same. Each charged 
party shall respond to each allegation in the charging letter, and may 
set forth a concise statement of the facts constituting each ground of 
defense. There shall be a specific admission or denial of each fact 
alleged in the charging letter, or if the charged party is without 
knowledge of any such fact, a statement to that effect.
    (c) Request for confidentiality. The response shall contain a 
statement as to whether the charged party seeks an order to maintain the 
confidentiality of all or part of the proceedings to the extent 
practicable, pursuant to Sec.  207.105 of this subpart.



Sec.  207.105  Confidentiality.

    (a) Protection of proprietary and privileged information. As the 
administrative law judge deems reasonably necessary for the preparation 
of the defense of a charged party, the attorney for the charged party 
may be granted access in these proceedings to proprietary information or 
to the privileged information, the disclosure of which is the subject of 
the proceedings. Any such access shall be under protective order 
consistent with the provisions of this subpart.
    (b) Confidentiality of proceedings. Upon the request of any charged 
party pursuant to Sec.  207.106 of this subpart, the administrative law 
judge will issue an appropriate confidentiality order. This order will 
provide for the confidentiality, to the extent practicable and permitted 
by law, of information relating to allegations concerning the commitment 
of a prohibited act, consistent with public policy considerations and 
the needs of the parties in conducting the sanctions proceedings. The 
order will provide that all proceedings under this provision shall be 
kept confidential within the terms of the order, except to the extent 
that a discussion of such proceedings is incorporated into a published 
final decision of the Commission. Any confidential information not 
disclosed in such decision will remain protected.



Sec.  207.106  Interim measures.

    (a) At any time after proceedings are initiated, the administrative 
law judge, upon motion, or on his or her own initiative, may issue a 
recommended determination to revoke the allegedly-violated protective 
order, to disclose information about the proceedings that would 
otherwise be kept confidential, or to take other appropriate interim 
measures.
    (b) Before issuing a determination recommending interim sanctions, 
the administrative law judge shall afford a party against whom such 
measures are proposed the opportunity to oppose them. The administrative 
law judge shall ordinarily decide any motion

[[Page 127]]

under this section no more than twenty (20) days after it is filed.
    (c) The Commission shall review any recommended determination 
regarding the imposition of interim measures within twenty (20) days 
from its issuance or such other time as it may order. The Commission may 
impose any appropriate interim sanctions.
    (d) The administrative law judge may recommend to the Commission 
that interim measures be modified or revoked. The Commission shall rule 
on such recommendation within ten (10) days after its issuance or such 
other time as it may order.
    (e) The Commission Secretary shall immediately notify the 
Secretariat of any interim measures that revoke or modify an outstanding 
protective order in an ongoing panel review. The Commission Secretary 
shall also immediately notify the Secretariat of any revocation or 
modification of an interim measure.



Sec.  207.107  Motions.

    (a) Presentation and disposition. (1) After issuance of the charging 
letter and while part of the proceeding is pending before the 
administrative law judge, all motions relating to that part of the 
proceeding shall be addressed to the administrative law judge.
    (2) While part of a proceeding is pending before the Commission, all 
motions relating to that part of the proceeding shall be addressed to 
the Chairman of the Commission. All written motions shall be filed with 
the Commission Secretary and served upon all parties.
    (b) Content. All written motions shall state the particular order, 
ruling, or action desired and the grounds therefor.
    (c) Responses. Any response to a motion shall be filed within ten 
(10) days after service of the motions, or within such longer or shorter 
time as may be designated by the administrative law judge or the 
Commission. The moving party shall have no right to reply, except as 
permitted by the administrative law judge or the Commission.
    (d) Service. All motions, responses, replies, briefs, petitions, and 
other documents filed in sanctions proceedings under this subpart shall 
be served by the party filing the document upon each other party. 
Service shall be made upon the attorney for the party unless the 
administrative law judge or the Commission orders otherwise.



Sec.  207.108  Preliminary conference.

    As soon as practicable after the response to the charging letter is 
filed, the administrative law judge shall direct counsel or other 
representatives for the parties to meet with him or her at a preliminary 
conference, unless the administrative law judge determines that such a 
conference is not necessary. At the conference, the administrative law 
judge shall consider the issuance of such orders as the administrative 
law judge deems necessary for the conduct of the proceedings. Such 
orders may include, as appropriate under these regulations, the 
establishment of a discovery schedule or the issuance of an order, if 
requested, to provide for maintaining the confidentiality of the 
proceedings pursuant to Sec.  207.105(b) of this subpart.



Sec.  207.109  Discovery.

    (a) Discovery methods. All parties may obtain discovery under such 
terms and limitations as the administrative law judge may order. 
Discovery may be by one or more of the following methods:
    (1) Depositions upon oral examination or written questions;
    (2) Written interrogatories;
    (3) Production of documents or things for inspection and other 
purposes; and
    (4) Requests for admissions.
    (b) Sanctions. If a party or an officer or agent of a party fails to 
comply with a discovery order, the administrative law judge may take 
such action as he deems reasonable and appropriate, including the 
issuance of evidentiary sanctions or deeming the respondent to be in 
default.
    (c) Depositions of nonparty officers or employees of the United 
States or another Free Trade Area country government--(1) Depositions of 
Commission officers or employees. A party desiring to take the 
deposition of an officer or employee of the Commission (other than a 
member of the Office of Unfair Import Investigations or of the Office of 
the Administrative Law Judges), or to obtain nonprivileged documents or 
other

[[Page 128]]

physical exhibits in the custody, control, and possession of such 
officer or employee, shall file a written motion requesting the 
administrative law judge to recommend that the Commission direct that 
officer or employee to testify or produce the requested materials.
    (2) Depositions of officers or employees of other United States 
agencies, or of the government of another Free Trade Area country. A 
party desiring to take the deposition of an officer or employee of 
another agency, or of the government of another Free Trade Area country, 
or to obtain nonprivileged documents or other physical exhibits in the 
custody, control, and possession of such officer or employee, shall file 
a written motion requesting the administrative law judge to recommend 
that the Commission seek the testimony or production of requested 
material from the officer or employee.



Sec.  207.110  Subpoenas.

    (a) Application for issuance of a subpoena. Except as provided in 
Sec.  207.109(c) of this subpart, an application for issuance of a 
subpoena requiring a person to appear and depose or testify at the 
taking of a deposition or at a hearing shall be made to the 
administrative law judge. The application shall be made in writing, and 
shall specify the material to be produced as precisely as possible, 
showing the relevancy of the material and the reasonableness of the 
scope of the subpoena. The application shall be ruled upon by the 
administrative law judge.
    (b) Enforcement of a subpoena. A motion for enforcement of a 
subpoena shall be made to the administrative law judge. Upon 
consideration of the motion and any response thereto, the administrative 
law judge shall recommend to the Commission in favor of or against 
enforcement. The administrative law judge's recommendation shall provide 
the basis therefor, and shall address each of the criteria necessary for 
enforcement of an administrative subpoena. After consideration of the 
administrative law judge's recommendation, the Commission shall 
determine whether initiation of enforcement proceedings is appropriate.
    (c) Application for subpoena grounded upon the Freedom of 
Information Act. No application for a subpoena for production of 
documents grounded upon the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) 
shall be entertained by the administrative law judge or the Commission.



Sec.  207.111  Prehearing conference.

    The administrative law judge may direct the attorney or other 
representatives for the parties to meet with him or her to consider any 
or all of the following:
    (a) Simplification and clarification of the issues;
    (b) Scope of the hearing;
    (c) Stipulations and admissions of either fact or the content and 
authenticity of documents;
    (d) Disclosure of the names of witnesses and the exchange of 
documents or other physical evidence that will be introduced in the 
course of the hearing; and
    (e) Such other matters as may aid in the orderly and expeditious 
disposition of the proceedings.



Sec.  207.112  Hearings.

    (a) Purpose of and scheduling of hearings. An opportunity for a 
hearing before an administrative law judge shall be provided for each 
action initiated under Sec.  207.102 of this subpart. The purpose of 
such hearing shall be to receive evidence and hear argument in order to 
determine whether a charged party has committed a prohibited act and if 
so, what sanctions are appropriate. Hearings shall proceed with all 
reasonable expedition, and, insofar as practicable, shall be held at one 
place, continuing until completed, unless otherwise ordered by the 
administrative law judge.
    (b) Joinder or consolidation. The administrative law judge may order 
such joinder or consolidation of proceedings initiated under Sec.  
207.102 of this subpart at the administrative law judge's discretion.
    (c) Compliance with Administrative Procedure Act. The administrative 
law judge shall conduct a hearing that complies with the requirements of 
section 554 of title 5 of the United States Code.

[[Page 129]]



Sec.  207.113  The record.

    (a) Definition of the record. The record shall consist of--
    (1) The charging letter and response, motions and responses, and 
other documents and exhibits properly filed with the Commission 
Secretary;
    (2) All orders, notices, and the recommended or initial 
determinations of the administrative law judge;
    (3) Orders, notices, and any final determination of the Commission;
    (4) Hearing transcripts, and evidence admitted at the hearing; and
    (5) Any other items certified into the record by the administrative 
law judge.
    (b) Certification of the record. The record shall be certified to 
the Commission by the administrative law judge upon his or her filing of 
the initial determination.



Sec.  207.114  Initial determination.

    (a) Time for filing of initial determination. (1) Except as may 
otherwise be ordered by the Commission, within ninety (90) days of the 
date of issuance of the charging letter, the administrative law judge 
shall certify the record to the Commission and shall file with the 
Commission an initial determination as to whether each charged party has 
committed a prohibited act, and as to appropriate sanctions.
    (2) The administrative law judge may request the Commission to 
extend the time period for issuance of the initial determination for 
good cause shown.
    (b) Contents of the initial determination. The initial determination 
shall include the following:
    (1) An opinion making all necessary findings of fact and conclusions 
of law and the reasons therefor, and
    (2) A statement that the initial determination shall become the 
determination of the Commission unless a party files a petition for 
review of the determination pursuant to Sec.  207.115 or the Commission 
pursuant to Sec.  207.116 of this subpart, orders on its own motion a 
review of the initial determination or certain issues therein.
    (c) Burden of proof. A finding that a charged party committed a 
prohibited act shall be supported by clear and convincing evidence.
    (d) Effect of initial determination. The initial determination shall 
become the determination of the Commission forty-five (45) days after 
the date of service of the initial determination, unless the Commission 
within such time orders review of the initial determination or certain 
issues therein pursuant to Sec.  207.115 or Sec.  207.116 of this 
subpart or by order shall have changed the effective date of the initial 
determination. In the event an initial determination becomes the 
determination of the Commission, the parties shall be notified thereof 
by the Commission Secretary.



Sec.  207.115  Petition for review.

    (a) The petition and responses. (1) Any party may request a review 
by the Commission of the initial determination by filing with the 
Commission Secretary a petition for review, except that a party who has 
defaulted may not petition for review of any issue regarding which the 
party is in default.
    (2) Any person who wishes to obtain judicial review pursuant to 19 
U.S.C. 1677f(f)(5) must first seek review by the Commission in 
accordance with the procedures set forth in this regulation governing 
petitions for review.
    (3) Any petition for review must be filed within fourteen (14) days 
after service of the initial determination on the charged party. The 
petition shall:
    (i) Identify the party seeking review;
    (ii) Specify the issues upon which review is sought, including a 
statement as to whether review is sought of the initial determination 
regarding the commitment of a prohibited act, or of the initial 
determination regarding sanctions;
    (iii) Set forth a concise statement of the relevant law or material 
facts necessary for consideration of the stated issues; and
    (iv) Present a concise argument setting forth the reasons why review 
is necessary or appropriate.
    (4) Any issue not raised in the petition for review filed under this 
section will be deemed to have been abandoned and may be disregarded by 
the Commission.
    (5) Any party may file a response to the petition within seven (7) 
days after service of the petition, except that a party who has 
defaulted may not file a

[[Page 130]]

response to any issue regarding which the party is in default.
    (b) Grant or denial of review. (1) The Commission shall decide 
whether to grant a petition for review, in whole or in part, within 
forty-five (45) days of the service of the initial determination on the 
parties, or by such other time as the Commission may order.
    (2) The Commission shall base its decision whether to grant a 
petition for review upon the petition and response thereto, without oral 
argument or further written submissions, unless the Commission shall 
order otherwise.
    (3) The Commission shall grant a petition for review of an initial 
determination or certain issues therein when at least one of the 
participating Commissioners votes for ordering review. In its notice, 
the Commission shall establish the scope of the review and the issues 
that will be considered and make provisions for the filing of briefs and 
oral argument if deemed appropriate by the Commission. The notice that 
the Commission has granted the petition shall be served by the 
Commission Secretary on all parties.



Sec.  207.116  Commission review on its own motion.

    Within forty-five (45) days of the date of service of the initial 
determination, the Commission on its own initiative shall order review 
of an initial determination or certain issues therein upon request of 
any Commissioner.



Sec.  207.117  Review by Commission.

    On review, the parties may not present argument on any issue that is 
not set forth in the notice of review; and the Commission may affirm, 
reverse, modify, set aside or remand for further proceedings, in whole 
or in part, the initial determination of the administrative law judge. 
The Commission may make any findings or conclusions that in its judgment 
are proper based on the record in the proceeding.



Sec.  207.118  Role of the General Counsel in advising the Commission.

    The Assistant General Counsel for Section 337 Investigations shall 
serve as Acting General Counsel for the purpose of advising the 
Commission on proceedings brought under this subpart if the prohibited 
act described in the charging letter involves a protective order issued 
in connection with a panel review that was pending when the letter was 
issued, and the General Counsel participated in the panel review. No 
other Commission attorney shall advise the Commission on proceedings 
under this subpart concerning a protective order issued during a panel 
review in which the attorney participated.



Sec.  207.119  Reconsideration.

    (a) Motion for reconsideration. Within fourteen (14) days after 
service of a Commission determination, any party may file with the 
Commission a motion for reconsideration, setting forth the relief 
desired and the grounds in support thereof. Any motion filed under this 
section must be confined to new questions raised by the determination or 
action ordered to be taken thereunder and upon which the moving party 
had no opportunity to submit arguments.
    (b) Disposition of motion for reconsideration. The Commission shall 
grant or deny the motion for reconsideration. No response to a motion 
for reconsideration will be received unless requested by the Commission, 
but a motion for reconsideration will not be granted in the absence of 
such a request. If the motion to reconsider is granted, the Commission 
may affirm, set aside, or modify its determination, including any action 
ordered by it to be taken thereunder. When appropriate, the Commission 
may order the administrative law judge to take additional evidence.



Sec.  207.120  Public notice of sanctions.

    If the final Commission decision is that there has been a prohibited 
act, and that public sanctions are to be imposed, notice of the decision 
will be published in the Federal Register and forwarded to the 
Secretariat. Such publication will occur no sooner than fourteen (14) 
days after issuance of a final decision or after any motion for 
reconsideration has been denied. The Commission Secretary shall also 
serve notice of the Commission decision upon such departments and 
agencies of

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the United States, Canadian and Mexican governments as the Commission 
deems appropriate.



PART 208_INVESTIGATIONS OF UNITED STATES MEXICO CROSS BORDER LONG HAUL
TRUCKING SERVICES--Table of Contents



Sec.
208.1 Applicability of part.

                          Subpart A_Definitions

208.2 Definitions applicable to this part.

Subpart B_Investigations Relating to Material Harm or Threat of Material 
                                  Harm

208.3 Applicability of subpart.
208.4 Who may file a petition, request, or resolution.
208.5 Contents of petition.
208.6 Time for determinations, reporting.
208.7 Report to the President.
208.8 Public report.

        Subpart C_Investigations Relating to Extension of Relief

208.9 Applicability of subpart.
208.10 Who may file a petition or request.
208.11 Time for filing.
208.12 Contents of petition.
208.13 Report to the President.

             Subpart D_General Notice and Filing Provisions.

208.14 Applicability of subpart.
208.15 Identification and filing of petitions; filing of requests and 
          resolutions.
208.16 Initiation and notice of investigation.
208.17 Publication of notice; and availability for public inspection.
208.18 Notification of other agencies.
208.19 Public hearing.
208.20 Service, filing, and certification of documents.
208.21 Confidential business information; furnishing of nonconfidential 
          summaries thereof.
208.22 Limited disclosure of certain confidential business information 
          under administrative protective order.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 4574(e).

    Source: 85 FR 41357, July 10, 2020, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  208.1  Applicability of part.

    Part 208 applies to proceedings of the Commission under sections 
321-324 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) 
Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 4571-4574 (19 U.S.C. 4501 note).



                         Subpart A_ Definitions



Sec.  208.2  Definitions applicable to this part.

    For the purposes of this part, the following terms have the meanings 
hereby assigned to them:
    (a) Act means the USMCA Implementation Act.
    (b) Border commercial zone means:
    (1) The area of United States territory of the municipalities along 
the United States-Mexico international border and the commercial zones 
of such municipalities as described in subpart B of 49 CFR part 372.; 
and
    (2) Any additional border crossing and associated commercial zones 
listed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration OP-2 
application instructions or successor documents.
    (c) Cargo originating in Mexico means any cargo that enters the 
United States by commercial motor vehicle from Mexico, including cargo 
that may have originated in a country other than Mexico.
    (d) Change in circumstance may include a substantial increase in 
services supplied by the grantee of a grant of authority.
    (e) Commercial motor vehicle means a commercial motor vehicle, as 
such term is defined in 49 U.S.C. 31132 (1), that meets the requirements 
of 49 U.S.C. 31132(1)(A).
    (f) Cross-border long-haul trucking services means:
    (1) The transportation by commercial motor vehicle of cargo 
originating in Mexico to a point in the United States outside of a 
border commercial zone; or
    (2) The transportation by commercial motor vehicle of cargo 
originating in the United States from a point in the United States 
outside of a border commercial zone to a point in a border commercial 
zone or a point in Mexico.
    (g) Driver means a person that drives a commercial motor vehicle in 
cross-border long-haul trucking services.
    (h) Grant of authority means registration granted pursuant to 49 
U.S.C. 13902, or a successor provision, to persons of Mexico to conduct 
cross-border

[[Page 132]]

long-haul trucking services in the United States.
    (i) Interested party means:
    (1) Persons of the United States engaged in the provision of cross-
border long-haul trucking services;
    (2) A trade or business association, a majority of whose members are 
part of the relevant United States long-haul trucking services industry;
    (3) A certified or recognized union, or representative group of 
suppliers, operators, or drivers who are part of the United States long-
haul trucking services industry;
    (4) The Government of Mexico; or
    (5) Persons of Mexico.
    (j) Material harm means a significant loss in the share of the 
United States market or relevant sub-market for cross-border long-haul 
trucking services held by persons of the United States.
    (k) Operator or supplier means an entity that has been granted 
registration under 49 U.S.C. 13902, to provide cross-border long-haul 
trucking services.
    (l) Persons of Mexico includes:
    (1) Entities domiciled in Mexico organized, or otherwise constituted 
under Mexican law, including subsidiaries of United States companies 
domiciled in Mexico, or entities owned or controlled by a Mexican 
national, which conduct cross-border long-haul trucking services, or 
employ drivers who are non-United States nationals; and
    (2) Drivers who are Mexican nationals.
    (m) Persons of the United States includes entities domiciled in the 
United States, organized or otherwise constituted under United States 
law, and not owned or controlled by persons of Mexico, which provide 
cross-border long-haul trucking services and long-haul commercial motor 
vehicle drivers who are United States nationals.
    (n) Threat of material harm means material harm that is likely to 
occur.
    (o) Trade Representative means the United States Trade 
Representative.
    (p) United States long-haul trucking services industry means:
    (1) United States suppliers, operators, or drivers as a whole 
providing cross-border long-haul trucking services; or
    (2) United States suppliers, operators, or drivers providing cross-
border long-haul trucking services in a specific sub-market of the whole 
United States market.
    (q) USMCA means United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.



Subpart B_Investigations Relating to Material Harm or Threat of Material 
                                  Harm



Sec.  208.3  Applicability of subpart.

    The provisions of this subpart B apply to investigations under 
section 322(a) of the Act relating to material harm or threat of 
material harm. For other applicable rules, see subpart A and subpart D 
of this part.



Sec.  208.4  Who may file a petition, request, or resolution.

    An investigation under this subpart may be commenced on the basis of 
a petition properly filed by an interested party described in Sec.  
208.2(i) of this part which is representative of a United States long-
haul trucking services industry; at the request of the President or the 
Trade Representative; or upon the resolution of the Committee on Ways 
and Means of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Finance of 
the Senate.



Sec.  208.5  Contents of petition.

    (a) Nature of the claim. Each petition filed under this subpart 
shall state whether the petition:
    (1) Claims that a request by a person of Mexico to receive a grant 
of authority that is pending as of the date of the filing of the 
petition threatens to cause material harm to a United States long-haul 
trucking services industry; or
    (2) Claims that a person of Mexico who has received a grant of 
authority on or after the date of entry into force of the USMCA and 
retains such grant of authority is causing or threatens to cause 
material harm to a United States long-haul trucking services industry; 
or
    (3) Claims that, with respect to a person of Mexico who received a 
grant of authority before the date of entry into force of the USMCA and 
retains such grant of authority, there has been a change in 
circumstances such that

[[Page 133]]

such person of Mexico is causing or threatens to cause material harm to 
a United States long-haul trucking services industry.
    (b) Identity of the petitioner and basis for the claim that it is 
representative of a United States long-haul trucking services industry. 
(1) Each petition shall state the basis for the petitioner's status as 
an interested party pursuant to the definition described in Sec.  
208.2(i).
    (2) If the petition is filed on behalf of providers of such services 
in a specific sub-market, the petition shall include a description of 
the claimed sub-market. Specifically:
    (i) If the petition claims the sub-market is a specific geographic 
area in the United States for such services, it shall define such market 
and provide a justification for such delineation;
    (ii) If the petition claims a sub-market on criteria other than 
geographic terms, it shall define the applicable criteria and provide 
justification for such delineation.
    (3) Each petition shall include the names, physical addresses, email 
addresses, and telephone numbers of the firms represented in the 
petition and/or the entities employing or previously employing the 
suppliers, operators, and/or drivers represented in the petition and the 
locations of their establishments;
    (4) Each petition shall also indicate, or estimate (and provide the 
basis therefor), the percentage of the United States long-haul trucking 
services industry as a whole, or of the claimed sub-market of the United 
States market, accounted for by the petitioning suppliers, operators, 
and/or drivers and the basis for claiming that such suppliers, 
operators, and/or drivers are representative of an industry; and
    (5) Each petition shall include the names, physical addresses, email 
addresses, and telephone numbers of all other domestic entities, 
including firms, trade or business associations, and/or certified or 
recognized unions, or representative group of suppliers, operators, or 
drivers known to the petitioner who are part of the United States long-
haul trucking services industry or the specific sub-market in the United 
States market to which the petition pertains.
    (c) Identification of Grant or Grants of authority. Each petition 
shall identify the grant or grants of authority, or those that are 
pending, upon which the petition is based. In addition, each petition 
shall indicate whether it is based on:
    (1) A request for a grant of authority by a person of Mexico that is 
pending as of the date of filing of the petition (pursuant to section 
332(a)(1) of the Act); or
    (2) A grant of authority that was granted to, and retained by, a 
person of Mexico after the date of entry into force of the USMCA 
(pursuant to section 332(a)(2) of the Act); or
    (3) A grant of authority that was received before the date of entry 
into force of the USMCA and that the holder retains (pursuant to section 
332(a)(3) of the Act); and
    (d) Identification of a Change in Circumstances. Each petition that 
identifies a grant of authority pursuant to Sec.  208.5(c)(iii) shall 
also identify the claimed change in circumstances, and provide 
supporting information with respect to this claimed change in 
circumstances, including:
    (1) Where relevant, information relating to any increase in services 
supplied by a grantee of such grant of authority; or information 
relating to any other claimed change in circumstances; and
    (2) An explanation of how the change in circumstances is believed to 
cause or threaten to cause material harm to the long-haul trucking 
services industry as a whole or in a claimed specific sub-market 
thereof, supported by pertinent data and available information.
    (e) Additional required information and data. Each petition shall 
include the following information, to the extent that such information 
is available from governmental or other sources, or best estimates and 
the basis therefor if such information is not available:
    (1) Quantitative data and other information for the United States 
long-haul trucking industry as a whole, or for the claimed specific sub-
market, for the most recent three (3) full calendar years, and part-year 
for the current calendar year if available, showing:
    (i) Volume and tonnage of merchandise transported by the industry as 
a

[[Page 134]]

whole or within the claimed specific sub-market;
    (ii) Employment, wages, hours of service, and working conditions 
relating to the industry as a whole or claimed specific sub-market;
    (iii) With respect to cargo originating in Mexico, the principal 
ports of entry along the United States-Mexico border of such shipments, 
and the principal destination(s) within the United States for such 
shipments;
    (iv) With respect to cargo originating in the United States, the 
principal place(s) where such cargo is loaded, and principal 
destination(s) in Mexico or the border commercial zone, as defined in 
Sec.  208.2(b);
    (v) With respect to claims of material harm or the threat of 
material harm to the industry as a whole or within the claimed specific 
sub-market, data regarding whether there has been or is a threat of a 
significant loss in the share of the United States market as a whole, or 
in the claimed specific sub-market, to persons of Mexico, as defined in 
Sec.  208.2(l); and
    (vi) Any other relevant information, including freight rates and any 
evidence of cross-border long-haul trucking services lost to persons of 
Mexico in the market as a whole or claimed specific sub-market.
    (f) Cause of injury. Each petition shall include an enumeration and 
description of the causes believed to be resulting in the material harm, 
or threat thereof, and a statement regarding the extent to which one or 
more grants of authority are believed to be such a cause of material 
harm or the threat thereof to the United States industry as a whole or 
in a sub-market thereof, supported by pertinent data and information;
    (g) Relief sought and purpose thereof. A statement describing the 
relief sought.

[85 FR 41357, July 10, 2020, as amended at 86 FR 18185, Apr. 8, 2021]



Sec.  208.6  Time for determinations, reporting.

    (a) Determinations. (1) The Commission will make its determination 
with respect to the petition, request, or resolution no later than 120 
days after the date on which an investigation is initiated under section 
322(a) of the Act, except that:
    (2) If the Commission determines, before the 100th day after an 
investigation is initiated under section 322(a) of the Act, that the 
investigation is extraordinarily complicated, the Commission will make 
its determination within 150 days after the date on which an 
investigation is initiated.
    (b) Reporting. The Commission will submit its report to the 
President not later than the date that is 60 days after the date on 
which the determination is made under section 322(a) of the Act.



Sec.  208.7  Report to the President.

    In its report to the President, the Commission will include the 
following:
    (a) The determination made and an explanation of the basis for the 
determination;
    (b) If the determination is affirmative or if the Commission is 
equally divided in its determination, the recommendation of members of 
the Commission who agreed to the affirmative determination for the 
action that is necessary to address the material harm or threat of 
material harm found, and an explanation of the basis for the 
recommendation.
    (c) Any dissenting or separate views by members of the Commission 
regarding the determination.



Sec.  208.8  Public report.

    Upon submitting a report to the President of the results of an 
investigation to which this part relates, the Commission will promptly 
make such report public (with the exception of information that the 
Commission determines to be confidential business information) and 
publish a summary of the report in the Federal Register.



        Subpart C_Investigations Relating to Extension of Relief



Sec.  208.9  Applicability of subpart.

    The provisions of this subpart C apply to investigations under 
section 324(d)(2) of the Act relating to an extension for relief. For 
other applicable rules, see subpart A and subpart D of this part.

[[Page 135]]



Sec.  208.10  Who may file a petition or request.

    An investigation under this subpart may be commenced upon the 
request of the President or upon receipt of a petition, properly filed, 
by an interested party described in Sec.  208.2(i) of this part, which 
is representative of a United States long-haul trucking services 
industry, as defined by the Commission in its determination under 
section 322 of the Act.



Sec.  208.11  Time for filing.

    A request or petition may be filed with the Commission not earlier 
than the date that is 270 days, and not later than 240 days, before the 
date on which any action taken under section 324 of the Act of is to 
terminate.



Sec.  208.12  Contents of petition.

    The petition shall include information in support of the claim that 
action under section 324 of the Act continues to be necessary to remedy 
or prevent material harm to the industry, as defined by the Commission 
in its determination under section 322 of the Act, including information 
relating to changes since the action was taken with respect to:
    (a) The volume and tonnage of merchandise transported by the 
industry;
    (b) Employment, wages, hours of service, and working conditions 
relating to the industry;
    (c) With respect to cargo originating in Mexico, the principal ports 
of entry along the United States-Mexico border of such shipments, and 
the principal destinations within the United States for such shipments;
    (d) With respect to cargo originating in United States, the 
principal place(s) where such cargo is loaded, and principal 
destination(s) in Mexico or inside a border commercial zone as defined 
in Sec.  208.2(b);
    (e) The share of the United States market as a whole, or the share 
of the specific sub-market, held by persons of Mexico; and
    (f) Any other relevant information in support of the claim that 
action continues to be necessary.



Sec.  208.13  Report to the President.

    The Commission will submit a report on its investigation and 
determination to the President no later than 60 days before relief 
provided under section 324(a) of the Act is to terminate, or such other 
date as determined by the President.



             Subpart D_General Notice and Filing Provisions



Sec.  208.14  Applicability of subpart.

    The provisions of this subpart D apply to investigations under 
sections 322(a) and 324(d)(2) of the Act.



Sec.  208.15  Identification and filing of petitions; filing of 
requests and resolutions.

    (a) Each petition filed by an entity representative of a United 
States long-haul trucking services industry must state clearly on the 
first page thereof whether the petition is filed under section 322 or 
section 324(d)(2) of the Act as applicable. Unless otherwise directed or 
authorized by the Secretary, a public and confidential version of a 
petition must be filed electronically on the Commission's Electronic 
Document Information System (``EDIS''). One copy of each of the public 
and confidential versions of any exhibits, appendices, and attachments 
to the document may be filed on EDIS or in other electronic format 
approved by the Secretary.
    (b) Each request or resolution may be submitted in paper form or 
filed on EDIS.



Sec.  208.16  Initiation and notice of investigation.

    (a) In general. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, 
after acceptance of a properly filed petition under this part 208, the 
Commission will promptly initiate an appropriate investigation and will 
publish notice thereof in the Federal Register.
    (b) Exception. Except for good cause determined by the Commission to 
exist, no new investigation will be made under section 322 of the Act 
with respect to the same subject matter as a previous investigation 
under section 322 of the Act unless one (1) year has

[[Page 136]]

elapsed since the Commission made its report to the President of the 
results of such previous investigation.



Sec.  208.17  Publication of notice; and availability for public
inspection.

    (a) Contents of notice. The notice will indicate whether the 
initiation is based on a petition, request, or resolution, as 
appropriate; and will identify the grant or grants of authority, or the 
request for a grant or grants of authority, that are the subject of the 
investigation; the nature and timing of the determination to be made; 
the time and place of any public hearing, dates of deadlines for filing 
briefs, statements, and other documents; any limits on page lengths for 
briefs, statements, or other documents to be filed; and the name, 
address, and telephone number of the Commission office that may be 
contacted for more information.
    (b) Availability for public inspection. The Commission will promptly 
make the public version of each petition available for public inspection 
through EDIS.



Sec.  208.18  Notification of other agencies.

    For each investigation subject to the provisions of this part 208, 
the Commission will transmit copies of the petition, request, or 
resolution to the Trade Representative and the Secretary of 
Transportation, along with a copy of the notice of investigation.



Sec.  208.19  Public hearing.

    (a) Public hearing. The Commission will provide notice of, and hold, 
a public hearing in connection with each investigation initiated under 
section 322(a) or section 324(d)(2) of the Act and under this part after 
reasonable notice thereof has been published in the Federal Register.
    (b) Opportunity to appear. The Commission will afford all interested 
parties, as defined in section 321(8) of the Act and Sec.  208.2(i) of 
this part, an opportunity to be present, to present evidence, to respond 
to presentations of other parties, and otherwise to be heard.



Sec.  208.20  Service, filing, and certification of documents.

    (a) Certification. Any person submitting factual information on 
behalf of any interested party for the consideration of the Commission 
in the course of an investigation to which this part pertains, and any 
person submitting a response to a Commission questionnaire issued in 
connection with an investigation to which this part pertains, must 
certify that such information is accurate and complete to the best of 
the submitter's knowledge.
    (b) Service. Any party submitting a document for the consideration 
of the Commission in the course of an investigation to which this part 
pertains shall, in addition to complying with Sec.  201.8 of this 
chapter, serve a copy of the public version of such document on all 
other parties to the investigation in the manner prescribed in Sec.  
201.16 of this chapter, and, when appropriate, serve a copy of the 
confidential version of such document in the manner provided for in 
Sec.  208.22(f). The Secretary shall promptly notify a petitioner when, 
before the establishment of a service list under Sec.  208.22(a)(4), an 
application under Sec.  208.22(a) is approved. A copy of the petition 
including all confidential business information shall then be served by 
petitioner on those approved applicants in accordance with this section 
within two (2) calendar days of the time notification is made by the 
Secretary. If a document is filed before the Secretary's issuance of the 
service list provided for in Sec.  201.11 of this chapter or the 
administrative protective order list provided for in Sec.  208.22, the 
document need not be accompanied by a certificate of service, but the 
document shall be served on all appropriate parties within two (2) days 
of the issuance of the service list or the administrative protective 
order list and a certificate of service shall then be filed. 
Notwithstanding Sec.  201.16 of this chapter, petitions, briefs, and 
testimony filed by parties shall be served by hand, by overnight mail, 
or by electronic means. Failure to comply with the requirements of this 
rule may result in removal from status as a party to the investigation. 
The Commission will make available through EDIS each

[[Page 137]]

public document placed in the docket file.
    (c) Filing generally. Documents to be filed with the Commission must 
comply with applicable rules, including Part 201 of this chapter, as may 
be further explained in the Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures. 
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the rejection of 
the document as improperly filed.
    (d) Filing of confidential business information. If the Commission 
establishes a deadline for the filing of a document, and the submitter 
includes confidential business information in the document, the 
submitter is to file and, if the submitter is a party, serve the 
confidential version of the document on or before the deadline and may 
file and serve the nonconfidential version of the document no later than 
one business day after filing the document. The confidential version 
shall enclose all confidential business information in brackets and have 
the following warning marked on every page: ``Bracketing of CBI not 
final for one business day after date of filing.'' The bracketing 
becomes final one business day after the date of filing of the document, 
i.e., at the same time as the nonconfidential version of the document is 
due to be filed. Until the bracketing becomes final, recipients of the 
document may not divulge any part of the contents of the document to 
anyone not subject to the administrative protective order issued in the 
investigation. If the submitter discovers that it has failed to bracket 
correctly, the submitter may file a corrected version or portion of the 
confidential document at the same time that it files the nonconfidential 
version. No changes to the document, other than bracketing and deletion 
of confidential business information, are permitted after the deadline. 
Failure to comply with this paragraph may result in the striking of all 
or a portion of a submitter's document.



Sec.  208.21  Confidential business information; furnishing of 
nonconfidential summaries thereof.

    (a) Nonrelease of information. Except as provided for in Sec.  
208.22, in the case of an investigation under this part, the Commission 
will not release information that the Commission considers to be 
confidential business information within the meaning of Sec.  201.6 of 
this chapter, including such information obtained under section 
322(e)(2) of the Act, unless the party submitting the confidential 
business information had notice, at the time of submission, that such 
information would be released by the Commission, or such party 
subsequently consents to the release of the information. When 
appropriate, the Commission will include confidential business 
information in reports transmitted to the President, the Trade 
Representative, and the Secretary of Transportation; such reports will 
be marked as containing confidential business information, and a 
nonconfidential version of such report will be made available to the 
public.
    (b) Nonconfidential summaries. Except as the Commission may 
otherwise provide, a party submitting confidential business information 
shall also submit to the Commission, at the time that it submits such 
information, a nonconfidential summary of the information. If a party 
indicates that the confidential business information cannot be 
summarized, it shall state in writing the reasons why a summary cannot 
be provided. If the Commission finds that a request for confidentiality 
is not warranted, and if the party concerned is either unwilling to make 
the information public or to authorize its disclosure in generalized or 
summarized form, the Commission may disregard the submission.



Sec.  208.22  Limited disclosure of certain confidential business 
information under administrative protective order.

    (a)(1) Disclosure. Upon receipt of a timely application filed by an 
authorized applicant, as defined in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, 
which describes in general terms the information requested, and sets 
forth the reasons for the request (e.g., all confidential business 
information properly disclosed pursuant to this section for the purpose 
of representing an interested party in investigations pending before the 
Commission), the Secretary shall

[[Page 138]]

make available all confidential business information contained in 
Commission memoranda and reports and in written submissions filed with 
the Commission at any time during the investigation (except privileged 
information, classified information, and specific information of a type 
that there is a clear and compelling need to withhold from disclosure, 
e.g., trade secrets) to the authorized applicant under an administrative 
protective order described in paragraph (b) of this section. The term 
``confidential business information'' is defined in Sec.  201.6 of this 
chapter, and it includes information obtained under section 322(e)(2) of 
the Act.
    (2) Application. An application under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section must be made by an authorized applicant on a form adopted by the 
Secretary or a photocopy thereof. A signed application shall be filed 
electronically. An application on behalf of an authorized applicant must 
be made no later than the time that entries of appearance are due 
pursuant to Sec.  201.11 of this chapter. In the event that two or more 
authorized applicants represent one interested party who is a party to 
the investigation, the authorized applicants must select one of their 
number to be lead authorized applicant. The lead authorized applicant's 
application must be filed no later than the time that entries of 
appearance are due. Provided that the application is accepted, the lead 
authorized applicant shall be served with confidential business 
information pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section. The other 
authorized applicants representing the same party may file their 
applications after the deadline for entries of appearance, but at least 
five days before the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs in the 
investigation, and they shall not be served with confidential business 
information.
    (3) Authorized applicant. (i) Only an authorized applicant may file 
an application under this subsection. An authorized applicant is:
    (A) An attorney for an interested party that is a party to the 
investigation;
    (B) A consultant or expert under the direction and control of a 
person under paragraph (a)(3)(i)(A) of this section;
    (C) A consultant or expert who appears regularly before the 
Commission and who represents an interested party that is a party to the 
investigation; or
    (D) An authorized representative of an interested party that is a 
party to the investigation, if such interested party is not represented 
by counsel.
    (ii) In addition, an authorized applicant must not be involved in 
competitive decision-making for an interested party that is a party to 
the investigation. Involvement in ``competitive decision-making'' 
includes past, present, or likely future activities, associations, and 
relationships with an interested party that is a party to the 
investigation, which involves the prospective authorized applicant's 
advice or participation in any of such party's decisions made in light 
of similar or corresponding information about a competitor (e.g., 
pricing, product design, etc.).
    (4) Forms and determinations. (i) The Secretary may adopt, from time 
to time, forms for submitting requests for disclosure pursuant to an 
administrative protective order incorporating the terms of this rule. 
The Secretary shall determine whether the requirements for release of 
information under this rule have been satisfied. This determination 
shall be made concerning specific confidential business information as 
expeditiously as possible, but in no event later than fourteen (14) days 
from the filing of the information, except if the submitter of the 
information objects to its release or the information is unusually 
voluminous or complex, in which case the determination shall be made 
within thirty (30) days from the filing of the information. The 
Secretary shall establish a list of parties whose applications have been 
granted. The Secretary's determination shall be final.
    (ii) Should the Secretary determine pursuant to this section that 
materials sought by a person to be protected from public disclosure do 
not constitute confidential business information or were not required to 
be served under paragraph (f) of this section, then the Secretary shall, 
upon request,

[[Page 139]]

issue an order on behalf of the Commission requiring the return of all 
copies of such materials served in accordance with paragraph (f) of this 
section.
    (iii) The Secretary shall release confidential business information 
only to an authorized applicant whose application has been accepted and 
who presents the application along with adequate personal 
identification; or a person described in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this 
section who presents a copy of the statement referred to in that 
paragraph, along with adequate personal identification.
    (b) Administrative protective order. The administrative protective 
order under which information is made available to the authorized 
applicant shall require the applicant to submit to the Secretary a 
personal sworn statement that, in addition to such other conditions as 
the Secretary may require, the applicant shall:
    (1) Not divulge any of the confidential business information 
obtained under the administrative protective order and not otherwise 
available to the applicant, to any person other than
    (i) Personnel of the Commission concerned with the investigation,
    (ii) The person or agency from whom the confidential business 
information was obtained,
    (iii) A person whose application for access to confidential business 
information under the administrative protective order has been granted 
by the Secretary, and
    (iv) Other persons, such as paralegals and clerical staff, who are 
employed or supervised by an authorized applicant; who have a need 
thereof in connection with the investigation; who are not involved in 
competitive decision-making on behalf of an interested party that is a 
party to the investigation; and who have signed a statement in a form 
approved by the Secretary that they agree to be bound by the 
administrative protective order (the authorized applicant shall be 
responsible for retention and accuracy of such forms and shall be deemed 
responsible for such persons' compliance with the administrative 
protective order);
    (2) Use such confidential business information solely for the 
purposes of representing an interested party in the Commission 
investigation then in progress;
    (3) Not consult with any person not described in paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section concerning such confidential business information without 
first having received the written consent of the Secretary and the party 
or the attorney of the party from whom such confidential business 
information was obtained;
    (4) Whenever materials (e.g., documents, computer disks, etc.) 
containing such confidential business information are not being used, 
store such material in a locked file cabinet, vault, safe, or other 
suitable container;
    (5) Serve all materials containing confidential business information 
as directed by the Secretary and pursuant to paragraph (f) of this 
section;
    (6) Transmit all materials containing confidential business 
information with a cover sheet identifying the materials as containing 
confidential business information;
    (7) Comply with the provisions of this section;
    (8) Make true and accurate representations in the authorized 
applicant's application and promptly notify the Secretary of any changes 
that occur after the submission of the application and that affect the 
representations made in the application (e.g., change in personnel 
assigned to the investigation);
    (9) Report promptly and confirm in writing to the Secretary any 
breach of the administrative protective order; and
    (10) Acknowledge that breach of the administrative protective order 
may subject the authorized applicant to such sanctions or other actions 
as the Commission deems appropriate.
    (c) Final disposition of material released under administrative 
protective order. At such date as the Secretary may determine 
appropriate for particular data, each authorized applicant shall destroy 
all physical and electronic copies of materials released to authorized 
applicants pursuant to this section and all other materials containing 
confidential business information, such as charts or notes based on any 
such information received under administrative protective order, and 
file with the

[[Page 140]]

Secretary a certificate attesting to the applicant's personal, good 
faith belief that all copies of such material have been returned or 
destroyed and no copies of such material have been made available to any 
person to whom disclosure was not specifically authorized.
    (d) Commission responses to a breach of administrative protective 
order. A breach of an administrative protective order may subject an 
offender to:
    (1) Disbarment from practice in any capacity before the Commission 
along with such person's partners, associates, employer, and employees, 
for up to seven years following publication of a determination that the 
order has been breached;
    (2) Referral to the United States Attorney;
    (3) In the case of an attorney, accountant, or other professional, 
referral to the ethics panel of the appropriate professional 
association;
    (4) Such other administrative sanctions as the Commission determines 
to be appropriate, including public release of or striking from the 
record any information or briefs submitted by, or on behalf of, the 
offender or the party represented by the offender, denial of further 
access to confidential business information in the current or any future 
investigations before the Commission, and issuance of a public or 
private letter of reprimand; and
    (5) Such other actions, including but not limited to, a warning 
letter, as the Commission determines to be appropriate.
    (e) Breach investigation procedure. (1) The Commission shall 
determine whether any person has violated an administrative protective 
order, and may impose sanctions or other actions in accordance with 
paragraph (d) of this section. At any time within sixty (60) days of the 
later of;
    (i) The date on which the alleged violation occurred or, as 
determined by the Commission, could have been discovered through the 
exercise of reasonable and ordinary care; or
    (ii) Upon the completion of an investigation conducted under this 
subpart, the Commission may commence an investigation of any breach of 
an administrative protective order alleged to have occurred at any time 
during the pendency of the investigation. Whenever the Commission has 
reason to believe that a person may have breached an administrative 
protective order issued pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall 
issue a letter informing such person that the Commission has reason to 
believe that a breach has occurred and that the person has a reasonable 
opportunity to present views on whether a breach has occurred. If the 
Commission subsequently determines that a breach has occurred and that 
further investigation is warranted, then the Secretary shall issue a 
letter informing such person of that determination and that the person 
has a reasonable opportunity to present views on whether mitigating 
circumstances exist and on the appropriate sanction to be imposed, but 
no longer on whether a breach has occurred. Once such person has been 
afforded a reasonable opportunity to present views, the Commission shall 
determine what sanction, if any, to impose.
    (2) Where the sanction imposed is a private letter of reprimand, the 
Secretary shall expunge the sanction from the recipient's record two (2) 
years from the date of issuance of the sanction, provided that
    (i) The recipient has not received another unexpunged sanction 
pursuant to this section at any time prior to the end of the two-year 
period, and
    (ii) The recipient is not the subject of an investigation for 
possible breach of administrative protective order under this section at 
the end of the two-year period. Upon the completion of such a pending 
breach investigation without the issuance of a sanction, the original 
sanction shall be expunged. The Secretary shall notify a sanction 
recipient in the event that the sanction is expunged.
    (f) Service. (1) Any party filing written submissions that include 
confidential business information to the Commission during an 
investigation shall at the same time serve complete copies of such 
submissions upon all authorized applicants specified on the list 
established by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section, and,

[[Page 141]]

except as provided in Sec.  208.20(c), a nonconfidential version on all 
other parties. All such submissions must be accompanied by a certificate 
attesting that complete copies of the submission have been properly 
served. In the event that a submission is filed before the Secretary's 
list is established, the document need not be accompanied by a 
certificate of service, but the submission shall be served within two 
(2) days of the establishment of the list and a certificate of service 
shall then be filed.
    (2) A party may seek an exemption from the service requirement of 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section for particular confidential business 
information by filing a request for exemption from disclosure in 
accordance with paragraph (g) of this section. The Secretary shall 
promptly respond to the request. If a request is granted, the Secretary 
shall accept the information. The party shall file three versions of the 
submission containing the information in accordance with paragraph (g) 
of this section, and serve the submission in accordance with the 
requirements of Sec.  208.20(b) and paragraph (f)(1) of this section, 
with the specific information as to which exemption from disclosure 
under administrative protective order has been granted redacted from the 
copies served. If a request is denied, the copy of the information 
lodged with the Secretary shall promptly be returned to the requester.
    (3) The Secretary shall not accept for filing into the record of an 
investigation submissions filed without a proper certificate of service. 
Failure to comply with paragraph (f) of this section may result in 
denial of party status and such sanctions as the Commission deems 
appropriate. Confidential business information in submissions must be 
clearly marked as such when submitted by enclosing such information 
within brackets, and it must be segregated from other material being 
submitted.
    (g) Exemption from disclosure. (1) In general. Any person may 
request exemption from the disclosure of confidential business 
information under administrative protective order, whether the person 
desires to include such information in a petition filed under this part, 
or any other submission to the Commission during the course of an 
investigation under this part. Such a request shall be granted only if 
the Secretary finds that such information is non-disclosable 
confidential business information. As defined in Sec.  201.6(a)(2) of 
this chapter, non-disclosable confidential business information is 
privileged information, classified information, or specific information 
(e.g., trade secrets) of a type for which there is a clear and 
compelling need to withhold from disclosure.
    (2) Request for exemption. A request for exemption from disclosure 
must be filed with the Secretary in writing with the reasons therefor. 
At the same time as the request is filed, one copy of the confidential 
business information in question must be lodged with the Secretary 
solely for the purpose of obtaining a determination as to the request. 
The confidential business information for which exemption from 
disclosure is sought shall remain the property of the requester, and it 
shall not become or be incorporated into any agency record until such 
time as the request is granted. A request should, when possible, be 
filed two business days prior to the deadline, if any, for filing the 
document in which the information for which exemption from disclosure is 
sought is proposed to be included. The Secretary shall promptly notify 
the requester as to whether the request has been approved or denied.
    (3) Procedure if request is approved. If the request is approved, 
the person shall file three versions of the submission containing the 
non-disclosable confidential business information in question. One 
version shall contain all confidential business information, bracketed 
in accordance with Sec.  201.6 of this chapter and Sec.  208.20(c), with 
the specific information as to which exemption from disclosure was 
granted enclosed in triple brackets. This version shall have the 
following warning marked on every page: ``CBI exempted from disclosure 
under APO enclosed in triple brackets.'' The other two versions shall 
conform to and be filed in accordance with the requirements of Sec.  
201.6 of this chapter and Sec.  208.20(c), except that the specific 
information as to which exemption from

[[Page 142]]

disclosure was granted shall be redacted from those versions of the 
submission.
    (4) Procedure if request is denied. If the request is denied, the 
copy of the information lodged with the Secretary shall promptly be 
returned to the requester.

[[Page 143]]



     SUBCHAPTER C_INVESTIGATIONS OF UNFAIR PRACTICES IN IMPORT TRADE





PART 210_ADJUDICATION AND ENFORCEMENT--Table of Contents



                Subpart A_Rules of General Applicability

Sec.
210.1 Applicability of part.
210.2 General policy.
210.3 Definitions.
210.4 Written submissions; representations; sanctions.
210.5 Confidential business information.
210.6 Computation of time, additional hearings, postponements, 
          continuances, and extensions of time.
210.7 Service of process and other documents; publication of notices.

 Subpart B_Commencement of Preinstitution Proceedings and Investigations

210.8 Commencement of preinstitution proceedings.
210.9 Action of Commission upon receipt of complaint.
210.10 Institution of investigation.
210.11 Service of complaint and notice of investigation.

                           Subpart C_Pleadings

210.12 The complaint.
210.13 The response.
210.14 Amendments to pleadings and notice; supplemental submissions; 
          counterclaims; consolidation of investigations.

                            Subpart D_Motions

210.15 Motions.
210.16 Default.
210.17 Other failure to act and default.
210.18 Summary determinations.
210.19 Intervention.
210.20 Declassification of confidential information.
210.21 Termination of investigations.
210.22 [Reserved]
210.23 Suspension of investigation.
210.24 Interlocutory appeals.
210.25 Sanctions.
210.26 Other motions.

               Subpart E_Discovery and Compulsory Process

210.27 General provisions governing discovery.
210.28 Depositions.
210.29 Interrogatories.
210.30 Requests for production of documents and things and entry upon 
          land.
210.31 Requests for admission.
210.32 Subpoenas.
210.33 Failure to make or cooperate in discovery; sanctions.
210.34 Protective orders; reporting requirement; sanctions and other 
          actions.

              Subpart F_Prehearing Conferences and Hearings

210.35 Prehearing conferences.
210.36 General provisions for hearings.
210.37 Evidence.
210.38 Record.
210.39 In camera treatment of confidential information.
210.40 Proposed findings and conclusions and briefs.

               Subpart G_Determinations and Actions Taken

210.41 Termination of investigation.
210.42 Initial determinations.
210.43 Petitions for review of initial determinations on matters other 
          than temporary relief.
210.44 Commission review on its own motion of initial determinations on 
          matters other than temporary relief.
210.45 Review of initial determinations on matters other than temporary 
          relief.
210.46 Petitions for and sua sponte review of initial determinations on 
          violation of section 337 or temporary relief.
210.47 Petitions for reconsideration.
210.48 Disposition of petitions for reconsideration.
210.49 Implementation of Commission action.
210.50 Commission action, the public interest, and bonding by 
          respondents.
210.51 Period for concluding investigation.

                       Subpart H_Temporary Relief

210.52 Motions for temporary relief.
210.53 Motion filed after complaint.
210.54 Service of motion by the complainant.
210.55 Content of service copies.
210.56 Notice accompanying service copies.
210.57 Amendment of the motion.
210.58 Provisional acceptance of the motion.
210.59 Responses to the motion and the complaint.
210.60 Designating the temporary relief phase of an investigation more 
          complicated for the purpose of adjudicating a motion for 
          temporary relief.

[[Page 144]]

210.61 Discovery and compulsory process.
210.62 Evidentiary hearing.
210.63 Proposed findings and conclusions and briefs.
210.64 Interlocutory appeals.
210.65 Certification of the record.
210.66 Initial determination concerning temporary relief; Commission 
          action thereon.
210.67 Remedy, the public interest, and bonding.
210.68 Complainant's temporary relief bond.
210.69 Approval of complainant's temporary relief bond.
210.70 Forfeiture or return of complainant's temporary relief bond.

         Subpart I_Enforcement Procedures and Advisory Opinions

210.71 Information gathering.
210.72 Confidentiality of information.
210.73 Review of reports.
210.74 Modification of reporting requirements.
210.75 Proceedings to enforce exclusion orders, cease and desist orders, 
          consent orders, and other Commission orders.
210.76 Modification or rescission of exclusion orders, cease and desist 
          orders, consent orders, and seizure and forfeiture orders.
210.77 [Reserved]
210.78 Notice of enforcement action to Government agencies.
210.79 Advisory opinions.

Appendix A to Part 210--Adjudication and enforcement
Appendix B to Part 210--Adjudication and Enforcement

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1333, 1335, and 1337.

    Source: 59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, unless otherwise noted.



                Subpart A_Rules of General Applicability



Sec.  210.1  Applicability of part.

    The rules in this part apply to investigations under section 337 of 
the Tariff Act of 1930 and related proceedings. These rules are 
authorized by sections 333, 335, or 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 
U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  1333, 1335, and 1337) and sections 2 and 1342(d)(1)(B) 
of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, Pub. L. No. 100-
418, 102 Stat. 1107 (1988).



Sec.  210.2  General policy.

    It is the policy of the Commission that, to the extent practicable 
and consistent with requirements of law, all investigations and related 
proceedings under this part shall be conducted expeditiously. The 
parties, their attorneys or other representatives, and the presiding 
administrative law judge shall make every effort at each stage of the 
investigation or related proceeding to avoid delay.



Sec.  210.3  Definitions.

    As used in this part--
    Administrative law judge means the person appointed under section 
3105 of title 5 of the United States Code who presides over the taking 
of evidence in an investigation under this part. If the Commission so 
orders or a section of this part so provides, an administrative law 
judge also may preside over stages of a related proceeding under this 
part.
    Ancillary proceeding has the same meaning as related proceeding.
    Commission investigative attorney means a Commission attorney 
designated to engage in investigatory activities in an investigation or 
a related proceeding under this part.
    Complainant means a person who has filed a complaint with the 
Commission under this part, alleging a violation of section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930.
    Intervenor means a person who has been granted leave by the 
Commission to intervene as a party to an investigation or a related 
proceeding under this part.
    Investigation means a formal Commission inquiry instituted to 
determine whether there is a violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act 
of 1930. An investigation is instituted upon publication of a notice in 
the Federal Register. The investigation entails postinstitution 
adjudication of the complaint. An investigation can also involve the 
processing of one or more of the following: A motion to amend the 
complaint and notice of investigation; a motion for temporary relief; a 
motion to designate ``more complicated'' the temporary relief stage of 
the investigation; an interlocutory appeal of an administrative law 
judge's decision on a particular matter; a motion for sanctions for 
abuse of process, abuse of discovery, or failure to make or cooperate in 
discovery, which if granted, would have an impact on the adjudication of 
the merits of the complaint; a petition for reconsideration of

[[Page 145]]

a final Commission determination; a motion for termination of the 
investigation in whole or part; and procedures undertaken in response to 
a judgment or judicial order issued in an appeal of a Commission 
determination or remedial order issued under section 337 of the Tariff 
Act of 1930.
    Party means each complainant, respondent, intervenor, or the Office 
of Unfair Import Investigations.
    Proposed intervenor means any person who has filed a motion to 
intervene in an investigation or a related proceeding under this part.
    Proposed respondent means any person named in a complaint filed 
under this part as allegedly violating section 337 of the Tariff Act of 
1930.
    Related proceeding means preinstitution proceedings, sanction 
proceedings (for the possible issuance of sanctions that would not have 
a bearing on the adjudication of the merits of a complaint or a motion 
under this part), bond forfeiture proceedings, proceedings to enforce, 
modify, or revoke a remedial or consent order, or advisory opinion 
proceedings.
    Respondent means any person named in a notice of investigation 
issued under this part as allegedly violating section 337 of the Tariff 
Act of 1930.
    U.S. Customs Service means U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67626, Dec. 30, 1994; 73 
FR 38320, July 7, 2008; 76 FR 24363, May 2, 2011; 78 FR 23480, Apr. 19, 
2013]



Sec.  210.4  Written submissions; representations; sanctions.

    (a) Caption; names of parties. The front page of every written 
submission filed by a party or a proposed party to an investigation or a 
related proceeding under this part shall contain a caption setting forth 
the name of the Commission, the title of the investigation or related 
proceeding, the docket number or investigation number, if any, assigned 
to the investigation or related proceeding, and in the case of a 
complaint, the names of the complainant and all proposed respondents.
    (b) Signature. Every pleading, written motion, and other paper of a 
party or proposed party who is represented by an attorney in an 
investigation or a related proceeding under this part shall be signed by 
at least one attorney of record in the attorney's individual name. A 
party or proposed party who is not represented by an attorney shall 
sign, or his duly authorized officer or agent shall sign, the pleading, 
written motion, or other paper. Each paper shall state the signer's 
address and telephone number, if any. Pleadings, written motions, and 
other papers need not be under oath or accompanied by an affidavit, 
except as provided in Sec.  210.12(a)(1), Sec.  210.13(b), Sec.  210.18, 
Sec.  210.52(d), Sec.  210.59(b), or another section of this part or by 
order of the administrative law judge or the Commission. If a pleading, 
motion, or other paper is not signed, it shall be stricken unless it is 
signed promptly after omission of the signature is called to the 
attention of the submitter.
    (c) Representations. By presenting to the presiding administrative 
law judge or the Commission (whether by signing, filing, submitting, or 
later advocating) a pleading, written motion, or other paper, an 
attorney or unrepresented party or proposed party is certifying that to 
the best of the person's knowledge, information, and belief, formed 
after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances--
    (1) It is not being presented for any improper purpose, such as to 
harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of 
the investigation or related proceeding;
    (2) The claims, defenses, and other legal contentions therein are 
warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for the 
extension, modification, or reversal of existing law or the 
establishment of new law;
    (3) The allegations and other factual contentions have evidentiary 
support or, if specifically so identified, are likely to have 
evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further 
investigation or discovery; and
    (4) The denials of factual contentions are warranted on the evidence 
or, if specifically so identified, are reasonably based on a lack of 
information or belief.
    (d) Sanctions. If, after notice and a reasonable opportunity to 
respond (see

[[Page 146]]

paragraphs (d)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section and Sec.  210.25), the 
presiding administrative law judge or the Commission determines that 
paragraph (c) of this section has been violated, the administrative law 
judge or the Commission may, subject to the conditions stated below and 
in Sec.  210.25, impose an appropriate sanction upon the attorneys, law 
firms, or parties that have violated paragraph (c) or are responsible 
for the violation. A representation need not be frivolous in its 
entirety in order for the administrative law judge or the Commission to 
determine that paragraph (c) has been violated. If any portion of a 
representation is found to be false, frivolous, misleading, or otherwise 
in violation of paragraph (c), a sanction may be imposed. In determining 
whether paragraph (c) has been violated, the administrative law judge or 
the Commission will consider whether the representation or disputed 
portion thereof was objectively reasonable under the circumstances.
    (1) How initiated--(i) By motion. A motion for sanctions under this 
section shall be made separately from other motions or requests and 
shall describe the specific conduct alleged to violate paragraph (c). It 
shall be served as provided in paragraph (g) of this section, but shall 
not be filed with or presented to the presiding administrative law judge 
or the Commission unless, within seven days after service of the motion 
(or such other period as the administrative law judge or the Commission 
may prescribe), the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, 
allegation, or denial is not withdrawn or appropriately corrected. See 
also Sec.  210.25 (a) through (c). If warranted, the administrative law 
judge or the Commission may award to the party or proposed party 
prevailing on the motion the reasonable expenses and attorney's fees 
incurred in presenting or opposing the motion. Absent exceptional 
circumstances, a law firm shall be held jointly responsible for 
violations committed by its partners, associates, and employees.
    (ii) On the administrative law judge's or the Commission's 
initiative. The administrative law judge or the Commission may enter an 
order sua sponte describing the specific conduct that appears to violate 
paragraph (c) of this section and directing an attorney, law firm, 
party, or proposed party to show cause why it has not violated paragraph 
(c) with respect thereto.
    (2) Nature of sanctions; limitations. A sanction imposed for 
violation of paragraph (c) of this section shall be limited to what is 
sufficient to deter repetition of such conduct or comparable conduct by 
others similarly situated. Subject to the limitations in paragraphs 
(d)(2) (i) through (iv) of this section, the sanction may consist of, or 
include, directives of a nonmonetary nature, an order to pay a penalty, 
or, if imposed on motion and warranted for effective deterrence, an 
order directing payment to the movant of some or all of the reasonable 
attorney's fees and other expenses incurred as a direct result of the 
violation.
    (i) Monetary sanctions shall not be imposed under this section 
against the United States, the Commission, or a Commission investigative 
attorney.
    (ii) Monetary sanctions may not be awarded against a represented 
party or proposed party for a violation of paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section.
    (iii) Monetary sanctions may not be imposed on the administrative 
law judge's or the Commission's initiative unless--
    (A) The Commission or the administrative law judge issues an order 
to show cause before the investigation or related proceeding is 
terminated, in whole or in relevant part, as to the party or proposed 
party which is, or whose attorneys are, to be sanctioned; and
    (B) Such termination is the result of--
    (1) A motion to withdraw the complaint, motion, or petition that was 
the basis for the investigation or related proceeding;
    (2) A settlement agreement;
    (3) A consent order agreement; or
    (4) An arbitration agreement.
    (iv) Monetary sanctions imposed to compensate the Commission for 
expenses incurred by a Commission investigative attorney or the 
Commission's Office of Unfair Import Investigations will include 
reimbursement for some or

[[Page 147]]

all costs reasonably incurred as a direct result of the violation, but 
will not include attorney's fees.
    (3) Order. When imposing sanctions, the administrative law judge or 
the Commission shall describe the conduct determined to constitute a 
violation of this rule and explain the basis for the sanction imposed. 
See also Sec.  210.25(d)-(f).
    (e) Inapplicability to discovery. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of this 
section do not apply to discovery requests, responses, objections, and 
motions that are subject to provisions of Sec. Sec.  210.27 through 
210.34.
    (f) Filing of documents. (1) Written submissions that are addressed 
to the Commission during an investigation or a related proceeding shall 
comply with the Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures, which is 
issued by and available from the Secretary and posted on the 
Commission's Electronic Document Information System Web site at https://
edis.usitc.gov. Failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter 
and the Handbook on Filing Procedures in the filing of a document may 
result in the rejection of the document as improperly filed.
    (2) A complaint, petition, or request, and supplements and 
amendments thereto, filed under Sec.  210.8, Sec.  210.75, Sec.  210.76, 
or Sec.  210.79 shall be filed in paper form. An original and eight (8) 
true paper copies shall filed. All exhibits, appendices, and attachments 
to the document shall be filed in electronic form on one CD-ROM, DVD, or 
other portable electronic media approved by the Secretary. Sections 
210.8 and 210.12 set out additional requirements for a complaint filed 
under Sec.  210.8. Additional requirements for a petition or request 
filed under Sec.  210.75, Sec.  210.76, or Sec.  210.79 are set forth in 
those sections. Submitted media will be retained by the Commission, 
except that media may be returned to the submitter if a document is not 
accepted for filing.
    (3) Responses to a complaint, briefs, comments and responses 
thereto, compliance reports, motions and responses or replies thereto, 
petitions and replies thereto, prehearing statements, and proposed 
findings of fact and conclusions of law and responses thereto provided 
for under Sec. Sec.  210.4(d), 210.13, 210.8, 210.14, 210.15, 210.16, 
210.17, 210.18, 210.19, 210.20, 210.21, 210.23, 210.24, 210.25, 210.26, 
210.33, 210.34, 210.35, 210.36, 210.38, 210.40, 210.43, 210.45, 210.46, 
210.47, 210.50, 210.52, 210.53, 210.57, 210.59, 210.66, 210.70, or 
210.71; and submissions filed with the Secretary pursuant to an order of 
the presiding administrative law judge shall be filed electronically, 
and true paper copies of such submissions shall be filed by 12 noon, 
eastern time, on the next business day.
    (4) Except for the documents listed in paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3) 
of this section, all other documents shall be filed electronically, and 
no paper copies will be required.
    (5) If paper copies are required under this section, the required 
number of paper copies shall be governed by paragraph (f)(6) of this 
section. A paper copy provided for in this section must be a true copy 
of the electronic version of the document, i.e., a copy that is 
identical in all possible respects.
    (6) Unless the Commission or this part specifically states 
otherwise:
    (i) Two (2) true paper copies of each submission shall be filed if 
the investigation or related proceeding is before an administrative law 
judge; and
    (ii) Eight (8) true paper copies of each submission shall be filed 
if the investigation or related proceeding is before the Commission.
    (7)(i) If a complaint, a supplement or amendment to a complaint, a 
motion for temporary relief, or the documentation supporting a motion 
for temporary relief contains confidential business information as 
defined in Sec.  201.6(a) of this chapter, the complainant shall file 
nonconfidential copies of the complaint, the supplement or amendment to 
the complaint, the motion for temporary relief, or the documentation 
supporting the motion for temporary relief concurrently with the 
requisite confidential copies, as provided in Sec.  210.8(a). A 
nonconfidential copy of all exhibits, appendices, and attachments to the 
document shall be filed in electronic form on one CD-ROM, DVD, or other 
portable electronic media approved by the Secretary, separate from the 
media used for the confidential version.
    (ii)(A) Persons who file the following submissions that contain 
confidential

[[Page 148]]

business information covered by an administrative protective order, or 
that are the subject of a request for confidential treatment, must file 
nonconfidential copies and serve them on the other parties to the 
investigation or related proceeding within 10 calendar days after filing 
the confidential version with the Commission:
    (1) A response to a complaint and all supplements and exhibits 
thereto;
    (2) All submissions relating to a motion to amend the complaint or 
notice of investigation; and
    (3) All submissions addressed to the Commission.
    (B) Other sections of this part may require, or the Commission or 
the administrative law judge may order, the filing and service of 
nonconfidential copies of other kinds of confidential submissions. If 
the submitter's ability to prepare a nonconfidential copy is dependent 
upon receipt of the nonconfidential version of an initial determination, 
or a Commission order or opinion, or a ruling by the administrative law 
judge or the Commission as to whether some or all of the information at 
issue is entitled to confidential treatment, the nonconfidential copies 
of the submission must be filed within 10 calendar days after service of 
the Commission or administrative law judge document in question. The 
time periods for filing specified in this paragraph apply unless the 
Commission, the administrative law judge, or another section of this 
part specifically provides otherwise.
    (8) The Secretary may provide for exceptions and modifications to 
the filing requirements set out in this chapter. A person seeking an 
exception should consult the Handbook on Filing Procedures.
    (9) Where to file; date of filing. Documents shall be filed at the 
Office of the Secretary of the Commission in Washington, DC. Such 
documents, if properly filed within the hours of operation specified in 
Sec.  201.3(c), will be deemed to be filed on the date on which they are 
actually received in the Commission.
    (10) Conformity with rules. Each document filed with the Commission 
for the purpose of initiating any investigation shall be considered 
properly filed if it conforms with the pertinent rules prescribed in 
this chapter. Substantial compliance with the pertinent rules may be 
accepted by the Commission provided good and sufficient reason is stated 
in the document for inability to comply fully with the pertinent rules.
    (11) During any period in which the Commission is closed, deadlines 
for filing documents electronically and by other means are extended so 
that documents are due on the first business day after the end of the 
closure.
    (g) Cover Sheet. When making a paper filing, parties must complete 
the cover sheet online at http://edis.usitc.gov and print out the cover 
sheet for submission to the Office of the Secretary with the paper 
filing. The party submitting the cover sheet is responsible for the 
accuracy of all information contained in the cover sheet, including, but 
not limited to, the security status and the investigation number, and 
must comply with applicable limitations on disclosure of confidential 
information under Sec.  210.5.
    (h) Specifications. (1) Each document filed under this chapter shall 
be double-spaced, clear and legible, except that a document of two pages 
or less in length need not be double-spaced. All submissions shall be in 
letter-sized format (8.5 x 11 inches), except copies of documents 
prepared for another agency or a court (e.g., patent file wrappers or 
pleadings papers), and single sided. Typed matter shall not exceed 6.5 x 
9.5 inches using 11-point or larger type and shall be double-spaced 
between each line of text using the standard of 6 lines of type per 
inch. Text and footnotes shall be in the same size type. Quotations more 
than two lines long in the text or footnotes may be indented and single-
spaced. Headings and footnotes may be single-spaced.
    (2) The administrative law judge may impose any specifications he 
deems appropriate for submissions that are addressed to the 
administrative law judge.
    (i) Service. Unless the Commission, the administrative law judge, or 
another section of this part specifically provides otherwise, every 
written submission filed by a party or proposed

[[Page 149]]

party shall be served on all other parties in the manner specified in 
Sec.  201.16(b) of this chapter.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994; 59 FR 64286, Dec. 14, 1994, as amended at 59 
FR 67626, Dec. 30, 1994; 60 FR 32443, June 22, 1995; 68 FR 32978, June 
3, 2003; 73 FR 38320, July 7, 2008; 76 FR 61944, Oct. 6, 2011; 78 FR 
23480, Apr. 19, 2013]



Sec.  210.5  Confidential business information.

    (a) Definition and submission. Confidential business information 
shall be defined and identified in accordance with Sec.  201.6 (a) and 
(c) of this chapter. Unless the Commission, the administrative law 
judge, or another section of this part states otherwise, confidential 
business information shall be submitted in accordance with Sec.  
201.6(b) of this chapter. In the case of a complaint, any supplement to 
the complaint, and a motion for temporary relief filed under this part, 
the number of nonconfidential copies shall be prescribed by Sec.  
210.8(a) of this part.
    (b) Restrictions on disclosure. Information submitted to the 
Commission or exchanged among the parties in connection with an 
investigation or a related proceeding under this part, which is properly 
designated confidential under paragraph (a) of this section and Sec.  
201.6(a) of this chapter, may not be disclosed to anyone other than the 
following persons without the consent of the submitter:
    (1) Persons who are granted access to confidential information under 
Sec.  210.39(a) or a protective order issued pursuant to Sec.  
210.34(a);
    (2) An officer or employee of the Commission who is directly 
concerned with--
    (i) Carrying out or maintaining the records of the investigation or 
related proceeding for which the information was submitted;
    (ii) The administration of a bond posted pursuant to subsection (e), 
(f), or (j) of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930;
    (iii) The administration or enforcement of an exclusion order issued 
pursuant to subsection (d), (e), or (g), a cease and desist order issued 
pursuant to subsection (f), or a consent order issued pursuant to 
subsection (c) of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930; or
    (iv) Proceedings for the modification or rescission of a temporary 
or permanent order issued under subsection (d), (e), (f), (g), or (i) of 
section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, or a consent order issued under 
section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930;
    (3) An officer or employee of the United States Government who is 
directly involved in a review conducted pursuant to section 337(j) of 
the Tariff Act of 1930; or
    (4) An officer or employee of the United States Customs Service who 
is directly involved in administering an exclusion from entry under 
section 337 (d), (e), or (g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 resulting from 
the investigation or related proceeding in connection with which the 
information was submitted.
    (c) Transmission of certain records to district court. 
Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of this section, confidential business 
information may be transmitted to a district court and be admissible in 
a civil action, subject to such protective order as the district court 
determines necessary, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1659.
    (d) Confidentiality determinations in preinstitution proceedings. 
After a complaint is filed under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 
and before an investigation is instituted by the Commission, 
confidential business information designated confidential by the 
supplier shall be submitted in accordance with Sec.  201.6(b) of this 
chapter. The Secretary shall decide, in accordance with Sec.  201.6(d) 
of this chapter, whether the information is entitled to confidential 
treatment. Appeals from the ruling of the Secretary shall be made to the 
Commission as set forth in Sec.  201.6(e) and (f) of this chapter.
    (e) Confidentiality determinations in investigations and other 
related proceedings. (1) If an investigation is instituted or if a 
related proceeding is assigned to an administrative law judge, the 
administrative law judge shall set the ground rules for the designation, 
submission, and handling of information designated confidential by the 
submitter. When requested to do so, the administrative law judge shall 
decide whether information in a document addressed to the administrative 
law judge, or to be exchanged among

[[Page 150]]

the parties while the administrative law judge is presiding, is entitled 
to confidential treatment. The administrative law judge shall also 
decide, with respect to all orders, initial determinations, or other 
documents issued by the administrative law judge, whether information 
designated confidential by the supplier is entitled to confidential 
treatment. The supplier of the information or the person seeking the 
information may, with leave of the administrative law judge, request an 
appeal to the Commission of the administrative law judge's unfavorable 
ruling on this issue, under Sec.  210.24(b)(2).
    (2) The Commission may continue protective orders issued by the 
administrative law judge, amend or revoke those orders, or issue new 
ones. All submissions addressed to the Commission that contain 
information covered by an existing protective order will be given 
confidential treatment. (See also Sec.  210.72.) New information that is 
submitted to the Commission, designated confidential by the supplier, 
and not covered by an existing protective order must be submitted to the 
Secretary with a request for confidential treatment in accordance with 
Sec.  201.6(b) and (c) of this chapter. The Secretary shall decide, in 
accordance with Sec.  201.6(d) of this chapter, whether the information 
is entitled to confidential treatment. Appeals from the ruling of the 
Secretary shall be made to the Commission as provided in Sec.  201.6(e) 
and (f) of this chapter. The Commission shall decide, with respect to 
all orders, notices, opinions, and other documents issued by or on 
behalf of the Commission, whether information designated confidential by 
the supplier is entitled to confidential treatment.
    (f) When the Commission or the administrative law judge issues a 
confidential version of an order, initial determination, opinion, or 
other document, the Commission, or the presiding administrative law 
judge if the administrative law judge has issued the confidential 
version, shall issue any public version of the document within 30 days, 
unless good cause exists to extend the deadline. An administrative law 
judge or the Commission may extend this time by order. Upon request by 
the Commission, or the administrative law judge if the administrative 
law judge has issued the confidential version, parties must provide 
support in the record for their claim of confidentiality, pursuant Sec.  
201.6 of this chapter and Sec.  210.4 of this subpart for any proposed 
redactions that parties may submit to the Commission or the 
administrative law judge for the preparation of any public version.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67626, Dec. 30, 1994; 60 
FR 32444, June 22, 1995; 78 FR 23480, Apr. 19, 2013]



Sec.  210.6  Computation of time, additional hearings, postponements,
continuances, and extensions of time.

    (a) Unless the Commission, the administrative law judge, or this or 
another section of this part specifically provides otherwise, the 
computation of time and the granting of additional hearings, 
postponements, continuances, and extensions of time shall be in 
accordance with Sec. Sec.  201.14 and 201.16(d) and (e) of this chapter.
    (b) Whenever a party has the right or is required to perform some 
act or to take some action within a prescribed period after service of a 
document upon it, and the document was served by mail, the deadline 
shall be computed by adding to the end of the prescribed period the 
additional time allotted under Sec.  201.16(d), unless the Commission, 
the administrative law judge, or another section of this part 
specifically provides otherwise.
    (c) Whenever a party has the right or is required to perform some 
act or to take some action within a prescribed period after service of a 
Commission document upon it, and the document was served by express 
delivery, the deadline shall be computed by adding to the end of the 
prescribed period the additional time allotted under Sec.  201.16(e), 
unless the Commission, the administrative law judge, or another section 
of this part specifically provides otherwise.

[78 FR 23480, Apr. 19, 2013]



Sec.  210.7  Service of process and other documents; publication of notices.

    (a) Manner of service. (1) The service of process and all documents 
issued by or on behalf of the Commission or the

[[Page 151]]

administrative law judge--and the service of all documents issued by 
parties under Sec. Sec.  210.27 through 210.34 of this part--shall be in 
accordance with Sec.  201.16 of this chapter, unless the Commission, the 
administrative law judge, or this or another section of this part 
specifically provides otherwise.
    (2) The service of all initial determinations as defined in Sec.  
210.42, all cease and desist orders as set forth in Sec.  210.50(a)(1), 
and all documents containing confidential business information as 
defined in Sec.  201.6(a), issued by or on behalf of the Commission or 
the administrative law judge on a private party, shall be effected by 
serving a copy of the document by express delivery, as defined in Sec.  
201.16(e), on the person to be served, on a member of the partnership to 
be served, on the president, secretary, other executive officer, or 
member of the board of directors of the corporation, association, or 
other organization to be served, or, if an attorney represents any of 
the above in connection with an investigation under this subtitle, by 
serving a copy by express delivery on such attorney.
    (3) Whenever the Commission effects service of documents issued by 
or on behalf of the Commission or the administrative law judge upon the 
private parties by overnight delivery, service upon the Office of Unfair 
Import Investigations shall also be deemed to have occurred by overnight 
delivery.
    (b) Designation of a single attorney or representative for service 
of process. The service list prepared by the Secretary for each 
investigation will contain the name and address of no more than one 
attorney or other representative for each party to the investigation. In 
the event that two or more attorneys or other persons represent one 
party to the investigation, the party must select one of their number to 
be the lead attorney or representative for service of process. The lead 
attorney or representative for service of process shall state, at the 
time of the filing of its entry of appearance with the Secretary, that 
it has been so designated by the party it represents. (Only those 
persons authorized to receive confidential business information under a 
protective order issued pursuant to Sec.  210.34(a) are eligible to be 
included on the service list for documents containing confidential 
business information.)
    (c) Publication of notices. (1) Notice of action by the Commission 
or an administrative law judge will be published in the Federal Register 
only as specifically provided in Sec.  201.10, paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, by another section in this chapter, or by order of an 
administrative law judge or the Commission.
    (2) When an administrative law judge or the Commission determines to 
amend or supplement a notice published in accordance with paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section, notice of the amendment will be published in the 
Federal Register.

[60 FR 53119, Oct. 12, 1995, as amended at 72 FR 13960, Mar. 23, 2007; 
73 FR 38320, July 7, 2008; 78 FR 23480, Apr. 19, 2013]



 Subpart B_Commencement of Preinstitution Proceedings and Investigations



Sec.  210.8  Commencement of preinstitution proceedings.

    A preinstitution proceeding is commenced by filing with the 
Secretary a signed original complaint and the requisite number of true 
copies.
    (a)(1) A complaint filed under this section shall be filed in paper 
form with the Secretary as follows.
    (i) An original and eight (8) true paper copies of the 
nonconfidential version of the complaint shall be filed. All exhibits, 
appendices, and attachments to this version of the complaint shall be 
filed in electronic form on CD-ROM, DVD, or other portable electronic 
media approved by the Secretary.
    (ii) An original and eight (8) true paper copies of the confidential 
version of the complaint shall be filed. All exhibits, appendices, and 
attachments to this version of the complaint shall be filed in 
electronic form on CD-ROM, DVD, or other portable electronic media 
approved by the Secretary.
    (iii) For each proposed respondent, one true copy of the 
nonconfidential version of the complaint and one true copy of the 
confidential version of the complaint, if any, along with one true copy 
of the nonconfidential exhibits

[[Page 152]]

and one true copy of the confidential exhibits shall be filed, and
    (iv) For the government of the foreign country in which each 
proposed respondent is located as indicated in the complaint, one true 
copy of the nonconfidential version of the complaint shall be filed.
    Note to paragraph (a)(1): The same requirements apply for the filing 
of a supplement or amendment to the complaint.
    (2) If the complainant is seeking temporary relief, the complainant 
must also file:
    (i) An original and eight (8) true paper copies of the 
nonconfidential version of the motion for temporary relief. All 
exhibits, appendices, and attachments to this version of the motion 
shall be filed in electronic form on CD-ROM, DVD, or other portable 
electronic media approved by the Secretary.
    (ii) An original and eight (8) true paper copies of the confidential 
version of the motion for temporary relief. All exhibits, appendices, 
and attachments to this version of the motion shall be filed in 
electronic form on CD-ROM, DVD, or other portable electronic media 
approved by the Secretary; and
    (iii) For each proposed respondent, one true copy of the 
nonconfidential version of the motion and one true copy of the 
confidential version of the motion along with one true copy of the 
nonconfidential exhibits and one true copy of the confidential exhibits 
filed with the motion.

    Note to paragraph (a)(2): The same requirements apply for the filing 
of a supplement or amendment to the complaint or a supplement to the 
motion for temporary relief.

    (b) Provide specific information regarding the public interest. 
Complainant must file, concurrently with the complaint, a separate 
statement of public interest, not to exceed five pages, inclusive of 
attachments, addressing how issuance of the requested relief, i.e., a 
general exclusion order, a limited exclusion order, and/or a cease and 
desist order, in this investigation could affect the public health and 
welfare in the United States, competitive conditions in the United 
States economy, the production of like or directly competitive articles 
in the United States, or United States consumers. If the complainant 
files a confidential version of its submission on public interest, it 
shall file a public version of the submission no later than one business 
day after the deadline for filing the submission. In particular, the 
submission should:
    (1) Explain how the articles potentially subject to the requested 
remedial orders are used in the United States;
    (2) Identify any public health, safety, or welfare concerns relating 
to the requested remedial orders;
    (3) Identify like or directly competitive articles that complainant, 
its licensees, or third parties make which could replace the subject 
articles if they were to be excluded;
    (4) Indicate whether the complainant, its licensees, and/or third 
parties have the capacity to replace the volume of articles subject to 
the requested remedial orders in a commercially reasonable time in the 
United States; and
    (5) State how the requested remedial orders would impact consumers.
    (c) Publication of notice of filing. (1) When a complaint is filed, 
the Secretary to the Commission will publish a notice in the Federal 
Register inviting comments from the public and proposed respondents on 
any public interest issues arising from the complaint and potential 
exclusion and/or cease and desist orders. In response to the notice, 
members of the public and proposed respondents may provide specific 
information regarding the public interest in a written submission not to 
exceed five pages, inclusive of attachments, to the Secretary to the 
Commission within eight (8) calendar days of publication of notice of 
the filing of a complaint. Comments that substantively address 
allegations made in the complaint will not be considered. Members of the 
public and proposed respondents may address how issuance of the 
requested exclusion order and/or a cease and desist order in this 
investigation could affect the public health and welfare in the United 
States, competitive conditions in the United States economy, the 
production of like or directly competitive articles in the United 
States, or United States consumers. If a member of the public or

[[Page 153]]

proposed respondent files a confidential version of its submission, it 
shall file a public version of the submission no later than one business 
day after the deadline for filing the submission. Submissions should:
    (i) Explain how the articles potentially subject to the requested 
remedial orders are used in the United States;
    (ii) Identify any public health, safety, or welfare concerns 
relating to the requested remedial orders;
    (iii) Identify like or directly competitive articles that 
complainant, its licensees, or third parties make which could replace 
the subject articles if they were to be excluded;
    (iv) Indicate whether the complainant, its licensees, and/or third 
parties have the capacity to replace the volume of articles subject to 
the requested remedial orders in a commercially reasonable time in the 
United States; and
    (v) State how the requested remedial orders would impact consumers.
    (2) Complainant may file a reply to any submissions received under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section not to exceed five pages, inclusive of 
attachments, to the Secretary to the Commission within three (3) 
calendar days following the filing of the submissions. If the 
complainant files a confidential version of its submission, it shall 
file a public version of the submission no later than one business day 
after the deadline for filing the submission.
    (d) Upon the initiative of the Commission. The Commission may upon 
its initiative commence a preinstitution proceeding based upon any 
alleged violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 60 FR 32444, June 22, 1995; 68 
FR 32978, June 3, 2003; 73 FR 38320, July 7, 2008; 76 FR 61945, Oct. 6, 
2011; 76 FR 64808, Oct. 19, 2011; 78 FR 23481, Apr. 19, 2013]



Sec.  210.9  Action of Commission upon receipt of complaint.

    Upon receipt of a complaint alleging violation of section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930, the Commission shall take the following actions:
    (a) Examination of complaint. The Commission shall examine the 
complaint for sufficiency and compliance with the applicable sections of 
this chapter.
    (b) Informal investigatory activity. The Commission shall identify 
sources of relevant information, assure itself of the availability 
thereof, and, if deemed necessary, prepare subpoenas therefore, and give 
attention to other preliminary matters.



Sec.  210.10  Institution of investigation.

    (a)(1) The Commission shall determine whether the complaint is 
properly filed and whether an investigation should be instituted on the 
basis of the complaint. That determination shall be made within 30 days 
after the complaint is filed, unless--
    (i) Exceptional circumstances preclude adherence to a 30-day 
deadline;
    (ii) Additional time is allotted under other sections of this part 
in connection with the preinstitution processing of a motion by the 
complainant for temporary relief;
    (iii) The complainant requests that the Commission postpone the 
determination on whether to institute an investigation; or
    (iv) The complainant withdraws the complaint.
    (2) If exceptional circumstances preclude Commission adherence to 
the 30-day deadline for determining whether to institute an 
investigation on the basis of the complaint, the determination will be 
made as soon after that deadline as possible.
    (3) If additional time is allotted in connection with the 
preinstitution processing of a motion by the complainant for temporary 
relief, the Commission will determine whether to institute an 
investigation and provisionally accept the motion within 35 days after 
the filing of the complaint or by a subsequent deadline computed in 
accordance with Sec.  210.53(a), Sec.  210.54, Sec.  210.55(b), Sec.  
210.57, or Sec.  210.58 as applicable.
    (4) If the complainant desires to have the Commission postpone 
making a determination on whether to institute an investigation in 
response to the complaint, the complainant must file a written request 
with the Secretary. If the request is granted, the determination will be 
rescheduled for whatever date is appropriate in light of the facts.

[[Page 154]]

    (5)(i) The complainant may withdraw the complaint as a matter of 
right at any time before the Commission votes on whether to institute an 
investigation. To effect such withdrawal, the complainant must file a 
written notice with the Commission.
    (ii) If a motion for temporary relief was filed in addition to the 
complaint, the motion must be withdrawn along with the complaint, and 
the complainant must serve copies of the notice of withdrawal on all 
proposed respondents and on the embassies that were served with copies 
of the complaint and motion pursuant to Sec.  210.54.
    (6) The Commission may determine to institute multiple 
investigations based on a single complaint where necessary to allow 
efficient adjudication.
    (b)(1) An investigation shall be instituted by the publication of a 
notice in the Federal Register. The notice will define the scope of the 
investigation in such plain language as to make explicit what accused 
products or category of accused products provided in accordance with 
Sec.  210.12(a)(12) will be the subject of the investigation, and may be 
amended as provided in Sec.  210.14(b) and (c).
    (2) The Commission may order the administrative law judge to take 
evidence and to issue a recommended determination on the public interest 
based generally on the submissions of the parties and the public under 
Sec.  210.8(b) and (c). If the Commission orders the administrative law 
judge to take evidence with respect to the public interest, the 
administrative law judge will limit public interest discovery 
appropriately, with particular consideration for third parties, and will 
ensure that such discovery will not delay the investigation or be used 
improperly. Public interest issues will not be within the scope of 
discovery unless the administrative law judge is specifically ordered by 
the Commission to take evidence on these issues.
    (3) The Commission may order the administrative law judge to issue 
an initial determination within 100 days of institution of an 
investigation as provided in Sec.  210.42(a)(3) ruling on a potentially 
dispositive issue as set forth in the notice of investigation. The 
presiding administrative law judge is authorized, in accordance with 
Sec.  210.36, to hold expedited hearings on any such designated issue 
and also has discretion to stay discovery of any remaining issues during 
the pendency of the 100-day proceeding.
    (c) If the Commission determines not to institute an investigation 
on the basis of the complaint, the complaint shall be dismissed, and the 
complainant and all proposed respondents will receive written notice of 
the Commission's action and the reason(s) therefor.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38321, July 7, 2008; 76 
FR 64809, Oct. 19, 2011; 76 FR 71248, Nov. 17, 2011; 83 FR 21160, May 8, 
2018]



Sec.  210.11  Service of complaint and notice of investigation.

    (a)(1) Unless the Commission institutes temporary relief 
proceedings, upon institution of an investigation, the Commission shall 
serve:
    (i) Copies of the nonconfidential version of the complaint, the 
nonconfidential exhibits, and the notice of investigation upon each 
respondent; and
    (ii) Copies of the nonconfidential version of the complaint and the 
notice of investigation upon the embassy in Washington, DC of the 
country in which each proposed respondent is located as indicated in the 
Complaint.
    (2) If the Commission institutes temporary relief proceedings, upon 
institution of an investigation, the Commission shall serve:
    (i) Copies of the nonconfidential version of the motion for 
temporary relief, the nonconfidential version of the complaint, and the 
notice of investigation upon each respondent; and
    (ii) A copy of the notice of investigation upon the embassy in 
Washington, DC of the country in which each proposed respondent is 
located as indicated in the Complaint.
    (3) All respondents named after an investigation has been instituted 
and the governments of the foreign countries in which they are located 
as indicated in the complaint shall be served as soon as possible after 
the respondents are named.
    (4) The Commission shall serve copies of the notice of investigation 
upon the U.S. Department of Health and Human

[[Page 155]]

Services, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, 
the U.S. Customs Service, and such other agencies and departments as the 
Commission considers appropriate.
    (b) With leave from the presiding administrative law judge, a 
complainant may attempt to effect personal service of the complaint and 
notice of investigation upon a respondent, if the Secretary's efforts to 
serve the respondent have been unsuccessful. If the complainant succeeds 
in serving the respondent by personal service, the complainant must 
notify the administrative law judge and file proof of such service with 
the Secretary.

[73 FR 38321, July 7, 2008, as amended at 83 FR 21160, May 8, 2018]



                           Subpart C_Pleadings



Sec.  210.12  The complaint.

    (a) Contents of the complaint. In addition to conforming with the 
requirements of Sec. Sec.  210.4 and 210.5 of this part, the complaint 
shall--
    (1) Be under oath and signed by the complainant or his duly 
authorized officer, attorney, or agent, with the name, address, and 
telephone number of the complainant and any such officer, attorney, or 
agent given on the first page of the complaint, and include a statement 
attesting to the representations in Sec.  210.4(c)(1) through (3);
    (2) Include a statement of the facts constituting the alleged unfair 
methods of competition and unfair acts;
    (3) Describe specific instances of alleged unlawful importations or 
sales, and shall provide the Tariff Schedules of the United States item 
number(s) for importations occurring prior to January 1, 1989, and the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States item number(s) for 
importations occurring on or after January 1, 1989;
    (4) State the name, address, and nature of the business (when such 
nature is known) of each person alleged to be violating section 337 of 
the Tariff Act of 1930;
    (5) Include a statement as to whether the alleged unfair methods of 
competition and unfair acts, or the subject matter thereof, are or have 
been the subject of any court or agency litigation, and, if so, include 
a brief summary of such litigation;
    (6)(i) If the complaint alleges a violation of section 337 based on 
infringement of a U.S. patent, or a federally registered copyright, 
trademark, mask work, or vessel hull design, under section 337(a)(1) 
(B), (C), (D), or (E) of the Tariff Act of 1930, include a statement as 
to whether an alleged domestic industry exists or is in the process of 
being established as defined in section 337(a)(2), and include a 
detailed description of the relevant domestic industry as defined in 
section 337(a)(3) that allegedly exists or is in the process of being 
established (i.e., for the former, facts showing significant/substantial 
investment and employment, and for the latter, facts showing complainant 
is actively engaged in the steps leading to the exploitation of its 
intellectual property rights, and that there is a significant likelihood 
that an industry will be established in the future), and including the 
relevant operations of any licensees. Relevant information includes but 
is not limited to:
    (A) Significant investment in plant and equipment;
    (B) Significant employment of labor or capital; or
    (C) Substantial investment in the exploitation of the subject 
patent, copyright, trademark, mask work, or vessel hull design, 
including engineering, research and development, or licensing; or
    (ii) If the complaint alleges a violation of section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 based on unfair methods of competition and unfair 
acts in the importation or sale of articles in the United States that 
have the threat or effect of destroying or substantially injuring an 
industry in the United States or preventing the establishment of such an 
industry under section 337(a)(1)(A)(i) or (ii), include a detailed 
statement as to whether an alleged domestic industry exists or is in the 
process of being established (i.e., for the latter, facts showing that 
there is a significant likelihood that an industry will be established 
in the future), and include a detailed description of the domestic 
industry affected, including the relevant operations of any licensees; 
or

[[Page 156]]

    (iii) If the complaint alleges a violation of section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 based on unfair methods of competition or unfair acts 
that have the threat or effect of restraining or monopolizing trade and 
commerce in the United States under section 337(a)(1)(A)(iii), include a 
description ofthe trade and commerce affected.
    (7) Include a description of the complainant's business and its 
interests in the relevant domestic industry or the relevant trade and 
commerce. For every intellectual property based complaint (regardless of 
the type of intellectual property right involved), include a showing 
that at least one complainant is the owner or exclusive licensee of the 
subject intellectual property; and
    (8) If the alleged violation involves an unfair method of 
competition or an unfair act other than those listed in paragraph 
(a)(6)(i) of this section, state a specific theory and provide 
corroborating data to support the allegation(s) in the complaint 
concerning the existence of a threat or effect to destroy or 
substantially injure a domestic industry, to prevent the establishment 
of a domestic industry, or to restrain or monopolize trade and commerce 
in the United States. The information that should ordinarily be provided 
includes the volume and trend of production, sales, and inventories of 
the involved domestic article; a description of the facilities and 
number and type of workers employed in the production of the involved 
domestic article; profit-and-loss information covering overall 
operations and operations concerning the involved domestic article; 
pricing information with respect to the involved domestic article; when 
available, volume and sales of imports; and other pertinent data.
    (9) Include, when a complaint is based upon the infringement of a 
valid and enforceable U.S. patent--
    (i) The identification of each U.S. patent and a certified copy 
thereof (a legible copy of each such patent will suffice for each 
required copy of the complaint);
    (ii) The identification of the ownership of each involved U.S. 
patent and a certified copy of each assignment of each such patent (a 
legible copy thereof will suffice for each required copy of the 
complaint);
    (iii) The identification of each licensee under each involved U.S. 
patent;
    (iv) A copy of each license agreement (if any) for each involved 
U.S. patent that complainant relies upon to establish its standing to 
bring the complaint or to support its contention that a domestic 
industry as defined in section 337(a)(3) exists or is in the process of 
being established as a result of the domestic activities of one or more 
licensees;
    (v) When known, a list of each foreign patent, each foreign patent 
application (not already issued as a patent) and each foreign patent 
application that has been denied, abandoned or withdrawn corresponding 
to each involved U.S. patent, with an indication of the prosecution 
status of each such patent application;
    (vi) A nontechnical description of the invention of each involved 
U.S. patent;
    (vii) A reference to the specific claims in each involved U.S. 
patent that allegedly cover the article imported or sold by each person 
named as violating section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, or the process 
under which such article was produced;
    (viii) A showing that each person named as violating section 337 of 
the Tariff Act of 1930 is importing or selling the article covered by, 
or produced under the involved process covered by, the above specific 
claims of each involved U.S. patent. The complainant shall make such 
showing by appropriate allegations, and when practicable, by a chart 
that applies each asserted independent claim of each involved U.S. 
patent to a representative involved article of each person named as 
violating section 337 of the Tariff Act or to the process under which 
such article was produced;
    (ix) A showing that an industry in the United States, relating to 
the articles protected by the patent exists or is in the process of 
being established. The complainant shall make such showing by 
appropriate allegations, and when practicable, by a chart that applies 
an exemplary claim of each involved U.S. patent to a representative 
involved domestic article or to the process under which such article was 
produced; and

[[Page 157]]

    (x) Drawings, photographs, or other visual representations of both 
the involved domestic article or process and the involved article of 
each person named as violating section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, or 
of the process utilized in producing the imported article, and, when a 
chart is furnished under paragraphs (a)(9)(viii) and (a)(9)(ix) of this 
section, the parts of such drawings, photographs, or other visual 
representations should be labeled so that they can be read in 
conjunction with such chart; and
    (xi) The expiration date of each patent asserted.
    (10) Include, when a complaint is based upon the infringement of a 
federally registered copyright, trademark, mask work, or vessel hull 
design--
    (i) The identification of each licensee under each involved 
copyright, trademark, mask work, and vessel hull design;
    (ii) A copy of each license agreement (if any) that complainant 
relies upon to establish its standing to bring the complaint or to 
support its contention that a domestic industry as defined in section 
337(a)(3) exists or is in the process of being established as a result 
of the domestic activities of one or more licensees.
    (11) Contain a request for relief, including a statement as to 
whether a limited exclusion order, general exclusion order, and/or cease 
and desist orders are being requested, and if temporary relief is 
requested under section 337(e) and/or (f) of the Tariff Act of 1930, a 
motion for such relief shall accompany the complaint as provided in 
Sec.  210.52(a) or may follow the complaint as provided in Sec.  
210.53(a).
    (12) Contain a clear statement in plain English of the category of 
products accused. For example, the caption of the investigation might 
refer to ``certain electronic devices,'' but the complaint would provide 
a further statement to identify the type of products involved in plain 
English such as mobile devices, tablets, or computers.
    (b) Submissions of articles as exhibits. At the time the complaint 
is filed, if practicable, the complainant shall submit both the domestic 
article and all imported articles that are the subject of the complaint.
    (c) Additional material to accompany each patent-based complaint. 
There shall accompany the submission of the original of each complaint 
based upon the alleged unauthorized importation or sale of an article 
covered by, or produced under a process covered by, the claims of a 
valid U.S. patent the following:
    (1) One certified copy of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office 
prosecution history for each involved U.S. patent, plus three additional 
copies thereof; and
    (2) Four copies of each patent and applicable pages of each 
technical reference mentioned in the prosecution history of each 
involved U.S. patent.
    (d) Additional material to accompany each registered trademark-based 
complaint. There shall accompany the submission of the original of each 
complaint based upon the alleged unauthorized importation or sale of an 
article covered by a federally registered trademark, one certified copy 
of the Federal registration and three additional copies, and one 
certified copy of the prosecution history for each federally registered 
trademark.
    (e) Additional material to accompany each complaint based on a non-
Federally registered trademark. There shall accompany the submission of 
the original of each complaint based upon the alleged unauthorized 
importation or sale of an article covered by a non-Federally registered 
trademark the following:
    (1) A detailed and specific description of the alleged trademark;
    (2) Information concerning prior attempts to register the alleged 
trademark; and
    (3) Information on the status of current attempts to register the 
alleged trademark.
    (f) Additional material to accompany each copyright-based complaint. 
There shall accompany the submission of the original of each complaint 
based upon the alleged unauthorized importation or sale of an article 
covered by a copyright one certified copy of the Federal registration 
and three additional copies;

[[Page 158]]

    (g) Additional material to accompany each registered mask work-based 
complaint. There shall accompany the submission of the original of each 
complaint based upon the alleged unauthorized importation or sale of a 
semiconductor chip in a manner that constitutes infringement of a 
Federally registered mask work, one certified copy of the Federal 
registration and three additional copies;
    (h) Additional material to accompany each vessel hull design-based 
complaint. There shall accompany the submission of the original of each 
complaint based upon the alleged unauthorized importation or sale of an 
article covered by a vessel hull design, one certified copy of the 
Federal registration (including all deposited drawings, photographs, or 
other pictorial representations of the design), and three additional 
copies;
    (i) Initial disclosures. Complainant shall serve on each respondent 
represented by counsel who has agreed to be bound by the terms of the 
protective order one copy of each document submitted with the complaint 
pursuant to Sec.  210.12(c) through (h) within five days of service of a 
notice of appearance and agreement to be bound by the terms of the 
protective order; and
    (j) Duty to supplement complaint. Complainant shall supplement the 
complaint prior to institution of an investigation if complainant 
obtains information upon the basis of which he knows or reasonably 
should know that a material legal or factual assertion in the complaint 
is false or misleading.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994; 59 FR 64286, Dec. 14, 1994, as amended at 73 
FR 38321, July 7, 2008; 78 FR 23481, Apr. 19, 2013; 83 FR 21160, May 8, 
2018]



Sec.  210.13  The response.

    (a) Time for response. Except as provided in Sec.  210.59(a) and 
unless otherwise ordered in the notice of investigation or by the 
administrative law judge, respondents shall have 20 days from the date 
of service of the complaint and notice of investigation, by the 
Commission under Sec.  210.11(a) or by a party under Sec.  210.11(b), 
within which to file a written response to the complaint and the notice 
of investigation. When the investigation involves a motion for temporary 
relief and has not been declared ``more complicated,'' the response to 
the complaint and notice of investigation must be filed along with the 
response to the motion for temporary relief--i.e., within 10 days after 
service of the complaint, notice of investigation, and the motion for 
temporary relief by the Commission under Sec.  210.11(a) or by a party 
under Sec.  210.11(b). (See Sec.  210.59.)
    (b) Content of the response. In addition to conforming to the 
requirements of Sec. Sec.  210.4 and 210.5 of this part, each response 
shall be under oath and signed by respondent or his duly authorized 
officer, attorney, or agent with the name, address, and telephone number 
of the respondent and any such officer, attorney, or agent given on the 
first page of the response. Each respondent shall respond to each 
allegation in the complaint and in the notice of investigation, and 
shall set forth a concise statement of the facts constituting each 
ground of defense. There shall be a specific admission, denial, or 
explanation of each fact alleged in the complaint and notice, or if the 
respondent is without knowledge of any such fact, a statement to that 
effect. Allegations of a complaint and notice not thus answered may be 
deemed to have been admitted. Each response shall include, when 
available, statistical data on the quantity and value of imports of the 
involved article. Respondents who are importers must also provide the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule item number(s) for importations of the 
accused imports occurring on or after January 1, 1989, and the Tariff 
Schedules of the United States item number(s) for importations occurring 
before January 1, 1989. Each response shall also include a statement 
concerning the respondent's capacity to produce the subject article and 
the relative significance of the United States market to its operations. 
Respondents who are not manufacturing their accused imports shall state 
the name and address of the supplier(s) of those imports. Affirmative 
defenses shall be pleaded with as much specificity as possible in the 
response. When the alleged unfair methods of competition and unfair acts 
are based upon the claims of a valid U.S. patent, the respondent is 
encouraged to make

[[Page 159]]

the following showing when appropriate:
    (1) If it is asserted in defense that the article imported or sold 
by respondents is not covered by, or produced under a process covered 
by, the claims of each involved U.S. patent, a showing of such 
noncoverage for each involved claim in each U.S. patent in question 
shall be made, which showing may be made by appropriate allegations and, 
when practicable, by a chart that applies the involved claims of each 
U.S. patent in question to a representative involved imported article of 
the respondent or to the process under which such article was produced;
    (2) Drawings, photographs, or other visual representations of the 
involved imported article of respondent or the process utilized in 
producing such article, and, when a chart is furnished under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, the parts of such drawings, photographs, or 
other visual representations, should be labeled so that they can be read 
in conjunction with such chart; and
    (3) If the claims of any involved U.S. patent are asserted to be 
invalid or unenforceable, the basis for such assertion, including, when 
prior art is relied on, a showing of how the prior art renders each 
claim invalid or unenforceable and a copy of such prior art. For good 
cause, the presiding administrative law judge may waive any of the 
substantive requirements imposed under this paragraph or may impose 
additional requirements.
    (c) Submission of article as exhibit. At the time the response is 
filed, if practicable, the respondent shall submit the accused article 
imported or sold by that respondent, unless the article has already been 
submitted by the complainant.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38322, July 7, 2008; 78 
FR 23481, Apr. 19, 2013]



Sec.  210.14  Amendments to pleadings and notice; supplemental submissions;
counterclaims; consolidation of investigations.

    (a) Preinstitution amendments. The complaint may be amended at any 
time prior to the institution of the investigation. If, prior to 
institution, the complainant seeks to amend a complaint to add a 
respondent or to assert an additional unfair act not in the original 
complaint, including asserting a new patent or patent claim, then the 
complaint shall be treated as if it had been filed on the date the 
amendment is filed for purposes of Sec. Sec.  210.8(b) and (c), 210.9, 
and 210.10(a).
    (b) Postinstitution amendments generally. (1) After an investigation 
has been instituted, the complaint or notice of investigation may be 
amended only by leave of the Commission for good cause shown and upon 
such conditions as are necessary to avoid prejudicing the public 
interest and the rights of the parties to the investigation. A motion 
for amendment must be made to the presiding administrative law judge. A 
motion to amend the complaint and notice of investigation to name an 
additional respondent after institution shall be served on the proposed 
respondent. If the proposed amendment of the complaint would require 
amending the notice of investigation, the presiding administrative law 
judge may grant the motion only by filing with the Commission an initial 
determination. All other dispositions of such motions shall be by order.
    (2) If disposition of the issues in an investigation on the merits 
will be facilitated, or for other good cause shown, the presiding 
administrative law judge may allow appropriate amendments to pleadings 
other than complaints upon such conditions as are necessary to avoid 
prejudicing the public interest and the rights of the parties to the 
investigation.
    (c) Postinstitution amendments to conform to evidence. When issues 
not raised by the pleadings or notice of investigation, but reasonably 
within the scope of the pleadings and notice, are considered during the 
taking of evidence by express or implied consent of the parties, they 
shall be treated in all respects as if they had been raised in the 
pleadings and notice. Such amendments of the pleadings and notice as may 
be necessary to make them conform to the evidence and to raise such 
issues shall be allowed at any time, and shall be effective with respect 
to all parties who have expressly or impliedly consented.

[[Page 160]]

    (d) Supplemental submissions. The administrative law judge may, upon 
reasonable notice and on such terms as are just, permit service of a 
supplemental submission setting forth transactions, occurrences, or 
events that have taken place since the date of the submission sought to 
be supplemented and that are relevant to any of the issues involved.
    (e) Counterclaims. At any time after institution of the 
investigation, but not later than ten business days before the 
commencement of the evidentiary hearing, a respondent may file a 
counterclaim at the Commission in accordance with section 337(c) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930. Counterclaims shall be filed in a separate document. 
A respondent who files such a counterclaim shall immediately file a 
notice of removal with a United States district court in which venue for 
any of the counterclaims raised by the respondent would exist under 28 
U.S.C. 1391.
    (f) Respondent submissions on the public interest. When the 
Commission has ordered the administrative law judge to take evidence 
with respect to the public interest under Sec.  210.50(b)(1), 
respondents must submit a statement concerning the public interest, 
including any response to the issues raised by the complainant pursuant 
to Sec.  210.8(b) and (c)(2), at the same time that their response to 
the complaint is due. This submission must be no longer than five pages, 
inclusive of attachments.
    (g) Consolidation of investigations. The Commission may consolidate 
two or more investigations. If the investigations are currently before 
the same presiding administrative law judge, he or she may consolidate 
the investigations. The investigation number in the caption of the 
consolidated investigation will include the investigation numbers of the 
investigations being consolidated. The investigation number in which the 
matter will be proceeding (the lead investigation) will be the first 
investigation number named in the consolidated caption.
    (h) Severance of investigation. The administrative law judge may 
determine to sever an investigation into two or more investigations at 
any time prior to or upon thirty days from institution, based upon 
either a motion by any party or upon the administrative law judge's own 
judgment that severance is necessary to allow efficient adjudication. 
The administrative law judge's decision will be in the form of an order. 
The newly severed investigation(s) shall remain with the same presiding 
administrative law judge unless reassigned at the discretion of the 
chief administrative law judge. The severed investigation(s) will be 
designated with new investigation numbers.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67627, Dec. 30, 1994; 76 
FR 64809, Oct. 19, 2011; 78 FR 23481, Apr. 19, 2013; 83 FR 21160, May 8, 
2018]



                            Subpart D_Motions



Sec.  210.15  Motions.

    (a) Presentation and disposition. (1) During the period between the 
institution of an investigation and the assignment of the investigation 
to a presiding administrative law judge, all motions shall be addressed 
to the chief administrative law judge. During the time that an 
investigation or related proceeding is before an administrative law 
judge, all motions therein shall be addressed to the administrative law 
judge.
    (2) When an investigation or related proceeding is before the 
Commission, all motions shall be addressed to the Chairman of the 
Commission. All such motions shall be filed with the Secretary and shall 
be served upon each party. Motions may not be filed with the Commission 
during preinstitution proceedings except for motions for temporary 
relief pursuant to Sec.  210.53.
    (b) Content. All written motions shall state the particular order, 
ruling, or action desired and the grounds therefor.
    (c) Responses to motions. Within 10 days after service of any 
written motions, or within such longer or shorter time as may be 
designated by the administrative law judge or the Commission, a 
nonmoving party, or in the instance of a motion to amend the complaint 
or notice of investigation to name an additional respondent after 
institution, the proposed respondent, shall respond or he may be deemed 
to have consented to the granting of the relief asked for in the motion. 
The

[[Page 161]]

moving party shall have no right to reply, except as permitted by the 
administrative law judge or the Commission.
    (d) Motions for extensions. As a matter of discretion, the 
administrative law judge or the Commission may waive the requirements of 
this section as to motions for extension of time, and may rule upon such 
motions ex parte.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 78 FR 23482, Apr. 19, 2013; 83 
FR 21160, May 8, 2018]



Sec.  210.16  Default.

    (a) Definition of default. (1) A party shall be found in default if 
it fails to respond to the complaint and notice of investigation in the 
manner prescribed in Sec.  210.13 or Sec.  210.59(c), or otherwise fails 
to answer the complaint and notice, and fails to show cause why it 
should not be found in default.
    (2) A party may be found in default as a sanction for abuse of 
process, under Sec.  210.4(c), or failure to make or cooperate in 
discovery, under Sec.  210.33(b).
    (b) Procedure for determining default. (1)(i) If a respondent has 
failed to respond or appear in the manner described in paragraph (a)(1) 
of this section, a party may file a motion for, or the administrative 
law judge may issue upon his own initiative, an order directing 
respondent to show cause why it should not be found in default.
    (ii) If the respondent fails to make the necessary showing pursuant 
to paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, the administrative law judge 
shall issue an initial determination finding the respondent in default. 
An administrative law judge's decision denying a motion for a finding of 
default under paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be in the form of 
an order.
    (2) Any party may file a motion for issuance of, or the 
administrative law judge may issue on his own initiative, an initial 
determination finding a party in default for abuse of process under 
Sec.  210.4(c) or failure to make or cooperate in discovery. A motion 
for a finding of default as a sanction for abuse of process or failure 
to make or cooperate in discovery shall be granted by initial 
determination or denied by order.
    (3) If a proposed respondent has not filed a response to the 
complaint and notice of investigation pursuant to Sec.  210.13 or Sec.  
210.59(c) of this chapter, the proposed respondent may file a notice of 
intent to default under this section. The filing of a notice of intent 
to default does not require the administrative law judge to issue the 
show-cause order of paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The administrative 
law judge shall issue an initial determination finding the proposed 
respondent in default upon the filing of a notice of intent to default. 
Such default will be treated in the same manner as any default under 
this section.
    (4) A party found in default shall be deemed to have waived its 
right to appear, to be served with documents, and to contest the 
allegations at issue in the investigation.
    (c) Relief against a respondent in default--(1) Types of relief 
available. After a respondent has been found in default by the 
Commission, the complainant may file with the Commission a declaration 
that it is seeking immediate entry of relief against the respondent in 
default. The facts alleged in the complaint will be presumed to be true 
with respect to the defaulting respondent. The Commission may issue an 
exclusion order, a cease and desist order, or both, affecting the 
defaulting respondent only after considering the effect of such order(s) 
upon the public health and welfare, competitive conditions in the U.S. 
economy, the production of like or directly competitive articles in the 
United States, and U.S. consumers, and concluding that the order(s) 
should still be issued in light of the aforementioned public interest 
factors.
    (2) General exclusion orders. In any motion requesting the entry of 
default or the termination of the investigation with respect to the last 
remaining respondent in the investigation, the complainant shall declare 
whether it is seeking a general exclusion order. The Commission may 
issue a general exclusion order pursuant to section 337(g)(2) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930, regardless of the source or importer of the articles 
concerned, provided that a violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 
1930 is established by substantial, reliable,

[[Page 162]]

and probative evidence and that the other requirements of 19 U.S.C. 
1337(d)(2) are satisfied, and only after considering the aforementioned 
public interest factors and the requirements of Sec.  210.50(c).

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67627, Dec. 30, 1994; 78 
FR 23482, Apr. 19, 2013]



Sec.  210.17  Other failure to act and default.

    Failures to act other than the defaults listed in Sec.  210.16 may 
provide a basis for the presiding administrative law judge or the 
Commission to draw adverse inferences and to issue findings of fact, 
conclusions of law, determinations (including a determination on 
violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930), and orders that are 
adverse to the party who fails to act. Such failures include, but are 
not limited to:
    (a) Failure to respond to a motion that materially alters the scope 
of the investigation or a related proceeding;
    (b) Failure to respond to a motion for temporary relief pursuant to 
Sec.  210.59;
    (c) Failure to respond to a motion for summary determination under 
Sec.  210.18;
    (d) Failure to appear at a hearing before the administrative law 
judge after filing a written response to the complaint or motion for 
temporary relief, or failure to appear at a hearing before the 
Commission;
    (e) Failure to file a brief or other written submission requested by 
the administrative law judge or the Commission during an investigation 
or a related proceeding;
    (f) Failure to respond to a petition for review of an initial 
determination, a petition for reconsideration of an initial 
determination, or an application for interlocutory review of an 
administrative law judge's order; and
    (g) Failure to participate in temporary relief bond forfeiture 
proceedings under Sec.  210.70.
    (h) Default by notice. If a respondent has filed a response to the 
complaint or notice of investigation under Sec.  210.13 of this chapter, 
the respondent may still file a notice of intent to default with the 
presiding administrative law judge at any time before the filing of the 
final initial determination. The administrative law judge shall issue an 
initial determination finding the respondent in default upon the filing 
of a notice of intent to default. Such default will be treated in the 
same manner as any other failure to act under this section. The filing 
of a notice of intent to default does not require the administrative law 
judge to issue an order to show cause as to why the respondent should 
not be found in default.

The presiding administrative law judge or the Commission may take action 
under this rule sua sponte or in response to the motion of a party.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 78 FR 23482, Apr. 19, 2013]



Sec.  210.18  Summary determinations.

    (a) Motions for summary determinations. Any party may move with any 
necessary supporting affidavits for a summary determination in its favor 
upon all or any part of the issues to be determined in the 
investigation. Counsel or other representatives in support of the 
complaint may so move at any time after 20 days following the date of 
service of the complaint and notice instituting the investigation. Any 
other party or a respondent may so move at any time after the date of 
publication of the notice of investigation in the Federal Register. Any 
such motion by any party in connection with the issue of permanent 
relief, however, must be filed at least 60 days before the date fixed 
for any hearing provided for in Sec.  210.36(a)(1). Notwithstanding any 
other rule, the deadline for filing summary determinations shall be 
computed by counting backward at least 60 days including the first 
calendar day prior to the date the hearing is scheduled to commence. If 
the end of the 60 day period falls on a weekend or holiday, the period 
extends until the end of the next business day. Under exceptional 
circumstances and upon motion, the presiding administrative law judge 
may determine that good cause exists to permit a summary determination 
motion to be filed out of time.
    (b) Opposing affidavits; oral argument; time and basis for 
determination. Any nonmoving party may file opposing affidavits within 
10 days after service of the motion for summary determination. The 
administrative law judge

[[Page 163]]

may, in his discretion or at the request of any party, set the matter 
for oral argument and call for the submission of briefs or memoranda. 
The determination sought by the moving party shall be rendered if 
pleadings and any depositions, answers to interrogatories, and 
admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that 
there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving 
party is entitled to a summary determination as a matter of law.
    (c) Affidavits. Supporting and opposing affidavits shall be made on 
personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in 
evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to 
testify to the matters stated therein. Sworn or certified copies of all 
papers or parts thereof referred to in an affidavit shall be attached 
thereto or served therewith. The administrative law judge may permit 
affidavits to be supplemented or opposed by depositions, answers to 
interrogatories, or further affidavits. When a motion for summary 
determination is made and supported as provided in this section, a party 
opposing the motion may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of 
the opposing party's pleading, but the opposing party's response, by 
affidavits, answers to interrogatories, or as otherwise provided in this 
section, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine 
issue of fact for the evidentiary hearing under Sec.  210.36(a)(1) or 
(2). If the opposing party does not so respond, a summary determination, 
if appropriate, shall be rendered against the opposing party.
    (d) Refusal of application for summary determination; continuances 
and other orders. Should it appear from the affidavits of a party 
opposing the motion that the party cannot, for reasons stated, present 
by affidavit facts essential to justify the party's opposition, the 
administrative law judge may refuse the application for summary 
determination, or may order a continuance to permit affidavits to be 
obtained or depositions to be taken or discovery to be had or may make 
such other order as is appropriate, and a ruling to that effect shall be 
made a matter of record.
    (e) Order establishing facts. If on motion under this section a 
summary determination is not rendered upon the whole case or for all the 
relief asked and a hearing is necessary, the administrative law judge, 
by examining the pleadings and the evidence and by interrogating counsel 
if necessary, shall if practicable ascertain what material facts exist 
without substantial controversy and what material facts are actually and 
in good faith controverted. The administrative law judge shall thereupon 
make an order specifying the facts that appear without substantial 
controversy and directing such further proceedings in the investigation 
as are warranted. The facts so specified shall be deemed established.
    (f) Order of summary determination. An order of summary 
determination shall constitute an initial determination of the 
administrative law judge.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38322, July 7, 2008]



Sec.  210.19  Intervention.

    Any person desiring to intervene in an investigation or a related 
proceeding under this part shall make a written motion after institution 
of the investigation or related proceeding. The motion shall have 
attached to it a certificate showing that the motion has been served 
upon each party to the investigation or related proceeding in the manner 
described in Sec.  201.16(b) of this chapter. Any party may file a 
response to the motion in accordance with Sec.  210.15(c) of this part, 
provided that the response is accompanied by a certificate confirming 
that the response was served on the proposed intervenor and all other 
parties. The Commission, or the administrative law judge by initial 
determination, may grant the motion to the extent and upon such terms as 
may be proper under the circumstances.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 83 FR 21160, May 8, 2018]



Sec.  210.20  Declassification of confidential information.

    (a) Any party may move to declassify documents (or portions thereof) 
that have been designated confidential by

[[Page 164]]

the submitter but that do not satisfy the confidentiality criteria set 
forth in Sec.  201.6(a) of this chapter. All such motions, whether 
brought at any time during the investigation or after conclusion of the 
investigation shall be addressed to and ruled upon by the presiding 
administrative law judge, or if the investigation is not before a 
presiding administrative law judge, by the chief administrative law 
judge or such administrative law judge as he may designate.
    (b) Following issuance of a public version of the initial 
determination on whether there is a violation of section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 or an initial determination that would otherwise 
terminate the investigation (if adopted by the Commission), the granting 
of a motion, in whole or part, to declassify information designated 
confidential shall constitute an initial determination, except as to 
that information for which no submissions in opposition to 
declassification have been filed.



Sec.  210.21  Termination of investigations.

    (a) Motions for termination. (1) Any party may move at any time 
prior to the issuance of an initial determination on violation of 
section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to terminate an investigation in 
whole or in part as to any or all respondents, on the basis of 
withdrawal of the complaint or certain allegations contained therein, or 
for good cause other than the grounds listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section. A motion for termination of an investigation based on 
withdrawal of the complaint, or for good cause, shall contain a 
statement that there are no agreements, written or oral, express or 
implied between the parties concerning the subject matter of the 
investigation, or if there are any agreements concerning the subject 
matter of the investigation, all such agreements shall be identified, 
and if written, a copy shall be filed with the Commission along with the 
motion. If the agreement contains confidential business information 
within the meaning of Sec.  201.6(a) of this chapter, at least one copy 
of the agreement with such information deleted shall accompany the 
motion, in addition to a copy of the confidential version. On motion for 
good cause shown, the administrative law judge may limit service of the 
agreements to the settling parties and the Commission investigative 
attorney. The presiding administrative law judge may grant the motion in 
an initial determination upon such terms and conditions as he deems 
proper.
    (2) Any party may move at any time to terminate an investigation in 
whole or in part as to any or all respondents on the basis of a 
settlement, a licensing or other agreement, including an agreement to 
present the matter for arbitration, or a consent order, as provided in 
paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this section.
    (b) Termination by settlement. (1) An investigation before the 
Commission may be terminated as to one or more respondents pursuant to 
section 337(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 on the basis of a licensing or 
other settlement agreement. The motion for termination by settlement 
shall contain copies of the licensing or other settlement agreements, 
any supplemental agreements, any documents referenced in the motion or 
attached agreements, and a statement that there are no other agreements, 
written or oral, express or implied between the parties concerning the 
subject matter of the investigation. If the licensing or other 
settlement agreement contains confidential business information within 
the meaning of Sec.  201.6(a) of this chapter, a copy of the agreement 
with such information deleted shall accompany the motion. On motion for 
good cause shown, the administrative law judge may limit the service of 
the agreements to the settling parties and the Commission investigative 
attorney.
    (2) The motion and agreement(s) shall be certified by the 
administrative law judge to the Commission with an initial determination 
if the motion for termination is granted. If the licensing or other 
agreement or the initial determination contains confidential business 
information, copies of the agreement and initial determination with 
confidential business information deleted shall be certified to the 
Commission simultaneously with the confidential versions of such 
documents. If the Commission's final disposition of the

[[Page 165]]

initial determination results in termination of the investigation in its 
entirety, a notice will be published in the Federal Register. 
Termination by settlement need not constitute a determination as to 
violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.
    (c) Termination by entry of consent order. An investigation before 
the Commission may be terminated pursuant to section 337(c) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 on the basis of a consent order. Termination by 
consent order need not constitute a determination as to violation of 
section 337. A motion for termination by consent order shall contain 
copies of any licensing or other settlement agreement, any supplemental 
agreements, and a statement that there are no other agreements, written 
or oral, express or implied between the parties concerning the subject 
matter of the investigation. If the licensing or other settlement 
agreement contains confidential business information within the meaning 
of Sec.  201.6(a) of this chapter, a copy of the agreement with such 
information deleted shall accompany the motion. On motion for good cause 
shown, the administrative law judge may limit service of the agreements 
to the settling parties and the Commission investigative attorney. If 
there are no additional agreements, the moving parties shall certify 
that there are no additional agreements.
    (1) Opportunity to submit proposed consent order--(i) Prior to 
institution of an investigation. Where time, the nature of the 
proceeding, and the public interest permit, any person being 
investigated pursuant to section 603 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 
Sec.  2482) shall be afforded the opportunity to submit to the 
Commission a proposal for disposition of the matter under investigation 
in the form of a consent order stipulation that incorporates a proposed 
consent order executed by or on behalf of such person and that complies 
with the requirements of paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
    (ii) Subsequent to institution of an investigation. In 
investigations under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a proposal 
to terminate by consent order shall be submitted as a motion to the 
administrative law judge with a stipulation that incorporates a proposed 
consent order. If the stipulation contains confidential business 
information within the meaning of Sec.  201.6(a) of this chapter, a copy 
of the stipulation with such information deleted shall accompany the 
motion. The stipulation shall comply with the requirements of paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section. At any time prior to commencement of the 
hearing, the motion may be filed by one or more respondents, and may be 
filed jointly with other parties to the investigation. Upon request and 
for good cause shown, the administrative law judge may consider such a 
motion during or after a hearing. The filing of the motion shall not 
stay proceedings before the administrative law judge unless the 
administrative law judge so orders. The administrative law judge shall 
promptly file with the Commission an initial determination regarding the 
motion for termination if the motion is granted. If the initial 
determination contains confidential business information, a copy of the 
initial determination with such information deleted shall be filed with 
the Commission simultaneously with the filing of the confidential 
version of the initial determination. Pending disposition by the 
Commission of a consent order stipulation, a party may not, absent good 
cause shown, withdraw from the stipulation once it has been submitted 
pursuant to this section.
    (2) Commission disposition of consent order. The Commission, after 
considering the effect of the settlement by consent order upon the 
public health and welfare, competitive conditions in the U.S. economy, 
the production of like or directly competitive articles in the United 
States, and U.S. consumers, shall dispose of the initial determination 
according to the procedures of Sec. Sec.  210.42 through 210.45. If the 
Commission's final disposition of the initial determination results in 
termination of the investigation in its entirety, a notice will be 
published in the Federal Register. Termination by consent order need not 
constitute a determination as to violation of section 337. Should the 
Commission reverse the initial determination, the parties are in no way 
bound by their proposal in later actions before the Commission.

[[Page 166]]

    (3) Contents of consent order stipulation. (i) Every consent order 
stipulation shall contain, in addition to the proposed consent order, 
the following:
    (A) An admission of all jurisdictional facts;
    (B) A statement identifying the asserted patent claims, copyright, 
trademark, mask work, boat hull design, or unfair trade practice, and 
whether the stipulation calls for cessation of importation, 
distribution, sale, or other transfers (other than exportation) of 
subject articles in the United States and/or specific terms relating to 
the disposition of existing U.S. inventories of subject articles.
    (C) An express waiver of all rights to seek judicial review or 
otherwise challenge or contest the validity of the consent order;
    (D) A statement that the signatories to the consent order 
stipulation will cooperate with and will not seek to impede by 
litigation or other means the Commission's efforts to gather information 
under subpart I of this part;
    (E) A statement that the enforcement, modification, and revocation 
of the consent order will be carried out pursuant to subpart I of this 
part, incorporating by reference the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure;
    (F) A statement that the signing thereof is for settlement purposes 
only and does not constitute admission by any respondent that an unfair 
act has been committed, if applicable; and
    (G) A statement that the consent order shall have the same force and 
effect and may be enforced, modified, or revoked in the same manner as 
is provided in section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and this part for 
other Commission actions, and the Commission may require periodic 
compliance reports pursuant to subpart I of this part to be submitted by 
the person entering into the consent order stipulation.
    (ii) In the case of an intellectual property-based investigation, 
the consent order stipulation shall also contain--
    (A) A statement that if any asserted patent claim, copyright, 
trademark, mask work, boat hull design, or unfair trade practice claim 
has expired or is held invalid or unenforceable by a court or agency of 
competent jurisdiction or if any article has been found or adjudicated 
not to infringe the asserted right in a final decision, no longer 
subject to appeal, this Consent Order shall become null and void as to 
such expired, invalid, or unenforceable claim or as to any adjudicated 
article;
    (B) A statement that each signatory to the stipulation who was a 
respondent in the investigation will not seek to challenge the validity 
of the intellectual property right(s), in any administrative or judicial 
proceeding to enforce the consent order
    (4) Contents of consent order. The Commission will not issue consent 
orders with terms beyond those provided for in this section, and will 
not issue consent orders that are inconsistent with this section. The 
consent order shall contain:
    (i) A statement of the identity of complainant, the respondent, and 
the subject articles, and a statement of any allegation in the complaint 
that the respondents sell for importation, import, or sell after 
importation the subject articles in violation of section 337 by reason 
of asserted patent claims, copyright, trademark, mask work, boat hull 
design, or unfair trade practice;
    (ii) A statement that the respondents have executed a consent order 
stipulation (but the consent order shall not contain the terms of the 
stipulation);
    (iii) A statement that the respondent shall not sell for 
importation, import, or sell after importation the subject articles, 
directly or indirectly, and shall not aid, abet, encourage, participate 
in, or induce the sale for importation, the importation, or the sale 
after importation except under consent, license from the complainant, or 
to the extent permitted by the settlement agreement between complainant 
and respondent;
    (iv) A statement, if applicable, regarding the disposition of 
existing U.S. inventories of the subject articles.
    (v) A statement, if applicable, whether the respondent would be 
ordered to cease and desist from importing and distributing articles 
covered by the asserted patent claims, copyright, trademark, mask work, 
boat hull design, or unfair trade practice;
    (vi) A statement that respondent shall be precluded from seeking 
judicial review or otherwise challenging or

[[Page 167]]

contesting the validity of the Consent Order;
    (vii) A statement that respondent shall cooperate with and shall not 
seek to impede by litigation or other means the Commission's efforts to 
gather information under subpart I of the Commission's Rules of Practice 
and Procedure, 19 CFR part 210;
    (viii) A statement that Respondent and its officers, directors, 
employees, agents, and any entity or individual acting on its behalf and 
with its authority shall not seek to challenge the validity or 
enforceability of any asserted patent claims, copyright, trademark, mask 
work, boat hull design, or unfair trade practice claim in any 
administrative or judicial proceeding to enforce the Consent Order;
    (ix) A statement that when the patent, copyright, trademark, mask 
work, boat hull design, or unfair trade practice expires the Consent 
Order shall become null and void as to such;
    (x) A statement that if any asserted patent claim, copyright, 
trademark, mask work, boat hull design, or unfair trade practice claim 
is held invalid or unenforceable by a court or agency of competent 
jurisdiction or if any article has been found or adjudicated not to 
infringe the asserted right in a final decision, no longer subject to 
appeal, this Consent Order shall become null and void as to such invalid 
or unenforceable claim or adjudicated article;
    (xi) An admission of all jurisdictional facts; and
    (xii) A statement that the investigation is hereby terminated with 
respect to the respondent; provided, however, that enforcement, 
modification, or revocation of the Consent Order shall be carried out 
pursuant to Subpart I of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure, 19 CFR part 210.
    (5) Effect, interpretation, and reporting. The consent order shall 
have the same force and effect and may be enforced, modified, or revoked 
in the same manner as is provided in section 337 of the Tariff Act of 
1930 and this part for other Commission actions. The Commission will not 
enforce consent order terms beyond those provided for in this section. 
The Commission may require periodic compliance reports pursuant to 
subpart I of this part to be submitted by the person entering into the 
consent order stipulation.
    (d) Termination based upon arbitration agreement. Upon filing of a 
motion for termination with the administrative law judge or the 
Commission, a section 337 investigation may be terminated as to one or 
more respondents pursuant to section 337(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 on 
the basis of an agreement between complainant and one or more of the 
respondents to present the matter for arbitration. The motion and a copy 
of the arbitration agreement shall be certified by the administrative 
law judge to the Commission with an initial determination if the motion 
for termination is granted. If the agreement or the initial 
determination contains confidential business information, copies of the 
agreement and initial determination with confidential business 
information deleted shall be certified to the Commission with the 
confidential versions of such documents. A notice will be published in 
the Federal Register if the Commission's final disposition of the 
initial determination results in termination of the investigation in its 
entirety. Termination based on an arbitration agreement does not 
constitute a determination as to violation of section 337 of the Tariff 
Act of 1930.
    (e) Effect of termination. Termination issued by the administrative 
law judge shall constitute an initial determination.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67627, Dec. 30, 1994; 60 
FR 53120, Oct. 12, 1995; 73 FR 38322, July 7, 2008; 78 FR 23482, Apr. 
19, 2013; 83 FR 21160, May 8, 2018]



Sec.  210.22  [Reserved]



Sec.  210.23  Suspension of investigation.

    Any party may move to suspend an investigation under this part, 
because of the pendency of proceedings before the Secretary of Commerce 
or the administering authority pursuant to section 337(b)(3) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930. The administrative law judge or the Commission also 
may raise the issue sua sponte. An administrative law judge's decision 
granting a motion for

[[Page 168]]

suspension shall be in the form of an initial determination.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67627, Dec. 30, 1994]



Sec.  210.24  Interlocutory appeals.

    Rulings by the administrative law judge on motions may not be 
appealed to the Commission prior to the administrative law judge's 
issuance of an initial determination, except in the following 
circumstances:
    (a) Appeals without leave of the administrative law judge. The 
Commission may in its discretion entertain interlocutory appeals, except 
as provided in Sec.  210.64, when a ruling of the administrative law 
judge:
    (1) Requires the disclosure of Commission records or requires the 
appearance of Government officials pursuant to Sec.  210.32(c)(2); or
    (2) Denies an application for intervention under Sec.  210.19. 
Appeals from such rulings may be sought by filing an application for 
review, not to exceed 15 pages, with the Commission within five days 
after service of the administrative law judge's ruling. An answer to the 
application for review may be filed within five days after service of 
the application. The application for review should specify the person or 
party taking the appeal, designate the ruling or part thereof from which 
appeal is being taken, and specify the reasons and present arguments as 
to why review is being sought. The Commission may, upon its own motion, 
enter an order staying the return date of an order issued by the 
administrative law judge pursuant to Sec.  210.32(c)(2) or may enter an 
order placing the matter on the Commission's docket for review. Any 
order placing the matter on the Commission's docket for review will set 
forth the scope of the review and the issues that will be considered and 
will make provision for the filing of briefs if deemed appropriate by 
the Commission.
    (b) Appeals with leave of the administrative law judge. (1) Except 
as otherwise provided in paragraph (a) of this section, Sec.  210.64, 
and paragraph (b)(2) of this section, applications for review of a 
ruling by an administrative law judge may be allowed only upon request 
made to the administrative law judge and upon determination by the 
administrative law judge in writing, with justification in support 
thereof, that the ruling involves a controlling question of law or 
policy as to which there is substantial ground for difference of 
opinion, and that either an immediate appeal from the ruling may 
materially advance the ultimate completion of the investigation or 
subsequent review will be an inadequate remedy.
    (2) Applications for review of a ruling by an administrative law 
judge under Sec.  210.5(e)(1) as to whether information designated 
confidential by the supplier is entitled to confidential treatment under 
Sec.  210.5(b) may be allowed only upon request made to the 
administrative law judge and upon determination by the administrative 
law judge in writing, with justification in support thereof.
    (3) A written application for review under paragraph (b)(1) or 
(b)(2) of this section shall not exceed 15 pages and may be filed within 
five days after service of the administrative law judge's determination. 
An answer to the application for review may be filed within five days 
after service of the application for review. Thereupon, the Commission 
may, in its discretion, permit an appeal. Unless otherwise ordered by 
the Commission, Commission review, if permitted, shall be confined to 
the application for review and answer thereto, without oral argument or 
further briefs.
    (c) Investigation not stayed. Application for review under this 
section shall not stay the investigation before the administrative law 
judge unless the administrative law judge or the Commission shall so 
order.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67627, Dec. 30, 1994]



Sec.  210.25  Sanctions.

    (a)(1) Any party may file a motion for sanctions for abuse of 
process under 210.4(d)(1), abuse of discovery under Sec.  210.27(g)(3), 
failure to make or cooperate in discovery under Sec.  210.33(b) or (c), 
or violation of a protective order under Sec.  210.34(c). A motion 
alleging abuse of process should be filed promptly after the 
requirements of Sec.  210.4(d)(1)(i) have been satisfied. A motion 
alleging abuse

[[Page 169]]

of discovery, failure to make or cooperate in discovery, or violation of 
a protective order should be filed promptly after the allegedly 
sanctionable conduct is discovered.
    (2) The administrative law judge (when the investigation or related 
proceeding is before the administrative law judge) or the Commission 
(when the investigation or related proceeding is before it) also may 
raise the sanctions issue sua sponte. (See also Sec. Sec.  
210.4(d)(1)(ii), 210.27(g)(3), 210.33(c), and 210.34(c).)
    (b) A motion for sanctions shall be addressed to the presiding 
administrative law judge, if the allegedly sanctionable conduct occurred 
and is discovered while the administrative law judge is presiding in an 
investigation or in a related proceeding. During an investigation, the 
administrative law judge's ruling on the motion shall be in the form of 
an order, if it is issued before or concurrently with the initial 
determination concerning violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 
1930 or termination of the investigation. In a related proceeding, the 
administrative law judge's ruling shall be in the form of an order, 
regardless of the point in time at which the order is issued.
    (c) A motion for sanctions shall be addressed to the Commission, if 
the allegedly sanctionable conduct occurred while the Commission is 
presiding or is filed after the subject investigation or related 
proceeding is terminated. The Commission may assign the motion to an 
administrative law judge for issuance of a recommended determination. 
The deadlines and procedures that will be followed in processing the 
recommended determination will be set forth in the Commission order 
assigning the motion to an administrative law judge.
    (d) If an administrative law judge's order concerning sanctions is 
issued before the initial determination concerning violation of section 
337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 or termination of the investigation, it 
may be appealed under Sec.  210.24(b)(1) with leave from the 
administrative law judge, if the requirements of that section are 
satisfied. If the order is issued concurrently with the initial 
determination, the order may be appealed by filing a petition meeting 
the requirements of Sec.  210.43(b). The periods for filing such 
petitions and responding to the petitions will be specified in the 
Commission notice issued pursuant to Sec.  210.42(i), if the initial 
determination has granted a motion for termination of the investigation, 
or in the Commission notice issued pursuant to Sec.  210.46(a), if the 
initial determination concerns violation of section 337. The Commission 
will determine whether to adopt the order after disposition of the 
initial determination concerning violation of section 337 or termination 
of the investigation.
    (e) If the administrative law judge's ruling on the motion for 
sanctions is in the form of a recommended determination pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section, the deadlines and procedures for parties 
to contest the recommended determination will be set forth in the 
Commission order assigning the motion to an administrative law judge.
    (f) If a motion for sanctions is filed with the administrative law 
judge during an investigation, he may defer his adjudication of the 
motion until after he has issued a final initial determination 
concerning violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 or 
termination of investigation. If the administrative law judge defers his 
adjudication in such a manner, his ruling on the motion for sanctions 
must be in the form of a recommended determination and shall be issued 
no later than 30 days after issuance of the Commission's final 
determination on violation of section 337 or termination of the 
investigation. To aid the Commission in determining whether to adopt a 
recommended determination, any party may file written comments with the 
Commission 14 days after service of the recommended determination. 
Replies to such comments may be filed within seven days after service of 
the comments. The Commission will determine whether to adopt the 
recommended determination after reviewing the parties' arguments and 
taking any other steps the Commission deems appropriate.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38323, July 7, 2008; 83 
FR 21161, May 8, 2018]

[[Page 170]]



Sec.  210.26  Other motions.

    Motions pertaining to discovery shall be filed in accordance with 
Sec.  210.15 and the pertinent provisions of subpart E of this part 
(Sec. Sec.  210.27 through 210.34). Motions pertaining to evidentiary 
hearings and prehearing conferences shall be filed in accordance with 
Sec.  210.15 and the pertinent provisions of subpart F of this part 
(Sec. Sec.  210.35 through 210.40). Motions for temporary relief shall 
be filed as provided in subpart H of this part (see Sec. Sec.  210.52 
through 210.57).



               Subpart E_Discovery and Compulsory Process



Sec.  210.27  General provisions governing discovery.

    (a) Discovery methods. The parties to an investigation may obtain 
discovery by one or more of the following methods: depositions upon oral 
examination or written questions; written interrogatories; production of 
documents or things or permission to enter upon land or other property 
for inspection or other purposes; and requests for admissions.
    (b) Scope of discovery. Regarding the scope of discovery for the 
temporary relief phase of an investigation, see Sec.  210.61. For the 
permanent relief phase of an investigation, unless otherwise ordered by 
the administrative law judge, a party may obtain discovery regarding any 
matter, not privileged, that is relevant to the following:
    (1) The claim or defense of the party seeking discovery or to the 
claim or defense of any other party, including the existence, 
description, nature, custody, condition, and location of any books, 
documents, or other tangible things;
    (2) The identity and location of persons having knowledge of any 
discoverable matter;
    (3) The appropriate remedy for a violation of section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (see Sec.  210.42(a)(1)(ii)(A)); or
    (4) The appropriate bond for the respondents, under section 
337(j)(3) of the Tariff Act of 1930, during Presidential review of the 
remedial order (if any) issued by the Commission (see Sec.  
210.42(a)(1)(ii)(B)).

It is not grounds for objection that the information sought will be 
inadmissible at the hearing if the information sought appears reasonably 
calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. All 
discovery is subject to the limitations of paragraph (d) of this 
section.
    (c) Specific limitations on electronically stored information. A 
person need not provide discovery of electronically stored information 
from sources that the person identifies as not reasonably accessible 
because of undue burden or cost. The party seeking the discovery may 
file a motion to compel discovery pursuant to Sec.  210.33(a). In 
response to the motion to compel discovery, or in a motion for a 
protective order filed pursuant to Sec.  210.34, the person from whom 
discovery is sought must show that the information is not reasonably 
accessible because of undue burden or cost. If that showing is made, the 
administrative law judge may order discovery from such sources if the 
requesting party shows good cause, considering the limitations found in 
paragraph (d) of this section. The administrative law judge may specify 
conditions for the discovery.
    (d) General limitations on discovery. In response to a motion made 
pursuant to Sec. Sec.  210.33(a) or 210.34 or sua sponte, the 
administrative law judge must limit by order the frequency or extent of 
discovery otherwise allowed in this subpart if the administrative law 
judge determines that:
    (1) The discovery sought is unreasonably cumulative or duplicative, 
or can be obtained from some other source that is more convenient, less 
burdensome, or less expensive;
    (2) The party seeking discovery has had ample opportunity to obtain 
the information by discovery in the investigation;
    (3) The responding person has waived the legal position that 
justified the discovery or has stipulated to the particular facts 
pertaining to a disputed issue to which the discovery is directed; or
    (4) The burden or expense of the proposed discovery outweighs its 
likely

[[Page 171]]

benefit, considering the needs of the investigation, the importance of 
the discovery in resolving the issues to be decided by the Commission, 
and matters of public concern.
    (e) Claiming privilege or work product protection. (1) When, in 
response to a discovery request made under this subpart, a person 
withholds information otherwise discoverable by claiming that the 
information is privileged or subject to protection as attorney work 
product, the person must:
    (i) Expressly make the claim when responding to a relevant question 
or request; and
    (ii) Within 10 days of making the claim produce to the requester a 
privilege log that describes the nature of the information not produced 
or disclosed, in a manner that will enable the requester to assess the 
claim without revealing the information at issue. The privilege log must 
separately identify each withheld document, communication, or item, and 
to the extent possible must specify the following for each entry:
    (A) The date the information was created or communicated;
    (B) The author(s) or speaker(s);
    (C) All recipients;
    (D) The employer and position for each author, speaker, or 
recipient, including whether that person is an attorney or patent agent;
    (E) The general subject matter of the information; and
    (F) The type of privilege or protection claimed.
    (2) If a document produced in discovery is subject to a claim of 
privilege or of protection as attorney work product, the person making 
the claim may notify any person that received the document of the claim 
and the basis for it.
    (i) The notice shall identify the information in the document 
subject to the claim, preferably using a privilege log as defined under 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section. After being notified, a person that 
received the document must do the following:
    (A) Within 7 days of service of the notice return, sequester, or 
destroy the specified document and any copies it has;
    (B) Not use or disclose the document until the claim is resolved; 
and
    (C) Within 7 days of service of the notice take reasonable steps to 
retrieve the document if the person disclosed it to others before being 
notified.
    (ii) Within 7 days of service of the notice, the claimant and the 
parties shall meet and confer in good faith to resolve the claim of 
privilege or protection. Within 5 days after the conference, a party may 
file a motion to compel the production of the document and may, in the 
motion to compel, use a description of the document from the notice 
produced under this paragraph. In connection with the motion to compel, 
the party may submit the document in camera for consideration by the 
administrative law judge. The person that produced the document must 
preserve the document until the claim of privilege or protection is 
resolved.
    (3) Parties may enter into a written agreement to waive compliance 
with paragraph (e)(1) of this section for documents, communications, and 
items created or communicated within a time period specified in the 
agreement. The administrative law judge may decline to entertain any 
motion based on information claimed to be subject to the agreement. If 
information claimed to be subject to the agreement is produced in 
discovery then the administrative law judge may determine that the 
produced information is not entitled to privilege or protection.
    (4) For good cause, the administrative law judge may order a 
different period of time for compliance with any requirement of this 
section. Parties may enter into a written agreement to set a different 
period of time for compliance with any requirement of this section 
without approval by the administrative law judge unless the 
administrative law judge has ordered a different period of time for 
compliance, in which case the parties' agreement must be approved by the 
administrative law judge.
    (5)(i) The provisions of Sec.  210.27(e)(1) through (4) protect 
drafts of expert reports, regardless of the form in which the draft is 
recorded.
    (ii) The provisions of Sec.  210.27(e)(1) through (4) protect 
communications

[[Page 172]]

between the party's attorney and expert witnesses concerning trial 
preparation, regardless of the form of the communications, except to the 
extent that the communications:
    (A) Relate to compensation for the expert's study or testimony;
    (B) Identify facts or data that the party's attorney provided and 
that the expert considered in forming the opinions to be expressed; or
    (iii) Identify assumptions that the party's attorney provided and 
that the expert relied on in forming the opinions to be expressed.
    (f) Supplementation of responses. (1) A party who has responded to a 
request for discovery with a response is under a duty to supplement or 
correct the response to include information thereafter acquired if 
ordered by the administrative law judge or the Commission or in the 
following circumstances: A party is under a duty seasonably to amend a 
prior response to an interrogatory, request for production, or request 
for admission if the party learns that the response is in some material 
respect incomplete or incorrect and if the additional or corrective 
information has not otherwise been made known to the other parties 
during the discovery process or in writing.
    (2) A duty to supplement responses also may be imposed by agreement 
of the parties, or at any time prior to a hearing through new requests 
for supplementation of prior responses.
    (g) Signing of discovery requests, responses, and objections. (1) 
The front page of every request for discovery or response or objection 
thereto shall contain a caption setting forth the name of the 
Commission, the title of the investigation or related proceeding, and 
the docket number or investigation number, if any, assigned to the 
investigation or related proceeding.
    (2) Every request for discovery or response or objection thereto 
made by a party represented by an attorney shall be signed by at least 
one attorney of record in the attorney's individual name, whose address 
shall be stated. A party who is not represented by an attorney shall 
sign the request, response, or objection and shall state the party's 
address. The signature of the attorney or party constitutes a 
certification that to the best of the signer's knowledge, information, 
and belief formed after a reasonable inquiry, the request, objection, or 
response is:
    (i) Consistent with Sec.  210.5(a) (if applicable) and other 
relevant provisions of this chapter, and warranted by existing law or a 
good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of 
existing law;
    (ii) Not interposed for any improper purpose, such as to harass or 
to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of 
litigation; and
    (iii) Not unreasonable or unduly burdensome or expensive, given the 
needs of the case, the discovery already had in the case, and the 
importance of the issues at stake in the litigation.


If a request, response, or objection is not signed, it shall be stricken 
unless it is signed promptly after the omission is called to the 
attention of the party making the request, response, or objection, and a 
party shall not be obligated to take any action with respect to it until 
it is signed.
    (3) If without substantial justification a request, response, or 
objection is certified in violation of paragraph (g)(2) of this section, 
the administrative law judge or the Commission, upon motion or sua 
sponte under Sec.  210.25 of this part, may impose an appropriate 
sanction upon the person who made the certification, the party on whose 
behalf the request, response, or objection was made, or both.
    (4) An appropriate sanction may include an order to pay to the other 
parties the amount of reasonable expenses incurred because of the 
violation, including a reasonable attorney's fee, to the extent 
authorized by Rule 26(g) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 
Monetary sanctions shall not be imposed under this section against the 
United States, the Commission, or a Commission investigative attorney.
    (5) Monetary sanctions may be imposed under this section to 
reimburse the Commission for expenses incurred by a Commission 
investigative attorney or the Commission's Office of Unfair Import 
Investigations. Monetary sanctions will not be imposed under

[[Page 173]]

this section to reimburse the Commission for attorney's fees.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 78 FR 29623, May 21, 2013; 83 
FR 21161, May 8, 2018]



Sec.  210.28  Depositions.

    (a) When depositions may be taken. Following publication in the 
Federal Register of a Commission notice instituting the investigation, 
any party may take the testimony of any person, including a party, by 
deposition upon oral examination or written questions. The presiding 
administrative law judge will determine the permissible dates or 
deadlines for taking such depositions. Without stipulation of the 
parties, the complainants as a group may take a maximum of five fact 
depositions per respondent or no more than 20 fact depositions whichever 
is greater, the respondents as a group may take a maximum of 20 fact 
depositions total, and if the Commission investigative attorney is a 
party, he or she may take a maximum of 10 fact depositions and is 
permitted to participate in all depositions taken by any parties in the 
investigation. Each notice for a corporation to designate deponents only 
counts as one deposition and includes all corporate representatives so 
designated to respond, and related respondents are treated as one 
respondent for purposes of determining the number of depositions. The 
presiding administrative law judge may increase the number of 
depositions on written motion for good cause shown.
    (b) Persons before whom depositions may be taken. Depositions may be 
taken before a person having power to administer oaths by the laws of 
the United States or of the place where the examination is held.
    (c) Notice of examination. A party desiring to take the deposition 
of a person shall give notice in writing to every other party to the 
investigation. The administrative law judge shall determine the 
appropriate period for providing such notice. A party upon whom a notice 
of deposition is served may make objections to a notice of deposition 
and state the reasons therefor within ten days of service of the notice 
of deposition. The notice shall state the time and place for taking the 
deposition and the name and address of each person to be examined, if 
known, and, if the name is not known, a general description sufficient 
to identify him or the particular class or group to which he belongs. A 
notice may provide for the taking of testimony by telephone, but the 
administrative law judge may, on motion of any party, require that the 
deposition be taken in the presence of the deponent. The parties may 
stipulate in writing, or the administrative law judge may upon motion 
order, that the testimony at a deposition be recorded by other than 
stenographic means. If a subpoena duces tecum is to be served on the 
person to be examined, the designation of the materials to be produced 
as set forth in the subpoena shall be attached to or included in the 
notice.
    (d) Taking of deposition. Each deponent shall be duly sworn, and any 
adverse party shall have the right to cross-examine. Objections to 
questions or documents shall be in short form, stating the grounds of 
objections relied upon. Evidence objected to shall be taken subject to 
the objections, except that privileged communications and subject matter 
need not be disclosed. The questions propounded and the answers thereto, 
together with all objections made, shall be reduced to writing, after 
which the deposition shall be subscribed by the deponent (unless the 
parties by stipulation waive signing or the deponent is ill or cannot be 
found or refuses to sign) and certified by the person before whom the 
deposition was taken. If the deposition is not subscribed by the 
deponent, the person administering the oath shall state on the record 
such fact and the reason therefor. When a deposition is recorded by 
stenographic means, the stenographer shall certify on the transcript 
that the witness was sworn in the stenographer's presence and that the 
transcript is a true record of the testimony of the witness. When a 
deposition is recorded by other than stenographic means and is 
thereafter transcribed, the person transcribing it shall certify that 
the person heard the witness sworn on the recording and that the 
transcript is a correct writing of the recording. Thereafter, upon 
payment of

[[Page 174]]

reasonable charges therefor, that person shall furnish a copy of the 
transcript or other recording of the deposition to any party or to the 
deponent. See paragraph (i) of this section concerning the effect of 
errors and irregularities in depositions.
    (e) Depositions of nonparty officers or employees of the Commission 
or of other Government agencies. A party desiring to take the deposition 
of an officer or employee of the Commission other than the Commission 
investigative attorney, or of an officer or employee of another 
Government agency, or to obtain documents or other physical exhibits in 
the custody, control, and possession of such officer or employee, shall 
proceed by written motion to the administrative law judge for leave to 
apply for a subpoena under Sec.  210.32(c). Such a motion shall be 
granted only upon a showing that the information expected to be obtained 
thereby is within the scope of discovery permitted by Sec.  210.27(b) or 
Sec.  210.61 and cannot be obtained without undue hardship by 
alternative means.
    (f) Service of deposition transcripts on the Commission staff. The 
party taking the deposition shall promptly serve one copy of the 
deposition transcript on the Commission investigative attorney.
    (g) Admissibility of depositions. The fact that a deposition is 
taken and served upon the Commission investigative attorney as provided 
in this section does not constitute a determination that it is 
admissible in evidence or that it may be used in the investigation. Only 
such part of a deposition as is received in evidence at a hearing shall 
constitute a part of the record in such investigation upon which a 
determination may be based. Objections may be made at the hearing to 
receiving in evidence any deposition or part thereof for any reason that 
would require exclusion of the evidence if the witness were then present 
and testifying.
    (h) Use of depositions. A deposition may be used as evidence against 
any party who was present or represented at the taking of the deposition 
or who had reasonable notice thereof, in accordance with any of the 
following provisions:
    (1) Any deposition may be used by any party for the purpose of 
contradicting or impeaching the testimony of a deponent as a witness;
    (2) The deposition of a party may be used by an adverse party for 
any purpose;
    (3) The deposition of a witness, whether or not a party, may be used 
by any party for any purposes if the administrative law judge finds--
    (i) That the witness is dead; or
    (ii) That the witness is out of the United States, unless it appears 
that the absence of the witness was procured by the party offering the 
deposition; or
    (iii) That the witness is unable to attend or testify because of 
age, illness, infirmity, or imprisonment; or
    (iv) That the party offering the deposition has been unable to 
procure the attendance of the witness by subpoena; or
    (v) Upon application and notice, that such exceptional circumstances 
exist as to make it desirable in the interest of justice and with due 
regard to the importance of presenting the oral testimony of witnesses 
at a hearing, to allow the deposition to be used; or
    (vi) Upon agreement of the parties and within the administrative law 
judge's discretion, the use of designated deposition testimony in lieu 
of live witness testimony absent the circumstances otherwise enumerated 
in this paragraph is permitted.
    (4) If only part of a deposition is offered in evidence by a party, 
an adverse party may require him to introduce any other part that ought 
in fairness to be considered with the part introduced, and any party may 
introduce any other parts.
    (i) Effect of errors and irregularities in depositions--(1) As to 
notice. All errors and irregularities in the notice for taking a 
deposition are waived unless written objection is promptly served upon 
the party giving notice.
    (2) As to disqualification of person before whom the deposition is 
to be taken. Objection to taking a deposition because of 
disqualification of the person before whom it is to be taken is waived 
unless made before the taking of the deposition begins or as soon 
thereafter as the disqualification becomes known

[[Page 175]]

or could be discovered with reasonable diligence.
    (3) As to taking of depositions. (i) Objections to the competency of 
a witness or the competency, relevancy, or materiality of testimony are 
not waived by failure to make them before or during the deposition, 
unless the ground of the objection is one which might have been obviated 
or removed if presented at that time.
    (ii) Errors and irregularities occurring at the oral examination in 
the manner of taking the deposition, in the form of the questions or 
answers, in the oath or affirmation, or in the conduct of parties, and 
errors of any kind which might be obviated, removed, or cured if 
promptly presented, are waived unless seasonable objection thereto is 
made at the taking of the deposition.
    (iii) Objections to the form of written questions submitted under 
this section are waived unless served in writing upon the party 
propounding them. The presiding administrative law judge shall set the 
deadline for service of such objections.
    (4) As to completion and return of deposition. Errors and 
irregularities in the manner in which the testimony is transcribed or 
the deposition is prepared, signed, certified, sealed, indorsed, 
transmitted, served, or otherwise dealt with by the person before whom 
it is taken are waived unless a motion to suppress the deposition or 
some part thereof is made with reasonable promptness after such defect 
is, or with due diligence might have been, ascertained.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38323, July 7, 2008; 78 
FR 23483, Apr. 19, 2013; 83 FR 21161, May 8, 2018]



Sec.  210.29  Interrogatories.

    (a) Scope; use at hearing. Any party may serve upon any other party 
written interrogatories to be answered by the party served. 
Interrogatories may relate to any matters that can be inquired into 
under Sec.  210.27(b) or Sec.  210.61, and the answers may be used to 
the extent permitted by the rules of evidence. Absent stipulation of the 
parties, any party may serve upon any other party written 
interrogatories not exceeding 175 in number including all discrete 
subparts. Related respondents are treated as one entity. The presiding 
administrative law judge may increase the number of interrogatories on 
written motion for good cause shown.
    (b) Procedure. (1) Interrogatories may be served upon any party 
after the date of publication in the Federal Register of the notice of 
investigation.
    (2) Parties answering interrogatories shall repeat the 
interrogatories being answered immediately preceding the answers. Each 
interrogatory shall be answered separately and fully in writing under 
oath, unless it is objected to, in which event the reasons for objection 
shall be stated in lieu of an answer. The answers are to be signed by 
the person making them, and the objections are to be signed by the 
attorney making them. The party upon whom the interrogatories have been 
served shall serve a copy of the answers and objections, if any, within 
ten days of service of the interrogatories or within the time specified 
by the administrative law judge. The party submitting the 
interrogatories may move for an order under Sec.  210.33(a) with respect 
to any objection to or other failure to answer an interrogatory.
    (3) An interrogatory otherwise proper is not necessarily 
objectionable merely because an answer to the interrogatory involves an 
opinion or contention that relates to fact or the application of law to 
fact, but the administrative law judge may order that such an 
interrogatory need not be answered until after designated discovery has 
been completed or until a prehearing conference or a later time.
    (c) Option to produce records. When the answer to an interrogatory 
may be derived or ascertained from the records of the party upon whom 
the interrogatory has been served or from an examination, audit, or 
inspection of such records, or from a compilation, abstract, or summary 
based thereon, and the burden of deriving or ascertaining the answer is 
substantially the same for the party serving the interrogatory as for 
the party served, it is a sufficient answer to such interrogatory to 
specify the records from which the answer may be derived or ascertained 
and to afford to the party serving the interrogatory reasonable 
opportunity to examine, audit, or inspect such records

[[Page 176]]

and to make copies, compilations, abstracts, or summaries. The 
specifications provided shall include sufficient detail to permit the 
interrogating party to locate and to identify, as readily as can the 
party served, the documents from which the answer may be ascertained.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38323, July 7, 2008; 78 
FR 23484, Apr. 19, 2013]



Sec.  210.30  Requests for production of documents and things and
entry upon land.

    (a) Scope. Any party may serve on any other party a request:
    (1) To produce and permit the party making the request, or someone 
acting on his behalf, to inspect and copy any designated documents 
(including writings, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, and other 
data compilations from which information can be obtained), or to inspect 
and copy, test, or sample any tangible things that are in the 
possession, custody, or control of the party upon whom the request is 
served; or
    (2) To permit entry upon designated land or other property in the 
possession or control of the party upon whom the request is served for 
the purpose of inspecting and measuring, surveying, photographing, 
testing, or sampling the property or any designated object or operation 
thereon, within the scope of Sec.  210.27(b).
    (b) Procedure. (1) The request may be served upon any party after 
the date of publication in the Federal Register of the notice of 
investigation. The request shall set forth the items to be inspected, 
either by individual item or by category, and describe each item and 
category with reasonable particularity. The request shall specify a 
reasonable time, place, and manner of making the inspection and 
performing the related acts.
    (2) The party upon whom the request is served shall serve a written 
response within 10 days or the time specified by the administrative law 
judge. The response shall state, with respect to each item or category, 
that inspection and related activities will be permitted as requested, 
unless the request is objected to, in which event the reasons for 
objection shall be stated. If objection is made to part of any item or 
category, the part shall be specified. The party submitting the request 
may move for an order under Sec.  210.33(a) with respect to any 
objection to or other failure to respond to the request or any part 
thereof, or any failure to permit inspection as requested. A party who 
produces documents for inspection shall produce them as they are kept in 
the usual course of business or shall organize and label them to 
correspond to the categories in the request.
    (c) Persons not parties. This section does not preclude issuance of 
an order against a person not a party to permit entry upon land.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38323, July 7, 2008]



Sec.  210.31  Requests for admission.

    (a) Form, content, and service of request for admission. Any party 
may serve on any other party a written request for admission of the 
truth of any matters relevant to the investigation and set forth in the 
request that relate to statements or opinions of fact or of the 
application of law to fact, including the genuineness of any documents 
described in the request. Copies of documents shall be served with the 
request unless they have been otherwise furnished or are known to be, 
and in the request are stated as being, in the possession of the other 
party. Each matter as to which an admission is requested shall be 
separately set forth. The request may be served upon a party whose 
complaint is the basis for the investigation after the date of 
publication in the Federal Register of the notice of investigation. The 
administrative law judge will determine the period within which a party 
may serve a request upon other parties.
    (b) Answers and objections to requests for admissions. A party 
answering a request for admission shall repeat the request for admission 
immediately preceding his answer. The matter may be deemed admitted 
unless, within 10 days or the period specified by the administrative law 
judge, the party to whom the request is directed serves upon the party 
requesting the admission a sworn written answer or objection addressed 
to the matter. If objection is made, the

[[Page 177]]

reason therefor shall be stated. The answer shall specifically deny the 
matter or set forth in detail the reasons why the answering party cannot 
truthfully admit or deny the matter. A denial shall fairly meet the 
substance of the requested admission, and when good faith requires that 
a party qualify his answer or deny only a part of the matter as to which 
an admission is requested, he shall specify so much of it as is true and 
qualify or deny the remainder. An answering party may not give lack of 
information or knowledge as a reason for failure to admit or deny unless 
he states that he has made reasonable inquiry and that the information 
known to or readily obtainable by him is insufficient to enable him to 
admit or deny. A party who considers that a matter as to which an 
admission has been requested presents a genuine issue for a hearing may 
not object to the request on that ground alone; he may deny the matter 
or set forth reasons why he cannot admit or deny it.
    (c) Sufficiency of answers. The party who has requested the 
admissions may move to determine the sufficiency of the answers or 
objections. Unless the objecting party sustains his burden of showing 
that the objection is justified, the administrative law judge shall 
order that an answer be served. If the administrative law judge 
determines that an answer does not comply with the requirements of this 
section, he may order either that the matter is admitted or that an 
amended answer be served. The administrative law judge may, in lieu of 
these orders, determine that final disposition of the request be made at 
a prehearing conference or at a designated time prior to a hearing under 
this part.
    (d) Effect of admissions; withdrawal or amendment of admission. Any 
matter admitted under this section may be conclusively established 
unless the administrative law judge on motion permits withdrawal or 
amendment of the admission. The administrative law judge may permit 
withdrawal or amendment when the presentation of the issues of the 
investigation will be subserved thereby and the party who obtained the 
admission fails to satisfy the administrative law judge that withdrawal 
or amendment will prejudice him in maintaining his position on the issue 
of the investigation. Any admission made by a party under this section 
is for the purpose of the pending investigation and any related 
proceeding as defined in Sec.  210.3 of this chapter.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38323, July 7, 2008]



Sec.  210.32  Subpoenas.

    (a) Application for issuance of a subpoena--(1) Subpoena ad 
testificandum. An application for issuance of a subpoena requiring a 
person to appear and depose or testify at the taking of a deposition or 
at a hearing shall be made to the administrative law judge.
    (2) Subpoena duces tecum. An application for issuance of a subpoena 
requiring a person to appear and depose or testify and to produce 
specified documents, papers, books, or other physical exhibits at the 
taking of a deposition, at a prehearing conference, at a hearing, or 
under any other circumstances, shall be made in writing to the 
administrative law judge and shall specify the material to be produced 
as precisely as possible, showing the general relevancy of the material 
and the reasonableness of the scope of the subpoena.
    (3) The administrative law judge shall rule on all applications 
filed under paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section and may issue 
subpoenas when warranted.
    (b) Use of subpoena for discovery. Subpoenas may be used by any 
party for purposes of discovery or for obtaining documents, papers, 
books or other physical exhibits for use in evidence, or for both 
purposes. When used for discovery purposes, a subpoena may require a 
person to produce and permit the inspection and copying of nonprivileged 
documents, papers, books, or other physical exhibits that constitute or 
contain evidence relevant to the subject matter involved and that are in 
the possession, custody, or control of such person.
    (c) Application for subpoenas for nonparty Commission records or 
personnel or for records and personnel of other Government agencies--(1) 
Procedure. An application for issuance of a subpoena requiring the 
production of nonparty

[[Page 178]]

documents, papers, books, physical exhibits, or other material in the 
records of the Commission, or requiring the production of records or 
personnel of other Government agencies shall specify as precisely as 
possible the material to be produced, the nature of the information to 
be disclosed, or the expected testimony of the official or employee, and 
shall contain a statement showing the general relevancy of the material, 
information, or testimony and the reasonableness of the scope of the 
application, together with a showing that such material, information, or 
testimony or their substantial equivalent could not be obtained without 
undue hardship or by alternative means.
    (2) Ruling. Such applications shall be ruled upon by the 
administrative law judge, and he may issue such subpoenas when 
warranted. To the extent that the motion is granted, the administrative 
law judge shall provide such terms and conditions for the production of 
the material, the disclosure of the information, or the appearance of 
the official or employee as may appear necessary and appropriate for the 
protection of the public interest.
    (3) Application for subpoena grounded upon the Freedom of 
Information Act. No application for a subpoena for production of 
documents grounded upon the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. Sec.  
552) shall be entertained by the administrative law judge.
    (d) Objections and motions to quash. (1) Any objection to a subpoena 
shall be served in writing on the party or attorney designated in the 
subpoena within the later of 10 days after receipt of the subpoena or 
within such time as the administrative law judge may allow. If an 
objection is made, the party that requested the subpoena may move for a 
request for judicial enforcement upon reasonable notice to other parties 
or as otherwise provided by the administrative law judge who issued the 
subpoena.
    (2) Any motion to quash a subpoena shall be filed within the later 
of 10 days after receipt of the subpoena or within such time as the 
administrative law judge may allow.
    (e) Ex parte rulings on applications for subpoenas. Applications for 
the issuance of the subpoenas pursuant to the provisions of this section 
may be made ex parte, and, if so made, such applications and rulings 
thereon shall remain ex parte unless otherwise ordered by the 
administrative law judge.
    (f) Witness fees--(1) Deponents and witnesses. Any person compelled 
to appear in person to depose or testify in response to a subpoena shall 
be paid the same fees and mileage as are paid to witnesses with respect 
to proceedings in the courts of the United States; provided, that 
salaried employees of the United States summoned to depose or testify as 
to matters related to their public employment, irrespective of the party 
at whose instance they are summoned, shall be paid in accordance with 
the applicable Federal regulations.
    (2) Responsibility. The fees and mileage referred to in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this section shall be paid by the party at whose instance 
deponents or witnesses appear. Fees due under this paragraph shall be 
tendered no later than the date for compliance with the subpoena issued 
under this section. Failure to timely tender fees under this paragraph 
shall not invalidate any subpoena issued under this section.
    (g) Obtaining judicial enforcement. In order to obtain judicial 
enforcement of a subpoena issued under paragraphs (a)(3) or (c)(2) of 
this section, the administrative law judge shall certify to the 
Commission, on motion or sua sponte, a request for such enforcement. The 
request shall be accompanied by copies of relevant papers and a written 
report from the administrative law judge concerning the purpose, 
relevance, and reasonableness of the subpoena. If the request, relevant 
papers, or written report contain confidential business information, the 
administrative law judge shall certify nonconfidential copies along with 
the confidential versions. The Commission will subsequently issue a 
notice stating whether it has granted the request and authorized its 
Office of the General Counsel to seek such enforcement.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38233, July 7, 2008; 83 
FR 21161, May 8, 2018]

[[Page 179]]



Sec.  210.33  Failure to make or cooperate in discovery; sanctions.

    (a) Motion for order compelling discovery. A party may apply to the 
administrative law judge for an order compelling discovery upon 
reasonable notice to other parties and all persons affected thereby.
    (b) Non-monetary sanctions for failure to comply with an order 
compelling discovery. If a party or an officer or agent of a party fails 
to comply with an order including, but not limited to, an order for the 
taking of a deposition or the production of documents, an order to 
answer interrogatories, an order issued pursuant to a request for 
admissions, or an order to comply with a subpoena, the administrative 
law judge, for the purpose of permitting resolution of relevant issues 
and disposition of the investigation without unnecessary delay despite 
the failure to comply, may take such action in regard thereto as is 
just, including, but not limited to the following:
    (1) Infer that the admission, testimony, documents, or other 
evidence would have been adverse to the party;
    (2) Rule that for the purposes of the investigation the matter or 
matters concerning the order or subpoena issued be taken as established 
adversely to the party;
    (3) Rule that the party may not introduce into evidence or otherwise 
rely upon testimony by the party, officer, or agent, or documents, or 
other material in support of his position in the investigation;
    (4) Rule that the party may not be heard to object to introduction 
and use of secondary evidence to show what the withheld admission, 
testimony, documents, or other evidence would have shown;
    (5) Rule that a motion or other submission by the party concerning 
the order or subpoena issued be stricken or rule by initial 
determination that a determination in the investigation be rendered 
against the party, or both; or
    (6) Order any other non-monetary sanction available under Rule 37(b) 
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Any such action may be taken by 
written or oral order issued in the course of the investigation or by 
inclusion in the initial determination of the administrative law judge. 
It shall be the duty of the parties to seek, and that of the 
administrative law judge to grant, such of the foregoing means of relief 
or other appropriate relief as may be sufficient to compensate for the 
lack of withheld testimony, documents, or other evidence. If, in the 
administrative law judge's opinion such relief would not be sufficient, 
the administrative law judge shall certify to the Commission a request 
that court enforcement of the subpoena or other discovery order be 
sought.
    (c) Monetary sanctions for failure to make or cooperate in 
discovery. (1) If a party or an officer, director, or managing agent of 
the party or person designated to testify on behalf of a party fails to 
obey an order to provide or permit discovery, the administrative law 
judge or the Commission may make such orders in regard to the failure as 
are just. In lieu of or in addition to taking action listed in paragraph 
(b) of this section and to the extent provided in Rule 37(b)(2) of the 
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the administrative law judge or the 
Commission, upon motion or sua sponte under Sec.  210.25, may require 
the party failing to obey the order or the attorney advising that party 
or both to pay reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, caused by 
the failure, unless the administrative law judge or the Commission finds 
that the failure was substantially justified or that other circumstances 
make an award of expenses unjust. Monetary sanctions shall not be 
imposed under this section against the United States, the Commission, or 
a Commission investigative attorney.
    (2) Monetary sanctions may be imposed under this section to 
reimburse the Commission for expenses incurred by a Commission 
investigative attorney or the Commission's Office of Unfair Import 
Investigations. Monetary sanctions will not be imposed under this 
section to reimburse the Commission for attorney's fees.



Sec.  210.34  Protective orders; reporting requirement; sanctions
and other actions.

    (a) Issuance of protective order. Upon motion by a party or by the 
person from whom discovery is sought or by

[[Page 180]]

the administrative law judge on his own initiative, and for good cause 
shown, the administrative law judge may make any order that may appear 
necessary and appropriate for the protection of the public interest or 
that justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, 
embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or 
more of the following:
    (1) That discovery not be had;
    (2) That the discovery may be had only on specified terms and 
conditions, including a designation of the time or place;
    (3) That discovery may be had only by a method of discovery other 
than that selected by the party seeking discovery;
    (4) That certain matters not be inquired into, or that the scope of 
discovery be limited to certain matters;
    (5) That discovery be conducted with no one present except persons 
designated by the administrative law judge;
    (6) That a deposition, after being sealed, be opened only by order 
of the Commission or the administrative law judge;
    (7) That a trade secret or other confidential research, development, 
or commercial information not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a 
designated way; and
    (8) That the parties simultaneously file specified documents or 
information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the 
Commission or the administrative law judge. If the motion for a 
protective order is denied, in whole or in part, the Commission or the 
administrative law judge may, on such terms and conditions as are just, 
order that any party or person provide or permit discovery. The 
Commission also may, upon motion or sua sponte, issue protective orders 
or may continue or amend a protective order issued by the administrative 
law judge.
    (b) Unauthorized disclosure, loss, or theft of information. If 
confidential business information submitted in accordance with the terms 
of a protective order is disclosed to any person other than in a manner 
authorized by the protective order, lost, or stolen, the party 
responsible for the disclosure, or subject to the loss or theft, must 
immediately bring all pertinent facts relating to such incident to the 
attention of the submitter of the information and the administrative law 
judge or the Commission, and, without prejudice to other rights and 
remedies of the submitter of the information, make every effort to 
prevent further mishandling of such information by the party or the 
recipient of such information.
    (c) Violation of protective order. (1) The issue of whether 
sanctions should be imposed may be raised on a motion by a party, the 
administrative law judge's own motion, or the Commission's own 
initiative in accordance with Sec.  210.25(a)(2). Parties, including the 
party that identifies an alleged breach or makes a motion for sanctions, 
and the Commission shall treat the identity of the alleged breacher as 
confidential business information unless the Commission issues a public 
sanction. The identity of the alleged breacher means the name of any 
individual against whom allegations are made. The Commission and the 
administrative law judge may permit the parties to file written 
submissions or present oral argument on the issues of the alleged 
violation of the protective order and sanctions.
    (2) If the breach occurs while the investigation is before an 
administrative law judge, any determination on sanctions of the type 
enumerated in paragraphs (c)(3)(i) through (iv) of this section shall be 
in the form of a recommended determination. The Commission may then 
consider both the recommended determination and any related orders in 
making a determination on sanctions. When the motion is addressed to the 
administrative law judge for sanctions of the type enumerated in 
paragraph (c)(3)(v) of this section, he shall grant or deny a motion by 
issuing an order.
    (3) Any individual who has agreed to be bound by the terms of a 
protective order issued pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, and 
who is determined to have violated the terms of the protective order, 
may be subject to one or more of the following:
    (i) An official reprimand by the Commission;

[[Page 181]]

    (ii) Disqualification from or limitation of further participation in 
a pending investigation;
    (iii) Temporary or permanent disqualification from practicing in any 
capacity before the Commission pursuant to Sec.  201.15(a) of this 
chapter;
    (iv) Referral of the facts underlying the violation to the 
appropriate licensing authority in the jurisdiction in which the 
individual is licensed to practice;
    (v) Sanctions of the sort enumerated in Sec.  210.33(b), or such 
other action as may be appropriate.
    (d) Reporting requirement. Each person who is subject to a 
protective order issued pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section shall 
report in writing to the Commission immediately upon learning that 
confidential business information disclosed to him or her pursuant to 
the protective order is the subject of:
    (1) A subpoena;
    (2) A court or an administrative order (other than an order of a 
court reviewing a Commission decision);
    (3) A discovery request;
    (4) An agreement; or
    (5) Any other written request, if the request or order seeks 
disclosure, by him or any other person, of the subject confidential 
business information to a person who is not, or may not be, permitted 
access to that information pursuant to either a Commission protective 
order or Sec.  210.5(b).

    Note to paragraph (d): This reporting requirement applies only to 
requests and orders for disclosure made for use of confidential business 
information in non-Commission proceedings.

    (e) Sanctions and other actions. After providing notice and an 
opportunity to comment, the Commission may impose a sanction upon any 
person who willfully fails to comply with paragraph (d) of this section, 
or it may take other action.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38323, July 7, 2008; 78 
FR 23484, Apr. 19, 2013; 83 FR 21161, May 8, 2018]



              Subpart F_Prehearing Conferences and Hearings



Sec.  210.35  Prehearing conferences.

    (a) When appropriate. The administrative law judge in any 
investigation may direct counsel or other representatives for all 
parties to meet with him for one or more conferences to consider any or 
all of the following:
    (1) Simplification and clarification of the issues;
    (2) Negotiation, compromise, or settlement of the case, in whole or 
in part;
    (3) Scope of the hearing;
    (4) Necessity or desirability of amendments to pleadings subject, 
however, to the provisions of Sec.  210.14 (b) and (c);
    (5) Stipulations and admissions of either fact or the content and 
authenticity of documents;
    (6) Expedition in the discovery and presentation of evidence 
including, but not limited to, restriction of the number of expert, 
economic, or technical witnesses; and
    (7) Such other matters as may aid in the orderly and expeditious 
disposition of the investigation including disclosure of the names of 
witnesses and the exchange of documents or other physical exhibits that 
will be introduced in evidence in the course of the hearing.
    (b) Subpoenas. Prehearing conferences may be convened for the 
purpose of accepting returns on subpoenas duces tecum issued pursuant to 
Sec.  210.32(a)(3).
    (c) Reporting. In the discretion of the administrative law judge, 
prehearing conferences may or may not be stenographically reported and 
may or may not be public.
    (d) Order. The administrative law judge may enter in the record an 
order that recites the results of the conference. Such order shall 
include the administrative law judge's rulings upon matters considered 
at the conference, together with appropriate direction to the parties. 
The administrative law judge's order shall control the subsequent course 
of the hearing, unless the administrative law judge modifies the order.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38324, July 7, 2008]

[[Page 182]]



Sec.  210.36  General provisions for hearings.

    (a) Purpose of hearings. (1) An opportunity for a hearing shall be 
provided in each investigation under this part, in accordance with the 
Administrative Procedure Act. At the hearing, the presiding 
administrative law judge will take evidence and hear argument for the 
purpose of determining whether there is a violation of section 337 of 
the Tariff Act of 1930, and for the purpose of making findings and 
recommendations, as described in Sec.  210.42(a)(1)(ii), concerning the 
appropriate remedy and the amount of the bond to be posted by 
respondents during Presidential review of the Commission's action, under 
section 337(j) of the Tariff Act.
    (2) An opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the 
Administrative Procedure Act shall also be provided in connection with 
every motion for temporary relief filed under this part.
    (b) Public hearings. All hearings in investigations under this part 
shall be public unless otherwise ordered by the administrative law 
judge.
    (c) Expedition. Hearings shall proceed with all reasonable 
expedition, and, insofar as practicable, shall be held at one place, 
continuing until completed unless otherwise ordered by the 
administrative law judge.
    (d) Rights of the parties. Every hearing under this section shall be 
conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (i.e., 5 
U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  554 through 556). Hence, every party shall have the 
right of adequate notice, cross-examination, presentation of evidence, 
objection, motion, argument, and all other rights essential to a fair 
hearing.
    (e) Presiding official. An administrative law judge shall preside 
over each hearing unless the Commission shall otherwise order.



Sec.  210.37  Evidence.

    (a) Burden of proof. The proponent of any factual proposition shall 
be required to sustain the burden of proof with respect thereto.
    (b) Admissibility. Relevant, material, and reliable evidence shall 
be admitted. Irrelevant, immaterial, unreliable, or unduly repetitious 
evidence shall be excluded. Immaterial or irrelevant parts of an 
admissible document shall be segregated and excluded as far as 
practicable.
    (c) Information obtained in investigations. Any documents, papers, 
books, physical exhibits, or other materials or information obtained by 
the Commission under any of its powers may be disclosed by the 
Commission investigative attorney when necessary in connection with 
investigations and may be offered in evidence by the Commission 
investigative attorney.
    (d) Official notice. When any decision of the administrative law 
judge rests, in whole or in part, upon the taking of official notice of 
a material fact not appearing in evidence of record, opportunity to 
disprove such noticed fact shall be granted any party making timely 
motion therefor.
    (e) Objections. Objections to evidence shall be made in timely 
fashion and shall briefly state the grounds relied upon. Rulings on all 
objections shall appear on the record.
    (f) Exceptions. Formal exception to an adverse ruling is not 
required.
    (g) Excluded evidence. When an objection to a question propounded to 
a witness is sustained, the examining party may make a specific offer of 
what he expects to prove by the answer of the witness, or the 
administrative law judge may in his discretion receive and report the 
evidence in full. Rejected exhibits, adequately marked for 
identification, shall be retained with the record so as to be available 
for consideration by any reviewing authority.



Sec.  210.38  Record.

    (a) Definition of the record. The record shall consist of all 
pleadings, the notice of investigation, motions and responses, all 
briefs and written statements, and other documents and things properly 
filed with the Secretary, in addition to all orders, notices, and 
initial determinations of the administrative law judge, orders and 
notices of the Commission, hearing and conference transcripts, evidence 
admitted into the record (including physical exhibits), and any other 
items certified into the record by the administrative law judge or the 
Commission.
    (b) Reporting and transcription. Hearings shall be reported and 
transcribed

[[Page 183]]

by the official reporter of the Commission under the supervision of the 
administrative law judge, and the transcript shall be a part of the 
record.
    (c) Corrections. Changes in the official transcript may be made only 
when they involve errors affecting substance. A motion to correct a 
transcript shall be addressed to the administrative law judge, who may 
order that the transcript be changed to reflect such corrections as are 
warranted, after consideration of any objections that may be made. Such 
corrections shall be made by the official reporter by furnishing 
substitute typed pages, under the usual certificate of the reporter, for 
insertion in the transcript. The original uncorrected pages shall be 
retained in the files of the Commission.
    (d) Certification of record. The record, including all physical 
exhibits entered into evidence or such photographic reproductions 
thereof as the administrative law judge approves, shall be certified to 
the Commission by the administrative law judge upon his filing of an 
initial determination or at such earlier time as the Commission may 
order.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38324, July 7, 2008]



Sec.  210.39  In camera treatment of confidential information.

    (a) Definition. Except as hereinafter provided and consistent with 
Sec. Sec.  210.5 and 210.34, confidential documents and testimony made 
subject to protective orders or orders granting in camera treatment are 
not made part of the public record and are kept confidential in an in 
camera record. Only the persons identified in a protective order, 
persons identified in Sec.  210.5(b), and court personnel concerned with 
judicial review shall have access to confidential information in the in 
camera record. The right of the administrative law judge and the 
Commission to disclose confidential data under a protective order 
(pursuant to Sec.  210.34) to the extent necessary for the proper 
disposition of each proceeding is specifically reserved.
    (b) Transmission of certain Commission records to district court. 
(1) In a civil action involving parties that are also parties to a 
proceeding before the Commission under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 
1930, at the request of a party to a civil action that is also a 
respondent in the proceeding before the Commission, the district court 
may stay, until the determination of the Commission becomes final, 
proceedings in the civil action with respect to any claim that involves 
the same issues involved in the proceeding before the Commission under 
certain conditions. If such a stay is ordered by the district court, 
after the determination of the Commission becomes final and the stay is 
dissolved, the Commission shall certify to the district court such 
portions of the record of its proceeding as the district court may 
request. Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, the in camera 
record may be transmitted to a district court and be admissible in a 
civil action, subject to such protective order as the district court 
determines necessary, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1659.
    (2) To facilitate timely compliance with any court order requiring 
the Commission to transmit all or part of the record of its section 337 
proceedings to the court, as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, a party that requests the court to issue an order staying the 
civil action or an order dissolving the stay and directing the 
Commission to transmit all or part of the record to the court must file 
written notice of the issuance or dissolution of a stay with the 
Commission Secretary within 10 days of the issuance or dissolution of a 
stay by the district court.
    (c) In camera treatment of documents and testimony. The 
administrative law judge shall have authority to order documents or oral 
testimony offered in evidence, whether admitted or rejected, to be 
placed in camera.
    (d) Part of confidential record. In camera documents and testimony 
shall constitute a part of the confidential record of the Commission.
    (e) References to in camera information. In submitting proposed 
findings, briefs, or other papers, counsel for all parties shall make an 
attempt in good faith to refrain from disclosing the specific details of 
in camera documents and testimony. This shall not preclude references in 
such proposed findings,

[[Page 184]]

briefs, or other papers to such documents or testimony including 
generalized statements based on their contents. To the extent that 
counsel consider it necessary to include specific details of in camera 
data in their presentations, such data shall be incorporated in separate 
proposed findings, briefs, or other papers marked ``Business 
Confidential,'' which shall be placed in camera and become a part of the 
confidential record.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67627, Dec. 30, 1994; 73 
FR 38324, July 7, 2008]



Sec.  210.40  Proposed findings and conclusions and briefs.

    At the time a motion for summary determination under Sec.  210.18(a) 
or a motion for termination under Sec.  210.21(a) is made, or when it is 
found that a party is in default under Sec.  210.16, or at the close of 
the reception of evidence in any hearing held pursuant to this part 
(except as provided in Sec.  210.63), or within a reasonable time 
thereafter fixed by the administrative law judge, any party may file 
proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, together with reasons 
therefor. When appropriate, briefs in support of the proposed findings 
of fact and conclusions of law may be filed with the administrative law 
judge for his consideration. Such proposals and briefs shall be in 
writing, shall be served upon all parties in accordance with Sec.  
210.4(g), and shall contain adequate references to the record and the 
authorities on which the submitter is relying.



               Subpart G_Determinations and Actions Taken



Sec.  210.41  Termination of investigation.

    Except as provided in Sec.  210.21 (b)(2), (c), and (d), an order of 
termination issued by the Commission shall constitute a determination of 
the Commission under Sec.  210.45(c). The Commission shall publish in 
the Federal Register notice of each Commission order that terminates an 
investigation in its entirety.

[60 FR 53120, Oct. 12, 1995]



Sec.  210.42  Initial determinations.

    (a)(1)(i) On issues concerning violation of section 337. Unless 
otherwise ordered by the Commission, the administrative law judge shall 
certify the record to the Commission and shall file an initial 
determination on whether there is a violation of section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 in an original investigation no later than 4 months 
before the target date set pursuant to Sec.  210.51(a)(1).
    (ii) Recommended determination on issues concerning permanent 
relief, bonding, and the public interest. Unless the Commission orders 
otherwise, within 14 days after issuance of the initial determination on 
violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, the administrative 
law judge shall issue a recommended determination containing findings of 
fact and recommendations concerning--
    (A) The appropriate remedy in the event that the Commission finds a 
violation of section 337, and
    (B) The amount of the bond to be posted by the respondents during 
Presidential review of Commission action under section 337(j) of the 
Tariff Act.
    (C) The public interest under sections 337(d)(1) and (f)(1) in 
investigations where the Commission has ordered the administrative law 
judge under Sec.  210.50(b)(1) to take evidence with respect to the 
public interest.
    (2) On certain motions to declassify information. The decision of 
the administrative law judge granting a motion to declassify 
information, in whole or in part, shall be in the form of an initial 
determination as provided in Sec.  210.20(b).
    (3) On potentially dispositive issues. The administrative law judge 
shall issue an initial determination ruling on a potentially dispositive 
issue in accordance with a Commission order pursuant to Sec.  
210.10(b)(3). The administrative law judge shall certify the record to 
the Commission and shall file an initial determination ruling on the 
potentially dispositive issue designated pursuant to Sec.  210.10(b)(3) 
within 100 days of institution, or as extended for good cause shown.
    (b) On issues concerning temporary relief or forfeiture of temporary 
relief bonds. Certification of the record and the disposition of an 
initial determination

[[Page 185]]

concerning a motion for temporary relief are governed by Sec. Sec.  
210.65 and 210.66. The disposition of an initial determination 
concerning possible forfeiture or return of a complainant's temporary 
relief bond, in whole or in part, is governed by Sec.  210.70.
    (c) On other matters. (1) The administrative law judge shall grant 
the following types of motions by issuing an initial determination or 
shall deny them by issuing an order: a motion to amend the complaint or 
notice of investigation pursuant to Sec.  210.14(b); a motion for a 
finding of default pursuant to Sec. Sec.  210.16 and 210.17; a motion 
for summary determination pursuant to Sec.  210.18; a motion for 
intervention pursuant to Sec.  210.19; a motion for termination pursuant 
to Sec.  210.21; a motion to suspend an investigation pursuant to Sec.  
210.23; or a motion to set a target date for an original investigation 
exceeding 16 months pursuant to Sec.  210.51(a)(1); or a motion to set a 
target date for a formal enforcement proceeding exceeding 12 months 
pursuant to Sec.  210.51(a)(2).
    (2) The administrative law judge shall grant or deny the following 
types of motions by issuing an initial determination: a motion for 
forfeiture or return of respondents' bonds pursuant to Sec.  210.50(d) 
or a motion for forfeiture or return of a complainant's temporary relief 
bond pursuant to Sec.  210.70.
    (d) Contents. The initial determination shall include: an opinion 
stating findings (with specific page references to principal supporting 
items of evidence in the record) and conclusions and the reasons or 
bases therefor necessary for the disposition of all material issues of 
fact, law, or discretion presented in the record; and a statement that, 
pursuant to Sec.  210.42(h), the initial determination shall become the 
determination of the Commission unless a party files a petition for 
review of the initial determination pursuant to Sec.  210.43(a) or the 
Commission, pursuant to Sec.  210.44, orders on its own motion a review 
of the initial determination or certain issues therein.
    (e) Notice to and advice from other departments and agencies. Notice 
of such initial determinations as the Commission may order shall be 
provided to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. 
Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection, and such other departments and agencies as the 
Commission deems appropriate by posting of such notice on the 
Commission's website. The Commission shall consider comments, limited to 
issues raised by the record, the initial determination, and the 
petitions for review, received from such agencies when deciding whether 
to initiate review or the scope of review. The Commission shall allow 
such agencies 10 days after the posting of such notice of an initial 
determination on the Commission's website to submit their comments.
    (f) Initial determination made by the administrative law judge. An 
initial determination under this section shall be made and filed by the 
administrative law judge who presided over the investigation, except 
when that person is unavailable to the Commission and except as provided 
in Sec.  210.20(a).
    (g) Reopening of proceedings by the administrative law judge. At any 
time prior to the filing of the initial determination, the 
administrative law judge may reopen the proceedings for the reception of 
additional evidence.
    (h) Effect. (1) An initial determination filed pursuant to Sec.  
210.42(a)(2) shall become the determination of the Commission 45 days 
after the date of service of the initial determination, unless the 
Commission has ordered review of the initial determination or certain 
issues therein, or by order has changed the effective date of the 
initial determination.
    (2) An initial determination under Sec.  210.42(a)(1)(i) shall 
become the determination of the Commission 60 days after the date of 
service of the initial determination, unless the Commission within 60 
days after the date of such service shall have ordered review of the 
initial determination or certain issues therein or by order has changed 
the effective date of the initial determination. The findings and 
recommendations made by the administrative law judge in the recommended 
determination issued pursuant to Sec.  210.42(a)(1)(ii) will be 
considered by the Commission in reaching determinations on remedy and 
bonding by the respondents pursuant to Sec.  210.50(a).

[[Page 186]]

    (3) An initial determination filed pursuant to Sec.  210.42(c) shall 
become the determination of the Commission 30 days after the date of 
service of the initial determination, except as provided for in 
paragraph (h)(5) and paragraph (h)(6) of this section, Sec.  
210.50(d)(3), and Sec.  210.70(c), unless the Commission, within 30 days 
after the date of such service shall have ordered review of the initial 
determination or certain issues therein or by order has changed the 
effective date of the initial determination.
    (4) The disposition of an initial determination granting or denying 
a motion for temporary relief is governed by Sec.  210.66.
    (5) The disposition of an initial determination concerning possible 
forfeiture of a complainant's temporary relief bond is governed by Sec.  
210.70(c).
    (6) The disposition of an initial determination filed pursuant to 
Sec.  210.42(c) which grants a motion for summary determination that 
would terminate the investigation in its entirety if it were to become 
the Commission's final determination, shall become the final 
determination of the Commission 45 days after the date of service of the 
initial determination, unless the Commission has ordered review of the 
initial determination or certain issues therein, or by order has changed 
the effective date of the initial determination.
    (7) An initial determination filed pursuant to Sec.  210.42(a)(3) 
shall become the determination of the Commission 30 days after the date 
of service of the initial determination, unless the Commission has 
ordered review of the initial determination or certain issues therein, 
or by order has changed the effective date of the initial determination.
    (i) Notice of determination. A notice stating that the Commission's 
decision on whether to review an initial determination will be issued by 
the Secretary and served on the parties. Notice of the Commission's 
decision will be published in the Federal Register if the decision 
results in termination of the investigation in its entirety, if the 
Commission deems publication of the notice to be appropriate under Sec.  
201.10 of subpart B of this part, or if publication of the notice is 
required under Sec.  210.49(b) of this subpart or Sec.  210.66(f) of 
subpart H of this part.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67628, Dec. 30, 1994; 60 
FR 53120, Oct. 12, 1995; 73 FR 38324, July 7, 2008; 76 FR 64809, Oct. 
19, 2011; 78 FR 23484, Apr. 19, 2013; 83 FR 21162, May 8, 2018]



Sec.  210.43  Petitions for review of initial determinations on matters
other than temporary relief.

    (a) Filing of the petition. (1) Except as provided in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section, any party to an investigation may request 
Commission review of an initial determination issued under Sec.  
210.42(a)(1) or (c), Sec.  210.50(d)(3), Sec.  210.70(c), or Sec.  
210.75(b)(3) by filing a petition with the Secretary. A petition for 
review of an initial determination issued under Sec.  210.42(a)(1) must 
be filed within 12 days after service of the initial determination. A 
petition for review of an initial determination issued under Sec.  
210.42(a)(3) must be filed within five (5) business days after service 
of the initial determination. A petition for review of an initial 
determination issued under Sec.  210.42(c) that terminates the 
investigation in its entirety on summary determination, or an initial 
determination issued under Sec.  210.50(d)(3), Sec.  210.70(c), or Sec.  
210.75(b)(3), must be filed within 10 days after service of the initial 
determination. Petitions for review of all other initial determinations 
under Sec.  210.42(c) must be filed within five (5) business days after 
service of the initial determination. A petition for review of an 
initial determination issued under Sec.  210.50(d)(3) or Sec.  210.70(c) 
must be filed within 10 days after service of the initial determination.
    (2) A party may not petition for review of any issue as to which the 
party has been found to be in default. Similarly, a party or proposed 
respondent who did not file a response to the motion addressed in the 
initial determination may be deemed to have consented to the relief 
requested and may not petition for review of the issues raised in the 
motion.
    (b) Content of the petition. (1) A petition for review filed under 
this section shall identify the party seeking review and shall specify 
the issues upon which review of the initial determination is

[[Page 187]]

sought, and shall, with respect to each such issue, specify one or more 
of the following grounds upon which review is sought:
    (i) That a finding or conclusion of material fact is clearly 
erroneous;
    (ii) That a legal conclusion is erroneous, without governing 
precedent, rule or law, or constitutes an abuse of discretion; or
    (iii) That the determination is one affecting Commission policy.
    (2) The petition for review must set forth a concise statement of 
the facts material to the consideration of the stated issues, and must 
present a concise argument providing the reasons that review by the 
Commission is necessary or appropriate to resolve an important issue of 
fact, law, or policy. If a petition filed under this paragraph exceeds 
50 pages in length, it must be accompanied by a summary of the petition 
not to exceed ten pages. Petitions for review may not exceed 100 pages 
in length, exclusive of the summary and any exhibits. Petitions for 
review may not incorporate statements, issues, or arguments by 
reference. Any issue not raised in a petition for review will be deemed 
to have been abandoned by the petitioning party and may be disregarded 
by the Commission in reviewing the initial determination (unless the 
Commission chooses to review the issue on its own initiative under Sec.  
210.44), and any argument not relied on in a petition for review will be 
deemed to have been abandoned and may be disregarded by the Commission.
    (3) Any petition designated by the petitioner as a ``contingent'' 
petition for review shall be deemed to be a petition under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section and shall be processed accordingly. In order to 
preserve an issue for review by the Commission or the U.S. Court of 
Appeals for the Federal Circuit that was decided adversely to a party, 
the issue must be raised in a petition for review, whether or not the 
Commission's determination on the ultimate issue, such as a violation of 
section 337, was decided adversely to the party.
    (4) A party's failure to file a petition for review of an initial 
determination shall constitute abandonment of all issues decided 
adversely to that party in the initial determination.
    (5) Service of petition. All petitions for review of an initial 
determination shall be served on the other parties by messenger, 
overnight delivery, or equivalent means.
    (c) Responses to the petition. Any party may file a response within 
eight (8) days after service of a petition of a final initial 
determination under Sec.  210.42(a)(1), and within five (5) business 
days after service of all other types of petitions, except that a party 
who has been found to be in default may not file a response to any issue 
as to which the party has defaulted. If a response to a petition for 
review filed under this paragraph exceeds 50 pages in length, it must be 
accompanied by a summary of the response not to exceed ten pages. 
Responses to petitions for review may not exceed 100 pages in length, 
exclusive of the summary and any exhibits. Responses to petitions for 
review may not incorporate statements, issues, or arguments by 
reference. Any argument not relied on in a response will be deemed to 
have been abandoned and may be disregarded by the Commission.
    (d) Grant or denial of review. (1) The Commission shall decide 
whether to grant, in whole or in part, a petition for review of an 
initial determination filed pursuant to Sec.  210.42(a)(2) or Sec.  
210.42(c), which grants a motion for summary determination that would 
terminate the investigation in its entirety if it becomes the final 
determination of the Commission, Sec.  210.50(d)(3), or Sec.  210.70(c) 
within 45 days after the service of the initial determination on the 
parties, or by such other time as the Commission may order. The 
Commission shall decide whether to grant, in whole or in part, a 
petition for review of an initial determination filed pursuant to Sec.  
210.42(a)(3) within 30 days after the service of the initial 
determination on the parties, or by such other time as the Commission 
may order. The Commission shall decide whether to grant, in whole or in 
part, a petition for review of an initial determination filed pursuant 
to Sec.  210.42(c), except as noted above, within 30 days after the 
service of the initial determination on the parties, or by such other 
time as the Commission may order.

[[Page 188]]

    (2) The Commission shall decide whether to grant a petition for 
review, based upon the petition and response thereto, without oral 
argument or further written submissions unless the Commission shall 
order otherwise. A petition will be granted and review will be ordered 
if it appears that an error or abuse of the type described in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section is present or if the petition raises a policy 
matter connected with the initial determination, which the Commission 
thinks it necessary or appropriate to address.
    (3) The Commission shall grant a petition for review and order 
review of an initial determination or certain issues therein when at 
least one of the participating Commissioners votes for ordering review. 
In its notice, the Commission shall establish the scope of the review 
and the issues that will be considered and make provisions for filing of 
briefs and oral argument if deemed appropriate by the Commission.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67628, Dec. 30, 1994; 60 
FR 53120, Oct. 12, 1995; 73 FR 38325, July 7, 2008; 78 FR 23484, Apr. 
19, 2013; 83 FR 21162, May 8, 2018]



Sec.  210.44  Commission review on its own motion of initial determinations
on matters other than temporary relief.

    Within the time provided in Sec.  210.43(d)(1), the Commission on 
its own initiative may order review of an initial determination, or 
certain issues in the initial determination, when at least one of the 
participating Commissioners votes for ordering review. A self-initiated 
Commission review of an initial determination will be ordered if it 
appears that an error or abuse of the kind described in Sec.  
210.43(b)(1) is present or the initial determination raises a policy 
matter which the Commission thinks is necessary or appropriate to 
address.



Sec.  210.45  Review of initial determinations on matters other than
temporary relief.

    (a) Briefs and oral argument. In the event the Commission orders 
review of an initial determination pertaining to issues other than 
temporary relief, the parties may be requested to file briefs on the 
issues under review at a time and of a size and nature specified in the 
notice of review. The parties, within the time provided for filing the 
review briefs, may submit a written request for a hearing to present 
oral argument before the Commission, which the Commission in its 
discretion may grant or deny. The Commission shall grant the request 
when at least one of the participating Commissioners votes in favor of 
granting the request.
    (b) Scope of review. Only the issues set forth in the notice of 
review, and all subsidiary issues therein, will be considered by the 
Commission.
    (c) Determination on review. On review, the Commission may affirm, 
reverse, modify, set aside or remand for further proceedings, in whole 
or in part, the initial determination of the administrative law judge. 
In addition, the Commission may take no position on specific issues or 
portions of the initial determination of the administrative law judge. 
The Commission also may make any findings or conclusions that in its 
judgment are proper based on the record in the proceeding. If the 
Commission's determination on review terminates the investigation in its 
entirety, a notice will be published in the Federal Register.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 60 FR 53120, Oct. 12, 1995; 73 
FR 38235, July 7, 2008]



Sec.  210.46  Petitions for and sua sponte review of initial determinations
on violation of section 337 or temporary relief.

    (a) Violation of section 337. An initial determination issued under 
Sec.  210.42(a)(1)(i) on whether respondents have violated section 337 
of the Tariff Act of 1930 will be processed as provided in Sec.  
210.42(e), (h)(2), and (i) and Sec. Sec.  210.43 through 210.45. The 
Commission will issue a notice setting deadlines for written submissions 
from the parties, other Federal agencies, and interested members of the 
public on the issues of remedy, the public interest, and bonding by the 
respondents. In those submissions, the parties may assert their 
arguments concerning the recommended determination issued by the 
administrative law judge pursuant to Sec.  210.42(a)(ii) on the issues 
of remedy and bonding by respondents.

[[Page 189]]

    (b) Temporary relief. Commission action on an initial determination 
concerning temporary relief is governed by Sec.  210.66.



Sec.  210.47  Petitions for reconsideration.

    Within 14 days after service of a Commission determination, any 
party may file with the Commission a petition for reconsideration of 
such determination or any action ordered to be taken thereunder, setting 
forth the relief desired and the grounds in support thereof. Any 
petition filed under this section must be confined to new questions 
raised by the determination or action ordered to be taken thereunder and 
upon which the petitioner had no opportunity to submit arguments. Any 
party desiring to oppose such a petition shall file an answer thereto 
within five days after service of the petition upon such party. Any 
party desiring to oppose such a petition shall file an answer thereto 
within five days after service of the petition upon such party. The 
Commission on its own initiative may order reconsideration of a 
Commission determination or any action ordered to be taken thereunder. 
The filing of a petition for reconsideration shall not stay the 
effective date of the determination or action ordered to be taken 
thereunder or toll the running of any statutory time period affecting 
such determination or action ordered to be taken thereunder unless 
specifically so ordered by the Commission.

[ 59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 83 FR 21162, May 8, 2018]



Sec.  210.48  Disposition of petitions for reconsideration.

    The Commission may affirm, set aside, or modify its determination, 
including any action ordered by it to be taken thereunder. When 
appropriate, the Commission may order the administrative law judge to 
take additional evidence.



Sec.  210.49  Implementation of Commission action.

    (a) Service of Commission determination upon the parties. A 
Commission determination pursuant to Sec.  210.45(c) or a termination on 
the basis of a licensing or other agreement, a consent order or an 
arbitration agreement pursuant to Sec.  210.21(b), (c) or (d), 
respectively, shall be served upon each party to the investigation.
    (b) Publication and transmittal to the President. A Commission 
determination that there is a violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act 
of 1930 or that there is reason to believe that there is a violation, 
together with the action taken relative to such determination under 
Sec.  210.50(a) or Sec.  210.50(d) of this part, or the modification or 
rescission in whole or in part of an action taken under Sec.  210.50(a), 
shall promptly be published in the Federal Register. It shall also be 
promptly transmitted to the President or an officer assigned the 
functions of the President under 19 U.S.C. 1337(j)(1)(B), 1337(j)(2), 
and 1337(j)(4), together with the record upon which the determination 
and the action are based.
    (c) Enforceability of Commission action. Unless otherwise specified, 
any Commission action other than an exclusion order or an order 
directing seizure and forfeiture of articles imported in violation of an 
outstanding exclusion order shall be enforceable upon receipt by the 
affected party of notice of such action. Exclusion orders and seizure 
and forfeiture orders shall be enforceable upon receipt of notice 
thereof by the Secretary of the Treasury.
    (d) Finality of affirmative Commission action. If the President does 
not disapprove the Commission's action within a 60-day period beginning 
the day after a copy of the Commission's action is delivered to the 
President, or if the President notifies the Commission before the close 
of the 60-day period that he approves the Commission's action, such 
action shall become final the day after the close of the 60-day period 
or the day the President notifies the Commission of his approval, as the 
case may be.
    (e) Duration. Final Commission action shall remain in effect as 
provided in subpart I of this part.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67628, Dec. 30, 1994; 73 
FR 38325, July 7, 2008]

[[Page 190]]



Sec.  210.50  Commission action, the public interest, and bonding by
respondents.

    (a) During the course of each investigation under this part, the 
Commission shall--
    (1) Consider what action (general or limited exclusion of articles 
from entry or a cease and desist order, or exclusion of articles from 
entry under bond or a temporary cease and desist order), if any, it 
should take, and, when appropriate, take such action;
    (2) Consult with and seek advice and information from the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice, 
the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Customs Service, and such other 
departments and agencies as it considers appropriate, concerning the 
subject matter of the complaint and the effect its actions (general or 
limited exclusion of articles from entry or a cease and desist order, or 
exclusion of articles from entry under bond or a temporary cease and 
desist order) under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 shall have 
upon the public health and welfare, competitive conditions in the U.S. 
economy, the production of like or directly competitive articles in the 
United States, and U.S. consumers;
    (3) Determine the amount of the bond to be posted by a respondent 
pursuant to section 337(j)(3) of the Tariff Act of 1930 following the 
issuance of temporary or permanent relief under section 337(d), (e), 
(f), or (g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, taking into account the 
requirement of section 337(e) and (j)(3) that the amount of the bond be 
sufficient to protect the complainant from any injury.
    (4) Receive submissions from the parties, interested persons, and 
other Government agencies and departments with respect to the subject 
matter of paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) of this section.
    (i) After a recommended determination on remedy is issued by the 
presiding administrative law judge, the parties may submit to the 
Commission, within 30 days from service of the recommended 
determination, information relating to the public interest, including 
any updates to the information supplied under Sec. Sec.  210.8(b) and 
(c) and 210.14(f). Submissions by the parties in response to the 
recommended determination are limited to 5 pages, inclusive of 
attachments. This provision does not apply to the public. Dates for 
submissions from the public are announced in the Federal Register.
    (ii) When the matter under consideration pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section is whether to grant some form of permanent 
relief, the submissions described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section 
shall be filed by the deadlines specified in the Commission notice 
issued pursuant to Sec.  210.46(a).
    (iii) When the matter under consideration is whether to grant some 
form of temporary relief, such submissions shall be filed by the 
deadlines specified in Sec.  210.67(b), unless the Commission orders 
otherwise.
    (iv) Any submission from a party shall be served upon the other 
parties in accordance with Sec.  210.4(g). The parties' submissions, as 
well as any filed by interested persons or other agencies shall be 
available for public inspection in the Office of the Secretary. If a 
party, interested person, or agency files a confidential version of its 
submission, it shall file a public version of the submission no later 
than one business day after the deadline for filing the submission.
    (v) The Commission will consider motions for oral argument or, when 
necessary, a hearing with respect to the subject matter of this section, 
except that no hearing or oral argument will be permitted in connection 
with a motion for temporary relief.
    (b)(1) With respect to an administrative law judge's authorization 
to take evidence or other information and to hear arguments from the 
parties and other interested persons on the issues of appropriate 
Commission action, the public interest, and bonding by the respondents 
for purposes of an initial determination on temporary relief, see 
Sec. Sec.  210.61, 210.62, and 210.66(a). For purposes of the 
recommended determination required by Sec.  210.42(a)(1)(ii), an 
administrative law judge shall take evidence or other information and 
hear arguments from the parties and other interested persons on the 
issues of appropriate Commission action and bonding by the respondents 
upon order of

[[Page 191]]

the Commission. Unless the Commission orders otherwise, and except as 
provided for in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, an administrative law 
judge shall not take evidence on the issue of the public interest for 
purposes of the recommended determination under Sec.  210.42(a)(1)(ii).
    (2) Regarding terminations by settlement agreement, consent order, 
or arbitration agreement under Sec.  210.21 (b), (c) or (d), the parties 
may file statements regarding the impact of the proposed termination on 
the public interest, and the administrative law judge may hear argument, 
although no discovery may be compelled with respect to issues relating 
solely to the public interest. Thereafter, the administrative law judge 
shall consider and make appropriate findings in the initial 
determination regarding the effect of the proposed settlement on the 
public health and welfare, competitive conditions in the U.S. economy, 
the production of like or directly competitive articles in the United 
States, and U.S. consumers.
    (c) No general exclusion from entry of articles shall be ordered 
under paragraph (a)(1) of this section unless the Commission determines 
that--
    (1) Such exclusion is necessary to prevent circumvention of an 
exclusion order limited to products of named persons; or
    (2) There is a pattern of violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act 
of 1930 and it is difficult to identify the source of infringing 
products.
    (d) Forfeiture or return of respondents' bonds. (1)(i) If one or 
more respondents posts a bond pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1337(e)(1) or 
1337(j)(3), proceedings to determine whether a respondent's bond should 
be forfeited to a complainant in whole or part may be initiated upon the 
filing of a motion, addressed to the administrative law judge who last 
presided over the investigation, by a complainant within 90 days after 
the expiration of the period of Presidential review under 19 U.S.C. 
1337(j), or if an appeal is taken from the determination of the 
Commission, within 30 days after the resolution of the appeal. If that 
administrative law judge is no longer employed by the Commission, the 
motion shall be addressed to the chief administrative law judge.
    (ii) A respondent may file a motion addressed to the administrative 
law judge who last presided over the investigation for the return of its 
bond within 90 days after the expiration of the Presidential review 
period under 19 U.S.C. 1337(j), or if an appeal is taken from the 
determination of the Commission, within 30 days after the resolution of 
the appeal. If that administrative law judge is no longer employed by 
the Commission, the motion shall be addressed to the chief 
administrative law judge.
    (2) Any nonmoving party may file a response to a motion filed under 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section within 15 days after filing of the 
motion, unless otherwise ordered by the administrative law judge.
    (3) A motion for forfeiture or return of a respondent's bond in 
whole or part will be adjudicated by the administrative law judge in an 
initial determination with a 45-day effective date, which shall be 
subject to review under the provisions of Sec. Sec.  210.42 through 
210.45. In determining whether to grant the motion, the administrative 
law judge and the Commission will be guided by practice under Rule 65 of 
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (taking into account that the roles 
of the parties are reversed in this instance).
    (4) If the Commission determines that a respondent's bond should be 
forfeited to a complainant, and if the bond is being held by the 
Secretary of the Treasury, the Commission Secretary shall promptly 
notify the Secretary of the Treasury of the Commission's determination.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67628, Dec. 30, 1994; 73 
FR 38326, July 7, 2008; 76 FR 64809, Oct. 19, 2011; 78 FR 23485, Apr. 
19, 2013; 83 FR 21162, May 8, 2018]



Sec.  210.51  Period for concluding investigation.

    (a) Permanent relief. Within 45 days after institution of an 
original investigation on whether there is a violation of section 337, 
or an investigation which is a formal enforcement proceeding, the 
administrative law judge shall issue an order setting a target

[[Page 192]]

date for completion of the investigation. After the target date has been 
set, it can be modified by the administrative law judge for good cause 
shown before the investigation is certified to the Commission or by the 
Commission after the investigation is certified to the Commission.
    (1) Original investigations. If the target date does not exceed 16 
months from the date of institution of an original investigation, the 
order of the administrative law judge shall be final and not subject to 
interlocutory review. If the target date exceeds 16 months, the order of 
the administrative law judge shall constitute an initial determination. 
Any extension of the target date beyond 16 months, before the 
investigation is certified to the Commission, shall be by initial 
determination.
    (2) Formal enforcement proceedings. If the target date does not 
exceed 12 months from the date of institution of the formal enforcement 
proceeding, the order of the administrative law judge shall be final and 
not subject to interlocutory review. If the target date exceeds 12 
months, the order of the administrative law judge shall constitute an 
initial determination. Any extension of the target date beyond 12 
months, before the formal enforcement proceeding is certified to the 
Commission, shall be by initial determination.
    (b) Temporary relief. The temporary relief phase of an investigation 
shall be concluded and a final order issued no later than 90 days after 
publication of the notice of investigation in the Federal Register, 
unless the temporary relief phase of the investigation has been 
designated ``more complicated'' by the Commission or the presiding 
administrative law judge pursuant to Sec.  210.22(c) and Sec.  210.60. 
If that designation has been made, the temporary relief phase of the 
investigation shall be concluded and a final order issued no later than 
150 days after publication of the notice of investigation in the Federal 
Register.
    (c) Computation of time. In computing the deadlines imposed in 
paragraph (b) of this section, there shall be excluded any period during 
which the investigation is suspended pursuant to Sec.  210.23.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67629, Dec. 30, 1994; 61 
FR 43432, Aug. 23, 1996; 73 FR 38326, July 7, 2008; 78 FR 23485, Apr. 
19, 2013]



                       Subpart H_Temporary Relief



Sec.  210.52  Motions for temporary relief.

    Requests for temporary relief under section 337 (e) or (f) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 shall be made through a motion filed in accordance 
with the following provisions:
    (a) A complaint requesting temporary relief shall be accompanied by 
a motion setting forth the complainant's request for such relief. In 
determining whether to grant temporary relief, the Commission will apply 
the standards the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit uses in 
determining whether to affirm lower court decisions granting preliminary 
injunctions. The motion for temporary relief accordingly must contain a 
detailed statement of specific facts bearing on the factors the Federal 
Circuit has stated that a U.S. District Court must consider in granting 
a preliminary injunction.
    (b) The motion must also contain a detailed statement of facts 
bearing on:
    (1) Whether the complainant should be required to post a bond as a 
prerequisite to the issuance of temporary relief; and
    (2) The appropriate amount of the bond, if the Commission determines 
that a bond will be required.
    (c) In determining whether to require a bond as a prerequisite to 
the issuance of temporary relief, the Commission will be guided by 
practice under Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
    (d) The following documents and information also shall be filed 
along with the motion for temporary relief:
    (1) A memorandum of points and authorities in support of the motion;
    (2) Affidavits executed by persons with knowledge of the facts 
asserted in the motion; and
    (3) All documents, information, and other evidence in complainant's 
possession that complainant intends to submit in support of the motion.

[[Page 193]]

    (e) If the complaint, the motion for temporary relief, or the 
documentation supporting the motion for temporary relief contains 
confidential business information as defined in Sec.  201.6(a) of this 
chapter, the complainant must follow the procedure outlined in 
Sec. Sec.  210.4(a), 210.5(a), 201.6 (a) and (c), 210.8(a), and 210.55 
of this part.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 67629, Dec. 30, 1994; 60 
FR 32444, June 22, 1995]



Sec.  210.53  Motion filed after complaint.

    (a) A motion for temporary relief may be filed after the complaint, 
but must be filed prior to the Commission determination under Sec.  
210.10 on whether to institute an investigation. A motion filed after 
the complaint shall contain the information, documents, and evidence 
described in Sec.  210.52 and must also make a showing that 
extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant temporary relief and that 
the moving party was not aware, and with due diligence could not have 
been aware, of those circumstances at the time the complaint was filed. 
When a motion for temporary relief is filed after the complaint but 
before the Commission has determined whether to institute an 
investigation based on the complaint, the 35-day period allotted under 
Sec.  210.58 for review of the complaint and informal investigatory 
activity will begin to run anew from the date on which the motion was 
filed.
    (b) A motion for temporary relief may not be filed after an 
investigation has been instituted.



Sec.  210.54  Service of motion by the complainant.

    Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec.  210.11 regarding service of 
the complaint by the Commission upon institution of an investigation, on 
the day the complainant files a complaint and motion for temporary 
relief, if any, with the Commission (see Sec.  210.8(a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
subpart B of this part), the complainant must serve non-confidential 
copies of both documents (as well as non-confidential copies of all 
materials or documents attached thereto) on all proposed respondents and 
on the embassy in Washington, DC of the country in which each proposed 
respondent is located as indicated in the Complaint. If a complainant 
files any supplemental information with the Commission prior to 
institution, nonconfidential copies of that supplemental information 
must be served on all proposed respondents and on the embassy in 
Washington, DC of the country in which each proposed respondent is 
located as indicated in the complaint. The complaint, motion, and 
supplemental information, if any, shall be served by messenger, 
overnight delivery, or equivalent means. A signed certificate of service 
must accompany the complaint and motion for temporary relief. If the 
certificate does not accompany the complaint and the motion, the 
Secretary shall not accept the complaint or the motion and shall 
promptly notify the submitter. Actual proof of service on each 
respondent and embassy (e.g., certified mail return receipts, messenger, 
or overnight delivery receipts, or other proof of delivery)--or proof of 
a serious but unsuccessful effort to make such service--must be filed 
within 10 days after the filing of the complaint and motion. If the 
requirements of this section are not satisfied, the Commission may 
extend its 35-day deadline under Sec.  210.58 for determining whether to 
provisionally accept the motion for temporary relief and institute an 
investigation on the basis of the complaint.

[73 FR 38326, July 7, 2008, as amended at 78 FR 23485, Apr. 19, 2013]



Sec.  210.55  Content of service copies.

    (a) Any purported confidential business information that is deleted 
from the nonconfidential service copies of the complaint and motion for 
temporary relief must satisfy the requirements of Sec.  201.6(a) of this 
chapter (which defines confidential information for purposes of 
Commission proceedings). For attachments to the complaint or motion that 
are confidential in their entirety, the complainant must provide a 
nonconfidential summary of what each attachment contains. Despite the 
redaction of confidential material from the complaint and motion for 
temporary relief, the nonconfidential service copies must contain enough 
factual information

[[Page 194]]

about each element of the violation alleged in the complaint and the 
motion to enable each proposed respondent to comprehend the allegations 
against it.
    (b) If the Commission determines that the complaint, motion for 
temporary relief, or any exhibits or attachments thereto contain 
excessive designations of confidentiality that are not warranted under 
Sec.  201.6(a) of this chapter, the Commission may require the 
complainant to file and serve new non-confidential versions of the 
aforesaid submissions in accordance with Sec.  210.54 and may determine 
that the 35-day period under Sec.  210.58 for deciding whether to 
institute an investigation and to provisionally accept the motion for 
temporary relief for further processing shall begin to run anew from the 
date the new non-confidential versions are filed with the Commission and 
served on the proposed respondents in accordance with Sec.  210.54.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38326, July 7, 2008]



Sec.  210.56  Notice accompanying service copies.

    (a) Each service copy of the complaint and motion for temporary 
relief shall be accompanied by a notice containing the following text:

    Notice is hereby given that the attached complaint and motion for 
temporary relief will be filed with the U.S. International Trade 
Commission in Washington, DC on ________, 20__. The filing of the 
complaint and motion will not institute an investigation on that date, 
however, nor will it begin the period for filing responses to the 
complaint and motion pursuant to 19 CFR 210.13 and 210.59.
    Upon receipt of the complaint, the Commission will examine the 
complaint for sufficiency and compliance with 19 CFR 210.4, 210.5, 
210.8, and 210.12. The Commission's Office of Unfair Import 
Investigations will conduct informal investigatory activity pursuant to 
19 CFR 210.9 to identify sources of relevant information and to assure 
itself of the availability thereof. The motion for temporary relief will 
be examined for sufficiency and compliance with 19 CFR 201.8, 210.4, 
210.5, 210.52, 210.53(a) (if applicable), 210.54, 210.55, and 210.56, 
and will be subject to the same type of preliminary investigative 
activity as the complaint.
    The Commission generally will determine whether to institute an 
investigation on the basis of the complaint and whether to provisionally 
accept the motion for temporary relief within 35 days after the 
complaint and motion are filed or, if the motion is filed after the 
complaint, within 35 days after the motion is filed--unless the 35-day 
deadline is extended pursuant to 19 CFR 210.53, 210.54, 210.55(b), 
210.57, or 210.58. If the Commission determines to institute an 
investigation and provisionally accept the motion, the motion will be 
assigned to a Commission administrative law judge for issuance of an 
initial determination in accordance with 19 CFR 210.66. See 19 CFR 
210.10 and 210.58.
    If the Commission determines to conduct an investigation of the 
complaint and motion for temporary relief, the investigation will be 
formally instituted on the date the Commission publishes a notice of 
investigation in the Federal Register pursuant to 19 CFR 210.10(b). If 
an investigation is instituted, copies of the complaint, the notice of 
investigation, and the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 
CFR Part 210) will be served on each respondent by the Commission 
pursuant to 19 CFR 210.11(a). Responses to the complaint, the notice of 
investigation, and the motion for temporary relief must be filed within 
10 days after Commission service thereof, and must comply with 19 CFR 
201.8, 210.4, 210.5, 210.13, and 210.59. See also 19 CFR 201.14 and 
210.6 regarding computation of the 10-day response period.
    If, after reviewing the complaint and motion for temporary relief, 
the Commission determines not to institute an investigation, the 
complaint and motion will be dismissed and the Commission will provide 
written notice of that decision and the reasons therefor to the 
complainant and all proposed respondents pursuant to 19 CFR 210.10.
    For information concerning the filing and processing of the 
complaint and its treatment, and to ask general questions concerning 
section 337 practice and procedure, contact the Office of Unfair Import 
Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., 
Room 401, Washington, DC 20436, telephone 202-205-2560. Such inquiries 
will be referred to the Commission investigative attorney assigned to 
the complaint. (See also the Commissions's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure set forth in 19 CFR Part 210.)
    To learn the date that the Commission will vote on whether to 
institute an investigation and the publication date of the notice of 
investigation (if the Commission decides to institute an investigation), 
contact the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW., room 112, Washington, DC 20436, telephone 
202-205-2000.
    This notice is being provided pursuant to 19 CFR 210.56.

    (b) In the event that the complaint and motion for temporary relief 
are filed after the date specified in the above notice, the complainant 
must serve a supplementary notice to all

[[Page 195]]

proposed respondents and embassies stating the correct filing date. The 
supplementary notice shall be served by messenger, overnight delivery, 
or equivalent means. The complainant shall file a certificate of service 
and a copy of the supplementary notice with the Commission.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38326, July 7, 2008; 78 
FR 23485, Apr. 19, 2013]



Sec.  210.57  Amendment of the motion.

    A motion for temporary relief may be amended at any time prior to 
the institution of an investigation. All material filed to amend the 
motion (or the complaint) must be served on all proposed respondents and 
on the embassies in Washington, DC, of the foreign governments that they 
represent, in accordance with Sec.  210.54. If the amendment expands the 
scope of the motion or changes the complainant's assertions on the issue 
of whether a bond is to be required as a prerequisite to the issuance of 
temporary relief or the appropriate amount of the bond, the 35-day 
period under Sec.  210.58 for determining whether to institute an 
investigation and provisionally accept the motion for temporary relief 
shall begin to run anew from the date the amendment is filed with the 
Commission. A motion for temporary relief may not be amended to expand 
the scope of the temporary relief inquiry after an investigation is 
instituted.



Sec.  210.58  Provisional acceptance of the motion.

    The Commission shall determine whether to accept a motion for 
temporary relief at the same time it determines whether to institute an 
investigation on the basis of the complaint. That determination shall be 
made within 35 days after the complaint and motion for temporary relief 
are filed, unless the 35-day period is restarted pursuant to Sec.  
210.53(a), Sec.  210.54, Sec.  210.55, or Sec.  210.57, or exceptional 
circumstances exist which preclude adherence to the prescribed deadline. 
(See Sec.  210.10(a)(1).) Before the Commission determines whether to 
provisionally accept a motion for temporary relief, the motion will be 
examined for sufficiency and compliance with Sec. Sec.  210.52, 
210.53(a) (if applicable), 210.54 through 210.56, as well as Sec. Sec.  
210.4 and 210.5. The motion will be subject to the same type of 
preliminary investigatory activity as the complaint. (See Sec.  
210.9(b).) Acceptance of a motion pursuant to this paragraph constitutes 
provisional acceptance for referral of the motion to the chief 
administrative law judge, who will assign the motion to a presiding 
administrative law judge for issuance of an initial determination under 
Sec.  210.66(a). Commission rejection of an insufficient or improperly 
filed complaint will preclude acceptance of a motion for temporary 
relief. Commission rejection of a motion for temporary relief will not 
preclude institution of an investigation of the complaint.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 78 FR 23486, Apr. 19, 2013]



Sec.  210.59  Responses to the motion and the complaint.

    (a) Any party may file a response to a motion for temporary relief. 
Unless otherwise ordered by the administrative law judge, a response to 
a motion for temporary relief in an ordinary investigation must be filed 
not later than 10 days after service of the motion by the Commission. In 
a ``more complicated'' investigation, the response shall be due within 
20 days after such service, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding 
administrative law judge.
    (b) The response must comply with the requirements of Sec. Sec.  
210.4 and 210.5 of this part, and shall contain the following 
information:
    (1) A statement that sets forth with particularity any objection to 
the motion for temporary relief;
    (2) A statement of specific facts concerning the factors the U.S. 
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit would consider in determining 
whether to affirm lower court decisions granting or denying preliminary 
injunctions;
    (3) A memorandum of points and authorities in support of the 
respondent's response to the motion;
    (4) Affidavits, where possible, executed by persons with knowledge 
of the facts specified in the response. Each response to the motion must 
address, to the extent possible, the complainant's assertions regarding 
whether a bond

[[Page 196]]

should be required and the appropriate amount of the bond. Responses to 
the motion for temporary relief also may contain counter-proposals 
concerning the amount of the bond or the manner in which the bond amount 
should be calculated.
    (c) Each response to the motion for temporary relief must also be 
accompanied by a response to the complaint and notice of investigation. 
Responses to the complaint and notice of investigation must comply with 
Sec. Sec.  210.4 and 210.5 of this part, and any protective order issued 
by the administrative law judge under Sec.  210.34 of this part.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 78 FR 23486, Apr. 19, 2013



Sec.  210.60  Designating the temporary relief phase of an investigation
more complicated for the purpose of adjudicating a motion for temporary relief.

    (a) At the time the Commission determines to institute an 
investigation and provisionally accepts a motion for temporary relief 
pursuant to Sec.  210.58, or at any time thereafter, the Commission may 
designate the temporary relief phase of an investigation ``more 
complicated'' pursuant to Sec.  210.60(b) for the purpose of obtaining 
up to 60 additional days to adjudicate the motion for temporary relief. 
In the alternative, after the motion for temporary relief is referred to 
the administrative law judge for an initial determination under Sec.  
210.66(a), the administrative law judge may issue an order, sua sponte 
or on motion, designating the temporary relief phase of the 
investigation ``more complicated'' for the purpose of obtaining 
additional time to adjudicate the motion for temporary relief. Such 
order shall constitute a final determination of the Commission, and 
notice of the order shall be published in the Federal Register. As 
required by section 337(e)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the notice 
shall state the reasons that the temporary relief phase of the 
investigation was designated ``more complicated.'' The ``more 
complicated'' designation may be conferred by the Commission or the 
presiding administrative law judge pursuant to this paragraph on the 
basis of the complexity of the issues raised in the motion for temporary 
relief or the responses thereto, or for other good cause shown.
    (b) A temporary relief phase is designated more complicated owing to 
the subject matter, difficulty in obtaining information, the large 
number of parties involved, or other significant factors.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 78 FR 23486, Apr. 19, 2013



Sec.  210.61  Discovery and compulsory process.

    The presiding administrative law judge shall set all discovery 
deadlines. The administrative law judge's authority to compel discovery 
includes discovery relating to the following issues:
    (a) Any matter relevant to the motion for temporary relief and the 
responses thereto, including the issues of bonding by the complainant; 
and
    (b) The issues the Commission considers pursuant to sections 337 
(e)(1), (f)(1), and (j)(3) of the Tariff Act of 1930, viz.,
    (1) The appropriate form of relief (notwithstanding the form 
requested in the motion for temporary relief),
    (2) Whether the public interest precludes that form of relief, and
    (3) The amount of the bond to be posted by the respondents to secure 
importations or sales of the subject imported merchandise while the 
temporary relief order is in effect. The administrative law judge may, 
but is not required to, make findings on the issues specified in 
sections 337 (e)(1), (f)(1), or (j)(3) of the Tariff Act of 1930. 
Evidence and information obtained through discovery on those issues will 
be used by the parties and considered by the Commission in the context 
of the parties' written submissions on remedy, the public interest, and 
bonding by respondents, which are filed with the Commission pursuant to 
Sec.  210.67(b).



Sec.  210.62  Evidentiary hearing.

    An opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the Administrative 
Procedure Act and Sec.  210.36 of this part will be provided in 
connection with every

[[Page 197]]

motion for temporary relief. If a hearing is conducted, the presiding 
administrative law judge may, but is not required to, take evidence 
concerning the issues of remedy, the public interest, and bonding by 
respondents under section 337 (e)(1), (f)(1), and (j)(3) of the Tariff 
Act of 1930.



Sec.  210.63  Proposed findings and conclusions and briefs.

    The administrative law judge shall determine whether and, if so, to 
what extent the parties shall be permitted to file proposed findings of 
fact, proposed conclusions of law, or briefs under Sec.  210.40 
concerning the issues involved in adjudication of the motion for 
temporary relief.



Sec.  210.64  Interlocutory appeals.

    There will be no interlocutory appeals to the Commission under Sec.  
210.24 on any matter connected with a motion for temporary relief that 
is decided by an administrative law judge prior to the issuance of the 
initial determination on the motion for temporary relief.



Sec.  210.65  Certification of the record.

    When the administrative law judge issues an initial determination 
concerning temporary relief pursuant to Sec.  210.66(a), he shall also 
certify to the Commission the record upon which the initial 
determination is based.



Sec.  210.66  Initial determination concerning temporary relief; 
Commission action thereon.

    (a) On or before the 70th day after publication of the notice of 
investigation in an ordinary investigation, or on or before the 120th 
day after such publication in a ``more complicated'' investigation, the 
administrative law judge will issue an initial determination concerning 
the issues listed in Sec. Sec.  210.52 and 210.59. If the 70th day or 
the 120th day is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the initial 
determination must be received in the Office of the Secretary no later 
than 12:00 noon on the first business day after the 70-day or 120-day 
deadline. The initial determination may, but is not required to, address 
the issues of remedy, the public interest, and bonding by the 
respondents pursuant under sections 337 (e)(1), (f)(1), and (j)(3) of 
the Tariff Act of 1930.
    (b) If the initial determination on temporary relief is issued on 
the 70-day or 120-day deadline imposed in paragraph (a) of this section, 
the initial determination will become the Commission's determination 20 
calendar days after issuance thereof in an ordinary case, and 30 
calendar days after issuance in a ``more complicated'' investigation, 
unless the Commission modifies, reverses, or sets aside the initial 
determination in whole or part within that period. If the initial 
determination on temporary relief is issued before the 70-day or 120-day 
deadline imposed in paragraph (a) of this section, the Commission will 
add the extra time to the 20-day or 30-day deadline to which it would 
otherwise have been held. In computing the deadlines imposed by this 
paragraph, intermediary Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays shall 
be included. If the last day of the period is a Saturday, Sunday, or 
Federal holiday as defined in Sec.  201.14(a) of this chapter, the 
effective date of the initial determination shall be extended to the 
next business day.
    (c) The Commission will not modify, reverse, or set aside an initial 
determination concerning temporary relief unless the Commission finds 
that a finding of material fact is clearly erroneous, that the initial 
determination contains an error of law, or that there is a policy matter 
warranting discussion by the Commission. All parties may file written 
comments concerning any clear error of material fact, error of law, or 
policy matter warranting such action by the Commission. Such comments 
must be limited to 35 pages in an ordinary investigation and 45 pages in 
a ``more complicated'' investigation. The comments must be filed no 
later than seven calendar days after issuance of the initial 
determination in an ordinary case and 10 calendar days after issuance of 
the initial determination in a ``more complicated'' investigation. In 
computing the aforesaid 7-day and 10-day deadlines, intermediary

[[Page 198]]

Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays shall be included. If the 
initial determination is issued on a Friday, however, the filing 
deadline for comments shall be measured from the first business day 
after issuance. If the last day of the filing period is a Saturday, 
Sunday, or Federal holiday as defined in Sec.  201.14(a) of this 
chapter, the filing deadline shall be extended to the next business day. 
The parties shall serve their comments on other parties by messenger, 
overnight delivery, or equivalent means.
    (d) Notice of the initial determination shall be served on the other 
agencies listed in Sec.  210.50(a)(2). Those agencies will be given 10 
calendar days from the date of service of the notice to file comments on 
the initial determination.
    (e)(1) Each party may file a response to each set of comments filed 
by another party. All such reply comments must be filed within 10 
calendar days after issuance of the initial determination in an ordinary 
case and within 14 calendar days after issuance of an initial 
determination in a ``more complicated'' investigation. The deadlines for 
filing reply comments shall be computed in the manner described in 
paragraph (c) of this section, except that in no case shall a party have 
fewer than two calendar days to file reply comments.
    (2) Each set of reply comments will be limited to 20 pages in an 
ordinary investigation and 30 pages in a ``more complicated'' case.
    (f) If the Commission determines to modify, reverse, or set aside 
the initial determination, the Commission will issue a notice and, if 
appropriate, a Commission opinion. If the Commission does not modify, 
reverse, or set aside the administrative law judge's initial 
determination within the time provided under paragraph (b) of this 
section, the initial determination will automatically become the 
determination of the Commission. Notice of the Commission's 
determination concerning the initial determination will be issued on the 
statutory deadline for determining whether to grant temporary relief, or 
as soon as possible thereafter, and will be served on the parties. 
Notice of the determination will be published in the Federal Register if 
the Commission's disposition of the initial determination has resulted 
in a determination that there is reason to believe that section 337 has 
been violated and a temporary remedial order is to be issued. If the 
Commission determines (either by reversing or modifying the 
administrative law judge's initial determination, or by adopting the 
initial determination) that the complainant must post a bond as a 
prerequisite to the issuance of temporary relief, the Commission may 
issue a supplemental notice setting forth conditions for the bond if any 
(in addition to those outlined in the initial determination) and the 
deadline for filing the bond with the Commission.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 60 FR 53121, Oct. 12, 1995; 73 
FR 38326, July 7, 2008]



Sec.  210.67  Remedy, the public interest, and bonding.

    The procedure for arriving at the Commission's determination of the 
issues of the appropriate form of temporary relief, whether the public 
interest factors enumerated in the statute preclude such relief, and the 
amount of the bond under which respondents' merchandise will be 
permitted to enter the United States during the pendency of any 
temporary relief order issued by the Commission, is as follows:
    (a) While the motion for temporary relief is before the 
administrative law judge, he may compel discovery on matters relating to 
remedy, the public interest and bonding (as provided in Sec.  210.61). 
The administrative law judge also is authorized to make findings 
pertaining to the public interest, as provided in Sec.  210.66(a). Such 
findings may be superseded, however, by Commission findings on that 
issue as provided in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (b) On the 65th day after institution in an ordinary case or on the 
110th day after institution in a ``more complicated'' investigation, all 
parties shall file written submissions with the Commission addressing 
those issues. The submissions shall refer to information and evidence 
already on the record, but additional information and evidence germane 
to the issues of appropriate relief, the statutory public

[[Page 199]]

interest factors, and bonding by respondents may be provided along with 
the parties' submissions. Pursuant to Sec.  210.50(a)(4), interested 
persons may also file written comments, on the aforesaid dates, 
concerning the issues of remedy, the public interest, and bonding by the 
respondents.
    (c) On or before the 90-day or 150-day statutory deadline for 
determining whether to order temporary relief under section 337 (e)(1) 
and/or (f)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the Commission will determine 
what relief is appropriate in light of any violation that appears to 
exist, whether the public interest factors enumerated in the statute 
preclude the issuance of such relief, and the amount of the bond under 
which the respondents' merchandise will be permitted to enter the United 
States during the pendency of any temporary relief order issued by the 
Commission. In the event that Commission's findings on the public 
interest pursuant to this paragraph are inconsistent with findings made 
by the administrative law judge in the initial determination pursuant to 
Sec.  210.66(a), the Commission's findings are controlling.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38326, July 7, 2008]



Sec.  210.68  Complainant's temporary relief bond.

    (a) In every investigation under this part involving a motion for 
temporary relief, the question of whether the complainant shall be 
required to post a bond as a prerequisite to the issuance of such relief 
shall be addressed by the parties, the presiding administrative law 
judge, and the Commission in the manner described in Sec. Sec.  210.52, 
210.59, 210.61, 210.62, and 210.66. If the Commission determines that a 
bond should be required, the bond may consist of one or more of the 
following:
    (1) The surety bond of a surety or guarantee corporation that is 
licensed to do business with the United States in accordance with 31 
U.S.C. 9304-9306 and 31 CFR parts 223 and 224;
    (2) The surety bond of an individual, a trust, an estate, or a 
partnership, or a corporation, whose solvency and financial 
responsibility will be investigated and verified by the Commission; or
    (3) A certified check, a bank draft, a post office money order, 
cash, a United States bond, a Treasury note, or other Government 
obligation within the meaning of 31 U.S.C. 9301 and 31 CFR part 225, 
which is owned by the complainant and tendered in lieu of a surety bond, 
pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 9303(c) and 31 CFR part 225.

The same restrictions and requirements applicable to individual and 
corporate sureties on Customs bonds, which are set forth in 19 CFR part 
113, shall apply with respect to sureties on bonds filed with the 
Commission by complainants as a prerequisite to a temporary relief under 
section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. If the surety is an individual, 
the individual must file an affidavit of the type shown in appendix A to 
Sec.  210.68. Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, while the bond 
of the individual surety is in effect, an updated affidavit must be 
filed every four months (computed from the date on which the bond was 
approved by the Secretary or the Commission).
    (b) The bond and accompanying documentation must be submitted to the 
Commission within the time specified in the Commission notice, order, 
determination, or opinion requiring the posting of a bond, or within 
such other time as the Commission may order. If the bond is not 
submitted within the specified period (and an extension of time has not 
been granted), temporary relief will not be issued.
    (c) The corporate or individual surety on a bond or the person 
posting a certified check, a bank draft, a post office money order, 
cash, a United States bond, a Treasury note, or other Government 
obligation in lieu of a surety bond must provide the following 
information on the face of the bond or in the instrument authorizing the 
Government to collect or sell the bond, certified check, bank draft, 
post office money order, cash, United States bond, Treasury note, or 
other Government obligation in response to a Commission order requiring 
forfeiture of the bond pursuant to Sec.  210.70:
    (1) The investigation caption and docket number;

[[Page 200]]

    (2) The names, addresses, and seals (if appropriate) of the 
principal, the surety, the obligee, as well as the ``attorney in fact'' 
and the registered process agent (if applicable) (see Customs Service 
regulations in 19 CFR part 113 and Treasury Department regulations in 31 
CFR parts 223, 224, and 225);
    (3) The terms and conditions of the bond obligation, including the 
reason the bond is being posted, the amount of the bond, the effective 
date and duration of the bond (as prescribed by the Commission order, 
notice, determination, or opinion requiring the complainant to post a 
bond); and
    (4) A section at the bottom of the bond or other instrument for the 
date and authorized signature of the Secretary to reflect Commission 
approval of the bond.
    (d) Complainants who wish to post a certified check, a bank draft, a 
post office money order, cash, a United States bond, a Treasury note, or 
other Government obligation in lieu of a surety bond must notify the 
Commission in writing immediately upon receipt of the Commission 
document requiring the posting of a bond, and must contact the Secretary 
to make arrangements for Commission receipt, handling, management, and 
deposit of the certified check, bank draft, post office money order, 
cash, United States bond, Treasury note, or other Government obligation 
tendered in lieu of a surety bond, in accordance with 31 U.S.C. Sec.  
9303, 31 CFR parts 202, 206, and 225 and other governing Treasury 
regulations and circular(s). If required by the governing Treasury 
regulations and circular, a certified check, a bank draft, a post office 
money order, cash, a United States bond, a Treasury note, or other 
government obligation tendered in lieu of a surety bond may have to be 
collateralized. See, e.g., 31 CFR 202.6 and the appropriate Treasury 
Circular.

       Appendix A to Sec.  210.68--Affidavit by Individual Surety

  United States International Trade Commission Affidavit by Individual 
                          Surety 19 CFR 210.68

________________________________________________________________________
State of
________________________________________________________________________
County

SS:_____________________________________________________________________
    I, the undersigned, being duly sworn, depose and say that I am a 
citizen of the United States, and of full age and legally competent; 
that I am not a partner in any business of the principal on the bond or 
bonds on which I appear as surety; and that the information herein below 
furnished is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. This 
affidavit is made to induce the United States International Trade 
Commission to accept me as surety on the bond(s) filed or to be filed 
with the United States International Trade Commission pursuant to 19 CFR 
210.68. I agree to notify the Commission of any transfer or change in 
any of the assets herein enumerated.
________________________________________________________________________
1. Name (First, Middle, Last)
________________________________________________________________________
2. Home Address
________________________________________________________________________
3. Type & Duration of Occupation
________________________________________________________________________
4. Name of Employer (If Self-Employed)
________________________________________________________________________
5. Business Address
________________________________________________________________________
6. Telephone No.

Home____________________________________________________________________

Business________________________________________________________________
    7. The following is a true representation of my assets, liabilities, 
and net worth and does not include any financial interest I have in the 
assets of the principal on the bond(s) on which I appear as surety.

a. Fair value of solely owned real estate *...................
b. All mortgages or other encumbrances on the real estate       ........
 included in Line a...........................................
c. Real estate equity (subtract Line b from Line a)...........  ........
d. Fair value of all solely owned property other than real      ........
 estate.......................................................
e. Total of the amounts on Lines c and d......................  ........
f. All other liabilities owing or incurred not included in      ........
 Line b.......................................................
g. Net worth (subtract Line f from Line e)....................  ........
 
*Do not include property exempt from execution and sale for any reason.
  Surety's interest in community property may be included if not so
  exempt.

________________________________________________________________________
8. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF REAL ESTATE OF WHICH I AM SOLE OWNER, THE 
          VALUE OF WHICH IS IN LINE a, ITEM 7 ABOVE \1\
    Amount of assessed value of above real estate for taxation purposes:
________________________________________________________________________
9. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY INCLUDED IN LINE d, ITEM 7 ABOVE (List the 
          value of each category of property separately) \2\
________________________________________________________________________

[[Page 201]]

10. ALL OTHER BONDS ON WHICH I AM SURETY (State character and amount of 
          each bond; if none, so state) \3\
________________________________________________________________________
11. SIGNATURE
________________________________________________________________________
12. BOND AND COMMISSION INVESTIGATION TO WHICH THIS AFFIDAVIT RELATES
    SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME AS FOLLOWS:
DATE OATH ADMINISTERED
MONTH DAY YEAR

CITY____________________________________________________________________
STATE (Or Other Jurisdiction)___________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
NAME & TITLE OF OFFICIAL
ADMINISTERING OATH______________________________________________________

SIGNATURE_______________________________________________________________

MY COMMISSION EXPIRES___________________________________________________

                              INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Here describe the property by giving the number of the lot and 
square or block, and addition or subdivision, if in a city, and, if in 
the country, after showing state, county, and township, locate the 
property by metes and bounds, or by part of section, township, and 
range, so that it may be identified.
    2. Here describe the property by name so that it can be identified--
for example ``Fifteen shares of the stock of the ``National Metropolitan 
Bank, New York City,'' or ``Am. T. & T. s. f.5's 60.''
    3. Here state what other bonds the affiant has already signed as 
surety, giving the name and address of the principal, the date, and the 
amount and character of the bond.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994; 59 FR 64286, Dec. 14, 1994]



Sec.  210.69  Approval of complainant's temporary relief bond.

    (a) In accordance with 31 U.S.C. Sec.  9304(b), all bonds posted by 
complainants must be approved by the Commission before the temporary 
relief sought by the complainant will be issued. See also 31 U.S.C. 
Sec.  9303(a) and 31 CFR 225.1 and 225.20. The Commission's bond 
approval officer for purposes of those provisions shall be the 
Secretary.
    (b) The bond approval process may entail investigation by the 
Secretary or the Commission's Office of Investigations to determine the 
veracity of all factual information set forth in the bond and the 
accompanying documentation (e.g., powers of attorney), as well as any 
additional verification required by 31 CFR parts 223, 224, or 225. The 
Secretary may reject a bond on one or more of the following grounds:
    (1) Failure to comply with the instructions in the Commission 
determination, order, or notice directing the complainant to post a 
bond;
    (2) Failure of the surety or the bond to provide information or 
supporting documentation required by the Commission, the Secretary, 
Sec.  210.68 of this part, 31 CFR parts 223 or 224, or other governing 
statutes, regulations, or Treasury circulars, or because of a limitation 
prescribed in a governing statute, regulation, or circular;
    (3) Failure of an individual surety to execute and file with the 
bond, an affidavit of the type shown in appendix A to Sec.  210.68, 
which sets forth information about the surety's assets, liabilities, net 
worth, real estate and other property of which the initial surety is the 
sole owner, other bonds on which the individual surety is a surety (and 
which must be updated at 4-month intervals while the bond is in effect, 
measured from the date on which the bond is approved by the Secretary on 
behalf of the Commission or by the Commission);
    (4) Any question about the solvency or financial responsibility of 
the surety, or any question of fraud, misrepresentation, or perjury 
which comes to light as a result of the verification inquiry during the 
bond approval process; and
    (5) Any other reason deemed appropriate by the Secretary.
    (c) If the complainant believes that the Secretary's rejection of 
the bond was erroneous as a matter of law, the complainant may appeal 
the Secretary's rejection of the bond by filing a petition with the 
Commission in the form of a letter to the Chairman, within 10 days after 
service of the rejection letter.
    (d) After the bond is approved and temporary relief is issued, if 
any question concerning the continued solvency of the individual or the 
legality or enforceability of the bond or undertaking develops, the 
Commission may take the following action(s), sua sponte or on motion;
    (1) Revoke the Commission approval of the bond and require 
complainant to post a new bond; or

[[Page 202]]

    (2) Revoke or vacate the temporary remedial order for public 
interest reasons or changed conditions of law or fact (criteria that are 
the basis for modification or rescission of final Commission action 
pursuant to Sec.  210.76(a)(1) and (b)); or
    (3) Notify the Treasury Department if the problem involves a 
corporate surety licensed to do business with the United States under 31 
U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  9303-9306 and 31 CFR parts 223 and 224; or
    (4) Refer the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice if there is a 
suggestion of fraud, perjury, or related conduct.



Sec.  210.70  Forfeiture or return of complainant's temporary relief bond.

    (a)(1) If the Commission determines that one or more of the 
respondents whose merchandise was covered by the temporary relief order 
has not violated section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to the extent 
alleged in the motion for temporary relief and provided for in the 
temporary relief order, proceedings to determine whether the 
complainant's bond should be forfeited to one or more respondents in 
whole or part may be initiated upon the filing of a motion by a 
respondent within 30 days after filing of the aforesaid Commission 
determination on violation.
    (2) A complainant may file a motion for the return of its bond.
    (b) Any nonmoving party may file a response to a motion filed under 
paragraph (a) of this section within 15 days after filing of the motion, 
unless otherwise ordered by the administrative law judge.
    (c) A motion for forfeiture or return of a complainant's temporary 
relief bond in whole or part will be adjudicated by the administrative 
law judge in an initial determination with a 45-day effective date, 
which shall be subject to review under the provisions of Sec. Sec.  
210.42 through 210.45. In determining whether to grant the motion, the 
administrative law judge and the Commission will be guided by practice 
under Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

[59 FR 67629, Dec. 30, 1994]



         Subpart I_Enforcement Procedures and Advisory Opinions



Sec.  210.71  Information gathering.

    (a) Power to require information. (1) Whenever the Commission issues 
an exclusion order, the Commission may require any person to report 
facts available to that person that will help the Commission assist the 
U.S. Customs Service in determining whether and to what extent there is 
compliance with the order. Similarly, whenever the Commission issues a 
cease and desist order or a consent order, it may require any person to 
report facts available to that person that will aid the Commission in 
determining whether and to what extent there is compliance with the 
order or whether and to what extent the conditions that led to the order 
are changed.
    (2) The Commission may also include provisions that exercise any 
other information-gathering power available to the Commission by law, 
regardless of whether the order at issue is an exclusion order, a cease 
and desist order, or a consent order. The Commission may at any time 
request the cooperation of any person or agency in supplying it with 
information that will aid the Commission or the U.S. Customs Service in 
making the determinations described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (b) Form and detail of reports. Reports under paragraph (a) of this 
section are to be in writing, under oath, and in such detail and in such 
form as the Commission prescribes.
    (c) Power to enforce informational requirements. Terms and 
conditions of exclusion orders, cease and desist orders, and consent 
orders for reporting and information gathering shall be enforceable by 
the Commission by a civil action under 19 U.S.C. 1333, or, at the 
Commission's discretion, in the same manner as any other provision of 
the exclusion order, cease and desist order, or consent order is 
enforced.
    (d) Term of reporting requirement. An exclusion order, cease and 
desist order, or consent order may provide for the frequency of 
reporting or information gathering and the date on which these 
activities are to terminate. If no date for termination is provided, 
reporting

[[Page 203]]

and information gathering shall terminate when the exclusion order, 
cease and desist order, or consent order or any amendment to it expires 
by its own terms or is terminated.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38327, July 7, 2008]



Sec.  210.72  Confidentiality of information.

    Confidential information (as defined in Sec.  201.6(a) of this 
chapter) that is provided to the Commission pursuant to exclusion order, 
cease and desist order, or consent order will be received by the 
Commission in confidence. Requests for confidential treatment shall 
comply with Sec.  201.6 of this chapter. The restrictions on disclosure 
and the procedures for handling such information (which are set out in 
Sec. Sec.  210.5 and 210.39) shall apply and, in a proceeding under 
Sec.  210.75 or Sec.  210.76, the Commission or the presiding 
administrative law judge may, upon motion or sua sponte, issue or 
continue appropriate protective orders.



Sec.  210.73  Review of reports.

    (a) Review to insure compliance. The Commission, through the Office 
of Unfair Import Investigations, will review reports submitted pursuant 
to any exclusion order, cease and desist order, or consent order and 
conduct such further investigation as it deems necessary to insure 
compliance with its orders.
    (b) Extension of time. The Director of the Office of Unfair Import 
Investigations may, for good cause shown, extend the time in which 
reports required by exclusion orders, cease and desist orders, and 
consent orders may be filed. An extension of time within which a report 
may be filed, or the filing of a report that does not evidence full 
compliance with the order, does not in any circumstances suspend or 
relieve a respondent from its obligation under the law with respect to 
compliance with such order.



Sec.  210.74  Modification of reporting requirements.

    (a) Exclusion and cease and desist orders. The Commission may modify 
reporting requirements of exclusion and cease and desist orders as 
necessary:
    (1) To help the Commission assist the U.S. Customs Service in 
ascertaining that there has been compliance with an outstanding 
exclusion order;
    (2) To help the Commission ascertain that there has been compliance 
with a cease and desist order;
    (3) To take account of changed circumstances; or
    (4) To minimize the burden of reporting or informational access.

An order to modify reporting requirements shall identify the reports 
involved and state the reason or reasons for modification. No reporting 
requirement will be suspended during the pendency of such a modification 
unless the Commission so orders. The Commission may, if the public 
interest warrants, announce that a modification of reporting is under 
consideration and ask for comment, but it may also modify any reporting 
requirement at any time without notice, consistent with the standards of 
this section.
    (b) Consent orders. Consistent with the standards set forth in 
paragraph (a) of this section, the Commission may modify reporting 
requirements of consent orders. The Commission shall serve notice of any 
proposed change, together with the reporting requirements to be modified 
and the reasons therefor, on each party subject to the consent order. 
Such parties shall be given the opportunity to submit briefs to the 
Commission, and the Commission may hold a hearing on the matter. Notice 
of any proposed change in the reporting requirements will be published 
in the Federal Register if the Commission determines to solicit public 
comment on the proposed change.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 60 FR 53121, Oct. 12, 1995]



Sec.  210.75  Proceedings to enforce exclusion orders, cease and desist
orders, consent orders, and other Commission orders.

    (a) Formal enforcement proceedings. (1) The Commission may institute 
an enforcement proceeding at the Commission level upon the filing by the 
complainant in the original investigation or his successor in interest, 
by the Office of Unfair Import Investigations, or by the Commission of a 
complaint setting forth alleged violations of any exclusion order, cease 
and desist order, or

[[Page 204]]

consent order. If a proceeding is instituted, the complaint shall be 
served upon the alleged violator and a notice of institution published 
in the Federal Register. Within 15 days after the date of service of 
such a complaint, the named respondent shall file a response to it. 
Responses shall fully advise the Commission as to the nature of any 
defense and shall admit or deny each allegation of the complaint 
specifically and in detail unless the respondent is without knowledge, 
in which case its answer shall so state and the statement shall operate 
as a denial. Allegations of fact not denied or controverted may be 
deemed admitted. Matters alleged as affirmative defenses shall be 
separately stated and numbered. These proceedings are authorized under 
section 337(b) as investigations on whether there is a violation of 
section 337 in the same manner as original investigations, and are 
conducted in accordance with the laws for original investigations as set 
forth in section 1337 of title 19 and sections 554, 555, 556, 557, and 
702 of title 5 of the United States Code and the rules of this part.
    (i) The determination of whether to institute shall be made within 
30 days after the complaint is filed, unless--
    (A) Exceptional circumstances preclude adherence to a 30-day 
deadline;
    (B) The filing party requests that the Commission postpone the 
determination on whether to institute an investigation; or
    (C) The filing party withdraws the complaint.
    (ii) If exceptional circumstances preclude Commission adherence to 
the 30-day deadline for determining whether to institute an 
investigation on the basis of the complaint, the determination will be 
made as soon after that deadline as possible.
    (iii) If the filing party desires to have the Commission postpone 
making a determination on whether to institute an investigation in 
response to the complaint, the filing party must file a written request 
with the Secretary. If the request is granted, the determination will be 
rescheduled for whatever date is appropriate in light of the facts.
    (iv) The filing party may withdraw the complaint as a matter of 
right at any time before the Commission votes on whether to institute an 
enforcement proceeding. To effect such withdrawal, the filing party must 
file a written notice with the Commission.
    (2) Upon the failure of a respondent to file and serve a response 
within the time and in the manner prescribed herein the Commission, in 
its discretion, may find the facts alleged in the complaint to be true 
and take such action as may be appropriate without notice or hearing, 
or, in its discretion, proceed without notice to take evidence on the 
allegations set forth in the complaint, provided that the Commission (or 
administrative law judge, if one is appointed) may permit late filings 
of an answer for good cause shown.
    (3) The Commission, in the course of a formal enforcement proceeding 
under this section, may hold a public hearing and afford the parties to 
the enforcement proceeding the opportunity to appear and be heard. The 
Commission may delegate the hearing to the chief administrative law 
judge for designation of a presiding administrative law judge, who shall 
certify an initial determination to the Commission. A presiding 
administrative law judge shall certify the record and issue the 
enforcement initial determination to the Commission no later than three 
months before the target date for completion of a formal enforcement 
proceeding. Parties may file petitions for review, and responses 
thereto, in accordance with Sec.  210.43 of this part. The enforcement 
initial determination shall become the determination of the Commission 
45 days after the date of service of the enforcement initial 
determination, unless the Commission, within 45 days after the date of 
such service, shall have ordered review of the enforcement initial 
determination on certain issues therein, or by order shall have changed 
the effective date of the enforcement initial determination.
    (4) Upon conclusion of a formal enforcement proceeding under this 
section, the Commission may:
    (i) Modify a cease and desist order, consent order, and/or exclusion 
order in any manner necessary to prevent the unfair practices that were 
originally the basis for issuing such order;

[[Page 205]]

    (ii) Bring civil actions in a United States district court pursuant 
to paragraph (c) of this section (and section 337(f)(2) of the Tariff 
Act of 1930) to recover for the United States the civil penalty accruing 
to the United States under that section for the breach of a cease and 
desist order or a consent order, and to obtain a mandatory injunction 
incorporating the relief the Commission deems appropriate for 
enforcement of the cease and desist order or consent order; or
    (iii) Revoke the cease and desist order or consent order and direct 
that the articles concerned be excluded from entry into the United 
States.
    (iv) Issue a new cease and desist order as necessary to prevent the 
unfair practices that were the basis for originally issuing the cease 
and desist order, consent order, and/or exclusion order subject to the 
enforcement proceeding.
    (5) Prior to effecting any issuance, modification, revocation, or 
exclusion under this section, the Commission shall consider the effect 
of such action upon the public health and welfare, competitive 
conditions in the U.S. economy, the production of like or directly 
competitive articles in the United States, and U.S. consumers.
    (6) In lieu of or in addition to taking the action provided for in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the Commission may issue, pursuant to 
section 337(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930, an order providing that any 
article imported in violation of the provisions of section 337 of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 and an outstanding final exclusion order issued 
pursuant to section 337(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930 be seized and 
forfeited to the United States, if the following conditions are 
satisfied:
    (i) The owner, importer, or consignee of the article (or the agent 
of such person) previously attempted to import the article into the 
United States;
    (ii) The article previously was denied entry into the United States 
by reason of a final exclusion order; and
    (iii) Upon such previous denial of entry, the Secretary of the 
Treasury provided the owner, importer, or consignee of the article (or 
the agent of such person) with written notice of the aforesaid exclusion 
order and the fact that seizure and forfeiture would result from any 
further attempt to import the article into the United States.
    (b) Court enforcement. To obtain judicial enforcement of an 
exclusion order, a cease and desist order, a consent order, or a 
sanctions order, the Commission may initiate a civil action in the U.S. 
district court. In a civil action under section 337(f)(2) of the Tariff 
Act of 1930, the Commission may seek to recover for the United States 
the civil penalty accruing to the United States under that section for 
the breach of a cease and desist order or a consent order, and may ask 
the court to issue a mandatory injunction incorporating the relief the 
Commission deems appropriate for enforcement of the cease and desist 
order or consent order. The Commission may initiate a proceeding to 
obtain judicial enforcement without any other type of proceeding 
otherwise available under section 337 or this subpart or without prior 
notice to any person, except as required by the court in which the civil 
action is initiated.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38327, July 7, 2008; 78 
FR 23486, Apr. 19, 2013; 83 FR 21163, May 8, 2018]



Sec.  210.76  Modification or rescission of exclusion orders, cease and 
desist orders, consent orders, and seizure and forfeiture orders.

    (a) Petitions for modification or rescission of exclusion orders, 
cease and desist orders, and consent orders. (1) Whenever any person 
believes that changed conditions of fact or law, or the public interest, 
require that an exclusion order, cease and desist order, or consent 
order be modified or set aside, in whole or in part, such person may 
request, pursuant to section 337(k)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, that 
the Commission make a determination that the conditions which led to the 
issuance of an exclusion order, cease and desist order, or consent order 
no longer exist. The Commission may also on its own initiative consider 
such action. The request shall state the changes desired and the changed 
circumstances or public interest warranting such action, shall include 
materials and argument in support thereof, and shall be served on all 
parties to the investigation in which the exclusion order, cease and 
desist

[[Page 206]]

order, or consent order was issued. Any person may file an opposition to 
the petition within 10 days of service of the petition. If the 
Commission makes such a determination, it shall notify the Secretary of 
the Treasury and U.S. Custom and Border Protection.
    (2) If the petitioner previously has been found by the Commission to 
be in violation of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and if its 
petition requests a Commission determination that the petitioner is no 
longer in violation of that section or requests modification or 
rescission of an order issued pursuant to section 337 (d), (e), (f), 
(g), or (i) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the burden of proof in any 
proceeding initiated in response to the petition pursuant to paragraph 
(b) of this section shall be on the petitioner. In accordance with 
section 337(k)(2) of the Tariff Act, relief may be granted by the 
Commission with respect to such petition on the basis of new evidence or 
evidence that could not have been presented at the prior proceeding or 
on grounds that would permit relief from a judgment or order under the 
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
    (3) If the petition requests modification or rescission of an order 
issued pursuant to section 337(d), (e), (f), (g), or (i) of the Tariff 
Act of 1930 on the basis of a licensing or other settlement agreement, 
the petition shall contain copies of the licensing or other settlement 
agreements, any supplemental agreements, any documents referenced in the 
petition or attached agreements, and a statement that there are no other 
agreements, written or oral, express or implied between the parties 
concerning the subject matter of the investigation. If the licensing or 
other settlement agreement contains confidential business information 
within the meaning of Sec.  201.6(a) of this chapter, a copy of the 
agreement with such information deleted shall accompany the motion. On 
motion for good cause shown, the administrative law judge or the 
Commission may limit the service of the agreements to the settling 
parties and the Commission investigative attorney.
    (b) Commission action upon receipt of petition. The Commission may 
thereafter institute a proceeding to modify or rescind the exclusion 
order, cease and desist order, or consent order by issuing a notice. The 
Commission may hold a public hearing and afford interested persons the 
opportunity to appear and be heard. After consideration of the petition, 
any responses thereto, and any information placed on the record at a 
public hearing or otherwise, the Commission shall take such action as it 
deems appropriate. The Commission may delegate any hearing under this 
section to the chief administrative law judge for designation of a 
presiding administrative law judge, who shall certify a recommended 
determination to the Commission.
    (1) The determination of whether to institute shall be made within 
30 days after the petition is filed, unless--
    (i) Exceptional circumstances preclude adherence to a 30-day 
deadline;
    (ii) The petitioner requests that the Commission postpone the 
determination on whether to institute a modification or rescission 
proceeding; or
    (iii) The petitioner withdraws the petition.
    (2) If exceptional circumstances preclude Commission adherence to 
the 30-day deadline for determining whether to institute a modification 
or rescission proceeding on the basis of the petition, the determination 
will be made as soon after that deadline as possible.
    (3) If the petitioner desires to have the Commission postpone making 
a determination on whether to institute a modification or rescission 
proceeding in response to the petition, the petitioner must file a 
written request with the Secretary. If the request is granted, the 
determination will be rescheduled for a date that is appropriate in 
light of the facts.
    (4) The petitioner may withdraw the complaint as a matter of right 
at any time before the Commission votes on whether to institute a 
modification or rescission proceeding. To effect such withdrawal, the 
petitioner must file a written notice with the Commission.
    (5) The Commission shall institute a modification or rescission 
proceeding by publication of a notice in the Federal Register. The 
notice will define the scope of the modification or rescission 
proceeding and may be amended by leave of the Commission.

[[Page 207]]

    (c) Comments. Parties may submit comments on the recommended 
determination within 10 days from the service of the recommended 
determination. Parties may submit responses thereto within 5 business 
days from service of any comments.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 61 FR 43433, Aug. 23, 1996; 78 
FR 23486, Apr. 19, 2013; 83 FR 21163, May 8, 2018]



Sec.  210.77  [Reserved]



Sec.  210.78  Notice of enforcement action to Government agencies.

    (a) Consultation. The Commission may consult with or seek 
information from any Government agency when taking any action under this 
subpart.
    (b) Notification of Treasury. The Commission shall notify the 
Secretary of the Treasury of any action under this subpart that results 
in a permanent or temporary exclusion of articles from entry, or the 
revocation of an order to such effect, or the issuance of an order 
compelling seizure and forfeiture of imported articles.



Sec.  210.79  Advisory opinions.

    (a) Advisory opinions. Upon request of any person, the Commission 
may, upon such investigation as it deems necessary, issue an advisory 
opinion as to whether any person's proposed course of action or conduct 
would violate a Commission exclusion order, cease and desist order, or 
consent order. Any responses to a request for an advisory opinion shall 
be filed within 10 days of service of the request. The Commission will 
consider whether the issuance of such an advisory opinion would 
facilitate the enforcement of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, 
would be in the public interest, and would benefit consumers and 
competitive conditions in the United States, and whether the person has 
a compelling business need for the advice and has framed his request as 
fully and accurately as possible. Advisory opinion proceedings are not 
subject to sections 554, 555, 556, 557, and 702 of title 5 of the United 
States Code.
    (1) The determination of whether to issue and advisory opinion shall 
be made within 30 days after the petition is filed, unless--
    (i) Exceptional circumstances preclude adherence to a 30-day 
deadline;
    (ii) The requester asks the Commission to postpone the determination 
on whether to institute an advisory proceeding; or
    (iii) The petitioner withdraws the request.
    (2) If exceptional circumstances preclude Commission adherence to 
the 30-day deadline for determining whether to institute an advisory 
proceeding on the basis of the request, the determination will be made 
as soon after that deadline as possible.
    (3) If the requester desires that the Commission postpone making a 
determination on whether to institute an advisory proceeding in response 
to its request, the requester must file a written request with the 
Secretary. If the request is granted, the determination will be 
rescheduled for whatever date is appropriate in light of the facts.
    (4) The requester may withdraw the request as a matter of right at 
any time before the Commission votes on whether to institute an advisory 
proceeding. To effect such withdrawal, the requester must file a written 
notice with the Commission.
    (5) The Commission shall institute an advisory proceeding by 
publication of a notice in the Federal Register. The notice will define 
the scope of the advisory opinion and may be amended by leave of the 
Commission.
    (b) Revocation. The Commission may at any time reconsider any advice 
given under this section and, where the public interest requires, revoke 
its prior advice. In such event the person will be given notice of the 
Commission's intent to revoke as well as an opportunity to submit its 
views to the Commission. The Commission will not proceed against a 
person for violation of an exclusion order, cease and desist order, or 
consent order with respect to any action that was taken in good faith 
reliance upon the Commission's advice under this section, if all 
relevant facts were accurately presented to the Commission and such 
action was

[[Page 208]]

promptly discontinued upon notification of revocation of the 
Commission's advice.

[59 FR 39039, Aug. 1, 1994, as amended at 73 FR 38327, July 7, 2008; 83 
FR 21164, May 8, 2018]



          Appendix A to Part 210--Adjudication and Enforcement

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Commission deadline for
                                         Petitions for review    Response to petitions    determining whether to
  Initial determination concerning:              due:                     due:              review the initial
                                                                                              determination:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Violation Sec.   210.42(a)(1).....  12 days from service of  8 days from service of   60 days from service of
                                        the initial              any petition.            the initial
                                        determination.                                    determination (on
                                                                                          private parties).
2. Summary initial determination that  10 days from service of  5 business days from     45 days from service of
 would terminate the investigation if   the initial              service of any           the initial
 it became the Commission's final       determination.           petition.                determination (on
 determination Sec.   210.42(c).                                                          private parties).
3. Other matters Sec.   210.42(c)....  5 business days from     5 business days from     30 days from service of
                                        service of the initial   service of any           the initial
                                        determination.           petition.                determination (on
                                                                                          private parties).
4. Forfeiture or return of             10 days from service of  5 business days from     45 days from service of
 respondents' bond Sec.                 the initial              service of any           the initial
 210.50(d)(3).                          determination.           petition.                determination (on
                                                                                          private parties).
5. Forfeiture or return of             10 days from service of  5 business days from     45 days from service of
 complainant's temporary relief bond    the initial              service of any           the initial
 Sec.   210.70(c).                      determination.           petition.                determination (on
                                                                                          private parties).
6. Formal enforcement proceedings      10 days from service of  5 business days from     45 days from service of
 Sec.   210.75(b).                      the enforcement          service of any           the enforcement
                                        initial determination.   petition.                initial determination
                                                                                          (on private parties).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[78 FR 23486, Apr. 19, 2013]



        Sec. Appendix B to Part 210--Adjudication and Enforcement

------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Recommended determination                             Response to
           concerning:               Comments due:       comments due:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification or Rescission Sec.   10 days from        5 business days
  210.76(a)(1).                    service of the      from service of
                                   recommended         any comments.
                                   determination.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[78 FR 23487, Apr. 19, 2013]



PART 212_IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT--Table of Contents



                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
212.01 Purpose.
212.02 When the Act applies.
212.03 Proceedings covered.
212.04 Eligibility of applicants.
212.05 Standards for awards.
212.06 Allowable fees and expenses.
212.07 Rulemaking on maximum rates for attorney fees.

             Subpart B_Information Required From Applicants

212.10 Contents of application.
212.11 Net worth exhibit.
212.12 Documentation of fees and expenses.
212.13 When an application may be filed.

            Subpart C_Procedures for Considering Applications

212.20 Filing and service of documents.
212.21 Answer to application.
212.22 Reply.
212.23 Comments by other parties.
212.24 Settlement.
212.25 Further proceedings.
212.26 Determination.
212.27 Agency review.
212.28 Judicial review.

[[Page 209]]

212.29 Payment of award.

    Authority: Sec. 203(a)(1), Pub. L. 96-481, 94 Stat. 2325 (5 U.S.C. 
504(c)(1)).

    Source: 47 FR 9391, Mar. 5, 1982, unless otherwise noted.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec.  212.01  Purpose.

    (a) The Equal Access to Justice Act, 5 U.S.C. 504 (called ``the 
Act'' in this part), provides for the award of attorney fees and other 
expenses to eligible individuals and entities who are parties to certain 
administrative proceedings (called ``adversary adjudications'') before 
an agency. Under the Act an eligible party may receive an award when it 
prevails over an agency, unless the agency's position in the proceeding 
was substantially justified or special circumstances make an award 
unjust. The rules in this part describe the parties eligible for awards 
and the Commission proceedings that are covered. They also explain how 
to apply for awards, and the procedures and standards that the 
Commission will use to make them.



Sec.  212.02  When the Act applies.

    The Act applies to any adversary adjudication pending before the 
Commission at any time between October 1, 1981 and September 30, 1984. 
This includes proceedings begun before October 1, 1981 if final 
Commission action has not been taken before that date, and proceedings 
pending on September 30, 1984, regardless of when they were initiated or 
when final Commission action occurs.



Sec.  212.03  Proceedings covered.

    (a) The Act applies to adversary adjudications conducted by the 
Commission. These are adjudications under 5 U.S.C. 554 in which the 
position of the Commission is presented by an attorney or other 
representative who enters an appearance and participates in the 
proceeding. The Commission proceedings covered are those conducted under 
section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, 19 U.S.C. 1337. No award shall be 
made, however, for fees and expenses related to those portions of the 
proceedings conducted for the consideration of relief, the public 
interest, and bonding pursuant to subsections 337 (d), (e), and (f) of 
the Tariff Act of 1930 and 19 CFR 210.14.
    (b) An award may be made against the Commission only in connection 
with a proceeding brought by the Commission upon its own complaint.
    (c) If a proceeding includes both matters covered by the Act and 
matters specifically excluded from coverage, any award made will include 
only fees and expenses related to covered issues.



Sec.  212.04  Eligibility of applicants.

    (a) To be eligible for an award of attorney fees and other expenses 
under the Act, the applicant must be a party to the adversary 
adjudication for which it seeks an award. The term party is defined in 5 
U.S.C. 551(3) and 19 CFR 210.04. The applicant must show that it meets 
all conditions of eligibility set out in this subpart and in subpart B.
    (b) The types of eligible applicants are as follows:
    (1) An individual with a net worth of not more than $1 million;
    (2) The sole owner of an unincorporated business who has a net worth 
of not more than $5 million, including both personal and business 
interests, and not more than 500 employees;
    (3) A charitable or other tax-exempt organization described in 
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) 
with not more than 500 employees;
    (4) A cooperative association as defined in section 15(a) of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 1144j(a)) with not more than 500 
employees; and
    (5) Any other partnership, corporation, association, or public or 
private organization with a net worth of not more than $5 million and 
not more than 500 employees.
    (c) For the purpose of eligibility, the net worth and number of 
employees of an applicant shall be determined as of the date the 
adversary adjudication was initiated.
    (d) An applicant who owns an unincorporated business will be 
considered to be an ``individual'' rather than a ``sole owner of an 
unincorporated business'' if the issues on which the applicant prevails 
are related primarily to personal interests rather than to business 
interests.

[[Page 210]]

    (e) The employees of an applicant include all persons who regularly 
perform services for remuneration for the applicant under the 
applicant's direction and control. Part-time employees shall be included 
on a proportional basis.
    (f) The net worth and number of employees of the applicant and all 
of its affiliates shall be aggregated to determine eligibility. Any 
individual, corporation or other entity that directly or indirectly 
controls or owns a majority of the voting shares or other interest of 
the applicant, or any corporation or other entity of which the applicant 
directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the voting shares 
or other interest, will be considered an affiliate for purposes of this 
part, unless the presiding officer determines that such treatment would 
be unjust and contrary to the purposes of the Act in light of the actual 
relationship between the affiliated entities. In addition, the presiding 
officer may determine that financial relationships of the applicant 
other than those described in this paragraph constitute special 
circumstances that would make an award unjust.
    (g) An applicant that participates in a proceeding primarily on 
behalf of one or more other persons or entities that would be ineligible 
is not itself eligible for an award.



Sec.  212.05  Standards for awards.

    (a) The determination whether an applicant is a prevailing party 
shall be made on a case-by-case basis.
    (b) A prevailing applicant may receive an award for fees and 
expenses incurred in connection with an adversary adjudication, or in a 
significant and discrete substantive portion of the adversary 
adjudication, unless the position of the Commission investigative 
attorney was substantially justified. The burden of proof that an award 
should not be made to an eligible prevailing applicant is on the 
Commission investigative attorney. An award may be avoided by showing 
that the position of the Commission was reasonable in law and fact.
    (c) An award will be reduced or denied if the applicant has unduly 
or unreasonably protracted the adversary adjudication or if special 
circumstances make the award sought unjust. The burden of proof that an 
award should be reduced or denied for either of these reasons is on the 
Commission investigative attorney.



Sec.  212.06  Allowable fees and expenses.

    (a) Awards will be based on rates customarily charged by persons 
engaged in the business of acting as attorneys, agents and expert 
witnesses, even if the services were made available without charge or at 
a reduced rate to the applicant.
    (b) No award for the fee of an attorney or agent under these rules 
may exceed $75.00 per hour. No award to compensate an expert witness may 
exceed the highest rate at which the Commission pays expert witnesses. 
However, an award may include the reasonable expenses of the attorney, 
agent, or expert witness as a separate item if the attorney, agent or 
expert witness ordinarily charges clients separately for such expenses.
    (c) In determining the reasonableness of the fee sought for an 
attorney, agent or expert witness, the presiding officer shall consider 
the following:
    (1) If the attorney, agent or expert witness is in private practice, 
his or her customary fee for similar services, or, if an employee of the 
applicant, the fully allocated cost of the service;
    (2) The prevailing rate for similar services in the community in 
which the attorney, agent or expert witness ordinarily performs 
services;
    (3) The time actually spent in the representation of the applicant;
    (4) The time reasonably spent in light of the difficulty or 
complexity of the issues in the adversary adjudication; and
    (5) Such other factors as may bear on the value of the services 
provided.
    (d) The reasonable cost of any study, analysis, engineering report, 
test, project or similar matter prepared on behalf of a party may be 
awarded to the extent that the charge for the service does not exceed 
the prevailing rate for similar services and the study or other matter 
was necessary for preparation of the applicant's case.

[[Page 211]]



Sec.  212.07  Rulemaking on maximum rates for attorney fees.

    (a) If warranted by an increase in the cost of living or by special 
circumstances (such as limited availability of attorneys qualified to 
handle certain types of proceedings), the Commission may adopt 
regulations providing that attorney fees may be awarded at a rate higher 
than $75 per hour in the proceedings covered by this part. The 
Commission will conduct any rulemaking proceedings for this purpose 
under the informal rulemaking procedures of the Administrative Procedure 
Act.
    (b) Any person may file with the Commission a petition for 
rulemaking to increase the maximum rate for attorney fees. The petition 
should identify the rate the petitioner believes the Commission should 
establish. It should also explain fully the reasons why the higher rate 
is warranted. The Commission will respond to the petition within 60 days 
after it is filed by initiating a rulemaking proceeding, denying the 
petition, or taking other appropriate action.



             Subpart B_Information Required From Applicants



Sec.  212.10  Contents of application.

    (a) An application for an award of fees and expenses under the Act 
shall identify the applicant and the adversary adjudication for which an 
award is sought. The application shall show that the applicant has 
prevailed and identify the position of the Commission investigative 
attorney that the applicant alleges was not substantially justified. 
Unless the applicant is an individual, the application shall also state 
the number of employees of the applicant and describe briefly the type 
and purpose of its organization or business.
    (b) The application shall also include a statement that the 
applicant's net worth does not exceed $1 million (if an individual) or 
$5 million (for all other applicants, including their affiliates). 
However, an applicant may omit this statement if:
    (1) It attaches a copy of a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service 
that it qualifies as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of 
the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) or, in the case of a 
tax-exempt organization not required to obtain a ruling from the 
Internal Revenue Service on its exempt status, a statement that 
describes the basis for the applicant's belief that it qualifies under 
such section; or
    (2) It states that it is a cooperative association as defined in 
section 15(a) of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 1141j(a)).
    (c) The application shall state the amount of fees and expenses for 
which an award is sought.
    (d) The application may also include any other matters that the 
applicant wishes the Commission to consider in determining whether and 
in what amount an award should be made.
    (e) The application shall be signed by the applicant or an 
authorized officer or attorney of the applicant. It shall also contain 
or be accompanied by a written verification under oath or under penalty 
of perjury that the information provided in the application is true and 
correct.



Sec.  212.11  Net worth exhibit.

    (a) Each applicant except a qualified tax-exempt organization or 
cooperative association must provide with its application a detailed 
exhibit showing the net worth of the applicant and any affiliates (as 
defined in Sec.  212.04(f) of this part) when the proceeding was 
initiated. The exhibit may be in any form convenient to the applicant 
that provides full disclosure of the applicant's and its affiliates' 
assets and liabilities and is sufficient to determine whether the 
applicant qualifies under the standards in this part. The presiding 
officer may require an applicant to file additional information to 
determine its eligibility for an award.
    (b) Ordinarily, the net worth exhibit will be included in the public 
record of the proceeding. However, an applicant that objects to public 
disclosure of information in any portion of the exhibit and believes 
there are legal grounds for withholding it from disclosure may submit 
that portion of the exhibit directly to the presiding officer in a 
sealed envelope labeled ``Confidential Financial Information,'' 
accompanied

[[Page 212]]

by a motion to withhold the information from public disclosure. The 
motion shall describe the information sought to be withheld and explain 
in detail why it falls within one or more of the specific exemptions 
from mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 
552(b)(1)-(9), why public disclosure of the information would adversely 
affect the applicant, and why disclosure is not required in the public 
interest. The material in question shall be served on the Commission 
investigative attorney or counsel representing another agency against 
which the applicant seeks an award, but need not be served on any other 
party to the proceeding. If the presiding officer finds that the 
information should not be withheld from disclosure, it shall be placed 
in the public record of the proceeding. Otherwise, any request to 
inspect or copy the exhibit shall be disposed of in accordance with the 
Commission's established procedures under the Freedom of Information 
Act, 19 CFR 201.17-201.21.



Sec.  212.12  Documentation of fees and expenses.

    The application shall be accompanied by full documentation of the 
fees and expenses, including the cost of any study, analysis, 
engineering report, test, project or similar matter, for which an award 
is sought. A separate itemized statement shall be submitted for each 
professional firm or individual whose services are covered by the 
application, showing the hours spent in connection with the proceeding 
by each individual, a description of the specific services performed, 
the rate at which each fee has been computed, any expenses for which 
reimbursement is sought, the total amount claimed, and the total amount 
paid or payable by the applicant or by any other person or entity for 
the services provided. The presiding officer may require the applicant 
to provide vouchers, receipts, or other substantiation for any expenses 
claimed.



Sec.  212.13  When an application may be filed.

    (a) An application may be filed whenever the applicant has prevailed 
in the adversary adjudication or in a significant and discrete 
substantive portion of the adversary adjudication, but in no case later 
than 30 days after the Commission's final disposition of the adversary 
adjudication.
    (b) If review or reconsideration is sought or taken of a 
determination as to which an applicant believes it has prevailed, 
proceedings for the award of fees shall be stayed pending final 
disposition of the underlying controversy.



            Subpart C_Procedures for Considering Applications



Sec.  212.20  Filing and service of documents.

    Any application for an award or other pleading or document related 
to an application shall be filed and served on all parties to the 
adversary adjudication in the same manner as other pleadings in the 
adversary adjudication, except as provided in Sec.  212.11(b) for 
confidential financial information.



Sec.  212.21  Answer to application.

    (a) Within 30 days after service of an application, the Commission 
investigative attorney shall file an answer to the application.
    (b) If the applicant and the Commission investigative attorney 
believe that the issues in the fee application can be settled, they may 
jointly file a statement of their intent to negotiate a settlement. The 
filing of this statement shall extend the time for filing an answer for 
an additional 30 days, and further extensions may be granted by the 
presiding officer upon request by the applicant and the Commission 
investigative attorney.
    (c) The answer shall explain in detail any objections to the award 
requested and identify the facts relied on in support of the position of 
the Commission. If the answer is based on any alleged facts not already 
in the record of the adversary adjudication, the Commission 
investigative attorney shall include with the answer supporting 
affidavits or a request for further proceedings under Sec.  212.25.



Sec.  212.22  Reply.

    Within 15 days after service of an answer, the applicant may file a 
reply. If the reply is based on any alleged facts

[[Page 213]]

not already in the record of the adversary adjudication, the applicant 
shall include with the reply either supporting affidavits or a request 
for further proceedings under Sec.  212.25.



Sec.  212.23  Comments by other parties.

    Any party to the adversary adjudication other than the applicant and 
the Commission investigative attorney may file comments on an 
application within 30 days after it is served or on an answer within 15 
days after it is served. A commenting party may not participate further 
in proceedings on the application unless the presiding officer 
determines that the public interest requires such participation in order 
to permit full exploration of matters raised in the comments.



Sec.  212.24  Settlement.

    The applicant and the Commission may agree on a proposed settlement 
of the award before final action on the application, either in 
connection with a settlement of the underlying adversary adjudication, 
or after the underlying adversary adjudication has been concluded. If a 
prevailing party and the Commission investigative attorney agree on a 
proposed settlement of an award before an application has been filed, 
the application shall be filed with the proposed settlement.



Sec.  212.25  Further proceedings.

    (a) Ordinarily, the determination of an award will be made on the 
basis of the written record. However, on request of either the applicant 
or the Commission investigative attorney, or on his or her own 
initiative, the presiding officer may in his or her discretion order 
further proceedings, such as an informal conference, oral argument, 
additional written submissions or an evidentiary hearing. Such further 
proceedings shall be held only when necessary for full and fair 
resolution of the issues arising from the application, and shall be 
conducted as promptly as possible.
    (b) A request that the presiding officer order further proceedings 
under this section shall specifically identify the information sought or 
the disputed issues and shall explain why the additional proceedings are 
necessary to resolve the issues.



Sec.  212.26  Determination.

    The presiding officer shall issue a recommended determination on the 
application within 90 days after completion of proceedings on the 
application. The determination shall include written findings and 
conclusions on the applicant's eligibility and status as prevailing 
party, and an explanation of the reasons for any difference between the 
amount requested and the amount awarded. The determination shall also 
include, if at issue, findings on whether the position of the Commission 
investigative attorney was substantially justified, whether the 
applicant unduly protracted the proceedings, or whether special 
circumstances make an award unjust.



Sec.  212.27  Agency review.

    Except as otherwise authorized by the presiding officer, the parties 
shall be allowed ten (10) days from the date of service of the 
recommended determination to file exceptions to the recommended 
determination and alternative findings of fact and conclusions of law 
with the Commission. Upon receipt of the recommended determination, the 
Commission shall review the same and issue a final determination on the 
application or remand the application to the presiding officer for 
further proceedings.



Sec.  212.28  Judicial review.

    Judicial review of final Commission determinations on awards may be 
sought as provided in 5 U.S.C. 504(c)(2).



Sec.  212.29  Payment of award.

    An applicant seeking payment of an award shall submit to the Office 
of Finance of the Commission a copy of the Commission's final 
determination granting the award, accompanied by a statement that the 
applicant will not seek review of the decision in the United States 
courts. The address for submission to the Commission is: United States 
International Trade Commission, Office of Finance, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20436. The Commission will pay the amount to the

[[Page 214]]

applicant within 60 days, unless judicial review of the award or of the 
underlying determination of the adversary adjudication has been sought 
by the applicant or any other party to the proceeding.

[68 FR 32979, June 3, 2003]

[[Page 215]]



                     SUBCHAPTER D_SPECIAL PROVISIONS





PART 213_TRADE REMEDY ASSISTANCE--Table of Contents



Sec.
213.1 Purpose and applicability of part.
213.2 Definitions.
213.3 Determination of small business eligibility.
213.4 Disclosure of receipt of technical assistance.
213.5 Access to Commission resources.
213.6 Information concerning assistance.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1335, 1339.

    Source: 54 FR 33883, Aug. 17, 1989, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  213.1  Purpose and applicability of part.

    (a) Section 339 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, establishes 
in the Commission an office known as the Trade Remedy Assistance Office 
and directs the Commission to provide general information to the public, 
upon request, and, to the extent feasible, assistance and advice to 
interested parties concerning the remedies and benefits available under 
the trade laws identified in Sec.  213.2(b) and the procedures to be 
followed and appropriate filing dates in investigations under the trade 
laws. In coordination with other agencies administering the trade laws, 
the Trade Remedy Assistance Office also shall provide technical 
assistance, as defined in Sec.  213.2(d), to eligible small businesses 
seeking to obtain the remedies and benefits available under the trade 
laws.
    (b) The rules in this part govern the establishment of the Trade 
Remedy Assistance Office, its function, small business eligibility for 
technical assistance and procedures for obtaining such assistance. 
Members of the public seeking general information from the Trade Remedy 
Assistance Office are not subject to the application procedures set 
forth in this part.



Sec.  213.2  Definitions.

    (a) Office. The Trade Remedy Assistance Office (hereinafter Office) 
provides general information to the public, upon request, and, to the 
extent feasible, assistance and advice to interested parties concerning 
the remedies and benefits available under the trade laws identified in 
Sec.  213.2(b) and the procedures to be followed and appropriate filing 
dates in investigations under those trade laws. In coordination with 
other agencies responsible for administering the trade laws listed in 
Sec.  213.2(b), the Office also provides technical assistance, as 
defined in Sec.  213.2(d) to eligible small businesses that seek to 
obtain remedies and benefits under the trade laws. The Office's address 
is Trade Remedy Assistance Office, U.S. International Trade Commission, 
500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436.
    (b) Trade laws. The trade laws (with respect to which general 
information and technical assistance are available) are defined as:
    (1) Chapter 1 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2251 
et seq., relating to injury caused by import competition);
    (2) Chapters 2 and 3 of such title II (relating to adjustment 
assistance for workers and firms);
    (3) Chapter 1 of title III of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411 
et seq., relating to relief from foreign import restrictions and export 
subsidies);
    (4) Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq., 
relating to the imposition of countervailing duties and antidumping 
duties);
    (5) Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1862, 
relating to the safeguarding of national security);
    (6) Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337, relating 
to unfair practices in import trade); and
    (7) Section 406 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2436, relating 
to market disruption).
    (c) Administering agencies. Administering agency refers to the 
agency or agencies responsible for administering a particular trade law. 
The trade laws relating to injury caused by import competition, unfair 
practices in import trade and market disruption are administered by the 
Commission. The trade laws relating to countervailing and antidumping 
duties are jointly administered by the Commission and the

[[Page 216]]

Department of Commerce. The trade laws relating to adjustment assistance 
for firms and safeguarding national security are administered by the 
Department of Commerce. The trade law relating to adjustment assistance 
for workers is administered by the Department of Labor. The trade law 
relating to relief from foreign import restrictions and export subsidies 
is administered by the United States Trade Representative.
    (d) Technical assistance. Technical assistance is informal advice 
and assistance, including informal legal advice, provided under 19 
U.S.C. 1339(b) and intended to enable eligible small businesses to 
determine the appropriateness of pursuing particular trade remedies, to 
prepare petitions and complaints and to seek to obtain the remedies and 
benefits available under the trade laws identified in Sec.  213.2(b). 
Technical assistance is available to eligible small businesses at any 
time until the completion of administrative review or of an appeal to 
the administering agency regarding proceedings under the trade laws 
listed in Sec.  213.2(b). Technical assistance does not include legal 
representation of an eligible small business or advocacy on its behalf 
and receipt of technical assistance does not ensure that the recipient 
will prevail in any trade remedy proceeding. The Office provides such 
technical assistance independently of other Commission staff but may 
consult with other staff as appropriate.
    (e) Applicant. An applicant is an individual, partnership, 
corporation, joint venture, trade or other association, cooperative, 
group of workers, or certified or recognized union, or other entity that 
applies for technical assistance under this part.
    (f) Eligible small business. An eligible small business is an 
applicant that the Office has determined to be entitled to technical 
assistance under 19 U.S.C. 1339(b) in accordance with the SBA size 
standards and the procedures set forth in this part.
    (g) SBA size standards. The Office has adopted for its use SBA size 
standards, which are the small business size standards of the Small 
Business Administration set forth in 13 CFR part 121.

[54 FR 33883, Aug. 17, 1989, as amended at 80 FR 39380, July 9, 2015



Sec.  213.3  Determination of small business eligibility.

    (a) Application for technical assistance from small businesses. An 
applicant for technical assistance under 19 U.S.C. 1339(b) must certify 
that it qualifies as a small business under the appropriate size 
standard(s) and that it is an independently owned and operated company. 
An application for technical assistance is available from the Office and 
on the Commission's Web site. The application must be signed under oath 
by an officer or principal of the applicant. The completed application 
should be submitted to the Office at the address set forth in Sec.  
213.2(a).
    (b) Application for technical assistance from joint applicants, 
trade associations and unions. If several businesses jointly or 
simultaneously from the same industry apply for technical assistance, 
each business must meet the appropriate SBA size standard(s) and so 
certify. If a trade association applies for technical assistance, an 
officer of the trade association must certify that eighty (80) percent 
of the trade association's members are companies that meet the 
appropriate size standard(s) and provide a listing of members of the 
association. If a union applies for technical assistance, an officer of 
the union must certify that the union has less than ten thousand 
(10,000) members within the industry for which trade relief is being 
sought. Applications for trade associations or for unions to request 
technical assistance are available from the Office. Applications must be 
signed under oath by an officer of the association or union and 
completed applications should be submitted to the Office as set forth in 
Sec.  213.2(a).
    (c) Determination of eligibility and notification of determination. 
The Office shall determine whether the applicant is eligible for 
technical assistance and notify the applicant of the determination 
within ten (10) days of receipt of a properly completed application. 
Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1339(c)(1), the Office's

[[Page 217]]

determination of eligibility is not reviewable by any other agency or by 
any court.
    (d) Notification to administering agencies. When an applicant seeks 
technical assistance on matters involving the trade laws, and the Office 
determines that the applicant is eligible for technical assistance, the 
Office shall:
    (1) Promptly notify the appropriate administering agency or agencies 
of the Office's determination that the applicant is eligible to receive 
technical assistance; and
    (2) Consult with the administering agency or agencies as to the 
provision of technical assistance to that applicant.

[54 FR 33883, Aug. 17, 1989, as amended at 80 FR 39380, July 9, 2015



Sec.  213.4  Disclosure of receipt of technical assistance.

    An eligible small business that has received technical assistance 
from the Office must state that it has received technical assistance 
from the Trade Remedy Assistance Office in any resulting petition, 
complaint or application which is filed with the Commission or any other 
agency which administers the trade law under which remedies or benefits 
are sought.



Sec.  213.5  Access to Commission resources.

    Commission resources, in addition to the Office's resources, are 
available to an eligible small business to the same extent as those 
resources are available to members of the general public. No special 
rights of access to Commission resources shall be accorded to an 
eligible small business.



Sec.  213.6  Information concerning assistance.

    Any person may contact the Office with questions regarding 
eligibility for technical assistance. Summaries of the trade laws and 
the SBA size standards can be obtained by writing to the Trade Remedy 
Assistance Office, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street 
SW., Washington, DC 20436. Information is also provided on the 
Commission's Web site at http://www.usitc.gov.

[80 FR 39380, July 9, 2015]

                        PARTS 214	219 [RESERVED]



PART 220_PROCESS FOR CONSIDERATION OF PETITIONS FOR DUTY SUSPENSIONS 
AND REDUCTIONS--Table of Contents



Sec.
220.1 Applicability of part.
220.2 Definitions applicable to this part.
220.3 Who may file a petition, format for filing.
220.4 Time for filing.
220.5 Contents of petition.
220.6 Article description.
220.7 Properly filed petition; identical and overlapping petitions from 
          same petitioner.
220.8 Consolidation of petitions.
220.9 Withdrawal of petitions, amendments to petitions.
220.10 Commission publication and public availability of petitions.
220.11 Public comment period.
220.12 Commission preliminary report.
220.13 Commission final report.
220.14 Confidential business information.
220.15 Application of other Commission rules.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1335; Public Law 114-159, 130 Stat. 396 (19 
U.S.C. 1332 note).

    Source: 81 FR 67149, Sept. 30, 2016, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  220.1  Applicability of part.

    This part applies to proceedings of the Commission under the 
American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016, Public Law 114-159, 
130 Stat. 396 (19 U.S.C. 1332 note).



Sec.  220.2  Definitions applicable to this part.

    For the purposes of this part, the following terms have the meanings 
hereby assigned to them:
    (a) Act means the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 
2016.
    (b) HTS means Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
    (c) Committees means the House Committee on Ways and Means and 
Senate Committee on Finance.

[[Page 218]]

    (d) Commission disclosure form means the information submitted to 
the Commission by a petitioner as part of a petition for a duty 
suspension or reduction that contains the following:
    (1) The contact information for any known importers of the article 
to which the proposed duty suspension or reduction would apply.
    (2) A certification by the petitioner that the proposed duty 
suspension or reduction is available to any person importing the article 
to which the proposed duty suspension or reduction would apply.
    (3) A certification that the petitioner is a likely beneficiary of 
the proposed duty suspension or reduction.
    (e) Duty suspension or reduction refers to an amendment to the HTS 
for a period not to exceed 3 years that--
    (1) Extends an existing temporary duty suspension or reduction on an 
article under chapter 99 of the HTS; or
    (2) Provides for a new temporary duty suspension or reduction on an 
article under that chapter.
    (f) Likely beneficiary means an individual or entity likely to 
utilize, or benefit directly from the utilization of, an article that is 
the subject of a petition for a duty suspension or reduction.
    (g) Domestic producer means a person that demonstrates production, 
or imminent production, in the United States of an article that is 
identical to, or like or directly competitive with, an article to which 
a petition for a duty suspension or reduction would apply.
    (h) Domestic production means the production of an article that is 
identical to, or like or directly competitive with, an article to which 
a petition for a duty suspension or reduction would apply, for which a 
domestic producer has demonstrated production, or imminent production, 
in the United States.
    (1) ``Identical'' article means a domestic article that has the same 
inherent or intrinsic characteristics and is classified in the same HTS 
rate line as the article that is the subject of a petition for duty 
suspension or reduction;
    (2) ``Like'' article means a domestic article that is substantially 
identical in inherent or intrinsic characteristics (i.e., materials from 
which made, appearance, quality, texture, etc.) as the article that is 
the subject of a petition for duty suspension or reduction; and
    (3) ``Directly competitive'' article means a domestic article which, 
although not substantially identical in its inherent or intrinsic 
characteristics, is substantially equivalent for commercial purposes, 
that is, adapted to the same uses and essentially interchangeable 
therefor as the article that is the subject of a petition for duty 
suspension or reduction.
    (i) Imminent production normally means production planned to begin 
within 3 years of the date on which the petition is filed.



Sec.  220.3  Who may file a petition, format for filing.

    (a) Who may file. A petition under this part may be filed by members 
of the public who can demonstrate that they are likely beneficiaries of 
duty suspensions or reductions. A member of the public for these 
purposes would generally be a firm, importer of record, a manufacturer 
that uses the imported article, or a government entity at the U.S. 
Federal, state, or local level.
    (b) Format for filing. Each such petition shall be submitted via the 
secure Commission web portal designated by the Commission and in the 
format designated by the Commission. The Commission will not accept 
petitions submitted in paper or in any other form or format. Petitions, 
including any attachments thereto, shall otherwise comply with the 
Commission's Handbook on MTB Filing Procedures as posted on the 
Commission's Web site.



Sec.  220.4  Time for filing.

    Petitions for duty suspensions and reductions and Commission 
disclosure forms must be filed not later than 60 days after the 
Commission publishes in the Federal Register and on its Web site a 
notice requesting members of the public to submit this information. The 
Commission will publish notice requesting such petitions and disclosure 
forms not later than October 15, 2016, and October 15, 2019.



Sec.  220.5  Contents of petition.

    The petition shall include the following information:

[[Page 219]]

    (a) The name, telephone number, and postal and email address of the 
petitioner, and if appropriate, its representative in the matter;
    (b) A statement as to whether the petitioner is requesting an 
extension of an existing duty suspension or reduction or a new duty 
suspension or reduction; and if a duty reduction, the amount of the 
reduction;
    (c) A certification that the petitioner is a likely beneficiary of 
the proposed duty suspension or reduction;
    (d) An article description that meets the requirements of Sec.  
220.6 for the proposed duty suspension or reduction and identifies the 
permanent classification of the article in chapters 1-97 of the HTS and 
the Chemical Abstracts Service registry number (if applicable);
    (e) To the extent available--
    (1) A classification ruling of U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP) that indicates CBP's classification of the article; and
    (2) A copy of other CBP documentation indicating where the article 
is classified in the HTS.
    (f) A brief and general description of the article and its uses, and 
the names of the principal countries from which it is imported.
    (g) A brief description of the industry in the United States that 
uses the article.
    (h) For each HTS number included in the article description:
    (1) An estimate of the total and dutiable value (in United States 
dollars) of imports of the article covered by the petition for the 
calendar year preceding the year in which the petition is filed, for the 
calendar year in which the petition is filed, and for each of the 5 
calendar years after the calendar year in which the petition is filed, 
including an estimate of the value of such imports by the person who 
submits the petition and by any other importers, if available.
    (2) An estimate of the share of total imports represented by the 
petitioner's imports of the article that is the subject of the petition.
    (i) The name of each person that imports the article, if available.
    (j) The names of any domestic producers of the article, if 
available.
    (k) A Commission disclosure form as defined in Sec.  220.2(d).
    (l) The names of any likely beneficiaries, and their contact 
information.
    (m) A certification that the petitioner has not separately filed, 
and has not withdrawn, a petition for duty suspension or reduction 
during the current filing cycle:
    (1) For an article that is identical to that in the current 
petition;
    (2) For an article whose article description includes the article 
covered by the current petition; or
    (3) For an article that is included in the scope of the current 
petition.
    (n) A certification from the petitioner that the information 
supplied is complete and correct to the best of the petitioner's 
knowledge and belief, and an acknowledgement from the petitioner that 
the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the 
Commission.
    (o) Such other information as the Commission may require.

[81 FR 67149, Sept. 30, 2016, as amended at 84 FR 44692, Aug. 27, 2019]



Sec.  220.6  Article description.

    (a) In general. The article description in the petition shall be 
provided in a format appropriate to be included in the amendment to 
chapter 99 of the HTS and shall include language that:
    (1) Describes a specific class or kind of imported merchandise and 
provides any other information needed to distinguish the covered 
products from other goods;
    (2) Is suitable for incorporation in the HTS in the column entitled 
``Article Description'' for each tariff heading in HTS chapter 99 that 
affords a temporary duty suspension or reduction;
    (3) Describes covered products in their condition as imported, based 
primarily upon the goods' discernible physical characteristics at the 
time of importation;
    (4) Is sufficiently clear as to be administrable by CBP; and
    (5) Is otherwise required by this part or accomplishes the purposes 
of the Act.

[[Page 220]]

    (b) Article descriptions that are not recommended. The Commission 
will generally consider proposed article descriptions containing the 
following kinds of information or criteria as preventing the relevant 
petition from being recommended for inclusion in a miscellaneous tariff 
bill, unless input received from the U.S. Department of Commerce 
(Commerce) or CBP provides a basis for the Commission's analysis under 
the Act:
    (1) ``Actual use'' or ``chief use'' criteria;
    (2) Trade-marked or similarly protected terms or names, brand names, 
proprietary names, part numbers, or other company-specific names;
    (3) Language--
    (i) Describing goods that are illegal to import, where the 
petitioner is not a government entity;
    (ii) Describing goods that are covered by tariff-rate quota 
provisions; or
    (iii) Seeking to alter the tariff treatment provided in subchapter 
III or IV of chapter 99 of the HTS; or
    (4) An HTS subheading number(s) that would alter or attempt to alter 
the classification of the product in chapters 1 through 97 of the HTS.



Sec.  220.7  Properly filed petition; identical and overlapping petitions
from same petitioner.

    (a) In general. A petition will not be considered to be properly 
filed unless the petition and the Commission disclosure form are filed 
in accordance with and contain the information required by Sec. Sec.  
220.3 through 220.5
    (b) Identical and overlapping petitions. (1) A petition will not be 
considered to be properly filed if the petitioner has previously filed, 
and has not withdrawn, a petition for duty suspension or reduction 
during the current filing cycle:
    (i) For an article that is identical to that in the current 
petition;
    (ii) For an article whose article description includes the article 
covered by the current petition; or
    (iii) For an article that is included in the scope of the current 
petition.
    (2) Should the Commission find that a petitioner has filed one or 
more identical or overlapping petitions and that such earlier filed 
petitions have not been withdrawn, the Commission will generally 
consider the earliest filed pending petition to be the petition of the 
petitioner.



Sec.  220.8  Consolidation of petitions.

    Should the Commission receive petitions for duty suspensions or 
reductions from multiple petitioners for identical or overlapping 
articles classified in the same HTS subheading or subheadings, the 
Commission may consolidate the petitions and publish a single 
recommendation so that a single proposed HTS chapter 99 provision for 
the articles is presented in the Commission's preliminary and final 
reports.



Sec.  220.9  Withdrawal of petitions, amendments to petitions.

    (a) Withdrawal of petitions. A petitioner may withdraw a petition 
for duty suspension or reduction filed under this part no later than 30 
days after the Commission submits its preliminary report, as described 
in Sec.  220.12. It shall do so by notifying the Commission through the 
Commission's designated secure web portal of its withdrawal and the 
notification shall include the name of the petitioner, the Commission 
identification number for the petition, and the HTS number for the 
article concerned.
    (b) Submission of new petition. A petitioner who withdraws a 
petition for duty suspension or reduction that was timely filed under 
Sec.  220.4 may submit a new petition, but only during the 60-day period 
described in Sec.  220.4.
    (c) Amendments to petitions. A petitioner may not amend or otherwise 
change a petition once it is submitted. If a petitioner wishes to amend 
or otherwise change a petition, such as to correct an error, the 
petitioner must withdraw the petition and file a new petition containing 
the changes in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

[81 FR 67149, Sept. 30, 2016, as amended at 84 FR 44693, Aug. 27, 2019]

[[Page 221]]



Sec.  220.10  Commission publication and public availability of petitions.

    Not later than 30 days after expiration of the 60-day period for 
filing petitions for duty suspensions and reductions, the Commission 
will publish on its website the petitions for duty suspensions and 
reductions submitted under Sec.  220.3 that were timely filed and 
contain the information required under Sec.  220.5. When circumstances 
allow, the Commission may post such petitions on its website earlier 
than 30 days after expiration of the 60-day period for filing petitions.

[84 FR 44693, Aug. 27, 2019]



Sec.  220.11  Public comment period.

    (a) Time for filing. Not later than 30 days after expiration of the 
60-day period for filing petitions, the Commission will also publish in 
the Federal Register and on its website a notice requesting members of 
the public to submit comments on the petitions for duty suspensions and 
reductions. To be considered, such comments must be filed through the 
Commission's secure web portal during the 45-day period following 
publication of the Commission's notice requesting comments from members 
of the public. For purposes of this section, all petitions posted by the 
Commission on its website, whether or not posted early, shall be deemed 
to be officially published by the Commission on its website on the date 
of publication of the notice seeking written comments from members of 
the public on the petitions.
    (b) In general. The comment shall include the following information:
    (1) The name, telephone number, and postal and email address of the 
commenter, and if appropriate, its representative in the matter;
    (2) A statement as to whether the commenter is a U.S. producer, 
importer, government entity, trade association or group, or other;
    (3) A statement as to whether the comment supports the petition; 
objects to the petition; or takes no position with respect to the 
petitions/provides other comment;
    (4) If the commenter is an importer, a list of the leading source 
countries of the product;
    (5) A certification from the commenter that the information supplied 
is complete and correct to the best of the commenter's knowledge and 
belief, and an acknowledgement from the commenter that the information 
submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission; and
    (6) Comment formats may be constrained in size, length, attachments, 
file type, etc., by system limitations in the Commission's secure web 
portal. See the Commission's Handbook on MTB Filing Procedures as posted 
on the Commission's website for further information.
    (c) Comments from domestic producers. Comments from a firm claiming 
to be a domestic producer, as defined in Sec.  220.2(g), shall also 
include:
    (1) A description of the product alleged to be identical, like, or 
directly competitive with the product that is the subject of the 
petition;
    (2) The Chemical Abstracts Service registry number for the product 
(if applicable);
    (3) A statement as to whether an identical, like, or directly 
competitive product was produced in the current calendar year and, if 
not, the year in which the product was last produced or in which 
production is expected to begin within the United States;
    (4) A statement as to whether such product is generally available 
for sale, and if not, an explanation of its lack of availability for 
sale; and/or
    (5) The physical address(es) for the location(s) of the production 
facility(ies) producing the product within the United States; and
    (6) Evidence demonstrating the existence of domestic production 
(e.g., catalogs, press releases, marketing materials, specification 
sheets, copies of orders for the product).
    (d) Additional comment period. The Commission may provide additional 
opportunity for public comment and, if so, will announce that comment 
period in the Federal Register.

[84 FR 44693, Aug. 27, 2019]



Sec.  220.12  Commission preliminary report.

    (a) Not later than 150 days after the Commission publishes the 
petitions

[[Page 222]]

and Commission disclosure forms submitted, the Commission will submit a 
preliminary report on the petitions filed to the Committees. The report 
will include the following information for each petition filed--
    (1) The HTS heading or subheading in which each article that is the 
subject of a petition is classified, as identified by documentation 
supplied to the Commission and any supporting information obtained by 
the Commission.
    (2) A determination of whether or not domestic production of the 
article that is the subject of the petition exists, taking into account 
the report of the Secretary of Commerce under section 3(c)(1) of the 
Act, and, if such production exists, whether or not a domestic producer 
of the article objects to the duty suspension or reduction.
    (3) Any technical changes to the description of the article that is 
the subject of the petition for the duty suspension or reduction that 
are necessary for purposes of administration when the article is 
presented for importation, taking into account the report of the 
Secretary of Commerce under section 3(c)(2) of the Act.
    (4) An estimate of the amount of loss in revenue to the United 
States that would no longer be collected if the duty suspension or 
reduction takes effect.
    (5) A determination of whether or not the duty suspension or 
reduction is available to any person that imports the article that is 
the subject of the duty suspension or reduction.
    (6) The likely beneficiaries of each duty suspension or reduction, 
including whether the petitioner is a likely beneficiary.
    (b) The preliminary report will also include the following 
information:
    (1) A list of petitions for duty suspensions and reductions that 
meet the requirements of the Act without modifications.
    (2) A list of petitions for duty suspensions and reductions for 
which the Commission recommends technical corrections in order to meet 
the requirements of the Act, with the correction specified.
    (3) A list of petitions for duty suspensions and reductions for 
which the Commission recommends modifications to the amount of the duty 
suspension or reduction that is the subject of the petition to comply 
with the requirements of the Act, with the modification specified.
    (4) A list of petitions for duty suspensions and reductions for 
which the Commission recommends modifications to the scope of the 
articles that are the subject of the petitions in order to address 
objections by domestic producers to such petitions, with the 
modifications specified.
    (5) A list of the following:
    (i) Petitions for duty suspensions and reductions that the 
Commission has determined do not contain the information required under 
section 3(b)(2) of the Act.
    (ii) Petitions for duty suspensions and reductions with respect to 
which the Commission has determined the petitioner is not a likely 
beneficiary.
    (6) A list of petitions for duty suspensions and reductions that the 
Commission does not recommend for inclusion in a miscellaneous tariff 
bill, other than petitions specified in section 3(b)(3)(C)(ii)(V) of the 
Act.
    (c) The Commission will forward to the Committees any additional 
information submitted to the Commission by the Secretary of Commerce 
after the Commission transmits its preliminary report.

[81 FR 67149, Sept. 30, 2016. Redesignated and amended at 84 FR 44693, 
Aug. 27, 2019]



Sec.  220.13  Commission final report.

    (a) The Commission will submit its final report on each petition for 
a duty suspension or reduction specified in the preliminary report to 
the Committees not later than 60 days after the Commission submits its 
preliminary report. The final report will contain the following 
information--
    (1) The information required to be included in a preliminary report 
under section 3(b)(3)(C)(i)-(ii) of the Act and updated as appropriate 
after considering any information submitted by the Committees under 
section 3(b)(3)(D) of the Act.
    (2) A determination of the Commission whether--
    (i) The duty suspension or reduction can likely be administered by 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection;

[[Page 223]]

    (ii) The estimated loss in revenue to the United States from the 
duty suspension or reduction does not exceed $500,000 in a calendar year 
during which the duty suspension or reduction would be in effect; and
    (iii) The duty suspension or reduction is available to any person 
importing the articles that is the subject of the duty suspension or 
reduction.
    (b) [Reserved]

[81 FR 67149, Sept. 30, 2016. Redesignated at 84 FR 44693, Aug. 27, 
2019]



Sec.  220.14  Confidential business information.

    (a) In general. The Commission will not release information which 
the Commission considers to be confidential business information within 
the meaning of Sec.  201.6(a) of this chapter unless the party 
submitting the confidential business information had notice, at the time 
of submission, that such information would be released by the 
Commission, or such party subsequently consents to the release of the 
information.
    (b) Exceptions. (1) In calculating the estimated revenue loss 
required under the Act, the Commission may base its estimates in whole 
or in part on the estimated values of imports submitted by petitioners 
in their petitions.
    (2) The Commission may disclose some or all of the confidential 
business information provided to the Commission in petitions and public 
comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce for use in preparing its 
report to the Commission and the Committees, and to the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture and CBP for use in providing information for Commerce's 
report.

[81 FR 67149, Sept. 30, 2016. Redesignated at 84 FR 44693, Aug. 27, 
2019]



Sec.  220.15  Application of other Commission rules.

    Commission rules applicable to the initiation and conduct of 
investigations, including rules set out in subpart B of part 201 of this 
chapter (except Sec.  201.9 (methods employed in obtaining information), 
Sec.  201.14(a) (computation of time), and Sec.  201.15 (attorneys or 
agents)), shall not apply to Commission proceedings under this part.

[81 FR 67149, Sept. 30, 2016. Redesignated at 84 FR 44693, Aug. 27, 
2019]

                        PARTS 221	299 [RESERVED]

[[Page 225]]



 CHAPTER III--INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE




  --------------------------------------------------------------------
Part                                                                Page
300-350

[Reserved]

351             Antidumping and countervailing duties.......         227
354             Procedures for imposing sanctions for 
                    violation of an antidumping or 
                    countervailing duty administrative 
                    protective order........................         366
356             Procedures and Rules for Article 10.12 of 
                    theUnited States-Mexico-Canada Agreement         375
358             Supplies for use in emergency relief work...         395
360             Steel import monitoring and analysis system.         396
361             Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis 
                    System..................................         400
362             Procedures covering suspension of 
                    liquidation, duties and estimated duties 
                    in accord with Presidential Proclamation 
                    10414...................................         404
363-399

[Reserved]

[[Page 227]]

                        PARTS 300	350 [RESERVED]



PART 351_ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTIES--Table of Contents



                     Subpart A_Scope and Definitions

Sec.
351.101 Scope.
351.102 Definitions.
351.103 Central Records Unit and Administrative Protective Order and 
          Dockets Unit.
351.104 Record of proceedings.
351.105 Public, business proprietary, privileged, and classified 
          information.
351.106 De minimis net countervailable subsidies and weighted-average 
          dumping margins disregarded.
351.107 Cash deposit rates for nonproducing exporters; rates in 
          antidumping proceedings involving a nonmarket economy country.

        Subpart B_Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Procedures

351.201 Self-initiation.
351.202 Petition requirements.
351.203 Determination of sufficiency of petition.
351.204 Time periods and persons examined; voluntary respondents; 
          exclusions.
351.205 Preliminary determination.
351.206 Critical circumstances.
351.207 Termination of investigation.
351.208 Suspension of investigation.
351.209 Violation of suspension agreement.
351.210 Final determination.
351.211 Antidumping order and countervailing duty order.
351.212 Assessment of antidumping and countervailing duties; provisional 
          measures deposit cap; interest on certain overpayments and 
          underpayments
351.213 Administrative review of orders and suspension agreements under 
          section 751(a)(1) of the Act.
351.214 New shipper reviews under section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Act.
351.215 Expedited antidumping review and security in lieu of estimated 
          duty under section 736(c) of the Act.
351.216 Changed circumstances review under section 751(b) of the Act.
351.217 Reviews to implement results of subsidies enforcement proceeding 
          under section 751(g) of the Act.
351.218 Sunset reviews under section 751(c) of the Act.
351.219 Reviews of countervailing duty orders in connection with an 
          investigation under section 753 of the Act.
351.220 Countervailing duty review at the direction of the President 
          under section 762 of the Act.
351.221 Review procedures.
351.222 Revocation of orders; termination of suspended investigations.
351.223 Procedures for initiation of downstream product monitoring.
351.224 Disclosure of calculations and procedures for the correction of 
          ministerial errors.
351.225 Scope rulings.
351.226 Circumvention inquiries.
351.227 Covered merchandise referrals.
351.228 Certification by importer or other interested party.

                   Subpart C_Information and Argument

351.301 Time limits for submission of factual information.
351.302 Extension of time limits; return of untimely filed or 
          unsolicited material.
351.303 Filing, document identification, format, translation, service, 
          and certification of documents.
351.304 Establishing business proprietary treatment of information.
351.305 Access to business proprietary information.
351.306 Use of business proprietary information.
351.307 Verification of information.
351.308 Determinations on the basis of the facts available.
351.309 Written argument.
351.310 Hearings.
351.311 Countervailable subsidy practice discovered during investigation 
          or review.
351.312 Industrial users and consumer organizations.
351.313 Attorneys or representatives.

 Subpart D_Calculation of Export Price, Constructed Export Price, Fair 
                         Value, and Normal Value

351.401 In general.
351.402 Calculation of export price and constructed export price; 
          reimbursement of antidumping and countervailing duties.
351.403 Sales used in calculating normal value; transactions between 
          affiliated parties.
351.404 Selection of the market to be used as the basis for normal 
          value.
351.405 Calculation of normal value based on constructed value.
351.406 Calculation of normal value if sales are made at less than cost 
          of production.
351.407 Calculation of constructed value and cost of production.
351.408 Calculation of normal value of merchandise from nonmarket 
          economy countries.
351.409 Differences in quantities.
351.410 Differences in circumstances of sale.
351.411 Differences in physical characteristics.

[[Page 228]]

351.412 Levels of trade; adjustment for difference in level of trade; 
          constructed export price offset.
351.413 Disregarding insignificant adjustments.
351.414 Comparison of normal value with export price (constructed export 
          price).
351.415 Conversion of currency.
351.416 Determination of a particular market situation.

  Subpart E_Identification and Measurement of Countervailable Subsidies

351.501 Scope.
351.502 Specificity of domestic subsidies.
351.503 Benefit.
351.504 Grants.
351.505 Loans.
351.506 Loan guarantees.
351.507 Equity.
351.508 Debt forgiveness.
351.509 Direct taxes.
351.510 Indirect taxes and import charges (other than export programs).
351.511 Provision of goods or services.
351.512 Purchase of goods. [Reserved]
351.513 Worker-related subsidies.
351.514 Export subsidies.
351.515 Internal transport and freight charges for export shipments.
351.516 Price preferences for inputs used in the production of goods for 
          export.
351.517 Exemption or remission upon export of indirect taxes.
351.518 Exemption, remission, or deferral upon export of prior-stage 
          cumulative indirect taxes.
351.519 Remission or drawback of import charges upon export.
351.520 Export insurance.
351.521 Import substitution subsidies. [Reserved]
351.522 Green light and green box subsidies.
351.523 Upstream subsidies.
351.524 Allocation of benefit to a particular time period.
351.525 Calculation of ad valorem subsidy rate and attribution of 
          subsidy to a product.
351.526 Program-wide changes.
351.527 Transnational subsidies.
351.528 Exchanges of undervalued currencies.
351.529 Certain fees, fines, and penalties.

Subpart F_Subsidy Determinations Regarding Cheese Subject to an In-Quota 
                              Rate of Duty

351.601 Annual list and quarterly update of subsidies.
351.602 Determination upon request.
351.603 Complaint of price-undercutting by subsidized imports.
351.604 Access to information.

                      Subpart G_Applicability Dates

351.701 Applicability dates.
351.702 Applicability dates for countervailing duty regulations.

Annex I to Part 351--Deadlines for Parties in Countervailing 
          Investigations
Annex II to Part 351--Deadlines for Parties in Countervailing 
          Administrative Reviews
Annex III to Part 351--Deadlines for Parties in Antidumping 
          Investigations
Annex IV to Part 351--Deadlines for Parties in Antidumping 
          Administrative Reviews
Annex V to Part 351--Comparison of Prior and New Regulations
Annex VI to Part 351--Countervailing Investigations Timeline
Annex VII to Part 351--Antidumping Investigations Timeline
Annex VIII-A to Part 351--Schedule for 90-Day Sunset Reviews
Annex VIII-B to Part 351--Schedule for Expedited Sunset Reviews
Annex VIII-C to Part 351--Schedule for Full Sunset Reviews

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 1202 note; 19 U.S.C. 1303 note; 
19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.; and 19 U.S.C. 3538.

    Source: 62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 351 appear at 78 FR 
62418, Oct. 22, 2013.

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20832, Mar. 25, 2024, part 351 was 
amended by removing the words ``the Customs Service'' wherever it 
appears, and adding in its place, the words ``U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection'', effective Apr. 24, 2024.



                     Subpart A_Scope and Definitions



Sec.  351.101  Scope.

    (a) In general. This part contains procedures and rules applicable 
to antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings under title VII of 
the Act (19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.), and also determinations regarding 
cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty under section 702 of the 
Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 1202 note). This part reflects 
statutory amendments made by titles I, II, and IV of the Uruguay Round 
Agreements Act, Pub. L. 103-465, which, in turn, implement into United 
States law the provisions of the following agreements annexed to the 
Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization: Agreement on 
Implementation of Article VI of the General Agreement on

[[Page 229]]

Tariffs and Trade 1994; Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures; and Agreement on Agriculture.
    (b) Countervailing duty investigations involving imports not 
entitled to a material injury determination. Under section 701(c) of the 
Act, certain provisions of the Act do not apply to countervailing duty 
proceedings involving imports from a country that is not a Subsidies 
Agreement country and is not entitled to a material injury determination 
by the Commission. Accordingly, certain provisions of this part 
referring to the Commission may not apply to such proceedings.
    (c) Application to governmental importations. To the extent 
authorized by section 771(20) of the Act, merchandise imported by, or 
for the use of, a department or agency of the United States Government 
is subject to the imposition of countervailing duties or antidumping 
duties under this part.



Sec.  351.102  Definitions.

    (a) Introduction. The Act contains many technical terms applicable 
to antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings. In the case of terms 
that are not defined in this section or other sections of this part, 
readers should refer to the relevant provisions of the Act. This 
section:
    (1) Defines terms that appear in the Act but are not defined in the 
Act;
    (2) Defines terms that appear in this Part but do not appear in the 
Act; and
    (3) Elaborates on the meaning of certain terms that are defined in 
the Act.
    (b) Definitions. (1) Act. ``Act'' means the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended.
    (2) Administrative review. ``Administrative review'' means a review 
under section 751(a)(1) of the Act.
    (3) Affiliated persons; affiliated parties. ``Affiliated persons'' 
and ``affiliated parties'' have the same meaning as in section 771(33) 
of the Act. In determining whether control over another person exists, 
within the meaning of section 771(33) of the Act, the Secretary will 
consider the following factors, among others: Corporate or family 
groupings; franchise or joint venture agreements; debt financing; and 
close supplier relationships. The Secretary will not find that control 
exists on the basis of these factors unless the relationship has the 
potential to impact decisions concerning the production, pricing, or 
cost of the subject merchandise or foreign like product. The Secretary 
will consider the temporal aspect of a relationship in determining 
whether control exists; normally, temporary circumstances will not 
suffice as evidence of control.
    (4) Aggregate basis. ``Aggregate basis'' means the calculation of a 
country-wide subsidy rate based principally on information provided by 
the foreign government.
    (5) Anniversary month. ``Anniversary month'' means the calendar 
month in which the anniversary of the date of publication of an order or 
suspension of investigation occurs.
    (6) APO. ``APO'' means an administrative protective order described 
in section 777(c)(1) of the Act.
    (7) Applicant. ``Applicant'' means a representative of an interested 
party that has applied for access to business proprietary information 
under an administrative protective order.
    (8) Article 4/Article 7 review. ``Article 4/Article 7 review'' means 
a review under section 751(g)(2) of the Act.
    (9) Article 8 violation review. ``Article 8 violation review'' means 
a review under section 751(g)(1) of the Act.
    (10) Authorized applicant. ``Authorized applicant'' means an 
applicant that the Secretary has authorized to receive business 
proprietary information under an APO under section 777(c)(1) of the Act.
    (11) Changed circumstances review. ``Changed circumstances review'' 
means a review under section 751(b) of the Act.
    (12) Consumed in the production process. Inputs ``consumed in the 
production process'' are inputs physically incorporated, energy, fuels 
and oil used in the production process and catalysts which are consumed 
in the course of their use to obtain the product.
    (13) Cumulative indirect tax. ``Cumulative indirect tax'' means a 
multi-staged tax levied where there is no mechanism for subsequent 
crediting of the tax if the goods or services subject to tax at one 
stage of production are used in a succeeding stage of production.

[[Page 230]]

    (14) Customs Service. ``Customs Service'' means United States 
Customs and Border Protection of the United States Department of 
Homeland Security.
    (15) Department. ``Department'' means the United States Department 
of Commerce.
    (16) Direct tax. ``Direct tax'' means a tax on wages, profits, 
interests, rents, royalties, and all other forms of income, a tax on the 
ownership of real property, or a social welfare charge.
    (17) Domestic interested party. ``Domestic interested party'' means 
an interested party described in subparagraph (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) 
of section 771(9) of the Act.
    (18) Expedited antidumping review. ``Expedited antidumping review'' 
means a review under section 736(c) of the Act.
    (19) Expedited sunset review. ``Expedited sunset review'' means an 
expedited sunset review conducted by the Department where respondent 
interested parties provide inadequate responses to a notice of 
initiation under section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and Sec.  
351.218(e)(1)(ii).
    (20) Export insurance. ``Export insurance'' includes, but is not 
limited to, insurance against increases in the cost of exported 
products, nonpayment by the customer, inflation, or exchange rate risks.
    (21) Factual information. ``Factual information'' means:
    (i) Evidence, including statements of fact, documents, and data 
submitted either in response to initial and supplemental questionnaires, 
or, to rebut, clarify, or correct such evidence submitted by any other 
interested party;
    (ii) Evidence, including statements of fact, documents, and data 
submitted either in support of allegations, or, to rebut, clarify, or 
correct such evidence submitted by any other interested party;
    (iii) Publicly available information submitted to value factors 
under Sec.  351.408(c) or to measure the adequacy of remuneration under 
Sec.  351.511(a)(2), or, to rebut, clarify, or correct such publicly 
available information submitted by any other interested party;
    (iv) Evidence, including statements of fact, documents and data 
placed on the record by the Department, or, evidence submitted by any 
interested party to rebut, clarify or correct such evidence placed on 
the record by the Department; and
    (v) Evidence, including statements of fact, documents, and data, 
other than factual information described in paragraphs (b)(21)(i)-(iv) 
of this section, in addition to evidence submitted by any other 
interested party to rebut, clarify, or correct such evidence.
    (22) Fair value. ``Fair value'' is a term used during an antidumping 
investigation, and is an estimate of normal value.
    (23) Firm. For purposes of subpart E (Identification and Measurement 
of Countervailable Subsidies), ``firm'' is used to refer to the 
recipient of an alleged countervailable subsidy, including any 
individual, company, partnership, corporation, joint venture, 
association, organization, or other entity.
    (24) Full sunset review. ``Full sunset review'' means a full sunset 
review conducted by the Department under section 751(c)(5) of the Act 
where both domestic interested parties and respondent interested parties 
provide adequate response to a notice of initiation under section 
751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and Sec. Sec.  351.218(e)(1)(i) and 
351.218(e)(1)(ii).
    (25) Government-provided. ``Government-provided'' is a shorthand 
expression for an act or practice that is alleged to be a 
countervailable subsidy. The use of the term ``government-provided'' is 
not intended to preclude the possibility that a government may provide a 
countervailable subsidy indirectly in a manner described in section 
771(5)(B)(iii) of the Act (indirect financial contribution).
    (26) Import charge. ``Import charge'' means a tariff, duty, or other 
fiscal charge that is levied on imports, other than an indirect tax.
    (27) Importer. ``Importer'' means the person by whom, or for whose 
account, subject merchandise is imported.
    (28) Indirect tax. ``Indirect tax'' means a sales, excise, turnover, 
value added, franchise, stamp, transfer, inventory, or equipment tax, a 
border tax, or any other tax other than a direct tax or an import 
charge.
    (29) Interested party. For the purpose of submitting an application 
for APO

[[Page 231]]

access (Form ITA-367), ``Interested Party'' means:
    (i) A foreign manufacturer, producer, or exporter of subject 
merchandise,
    (ii) The United States importer of subject merchandise,
    (iii) A trade or business association a majority of the members of 
which are producers, exporters, or importers of subject merchandise,
    (iv) The government of a country in which subject merchandise is 
produced or manufactured or from which such merchandise is exported,
    (v) A manufacturer, producer, or wholesaler in the United States of 
a domestic like product,
    (vi) A certified union or recognized union or group of workers which 
is representative of an industry engaged in the manufacture, production, 
or wholesale in the United States of a domestic like product,
    (vii) A trade or business association a majority of whose members 
manufacture, produce, or wholesale a domestic like product in the United 
States,
    (viii) An association, a majority of whose members is composed of 
interested parties described in subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) of section 
771(9) of the Act with respect to a domestic like product, and
    (ix) A coalition or trade association as described in section 
771(9)(G) of the Act.
    (30) Investigation. Under the Act and this part, there is a 
distinction between an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation 
and a proceeding. An ``investigation'' is that segment of a proceeding 
that begins on the date of publication of notice of initiation of 
investigation and ends on the date of publication of the earliest of:
    (i) Notice of termination of investigation,
    (ii) Notice of rescission of investigation,
    (iii) Notice of a negative determination that has the effect of 
terminating the proceeding, or
    (iv) An order.
    (31) Loan. ``Loan'' means a loan or other form of debt financing, 
such as a bond.
    (32) Long-term loan. ``Long-term loan'' means a loan, the terms of 
repayment for which are greater than one year.
    (33) New shipper review. ``New shipper review'' means a review under 
section 751(a)(2) of the Act.
    (34) Order. An ``order'' is an order issued by the Secretary under 
section 303, section 706, or section 736 of the Act or a finding under 
the Antidumping Act, 1921.
    (35) Ordinary course of trade. ``Ordinary course of trade'' has the 
same meaning as in section 771(15) of the Act. The Secretary may 
consider sales or transactions to be outside the ordinary course of 
trade if the Secretary determines, based on an evaluation of all of the 
circumstances particular to the sales in question, that such sales or 
transactions have characteristics that are extraordinary for the market 
in question. Examples of sales that the Secretary might consider as 
being outside the ordinary course of trade are sales or transactions 
involving off-quality merchandise or merchandise produced according to 
unusual product specifications, merchandise sold at aberrational prices 
or with abnormally high profits, merchandise sold pursuant to unusual 
terms of sale, or merchandise sold to an affiliated party at a non-arm's 
length price.
    (36) Party to the proceeding. ``Party to the proceeding'' means any 
interested party that actively participates, through written submissions 
of factual information or written argument, in a segment of a 
proceeding. Participation in a prior segment of a proceeding will not 
confer on any interested party ``party to the proceeding'' status in a 
subsequent segment.
    (37) Person. ``Person'' includes any interested party as well as any 
other individual, enterprise, or entity, as appropriate.
    (38) Price adjustment. ``Price adjustment'' means a change in the 
price charged for subject merchandise or the foreign like product, such 
as a discount, rebate, or other adjustment, including, under certain 
circumstances, a change that is made after the time of sale (see Sec.  
351.401(c)), that is reflected in the purchaser's net outlay.
    (39) Prior-stage indirect tax. ``Prior-stage indirect tax'' means an 
indirect tax levied on goods or services used directly or indirectly in 
making a product.

[[Page 232]]

    (40) Proceeding. A ``proceeding'' begins on the date of the filing 
of a petition under section 702(b) or section 732(b) of the Act or the 
publication of a notice of initiation in a self-initiated investigation 
under section 702(a) or section 732(a) of the Act, and ends on the date 
of publication of the earliest notice of:
    (i) Dismissal of petition,
    (ii) Rescission of initiation,
    (iii) Termination of investigation,
    (iv) A negative determination that has the effect of terminating the 
proceeding,
    (v) Revocation of an order, or
    (vi) Termination of a suspended investigation.
    (41) Rates. ``Rates'' means the individual weighted-average dumping 
margins, the individual countervailable subsidy rates, the country-wide 
subsidy rate, or the all-others rate, as applicable.
    (42) Respondent interested party. ``Respondent interested party'' 
means an interested party described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of 
section 771(9) of the Act.
    (43) Sale. A ``sale'' includes a contract to sell and a lease that 
is equivalent to a sale.
    (44) Secretary. ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Commerce or a 
designee. The Secretary has delegated to the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance the authority to make determinations under 
title VII of the Act and this part.
    (45) Section 753 review. ``Section 753 review'' means a review under 
section 753 of the Act.
    (46) Section 762 review. ``Section 762 review'' means a review under 
section 762 of the Act.
    (47) Segment of proceeding--(i) In general. An antidumping or 
countervailing duty proceeding consists of one or more segments. 
``Segment of a proceeding'' or ``segment of the proceeding'' refers to a 
portion of the proceeding that is reviewable under section 516A of the 
Act.
    (ii) Examples. An antidumping or countervailing duty investigation 
or a review of an order or suspended investigation, or a scope inquiry 
under Sec.  351.225, each would constitute a segment of a proceeding.
    (48) Short-term loan. ``Short-term loan'' means a loan, the terms of 
repayment for which are one year or less.
    (49) Sunset review. ``Sunset review'' means a review under section 
751(c) of the Act.
    (50) Suspension of liquidation. ``Suspension of liquidation'' refers 
to a suspension of liquidation ordered by the Secretary under the 
authority of title VII of the Act, the provisions of this Part, or 
section 516a(g)(5)(C) of the Act, or by a court of the United States in 
a lawsuit involving action taken, or not taken, by the Secretary under 
title VII of the Act or the provisions of this part.
    (51) Third country. For purposes of subpart D, ``third country'' 
means a country other than the exporting country and the United States. 
Under section 773(a) of the Act and subpart D, in certain circumstances 
the Secretary may determine normal value on the basis of sales to a 
third country.
    (52) URAA. ``URAA'' means the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.

[73 FR 3640, Jan. 22, 2008, as amended at 78 FR 21254, Apr. 10, 2013; 81 
FR 15645, Mar. 24, 2016]

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20832, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.102 
was amended by revising paragraph (b)(14) and adding paragraph (b)(53), 
effective Apr. 24, 2024. For the convenience of the user, the added and 
revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.102  Definitions.

                                * * * * *

    (b) * * *
    (14) Days. Deadlines and time limits for submissions with the 
Secretary that reference a number of ``days,'' will generally mean 
calendar days. If certain deadlines or time limits are intended to apply 
to business days instead, which are Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays, then the applicable regulatory provisions implementing 
such deadlines or time limits will explicitly indicate the use of the 
business day alternative.

                                * * * * *

    (53) U.S. Customs and Border Protection. U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection means United States Customs and Border Protection of the 
United States Department of Homeland Security.

[[Page 233]]



Sec.  351.103  Central Records Unit and Administrative Protective Order
and Dockets Unit.

    (a) Enforcement and Compliance's Central Records Unit maintains a 
Public File Room in Room B8024, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street 
and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. The office hours of 
the Public File Room are between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time on 
business days. Visitors to the Public File Room should consult the 
ACCESS website at https://access.trade.gov for information regarding in-
person visits. Among other things, the Central Records Unit is 
responsible for maintaining an official and public record for each 
antidumping and countervailing duty proceeding (see Sec.  351.104).
    (b) Enforcement and Compliance's Administrative Protective Order and 
Dockets Unit (APO/Dockets Unit) is located in Room 18022, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20230. The office hours of the APO/Dockets Unit are 
between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time on business days. Visitors to 
the APO/Dockets Unit should consult the ACCESS website at https://
access.trade.gov for information regarding in-person manual filings. 
Among other things, the APO/Dockets Unit is responsible for receiving 
submissions from interested parties, issuing administrative protective 
orders (APOs), maintaining the APO service list and the public service 
list as provided for in paragraph (d) of this section, releasing 
business proprietary information under APO, and conducting APO violation 
investigations. The APO/Dockets Unit also is the contact point for 
questions and concerns regarding claims for business proprietary 
treatment of information and proper public versions of submissions under 
Sec. Sec.  351.105 and 351.304.
    (c) Filing of documents with the Department. No document will be 
considered as having been received by the Secretary unless it is 
electronically filed in accordance with Sec.  351.303(b)(2)(i) or, where 
applicable, in accordance with Sec.  351.303(b)(2)(ii), it is manually 
submitted to the Enforcement and Compliance's APO/Dockets Unit in Room 
18022 and is stamped with the date, and, where necessary, the time, of 
receipt. A manually filed document must be submitted with a cover sheet, 
in accordance with Sec.  351.303(b)(3).
    (d) The APO/Dockets Unit will maintain and make available a public 
service list for each segment of a proceeding. The service list for an 
application for a scope ruling is described in Sec.  351.225(n). The 
service list for a request for a circumvention inquiry is described in 
Sec.  351.226(n).
    (1) With the exception of a petitioner filing a petition in an 
investigation pursuant to Sec.  351.202, an interested party filing a 
scope ruling application pursuant to Sec.  351.225(c), an interested 
party filing a request for a circumvention inquiry pursuant to Sec.  
351.226(c), and those relevant parties identified by the Customs Service 
in a covered merchandise referral pursuant to Sec.  351.227, all persons 
wishing to participate in a segment of a proceeding must file an entry 
of appearance. The entry of appearance must identify the name of the 
interested party, how that party qualifies as an interested party under 
Sec.  351.102(b)(29) and section 771(9) of the Act, and the name of the 
firm, if any, representing the interested party in that particular 
segment of the proceeding. All persons who file an entry of appearance 
and qualify as an interested party will be included in the public 
service list for the segment of the proceeding in which the entry of 
appearance is submitted. The entry of appearance may be filed as a cover 
letter to an application for APO access. If the representative of the 
interested party is not requesting access to business proprietary 
information under APO, the entry of appearance must be filed separately 
from any other document filed with the Department. If the interested 
party is a coalition or association as defined in subparagraph (A), (E), 
(F) or (G) of section 771(9) of the Act, the entry of appearance must 
identify all of the members of the coalition or association.
    (2) Each interested party that asks to be included on the public 
service list for a segment of a proceeding must designate a person to 
receive service of documents filed in that segment.

[76 FR 39274, July 6, 2011, as amended at 80 FR 36473, June 25, 2015; 86 
FR 52371, Sept. 20, 2021; 88 FR 67077, Sept. 29, 2023]

[[Page 234]]



Sec.  351.104  Record of proceedings.

    (a) Official record--(1) In general. The Secretary will maintain an 
official record of each antidumping and countervailing duty proceeding. 
The Secretary will include in the official record all factual 
information, written argument, or other material developed by, presented 
to, or obtained by the Secretary during the course of a proceeding that 
pertains to the proceeding. The official record will include government 
memoranda pertaining to the proceeding, memoranda of ex parte meetings, 
determinations, notices published in the Federal Register, and 
transcripts of hearings. The official record will contain material that 
is public, business proprietary, privileged, and classified. For 
purposes of section 516A(b)(2) of the Act, the record is the official 
record of each segment of the proceeding.
    (2) Material rejected. (i) The Secretary, in making any 
determination under this part, will not use factual information, written 
argument, or other material that the Secretary rejects.
    (ii) The official record will include a copy of a rejected document, 
solely for purposes of establishing and documenting the basis for 
rejecting the document, if the document was rejected because:
    (A) The document, although otherwise timely, contains untimely filed 
new factual information (see Sec.  351.301(c));
    (B) The submitter made a nonconforming request for business 
proprietary treatment of factual information (see Sec.  351.304);
    (C) The Secretary denied a request for business proprietary 
treatment of factual information (see Sec.  351.304);
    (D) The submitter is unwilling to permit the disclosure of business 
proprietary information under APO (see Sec.  351.304).
    (iii) In no case will the official record include any document that 
the Secretary rejects as untimely filed, or any unsolicited 
questionnaire response unless the response is a voluntary response 
accepted under Sec.  351.204(d) (see Sec.  351.302(d)).
    (b) Public record. The Secretary will maintain a public record of 
each proceeding. The record will consist of all material contained in 
the official record (see paragraph (a) of this section) that the 
Secretary decides is public information under Sec.  351.105(b), 
government memoranda or portions of memoranda that the Secretary decides 
may be disclosed to the general public, and public versions of all 
determinations, notices, and transcripts. The public record will be 
available to the public for inspection and copying in the Central 
Records Unit (see Sec.  351.103). The Secretary will charge an 
appropriate fee for providing copies of documents.
    (c) Protection of records. Unless ordered by the Secretary or 
required by law, no record or portion of a record will be removed from 
the Department.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 76 FR 39274, July 6, 2011; 88 
FR 67077, Sept. 29, 2023]

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20832, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.104 
was amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) and adding paragraphs (a)(3) 
through (7), effective Apr. 24, 2024. For the convenience of the user, 
the added and revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.104  Record of proceedings.

    (a) * * *
    (1) In general. The Secretary will maintain an official record of 
each antidumping and countervailing duty proceeding. The Secretary will 
include in the official record all factual information, written 
argument, or other material developed by, presented to, or obtained by 
the Secretary during the course of a proceeding that pertains to the 
proceeding. The official record will include government memoranda 
pertaining to the proceeding, memoranda of ex parte meetings, 
determinations, documents published in the Federal Register, and 
transcripts of hearings. The official record will contain material that 
is public, business proprietary, privileged, and classified. For 
purposes of section 516A(b)(2) of the Act, the record is the official 
record of each segment of the proceeding. For a scope, circumvention, or 
covered merchandise inquiry pertaining to companion antidumping and 
countervailing duty orders conducted on the record of the antidumping 
duty segment of the proceeding, pursuant to Sec. Sec.  351.225, 352.226, 
and 351.227, the record of the antidumping duty segment of the 
proceeding normally will be the official record.

                                * * * * *

    (3) Filing requirements for documents not originating with the 
Department--(i) In general.

[[Page 235]]

Documents not originating with the Department must be placed on the 
official record for the documents to be considered by the Secretary in 
the Secretary's analysis and determinations. With the exception of the 
sources enumerated in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section, mere 
citations to hyperlinks, website Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), or 
other sources of information do not constitute placement of the 
information from those sources on the official record. Unless the 
exceptions of paragraph (a)(3)(ii) apply, the filing and timing 
requirements of Sec.  351.301 apply to such information.
    (ii) Exceptions for publicly available documents not originating 
with the Department. The following publicly available sources of 
information not originating with the Department will be considered by 
the Secretary in the Secretary's analysis and determinations when fully 
cited by submitting parties without the requirement that the information 
sources be placed on the official record: United States statutes and 
regulations; published United States legislative history; United States 
court decisions and orders; Federal Register notices and determinations; 
Commission reports adopted by reference in the Federal Register; 
dictionary definitions; international agreements identified in Sec.  
351.101(a) and dispute settlement determinations arising out of those 
international agreements. The Secretary may decline to consider sources 
of information in its analysis or determination that are not cited in 
full.
    (4) Filing requirements for proprietary, privileged, and classified 
information. When lawfully permitted, all proprietary, privileged, and 
classified information, including documents originating with the 
Department containing such information from another segment of the same 
proceeding, must be placed on the official record in their entirety for 
the Secretary to consider that information in its analysis and 
determinations, and the filing and timing restrictions of Sec.  351.301 
apply to such information.
    (5) Notices and determinations originating with the Department and 
published in the Federal Register. All notices and determinations 
originating with the Department and published in the Federal Register 
may be cited by parties in submissions for consideration by the 
Secretary without the requirement that the notice or determination be 
placed on the official record, as long as those notices and 
determinations are cited in full. The Secretary may decline to consider 
notices or determinations that are not cited in full. Section 351.301 
does not apply to Federal Register notices and determinations.
    (6) Public versions of certain unpublished documents originating 
with the Department which may always be referenced by citation without 
placing the information on the record. Public versions of the following 
documents originating with the Department derived from other segments 
and proceedings may be cited in submissions for consideration by the 
Secretary without being placed on the record, as long as those documents 
are cited in full. In providing a citation to a document originating 
with the Department, the submitter must explain in the text of the 
submitted document the factual and legal reasons for which the submitter 
is citing the document and an Enforcement and Compliance Antidumping 
Duty and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System 
(ACCESS) barcode number associated with the document must be included as 
part of the citation. If an ACCESS barcode number is not included in the 
citation or is incorrectly transcribed, or the document is not cited in 
full, the Secretary may decline to consider the cited decision document 
in its analysis or determination. The timing and filing restrictions of 
Sec.  351.301 shall not apply to these documents:
    (i) Preliminary and final issues and decision memoranda issued in 
investigations pursuant to Sec. Sec.  351.205 and 351.210;
    (ii) Preliminary and final issues and decision memoranda issued in 
administrative reviews, pursuant to Sec.  351.213;
    (iii) Preliminary and final issues and decision memoranda issued in 
new shipper reviews, pursuant to Sec.  351.214;
    (iv) Preliminary and final issues and decision memoranda in changed 
circumstances reviews, pursuant to Sec.  351.216;
    (v) Preliminary and final issues and decision memoranda in sunset 
reviews, pursuant to Sec.  351.218;
    (vi) Preliminary and final decision memoranda issued in scope 
inquiries pursuant to Sec.  351.225, circumvention inquiries pursuant to 
Sec.  351.226, and covered merchandise inquiries pursuant to Sec.  
351.227;
    (vii) Draft and final redeterminations on remand;
    (viii) Draft and final redeterminations issued pursuant to section 
129 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act;
    (ix) Initiation decision documents, such as initiation checklists;
    (x) New subsidy allegation memoranda;
    (xi) Scope memoranda issued in an investigation; and
    (xii) Post-preliminary determination or results memoranda addressing 
issues for the first time in the period of time between preliminary and 
final determinations or results.
    (7) Special rules for public versions of documents originating with 
the Department with no associated ACCESS barcode numbers. Public 
versions of documents originating with Commerce in other segments or 
proceedings under paragraph (a)(6) of this section but not associated 
with an ACCESS barcode number, including documents issued before the 
implementation of ACCESS, must be submitted on the record in their 
entirety to be considered

[[Page 236]]

by the Secretary in its analysis and determinations and are subject to 
the timing and filing restrictions of Sec.  351.301.

                                * * * * *



Sec.  351.105  Public, business proprietary, privileged, and classified
information.

    (a) Introduction. There are four categories of information in an 
antidumping or countervailing duty proceeding: public, business 
proprietary, privileged, and classified. In general, public information 
is information that may be made available to the public, whereas 
business proprietary information may be disclosed (if at all) only to 
authorized applicants under an APO. Privileged and classified 
information may not be disclosed at all, even under an APO. This section 
describes the four categories of information.
    (b) Public information. The Secretary normally will consider the 
following to be public information:
    (1) Factual information of a type that has been published or 
otherwise made available to the public by the person submitting it;
    (2) Factual information that is not designated as business 
proprietary by the person submitting it;
    (3) Factual information that, although designated as business 
proprietary by the person submitting it, is in a form that cannot be 
associated with or otherwise used to identify activities of a particular 
person or that the Secretary determines is not properly designated as 
business proprietary;
    (4) Publicly available laws, regulations, decrees, orders, and other 
official documents of a country, including English translations; and
    (5) Written argument relating to the proceeding that is not 
designated as business proprietary.
    (c) Business proprietary information. The Secretary normally will 
consider the following factual information to be business proprietary 
information, if so designated by the submitter:
    (1) Business or trade secrets concerning the nature of a product or 
production process;
    (2) Production costs (but not the identity of the production 
components unless a particular component is a trade secret);
    (3) Distribution costs (but not channels of distribution);
    (4) Terms of sale (but not terms of sale offered to the public);
    (5) Prices of individual sales, likely sales, or other offers (but 
not components of prices, such as transportation, if based on published 
schedules, dates of sale, product descriptions (other than business or 
trade secrets described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section), or order 
numbers);
    (6) Names of particular customers, distributors, or suppliers (but 
not destination of sale or designation of type of customer, distributor, 
or supplier, unless the destination or designation would reveal the 
name);
    (7) In an antidumping proceeding, the exact amount of the dumping 
margin on individual sales;
    (8) In a countervailing duty proceeding, the exact amount of the 
benefit applied for or received by a person from each of the programs 
under investigation or review (but not descriptions of the operations of 
the programs, or the amount if included in official public statements or 
documents or publications, or the ad valorem countervailable subsidy 
rate calculated for each person under a program);
    (9) The names of particular persons from whom business proprietary 
information was obtained;
    (10) The position of a domestic producer or workers regarding a 
petition; and
    (11) Any other specific business information the release of which to 
the public would cause substantial harm to the competitive position of 
the submitter.
    (d) Privileged information. The Secretary will consider information 
privileged if, based on principles of law concerning privileged 
information, the Secretary decides that the information should not be 
released to the public or to parties to the proceeding. Privileged 
information is exempt from disclosure to the public or to 
representatives of interested parties.
    (e) Classified information. Classified information is information 
that is classified under Executive Order No. 12356 of April 2, 1982 (47 
FR 14874 and 15557, 3

[[Page 237]]

CFR 1982 Comp. p. 166) or successor executive order, if applicable. 
Classified information is exempt from disclosure to the public or to 
representatives of interested parties.



Sec.  351.106  De minimis net countervailable subsidies and 
weighted-average dumping margins disregarded.

    (a) Introduction. Prior to the enactment of the URAA, the Department 
had a well-established and judicially sanctioned practice of 
disregarding net countervailable subsidies or weighted-average dumping 
margins that were de minimis. The URAA codified in the Act the 
particular de minimis standards to be used in antidumping and 
countervailing duty investigations. This section discussed the 
application of the de minimis standards in antidumping or countervailing 
duty proceedings.
    (b) Investigations--(1) In general. In making a preliminary or final 
antidumping or countervailing duty determination in an investigation 
(see sections 703(b), 733(b), 705(a), and 735(a) of the Act), the 
Secretary will apply the de minimis standard set forth in section 
703(b)(4) or section 733(b)(3) of the Act (whichever is applicable).
    (2) Transition rule. (i) If:
    (A) The Secretary resumes an investigation that has been suspended 
(see section 704(i)(1)(B) or section 734(i)(1)(B) of the Act); and
    (B) The investigation was initiated before January 1, 1995, then
    (ii) The Secretary will apply the de minimis standard in effect at 
the time that the investigation was initiated.
    (c) Reviews and other determinations--(1) In general. In making any 
determination other than a preliminary or final antidumping or 
countervailing duty determination in an investigation (see paragraph (b) 
of this section), the Secretary will treat as de minimis any weighted-
average dumping margin or countervailable subsidy rate that is less than 
0.5 percent ad valorem, or the equivalent specific rate.
    (2) Assessment of antidumping duties. The Secretary will instruct 
the Customs Service to liquidate without regard to antidumping duties 
all entries of subject merchandise during the relevant period of review 
made by any person for which the Secretary calculates an assessment rate 
under Sec.  351.212(b)(1) that is less than 0.5 percent ad valorem, or 
the equivalent specific rate.



Sec.  351.107  Cash deposit rates for nonproducing exporters; rates in
antidumping proceedings involving a nonmarket economy country.

    (a) Introduction. This section deals with the establishment of cash 
deposit rates in situations where the exporter is not the producer of 
subject merchandise, the selection of the appropriate cash deposit rate 
in situations where entry documents do not indicate the producer of 
subject merchandise, and the calculation of dumping margins in 
antidumping proceedings involving imports from a nonmarket economy 
country.
    (b) Cash deposit rates for nonproducing exporters--(1) Use of 
combination rates--(i) In general. In the case of subject merchandise 
that is exported to the United States by a company that is not the 
producer of the merchandise, the Secretary may establish a 
``combination'' cash deposit rate for each combination of the exporter 
and its supplying producer(s).
    (ii) Example. A nonproducing exporter (Exporter A) exports to the 
United States subject merchandise produced by Producers X, Y, and Z. In 
such a situation, the Secretary may establish cash deposit rates for 
Exporter A/Producer X, Exporter A/Producer Y, and Exporter A/Producer Z.
    (2) New supplier. In the case of subject merchandise that is 
exported to the United States by a company that is not the producer of 
the merchandise, if the Secretary has not established previously a 
combination cash deposit rate under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section 
for the exporter and producer in question or a noncombination rate for 
the exporter in question, the Secretary will apply the cash deposit rate 
established for the producer. If the Secretary has not previously 
established a cash deposit rate for the producer, the Secretary will 
apply the ``all-others rate'' described in section 705(c)(5) or section 
735(c)(5) of the Act, as the case may be.

[[Page 238]]

    (c) Producer not identified--(1) In general. In situations where 
entry documents do not identify the producer of subject merchandise, if 
the Secretary has not established previously a noncombination rate for 
the exporter, the Secretary may instruct the Customs Service to apply as 
the cash deposit rate the higher of:
    (i) The highest of any combination cash deposit rate established for 
the exporter under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section;
    (ii) The highest cash deposit rate established for any producer 
other than a producer for which the Secretary established a combination 
rate involving the exporter in question under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of 
this section; or
    (iii) The ``all-others rate'' described in section 705(c)(5) or 
section 735(c)(5) of the Act, as the case may be.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (d) Rates in antidumping proceedings involving nonmarket economy 
countries. In an antidumping proceeding involving imports from a 
nonmarket economy country, ``rates'' may consist of a single dumping 
margin applicable to all exporters and producers.



        Subpart B_Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Procedures



Sec.  351.201  Self-initiation.

    (a) Introduction. Antidumping and countervailing duty investigations 
may be initiated as the result of a petition filed by a domestic 
interested party or at the Secretary's own initiative. This section 
contains rules regarding the actions the Secretary will take when the 
Secretary self-initiates an investigation.
    (b) In general. When the Secretary self-initiates an investigation 
under section 702(a) or section 732(a) of the Act, the Secretary will 
publish in the Federal Register notice of ``Initiation of Antidumping 
(Countervailing Duty) Investigation.'' In addition, the Secretary will 
notify the Commission at the time of initiation of the investigation, 
and will make available to employees of the Commission directly involved 
in the proceeding the information upon which the Secretary based the 
initiation and which the Commission may consider relevant to its injury 
determination.
    (c) Persistent dumping monitoring. To the extent practicable, the 
Secretary will expedite any antidumping investigation initiated as the 
result of a monitoring program established under section 732(a)(2) of 
the Act.



Sec.  351.202  Petition requirements.

    (a) Introduction. The Secretary normally initiates antidumping and 
countervailing duty investigations based on petitions filed by a 
domestic interested party. This section contains rules concerning the 
contents of a petition, filing requirements, notification of foreign 
governments, pre-initiation communications with the Secretary, and 
assistance to small businesses in preparing petitions. Petitioners are 
also advised to refer to the Commission's regulations concerning the 
contents of petitions, currently 19 CFR 207.11.
    (b) Contents of petition. A petition requesting the imposition of 
antidumping or countervailing duties must contain the following, to the 
extent reasonably available to the petitioner:
    (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner and 
any person the petitioner represents;
    (2) The identity of the industry on behalf of which the petitioner 
is filing, including the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all 
other known persons in the industry;
    (3) Information relating to the degree of industry support for the 
petition, including:
    (i) The total volume and value of U.S. production of the domestic 
like product; and
    (ii) The volume and value of the domestic like product produced by 
the petitioner and each domestic producer identified;
    (4) A statement indicating whether the petitioner has filed for 
relief from imports of the subject merchandise under section 337 of the 
Act (19 U.S.C. 1337, 1671a), sections 201 or 301 of the Trade Act of 
1974 (19 U.S.C. 2251 or 2411), or section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act 
of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1862);
    (5) A detailed description of the subject merchandise that defines 
the requested scope of the investigation, including the technical 
characteristics

[[Page 239]]

and uses of the merchandise and its current U.S. tariff classification 
number;
    (6) The name of the country in which the subject merchandise is 
manufactured or produced and, if the merchandise is imported from a 
country other than the country of manufacture or production, the name of 
any intermediate country from which the merchandise is imported;
    (7)(i) In the case of an antidumping proceeding:
    (A) The names and addresses of each person the petitioner believes 
sells the subject merchandise at less than fair value and the proportion 
of total exports to the United States that each person accounted for 
during the most recent 12-month period (if numerous, provide information 
at least for persons that, based on publicly available information, 
individually accounted for two percent or more of the exports);
    (B) All factual information (particularly documentary evidence) 
relevant to the calculation of the export price and the constructed 
export price of the subject merchandise and the normal value of the 
foreign like product (if unable to furnish information on foreign sales 
or costs, provide information on production costs in the United States, 
adjusted to reflect production costs in the country of production of the 
subject merchandise);
    (C) If the merchandise is from a country that the Secretary has 
found to be a nonmarket economy country, factual information relevant to 
the calculation of normal value, using a method described in Sec.  
351.408; or
    (ii) In the case of a countervailing duty proceeding:
    (A) The names and addresses of each person the petitioner believes 
benefits from a countervailable subsidy and exports the subject 
merchandise to the United States and the proportion of total exports to 
the United States that each person accounted for during the most recent 
12-month period (if numerous, provide information at least for persons 
that, based on publicly available information, individually accounted 
for two percent or more of the exports);
    (B) The alleged countervailable subsidy and factual information 
(particularly documentary evidence) relevant to the alleged 
countervailable subsidy, including any law, regulation, or decree under 
which it is provided, the manner in which it is paid, and the value of 
the subsidy to exporters or producers of the subject merchandise;
    (C) If the petitioner alleges an upstream subsidy under section 771A 
of the Act, factual information regarding:
    (1) Countervailable subsidies, other than an export subsidy, that an 
authority of the affected country provides to the upstream supplier;
    (2) The competitive benefit the countervailable subsidies bestow on 
the subject merchandise; and
    (3) The significant effect the countervailable subsidies have on the 
cost of producing the subject merchandise;
    (8) The volume and value of the subject merchandise imported during 
the most recent two-year period and any other recent period that the 
petitioner believes to be more representative or, if the subject 
merchandise was not imported during the two-year period, information as 
to the likelihood of its sale for importation;
    (9) The name, address, and telephone number of each person the 
petitioner believes imports or, if there were no importations, is likely 
to import the subject merchandise;
    (10) Factual information regarding material injury, threat of 
material injury, or material retardation, and causation;
    (11) If the petitioner alleges ``critical circumstances'' under 
section 703(e)(1) or section 733(e)(1) of the Act and Sec.  351.206, 
factual information regarding:
    (i) Whether imports of the subject merchandise are likely to 
undermine seriously the remedial effect of any order issued under 
section 706(a) or section 736(a) of the Act;
    (ii) Massive imports of the subject merchandise in a relatively 
short period; and
    (iii) (A) In an antidumping proceeding, either:
    (1) A history of dumping; or
    (2) The importer's knowledge that the exporter was selling the 
subject merchandise at less than its fair value, and that there would be 
material injury by reason of such sales; or

[[Page 240]]

    (B) In a countervailing duty proceeding, whether the countervailable 
subsidy is inconsistent with the Subsidies Agreement; and
    (12) Any other factual information on which the petitioner relies.
    (c) Simultaneous filing and certification. The petitioner must file 
a copy of the petition with the Commission and the Secretary on the same 
day and so certify in submitting the petition to the Secretary. Factual 
information in the petition must be certified, as provided in Sec.  
351.303(g). Other filing requirements are set forth in Sec.  351.303.
    (d) Business proprietary status of information. The Secretary will 
treat as business proprietary any factual information for which the 
petitioner requests business proprietary treatment and which meets the 
requirements of Sec.  351.304.
    (e) Amendment of petition. The Secretary may allow timely amendment 
of the petition. The petitioner must file an amendment with the 
Commission and the Secretary on the same day and so certify in 
submitting the amendment to the Secretary. If the amendment consists of 
new allegations, the timeliness of the new allegations will be governed 
by Sec.  351.301.
    (f) Notification of representative of the exporting country. Upon 
receipt of a petition, the Secretary will deliver a public version of 
the petition (see Sec.  351.304(c)) to a representative in Washington, 
DC, of the government of any exporting country named in the petition.
    (g) Petition based upon derogation of an international undertaking 
on official export credits. In the case of a petition described in 
section 702(b)(3) of the Act, the petitioner must file a copy of the 
petition with the Secretary of the Treasury, as well as with the 
Secretary and the Commission, and must so certify in submitting the 
petition to the Secretary.
    (h) Assistance to small businesses; additional information. (1) The 
Secretary will provide technical assistance to eligible small 
businesses, as defined in section 339 of the Act, to enable them to 
prepare and file petitions. The Secretary may deny assistance if the 
Secretary concludes that the petition, if filed, could not satisfy the 
requirements of section 702(c)(1)(A) or section 732(c)(1)(A) of the Act 
(whichever is applicable) (see Sec.  351.203).
    (2) For additional information concerning petitions, contact the 
Director for Policy and Analysis, Enforcement and Compliance, 
International Trade Administration, Room 3093, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20230; 
(202) 482-1768.
    (i) Pre-initiation communications--(1) In general. During the period 
before the Secretary's decision whether to initiate an investigation, 
the Secretary will not consider the filing of a notice of appearance to 
constitute a communication for purposes of section 702(b)(4)(B) or 
section 732(b)(3)(B) of the Act.
    (2) Consultations with foreign governments in countervailing duty 
proceedings. In a countervailing duty proceeding, the Secretary will 
invite the government of any exporting country named in the petition for 
consultations with respect to the petition.

(The information collection requirements in paragraph (a) of this 
section have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 
control number 0625-0105.)



Sec.  351.203  Determination of sufficiency of petition.

    (a) Introduction. When a petition is filed under Sec.  351.202, the 
Secretary must determine that the petition satisfies the relevant 
statutory requirements before initiating an antidumping or 
countervailing duty investigation. This section sets forth rules 
regarding a determination as to the sufficiency of a petition (including 
the determination that a petition is supported by the domestic 
industry), the deadline for making the determination, and the actions to 
be taken once the Secretary has made the determination.
    (b) Determination of sufficiency--(1) In general. Normally, not 
later than 20 days after a petition is filed, the Secretary, on the 
basis of sources readily available to the Secretary, will examine the 
accuracy and adequacy of the evidence provided in the petition and 
determine whether to initiate an investigation under section 
702(c)(1)(A) or section 732(c)(1)(A) of the Act (whichever is 
applicable).

[[Page 241]]

    (2) Extension where polling required. If the Secretary is required 
to poll or otherwise determine support for the petition under section 
702(c)(4)(D) or section 732(c)(4)(D) of the Act, the Secretary may, in 
exceptional circumstances, extend the 20-day period by the amount of 
time necessary to collect and analyze the required information. In no 
case will the period between the filing of a petition and the 
determination whether to initiate an investigation exceed 40 days.
    (c) Notice of initiation and distribution of petition--(1) Notice of 
initiation. If the initiation determination of the Secretary under 
section 702(c)(1)(A) or section 732(c)(1)(A) of the Act is affirmative, 
the Secretary will initiate an investigation and publish in the Federal 
Register notice of ``Initiation of Antidumping (Countervailing Duty) 
Investigation.'' The Secretary will notify the Commission at the time of 
initiation of the investigation and will make available to employees of 
the Commission directly involved in the proceeding the information upon 
which the Secretary based the initiation and which the Commission may 
consider relevant to its injury determinations.
    (2) Distribution of petition. As soon as practicable after 
initiation of an investigation, the Secretary will provide a public 
version of the petition to all known exporters (including producers who 
sell for export to the United States) of the subject merchandise. If the 
Secretary determines that there is a particularly large number of 
exporters involved, instead of providing the public version to all known 
exporters, the Secretary may provide the public version to a trade 
association of the exporters or, alternatively, may consider the 
requirement of the preceding sentence to have been satisfied by the 
delivery of a public version of the petition to the government of the 
exporting country under Sec.  351.202(f).
    (d) Insufficiency of petition. If an initiation determination of the 
Secretary under section 702(c)(1)(A) or section 732(c)(1)(A) of the Act 
is negative, the Secretary will dismiss the petition, terminate the 
proceeding, notify the petitioner in writing of the reasons for the 
determination, and publish in the Federal Register notice of ``Dismissal 
of Antidumping (Countervailing Duty) Petition.''
    (e) Determination of industry support. In determining industry 
support for a petition under section 702(c)(4) or section 732(c)(4) of 
the Act, the following rules will apply:
    (1) Measuring production. The Secretary normally will measure 
production over a twelve-month period specified by the Secretary, and 
may measure production based on either value or volume. Where a party to 
the proceeding establishes that production data for the relevant period, 
as specified by the Secretary, is unavailable, production levels may be 
established by reference to alternative data that the Secretary 
determines to be indicative of production levels.
    (2) Positions treated as business proprietary information. Upon 
request, the Secretary may treat the position of a domestic producer or 
workers regarding the petition and any production information supplied 
by the producer or workers as business proprietary information under 
Sec.  351.105(c)(10).
    (3) Positions expressed by workers. The Secretary will consider the 
positions of workers and management regarding the petition to be of 
equal weight. The Secretary will assign a single weight to the positions 
of both workers and management according to the production of the 
domestic like product of the firm in which the workers and management 
are employed. If the management of a firm expresses a position in direct 
opposition to the position of the workers in that firm, the Secretary 
will treat the production of that firm as representing neither support 
for, nor opposition to, the petition.
    (4) Certain positions disregarded. (i) The Secretary will disregard 
the position of a domestic producer that opposes the petition if such 
producer is related to a foreign producer or to a foreign exporter under 
section 771(4)(B)(ii) of the Act, unless such domestic producer 
demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction that its interests as a 
domestic producer would be adversely affected by the imposition of an 
antidumping order or a countervailing duty order, as the case may be; 
and

[[Page 242]]

    (ii) The Secretary may disregard the position of a domestic producer 
that is an importer of the subject merchandise, or that is related to 
such an importer, under section 771(4)(B)(ii) of the Act.
    (5) Polling the industry. In conducting a poll of the industry under 
section 702(c)(4)(D)(i) or section 732(c)(4)(D)(i) of the Act, the 
Secretary will include unions, groups of workers, and trade or business 
associations described in paragraphs (9)(D) and (9)(E) of section 771 of 
the Act.
    (f) Time limits where petition involves same merchandise as that 
covered by an order that has been revoked. Under section 702(c)(1)(C) or 
section 732(c)(1)(C) of the Act, and in expediting an investigation 
involving subject merchandise for which a prior order was revoked or a 
suspended investigation was terminated, the Secretary will consider 
``section 751(d)'' as including a predecessor provision.
    (g) Time limits for filing interested party comments on industry 
support. For purposes of sections 702(c)(4)(E) and 732(c)(4)(E) of the 
Act, the Secretary will consider comments or information on the issue of 
industry support submitted no later than 5 business days before the date 
referenced in paragraph (b)(1) of this section by any interested party 
under section 771(9) of the Act. The Secretary will consider rebuttal 
comments or information to rebut, clarify, or correct such information 
on industry support submitted by any interested party no later than two 
calendar days from the time limit for filing comments.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 86 FR 52371, Sept. 20, 2021]



Sec.  351.204  Time periods and persons examined; voluntary respondents;
exclusions.

    (a) Introduction. Because the Act does not specify the precise 
period of time that the Secretary should examine in an antidumping or 
countervailing duty investigation, this section sets forth rules 
regarding the period of investigation (``POI''). In addition, this 
section includes rules regarding the selection of persons to be 
examined, the treatment of voluntary respondents that are not selected 
for individual examination, and the exclusion of persons that the 
Secretary ultimately finds are not dumping or are not receiving 
countervailable subsidies.
    (b) Period of investigation--(1) Antidumping investigation. In an 
antidumping investigation, the Secretary normally will examine 
merchandise sold during the four most recently completed fiscal quarters 
(or, in an investigation involving merchandise imported from a nonmarket 
economy country, the two most recently completed fiscal quarters) as of 
the month preceding the month in which the petition was filed or in 
which the Secretary self-initiated an investigation. However, the 
Secretary may examine merchandise sold during any additional or 
alternate period that the Secretary concludes is appropriate.
    (2) Countervailing duty investigation. In a countervailing duty 
investigation, the Secretary normally will rely on information 
pertaining to the most recently completed fiscal year for the government 
and exporters or producers in question. If the exporters or producers 
have different fiscal years, the Secretary normally will rely on 
information pertaining to the most recently completed calendar year. If 
the investigation is conducted on an aggregate basis under section 
777A(e)(2)(B) of the Act, the Secretary normally will rely on 
information pertaining to the most recently completed fiscal year for 
the government in question. However, the Secretary may rely on 
information for any additional or alternate period that the Secretary 
concludes is appropriate.
    (c) Exporters and producers examined--(1) In general. In an 
investigation, the Secretary will attempt to determine an individual 
weighted-average dumping margin or individual countervailable subsidy 
rate for each known exporter or producer of the subject merchandise. 
However, the Secretary may decline to examine a particular exporter or 
producer if that exporter or producer and the petitioner agree.
    (2) Limited investigation. Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section, the Secretary may limit the investigation by using a method 
described in subsection (a), (c), or (e) of section 777A of the Act.

[[Page 243]]

    (d) Voluntary respondents--(1) In general. If the Secretary limits 
the number of exporters or producers to be individually examined under 
section 777A(c)(2) or section 777A(e)(2)(A) of the Act, the Secretary 
will examine voluntary respondents (exporters or producers, other than 
those initially selected for individual examination) in accordance with 
section 782(a) of the Act.
    (2) Acceptance of voluntary respondents. The Secretary will 
determine, as soon as practicable, whether to examine a voluntary 
respondent individually. A voluntary respondent accepted for individual 
examination under subparagraph (d)(1) of this section will be subject to 
the same requirements as an exporter or producer initially selected by 
the Secretary for individual examination under section 777A(c)(2) or 
section 777A(e)(2)(A) of the Act, including the requirements of section 
782(a) of the Act and, where applicable, the use of the facts available 
under section 776 of the Act and Sec.  351.308.
    (3) Requests for voluntary respondent treatment. An interested party 
seeking treatment as a voluntary respondent must so indicate by 
including as a title on the first page of the first submission, 
``Request for Voluntary Respondent Treatment.''
    (e) Exclusions--(1) In general. The Secretary will exclude from an 
affirmative final determination under section 705(a) or section 735(a) 
of the Act or an order under section 706(a) or section 736(a) of the 
Act, any exporter or producer for which the Secretary determines an 
individual weighted-average dumping margin or individual net 
countervailable subsidy rate of zero or de minimis.
    (2) Preliminary determinations. In an affirmative preliminary 
determination under section 703(b) or section 733(b) of the Act, an 
exporter or producer for which the Secretary preliminarily determines an 
individual weighted-average dumping margin or individual net 
countervailable subsidy of zero or de minimis will not be excluded from 
the preliminary determination or the investigation. However, the 
exporter or producer will not be subject to provisional measures under 
section 703(d) or section 733(d) of the Act.
    (3) Exclusion of nonproducing exporter--(i) In general. In the case 
of an exporter that is not the producer of subject merchandise, the 
Secretary normally will limit an exclusion of the exporter to subject 
merchandise of those producers that supplied the exporter during the 
period of investigation.
    (ii) Example. During the period of investigation, Exporter A exports 
to the United States subject merchandise produced by Producer X. Based 
on an examination of Exporter A, the Secretary determines that the 
dumping margins with respect to these exports are de minimis, and the 
Secretary excludes Exporter A. Normally, the exclusion of Exporter A 
would be limited to subject merchandise produced by Producer X. If 
Exporter A began to export subject merchandise produced by Producer Y, 
this merchandise would be subject to the antidumping duty order, if any.
    (4) Countervailing duty investigations conducted on an aggregate 
basis and requests for exclusion from countervailing duty order. Where 
the Secretary conducts a countervailing duty investigation on an 
aggregate basis under section 777A(e)(2)(B) of the Act, the Secretary 
will consider and investigate requests for exclusion to the extent 
practicable. An exporter or producer that desires exclusion from an 
order must submit:
    (i) A certification by the exporter or producer that it received 
zero or de minimis net countervailable subsidies during the period of 
investigation;
    (ii) If the exporter or producer received a countervailable subsidy, 
calculations demonstrating that the amount of net countervailable 
subsidies received was de minimis during the period of investigation;
    (iii) If the exporter is not the producer of the subject 
merchandise, certifications from the suppliers and producers of the 
subject merchandise that those persons received zero or de minimis net 
countervailable subsidies during the period of the investigation; and
    (iv) A certification from the government of the affected country 
that the government did not provide the exporter (or the exporter's 
supplier) or producer with more than de minimis net

[[Page 244]]

countervailable subsidies during the period of investigation.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 73 FR 3643, Jan. 22, 2008; 88 
FR 67077, Sept. 29, 2023]



Sec.  351.205  Preliminary determination.

    (a) Introduction. A preliminary determination in an antidumping or 
countervailing duty investigation constitutes the first point at which 
the Secretary may provide a remedy (sometimes referred to as 
``provisional measures'') if the Secretary preliminarily finds that 
dumping or countervailable subsidization has occurred. Whether the 
Secretary's preliminary determination is affirmative or negative, the 
investigation continues. This section contains rules regarding deadlines 
for preliminary determinations, postponement of preliminary 
determinations, notices of preliminary determinations, and the effects 
of affirmative preliminary determinations.
    (b) Deadline for preliminary determination. The deadline for a 
preliminary determination under section 703(b) or section 733(b) of the 
Act will be:
    (1) Normally not later than 140 days in an antidumping investigation 
(65 days in a countervailing duty investigation) after the date on which 
the Secretary initiated the investigation (see section 703(b)(1) or 
section 733(b)(1)(A) of the Act);
    (2) Not later than 190 days in an antidumping investigation (130 
days in a countervailing duty investigation) after the date on which the 
Secretary initiated the investigation if the Secretary postpones the 
preliminary determination at petitioner's request or because the 
Secretary determines that the investigation is extraordinarily 
complicated (see section 703(c)(1) or section 733(c)(1) of the Act);
    (3) In a countervailing duty investigation, not later than 250 days 
after the date on which the proceeding began if the Secretary postpones 
the preliminary determination due to an upstream subsidy allegation (up 
to 310 days if the Secretary also postponed the preliminary 
determination at the request of the petitioner or because the Secretary 
determined that the investigation is extraordinarily complicated) (see 
section 703(c)(1) and section 703(g)(1) of the Act);
    (4) Within 90 days after initiation in an antidumping investigation, 
and on an expedited basis in a countervailing duty investigation, where 
verification has been waived (see section 703(b)(3) or section 733(b)(2) 
of the Act);
    (5) In a countervailing duty investigation, on an expedited basis 
and within 65 days after the date on which the Secretary initiated the 
investigation if the sole subsidy alleged in the petition was the 
derogation of an international undertaking on official export credits 
(see section 702(b)(3) and section 703(b)(2) of the Act);
    (6) In a countervailing duty investigation, not later than 60 days 
after the date on which the Secretary initiated the investigation if the 
only subsidy under investigation is a subsidy with respect to which the 
Secretary received notice from the United States Trade Representative of 
a violation of Article 8 of the Subsidies Agreement (see section 
703(b)(5) of the Act); and
    (7) In an antidumping investigation, within the deadlines set forth 
in section 733(b)(1)(B) of the Act if the investigation involves short 
life cycle merchandise (see section 733(b)(1)(B) and section 739 of the 
Act).
    (c) Contents of preliminary determination and publication of notice. 
A preliminary determination will include a preliminary finding on 
critical circumstances, if appropriate, under section 703(e)(1) or 
section 733(e)(1) of the Act (whichever is applicable). The Secretary 
will publish in the Federal Register notice of ``Affirmative (Negative) 
Preliminary Antidumping (Countervailing Duty) Determination,'' including 
the rates, if any, and an invitation for argument consistent with Sec.  
351.309.
    (d) Effect of affirmative preliminary determination. If the 
preliminary determination is affirmative, the Secretary will take the 
actions described in section 703(d) or section 733(d) of the Act 
(whichever is applicable). With respect to section 703(d)(1)(B) and 
733(d)(1)(B) of the Act, the Secretary will normally order the posting 
of cash deposits to ensure payment if antidumping or countervailing 
duties ultimately are

[[Page 245]]

imposed. In making information available to the Commission under section 
703(d)(3) or section 733(d)(3) of the Act, the Secretary will make 
available to the Commission and to employees of the Commission directly 
involved in the proceeding the information upon which the Secretary 
based the preliminary determination and which the Commission may 
consider relevant to its injury determination.
    (e) Postponement at the request of the petitioner. A petitioner must 
submit a request for postponement of the preliminary determination (see 
section 703(c)(1)(A) or section 733(c)(1)(A) of the Act) 25 days or more 
before the scheduled date of the preliminary determination, and must 
state the reasons for the request. The Secretary will grant the request, 
unless the Secretary finds compelling reasons to deny the request.
    (f) Notice of postponement. (1) If the Secretary decides to postpone 
the preliminary determination at the request of the petitioner or 
because the investigation is extraordinarily complicated, the Secretary 
will notify all parties to the proceeding not later than 20 days before 
the scheduled date of the preliminary determination, and will publish in 
the Federal Register notice of ``Postponement of Preliminary Antidumping 
(Countervailing Duty) Determination,'' stating the reasons for the 
postponement (see section 703(c)(2) or section 733(c)(2) of the Act).
    (2) If the Secretary decides to postpone the preliminary 
determination due to an allegation of upstream subsidies, the Secretary 
will notify all parties to the proceeding not later than the scheduled 
date of the preliminary determination and will publish in the Federal 
Register notice of ``Postponement of Preliminary Countervailing Duty 
Determination,'' stating the reasons for the postponement.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 76 FR 61045, Oct. 3, 2011]



Sec.  351.206  Critical circumstances.

    (a) Introduction. Generally, antidumping or countervailing duties 
are imposed on entries of merchandise made on or after the date on which 
the Secretary first imposes provisional measures (most often the date on 
which notice of an affirmative preliminary determination is published in 
the Federal Register). However, if the Secretary finds that ``critical 
circumstances'' exist, duties may be imposed retroactively on 
merchandise entered up to 90 days before the imposition of provisional 
measures. This section contains procedural and substantive rules 
regarding allegations and findings of critical circumstances.
    (b) In general. If a petitioner submits to the Secretary a written 
allegation of critical circumstances, with reasonably available factual 
information supporting the allegation, 21 days or more before the 
scheduled date of the Secretary's final determination, or on the 
Secretary's own initiative in a self-initiated investigation, the 
Secretary will make a finding whether critical circumstances exist, as 
defined in section 705(a)(2) or section 735(a)(3) of the Act (whichever 
is applicable).
    (c) Preliminary finding. (1) If the petitioner submits an allegation 
of critical circumstances 30 days or more before the scheduled date of 
the Secretary's final determination, the Secretary, based on the 
available information, will make a preliminary finding whether there is 
a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that critical circumstances 
exist, as defined in section 703(e)(1) or section 733(e)(1) of the Act 
(whichever is applicable).
    (2) The Secretary will issue the preliminary finding:
    (i) Not later than the preliminary determination, if the allegation 
is submitted 20 days or more before the scheduled date of the 
preliminary determination; or
    (ii) Within 30 days after the petitioner submits the allegation, if 
the allegation is submitted later than 20 days before the scheduled date 
of the preliminary determination; or
    (iii) If, pursuant to paragraph (i) of this section, the period 
examined for purposes of determining whether critical circumstances 
exists is earlier than normal, the Secretary will issue the preliminary 
finding as early as possible after initiation of the investigation, but 
normally not less than 45 days after the petition was filed. The 
Secretary will notify the Commission

[[Page 246]]

and publish in the Federal Register notice of the preliminary finding.
    (d) Suspension of liquidation. If the Secretary makes an affirmative 
preliminary finding of critical circumstances, the provisions of section 
703(e)(2) or section 733(e)(2) of the Act (whichever is applicable) 
regarding the retroactive suspension of liquidation will apply.
    (e) Final finding. For any allegation of critical circumstances 
submitted 21 days or more before the scheduled date of the Secretary's 
final determination, the Secretary will make a final finding on critical 
circumstances, and will take appropriate action under section 705(c)(4) 
or section 735(c)(4) of the Act (whichever is applicable).
    (f) Findings in self-initiated investigations. In a self-initiated 
investigation, the Secretary will make preliminary and final findings on 
critical circumstances without regard to the time limits in paragraphs 
(c) and (e) of this section.
    (g) Information regarding critical circumstances. The Secretary may 
request the Commissioner of Customs to compile information on an 
expedited basis regarding entries of the subject merchandise if, at any 
time after the initiation of an investigation, the Secretary makes the 
findings described in section 702(e) or section 732(e) of the Act 
(whichever is applicable) regarding the possible existence of critical 
circumstances.
    (h) Massive imports. (1) In determining whether imports of the 
subject merchandise have been massive under section 705(a)(2)(B) or 
section 735(a)(3)(B) of the Act, the Secretary normally will examine:
    (i) The volume and value of the imports;
    (ii) Seasonal trends; and
    (iii) The share of domestic consumption accounted for by the 
imports.
    (2) In general, unless the imports during the ``relatively short 
period'' (see paragraph (i) of this section) have increased by at least 
15 percent over the imports during an immediately preceding period of 
comparable duration, the Secretary will not consider the imports 
massive.
    (i) Relatively short period. Under section 705(a)(2)(B) or section 
735(a)(3)(B) of the Act, the Secretary normally will consider a 
``relatively short period'' as the period beginning on the date the 
proceeding begins and ending at least three months later. However, if 
the Secretary finds that importers, or exporters or producers, had 
reason to believe, at some time prior to the beginning of the 
proceeding, that a proceeding was likely, then the Secretary may 
consider a period of not less than three months from that earlier time.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 64 FR 48707, Sept. 8, 1999]



Sec.  351.207  Termination of investigation.

    (a) Introduction. ``Termination'' is a term of art that refers to 
the end of an antidumping or countervailing duty proceeding in which an 
order has not yet been issued. The Act establishes a variety of 
mechanisms by which an investigation may be terminated, most of which 
are dealt with in this section. For rules regarding the termination of a 
suspended investigation following a review under section 751 of the Act, 
see Sec.  351.222.
    (b) Withdrawal of petition; self-initiated investigations--(1) In 
general. The Secretary may terminate an investigation under section 
704(a)(1)(A) or section 734(a)(1)(A) (withdrawal of petition) or under 
section 704(k) or section 734(k) (self-initiated investigation) of the 
Act, provided that the Secretary concludes that termination is in the 
public interest. If the Secretary terminates an investigation, the 
Secretary will publish in the Federal Register notice of ``Termination 
of Antidumping (Countervailing Duty) Investigation,'' together with, 
when appropriate, a copy of any correspondence with the petitioner 
forming the basis of the withdrawal and the termination. (For the 
treatment in a subsequent investigation of records compiled in an 
investigation in which the petition was withdrawn, see section 
704(a)(1)(B) or section 734(a)(1)(B) of the Act.)
    (2) Withdrawal of petition based on acceptance of quantitative 
restriction agreements. In addition to the requirements of paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, if a termination is based on the acceptance of 
an understanding or other kind of

[[Page 247]]

agreement to limit the volume of imports into the United States of the 
subject merchandise, the Secretary will apply the provisions of section 
704(a)(2) or section 734(a)(2) of the Act (whichever is applicable) 
regarding public interest and consultations with consuming industries 
and producers and workers.
    (c) Lack of interest. The Secretary may terminate an investigation 
based upon lack of interest (see section 782(h)(1) of the Act). Where 
the Secretary terminates an investigation under this paragraph, the 
Secretary will publish the notice described in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section.
    (d) Negative determination. An investigation terminates 
automatically upon publication in the Federal Register of the 
Secretary's negative final determination or the Commission's negative 
preliminary or final determination.
    (e) End of suspension of liquidation. When an investigation 
terminates, if the Secretary previously ordered suspension of 
liquidation, the Secretary will order the suspension ended on the date 
of publication of the notice of termination referred to in paragraph (b) 
of this section or on the date of publication of a negative 
determination referred to in paragraph (d) of this section, and will 
instruct the Customs Service to release any cash deposit or bond.



Sec.  351.208  Suspension of investigation.

    (a) Introduction. In addition to the imposition of duties, the Act 
also permits the Secretary to suspend an antidumping or countervailing 
duty investigation by accepting a suspension agreement (referred to in 
the WTO Agreements as an ``undertaking''). Briefly, in a suspension 
agreement, the exporters and producers or the foreign government agree 
to modify their behavior so as to eliminate dumping or subsidization or 
the injury caused thereby. If the Secretary accepts a suspension 
agreement, the Secretary will ``suspend'' the investigation and 
thereafter will monitor compliance with the agreement. This section 
contains rules for entering into suspension agreements and procedures 
for suspending an investigation.
    (b) In general. The Secretary may suspend an investigation under 
section 704 or section 734 of the Act and this section.
    (c) Definition of ``substantially all.'' Under section 704 and 
section 734 of the Act, exporters that account for ``substantially all'' 
of the merchandise means exporters and producers that have accounted for 
not less than 85 percent by value or volume of the subject merchandise 
during the period for which the Secretary is measuring dumping or 
countervailable subsidization in the investigation or such other period 
that the Secretary considers representative.
    (d) Monitoring. In monitoring a suspension agreement under section 
704(c), section 734(c), or section 734(l) of the Act (agreements to 
eliminate injurious effects or to restrict the volume of imports), the 
Secretary will not be obliged to ascertain on a continuing basis the 
prices in the United States of the subject merchandise or of domestic 
like products.
    (e) Exports not to increase during interim period. The Secretary 
will not accept a suspension agreement under section 704(b)(2) or 
section 734(b)(1) of the Act (the cessation of exports) unless the 
agreement ensures that the quantity of the subject merchandise exported 
during the interim period set forth in the agreement does not exceed the 
quantity of the merchandise exported during a period of comparable 
duration that the Secretary considers representative.
    (f) Procedure for suspension of investigation--(1) Submission of 
proposed suspension agreement--(i) In general. As appropriate, the 
exporters and producers or, in an antidumping investigation involving a 
nonmarket economy country or a countervailing duty investigation, the 
government, must submit to the Secretary a proposed suspension agreement 
within:
    (A) In an antidumping investigation, 15 days after the date of 
issuance of the preliminary determination, or
    (B) In a countervailing duty investigation, 7 days after the date of 
issuance of the preliminary determination.
    (ii) Postponement of final determination. Where a proposed 
suspension

[[Page 248]]

agreement is submitted in an antidumping investigation, an exporter or 
producer or, in an investigation involving a nonmarket economy country, 
the government, may request postponement of the final determination 
under section 735(a)(2) of the Act (see Sec.  351.210(e)). Where the 
final determination in a countervailing duty investigation is postponed 
under section 703(g)(2) or section 705(a)(1) of the Act (see Sec.  
351.210(b)(3) and Sec.  351.210(i)), the time limits in paragraphs 
(f)(1)(i), (f)(2)(i), (f)(3), and (g)(1) of this section applicable to 
countervailing duty investigations will be extended to coincide with the 
time limits in such paragraphs applicable to antidumping investigations.
    (iii) Special rule for regional industry determination. If the 
Commission makes a regional industry determination in its final 
affirmative determination under section 705(b) or section 735(b) of the 
Act but not in its preliminary affirmative determination under section 
703(a) or section 733(a) of the Act, the exporters and producers or, in 
an antidumping investigation involving a nonmarket economy country or a 
countervailing duty investigation, the government, must submit to the 
Secretary any proposed suspension agreement within 15 days of the 
publication in the Federal Register of the antidumping or countervailing 
duty order.
    (2) Notification and consultation. In fulfilling the requirements of 
section 704 or section 734 of the Act (whichever is applicable), the 
Secretary will take the following actions:
    (i) In general. The Secretary will notify all parties to the 
proceeding of the proposed suspension of an investigation and provide to 
the petitioner a copy of the suspension agreement preliminarily accepted 
by the Secretary (the agreement must contain the procedures for 
monitoring compliance and a statement of the compatibility of the 
agreement with the requirements of section 704 or section 734 of the 
Act) within:
    (A) In an antidumping investigation, 30 days after the date of 
issuance of the preliminary determination, or
    (B) In a countervailing duty investigation, 15 days after the date 
of issuance of the preliminary determination; or
    (ii) Special rule for regional industry determination. If the 
Commission makes a regional industry determination in its final 
affirmative determination under section 705(b) or section 735(b) of the 
Act but not in its preliminary affirmative determination under section 
703(a) or section 733(a) of the Act, the Secretary, within 15 days of 
the submission of a proposed suspension agreement under paragraph 
(f)(1)(iii) of this section, will notify all parties to the proceeding 
of the proposed suspension agreement and provide to the petitioner a 
copy of the agreement preliminarily accepted by the Secretary (such 
agreement must contain the procedures for monitoring compliance and a 
statement of the compatibility of the agreement with the requirements of 
section 704 or section 734 of the Act); and
    (iii) Consultation. The Secretary will consult with the petitioner 
concerning the proposed suspension of the investigation.
    (3) Opportunity for comment. The Secretary will provide all 
interested parties, an industrial user of the subject merchandise or a 
representative consumer organization, as described in section 777(h) of 
the Act, and United States government agencies an opportunity to submit 
written argument and factual information concerning the proposed 
suspension of the investigation within:
    (i) In an antidumping investigation, 50 days after the date of 
issuance of the preliminary determination,
    (ii) In a countervailing duty investigation, 35 days after the date 
of issuance of the preliminary determination, or
    (iii) In a regional industry case described in paragraph (f)(1)(iii) 
of this section, 35 days after the date of issuance of an order.
    (g) Acceptance of suspension agreement. (1) The Secretary may accept 
an agreement to suspend an investigation within:
    (i) In an antidumping investigation, 60 days after the date of 
issuance of the preliminary determination,
    (ii) In a countervailing duty investigation, 45 days after the date 
of

[[Page 249]]

issuance of the preliminary determination, or
    (iii) In a regional industry case described in paragraph (f)(1)(iii) 
of this section, 45 days after the date of issuance of an order.
    (2) If the Secretary accepts an agreement to suspend an 
investigation, the Secretary will take the actions described in section 
704(f), section 704(m)(3), section 734(f), or section 734(l)(3) of the 
Act (whichever is applicable), and will publish in the Federal Register 
notice of ``Suspension of Antidumping (Countervailing Duty) 
Investigation,'' including the text of the agreement. If the Secretary 
has not already published notice of an affirmative preliminary 
determination, the Secretary will include that notice. In accepting an 
agreement, the Secretary may rely on factual or legal conclusions the 
Secretary reached in or after the affirmative preliminary determination.
    (h) Continuation of investigation. (1) A request to the Secretary 
under section 704(g) or section 734(g) of the Act for the continuation 
of the investigation must be made in writing. In addition, the request 
must be simultaneously filed with the Commission, and the requester must 
so certify in submitting the request to the Secretary.
    (2) If the Secretary and the Commission make affirmative final 
determinations in an investigation that has been continued, the 
suspension agreement will remain in effect in accordance with the 
factual and legal conclusions in the Secretary's final determination. If 
either the Secretary or the Commission makes a negative final 
determination, the agreement will have no force or effect.
    (i) Merchandise imported in excess of allowed quantity. (1) The 
Secretary may instruct the Customs Service not to accept entries, or 
withdrawals from warehouse, for consumption of subject merchandise in 
excess of any quantity allowed by a suspension agreement under section 
704 or section 734 of the Act, including any quantity allowed during the 
interim period (see paragraph (e) of this section).
    (2) Imports in excess of the quantity allowed by a suspension 
agreement, including any quantity allowed during the interim period (see 
paragraph (e) of this section), may be exported or destroyed under 
Customs Service supervision, except that if the agreement is under 
section 704(c)(3) or section 734(l) of the Act (restrictions on the 
volume of imports), the excess merchandise, with the approval of the 
Secretary, may be held for future opening under the agreement by placing 
it in a foreign trade zone or by entering it for warehouse.



Sec.  351.209  Violation of suspension agreement.

    (a) Introduction. A suspension agreement remains in effect until the 
underlying investigation is terminated (see Sec. Sec.  351.207 and 
351.222). However, if the Secretary finds that a suspension agreement 
has been violated or no longer meets the requirements of the Act, the 
Secretary may either cancel or revise the agreement. This section 
contains rules regarding cancellation and revision of suspension 
agreements.
    (b) Immediate determination. If the Secretary determines that a 
signatory has violated a suspension agreement, the Secretary, without 
providing interested parties an opportunity to comment, will:
    (1) Order the suspension of liquidation in accordance with section 
704(i)(1)(A) or section 734(i)(1)(A) of the Act (whichever is 
applicable) of all entries of the subject merchandise entered, or 
withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the later of:
    (i) 90 days before the date of publication of the notice of 
cancellation of the agreement; or
    (ii) The date of first entry, or withdrawal from warehouse, for 
consumption of the merchandise the sale or export of which was in 
violation of the agreement;
    (2) If the investigation was not completed under section 704(g) or 
section 734(g) of the Act, resume the investigation as if the Secretary 
had made an affirmative preliminary determination on the date of 
publication of the notice of cancellation and impose provisional 
measures by instructing the Customs Service to require for each entry of 
the subject merchandise suspended under paragraph (b)(1) of this section 
a cash

[[Page 250]]

deposit or bond at the rates determined in the affirmative preliminary 
determination;
    (3) If the investigation was completed under section 704(g) or 
section 734(g) of the Act, issue an antidumping order or countervailing 
duty order (whichever is applicable) and, for all entries subject to 
suspension of liquidation under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, 
instruct the Customs Service to require for each entry of the 
merchandise suspended under this paragraph a cash deposit at the rates 
determined in the affirmative final determination;
    (4) Notify all persons who are or were parties to the proceeding, 
the Commission, and, if the Secretary determines that the violation was 
intentional, the Commissioner of Customs; and
    (5) Publish in the Federal Register notice of ``Antidumping 
(Countervailing Duty) Order (Resumption of Antidumping (Countervailing 
Duty) Investigation); Cancellation of Suspension Agreement.''
    (c) Determination after notice and comment. (1) If the Secretary has 
reason to believe that a signatory has violated a suspension agreement, 
or that an agreement no longer meets the requirements of section 
704(d)(1) or section 734(d) of the Act, but the Secretary does not have 
sufficient information to determine that a signatory has violated the 
agreement (see paragraph (b) of this section), the Secretary will 
publish in the Federal Register notice of ``Invitation for Comment on 
Antidumping (Countervailing Duty) Suspension Agreement.''
    (2) After publication of the notice inviting comment and after 
consideration of comments received the Secretary will:
    (i) Determine whether any signatory has violated the suspension 
agreement; or
    (ii) Determine whether the suspension agreement no longer meets the 
requirements of section 704(d)(1) or section 734(d) of the Act.
    (3) If the Secretary determines that a signatory has violated the 
suspension agreement, the Secretary will take appropriate action as 
described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(5) of this section.
    (4) If the Secretary determines that a suspension agreement no 
longer meets the requirements of section 704(d)(1) or section 734(d) of 
the Act, the Secretary will:
    (i) Take appropriate action as described in paragraphs (b)(1) 
through (b)(5) of this section; except that, under paragraph (b)(1)(ii) 
of this section, the Secretary will order the suspension of liquidation 
of all entries of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the later of:
    (A) 90 days before the date of publication of the notice of 
suspension of liquidation; or
    (B) The date of first entry, or withdrawal from warehouse, for 
consumption of the merchandise the sale or export of which does not meet 
the requirements of section 704(d)(1) of the Act;
    (ii) Continue the suspension of investigation by accepting a revised 
suspension agreement under section 704(b) or section 734(b) of the Act 
(whether or not the Secretary accepted the original agreement under such 
section) that, at the time the Secretary accepts the revised agreement, 
meets the applicable requirements of section 704(d)(1) or section 734(d) 
of the Act, and publish in the Federal Register notice of ``Revision of 
Agreement Suspending Antidumping (Countervailing Duty) Investigation''; 
or
    (iii) Continue the suspension of investigation by accepting a 
revised suspension agreement under section 704(c), section 734(c), or 
section 734(l) of the Act (whether or not the Secretary accepted the 
original agreement under such section) that, at the time the Secretary 
accepts the revised agreement, meets the applicable requirements of 
section 704(d)(1) or section 734(d) of the Act, and publish in the 
Federal Register notice of ``Revision of Agreement Suspending 
Antidumping (Countervailing Duty) Investigation.'' If the Secretary 
continues to suspend an investigation based on a revised agreement 
accepted under section 704(c), section 734(c), or section 734(l) of the 
Act, the Secretary will order suspension of liquidation to begin. The 
suspension will not end until the Commission completes any requested 
review of

[[Page 251]]

the revised agreement under section 704(h) or section 734(h) of the Act. 
If the Commission receives no request for review within 20 days after 
the date of publication of the notice of the revision, the Secretary 
will order the suspension of liquidation ended on the 21st day after the 
date of publication, and will instruct the Customs Service to release 
any cash deposit or bond. If the Commission undertakes a review under 
section 704(h) or section 734(h) of the Act, the provisions of sections 
704(h)(2) and (3) and sections 734(h)(2) and (3) of the Act will apply.
    (5) If the Secretary decides neither to consider the suspension 
agreement violated nor to revise the agreement, the Secretary will 
publish in the Federal Register notice of the Secretary's decision under 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, including a statement of the factual 
and legal conclusions on which the decision is based.
    (d) Additional signatories. If the Secretary decides that a 
suspension agreement no longer will completely eliminate the injurious 
effect of exports to the United States of subject merchandise under 
section 704(c)(1) or section 734(c)(1) of the Act, or that the signatory 
exporters no longer account for substantially all of the subject 
merchandise, the Secretary may revise the agreement to include 
additional signatory exporters.
    (e) Definition of ``violation.'' Under this section, ``violation'' 
means noncompliance with the terms of a suspension agreement caused by 
an act or omission of a signatory, except, at the discretion of the 
Secretary, an act or omission which is inadvertent or inconsequential.



Sec.  351.210  Final determination.

    (a) Introduction. A ``final determination'' in an antidumping or 
countervailing duty investigation constitutes a final decision by the 
Secretary as to whether dumping or countervailable subsidization is 
occurring. If the Secretary's final determination is affirmative, in 
most instances the Commission will issue a final injury determination 
(except in certain countervailing duty investigations). Also, if the 
Secretary's preliminary determination was negative but the final 
determination is affirmative, the Secretary will impose provisional 
measures. If the Secretary's final determination is negative, the 
proceeding, including the injury investigation conducted by the 
Commission, terminates. This section contains rules regarding deadlines 
for, and postponement of, final determinations, contents of final 
determinations, and the effects of final determinations.
    (b) Deadline for final determination. The deadline for a final 
determination under section 705(a)(1) or section 735(a)(1) of the Act 
will be:
    (1) Normally, not later than 75 days after the date of the 
Secretary's preliminary determination (see section 705(a)(1) or section 
735(a)(1) of the Act);
    (2) In an antidumping investigation, not later than 135 days after 
the date of publication of the preliminary determination if the 
Secretary postpones the final determination at the request of:
    (i) The petitioner, if the preliminary determination was negative 
(see section 735(a)(2)(B) of the Act); or
    (ii) Exporters or producers who account for a significant proportion 
of exports of the subject merchandise, if the preliminary determination 
was affirmative (see section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act);
    (3) In a countervailing duty investigation, not later than 165 days 
after the preliminary determination, if, after the preliminary 
determination, the Secretary decides to investigate an upstream subsidy 
allegation and concludes that additional time is needed to investigate 
the allegation (see section 703(g)(2) of the Act); or
    (4) In a countervailing duty investigation, the same date as the 
date of the final antidumping determination, if:
    (i) In a situation where the Secretary simultaneously initiated 
antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on the subject 
merchandise (from the same or other countries), the petitioner requests 
that the final countervailing duty determination be postponed to the 
date of the final antidumping determination; and
    (ii) If the final countervailing duty determination is not due on a 
later date because of postponement due to an allegation of upstream 
subsidies

[[Page 252]]

under section 703(g) of the Act (see section 705(a)(1) of the Act).
    (c) Contents of final determination and publication of notice. The 
final determination will include, if appropriate, a final finding on 
critical circumstances under section 705(a)(2) or section 735(a)(3) of 
the Act (whichever is applicable). The Secretary will publish in the 
Federal Register notice of ``Affirmative (Negative) Final Antidumping 
(Countervailing Duty) Determination,'' including the rates, if any.
    (d) Effect of affirmative final determination. If the final 
determination is affirmative, the Secretary will take the actions 
described in section 705(c)(1) or section 735(c)(1) of the Act 
(whichever is applicable). In addition, in the case of a countervailing 
duty investigation involving subject merchandise from a country that is 
not a Subsidies Agreement country, the Secretary will instruct the 
Customs Service to require a cash deposit, as provided in section 
706(a)(3) of the Act, for each entry of the subject merchandise entered, 
or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of 
publication of the order under section 706(a) of the Act.
    (e) Request for postponement of final antidumping determination--(1) 
In general. A request to postpone a final antidumping determination 
under section 735(a)(2) of the Act (see paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section) must be submitted in writing within the scheduled date of the 
final determination. The Secretary may grant the request, unless the 
Secretary finds compelling reasons to deny the request.
    (2) Requests by exporters. In the case of a request submitted under 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section by exporters who account for a 
significant proportion of exports of subject merchandise (see section 
735(a)(2)(A) of the Act), the Secretary will not grant the request 
unless those exporters also submit a request described in the last 
sentence of section 733(d) of the Act (extension of provisional measures 
from a 4-month period to not more than 6 months).
    (f) Deferral of decision concerning upstream subsidization to 
review. Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(3) of this section, if the 
petitioner so requests in writing and the preliminary countervailing 
duty determination was affirmative, the Secretary, instead of postponing 
the final determination, may defer a decision concerning upstream 
subsidization until the conclusion of the first administrative review of 
a countervailing duty order, if any (see section 703(g)(2)(B)(i) of the 
Act).
    (g) Notification of postponement. If the Secretary postpones a final 
determination under paragraph (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b)(4) of this section, 
the Secretary will notify promptly all parties to the proceeding of the 
postponement, and will publish in the Federal Register notice of 
``Postponement of Final Antidumping (Countervailing Duty) 
Determination,'' stating the reasons for the postponement.
    (h) Termination of suspension of liquidation in a countervailing 
duty investigation. If the Secretary postpones a final countervailing 
duty determination, the Secretary will end any suspension of liquidation 
ordered in the preliminary determination not later than 120 days after 
the date of publication of the preliminary determination, and will not 
resume it unless and until the Secretary publishes a countervailing duty 
order.
    (i) Postponement of final countervailing duty determination for 
simultaneous investigations. A request by the petitioner to postpone a 
final countervailing duty determination to the date of the final 
antidumping determination must be submitted in writing within five days 
of the date of publication of the preliminary countervailing duty 
determination (see section 705(a)(1) and paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section).
    (j) Commission access to information. If the final determination is 
affirmative, the Secretary will make available to the Commission and to 
employees of the Commission directly involved in the proceeding the 
information upon which the Secretary based the final determination and 
that the Commission may consider relevant to its injury determination 
(see section 705(c)(1)(A) or section 735(c)(1)(A) of the Act).
    (k) Effect of negative final determination. An investigation 
terminates upon publication in the Federal Register of the Secretary's 
or the Commission's negative final determination, and the

[[Page 253]]

Secretary will take the relevant actions described in section 705(c)(2) 
or section 735(c)(2) of the Act (whichever is applicable).



Sec.  351.211  Antidumping order and countervailing duty order.

    (a) Introduction. The Secretary issues an order when both the 
Secretary and the Commission (except in certain countervailing duty 
investigations) have made final affirmative determinations. The issuance 
of an order ends the investigative phase of a proceeding. Generally, 
upon the issuance of an order, importers no longer may post bonds as 
security for antidumping or countervailing duties, but instead must make 
a cash deposit of estimated duties. An order remains in effect until it 
is revoked. This section contains rules regarding the issuance of orders 
in general, as well as special rules for orders where the Commission has 
found a regional industry to exist.
    (b) In general. Not later than seven days after receipt of notice of 
an affirmative final injury determination by the Commission under 
section 705(b) or section 735(b) of the Act, or, in a countervailing 
duty proceeding involving subject merchandise from a country not 
entitled to an injury test (see Sec.  351.101(b)), simultaneously with 
publication of an affirmative final countervailing duty determination by 
the Secretary, the Secretary will publish in the Federal Register an 
``Antidumping Order'' or ``Countervailing Duty Order'' that:
    (1) Instructs the Customs Service to assess antidumping duties or 
countervailing duties (whichever is applicable) on the subject 
merchandise, in accordance with the Secretary's instructions at the 
completion of each review requested under Sec.  351.213(b) 
(administrative review), Sec.  351.214(b) (new shipper review), or Sec.  
351.215(b) (expedited antidumping review), or if a review is not 
requested, in accordance with the Secretary's assessment instructions 
under Sec.  351.212(c);
    (2) Instructs the Customs Service to require a cash deposit of 
estimated antidumping or countervailing duties at the rates included in 
the Secretary's final determination; and
    (3) Orders the suspension of liquidation ended for all entries of 
the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption before the date of publication of the Commission's final 
determination, and instructs the Customs Service to release the cash 
deposit or bond on those entries, if in its final determination, the 
Commission found a threat of material injury or material retardation of 
the establishment of an industry, unless the Commission in its final 
determination also found that, absent the suspension of liquidation 
ordered under section 703(d)(2) or section 733(d)(2) of the Act, it 
would have found material injury (see section 706(b) or section 736(b) 
of the Act).



Sec.  351.212  Assessment of antidumping and countervailing duties;
provisional measures deposit cap; interest on certain overpayments 
and underpayments.

    (a) Introduction. Unlike the systems of some other countries, the 
United States uses a ``retrospective'' assessment system under which 
final liability for antidumping and countervailing duties is determined 
after merchandise is imported. Generally, the amount of duties to be 
assessed is determined in a review of the order covering a discrete 
period of time. If a review is not requested, duties are assessed at the 
rate established in the completed review covering the most recent prior 
period or, if no review has been completed, the cash deposit rate 
applicable at the time merchandise was entered. This section contains 
rules regarding the assessment of duties, the provisional measures 
deposit cap, and interest on over- or undercollections of estimated 
duties.
    (b) Assessment of antidumping and countervailing duties as the 
result of a review--(1) Antidumping duties. If the Secretary has 
conducted a review of an antidumping order under Sec.  351.213 
(administrative review), Sec.  351.214 (new shipper review), or Sec.  
351.215 (expedited antidumping review), the Secretary normally will 
calculate an assessment rate for each importer of subject merchandise 
covered by the review. The Secretary normally will calculate the

[[Page 254]]

assessment rate by dividing the dumping margin found on the subject 
merchandise examined by the entered value of such merchandise for normal 
customs duty purposes. The Secretary then will instruct the Customs 
Service to assess antidumping duties by applying the assessment rate to 
the entered value of the merchandise.
    (2) Countervailing duties. If the Secretary has conducted a review 
of a countervailing duty order under Sec.  351.213 (administrative 
review) or Sec.  351.214 (new shipper review), the Secretary normally 
will instruct the Customs Service to assess countervailing duties by 
applying the rates included in the final results of the review to the 
entered value of the merchandise.
    (c) Automatic assessment of antidumping and countervailing duties if 
no review is requested. (1) If the Secretary does not receive a timely 
request for an administrative review of an order (see paragraph (b)(1), 
(b)(2), or (b)(3) of Sec.  351.213), the Secretary, without additional 
notice, will instruct the Customs Service to:
    (i) Assess antidumping duties or countervailing duties, as the case 
may be, on the subject merchandise described in Sec.  351.213(e) at 
rates equal to the cash deposit of, or bond for, estimated antidumping 
duties or countervailing duties required on that merchandise at the time 
of entry, or withdrawal from warehouse, for consumption; and
    (ii) To continue to collect the cash deposits previously ordered.
    (2) If the Secretary receives a timely request for an administrative 
review of an order (see paragraph (b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(3) of Sec.  
351.213), the Secretary will instruct the Customs Service to assess 
antidumping duties or countervailing duties, and to continue to collect 
cash deposits, on the merchandise not covered by the request in 
accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (3) The automatic assessment provisions of paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) of this section will not apply to subject merchandise that is the 
subject of a new shipper review (see Sec.  351.214) or an expedited 
antidumping review (see Sec.  351.215).
    (d) Provisional measures deposit cap. This paragraph applies to 
subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption before the date of publication of the Commission's notice of 
an affirmative final injury determination or, in a countervailing duty 
proceeding that involves merchandise from a country that is not entitled 
to an injury test, the date of the Secretary's notice of an affirmative 
final countervailing duty determination. If the amount of duties that 
would be assessed by applying the rates included in the Secretary's 
affirmative preliminary or affirmative final antidumping or 
countervailing duty determination (``provisional duties'') is different 
from the amount of duties that would be assessed by applying the 
assessment rate under paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section 
(``final duties''), the Secretary will instruct the Customs Service to 
disregard the difference to the extent that the provisional duties are 
less than the final duties, and to assess antidumping or countervailing 
duties at the assessment rate if the provisional duties exceed the final 
duties.
    (e) Interest on certain overpayments and underpayments. Under 
section 778 of the Act, the Secretary will instruct the Customs Service 
to calculate interest for each entry on or after the publication of the 
order from the date that a cash deposit is required to be deposited for 
the entry through the date of liquidation of the entry.
    (f) Special rule for regional industry cases--(1) In general. If the 
Commission, in its final injury determination, found a regional industry 
under section 771(4)(C) of the Act, the Secretary may direct that duties 
not be assessed on subject merchandise of a particular exporter or 
producer if the Secretary determines that:
    (i) The exporter or producer did not export subject merchandise for 
sale in the region concerned during or after the Department's period of 
investigation;
    (ii) The exporter or producer has certified that it will not export 
subject merchandise for sale in the region concerned in the future so 
long as the antidumping or countervailing duty order is in effect; and
    (iii) No subject merchandise of the exporter or producer was entered 
into

[[Page 255]]

the United States outside of the region and then sold into the region 
during or after the Department's period of investigation.
    (2) Procedures for obtaining an exception from the assessment of 
duties--(i) Request for exception. An exporter or producer seeking an 
exception from the assessment of duties under paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section must request, subject to the provisions of Sec.  351.213 or 
Sec.  351.214, an administrative review or a new shipper review to 
determine whether subject merchandise of the exporter or producer in 
question should be excepted from the assessment of duties under 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section. The exporter or producer making the 
request may request that the review be limited to a determination as to 
whether the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this section are 
satisfied. The request for a review must be accompanied by:
    (A) A certification by the exporter or producer that it did not 
export subject merchandise for sale in the region concerned during or 
after the Department's period of investigation, and that it will not do 
so in the future so long as the antidumping or countervailing duty order 
is in effect; and
    (B) A certification from each of the exporter's or producer's U.S. 
importers of the subject merchandise that no subject merchandise of that 
exporter or producer was entered into the United States outside such 
region and then sold into the region during or after the Department's 
period of investigation.
    (ii) Limited review. If the Secretary initiates an administrative 
review or a new shipper review based on a request for review that 
includes a request for an exception from the assessment of duties under 
paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section, the Secretary, if requested, may 
limit the review to a determination as to whether an exception from the 
assessment of duties should be granted under paragraph (f)(1) of this 
section.
    (3) Exception granted. If, in the final results of the 
administrative review or the new shipper review, the Secretary 
determines that the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this section are 
satisfied, the Secretary will instruct the Customs Service to liquidate, 
without regard to antidumping or countervailing duties (whichever is 
appropriate), entries of subject merchandise of the exporter or producer 
concerned.
    (4) Exception not granted. If, in the final results of the 
administrative review or the new shipper review, the Secretary 
determines that the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) are not satisfied, 
the Secretary:
    (i) Will issue assessment instructions to the Customs Service in 
accordance with paragraph (b) of this section; or
    (ii) If the review was limited to a determination as to whether an 
exception from the assessment of duties should be granted, the Secretary 
will instruct the Customs Service to assess duties in accordance with 
paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this section, whichever is appropriate 
(automatic assessment if no review is requested).



Sec.  351.213  Administrative review of orders and suspension agreements
under section 751(a)(1) of the Act.

    (a) Introduction. As noted in Sec.  351.212(a), the United States 
has a ``retrospective'' assessment system under which final liability 
for antidumping and countervailing duties is determined after 
merchandise is imported. Although duty liability may be determined in 
the context of other types of reviews, the most frequently used 
procedure for determining final duty liability is the administrative 
review procedure under section 751(a)(1) of the Act. This section 
contains rules regarding requests for administrative reviews and the 
conduct of such reviews.
    (b) Request for administrative review. (1) Each year during the 
anniversary month of the publication of an antidumping or countervailing 
duty order, a domestic interested party or an interested party described 
in section 771(9)(B) of the Act (foreign government) may request in 
writing that the Secretary conduct an administrative review under 
section 751(a)(1) of the Act of specified individual exporters or 
producers covered by an order (except for a countervailing duty order in 
which the investigation or prior administrative review was conducted on 
an aggregate basis), if the requesting person states why the person 
desires the

[[Page 256]]

Secretary to review those particular exporters or producers.
    (2) During the same month, an exporter or producer covered by an 
order (except for a countervailing duty order in which the investigation 
or prior administrative review was conducted on an aggregate basis) may 
request in writing that the Secretary conduct an administrative review 
of only that person.
    (3) During the same month, an importer of the merchandise may 
request in writing that the Secretary conduct an administrative review 
of only an exporter or producer (except for a countervailing duty order 
in which the investigation or prior administrative review was conducted 
on an aggregate basis) of the subject merchandise imported by that 
importer.
    (4) Each year during the anniversary month of the publication of a 
suspension of investigation, an interested party may request in writing 
that the Secretary conduct an administrative review of all producers or 
exporters covered by an agreement on which the suspension of 
investigation was based.
    (c) Deferral of administrative review--(1) In general. The Secretary 
may defer the initiation of an administrative review, in whole or in 
part, for one year if:
    (i) The request for administrative review is accompanied by a 
request that the Secretary defer the review, in whole or in part; and
    (ii) None of the following persons objects to the deferral: the 
exporter or producer for which deferral is requested, an importer of 
subject merchandise of that exporter or producer, a domestic interested 
party and, in a countervailing duty proceeding, the foreign government.
    (2) Timeliness of objection to deferral. An objection to a deferral 
of the initiation of administrative review under paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of 
this section must be submitted within 15 days after the end of the 
anniversary month in which the administrative review is requested.
    (3) Procedures and deadlines. If the Secretary defers the initiation 
of an administrative review, the Secretary will publish notice of the 
deferral in the Federal Register. The Secretary will initiate the 
administrative review in the month immediately following the next 
anniversary month, and the deadline for issuing preliminary results of 
review (see paragraph (h)(1) of this section) and submitting factual 
information (see Sec.  351.302(b)(2)) will run from the last day of the 
next anniversary month.
    (d) Rescission of administrative review--(1) Withdrawal of request 
for review. The Secretary will rescind an administrative review under 
this section, in whole or in part, if a party that requested a review 
withdraws the request within 90 days of the date of publication of 
notice of initiation of the requested review. The Secretary may extend 
this time limit if the Secretary decides that it is reasonable to do so.
    (2) Self-initiated review. The Secretary may rescind an 
administrative review that was self-initiated by the Secretary.
    (3) No shipments. The Secretary may rescind an administrative 
review, in whole or only with respect to a particular exporter or 
producer, if the Secretary concludes that, during the period covered by 
the review, there were no entries, exports, or sales of the subject 
merchandise, as the case may be.
    (4) Notice of rescission. If the Secretary rescinds an 
administrative review (in whole or in part), the Secretary will publish 
in the Federal Register notice of ``Rescission of Antidumping 
(Countervailing Duty) Administrative Review'' or, if appropriate, 
``Partial Rescission of Antidumping (Countervailing Duty) Administrative 
Review.''
    (e) Period of review--(1) Antidumping proceedings. (i) Except as 
provided in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, an administrative 
review under this section normally will cover, as appropriate, entries, 
exports, or sales of the subject merchandise during the 12 months 
immediately preceding the most recent anniversary month.
    (ii) For requests received during the first anniversary month after 
publication of an order or suspension of investigation, an 
administrative review under this section will cover, as appropriate, 
entries, exports, or sales during the period from the date of suspension 
of liquidation under this part or suspension of investigation to the end 
of

[[Page 257]]

the month immediately preceding the first anniversary month.
    (2) Countervailing duty proceedings. (i) Except as provided in 
paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section, an administrative review under 
this section normally will cover entries or exports of the subject 
merchandise during the most recently completed calendar year. If the 
review is conducted on an aggregate basis, the Secretary normally will 
cover entries or exports of the subject merchandise during the most 
recently completed fiscal year for the government in question.
    (ii) For requests received during the first anniversary month after 
publication of an order or suspension of investigation, an 
administrative review under this section will cover entries or exports, 
as appropriate, during the period from the date of suspension of 
liquidation under this part or suspension of investigation to the end of 
the most recently completed calendar or fiscal year as described in 
paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section.
    (f) Voluntary respondents. In an administrative review, the 
Secretary will examine voluntary respondents in accordance with section 
782(a) of the Act and Sec.  351.204(d).
    (g) Procedures. The Secretary will conduct an administrative review 
under this section in accordance with Sec.  351.221.
    (h) Time limits--(1) In general. The Secretary will issue 
preliminary results of review (see Sec.  351.221(b)(4)) within 245 days 
after the last day of the anniversary month of the order or suspension 
agreement for which the administrative review was requested, and final 
results of review (see Sec.  351.221(b)(5)) within 120 days after the 
date on which notice of the preliminary results was published in the 
Federal Register.
    (2) Exception. If the Secretary determines that it is not 
practicable to complete the review within the time specified in 
paragraph (h)(1) of this section, the Secretary may extend the 245-day 
period to 365 days and may extend the 120-day period to 180 days. If the 
Secretary does not extend the time for issuing preliminary results, the 
Secretary may extend the time for issuing final results from 120 days to 
300 days.
    (i) Possible cancellation or revision of suspension agreement. If 
during an administrative review the Secretary determines or has reason 
to believe that a signatory has violated a suspension agreement or that 
the agreement no longer meets the requirements of section 704 or section 
734 of the Act (whichever is applicable), the Secretary will take 
appropriate action under section 704(i) or section 734(i) of the Act and 
Sec.  351.209. The Secretary may suspend the time limit in paragraph (h) 
of this section while taking action under Sec.  351.209.
    (j) Absorption of antidumping duties. (1) During any administrative 
review covering all or part of a period falling between the first and 
second or third and fourth anniversary of the publication of an 
antidumping order under Sec.  351.211, or a determination under Sec.  
351.218(d) (sunset review), the Secretary, if requested by a domestic 
interested party within 30 days of the date of publication of the notice 
of initiation of the review, will determine whether antidumping duties 
have been absorbed by an exporter or producer subject to the review if 
the subject merchandise is sold in the United States through an importer 
that is affiliated with such exporter or producer. The request must 
include the name(s) of the exporter or producer for which the inquiry is 
requested.
    (2) For transition orders defined in section 751(c)(6) of the Act, 
the Secretary will apply paragraph (j)(1) of this section to any 
administrative review initiated in 1996 or 1998.
    (3) In determining under paragraph (j)(1) of this section whether 
antidumping duties have been absorbed, the Secretary will examine the 
antidumping duties calculated in the administrative review in which the 
absorption inquiry is requested.
    (4) The Secretary will notify the Commission of the Secretary's 
determination if:
    (i) In the case of an administrative review other than one to which 
paragraph (j)(2) of this section applies, the administrative review 
covers all or part of a time period falling between the third and fourth 
anniversary month of an order; or

[[Page 258]]

    (ii) In the case of an administrative review to which paragraph 
(j)(2) of this section applies, the Secretary initiated the 
administrative review in 1998.
    (k) Administrative reviews of countervailing duty orders conducted 
on an aggregate basis--(1) Request for zero rate. Where the Secretary 
conducts an administrative review of a countervailing duty on an 
aggregate basis under section 777A(e)(2)(B) of the Act, the Secretary 
will consider and review requests for individual assessment and cash 
deposit rates of zero to the extent practicable. An exporter or producer 
that desires a zero rate must submit:
    (i) A certification by the exporter or producer that it received 
zero or de minimis net countervailable subsidies during the period of 
review;
    (ii) If the exporter or producer received a countervailable subsidy, 
calculations demonstrating that the amount of net countervailable 
subsidies received was de minimis during the period of review;
    (iii) If the exporter is not the producer of the subject 
merchandise, certifications from the suppliers and producers of the 
subject merchandise that those persons received zero or de minimis net 
countervailable subsidies during the period of the review; and
    (iv) A certification from the government of the affected country 
that the government did not provide the exporter (or the exporter's 
supplier) or producer with more than de minimis net countervailable 
subsidies during the period of review.
    (2) Application of country-wide subsidy rate. With the exception of 
assessment and cash deposit rates of zero determined under paragraph 
(k)(1) of this section, if, in the final results of an administrative 
review under this section of a countervailing duty order, the Secretary 
calculates a single country-wide subsidy rate under section 
777A(e)(2)(B) of the Act, that rate will supersede, for cash deposit 
purposes, all rates previously determined in the countervailing duty 
proceeding in question.
    (l) Exception from assessment in regional industry cases. For 
procedures relating to a request for the exception from the assessment 
of antidumping or countervailing duties in a regional industry case, see 
Sec.  351.212(f).



Sec.  351.214  New shipper reviews under section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Act.

    (a) Introduction. Section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Act provides a 
procedure by which so-called ``new shippers'' can obtain their own 
individual dumping margin or countervailable subsidy rate on an 
expedited basis. In general, a new shipper is an exporter or producer 
that did not export, and is not affiliated with an exporter or producer 
that did export, to the United States during the period of 
investigation. Furthermore, section 751(a)(2)(B)(iv) requires that the 
Secretary make a determination of whether the sales under review are 
bona fide. This section contains rules regarding requests for new 
shipper reviews and procedures for conducting such reviews, as well as 
requirements for determining whether sales are bona fide under section 
751(a)(2)(B)(iv) of the Act. In addition, this section contains rules 
regarding requests for expedited reviews by non-investigated exporters 
in certain countervailing duty proceedings and procedures for conducting 
such reviews.
    (b) Request for new shipper review--(1) Requirement of sale or 
export. Subject to the requirements of section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Act 
and this section, an exporter or producer may request a new shipper 
review if it has exported, or sold for export, subject merchandise to 
the United States and can demonstrate the existence of a bona fide sale.
    (2) Contents of request. A request for a new shipper review must 
contain the following:
    (i) If the person requesting the review is both the exporter and 
producer of the merchandise, a certification that the person requesting 
the review did not export subject merchandise to the United States (or, 
in the case of a regional industry, did not export the subject 
merchandise for sale in the region concerned) during the period of 
investigation;
    (ii) If the person requesting the review is the exporter, but not 
the producer, of the subject merchandise:
    (A) The certification described in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this 
section; and
    (B) A certification from the person that produced or supplied the 
subject merchandise to the person requesting

[[Page 259]]

the review that that producer or supplier did not export the subject 
merchandise to the United States (or, in the case of a regional 
industry, did not export the subject merchandise for sale in the region 
concerned) during the period of investigation;
    (iii)(A) A certification that, since the investigation was 
initiated, such exporter or producer has never been affiliated with any 
exporter or producer who exported the subject merchandise to the United 
States (or in the case of a regional industry, who exported the subject 
merchandise for sale in the region concerned) during the period of 
investigation, including those not individually examined during the 
investigation; and
    (B) In an antidumping proceeding involving imports from a nonmarket 
economy country, a certification that the export activities of such 
exporter or producer are not controlled by the central government;
    (iv) Certain information regarding the unaffiliated customer:
    (A) A certification from the exporter or producer that it will 
provide, to the fullest extent possible, necessary information related 
to the unaffiliated customer in the United States during the new shipper 
review; and
    (B) A certification by the unaffiliated customer of its willingness 
to participate in the new shipper review and provide information 
relevant to the new shipper review, if such information is requested by 
the Secretary, or an explanation by the producer/exporter of why such 
certification from the unaffiliated customer cannot be provided.
    (v) Documentation establishing:
    (A) The date on which subject merchandise of the exporter or 
producer making the request was first entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption, or, if the exporter or producer cannot 
establish the date of first entry, the date on which the exporter or 
producer first shipped the subject merchandise for export to the United 
States;
    (B) The volume of that shipment and any subsequent shipments, 
including whether such shipments were made in commercial quantities;
    (C) The date of the first sale, and any subsequent sales, to an 
unaffiliated customer in the United States;
    (D) The circumstances surrounding such sale(s), including but not 
limited to:
    (1) The price of such sales;
    (2) Any expenses arising from such sales;
    (3) Whether the subject merchandise involved in such sales was 
resold in the United States at a profit;
    (4) Whether such sales were made on an arms-length basis; and
    (E) Additional documentation regarding the business activities of 
the producer or exporter, including but not limited to:
    (1) The producer or exporter's offers to sell merchandise in the 
United States;
    (2) An identification of the complete circumstance surrounding the 
producer or exporter's sales to the United States, as well as any home 
market or third country sales;
    (3) In the case of a non-producing exporter, an explanation of the 
exporter's relationship with its producer/supplier; and
    (4) An identification of the producer's or exporter's relationship 
to the first unaffiliated U.S. purchaser;
    (vi) In the case of a review of a countervailing duty order, a 
certification that the exporter or producer has informed the government 
of the exporting country that the government will be required to provide 
a full response to the Department's questionnaire.
    (c) Deadline for requesting review. An exporter or producer may 
request a new shipper review within one year of the date referred to in 
paragraph (b)(2)(v)(A) of this section.
    (d) Initiation of new shipper review--(1) In general. If the 
requirements for a request for new shipper review under paragraph (b) of 
this section are satisfied, the Secretary will initiate a new shipper 
review under this section in the calendar month immediately following 
the anniversary month or the semiannual anniversary month if the request 
for the review is made during the 6-month period ending with the end of 
the anniversary month or the semiannual anniversary month (whichever is 
applicable).

[[Page 260]]

    (2) Semiannual anniversary month. The semiannual anniversary month 
is the calendar month that is 6 months after the anniversary month.
    (3) Example. An order is published in January. The anniversary month 
would be January, and the semiannual anniversary month would be July. If 
the Secretary received a request for a new shipper review at any time 
during the period February-July, the Secretary would initiate a new 
shipper review in August. If the Secretary received a request for a new 
shipper review at any time during the period August-January, the 
Secretary would initiate a new shipper review in February.
    (4) Exception. If the Secretary determines that the requirements for 
a request for new shipper review under paragraph (b) of this section 
have not been satisfied, the Secretary will reject the request and 
provide a written explanation of the reasons for the rejection.
    (e) Suspension of liquidation. When the Secretary initiates a new 
shipper review under this section, the Secretary will direct the Customs 
Service to suspend or continue to suspend liquidation of any 
unliquidated entries of the subject merchandise from the relevant 
exporter or producer at the applicable cash deposit rate.
    (f) Rescission of new shipper review--(1) Withdrawal of request for 
review. The Secretary may rescind a new shipper review under this 
section, in whole or in part, if a producer or exporter that requested a 
review withdraws its request not later than 60 days after the date of 
publication of notice of initiation of the requested review.
    (2) Absence of entry and sale to an unaffiliated customer. The 
Secretary may rescind a new shipper review, in whole or in part, if the 
Secretary concludes that:
    (i) As of the end of the normal period of review referred to in 
paragraph (g) of this section, there has not been an entry and sale to 
an unaffiliated customer in the United States of subject merchandise; 
and
    (ii) An expansion of the normal period of review to include an entry 
and sale to an unaffiliated customer in the United States of subject 
merchandise would be likely to prevent the completion of the review 
within the time limits set forth in paragraph (i) of this section;
    (3) Absence of bona fide sale to an unaffiliated customer. The 
Secretary may rescind a new shipper review, in whole or in part, if the 
Secretary concludes that:
    (i) Information that the Secretary considers necessary to conduct a 
bona fide sale analysis is not on the record; or
    (ii) The producer or exporter seeking a new shipper review has 
failed to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary the existence 
of a bona fide sale to an unaffiliated customer.
    (4) Notice of rescission. If the Secretary rescinds a new shipper 
review (in whole or in part), the Secretary will publish in the Federal 
Register notice of ``Rescission of Antidumping (Countervailing Duty) New 
Shipper Review'' or, if appropriate, ``Partial Rescission of Antidumping 
(Countervailing Duty) New Shipper Review.''
    (g) Period of review--(1) Antidumping proceeding--(i) In general. 
Except as provided in paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section, in an 
antidumping proceeding, a new shipper review under this section normally 
will cover, as appropriate, entries, exports, or sales during the 
following time periods:
    (A) If the new shipper review was initiated in the month immediately 
following the anniversary month, the twelve-month period immediately 
preceding the anniversary month; or
    (B) If the new shipper review was initiated in the month immediately 
following the semiannual anniversary month, the period of review will be 
the six-month period immediately preceding the semiannual anniversary 
month.
    (ii) Exceptions. (A) If the Secretary initiates a new shipper review 
under this section in the month immediately following the first 
anniversary month, the review normally will cover, as appropriate, 
entries, exports, or sales during the period from the date of suspension 
of liquidation under this part to the end of the month immediately 
preceding the first anniversary month.
    (B) If the Secretary initiates a new shipper review under this 
section in the month immediately following the first

[[Page 261]]

semiannual anniversary month, the review normally will cover, as 
appropriate, entries, exports, or sales during the period from the date 
of suspension of liquidation under this part to the end of the month 
immediately preceding the first semiannual anniversary month.
    (2) Countervailing duty proceeding. In a countervailing duty 
proceeding, the period of review for a new shipper review under this 
section will be the same period as that specified in Sec.  351.213(e)(2) 
for an administrative review.
    (h) Procedures. The Secretary will conduct a new shipper review 
under this section in accordance with Sec.  351.221.
    (i) Time limits--(1) In general. Unless the time limit is waived 
under paragraph (j)(3) of this section, the Secretary will issue 
preliminary results of review (see Sec.  351.221(b)(4)) within 180 days 
after the date on which the new shipper review was initiated, and final 
results of review (see Sec.  351.221(b)(5)) within 90 days after the 
date on which the preliminary results were issued.
    (2) Exception. If the Secretary concludes that a new shipper review 
is extraordinarily complicated, the Secretary may extend the 180-day 
period to 300 days, and may extend the 90-day period to 150 days.
    (j) Multiple reviews. Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
subpart, if a review (or a request for a review) under Sec.  351.213 
(administrative review), Sec.  351.214 (new shipper review), Sec.  
351.215 (expedited antidumping review), or Sec.  351.216 (changed 
circumstances review) covers merchandise of an exporter or producer 
subject to a review (or to a request for a review) under this section, 
the Secretary may, after consulting with the exporter or producer:
    (1) Rescind, in whole or in part, a review in progress under this 
subpart;
    (2) Decline to initiate, in whole or in part, a review under this 
subpart; or
    (3) Where the requesting producer or exporter agrees in writing to 
waive the time limits of paragraph (i) of this section, conduct 
concurrent reviews, in which case all other provisions of this section 
will continue to apply with respect to the exporter or producer.
    (k) Determinations based on bona fide sales. In determining whether 
the U.S. sales of an exporter or producer made during the period covered 
by the review are bona fide, the Secretary shall consider the factors 
identified at section 751(a)(2)(B)(iv) of the Act. In accordance with 
section 751(a)(2)(B)(iv)(VII) of the Act, the Secretary shall consider 
the following factors:
    (1) Whether the producer, exporter, or customer was established for 
purposes of the sale(s) in question after the imposition of the relevant 
antidumping or countervailing duty order;
    (2) Whether the producer, exporter, or customer has lines of 
business unrelated to the subject merchandise;
    (3) The quantity of sales; and
    (4) Any other factor that the Secretary determines to be relevant 
with respect to the future selling behavior of the producer or exporter, 
including any other indicia that the sale was not commercially viable.
    (l) Expedited reviews in countervailing duty proceedings for 
noninvestigated exporters--(1) Request for review. If, in a 
countervailing duty investigation, the Secretary limited the number of 
exporters or producers to be individually examined under section 
777A(e)(2)(A) of the Act, an exporter that the Secretary did not select 
for individual examination or that the Secretary did not accept as a 
voluntary respondent (see Sec.  351.204(d)) may request a review under 
this paragraph (l). An exporter must submit a request for review within 
30 days of the date of publication in the Federal Register of the 
countervailing duty order. A request must be accompanied by a 
certification that:
    (i) The requester exported the subject merchandise to the United 
States during the period of investigation;
    (ii) The requester is not affiliated with an exporter or producer 
that the Secretary individually examined in the investigation; and
    (iii) The requester has informed the government of the exporting 
country that the government will be required to provide a full response 
to the Department's questionnaire.
    (2) Initiation of review--(i) In general. The Secretary will 
initiate a review in the month following the month in which a request 
for review is due under paragraph (l)(1) of this section.

[[Page 262]]

    (ii) Example. The Secretary publishes a countervailing duty order on 
January 15. An exporter would have to submit a request for a review by 
February 14. The Secretary would initiate a review in March.
    (3) Conduct of review. The Secretary will conduct a review under 
this paragraph (l) in accordance with the provisions of this section 
applicable to new shipper reviews, subject to the following exceptions:
    (i) The period of review will be the period of investigation used by 
the Secretary in the investigation that resulted in the publication of 
the countervailing duty order (see Sec.  351.204(b)(2));
    (ii) The final results of a review under this paragraph (l) will not 
be the basis for the assessment of countervailing duties; and
    (iii) The Secretary may exclude from the countervailing duty order 
in question any exporter for which the Secretary determines an 
individual net countervailable subsidy rate of zero or de minimis (see 
Sec.  351.204(e)(1)), provided that the Secretary has verified the 
information on which the exclusion is based.
    (m) Exception from assessment in regional industry cases. For 
procedures relating to a request for the exception from the assessment 
of antidumping or countervailing duties in a regional industry case, see 
Sec.  351.212(f).

[86 FR 52371, Sept. 20, 2021]



Sec.  351.215  Expedited antidumping review and security in lieu of
estimated duty under section 736(c) of the Act.

    (a) Introduction. Exporters and producers individually examined in 
an investigation normally cannot obtain a review of entries until an 
administrative review is requested. In addition, when an antidumping 
order is published, importers normally must begin to make a cash deposit 
of estimated antidumping duties upon the entry of subject merchandise. 
Section 736(c), however, establishes a special procedure under which 
exporters or producers may request an expedited review, and bonds, 
rather than cash deposits, may continue to be posted for a limited 
period of time if several criteria are satisfied. This section contains 
rules regarding requests for expedited antidumping reviews and the 
procedures applicable to such reviews.
    (b) In general. If the Secretary determines that the criteria of 
section 736(c)(1) of the Act are satisfied, the Secretary:
    (1) May permit, for not more than 90 days after the date of 
publication of an antidumping order, the posting of a bond or other 
security instead of the deposit of estimated antidumping duties required 
under section 736(a)(3) of the Act; and
    (2) Will initiate an expedited antidumping review. Before making 
such a determination, the Secretary will make business proprietary 
information available, and will provide interested parties with an 
opportunity to file written comments, in accordance with section 
736(c)(4) of the Act.
    (c) Procedures. The Secretary will conduct an expedited antidumping 
review under this section in accordance with Sec.  351.221.



Sec.  351.216  Changed circumstances review under section 751(b) of the Act.

    (a) Introduction. Section 751(b) of the Act provides for what is 
known as a ``changed circumstances'' review. This section contains rules 
regarding requests for changed circumstances reviews and procedures for 
conducting such reviews.
    (b) Requests for changed circumstances review. At any time, an 
interested party may request a changed circumstances review, under 
section 751(b) of the Act, of an order or a suspended investigation. 
Within 45 days after the date on which a request is filed, the Secretary 
will determine whether to initiate a changed circumstances review.
    (c) Limitation on changed circumstances review. Unless the Secretary 
finds that good cause exists, the Secretary will not review a final 
determination in an investigation (see section 705(a) or section 735(a) 
of the Act) or a suspended investigation (see section 704 or section 734 
of the Act) less

[[Page 263]]

than 24 months after the date of publication of notice of the final 
determination or the suspension of the investigation.
    (d) Procedures. If the Secretary decides that changed circumstances 
sufficient to warrant a review exist, the Secretary will conduct a 
changed circumstances review in accordance with Sec.  351.221.
    (e) Time limits. The Secretary will issue final results of review 
(see Sec.  351.221(b)(5)) within 270 days after the date on which the 
changed circumstances review is initiated, or within 45 days if all 
parties to the proceeding agree to the outcome of the review.



Sec.  351.217  Reviews to implement results of subsidies enforcement 
proceeding under section 751(g) of the Act.

    (a) Introduction. Section 751(g) provides a mechanism for 
incorporating into an ongoing countervailing duty proceeding the results 
of certain subsidy-related disputes under the WTO Subsidies Agreement. 
Where the United States, in the WTO, has successfully challenged the 
``nonactionable'' (e.g., noncountervailable) status of a foreign 
subsidy, or where the United States has successfully challenged a 
prohibited or actionable subsidy, the Secretary may conduct a review to 
determine the effect, if any, of the successful outcome on an existing 
countervailing duty order or suspended investigation. This section 
contains rules regarding the initiation and conduct of reviews under 
section 751(g).
    (b) Violations of Article 8 of the Subsidies Agreement. If:
    (1) The Secretary receives notice from the Trade Representative of a 
violation of Article 8 of the Subsidies Agreement;
    (2) The Secretary has reason to believe that merchandise subject to 
an existing countervailing duty order or suspended investigation is 
benefiting from the subsidy or subsidy program found to have been in 
violation of Article 8; and
    (3) No administrative review is in progress, the Secretary will 
initiate an Article 8 violation review of the order or suspended 
investigation to determine whether the subject merchandise benefits from 
the subsidy or subsidy program found to have been in violation of 
Article 8 of the Subsidies Agreement.
    (c) Withdrawal of subsidy or imposition of countermeasures. If the 
Trade Representative notifies the Secretary that, under Article 4 or 
Article 7 of the Subsidies Agreement:
    (1)(i)(A) The United States has imposed countermeasures; and
    (B) Such countermeasures are based on the effects in the United 
States of imports of merchandise that is the subject of a countervailing 
duty order; or
    (ii) A WTO member country has withdrawn a countervailable subsidy 
provided with respect to merchandise subject to a countervailing duty 
order, then
    (2) The Secretary will initiate an Article 4/Article 7 review of the 
order to determine if the amount of estimated duty to be deposited 
should be adjusted or the order should be revoked.
    (d) Procedures. The Secretary will conduct an Article 8 violation 
review or an Article 4/Article 7 review under this section in accordance 
with Sec.  351.221.
    (e) Expedited reviews. The Secretary will conduct reviews under this 
section on an expedited basis.



Sec.  351.218  Sunset reviews under section 751(c) of the Act.

    (a) Introduction. The URAA added a new procedure, commonly referred 
to as ``sunset reviews,'' in section 751(c) of the Act. In general, no 
later than once every five years, the Secretary must determine whether 
dumping or countervailable subsidies would be likely to continue or 
resume if an order were revoked or a suspended investigation were 
terminated. The Commission must conduct a similar review to determine 
whether injury would be likely to continue or resume in the absence of 
an order or suspended investigation. If the determinations under section 
751(c) of both the Secretary and the Commission are affirmative, the 
order (or suspended investigation) remains in place. If either 
determination is negative, the order will be revoked (or the suspended 
investigation will be terminated). This

[[Page 264]]

section contains rules regarding the procedures for sunset reviews.
    (b) In general. The Secretary will conduct a sunset review, under 
section 751(c) of the Act, of each antidumping and countervailing duty 
order and suspended investigation, and, under section 752(b) or section 
752(c) (whichever is applicable), will determine whether revocation of 
an antidumping or countervailing duty order or termination of a 
suspended investigation would be likely to lead to continuation or 
recurrence of dumping or a countervailable subsidy.
    (c) Notice of initiation of review; early initiation--(1) Initial 
sunset review. No later than 30 days before the fifth anniversary date 
of an order or suspension of an investigation (see section 751(c)(1) of 
the Act), the Secretary will publish a notice of initiation of a sunset 
review (see section 751(c)(2) of the Act).
    (2) Subsequent sunset reviews. In the case of an order or suspended 
investigation that is continued following a sunset review initiated 
under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, no later than 30 days before the 
fifth anniversary of the date of the last determination by the 
Commission to continue the order or suspended investigation, the 
Secretary will publish a notice of initiation of a sunset review (see 
section 751(c)(2) of the Act).
    (3) Early initiation. The Secretary may publish a notice of 
initiation at an earlier date than the dates described in paragraph (c) 
(1) and (2) of this section if a domestic interested party demonstrates 
to the Secretary's satisfaction that an early initiation would promote 
administrative efficiency. However, if the Secretary determines that the 
domestic interested party that requested early initiation is a related 
party or an importer under section 771(4)(B) of the Act and Sec.  
351.203(e)(4), the Secretary may decline the request for early 
initiation.
    (4) Transition orders. The Secretary will initiate sunset reviews of 
transition orders, as defined in section 751(c)(6)(C) of the Act, in 
accordance with section 751(c)(6) of the Act.
    (d) Participation in sunset review--(1) Domestic interested party 
notification of intent to participate--(i) Filing of notice of intent to 
participate. Where a domestic interested party intends to participate in 
a sunset review, the interested party must, not later than 15 days after 
the date of publication in the Federal Register of the notice of 
initiation, file a notice of intent to participate in a sunset review 
with the Secretary.
    (ii) Contents of notice of intent to participate. Every notice of 
intent to participate in a sunset review must include a statement 
expressing the domestic interested party's intent to participate in the 
sunset review and the following information:
    (A) The name, address, and phone number of the domestic interested 
party (and its members, if applicable) that intends to participate in 
the sunset review and the statutory basis (under section 771(9) of the 
Act) for interested party status;
    (B) A statement indicating whether the domestic producer:
    (1) Is related to a foreign producer or to a foreign exporter under 
section 771(4)(B) of the Act; or
    (2) Is an importer of the subject merchandise or is related to such 
an importer under section 771(4)(B) of the Act;
    (C) The name, address, and phone number of legal counsel or other 
representative, if any;
    (D) The subject merchandise and country subject to the sunset 
review; and
    (E) The citation and date of publication in the Federal Register of 
the notice of initiation.
    (iii) Failure of domestic interested party to file notice of intent 
to participate in the sunset review. (A) A domestic interested party 
that does not file a notice of Intent to participate in the sunset 
review will be considered not willing to participate in the review and 
the Secretary will not accept or consider any unsolicited submissions 
from that party during the course of the review.
    (B) If no domestic interested party files a notice of intent to 
participate in the sunset review, the Secretary will:
    (1) Conclude that no domestic interested party has responded to the 
notice of initiation under section 751(c)(3)(A) of the Act;
    (2) Notify the International Trade Commission in writing as such 
normally not later than 20 days after the

[[Page 265]]

date of publication in the Federal Register of the notice of initiation; 
and
    (3) Not later than 90 days after the date of publication in the 
Federal Register of the Notice of Initiation, issue a final 
determination revoking the order or terminating the suspended 
investigation (see Sec. Sec.  351.221(c)(5)(ii) and 351.222(i)).
    (2) Waiver of response by a respondent interested party to a notice 
of initiation--(i) Filing of statement of waiver. A respondent 
interested party may waive participation in a sunset review before the 
Department under section 751(c)(4) of the Act by filing a statement of 
waiver with the Department, not later than 30 days after the date of 
publication in the Federal Register of the notice of initiation. If a 
respondent interested party waives participation in a sunset review 
before the Department, the Secretary will not accept or consider any 
unsolicited submissions from that party during the course of the review. 
Waiving participation in a sunset review before the Department will not 
affect a party's opportunity to participate in the sunset review 
conducted by the International Trade Commission.
    (ii) Contents of statement of waiver. Every statement of waiver must 
include a statement indicating that the respondent interested party 
waives participation in the sunset review before the Department; a 
statement that the respondent interested party is likely to dump or 
benefit from a countervailable subsidy (as the case may be) if the order 
is revoked or the investigation is terminated; in the case of a foreign 
government in a CVD sunset review, a statement that the government is 
likely to provide a countervailable subsidy if the order is revoked or 
the investigation is terminated; and the following information:
    (A) The name, address, and phone number of the respondent interested 
party waiving participation in the sunset review before the Department;
    (B) The name, address, and phone number of legal counsel or other 
representative, if any;
    (C) The subject merchandise and country subject to the sunset 
review; and
    (D) The citation and date of publication in the Federal Register of 
the notice of initiation.
    (iii) [Reserved]
    (iv) Waiver of participation by a foreign government in a CVD sunset 
review. Where a foreign government waives participation in a CVD sunset 
review under paragraph (d)(2)(i) or (d)(2)(iii) of this section, the 
Secretary will:
    (A) Conclude that respondent interested parties have provided 
inadequate response to the notice of initiation under section 
751(c)(3)(B) of the Act;
    (B) Notify the International Trade Commission and conduct an 
expedited sunset review and issue final results of review in accordance 
with paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(C) of this section; and
    (C) Base the final results of review on the facts available in 
accordance with 351.308(f).
    (3) Substantive response to a notice of initiation--(i) Time limit 
for substantive response to a notice of initiation. A complete 
substantive response to a notice of initiation, filed under this 
section, must be submitted to the Department not later than 30 days 
after the date of publication in the Federal Register of the notice of 
initiation.
    (ii) Required information to be filed by all interested parties in 
substantive response to a notice of initiation. Except as provided in 
paragraph (d)(3)(v)(A) of this section, each interested party that 
intends to participate in a sunset review must file a submission with 
the Department containing the following:
    (A) The name, address, and phone number of the interested party (and 
its members, if applicable) that intends to participate in the sunset 
review and the statutory basis (under section 771(9) of the Act) for 
interested party status;
    (B) The name, address, and phone number of legal counsel or other 
representative, if any;
    (C) The subject merchandise and country subject to the sunset 
review;
    (D) The citation and date of publication in the Federal Register of 
the notice of initiation;
    (E) A statement expressing the interested party's willingness to 
participate in the review by providing information requested by the 
Department, which

[[Page 266]]

must include a summary of that party's historical participation in any 
segment of the proceeding before the Department related to the subject 
merchandise;
    (F) A statement regarding the likely effects of revocation of the 
order or termination of the suspended investigation under review, which 
must include any factual information, argument, and reason to support 
such statement;
    (G) Factual information, argument, and reason concerning the dumping 
margin or countervailing duty rate, as applicable, that is likely to 
prevail if the Secretary revokes the order or terminates the suspended 
investigation, that the Department should select for a particular 
interested party(s);
    (H) A summary of the Department's findings regarding duty 
absorption, if any, including a citation to the Federal Register notice 
in which the Department's findings are set forth; and
    (I) A description of any relevant scope clarification or ruling, 
including a circumvention determination, or changed circumstances 
determination issued by the Department during the proceeding with 
respect to the subject merchandise.
    (iii) Additional required information to be filed by respondent 
interested parties in substantive response to a notice of initiation. 
Except as provided in paragraph (d)(3)(v)(A) of this section, the 
submission from each respondent interested party that intends to 
participate in a sunset review must also contain the following:
    (A) That party's individual weighted average dumping margin or 
countervailing duty rate, as applicable, from the investigation and each 
subsequent completed administrative review, including the final margin 
or rate, as applicable, where such margin or rate was changed as a 
result of a final and conclusive court order;
    (B) For each of the five calendar years (or fiscal years, if more 
appropriate) preceding the year of publication of the notice of 
initiation, that party's volume and value (normally on an FOB basis) of 
exports of subject merchandise to the United States;
    (C) As applicable, for the calendar year (or fiscal year, if more 
appropriate) preceding the year of initiation of the dumping 
investigation, that party's volume and value (normally on an FOB basis) 
of exports of subject merchandise to the United States;
    (D) For each of the five calendar years (or fiscal years, if more 
appropriate) preceding the year of publication of the notice of 
initiation, on a volume basis (or value basis, if more appropriate), 
that party's percentage of the total exports of subject merchandise 
(defined in section 771(25) of the Act) to the United States; and
    (E) For each of the three most recent years, including the year of 
publication of the notice of initiation, that party's volume and value 
(normally on an FOB basis) of exports of subject merchandise to the 
United States during the two fiscal quarters as of the month preceding 
the month in which the notice of initiation was published.
    (iv) Optional information to be filed by interested parties in 
substantive response to a notice of initiation--(A) Showing good cause. 
An interested party may submit information or evidence to show good 
cause for the Secretary to consider other factors under section 
752(b)(2) (CVD) or section 752(c)(2) (AD) of the Act and paragraph 
(e)(2)(ii) of this section. Such information or evidence must be 
submitted in the party's substantive response to the notice of 
initiation under paragraph (d)(3) of this section.
    (B) Other information. A substantive response from an interested 
party under paragraph (d)(3) of this section also may contain any other 
relevant information or argument that the party would like the Secretary 
to consider.
    (v) Required information to be filed by a foreign government in 
substantive response to the notice of initiation in a CVD sunset 
review--(A) In general. The foreign government of a country subject to a 
CVD sunset review (see section 771(9)(B) of the Act) that intends to 
participate in a CVD sunset review must file a submission with the 
Department under paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section containing the 
information required under paragraphs (d)(3)(ii) (A) through (E) of this 
section.
    (B) Additional required information to be filed by a foreign 
government in a CVD

[[Page 267]]

sunset review involving an order where the investigation was conducted 
on an aggregate basis. The submission from the foreign government of a 
country subject to a CVD sunset review, involving an order where the 
investigation was conducted on an aggregate basis, must also contain:
    (1) The information required under paragraphs (d)(3)(ii)(F), 
(d)(3)(ii)(G), and (d)(3)(ii)(I) of this section;
    (2) The countervailing duty rate from the investigation and each 
subsequent completed administrative review, including the final rate 
where such rate was changed as a result of a final and conclusive court 
order; and
    (3) For each of the five calendar years (or fiscal years, if more 
appropriate) preceding the year of publication of the notice of 
initiation, the volume and value (normally on an FOB basis) of exports 
of subject merchandise to the United States.
    (vi) Substantive responses from industrial users and consumers. An 
industrial user of the subject merchandise or a representative consumer 
organization, as described in section 777(h) of the Act, that intends to 
participate in a sunset review must file a submission with the 
Department under paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section containing the 
information required under paragraphs (d)(3)(ii) (A) through (D) of this 
section and may submit other relevant information under paragraphs 
(d)(3)(ii) and (d)(3)(iv) of this section.
    (4) Rebuttal to substantive response to a notice of initiation. Any 
interested party that files a substantive response to a notice of 
initiation under paragraph (d)(3) of this section may file a rebuttal to 
any other party's substantive response to a notice of initiation not 
later than five days after the date the substantive response is filed 
with the Department. Except as provided in Sec.  351.309(e), the 
Secretary normally will not accept or consider any additional 
information from a party after the time for filing rebuttals has 
expired, unless the Secretary requests additional information from 
parties after determining to proceed to a full sunset review under 
paragraph (e)(2) of this section.
    (e) Conduct of sunset review--(1) Adequacy of response to a notice 
of initiation--(i) Adequacy of response from domestic interested 
parties--(A) In general. The Secretary will make its determination of 
adequacy of response on a case-by-case basis; however, the Secretary 
normally will conclude that domestic interested parties have provided 
adequate response to a notice of initiation where it receives a complete 
substantive response under paragraph (d)(3) of this section from at 
least one domestic interested party.
    (B) Disregarding response from a domestic interested party. In 
making its determination concerning the adequacy of response from 
domestic interested parties under paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) of this 
section, the Secretary may disregard a response from a domestic 
producer:
    (1) Related to a foreign producer or to a foreign exporter under 
section 771(4)(B) of the Act; or
    (2) That is an importer of the subject merchandise or is related to 
such an importer under section 771(4)(B) of the Act (see paragraph 
(d)(1)(ii)(B) of this section).
    (C) Inadequate response from domestic interested parts. Where the 
Secretary determines to disregard a response from a domestic interested 
party(s) under paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) or (e)(1)(i)(B) of this section 
and no other domestic interested party has filed a complete substantive 
response to the notice of initiation under paragraph (d)(3) of this 
section, the Secretary will:
    (1) Conclude that no domestic interested party has responded to the 
notice of initiation under section 751(c)(3)(A) of the Act;
    (2) Notify the International Trade Commission in writing as such 
normally not later than 40 days after the date of publication in the 
Federal Register of the Notice of Initiation; and
    (3) Not later than 90 days after the date of publication in the 
Federal Register of the Notice of Initiation, issue a final 
determination revoking the order or terminating the suspended 
investigation (see Sec. Sec.  351.221(c)(5)(ii) and 351.222(i)).
    (ii) Adequacy of response from respondent interested parties--(A) In 
general. The Secretary will makes its determination of adequacy of 
response on a

[[Page 268]]

case-by-case basis; however, the Secretary normally will conclude that 
respondent interested parties have provided adequate response to a 
notice of initiation where it receives complete substantive responses 
under paragraph (d)(3) of this section from respondent interested 
parties accounting on average for more than 50 percent, on a volume 
basis (or value basis, if appropriate), of the total exports of subject 
merchandise to the United States over the five calendar years preceding 
the year of publication of the notice of initiation.
    (B) Failure of a foreign government to file a substantive response 
to a notice of initiation in a CVD sunset review. If a foreign 
government fails to file a complete substantive response to a notice of 
initiation in a CVD sunset review under paragraph (d)(3)(v) of this 
section or waives participation in a CVD sunset review under paragraph 
(d)(2)(i) of this section, the Secretary will:
    (1) Conclude that respondent interested parties have provided 
inadequate response to the Notice of Initiation under section 
751(c)(3)(B) of the Act;
    (2) Notify the International Trade Commission and conduct an 
expedited sunset review and issue final results of review in accordance 
with paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(C) of this section; and
    (3) Base the final results of review on the facts available in 
accordance with 351.308(f).
    (C) Inadequate response from respondent interested parties. If the 
Secretary determines that respondent interested parties provided 
inadequate response to a notice of initiation under paragraph 
(d)(2)(iv), (e)(1)(ii)(A), or (e)(1)(ii)(B) of this section, the 
Secretary:
    (1) Will notify the International Trade Commission in writing as 
such normally not later than 50 days after the date of publication in 
the Federal Register of the Notice of Initiation; and
    (2) Normally will conduct an expedited sunset review and, not later 
than 120 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register of 
the notice of initiation, issue final results of review based on the 
facts available in accordance with Sec.  351.308(f) (see section 
751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and Sec.  351.221(c)(5)(ii)).
    (2) Full sunset review upon adequate response from domestic and 
respondent interested parties--(i) In general. Normally, only where the 
Department receives adequate response to the notice of initiation from 
domestic interested parties under paragraph (e)(1)(i)(A) of this section 
and from respondent interested parties under paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(A) of 
this section, will the Department conduct a full sunset review. Even 
where the Department conducts a full sunset review, only under the most 
extraordinary circumstances will the Secretary rely on a countervailing 
duty rate or a dumping margin other than those it calculated and 
published in its prior determinations, and in no case will the Secretary 
calculate a net countervailable subsidy or a dumping margin for a new 
shipper in the context of a sunset review.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (iii) Consideration of other factors under section 752(b)(2) (CVD) 
or section 752(c)(2) (AD) of the Act. The Secretary will consider other 
factors under section 752(b)(2) (CVD) or section 752(c)(2) (AD) of the 
Act if the Secretary determines that good cause to consider such other 
factors exists. The Secretary normally will consider such other factors 
only where it conducts a full sunset review under paragraph (e)(2)(i) of 
this section.
    (f) Time limits--(1) Preliminary results of full sunset review. The 
Department normally will issue its preliminary results in a full sunset 
review not later than 110 days after the date of publication in the 
Federal Register of the notice of initiation.
    (2) Verification--(i) In general. The Department will verify factual 
information relied upon in making its final determination normally only 
in a full sunset review (see section 782(i)(2) of the Act and Sec.  
351.307(b)(1)(iii)) and only where needed. The Department will conduct 
verification normally only if, in its preliminary results, the 
Department determines that revocation of the order or termination of the 
suspended investigation, as applicable, is not likely to lead to 
continuation or recurrence of a countervailable subsidy or dumping (see 
section 752(b) and section 752(c) of the Act), as applicable, and the 
Department's preliminary results are

[[Page 269]]

not based on countervailing duty rates or dumping margins, as 
applicable, determined in the investigation or subsequent reviews.
    (ii) Timing of verification. The Department normally will conduct 
verification, under paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this section and Sec.  
351.307, approximately 120 days after the date of publication in the 
Federal Register of the notice of initiation.
    (3) Final results of full sunset review and notification to the 
International Trade Commission--(i) Timing of final results of review 
and notification to the International Trade Commission. The Department 
normally will issue its final results in a full sunset review and notify 
the International Trade Commission of its results of review not later 
than 240 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register of 
the notice of initiation (see section 751(c)(5)(A) of the Act).
    (ii) Extension of time limit. If the Secretary determines that a 
full sunset review is extraordinarily complicated under section 
751(c)(5)(C) of the Act, the Secretary may extend the period for issuing 
final results by not more than 90 days (see section 751(c)(5)(B) of the 
Act).
    (4) Notice of continuation of an order or suspended investigation; 
notice of revocation of an order or termination of a suspended 
investigation. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(1)(iii)(B)(3) of this 
section and Sec.  351.222(i)(1)(i), the Department normally will issue 
its determination to continue an order or suspended investigation, or to 
revoke an order or terminate a suspended investigation, as applicable, 
not later than seven days after the date of publication in the Federal 
Register of the International Trade Commission's determination 
concluding the sunset review. The Department immediately thereafter will 
publish notice of its determination in the Federal Register.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 13520, Mar. 20, 1998; 70 
FR 62064, Oct. 28, 2005]



Sec.  351.219  Reviews of countervailing duty orders in connection with
an investigation under section 753 of the Act.

    (a) Introduction. Section 753 of the Act is a transition provision 
for countervailing duty orders that were issued under section 303 of the 
Act without an injury determination by the Commission. Under the 
Subsidies Agreement, one country may not impose countervailing duties on 
imports from another WTO Member without first making a determination 
that such imports have caused injury to a domestic industry. Section 753 
provides a mechanism for providing an injury test with respect to those 
``no-injury'' orders under section 303 that apply to merchandise from 
WTO Members. This section contains rules regarding requests for section 
753 investigations by a domestic interested party; and the procedures 
that the Department will follow in reviewing a countervailing duty order 
and providing the Commission with advice regarding the amount and nature 
of a countervailable subsidy.
    (b) Notification of domestic interested parties. The Secretary will 
notify directly domestic interested parties as soon as possible after 
the opportunity arises for requesting an investigation by the Commission 
under section 753 of the Act.
    (c) Initiation and conduct of section 753 review. Where the 
Secretary deems it necessary in order to provide to the Commission 
information on the amount or nature of a countervailable subsidy (see 
section 753(b)(2) of the Act), the Secretary may initiate a section 753 
review of the countervailing duty order in question. The Secretary will 
conduct a section 753 review in accordance with Sec.  351.221.



Sec.  351.220  Countervailing duty review at the direction of the 
President under section 762 of the Act.

    At the direction of the President or a designee, the Secretary will 
conduct a review under section 762(a)(1) of the Act to determine if a 
countervailable subsidy is being provided with respect to merchandise 
subject to an understanding or other kind of quantitative restriction 
agreement accepted under section 704(a)(2) or section 704(c)(3) of

[[Page 270]]

the Act. The Secretary will conduct a review under this section in 
accordance with Sec.  351.221. If the Secretary's final results of 
review under this section and the Commission's final results of review 
under section 762(a)(2) of the Act are both affirmative, the Secretary 
will issue a countervailing duty order and order suspension of 
liquidation in accordance with section 762(b) of the Act.



Sec.  351.221  Review procedures.

    (a) Introduction. The procedures for reviews are similar to those 
followed in investigations. This section details the procedures 
applicable to reviews in general, as well as procedures that are unique 
to certain types of reviews.
    (b) In general. After receipt of a timely request for a review, or 
on the Secretary's own initiative when appropriate, the Secretary will:
    (1) Promptly publish in the Federal Register notice of initiation of 
the review;
    (2) Before or after publication of notice of initiation of the 
review, send to appropriate interested parties or other persons (or, if 
appropriate, a sample of interested parties or other persons) 
questionnaires requesting factual information for the review;
    (3) Conduct, if appropriate, a verification under Sec.  351.307;
    (4) Issue preliminary results of review, based on the available 
information, and publish in the Federal Register notice of the 
preliminary results of review that include:
    (i) The rates determined, if the review involved the determination 
of rates; and
    (ii) An invitation for argument consistent with Sec.  351.309;
    (5) Issue final results of review and publish in the Federal 
Register notice of the final results of review that include the rates 
determined, if the review involved the determination of rates;
    (6) If the type of review in question involves a determination as to 
the amount of duties to be assessed, promptly after publication of the 
notice of final results instruct the Customs Service to assess 
antidumping duties or countervailing duties (whichever is applicable) on 
the subject merchandise covered by the review, except as otherwise 
provided in Sec.  351.106(c) with respect to de minimis duties; and
    (7) If the review involves a revision to the cash deposit rates for 
estimated antidumping duties or countervailing duties, instruct the 
Customs Service to collect cash deposits at the revised rates on future 
entries.
    (c) Special rules--(1) Administrative reviews and new shipper 
reviews. In an administrative review under section 751(a)(1) of the Act 
and Sec.  351.213 and a new shipper review under section 751(a)(2)(B) of 
the Act and Sec.  351.214 the Secretary:
    (i) Will publish the notice of initiation of the review no later 
than the last day of the month following the anniversary month or the 
semiannual anniversary month (as the case may be); and
    (ii) Normally will send questionnaires no later than 30 days after 
the date of publication of the notice of initiation.
    (2) Expedited antidumping review. In an expedited antidumping review 
under section 736(c) of the Act and Sec.  351.215, the Secretary:
    (i) Will include in the notice of initiation of the review an 
invitation for argument consistent with Sec.  351.309, and a statement 
that the Secretary is permitting the posting of a bond or other security 
instead of a cash deposit of estimated antidumping duties;
    (ii) Will instruct the Customs Service to accept, instead of the 
cash deposit of estimated antidumping duties under section 736(a)(3) of 
the Act, a bond for each entry of the subject merchandise entered, or 
withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of 
publication of the notice of initiation of the investigation and through 
the date not later than 90 days after the date of publication of the 
order; and
    (iii) Will not issue preliminary results of review.
    (3) Changed circumstances review. In a changed circumstances review 
under section 751(b) of the Act and Sec.  351.216, the Secretary:
    (i) Will include in the preliminary results of review and the final 
results of review a description of any action the Secretary proposed 
based on the preliminary or final results;

[[Page 271]]

    (ii) May combine the notice of initiation of the review and the 
preliminary results of review in a single notice if the Secretary 
concludes that expedited action is warranted; and
    (iii) May refrain from issuing questionnaires under paragraph (b)(2) 
of this section.
    (4) Article 8 Violation review and Article 4/Article 7 review. In an 
Article 8 Violation review or an Article 4/Article 7 review under 
section 751(g) of the Act and Sec.  351.217, the Secretary:
    (i) Will include in the notice of initiation of the review an 
invitation for argument consistent with Sec.  351.309 and will notify 
all parties to the proceeding at the time the Secretary initiates the 
review;
    (ii) Will not issue preliminary results of review; and
    (iii) In the final results of review will indicate the amount, if 
any, by which the estimated duty to be deposited should be adjusted, 
and, in an Article 4/Article 7 review, any action, including revocation, 
that the Secretary will take based on the final results.
    (5) Sunset review. In a sunset review under section 751(c) of the 
Act and Sec.  351.218:
    (i) The notice of initiation of a sunset review will contain a 
request for the information described in Sec.  351.218(d); and
    (ii) The Secretary, without issuing preliminary results of review, 
may issue final results of review under paragraphs (3) or (4) of 
subsection 751(c) of the Act if the conditions of those paragraphs are 
satisfied.
    (6) Section 753 review. In a section 753 review under section 753 of 
the Act and Sec.  351.219, the Secretary:
    (i) Will include in the notice of initiation of the review an 
invitation for argument consistent with Sec.  351.309, and will notify 
all parties to the proceeding at the time the Secretary initiates the 
review; and
    (ii) May decline to issue preliminary results of review.
    (7) Countervailing duty review at the direction of the President. In 
a countervailing duty review at the direction of the President under 
section 762 of the Act and Sec.  351.220, the Secretary will:
    (i) Include in the notice of initiation of the review a description 
of the merchandise, the period under review, and a summary of the 
available information which, if accurate, would support the imposition 
of countervailing duties;
    (ii) Notify the Commission of the initiation of the review and the 
preliminary results of review;
    (iii) Include in the preliminary results of review the 
countervailable subsidy, if any, during the period of review and a 
description of official changes in the subsidy programs made by the 
government of the affected country that affect the estimated 
countervailable subsidy; and
    (iv) Include in the final results of review the countervailable 
subsidy, if any, during the period of review and a description of 
official changes in the subsidy programs, made by the government of the 
affected country not later than the date of publication of the notice of 
preliminary results, that affect the estimated countervailable subsidy.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 13525, Mar. 20, 1998]



Sec.  351.222  Revocation of orders; termination of suspended investigations.

    (a) Introduction. ``Revocation'' is a term of art that refers to the 
end of an antidumping or countervailing proceeding in which an order has 
been issued. ``Termination'' is the companion term for the end of a 
proceeding in which the investigation was suspended due to the 
acceptance of a suspension agreement. Generally, a revocation or 
termination may occur only after the Department or the Commission has 
conducted one or more reviews under section 751 of the Act. This section 
contains rules regarding requirements for a revocation or termination; 
and procedures that the Department will follow in determining whether to 
revoke an order or terminate a suspended investigation.
    (b) Revocation or termination based on absence of dumping. (1) In 
determining whether to revoke an antidumping duty order or terminate a 
suspended antidumping investigation, the Secretary will consider:
    (i) Whether all exporters and producers covered at the time of 
revocation by the order or the suspension

[[Page 272]]

agreement have sold the subject merchandise at not less than normal 
value for a period of at least three consecutive years; and
    (ii) Whether the continued application of the antidumping duty order 
is otherwise necessary to offset dumping.
    (2) If the Secretary determines, based upon the criteria in 
paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, that the antidumping duty 
order or suspension of the antidumping duty investigation is no longer 
warranted, the Secretary will revoke the order or terminate the 
investigation.
    (c) Revocation or termination based on absence of countervailable 
subsidy. (1)(i) In determining whether to revoke a countervailing duty 
order or terminate a suspended countervailing duty investigation, the 
Secretary will consider:
    (A) Whether the government of the affected country has eliminated 
all countervailable subsidies on the subject merchandise by abolishing 
for the subject merchandise, for a period of at least three consecutive 
years, all programs that the Secretary has found countervailable;
    (B) Whether exporters and producers of the subject merchandise are 
continuing to receive any net countervailable subsidy from an abolished 
program referred to in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) of this section; and
    (C) Whether the continued application of the countervailing duty 
order or suspension of countervailing duty investigation is otherwise 
necessary to offset subsidization.
    (ii) If the Secretary determines, based upon the criteria in 
paragraphs (c)(1)(i)(A) through (C) of this section, that the 
countervailing duty order or suspension of the countervailing duty 
investigation is no longer warranted, the Secretary will revoke the 
order or terminate the suspended investigation.
    (2)(i) In determining whether to revoke a countervailing duty order 
or terminate a suspended countervailing duty investigation, the 
Secretary will consider:
    (A) Whether all exporters and producers covered at the time of 
revocation by the order or the suspension agreement have not applied for 
or received any net countervailable subsidy on the subject merchandise 
for a period of at least five consecutive years; and
    (B) Whether the continued application of the countervailing duty 
order or suspension of the countervailing duty investigation is 
otherwise necessary to offset subsidization.
    (ii) If the Secretary determines, based upon the criteria in 
paragraphs (c)(2)(i)(A) and (B) of this section, that the countervailing 
duty order or the suspension of the countervailing duty investigation is 
no longer warranted, the Secretary will revoke the order or terminate 
the suspended investigation.
    (d) Treatment of unreviewed intervening years--(1) In general. The 
Secretary will not revoke an order or terminate a suspended 
investigation under paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section unless the 
Secretary has conducted a review under this subpart of the first and 
third (or fifth) years of the three-and five-year consecutive time 
periods referred to in those paragraphs. The Secretary need not have 
conducted a review of an intervening year (see paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section). However, except in the case of a revocation or termination 
under paragraph (c)(1) of this section (government abolition of 
countervailable subsidy programs), before revoking an order or 
terminating a suspended investigation, the Secretary must be satisfied 
that, during each of the three (or five) years, there were exports to 
the United States in commercial quantities of the subject merchandise to 
which a revocation or termination will apply.
    (2) Intervening year. ``Intervening year'' means any year between 
the first and final year of the consecutive period on which revocation 
or termination is conditioned.
    (e) Request for revocation or termination--(1) Antidumping 
proceeding. During the third and subsequent annual anniversary months of 
the publication of an antidumping order or suspension of an antidumping 
investigation, any exporter or producer may request in writing that the 
Secretary revoke an order or terminate a suspended investigation under 
paragraph (b) of this section if the person submits with the request:

[[Page 273]]

    (i) Certifications for all exporters and producers covered by the 
order or suspension agreement that they sold the subject merchandise at 
not less than normal value during the period of review described in 
Sec.  351.213(e)(1), and that in the future they will not sell the 
merchandise at less than normal value; and
    (ii) Certifications for all exporters and producers covered by the 
order or suspension agreement that, during each of the consecutive years 
referred to in paragraph (b) of this section, they sold the subject 
merchandise to the United States in commercial quantities.
    (2) Countervailing duty proceeding. (i) During the third and 
subsequent annual anniversary months of the publication of a 
countervailing duty order or suspension of a countervailing duty 
investigation, the government of the affected country may request in 
writing that the Secretary revoke an order or terminate a suspended 
investigation under paragraph (c)(1) of this section if the government 
submits with the request its certification that it has satisfied, during 
the period of review described in Sec.  351.213(e)(2), the requirements 
of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section regarding the abolition of 
countervailable subsidy programs, and that it will not reinstate for the 
subject merchandise those programs or substitute other countervailable 
subsidy programs;
    (ii) During the fifth and subsequent annual anniversary months of 
the publication of a countervailing duty order or suspended 
countervailing duty investigation, the government of the affected 
country may request in writing that the Secretary revoke an order or 
terminate a suspended investigation under paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section if the government submits with the request:
    (A) Certifications for all exporters and producers covered by the 
order or suspension agreement that they have not applied for or received 
any net countervailable subsidy on the subject merchandise for a period 
of at least five consecutive years (see paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this 
section);
    (B) Those exporters' and producers' certifications that they will 
not apply for or receive any net countervailable subsidy on the subject 
merchandise from any program the Secretary has found countervailable in 
any proceeding involving the affected country or from other 
countervailable programs (see paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section); and
    (C) A certification from each exporter or producer that, during each 
of the consecutive years referred to in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, that person sold the subject merchandise to the United States 
in commercial quantities.
    (f) Procedures. (1) Upon receipt of a timely request for revocation 
or termination under paragraph (e) of this section, the Secretary will 
consider the request as including a request for an administrative review 
and will initiate and conduct a review under Sec.  351.213.
    (2) When the Secretary is considering a request for revocation or 
termination under paragraph (e) of this section, in addition to the 
requirements of Sec.  351.221 regarding the conduct of an administrative 
review, the Secretary will:
    (i) Publish with the notice of initiation under Sec.  351.221(b)(1), 
notice of ``Request for Revocation of Order'' or ``Request for 
Termination of Suspended Investigation'' (whichever is applicable);
    (ii) Conduct a verification under Sec.  351.307;
    (iii) Include in the preliminary results of review under Sec.  
351.221(b)(4) the Secretary's decision whether there is a reasonable 
basis to believe that the requirements for revocation or termination are 
met;
    (iv) If the Secretary decides that there is a reasonable basis to 
believe that the requirements for revocation or termination are met, 
publish with the notice of preliminary results of review under Sec.  
351.221(b)(4) notice of ``Intent To Revoke Order'' or ``Intent To 
Terminate Suspended Investigation'' (whichever is applicable);
    (v) Include in the final results of review under Sec.  351.221(b)(5) 
the Secretary's final decision whether the requirements for revocation 
or termination are met; and

[[Page 274]]

    (vi) If the Secretary determines that the requirements for 
revocation or termination are met, publish with the notice of final 
results of review under Sec.  351.221(b)(5) notice of ``Revocation of 
Order'' or ``Termination of Suspended Investigation'' (whichever is 
applicable).
    (3) If the Secretary revokes an order, the Secretary will order the 
suspension of liquidation terminated for the merchandise covered by the 
revocation on the first day after the period under review, and will 
instruct the Customs Service to release any cash deposit or bond.
    (g) Revocation or termination based on changed circumstances. (1) 
The Secretary may revoke an order, in whole or in part, or terminate a 
suspended investigation if the Secretary concludes that:
    (i) Producers accounting for substantially all of the production of 
the domestic like product to which the order (or the part of the order 
to be revoked) or suspended investigation pertains have expressed a lack 
of interest in the order, in whole or in part, or suspended 
investigation (see section 782(h) of the Act); or
    (ii) Other changed circumstances sufficient to warrant revocation or 
termination exist.
    (2) If at any time the Secretary concludes from the available 
information that changed circumstances sufficient to warrant revocation 
or termination may exist, the Secretary will conduct a changed 
circumstances review under Sec.  351.216.
    (3) In addition to the requirements of Sec.  351.221, the Secretary 
will:
    (i) Publish with the notice of initiation (see Sec.  353.221(b)(1), 
notice of ``Consideration of Revocation of Order (in Part)'' or 
``Consideration of Termination of Suspended Investigation'' (whichever 
is applicable);
    (ii) If the Secretary's conclusion regarding the possible existence 
of changed circumstances (see paragraph (g)(2) of this section), is not 
based on a request, the Secretary, not later than the date of 
publication of the notice of ``Consideration of Revocation of Order (in 
Part)'' or ``Consideration of Termination of Suspended Investigation'' 
(whichever is applicable) (see paragraph (g)(3)(i) of this section), 
will serve written notice of the consideration of revocation or 
termination on each interested party listed on the Department's service 
list and on any other person that the Secretary has reason to believe is 
a domestic interested party;
    (iii) Conduct a verification, if appropriate, under Sec.  351.307;
    (iv) Include in the preliminary results of review, under Sec.  
351.221(b)(4), the Secretary's decision whether there is a reasonable 
basis to believe that changed circumstances warrant revocation or 
termination;
    (v) If the Secretary's preliminary decision is that changed 
circumstances warrant revocation or termination, publish with the notice 
of preliminary results of review, under Sec.  351.221(b)(4), notice of 
``Intent to Revoke Order (in Part)'' or ``Intent to Terminate Suspended 
Investigation'' (whichever is applicable);
    (vi) Include in the final results of review, under Sec.  
351.221(b)(5), the Secretary's final decision whether changed 
circumstances warrant revocation or termination; and
    (vii) If the Secretary's determines that changed circumstances 
warrant revocation or termination, publish with the notice of final 
results of review, under Sec.  351.221(b)(5), notice of ``Revocation of 
Order (in Part)'' or ``Termination of Suspended Investigation'' 
(whichever is applicable).
    (4) If the Secretary revokes an order, in whole or in part, under 
paragraph (g) of this section, the Secretary will order the suspension 
of liquidation ended for the merchandise covered by the revocation on 
the effective date of the notice of revocation, and will instruct the 
Customs Service to release any cash deposit or bond.
    (h) Revocation or termination based on injury reconsideration. If 
the Commission determines in a changed circumstances review under 
section 751(b)(2) of the Act that the revocation of an order or 
termination of a suspended investigation is not likely to lead to 
continuation or recurrence of material injury, the Secretary will 
revoke, in whole or in part, the order or terminate the suspended 
investigation, and will publish in the Federal Register notice of 
``Revocation of Order

[[Page 275]]

(in Part)'' or ``Termination of Suspended Investigation'' (whichever is 
applicable).
    (i) Revocation or termination based on sunset review--(1) 
Circumstances under which the Secretary will revoke an order or 
terminate a suspended investigation. In the case of a sunset review 
under Sec.  351.218, the Secretary will revoke an order or terminate a 
suspended investigation:
    (i) Under section 751(c)(3)(A) of the Act, where no domestic 
interested party files a Notice of Intent to Participate in the sunset 
review under Sec.  351.218(d)(1), or where the Secretary determines 
under Sec.  351.218(e)(1)(i)(C) that domestic interested parties have 
provided inadequate response to the Notice of Initiation, not later than 
90 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register of the 
notice of initiation;
    (ii) Under section 751(d)(2) of the Act, where the Secretary 
determines that revocation or termination is not likely to lead to 
continuation or recurrence of a countervailable subsidy or dumping (see 
section 752(b) and section 752(c) of the Act), as applicable, not later 
than 240 days (or 330 days where a full sunset review is fully extended) 
after the date of publication in the Federal Register of the notice of 
initiation; or
    (iii) Under section 751(d)(2) of the Act, where the International 
Trade Commission makes a determination, under section 752(a) of the Act, 
that revocation or termination is not likely to lead to continuation or 
recurrence of material injury, not later than seven days after the date 
of publication in the Federal Register of the International Trade 
Commission's determination concluding the sunset review.
    (2) Effective date of revocation--(i) In general. Except as provided 
in paragraph (i)(2)(ii) of this section, where the Secretary revokes an 
order or terminates a suspended investigation, pursuant to section 
751(c)(3)(A) or section 751(d)(2) of the Act (see paragraph (i)(1) of 
this section), the revocation or termination will be effective on the 
fifth anniversary of the date of publication in the Federal Register of 
the order or suspended investigation, as applicable. This paragraph also 
applies to subsequent sunset reviews of transition orders (see paragraph 
(i)(2)(ii) of this section and section 751(c)(6)(A)(iii) of the Act).
    (ii) Transition orders. Where the Secretary revokes a transition 
order (defined in section 751(c)(6)(C) of the Act) pursuant to section 
751(c)(3)(A) or section 751(d)(2) of the Act (see paragraph (i)(1) of 
this section), the revocation or termination will be effective on 
January 1, 2000. This paragraph does not apply to subsequent sunset 
reviews of transition orders (see section 751(c)(6)(A)(iii) of the Act).
    (j) Revocation of countervailing duty order based on Commission 
negative determination under section 753 of the Act. The Secretary will 
revoke a countervailing duty order, and will order the refund, with 
interest, of any estimated countervailing duties collected during the 
period liquidation was suspended under section 753(a)(4) of the Act upon 
being notified by the Commission that:
    (1) The Commission has determined that an industry in the United 
States is not likely to be materially injured if the countervailing duty 
order in question is revoked (see section 753(a)(1) of the Act); or
    (2) A domestic interested party did not make a timely request for an 
investigation under section 753(a) of the Act (see section 753(a)(3) of 
the Act).
    (k) Revocation based on Article 4/Article 7 review--(1) In general. 
The Secretary may revoke a countervailing duty order, in whole or in 
part, following an Article 4/Article 7 review under Sec.  351.217(c), 
due to the imposition of countermeasures by the United States or the 
withdrawal of a countervailable subsidy by a WTO member country (see 
section 751(g)(2) of the Act).
    (2) Additional requirements. In addition to the requirements of 
Sec.  351.221, if the Secretary determines to revoke an order as the 
result of an Article 4/Article 7 review, the Secretary will:
    (i) Conduct a verification, if appropriate, under Sec.  351.307;
    (ii) Include in the final results of review, under Sec.  
351.221(b)(5), the Secretary's final decision whether the order should 
be revoked;
    (iii) If the Secretary's final decision is that the order should be 
revoked:
    (A) Determine the effective date of the revocation;

[[Page 276]]

    (B) Publish with the notice of final results of review, under Sec.  
351.221(b)(5), a notice of ``Revocation of Order (in Part),'' that will 
include the effective date of the revocation; and
    (C) Order any suspension of liquidation ended for merchandise 
covered by the revocation that was entered on or after the effective 
date of the revocation, and instruct the Customs Service to release any 
cash deposit or bond.
    (l) Revocation under section 129. The Secretary may revoke an order 
under section 129 of the URAA (implementation of WTO dispute 
settlement).
    (m) Cross-reference. For the treatment in a subsequent investigation 
of business proprietary information submitted to the Secretary in 
connection with a changed circumstances review under Sec.  351.216 or a 
sunset review under Sec.  351.218 that results in the revocation of an 
order (or termination of a suspended investigation), see section 
777(b)(3) of the Act.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 13523, Mar. 20, 1998; 64 
FR 51240, Sept. 22, 1999; 77 FR 29883, May 21, 2012]



Sec.  351.223  Procedures for initiation of downstream product monitoring.

    (a) Introduction. Section 780 of the Act establishes a mechanism for 
monitoring imports of ``downstream products.'' In general, section 780 
is aimed at situations where, following the issuance of an antidumping 
or countervailing duty order on a product that is used as a component in 
another product, exports to the United States of that other (or 
``downstream'') product increase. Although the Department is responsible 
for determining whether trade in the downstream product should be 
monitored, the Commission is responsible for conducting the actual 
monitoring. The Commission must report the results of its monitoring to 
the Department, and the Department must consider the reports in 
determining whether to self-initiate an antidumping or countervailing 
duty investigation on the downstream product. This section contains 
rules regarding applications for the initiation of downstream product 
monitoring and decisions regarding such applications.
    (b) Contents of application. An application to designate a 
downstream product for monitoring under section 780 of the Act must 
contain the following information, to the extent reasonably available to 
the applicant:
    (1) The name and address of the person requesting the monitoring and 
a description of the article it produces which is the basis for filing 
its application;
    (2) A detailed description of the downstream product in question;
    (3) A detailed description of the component product that is 
incorporated into the downstream product, including the value of the 
component part in relation to the value of the downstream product, and 
the extent to which the component part has been substantially 
transformed as a result of its incorporation into the downstream 
product;
    (4) The name of the country of production of both the downstream and 
component products and the name of any intermediate country from which 
the merchandise is imported;
    (5) The name and address of all known producers of component parts 
and downstream products in the relevant countries and a detailed 
description of any relationship between such producers;
    (6) Whether the component part is already subject to monitoring to 
aid in the enforcement of a bilateral arrangement within the meaning of 
section 804 of the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984;
    (7) A list of all antidumping or countervailing duty investigations 
that have been suspended, or antidumping or countervailing duty orders 
that have been issued, on merchandise that is related to the component 
part and that is manufactured in the same foreign country in which the 
component part is manufactured;
    (8) A list of all antidumping or countervailing duty investigations 
that have been suspended, or antidumping or countervailing duty orders 
that have been issued, on merchandise that is manufactured or exported 
by the manufacturer or exporter of the component part and that is 
similar in description and use to the component part; and

[[Page 277]]

    (9) The reasons for suspecting that the imposition of antidumping or 
countervailing duties has resulted in a diversion of exports of the 
component part into increased production and exportation to the United 
States of the downstream product.
    (c) Determination of sufficiency of application. Within 14 days 
after an application is filed under paragraph (b) of this section, the 
Secretary will rule on the sufficiency of the application by making the 
determinations described in section 780(a)(2) of the Act.
    (d) Notice of determination. The Secretary will publish in the 
Federal Register notice of each affirmative or negative ``monitoring'' 
determination made under section 780(a)(2) of the Act, and if the 
determination under section 780(a)(2)(A) of the Act and a determination 
made under any clause of section 780(a)(2)(B) of the Act are 
affirmative, will transmit to the Commission a copy of the determination 
and the application. The Secretary will make available to the 
Commission, and to its employees directly involved in the monitoring, 
the information upon which the Secretary based the initiation.



Sec.  351.224  Disclosure of calculations and procedures for the 
correction of ministerial errors.

    (a) Introduction. In the interests of transparency, the Department 
has long had a practice of providing parties with the details of its 
antidumping and countervailing duty calculations. This practice has come 
to be referred to as a ``disclosure.'' This section contains rules 
relating to requests for disclosure and procedures for correcting 
ministerial errors.
    (b) Disclosure. The Secretary will disclose to a party to the 
proceeding calculations performed, if any, in connection with a 
preliminary determination under section 703(b) or section 733(b) of the 
Act, a final determination under section 705(a) or section 735(a) of the 
Act, and a final results of a review under section 736(c), section 751, 
or section 753 of the Act, normally within five days after the date of 
any public announcement or, if there is no public announcement of, 
within five days after the date of publication of, the preliminary 
determination, final determination, or final results of review 
(whichever is applicable). The Secretary will disclose to a party to the 
proceeding calculations performed, if any, in connection with a 
preliminary results of review under section 751 or section 753 of the 
Act, normally not later than ten days after the date of the public 
announcement of, or, if there is no public announcement, within five 
days after the date of publication of, the preliminary results of 
review.
    (c) Comments regarding ministerial errors--(1) In general. A party 
to the proceeding to whom the Secretary has disclosed calculations 
performed in connection with a preliminary determination may submit 
comments concerning a significant ministerial error in such 
calculations. A party to the proceeding to whom the Secretary has 
disclosed calculations performed in connection with a final 
determination or the final results of a review may submit comments 
concerning any ministerial error in such calculations. Comments 
concerning ministerial errors made in the preliminary results of a 
review should be included in a party's case brief.
    (2) Time limits for submitting comments. A party to the proceeding 
must file comments concerning ministerial errors within five days after 
the earlier of:
    (i) The date on which the Secretary released disclosure documents to 
that party; or
    (ii) The date on which the Secretary held a disclosure meeting with 
that party.
    (3) Replies to comments. Replies to comments submitted under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section must be filed within five days after 
the date on which the comments were filed with the Secretary. The 
Secretary will not consider replies to comments submitted in connection 
with a preliminary determination.
    (4) Extensions. A party to the proceeding may request an extension 
of the time limit for filing comments concerning a ministerial error in 
a final determination or final results of review under Sec.  351.302(c) 
within three days

[[Page 278]]

after the date of any public announcement, or, if there is no public 
announcement, within five days after the date of publication of the 
final determination or final results of review, as applicable. The 
Secretary will not extend the time limit for filing comments concerning 
a significant ministerial error in a preliminary determination.
    (d) Contents of comments and replies. Comments filed under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section must explain the alleged ministerial error by 
reference to applicable evidence in the official record, and must 
present what, in the party's view, is the appropriate correction. In 
addition, comments concerning a preliminary determination must 
demonstrate how the alleged ministerial error is significant (see 
paragraph (g) of this section) by illustrating the effect on individual 
weighted-average dumping margin or countervailable subsidy rate, the 
all-others rate, or the country-wide subsidy rate (whichever is 
applicable). Replies to any comments must be limited to issues raised in 
such comments.
    (e) Corrections. The Secretary will analyze any comments received 
and, if appropriate, correct any significant ministerial error by 
amending the preliminary determination, or correct any ministerial error 
by amending the final determination or the final results of review 
(whichever is applicable). Where practicable, the Secretary will 
announce publicly the issuance of a correction notice, and normally will 
do so within 30 days after the date of public announcement, or, if there 
is no public announcement, within 30 days after the date of publication, 
of the preliminary determination, final determination, or final results 
of review (whichever is applicable). In addition, the Secretary will 
publish notice of such corrections in the Federal Register. A correction 
notice will not alter the anniversary month of an order or suspended 
investigation for purposes of requesting an administrative review (see 
Sec.  351.213) or a new shipper review (see Sec.  351.214) or initiating 
a sunset review (see Sec.  351.218).
    (f) Definition of ``ministerial error.'' Under this section, 
ministerial error means an error in addition, subtraction, or other 
arithmetic function, clerical error resulting from inaccurate copying, 
duplication, or the like, and any other similar type of unintentional 
error which the Secretary considers ministerial.
    (g) Definition of ``significant ministerial error.'' Under this 
section, significant ministerial error means a ministerial error (see 
paragraph (f) of this section), the correction of which, either singly 
or in combination with other errors:
    (1) Would result in a change of at least five absolute percentage 
points in, but not less than 25 percent of, the weighted-average dumping 
margin or the countervailable subsidy rate (whichever is applicable) 
calculated in the original (erroneous) preliminary determination; or
    (2) Would result in a difference between a weighted-average dumping 
margin or countervailable subsidy rate (whichever is applicable) of zero 
(or de minimis) and a weighted-average dumping margin or countervailable 
subsidy rate of greater than de minimis, or vice versa.



Sec.  351.225  Scope rulings.

    (a) Introduction. Questions sometimes arise as to whether a 
particular product is covered by the scope of an antidumping or 
countervailing duty order. Such questions may arise for a variety of 
reasons given that the description of the merchandise subject to the 
scope is written in general terms. The Secretary will initiate and 
conduct a scope inquiry and issue a scope ruling to determine whether or 
not a product is covered by the scope of an order at the request of an 
interested party or on the Secretary's initiative. A scope ruling that a 
product is covered by the scope of an order is a determination that the 
product has always been covered by the scope of that order. This section 
contains rules and procedures regarding scope rulings, including scope 
ruling applications, scope inquiries, and standards used in determining 
whether a product is covered by the scope of an order. Unless otherwise 
specified, the procedures as described in subpart C of this part 
(Sec. Sec.  351.301 through 351.308 and Sec. Sec.  351.312 through 
351.313) apply to this section.

[[Page 279]]

    (b) Self-initiation of a scope inquiry. If the Secretary determines 
from available information that an inquiry is warranted to determine 
whether a product is covered by the scope of an order, the Secretary may 
initiate a scope inquiry by publishing a notice of initiation in the 
Federal Register.
    (c) Scope ruling application--(1) Contents. An interested party may 
submit a scope ruling application requesting that the Secretary conduct 
a scope inquiry to determine whether a product, which is or has been in 
actual production by the time of the filing of the application, is 
covered by the scope of an order. The Secretary will make available a 
scope ruling application, which the applicant must complete and serve in 
accordance with the requirements of paragraph (n) of this section.
    (2) Requested information. To the extent reasonably available to the 
applicant, the scope ruling application must include the following 
requested information and relevant supporting documentation.
    (i) A detailed description of the product and its uses, as 
necessary:
    (A) The physical characteristics (including chemical, dimensional, 
and technical characteristics) of the product;
    (B) The country(ies) where the product is produced, the country from 
where the product is exported, and if imported, the declared country of 
origin;
    (C) The product's tariff classification under the Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States and copies of any Customs rulings relevant 
to the tariff classification;
    (D) The uses of the product;
    (E) Clear and legible photographs, schematic drawings, 
specifications, standards, marketing materials, and any other exemplars 
providing a visual depiction of the product; and
    (F) A description of parts, materials, and the production process 
employed in the production of the product;
    (ii) A concise public summary of the product's description under 
paragraphs (c)(2)(i)(A) through (C) of this section.
    (iii) The name and address of the producer, exporter, and importer 
of the product.
    (iv) A narrative history of the production of the product at issue, 
including a history of earlier versions of the product if this is not 
the first model of the product.
    (v) The volume of annual production of the product for the most 
recently completed fiscal year.
    (vi) If the product has been imported into the United States as of 
the date of the filing of the scope ruling application:
    (A) An explanation as to whether an entry of the product has been 
declared by an importer, or determined by the Customs Service, as 
subject to an order, and
    (B) Relevant documentation, including dated copies of the Customs 
Service entry summary forms (or electronic entry processing system 
documentation) identifying the product upon importation and other 
related commercial documents, including invoices and contracts, which 
reflect the details surrounding the sale and purchase of that imported 
product.
    (vii) A statement as to whether the product undergoes any additional 
processing in the United States after importation, or in a third country 
before importation, and a statement as to the relevance of this 
processing to the scope of the order.
    (viii) The applicant's statement as to whether the product is 
covered by the scope of the order, including:
    (A) An explanation with specific reference to paragraph (j) and (k) 
of this section, as appropriate;
    (B) Citations to any applicable legal authority; and
    (C) Whether there are companion orders as described in paragraph 
(m)(2) of this section.
    (ix) Factual information supporting the applicant's position, 
including full copies of prior scope determinations and relevant 
excerpts of other documents identified in paragraph (k)(1) of this 
section.
    (d) Initiation of a scope inquiry and other actions based on a scope 
ruling application--(1) Acceptance and Initiation of a scope inquiry 
ruling application. Except as provided under paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section, within 30 days after the

[[Page 280]]

filing of a scope application, the Secretary will determine whether to 
accept or reject the scope ruling application and to initiate or not 
initiate a scope inquiry, or, in the alternative, paragraph (d)(1)(ii) 
will apply.
    (2) Addressing the scope issue in another segment of the proceeding. 
Within 30 days after the filing of a scope ruling application, if the 
Secretary determines upon review of the application that the scope issue 
before the Secretary should be addressed in an ongoing segment of the 
proceeding, such as a circumvention inquiry under Sec.  351.226 or a 
covered merchandise inquiry under Sec.  351.227, rather than initiating 
a scope inquiry, the Secretary will notify the applicant of its intent 
to address the scope issue in such other segment.
    (3) Notice of scope applications. On a monthly basis, the Secretary 
will publish a notice in the Federal Register listing scope applications 
filed with the Secretary.
    (e) Deadlines for scope rulings--(1) In general. The Secretary shall 
issue a final scope ruling within 120 days after the date on which the 
scope inquiry was initiated under paragraph (b) or (d) of this section.
    (2) Extension. The Secretary may extend the deadline in paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section by no more than 180 days, for a final scope 
ruling to be issued no later than 300 days after initiation, if the 
Secretary determines that good cause exists to warrant an extension. 
Situations in which good cause has been demonstrated may include:
    (3) Alignment with other segments. If the Secretary determines it is 
appropriate to do so, the Secretary may align the deadlines under this 
paragraph with the deadlines of another segment of the proceeding.
    (f) Scope inquiry procedures. (1) Within 30 days after the 
Secretary's self-initiation of a scope inquiry under paragraph (b) of 
this section, interested parties are permitted one opportunity to submit 
comments and factual information addressing the self-initiation. Within 
14 days after the filing of such comments, any interested party is 
permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual information 
submitted by the other interested parties.
    (2) Within 30 days after the initiation of a scope inquiry under 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section, an interested party other than the 
applicant is permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual 
information to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information contained 
in the scope ruling application. Within 14 days after the filing of such 
rebuttal, clarification, or correction, the applicant is permitted one 
opportunity to submit comments and factual information to rebut, 
clarify, or correct factual information submitted in the interested 
party's rebuttal, clarification or correction.
    (3) Following initiation of a scope inquiry under paragraph (b) or 
(d) of this section, the Secretary may issue questionnaires and verify 
submissions received, where appropriate. The Secretary may limit 
issuance of questionnaires to a reasonable number of respondents. 
Questionnaire responses are due on the date specified by the Secretary. 
Within 14 days after a questionnaire response has been filed with the 
Secretary, an interested party other than the original submitter is 
permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual information to 
rebut, clarify, or correct factual information contained in the 
questionnaire response. Within seven days of the filing of such 
rebuttal, clarification, or correction, the original submitter is 
permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual information to 
rebut, clarify, or correct factual information submitted in the 
interested party's rebuttal, clarification or correction.
    (4) If the Secretary issues a preliminary scope ruling under 
paragraph (g) of this section, which is not issued concurrently with the 
initiation of the scope inquiry, the Secretary will establish a schedule 
for the filing of scope comments and rebuttal comments. Unless otherwise 
specified, any interested party may submit scope comments within 14 days 
after the issuance of the preliminary scope ruling, and any interested 
party may submit rebuttal comments within 7 days thereafter. Unless 
otherwise specified, no new factual information will be accepted in the 
scope or rebuttal comments.

[[Page 281]]

    (5) If the Secretary issues a preliminary scope ruling concurrently 
with the initiation of a scope inquiry under paragraph (g) of this 
section, paragraphs (f)(1) through (4) of this section will not apply. 
In such a situation, the Secretary will establish appropriate procedures 
on a case-specific basis.
    (6) If the Secretary determines it is appropriate to do so, the 
Secretary may rescind, in whole or in part, a scope inquiry under this 
section and will notify interested parties.
    (7) If the Secretary determines it is appropriate to do so, the 
Secretary may alter or extend any time limits under this paragraph or 
establish a separate schedule for the filing of comments and/or factual 
information during the scope inquiry.
    (g) Preliminary scope ruling. The Secretary may issue a preliminary 
scope ruling, based upon the available information at the time, as to 
whether there is a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that the 
product subject to a scope inquiry is covered by the scope of the order. 
In determining whether to issue a preliminary scope ruling, the 
Secretary may consider the complexity of the issues and arguments raised 
in the scope inquiry. The Secretary may issue a preliminary scope ruling 
concurrently with the initiation of a scope inquiry under paragraph (b) 
or (d) of this section.
    (h) Final scope ruling. The Secretary will issue a final scope 
ruling as to whether the product that is the subject of the scope 
inquiry is covered by the scope of the order, including an explanation 
of the factual and legal conclusions on which the final scope ruling is 
based. The Secretary will promptly convey a copy of the final scope 
ruling in the manner prescribed by section 516A(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act 
to all parties to the proceeding (see Sec.  351.102(b)(36)), subject to 
the notice requirements for Governments of an FTA country under Sec.  
356.6 and Sec.  356.7.
    (i) Other segments of the proceeding. (1) Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this section, the Secretary may, but is not required to, 
address scope issues in another segment of the proceeding, such as an 
administrative review under Sec.  351.213, a circumvention inquiry under 
Sec.  351.226, or a covered merchandise inquiry under Sec.  351.227 
without conducting or completing a scope inquiry under this section. For 
example, the Secretary may rescind a scope inquiry under paragraph 
(f)(6) of this section and determine whether the product at issue is 
covered by the scope of the order in another segment of the proceeding 
(including another scope inquiry).
    (2) During the pendency of a scope inquiry or upon issuance of a 
final scope ruling under paragraph (h) of this section, the Secretary 
may take any further action, as appropriate, with respect to another 
segment of the proceeding. For example, if the Secretary considers it 
appropriate, the Secretary may request information concerning the 
product that is the subject of the scope inquiry for purpose of an 
administrative review under Sec.  351.213.
    (j) Country of origin determinations. In considering whether a 
product is covered by the scope of the order at issue, the Secretary may 
need to determine the country of origin of the product. To make such a 
determination, the Secretary may use any reasonable method and is not 
bound by the determinations of any other agency, including tariff 
classification and country of origin marking rulings issued by the 
Customs Service.
    (1) In determining the country of origin, the Secretary may conduct 
a substantial transformation analysis that considers relevant factors 
that arise on a case-by-case basis, including:
    (i) Whether the processed downstream product is a different class or 
kind of merchandise than the upstream product;
    (ii) The physical characteristics (including chemical, dimensional, 
and technical characteristics) of the product;
    (iii) The intended end-use of the downstream product;
    (iv) The cost of production/value added of further processing in the 
third country or countries;
    (v) The nature and sophistication of processing in the third country 
or countries; and
    (vi) The level of investment in the third country or countries.
    (2) In conducting a country of origin determination, the Secretary 
also may

[[Page 282]]

consider where the essential component of the product is produced or 
where the essential characteristics of the product are imparted.
    (k) Scope rulings. (1) In determining whether a product is covered 
by the scope of the order at issue, the Secretary will consider the 
language of the scope and may make its determination on this basis alone 
if the language of the scope, including the descriptions of merchandise 
expressly excluded from the scope, is dispositive.
    (i) The following primary interpretive sources may be taken into 
account under paragraph (k)(1) introductory text of this section, at the 
discretion of the Secretary:
    (A) The descriptions of the merchandise contained in the petition 
pertaining to the order at issue;
    (B) The descriptions of the merchandise contained in the initial 
investigation pertaining to the order at issue;
    (C) Previous or concurrent determinations of the Secretary, 
including prior scope rulings, memoranda, or clarifications pertaining 
to both the order at issue, as well as other orders with same or similar 
language as that of the order at issue; and
    (D) Determinations of the Commission pertaining to the order at 
issue, including reports issued pursuant to the Commission's initial 
investigation.
    (ii) The Secretary may also consider secondary interpretive sources 
under paragraph (k)(1) introductory text of this section, such as any 
other determinations of the Secretary or the Commission not identified 
above, Customs rulings or determinations, industry usage, dictionaries, 
and any other relevant record evidence. However, in the event of a 
conflict between these secondary interpretive sources and the primary 
interpretive sources under paragraph (k)(1)(i) of this section, the 
primary interpretive sources will normally govern in determining whether 
a product is covered by the scope of the order at issue.
    (2)(i) If the Secretary determines that the sources under paragraph 
(k)(1) of this section are not dispositive, the Secretary will then 
further consider the following factors:
    (A) The physical characteristics (including chemical, dimensional, 
and technical characteristics) of the product;
    (B) The expectations of the ultimate users;
    (C) The ultimate use of the product;
    (D) The channels of trade in which the product is sold; and
    (E) The manner in which the product is advertised and displayed.
    (ii) In the event of a conflict between the factors under paragraph 
(k)(2)(i) of this section, paragraph (k)(2)(i)(A) will normally be 
allotted greater weight than the other factors.
    (3) If merchandise contains or consists of two or more components 
and the product at issue in the scope inquiry is a component of that 
merchandise as a whole, the Secretary may adopt the following analysis:
    (i) The Secretary will analyze the scope language under paragraph 
(k)(1) of this section, and, if necessary, the factors under paragraph 
(k)(2) of this section, to determine if the component product, standing 
alone, would be covered by an order;
    (ii) If the Secretary determines that the component product would 
otherwise be covered by the scope of an order as a result of the 
analysis under (k)(3)(i) of this section, the Secretary will consider 
the scope language under paragraph (k)(1) of this section to determine 
whether the component product's inclusion in the merchandise as a whole 
results in its exclusion from the scope of the order; and
    (iii) If the Secretary determines the analysis under (k)(3)(ii) of 
this section does not resolve whether the component product's inclusion 
in the merchandise as a whole results in its exclusion from the scope of 
the order, then the Secretary will consider, as appropriate, the 
following relevant factors that may arise on a product-specific basis:
    (A) The practicability of separating the in-scope component for 
repackaging or resale, considering the relative difficulty and expense 
of separating the components;
    (B) The measurable value of the in-scope component as compared to 
the measurable value of the merchandise as a whole; and
    (C) The ultimate use or function of the in-scope component relative 
to the

[[Page 283]]

ultimate use or function of the merchandise as a whole.
    (l) Suspension of liquidation. (1) When the Secretary initiates a 
scope inquiry under paragraph (b) or (d) of this section, the Secretary 
will notify the Customs Service of the initiation and direct the Customs 
Service to continue the suspension of liquidation of entries of products 
subject to the scope inquiry that were already subject to the suspension 
of liquidation, and to apply the cash deposit rate that would be 
applicable if the product were determined to be covered by the scope of 
the order.
    (2) If the Secretary issues a preliminary scope ruling under 
paragraph (g) of this section that the product at issue is covered by 
the scope of the order, the Secretary will take the following actions:
    (i) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to continue the 
suspension of liquidation of previously suspended entries and apply the 
applicable cash deposit rate;
    (ii) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to begin the 
suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated 
duties, at the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of the 
product not yet suspended, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption on or after the date of initiation of the scope inquiry; and
    (iii)(A) In general. Subject to paragraph (l)(2)(iii)(B) of this 
section, the Secretary normally will direct the Customs Service to begin 
the suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated 
duties, at the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of the 
product not yet suspended, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption prior to the date of initiation of the scope inquiry.
    (B) Exception. If the Secretary determines it is appropriate to do 
so, the Secretary may, at the timely request of an interested party or 
at the Secretary's discretion, direct the Customs Service to begin the 
suspension of liquidation and apply the applicable cash deposit rate 
under paragraph (l)(2)(iii)(A) of this section at an alternative date. 
In response to a timely request from an interested party, the Secretary 
will only consider an alternative date based on a specific argument 
supported by evidence establishing the appropriateness of that 
alternative date.
    (3) If the Secretary issues a final scope ruling under paragraph (h) 
of this section that the product at issue is covered by the scope of the 
order, the Secretary will take the following actions:
    (i) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to continue the 
suspension of liquidation of previously suspended entries and apply the 
applicable cash deposit rate until appropriate liquidation instructions 
are issued;
    (ii) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to begin the 
suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated 
duties, at the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of the 
product not yet suspended, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption on or after the date of initiation of the scope inquiry 
until appropriate liquidation instructions are issued; and
    (iii)(A) In general. Subject to paragraph (l)(3)(iii)(B) of this 
section, the Secretary normally will direct the Customs Service to begin 
the suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated 
duties, at the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of the 
product not yet suspended, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption prior to the date of initiation of the scope inquiry until 
appropriate liquidation instructions are issued.
    (B) Exception. If the Secretary determines it is appropriate to do 
so, the Secretary may, at the timely request of an interested party or 
at the Secretary's discretion, direct the Customs Service to begin the 
suspension of liquidation and apply the applicable cash deposit rate 
under paragraph (l)(3)(iii)(A) of this section at an alternative date 
until appropriate liquidation instructions are issued. In response to a 
timely request from an interested party, the Secretary will only 
consider an alternative date based on a specific argument supported by 
evidence establishing the appropriateness of that alternative date.
    (4) If the Secretary issues a final scope ruling under paragraph (h) 
of this section that the product is not covered by the scope of the 
order, and entries of

[[Page 284]]

the product at issue are not otherwise subject to suspension of 
liquidation as a result of another segment of the proceeding, such as a 
circumvention inquiry under Sec.  351.226 or a covered merchandise 
inquiry under Sec.  351.227, the Secretary will order the Customs 
Service to terminate the suspension of liquidation and refund any cash 
deposits for such entries.
    (5) Nothing in this section affects the Customs Service's authority 
to take any additional action with respect to the suspension of 
liquidation or related measures.
    (m) Applicability of scope rulings; companion orders--(1) 
Applicability of scope rulings. In conducting a scope inquiry under this 
section, the Secretary shall consider, based on the available record 
evidence, whether the scope ruling should be applied:
    (i) On a producer-specific, exporter-specific, importer-specific 
basis, or some combination thereof; or
    (ii) To all products from the same country with the same relevant 
physical characteristics, (including chemical, dimensional and technical 
characteristics) as the product at issue, on a country-wide basis, 
regardless of the producer, exporter or importer of those products.
    (2) Companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders. If there 
are companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders covering the 
same merchandise from the same country of origin, the requesting 
interested party under paragraph (c) of this section must file the scope 
ruling application pertaining to both orders only on the record of the 
antidumping duty proceeding. Should the Secretary determine to initiate 
a scope inquiry under paragraph (b) or (d) of this section, the 
Secretary will initiate and conduct a single inquiry with respect to the 
product at issue for both orders only on the record of the antidumping 
proceeding. Once the Secretary issues a final scope ruling on the record 
of the antidumping duty proceeding, the Secretary will include a copy of 
that scope ruling on the record of the countervailing duty proceeding.
    (n) Service of scope ruling application; annual inquiry service 
list; entry of appearance. (1) The requirements of Sec.  351.303(f) 
apply to this section, except that an interested party that submits a 
scope ruling application under paragraph (c) of this section must serve 
a copy of the application on all persons on the annual inquiry service 
list for that order, as well as the companion order, if any, as 
described in paragraph (m)(2) of this section. If a scope ruling 
application is rejected and resubmitted pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of 
this section, service of the resubmitted application is not required 
under this paragraph, unless otherwise specified.
    (2) For purposes of this section, the ``annual inquiry service 
list'' will include the petitioner(s) and those parties that file a 
request for inclusion on the annual inquiry service list for a 
proceeding, in accordance with the Secretary's established procedures.
    (3) A new ``annual inquiry service list'' will be established on a 
yearly basis. Parties filing a request for inclusion on that list must 
file a request during the anniversary month of the publication of the 
antidumping or countervailing duty order. Only the petitioner and the 
government of the foreign country at issue in an antidumping or 
countervailing duty order will be automatically placed on the new annual 
inquiry service list once the previous year's list has been replaced.
    (4) Once a scope inquiry has been self-initiated or a scope ruling 
application is accepted by the Secretary, a segment-specific service 
list will be established and the requirements of Sec.  351.303(f) will 
apply. Parties other than the scope ruling applicant under paragraph (c) 
of this section that wish to participate in the scope inquiry must file 
an entry of appearance in accordance with Sec.  351.103(d)(1).
    (o) Publication of list of final scope rulings. On a quarterly 
basis, the Secretary will publish in the Federal Register a list of 
final scope rulings issued within the previous three months. This list 
will include the case name, and a brief description of the ruling. The 
Secretary also may include complete public versions of its scope rulings 
on its website, should the Secretary determine such placement is 
warranted.

[[Page 285]]

    (p) Suspended investigations; suspension agreements. The Secretary 
may apply the procedures set forth in this section in determining 
whether a product at issue is covered by the scope of a suspended 
investigation or a suspension agreement (see Sec.  351.208).
    (q) Scope clarifications. The Secretary may issue a scope 
clarification in any segment of a proceeding providing an interpretation 
of specific language in the scope of an order or addressing whether a 
product is covered or excluded by the scope of an order at issue based 
on previous scope determinations covering the same or similar products. 
Such a scope clarification may take the form of an interpretive footnote 
to the scope when the scope is published or issued in instructions to 
the Customs Service.

[86 FR 52374, Sept. 20, 2021, as amended at 88 FR 67077, Sept. 29, 2023]

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20833, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.225 
was amended, effective Apr. 24, 2024, by:
Revising paragraph (c)(1);
Adding paragraphs (c)(2)(x) and (c)(3);
Revising paragraph (d)(1);
Adding introductory text to paragraph (f);
Revising paragraph (l)(1);
In paragraph (l)(5), removing ``the Customs Service's '' and adding in 
its place ``the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's''; and
Revising paragraphs (m)(2) and (q).

For the convenience of the user, the added and revised text is set forth 
as follows:



Sec.  351.225  Scope rulings.

                                * * * * *

    (c) * * *
    (1) Contents. An interested party may submit a scope ruling 
application requesting that the Secretary conduct a scope inquiry to 
determine whether a product, which is or has been in actual production 
by the time of the filing of the application, is covered by the scope of 
an order. If the product at issue has not been imported into the United 
States, the applicant must provide evidence that the product has been 
commercially produced and sold. The Secretary will make available a 
scope ruling application, which the applicant must fully complete and 
serve in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (n) of this 
section.
    (2) * * *
    (x) If the product has not been imported into the United States as 
of the date of the filing of the scope ruling application:
    (A) A statement that the product has been commercially produced;
    (B) A description of the countries in which the product is sold, or 
has been sold; and
    (C) Relevant documentation which reflects the details surrounding 
the production and sale of that product in countries other than the 
United States.
    (3) Comments on the adequacy of the request. Within 10 days after 
the filing of a scope ruling application under paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section, an interested party other than the applicant is permitted one 
opportunity to submit comments regarding the adequacy of the scope 
ruling application.
    (d) * * *
    (1) Acceptance and initiation of a scope inquiry based on a scope 
ruling application. Except as provided under paragraph (d)(1)(ii) or 
(d)(2) of this section, within 30 days after the filing of a scope 
ruling application, the Secretary will determine whether to accept or 
reject the scope ruling application and to initiate or not initiate a 
scope inquiry, or, in the alternative, paragraph (d)(1)(ii) will apply.
    (i) If the Secretary determines that a scope ruling application is 
incomplete or otherwise unacceptable, the Secretary may reject the scope 
ruling application and will provide a written explanation of the reasons 
for the rejection. If the scope ruling application is rejected, the 
applicant may resubmit the full application at any time, with all 
identified deficiencies corrected.
    (ii) If the Secretary issues questions to the applicant seeking 
clarification with respect to one or more aspects of a scope ruling 
application, the Secretary will determine whether or not to initiate 
within 30 days after the applicant files a timely response to the 
Secretary's questions.
    (iii) If the Secretary does not reject the scope ruling application 
or initiate the scope inquiry within 31 days after the filing of the 
application or the receipt of a timely response to the Secretary's 
questions, the application will be deemed accepted, and the scope 
inquiry will be deemed initiated.

                                * * * * *

    (f) Scope inquiry procedures. The filing and timing restrictions of 
Sec.  351.301(c) do not apply to this paragraph (f), and factual 
information submitted inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph may 
be rejected as unsolicited and untimely.

                                * * * * *

    (l) * * *
    (1) When the Secretary initiates a scope inquiry under paragraph (b) 
or (d) of this section, the Secretary will notify U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection of the initiation and direct U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection

[[Page 286]]

to continue the suspension of liquidation of entries of products subject 
to the scope inquiry that were already subject to the suspension of 
liquidation, and to apply the cash deposit rate that would be applicable 
if the product were determined to be covered by the scope of the order. 
Such suspension shall include, but shall not be limited to, entries 
covered by the final results of administrative review of an antidumping 
or countervailing duty order pursuant to Sec.  351.212(b), automatic 
assessment pursuant to Sec.  351.212(c), and a rescinded administrative 
review pursuant to Sec.  351.213(d), as well as any other entries 
already suspended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the 
antidumping and countervailing duty laws which have not yet been 
liquidated in accordance with 19 CFR part 159.

                                * * * * *

    (m) * * *
    (2) Companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders. If there 
are companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders covering the 
same merchandise from the same country of origin, the requesting 
interested party under paragraph (c) of this section must file the scope 
ruling application pertaining to both orders on the records of both the 
antidumping duty and countervailing duty proceedings. If the Secretary 
accepts the scope applications on both records under paragraph (d) of 
this section, the Secretary will notify the requesting interested party 
that all subsequent filings should be filed only on the record of the 
antidumping duty proceeding. If the Secretary determines to initiate a 
scope inquiry under paragraph (b) or (d) of this section, the Secretary 
will initiate and conduct a single inquiry with respect to the product 
at issue for both orders only on the record of the antidumping duty 
proceeding. Once the Secretary issues a final scope ruling on the record 
of the antidumping duty proceeding, the Secretary will include on the 
record of the countervailing duty proceeding a copy of the scope ruling 
memoranda, a copy of the preliminary scope ruling memoranda, if one had 
been issued, and all relevant instructions to U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection.

                                * * * * *

    (q) Scope clarifications. The Secretary may issue a scope 
clarification at any time which provides an interpretation of specific 
language in the scope of an order and addresses other scope-related 
issues but does not address or determine whether a product is covered by 
the scope of an order in the first instance other than in the situations 
listed in this paragraph (q).
    (1) Scope clarifications may be used in the following situations to 
clarify:
    (i) Whether a product is covered or excluded by the scope of an 
order based on two or more previous scope determinations covering 
products which have the same or similar physical characteristics 
(including chemical, dimensional, and technical characteristics);
    (ii) Whether a product covered by the scope of an order, and for 
which coverage is not at issue, is not subject to the imposition of 
antidumping or countervailing duties pursuant to a statutory exception 
to the trade remedy laws, such as the limited governmental importation 
exception set forth in section 771(20)(B) of the Act;
    (iii) Whether language or descriptors in the scope of an order that 
are subsequently updated, revised, or replaced, in the following 
circumstances, continue to apply to the product at issue:
    (A) Modifications to the language in the scope of an order pursuant 
to litigation or a changed circumstances review under section 751(b) of 
the Act;
    (B) Changes to Harmonized Tariff Schedule classifications, as 
administered by the Commission; and
    (C) Changes to industrial standards set forth in a scope, as 
determined by the industry source for those standards identified in the 
scope; and
    (iv) To clarify an analysis conducted by Commerce in a previous 
scope determination or scope ruling. For example, an issue may arise as 
to whether certain processing, observed in a segment of proceeding and 
conducted in a third country, falls within a stage of production 
previously determined by the Secretary in a country-of-origin analysis 
in the same proceeding, pursuant to paragraph (j)(2) of this section, to 
be the stage of production at which the essential component of the 
product is produced or where the essential characteristics of the 
product are imparted.
    (2) Scope clarifications may take the form of an interpretive 
footnote to the scope when the scope is published or issued in 
instructions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or in a memorandum 
issued in an ongoing segment of a proceeding. At the discretion of the 
Secretary, a scope clarification may also take the form of preliminary 
and final notices of scope clarification published in the Federal 
Register. If the Secretary decides to publish preliminary and final 
notifications of scope clarification, it must provide interested parties 
at least 30 days after the publication of the preliminary notification 
of scope clarification to file comments with the Secretary. The 
Secretary will address those comments in the final notification of scope 
clarification published in the Federal Register.

[[Page 287]]



Sec.  351.226  Circumvention inquiries.

    (a) Introduction. Section 781 of the Act addresses the circumvention 
of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. This provision recognizes 
that circumvention seriously undermines the effectiveness of the 
remedies provided by the antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings 
and frustrates the purposes for which these laws were enacted. Section 
781 of the Act allows the Secretary to apply antidumping and 
countervailing duty orders in such a way as to prevent circumvention by 
including within the scope of the order four distinct categories of 
merchandise. The Secretary will initiate and conduct a circumvention 
inquiry at the request of an interested party or on the Secretary's 
initiative, and issue a circumvention determination as provided for 
under section 781 of the Act and the rules and procedures in this 
section. Unless otherwise specified, the procedures as described in 
subpart C of this part (Sec. Sec.  351.301 through 351.308 and 351.312 
through 351.313) apply to this section.
    (b) Self-initiation of a circumvention inquiry. If the Secretary 
determines from available information that an inquiry is warranted into 
the question of whether the elements necessary for a circumvention 
determination under section 781 of the Act exist, the Secretary may 
initiate a circumvention inquiry by publishing a notice of initiation in 
the Federal Register.
    (c) Circumvention inquiry request--(1) In general. An interested 
party may submit a request for a circumvention inquiry that alleges that 
the elements necessary for a circumvention determination under section 
781 of the Act exist and that is accompanied by information reasonably 
available to the interested party supporting these allegations. The 
circumvention inquiry request must be served in accordance with the 
requirements of paragraph (n) of this section.
    (2) Contents of request. To the extent reasonably available to the 
requestor, a circumvention inquiry request must include the following 
requested information under paragraph (c)(1) of this section and 
relevant supporting documentation:
    (i) A detailed description of the merchandise allegedly 
circumventing the antidumping or countervailing duty order, including:
    (A) The physical characteristics (including chemical, dimensional or 
technical characteristics) of the product;
    (B) The country(ies) where the product is produced, the country from 
where it is exported, and the declared country of origin;
    (C) The product's tariff classification under the Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States and copies of any Customs rulings relevant 
to the tariff classification;
    (D) The uses of the product;
    (E) Clear and legible photographs, schematic drawings, 
specifications, standards, marketing materials, and any other exemplars 
providing a visual depiction of the product; and
    (F) A description of parts, materials, and the production process 
employed in the production of the product.
    (ii) A concise public summary of the product's description under 
paragraphs (c)(2)(i)(A) through (C) of this section.
    (iii) The name and address of the producer, exporter, and importer 
of the product. If the full universe of parties allegedly circumventing 
the order(s) is unknown, then examples are sufficient.
    (iv) A statement of the requestor's position as to the nature of the 
alleged circumvention under section 781 of the Act, such as a 
description of the procedures, channels of trade, and foreign countries 
involved (including a description of the processes occurring in each 
country), as appropriate.
    (v) A statement of the requestor's position as to whether the 
circumvention inquiry, if initiated, should be conducted on a country-
wide basis.
    (vi) Factual information supporting this position, including import 
and export data relevant to the merchandise allegedly circumventing the 
antidumping or countervailing duty order.
    (d) Initiation of a circumvention inquiry and other actions based on 
a request--(1) Initiation of circumvention inquiry. Except as provided 
under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, within 30 days after the filing 
of a request for a circumvention inquiry, the Secretary will determine 
whether to accept or reject the request and whether to initiate or not 
initiate

[[Page 288]]

a circumvention inquiry. If it is not practicable to determine whether 
to accept or reject a request or initiate or not initiate within 30 
days, the Secretary may extend that deadline by an additional 15 days.
    (2) Other actions based on a request for a circumvention inquiry. 
Where applicable, the Secretary may take one of the following actions 
within the applicable timeline under paragraph (d)(1) of this section:
    (i) If the Secretary determines upon review of a request for a 
circumvention inquiry that a scope ruling is warranted before the 
Secretary can conduct a circumvention analysis, the Secretary may either 
initiate the circumvention inquiry under paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this 
section and address the scope issue in the circumvention inquiry (see 
Sec.  351.225(i)(1)), or defer initiation of the circumvention inquiry 
pending the completion of any ongoing or new segment of the proceeding 
addressing the scope issue. When initiation is deferred pending another 
segment of the proceeding, if the result of that other segment is that 
the product at issue is not covered by the scope of the antidumping and/
or countervailing duty order(s) at issue, the Secretary may immediately 
initiate the circumvention inquiry upon the issuance of the final 
decision in that other segment; or
    (ii) If the Secretary determines upon review of the request for a 
circumvention inquiry that the circumvention issue should be addressed 
in an ongoing segment of the proceeding, such as a covered merchandise 
inquiry under Sec.  351.227, rather than initiating a circumvention 
inquiry, the Secretary will notify the requestor of its intent to 
address the circumvention issue in such other segment.
    (e) Deadlines for circumvention determinations--(1) Preliminary 
determination. The Secretary will issue a preliminary determination 
under paragraph (g)(1) of this section no later than 150 days from the 
date of publication of the notice of initiation of a circumvention 
inquiry under paragraph (b) or (d) of this section.
    (2) Final determination. In accordance with section 781(f) of the 
Act, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, issue a 
final determination under paragraph (g)(2) of this section no later than 
300 days from the date of publication of the notice of initiation of a 
circumvention inquiry under paragraph (b) or (d) of this section. If the 
Secretary concludes that the inquiry is extraordinarily complicated and 
additional time is necessary to issue a final circumvention 
determination, then the Secretary may extend the 300-day deadline by no 
more than 65 days.
    (3) Alignment with other segments. If the Secretary determines it is 
appropriate to do so, the Secretary may align the deadlines under this 
paragraph with the deadlines of another segment of the proceeding.
    (f) Circumvention inquiry procedures. (1) Within 30 days after the 
Secretary's self-initiation of a circumvention inquiry under paragraph 
(b) of this section, interested parties are permitted one opportunity to 
submit comments and factual information addressing the self-initiation. 
Within 14 days after the filing of such comments, any interested party 
is permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual information 
submitted by the other interested parties.
    (2) Within 30 days after the initiation of a circumvention inquiry 
under paragraph (d)(1) of this section, an interested party other than 
the applicant is permitted one opportunity to submit comments and 
factual information to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information 
contained in the scope ruling application. Within 14 days after the 
filing of such rebuttal, clarification, or correction, the applicant is 
permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual information to 
rebut, clarify, or correct factual information submitted in the 
interested party's rebuttal, clarification, or correction.
    (3) Following initiation of a circumvention inquiry under paragraph 
(b) or (d) of this section, the Secretary may issue questionnaires and 
verify submissions received, where appropriate. The Secretary may limit 
issuance of questionnaires to a reasonable number of respondents. 
Questionnaire responses are due on the date specified by the Secretary. 
Within 14 days after a questionnaire response has

[[Page 289]]

been filed with the Secretary, an interested party other than the 
original submitter is permitted one opportunity to submit comments and 
factual information to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information 
contained in the questionnaire response. Within 7 days of the filing of 
such rebuttal, clarification, or correction, the original submitter is 
permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual information to 
rebut, clarify, or correct factual information contained in the 
interested party's rebuttal, clarification or correction.
    (4) If the Secretary issues a preliminary circumvention 
determination under paragraph (g)(1) of this section, which is not 
issued concurrently with the initiation of the circumvention inquiry, 
the Secretary will establish a schedule for the filing of comments and 
rebuttal comments. Unless otherwise specified, any interested party may 
submit comments within 14 days after the issuance of the preliminary 
circumvention determination, and any interested party may submit 
rebuttal comments within 7 days thereafter. Unless otherwise specified, 
no new factual information will be accepted in the comments or rebuttal 
comments.
    (5) If the Secretary issues a preliminary circumvention 
determination concurrently with the initiation of the circumvention 
inquiry under paragraph (g)(1) of this section, paragraphs (f)(1) 
through (4) will not apply. In such a situation, the Secretary will 
establish appropriate procedures on a case-specific basis.
    (6) If the Secretary determines it is appropriate to do so, the 
Secretary may rescind, in whole or in part, a circumvention inquiry, 
under this section and will notify interested parties. Situations in 
which the Secretary may rescind a circumvention inquiry include:
    (i) The requestor timely withdraws its request for a circumvention 
inquiry under paragraph (c) of this section;
    (ii) The Secretary issues a final determination in another segment 
of a proceeding, and has determined that the merchandise at issue in the 
circumvention inquiry is covered by the scope of the antidumping or 
countervailing duty order;
    (iii) The Secretary has initiated a circumvention inquiry under 
paragraph (b) or (d) of this section to examine circumvention under two 
or more provisions under paragraph (h), (i), (j), or (k) of this 
section, and determines that it is not necessary to issue a final 
circumvention determination with respect to one of those paragraphs. For 
example, if the Secretary initiates a circumvention inquiry to examine 
whether merchandise is altered in minor respects under paragraph (j) of 
this section or later-developed merchandise under paragraph (k) of this 
section, the Secretary may rescind the inquiry in part to address only 
one of those provisions; or
    (iv) The Secretary has initiated a covered merchandise inquiry under 
Sec.  351.227 and determined that it can address the necessary elements 
for a circumvention determination under section 781 of the Act in that 
proceeding.
    (7) If the Secretary determines it is appropriate to do so, the 
Secretary may alter or extend any time limits under this paragraph or 
establish a separate schedule for the filing of comments and/or factual 
information during the circumvention inquiry.
    (8)(i) The Secretary will notify the Commission in writing of the 
proposed inclusion of products in an order prior to issuing a final 
determination under paragraph (g)(2) of this section based on a 
determination under:
    (A) Section 781(a) of the Act (paragraph (h) of this section) with 
respect to merchandise completed or assembled in the United States 
(other than minor completion or assembly);
    (B) Section 781(b) of the Act (paragraph (i) of this section) with 
respect to merchandise completed or assembled in other foreign 
countries; or
    (C) Section 781(d) of the Act (paragraph (k) of this section) with 
respect to later-developed products that incorporate a significant 
technological advance or significant alteration of an earlier product.
    (ii) If the Secretary notifies the Commission under paragraph 
(f)(8)(i) of this section, upon the written request of the Commission, 
the Secretary will consult with the Commission regarding the proposed 
inclusion, and any such consultation will be completed within

[[Page 290]]

15 days after the date of such request. If, after consultation, the 
Commission believes that a significant injury issue is presented by the 
proposed inclusion of a product within an order, the Commission may 
provide written advice to the Secretary as to whether the inclusion 
would be inconsistent with the affirmative injury determination of the 
Commission on which the order is based.
    (9) During the pendency of a circumvention inquiry or upon issuance 
of a final circumvention determination under paragraph (g)(2) of this 
section, the Secretary may take any further action, as appropriate, with 
respect to another segment of the proceeding. For example, if the 
Secretary considers it appropriate, the Secretary may request 
information concerning the product that is the subject of the 
circumvention inquiry for purposes of an administrative review under 
Sec.  351.213.
    (g) Circumvention determinations--(1) Preliminary determination. The 
Secretary will issue a preliminary determination, based upon the 
available information at the time, as to whether there is a reasonable 
basis to believe or suspect that the elements necessary for a 
circumvention determination under section 781 of the Act exist. The 
preliminary determination will be published in the Federal Register. The 
Secretary may publish notice of a preliminary determination concurrently 
with the notice of initiation of a circumvention inquiry under paragraph 
(b) or (d) of this section.
    (2) Final determination. The Secretary will issue a final 
determination as to whether the elements necessary for a circumvention 
determination under section 781 of the Act exist, in which case the 
merchandise at issue will be included within the scope of the order. As 
part of its determination, the Secretary will include an explanation of 
the factual and legal conclusions on which the final determination is 
based. The final determination will be published in the Federal 
Register. Promptly after publication, the Secretary will convey a copy 
of the final determination in the manner prescribed by section 
516A(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act to all parties to the proceeding (see Sec.  
351.102(b)(36)).
    (h) Products completed or assembled in the United States. Under 
section 781(a) of the Act, the Secretary may include within the scope of 
an antidumping or countervailing duty order imported parts or components 
referred to in section 781(a)(1)(B) of the Act that are used in the 
completion or assembly of the merchandise in the United States at any 
time such order is in effect. In determining the value of parts or 
components (including such purchases from another person) under section 
781(a)(1)(D) of the Act, or of processing performed (including by 
another person) under section 781(a)(2)(E) of the Act, the Secretary may 
determine the value of the part or component on the basis of the cost of 
producing the part or component under section 773(e) of the Act--or, in 
the case of nonmarket economies, on the basis of section 773(c) of the 
Act.
    (i) Products completed or assembled in other foreign countries. 
Under section 781(b) of the Act, the Secretary may include within the 
scope of an antidumping or countervailing duty order, at any time such 
order is in effect, imported merchandise completed or assembled in a 
foreign country other than the country to which the order applies. In 
determining the value of parts or components (including such purchases 
from another person) under section 781(b)(1)(D) of the Act, or of 
processing performed (including by another person) under section 
781(b)(2)(E) of the Act, the Secretary may determine the value of the 
part or component on the basis of the cost of producing the part or 
component under section 773(e) of the Act--or, in the case of nonmarket 
economies, on the basis of section 773(c) of the Act.
    (j) Minor alterations of merchandise. Under section 781(c) of the 
Act, the Secretary may include within the scope of an antidumping or 
countervailing duty order articles altered in form or appearance in 
minor respects. The Secretary may consider such criteria including, but 
not limited to, the overall physical characteristics of the merchandise, 
(including chemical, dimensional, and technical characteristics), the 
expectations of the ultimate users, the use of the merchandise, the 
channels of marketing and the cost of

[[Page 291]]

any modification relative to the total value of the imported products. 
The Secretary also may consider the circumstances under which the 
products enter the United States, including but not limited to the 
timing of the entries and the quantity of merchandise entered during the 
circumvention review period.
    (k) Later-developed merchandise. In determining whether later-
developed merchandise is within the scope of an antidumping or 
countervailing duty order, the Secretary will apply section 781(d) of 
the Act. In determining whether merchandise is ``later-developed'' the 
Secretary will examine whether the merchandise at issue was commercially 
available at the time of the initiation of the underlying antidumping or 
countervailing duty investigation.
    (l) Suspension of liquidation. (1) When the Secretary publishes a 
notice of initiation of a circumvention inquiry under paragraph (b) or 
(d) of this section, the Secretary will notify the Customs Service of 
the initiation and direct the Customs Service to continue the suspension 
of liquidation of entries of products subject to the circumvention 
inquiry that were already subject to the suspension of liquidation, and 
to apply the cash deposit rate that would be applicable if the product 
were determined to be covered by the scope of the order.
    (2) If the Secretary issues an affirmative preliminary determination 
under paragraph (g)(1) of this section that the product at issue is 
covered by the scope of the order, the Secretary will take the following 
actions:
    (i) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to continue the 
suspension of liquidation of previously suspended entries and apply the 
applicable cash deposit rate;
    (ii) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to begin the 
suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated 
duties, at the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of the 
product not yet suspended, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption on or after the date of the publication of the notice of 
initiation of the circumvention inquiry; and
    (iii)(A) In general. Subject to paragraph (l)(2)(iii)(B) of this 
section, if the Secretary determines that it is appropriate to do so, 
the Secretary may direct the Customs Service to begin the suspension of 
liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated duties, at the 
applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of the product not yet 
suspended, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption prior 
to the date of publication of the notice of initiation of the inquiry. 
The Secretary may take action under this provision at the timely request 
of an interested party or at the Secretary's discretion. In response to 
a timely request from an interested party, the Secretary will only 
consider an alternative date based on a specific argument supported by 
evidence establishing the appropriateness of that alternative date.
    (B) Exception. If the Secretary has determined to address a covered 
merchandise referral (see Sec.  351.227) in a circumvention inquiry 
under Sec.  351.226, the rules of Sec.  351.227(l)(2)(iii) will apply.
    (3) If the Secretary issues an affirmative final determination under 
paragraph (g)(2) of this section that the product at issue is covered by 
the scope of the order, the following rules will apply:
    (i) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to continue the 
suspension of liquidation of previously suspended entries and apply the 
applicable cash deposit rate until appropriate liquidation instructions 
are issued;
    (ii) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to begin the 
suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated 
duties, at the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of the 
product not yet suspended, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption on or after the date of publication of the notice of 
initiation of the inquiry until appropriate liquidation instructions are 
issued; and
    (iii)(A) In general. Subject to paragraph (l)(3)(iii)(B) of this 
section, if the Secretary determines that it is appropriate to do so, 
the Secretary may direct the Customs Service to begin the suspension of 
liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated duties, at the 
applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of the product not yet 
suspended,

[[Page 292]]

entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption prior to the date 
of publication of the notice of initiation of the inquiry until 
appropriate liquidation instructions are issued. The Secretary may take 
action under this provision at the timely request of an interested party 
or at the Secretary's discretion. In response to a timely request from 
an interested party, the Secretary will only consider an alternative 
date based on a specific argument supported by evidence establishing the 
appropriateness of that alternative date.
    (B) Exception. If the Secretary has determined to address a covered 
merchandise referral (see Sec.  351.227) in a circumvention inquiry 
under Sec.  351.226, the rules of Sec.  351.227(l)(3)(iii) will apply.
    (4) If the Secretary issues a negative final determination under 
paragraph (g)(2) of this section, and entries of the product are not 
otherwise subject to suspension of liquidation as a result of another 
segment of the proceeding, such as a covered merchandise inquiry under 
Sec.  351.227, the Secretary will order the Customs Service to terminate 
the suspension of liquidation and refund any cash deposits for such 
entries.
    (5) Nothing in this section affects the Customs Service's authority 
to take any additional action with respect to the suspension of 
liquidation or related measures.
    (m) Applicability of circumvention determination; companion orders--
(1) Applicability of circumvention determination. In conducting a 
circumvention inquiry under this section, the Secretary shall consider, 
based on the available record evidence, the appropriate remedy to 
address circumvention and to prevent evasion of the order. Such remedies 
may include:
    (i) The application of the determination on a producer-specific, 
exporter-specific, importer-specific basis, or some combination thereof;
    (ii) The application of the determination on a country-wide basis to 
all products from the same country as the product at issue with the same 
relevant physical characteristics, (including chemical, dimensional and 
technical characteristics), regardless of producer, exporter, or 
importer of those products;
    (iii) The application of the determination on a country-wide basis 
to all products from the same country as the product at issue with 
similar relevant physical characteristics, (including chemical, 
dimensional and technical characteristics), regardless of producer, 
exporter, or importer of those products; and
    (iv) The implementation of a certification requirement under 19 CFR 
351.228.
    (2) Companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders. If there 
are companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders covering the 
same merchandise from the same country of origin, the requesting 
interested party under paragraph (c) of this section must file the 
request pertaining to both orders only on the record of the antidumping 
duty proceeding. Should the Secretary determine to initiate a 
circumvention inquiry under paragraph (b) or (d) of this section, the 
Secretary will initiate and conduct a single inquiry with respect to the 
product at issue for both orders only on the record of the antidumping 
proceeding. Once the Secretary issues a final circumvention 
determination on the record of the antidumping duty proceeding, the 
Secretary will include a copy of that determination on the record of the 
countervailing duty proceeding.
    (n) Service of circumvention inquiry request; annual inquiry service 
list; entry of appearance. (1) The requirements of Sec.  351.303(f) 
apply to this section, except that an interested party that submits a 
circumvention inquiry request under paragraph (c) of this section must 
serve a copy of that inquiry request on all persons on the annual 
inquiry service list for that order, as well as the companion order, if 
any, as described in paragraph (m)(2) of this section. The procedures 
and description pertaining to the ``annual inquiry service list'' are 
set forth in Sec.  351.225(n)(1) through (3).
    (2) Once a circumvention inquiry is self-initiated or a 
circumvention inquiry request is accepted by the Secretary, a segment-
specific service list will be established and the requirements of Sec.  
351.303(f) will apply. Parties other than the interested party 
requesting a circumvention inquiry that

[[Page 293]]

wish to participate in the circumvention inquiry must file an entry of 
appearance in accordance with Sec.  351.103(d)(1).
    (o) Suspended investigations; suspension agreements. The Secretary 
may, in accordance with section 781 of the Act, apply the procedures set 
forth in this section in determining whether the product at issue 
circumvented a suspended investigation or a suspension agreement (see 
Sec.  351.208).

[86 FR 52377, Sept. 20, 2021, as amended at 88 FR 67078, Sept. 29, 2023]

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20834, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.226 
was amended, effective Apr. 24, 2024, by:
    Adding paragraph (c)(3);
    Revising paragraphs (d)(1) and (e)(1);
    Adding introductory text to paragraph (f);
    In paragraph (l)(5), removing ``the Customs Service's'' and adding 
in its place ``the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's''; and
    Revising paragraph (m)(2).
    For the convenience of the user, the added and revised text is set 
forth as follows:



Sec.  351.226  Circumvention inquiries.

                                * * * * *

    (c) * * *
    (3) Comments and information on the adequacy of the request. Within 
10 days after the filing of a circumvention inquiry request under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section, an interested party other than the 
requestor is permitted one opportunity to submit comments and new 
factual information regarding the adequacy of the circumvention inquiry 
request. Within five days after the filing of new factual information in 
support of adequacy comments, the requestor is permitted one opportunity 
to submit comments and factual information to rebut, clarify, or correct 
that factual information.
    (d) * * *
    (1) Initiation of a circumvention inquiry. Except as provided under 
paragraphs (d)(1)(ii) and (d)(2) of this section, within 30 days after 
the filing of a request for a circumvention inquiry, the Secretary will 
determine whether to accept or reject the request and whether to 
initiate or not initiate a circumvention inquiry. If it is not 
practicable to make such determinations within 30 days, the Secretary 
may extend the 30-day deadline by an additional 15 days if no interested 
party has filed new factual information in response to the circumvention 
request pursuant to paragraph (c)(3) of this section. If interested 
parties have filed new factual information pursuant to paragraph (c)(3) 
of this section, the Secretary may extend the 30-day deadline by an 
additional 30 days.
    (i) If the Secretary determines that the request is incomplete or 
otherwise unacceptable, the Secretary may reject the request, and will 
provide a written explanation of the reasons for the rejection. If the 
request is rejected, the requestor may resubmit the full request at any 
time, with all identified deficiencies corrected.
    (ii) If the Secretary issues questions to the requestor seeking 
clarification with respect to one or more aspects of a circumvention 
inquiry request, the Secretary will determine whether or not to initiate 
within 30 days after the requestor files a timely response to the 
Secretary's questions.
    (iii) If the Secretary determines that a request for a circumvention 
inquiry satisfies the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section, the 
Secretary will accept the request and initiate a circumvention inquiry. 
The Secretary will publish a notice of initiation in the Federal 
Register.

                                * * * * *

    (e) * * *
    (1) Preliminary determination. The Secretary will issue a 
preliminary determination under paragraph (g)(1) of this section no 
later than 150 days after the date of publication of the notice of 
initiation of paragraph (b) or (d) of this section. If the Secretary 
concludes that an extension of the preliminary determination is 
warranted, the Secretary may extend that deadline by no more than 90 
additional days.

                                * * * * *

    (f) Circumvention inquiry procedures. The filing and timing 
instructions of Sec.  351.301(c) do not apply to this paragraph (f), and 
factual information submitted inconsistent with the terms of this 
paragraph may be rejected as unsolicited and untimely.

                                * * * * *

    (m) * * *
    (2) Companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders. If there 
are companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders covering the 
same merchandise from the same country of origin, the requesting 
interested party under paragraph (c) of this section must file the 
request pertaining to both orders on the record of both the antidumping 
duty and countervailing duty segments of the proceeding. If the 
Secretary accepts the circumvention requests on both records under 
paragraph (d) of this section, the Secretary will notify the requesting 
interested party that all subsequent filings should be filed only on the 
record of the antidumping duty proceeding. If the Secretary determines

[[Page 294]]

to initiate a circumvention inquiry under paragraph (b) or (d) of this 
section, the Secretary will initiate and conduct a single inquiry with 
respect to the product at issue for both orders only on the record of 
the antidumping duty proceeding. Once the Secretary issues a final 
circumvention determination on the record of the antidumping duty 
proceeding, the Secretary will include on the record of the 
countervailing duty proceeding copies of the final circumvention 
determination memoranda, the final circumvention determination Federal 
Register notice, the preliminary circumvention determination memoranda, 
the preliminary circumvention determination Federal Register notice, and 
all relevant instructions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

                                * * * * *



Sec.  351.227  Covered merchandise referrals.

    (a) Introduction. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act 
of 2015 contains Title IV--Prevention of Evasion of Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Orders (short title ``Enforce and Protect Act of 
2015'' or ``EAPA'') (Pub. L. 114-125, sections 401, 421, 130 Stat. 122, 
155, 161 (2016)). The Enforce and Protect Act of 2015 added section 517 
to the Act, which established a new framework by which the Customs 
Service can conduct civil administrative investigations of potential 
duty evasion of an antidumping and/or countervailing duty order 
(referred to herein as an ``EAPA investigation''). Section 
517(b)(4)(A)(i) of the Act provides a procedure whereby if, during the 
course of an EAPA investigation, the Customs Service is unable to 
determine whether the merchandise at issue is covered merchandise within 
the meaning of section 517(a)(3) of the Act, it shall refer the matter 
to the Secretary to make such a determination (referred to herein as a 
``covered merchandise referral''). Section 517(b)(4)(B) of the Act 
directs the Secretary to determine whether the merchandise is covered 
merchandise and promptly transmit the determination to the Customs 
Service. The Secretary will consider a covered merchandise referral and 
issue a covered merchandise determination in accordance with the rules 
and procedures in this section. Unless otherwise specified, the 
procedures as described in subpart C of this part (Sec. Sec.  351.301 
through 351.308 and 351.312 through 351.313) apply to this section.
    (b) Actions with respect to covered merchandise referral. (1) Within 
20 days after acknowledging receipt of a covered merchandise referral 
from the Customs Service pursuant to section 517(b)(4)(A)(i) of the Act 
that the Secretary determines to be sufficient, the Secretary will take 
one of the following actions.
    (i) Initiate a covered merchandise inquiry; or
    (ii) If the Secretary determines upon review of the covered 
merchandise referral that the issue can be addressed in an ongoing 
segment of the proceeding, such as a scope inquiry under Sec.  351.225 
or a circumvention inquiry under Sec.  351.226, rather than initiating 
the covered merchandise inquiry, the Secretary will address the covered 
merchandise referral in such other segment.
    (2) The Secretary will publish a notice of its action taken with 
respect to a covered merchandise referral under paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section in the Federal Register.
    (c) Deadlines for covered merchandise determinations--(1) In 
general. When the Secretary initiates a covered merchandise inquiry 
under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the Secretary shall issue a 
final covered merchandise determination within 120 days from the date of 
publication of the notice of initiation.
    (2) Extension. The Secretary may extend the deadline in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section by no more than 150 days if the Secretary 
determines that good cause exists to warrant an extension. Situations in 
which good cause has been demonstrated may include:
    (i) If the Secretary has issued questionnaires to interested 
parties; received responses to those questionnaires; and determined that 
an extension is warranted to request further information or consider and 
address the parties' responses on the record adequately;
    (ii) The Secretary has issued a preliminary covered merchandise 
determination (see paragraph (e)(1) of this section); or
    (iii) The Secretary has determined to address a scope or 
circumvention issue

[[Page 295]]

from another segment of the proceeding involving the same or similar 
products in the covered merchandise inquiry, pursuant to Sec.  
351.225(d)(2) or (i) or Sec.  351.226(f)(6)(iv).
    (3) Alignment with other segments. If the Secretary determines it is 
appropriate to do so, the Secretary may align the deadlines under this 
paragraph with the deadlines of another segment of the proceeding.
    (d) Covered merchandise inquiry procedures. (1) Within 30 days after 
the date of publication of the notice of an initiation of a covered 
merchandise inquiry under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, interested 
parties are permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual 
information addressing the initiation. Within 14 days after the filing 
of such comments, any interested party is permitted one opportunity to 
submit comment and factual information to rebut, clarify, or correct 
factual information submitted by the other interested parties.ies.
    (2) Following initiation of a covered merchandise inquiry under 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the Secretary may issue questionnaires 
and verify submissions received, where appropriate. The Secretary may 
limit issuance of questionnaires to a reasonable number of respondents. 
Questionnaire responses are due on the date specified by the Secretary. 
Within 14 days after a questionnaire response has been filed with the 
Secretary, an interested party other than the original submitter is 
permitted one opportunity to submit comment and factual information to 
rebut, clarify, or correct factual information contained in the 
questionnaire response. Within 7 days of the filing of such rebuttal, 
clarification, or correction, the original submitter is permitted one 
opportunity to submit comment and factual information to rebut, clarify, 
or correct factual information submitted in the interested party's 
rebuttal, clarification or correction.
    (3) If the Secretary issues a preliminary covered merchandise 
determination under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, which is not 
issued concurrently with the initiation of a covered merchandise 
inquiry, the Secretary will establish a schedule for the filing of 
comments and rebuttal comments. Unless otherwise specified, any 
interested party may submit comments within 14 days after the issuance 
of the preliminary covered merchandise determination, and any interested 
party may submit rebuttal comments within 7 days thereafter. Unless 
otherwise specified, no new factual information will be accepted in the 
comments or rebuttal comments.
    (4) If the Secretary issues a preliminary covered merchandise 
determination concurrently with the initiation of the covered 
merchandise inquiry under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, paragraphs 
(d)(1) through (3) will not apply. In such a situation, the Secretary 
will establish appropriate procedures on a case-specific basis.
    (5) If the Secretary determines it appropriate to do so, the 
Secretary may rescind, in whole or in part, a covered merchandise 
inquiry under this section and will notify interested parties. 
Situations in which the Secretary may rescind a covered merchandise 
inquiry include:
    (i) The Customs Service withdraws its request for a covered 
merchandise inquiry under paragraph (b) of this section; or
    (ii) The Secretary has initiated a scope inquiry under Sec.  351.225 
or a circumvention inquiry under Sec.  351.226 and determines that it 
can address the covered merchandise referral in such other segment of 
the proceeding.
    (6) If the Secretary determines it is appropriate to do so, the 
Secretary may alter or extend any time limits under this paragraph or 
establish a separate schedule for the filing of comments and/or factual 
information during the covered merchandise inquiry.
    (7) During the pendency of a covered merchandise inquiry or upon 
issuance of a final covered merchandise determination under paragraph 
(e)(2) of this section, the Secretary may take any further action, as 
appropriate, with respect to another segment of the proceeding. For 
example, if the Secretary considers it appropriate, the Secretary may 
request information concerning the product that is the subject of the 
covered merchandise inquiry for purpose of an administrative review 
under Sec.  351.213.

[[Page 296]]

    (e) Covered merchandise determinations--(1) Preliminary 
determination. The Secretary may issue a preliminary determination, 
based upon the available information at the time, as to whether there is 
a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that the product that is the 
subject of the covered merchandise inquiry is covered by the scope of 
the order. In determining whether to issue a preliminary determination, 
the Secretary may consider the complexity of the issues and arguments 
raised in the context of the covered merchandise inquiry. The 
preliminary determination will be published in the Federal Register. The 
Secretary may publish notice of a preliminary determination concurrently 
with the notice of initiation of a covered merchandise inquiry under 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (2) Final determination. The Secretary will issue a final 
determination as to whether the product that is the subject of the 
covered merchandise inquiry is covered by the scope of the order. As 
part of its determination, the Secretary will include an explanation of 
the factual and legal conclusions on which the final determination is 
based. The final determination will be published in the Federal 
Register. Promptly after publication, the Secretary will:
    (i) Convey a copy of the final determination in the manner 
prescribed by section 516A(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act to all parties to the 
proceeding (see Sec.  351.102(b)(36)); and
    (ii) Transmit a copy of the final covered merchandise determination 
to the Customs Service in accordance with section 517(b)(4)(B) of the 
Act.
    (3) Covered merchandise determinations in other segments of the 
proceeding. If the Secretary addresses the covered merchandise referral 
in another segment of the proceeding as provided for under paragraph 
(b)(2) or (d)(5)(ii) of this section, the Secretary will promptly 
transmit a copy of the final action in that segment to the Customs 
Service in accordance with section 517(b)(4)(B) of the Act.
    (f) Basis for covered merchandise determination. In determining 
whether a product is covered by the scope of the order under this 
section, the Secretary may utilize the analysis described in paragraphs 
(j) and (k) of Sec.  351.225 or any provision under section 781 of the 
Act (paragraph (h), (i), (j), or (k) of Sec.  351.226).
    (g)-(k) [Reserved]
    (l) Suspension of liquidation. (1) When the Secretary publishes a 
notice of initiation of a covered merchandise inquiry under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, the Secretary will notify the Customs Service of 
the initiation and direct the Customs Service to continue the suspension 
of liquidation of entries of products subject to the covered merchandise 
inquiry that were already subject to the suspension of liquidation, and 
to apply the cash deposit rate that would be applicable if the product 
were determined to be covered by the scope of the order.
    (2) If the Secretary issues an affirmative preliminary covered 
merchandise determination under paragraph (e)(1) of this section that 
the product at issue is covered by the scope of the order, the Secretary 
will take the following actions:
    (i) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to continue the 
suspension of liquidation of previously suspended entries and apply the 
applicable cash deposit rate;
    (ii) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to begin the 
suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated 
duties, at the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of the 
product not yet suspended, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption on or after the date of publication of the notice of 
initiation of the covered merchandise inquiry; and
    (iii) The Secretary normally will direct the Customs Service to 
begin the suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit of 
estimated duties, at the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of 
the product not yet suspended, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption prior to the date of publication of the notice of initiation 
of the covered merchandise inquiry.
    (3) If the Secretary issues an affirmative final covered merchandise 
determination under paragraph (e)(2) of this section that the product at 
issue is covered by the scope of the order, the Secretary will take the 
following actions:

[[Page 297]]

    (i) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to continue the 
suspension of liquidation of previously suspended entries and apply the 
applicable cash deposit rate until appropriate liquidation instructions 
are issued;
    (ii) The Secretary will direct the Customs Service to begin the 
suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated 
duties, at the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of the 
product not yet suspended, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption on or after the date of publication of the notice of 
initiation of the covered merchandise inquiry until appropriate 
liquidation instructions are issued; and
    (iii) The Secretary normally will direct the Customs Service to 
begin the suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit of 
estimated duties, at the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of 
the product not yet suspended, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption prior to the date of publication of the notice of initiation 
of the covered merchandise inquiry until appropriate liquidation 
instructions are issued.
    (4) If the Secretary issues a negative final covered merchandise 
determination under paragraph (e)(2) of this section that the product at 
issue is not covered by the scope of the order, and entries of the 
product at issue are not otherwise subject to suspension of liquidation 
as a result of another segment of a proceeding, such as a circumvention 
inquiry under Sec.  351.226, the Secretary will direct the Customs 
Service to terminate the suspension of liquidation and refund any cash 
deposits for such entries.
    (5) Nothing in this section affects the Customs Service's authority 
to take any additional action with respect to the suspension of 
liquidation or related measures.
    (m) Applicability of covered merchandise determination; companion 
orders--(1) Applicability of covered merchandise determination. In 
conducting a covered merchandise inquiry under this section, the 
Secretary shall consider, based on the available record evidence, 
whether the covered merchandise determination should be applied:
    (i) On a producer-specific, exporter-specific, importer-specific 
basis, or some combination thereof; or
    (ii) To all products from the same country with the same relevant 
physical characteristics, (including chemical, dimensional and technical 
characteristics) as the product at issue, on a country-wide basis, 
regardless of the producer, exporter or importer of those products.
    (2) Companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders. If there 
are companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders covering the 
same merchandise from the same country of origin, and should the 
Secretary determine to initiate a covered merchandise inquiry under 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the Secretary will initiate and 
conduct a single inquiry with respect to the product at issue only on 
the record of the antidumping duty proceeding. Once the Secretary issues 
a final covered merchandise determination on the record of the 
antidumping duty proceeding, the Secretary will include a copy of that 
determination on the record of the countervailing duty proceeding and 
notify the Customs Service in accordance with paragraph (l) of this 
section.
    (n) Service list. Once the Secretary initiates a covered merchandise 
inquiry under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a segment-specific 
service list will be established and the requirements of Sec.  
351.303(f) will apply. Parties other than those relevant parties 
identified by the Customs Service in the covered merchandise referral 
that wish to participate in the covered merchandise inquiry must file an 
entry of appearance in accordance with Sec.  351.103(d)(1).
    (o) Suspended investigations; suspension agreements. The Secretary 
may apply the procedures set forth in this section in determining 
whether the product at issue is covered merchandise with respect to a 
suspended investigation or a suspension agreement (see Sec.  351.208).

[86 FR 52381, Sept. 20, 2021, as amended at 88 FR 67078, Sept. 29, 
20223]

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20835, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.227 
was amended, effective Apr. 24, 2024, by:
    Adding introductory text to paragraph (d);

[[Page 298]]

    In paragraph (d)(5)(i), removing ``The Customs Service'' and adding 
in its place ``The U.S. Customs and Border Protection'';
    Revising paragraphs (l)(1);
    In paragraph (l)(5), removing ``the Customs Service's'' and adding 
in its place ``the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's''; and
    Revising paragraph (m)(2).
    For the convenience of the user, the added and revised text is set 
forth as follows:



Sec.  351.227  Covered merchandise referrals.

                                * * * * *

    (d) Covered merchandise inquiry procedures. The filing and timing 
restrictions of Sec.  351.301(c) do not apply to this paragraph (d), and 
factual information submitted inconsistent with the terms of this 
paragraph (d) may be rejected as unsolicited and untimely.

                                * * * * *

    (l) * * *
    (1) When the Secretary publishes a notice of initiation of a covered 
merchandise inquiry under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the 
Secretary will notify U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the 
initiation and direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to continue the 
suspension of liquidation of entries of products subject to the covered 
merchandise inquiry that were already subject to the suspension of 
liquidation, and to apply the cash deposit rate that would be applicable 
if the product were determined to be covered by the scope of the order. 
Such suspension shall include, but shall not be limited to, entries 
covered by a final results of administrative review of an antidumping or 
countervailing duty order pursuant to Sec.  351.212(b), automatic 
assessment pursuant to Sec.  351.212(c), and a rescinded administrative 
review pursuant to Sec.  351.213(d), as well as any other entries 
already suspended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the 
antidumping and countervailing duty laws which have not yet been 
liquidated in accordance with 19 CFR part 159.

                                * * * * *

    (m) * * *
    (2) Companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders. If there 
are companion antidumping and countervailing duty orders covering the 
same merchandise from the same country of origin, and the Secretary 
determines to initiate a covered merchandise inquiry under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, the Secretary will initiate and conduct a single 
inquiry with respect to the product at issue only on the record of the 
antidumping duty proceeding. Once the Secretary issues a final covered 
merchandise determination on the record of the antidumping duty 
proceeding, the Secretary will include on the record of the 
countervailing duty proceeding a copy of the final covered merchandise 
determination memoranda, the final covered merchandise determination 
Federal Register notice, the preliminary covered merchandise 
determination memoranda and preliminary covered merchandise 
determination Federal Register notice, if a preliminary determination 
was issued, and all relevant instructions to U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection.

                                * * * * *



Sec.  351.228  Certification by importer or other interested party.

    (a) Certification requirements. (1) The Secretary may determine in 
the context of an antidumping or countervailing duty proceeding that an 
importer or other interested party shall:
    (i) Maintain a certification for entries of merchandise into the 
customs territory of the United States;
    (ii) Provide a certification by electronic means at the time of 
entry or entry summary; or
    (iii) Otherwise demonstrate compliance with a certification 
requirement as determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the 
Customs Service.
    (2) Where the certification is required to be maintained by the 
importer or other interested party under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, the Secretary and/or the Customs Service may require the 
importer or other interested party to provide such a certification to 
the requesting agency upon request.
    (b) Consequences for no provision of a certificate; provision of a 
false certificate. (1) The Secretary may instruct the Customs Service to 
suspend liquidation of entries of the importer or entries associated 
with the other interested party and require a cash deposit of estimated 
duties at the applicable rate if:
    (i) The importer or other interested party has not provided to the 
Secretary or the Customs Service, as appropriate, the certification 
described under paragraph (a) of this section either as required or upon 
request for such entries; or

[[Page 299]]

    (ii) The importer or other interested party provided a certification 
in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section for such entries, but 
the certification contained materially false, fictitious or fraudulent 
statements or representations, or contained material omissions.
    (2) Under paragraph (b)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section, the Secretary 
may also instruct the Customs Service to assess antidumping or 
countervailing duties, as the case may be, at the applicable rate.

[86 FR 52383, Sept. 20, 2021]



                   Subpart C_Information and Argument



Sec.  351.301  Time limits for submission of factual information.

    (a) Introduction. This section sets forth the time limits for 
submitting factual information, as defined by Sec.  351.102(b)(21). The 
Department obtains most of its factual information in antidumping and 
countervailing duty proceedings from submissions made by interested 
parties during the course of the proceeding. Notwithstanding paragraph 
(b) of this section, the Secretary may request any person to submit 
factual information at any time during a proceeding or provide 
additional opportunities to submit factual information. Section 351.302 
sets forth the procedures for requesting an extension of such time 
limits, and provides that, unless expressly precluded by statute, the 
Secretary may, for good cause, extend any time limit established in the 
Department's regulations. Section 351.303 contains the procedural rules 
regarding filing (including procedures for filing on non-business days), 
format, translation, service, and certification of documents. In the 
Secretary's written request to an interested party for a response to a 
questionnaire or for other factual information, the Secretary will 
specify the following: The time limit for the response; the information 
to be provided; the form and manner in which the interested party must 
submit the information; and that failure to submit the requested 
information in the requested form and manner by the date specified may 
result in use of the facts available under section 776 of the Act and 
Sec.  351.308.
    (b) Submission of factual information. Every submission of factual 
information must be accompanied by a written explanation identifying the 
subsection of Sec.  351.102(b)(21) under which the information is being 
submitted.
    (1) If an interested party states that the information is submitted 
under Sec.  351.102(b)(21)(v), the party must explain why the 
information does not satisfy the definitions described in Sec.  
351.102(b)(21)(i)-(iv).
    (2) If the factual information is being submitted to rebut, clarify, 
or correct factual information on the record, the submitter must provide 
a written explanation identifying the information which is already on 
the record that the factual information seeks to rebut, clarify, or 
correct, including the name of the interested party that submitted the 
information and the date on which the information was submitted.
    (c) Time limits. The type of factual information determines the time 
limit for submission to the Department.
    (1) Factual information submitted in response to questionnaires. 
During a proceeding, the Secretary may issue to any person 
questionnaires, which includes both initial and supplemental 
questionnaires. The Secretary will not consider or retain in the 
official record of the proceeding unsolicited questionnaire responses, 
except as provided under Sec.  351.204(d)(2), or untimely filed 
questionnaire responses. The Secretary will reject any untimely filed or 
unsolicited questionnaire response and provide, to the extent 
practicable, written notice stating the reasons for rejection (see Sec.  
351.302(d)).
    (i) Initial questionnaire responses are due 30 days from the date of 
receipt of such questionnaire. The time limit for response to individual 
sections of the questionnaire, if the Secretary requests a separate 
response to such sections, may be less than the 30 days allotted for 
response to the full questionnaire. In general, the date of receipt will 
be considered to be seven days from the date on which the initial 
questionnaire was transmitted.
    (ii) Supplemental questionnaire responses are due on the date 
specified by the Secretary.

[[Page 300]]

    (iii) A notification by an interested party, under section 782(c)(1) 
of the Act, of difficulties in submitting information in response to a 
questionnaire issued by the Secretary is to be submitted in writing 
within 14 days after the date of the questionnaire or, if the 
questionnaire is due in 14 days or less, within the time specified by 
the Secretary.
    (iv) A respondent interested party may request in writing that the 
Secretary conduct a questionnaire presentation. The Secretary may 
conduct a questionnaire presentation if the Secretary notifies the 
government of the affected country and that government does not object.
    (v) Factual information submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct 
questionnaire responses. Within 14 days after an initial questionnaire 
response and within 10 days after a supplemental questionnaire response 
has been filed with the Department, an interested party other than the 
original submitter is permitted one opportunity to submit factual 
information to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information contained 
in the questionnaire response. Within seven days of the filing of such 
rebuttal, clarification, or correction to a questionnaire response, the 
original submitter of the questionnaire response is permitted one 
opportunity to submit factual information to rebut, clarify, or correct 
factual information submitted in the interested party's rebuttal, 
clarification or correction. The Secretary will reject any untimely 
filed rebuttal, clarification, or correction submission and provide, to 
the extent practicable, written notice stating the reasons for rejection 
(see Sec.  351.302). If insufficient time remains before the due date 
for the final determination or final results of review, the Secretary 
may specify shorter deadlines under this section.
    (2) Factual information submitted in support of allegations. Factual 
information submitted in support of allegations must be accompanied by a 
summary, not to exceed five pages, of the allegation and supporting 
data.
    (i) Market viability and the basis for determining normal value. 
Allegations regarding market viability in an antidumping investigation 
or administrative review, including the exceptions in Sec.  
351.404(c)(2), are due, with all supporting factual information, 10 days 
after the respondent interested party files the response to the relevant 
section of the questionnaire, unless the Secretary alters this time 
limit.
    (ii) Sales at prices below the cost of production. Allegations of 
sales at prices below the cost of production made by the petitioner or 
other domestic interested party are due within:
    (A) In an antidumping investigation, on a country-wide basis, 20 
days after the date on which the initial questionnaire was issued to any 
person, unless the Secretary alters this time limit; or, on a company-
specific basis, 20 days after a respondent interested party files the 
response to the relevant section of the questionnaire, unless the 
relevant questionnaire response is, in the Secretary's view, incomplete, 
in which case the Secretary will determine the time limit;
    (B) In an administrative review, new shipper review, or changed 
circumstances review, on a company-specific basis, 20 days after a 
respondent interested party files the response to the relevant section 
of the questionnaire, unless the relevant questionnaire response is, in 
the Secretary's view, incomplete, in which case the Secretary will 
determine the time limit; or
    (C) In an expedited antidumping review, on a company-specific basis, 
10 days after the date of publication of the notice of initiation of the 
review.
    (iii) Purchases of major inputs from an affiliated party at prices 
below the affiliated party's cost of production. An allegation of 
purchases of major inputs from an affiliated party at prices below the 
affiliated party's cost of production made by the petitioner or other 
domestic interested party is due within 20 days after a respondent 
interested party files the response to the relevant section of the 
questionnaire, unless the relevant questionnaire response is, in the 
Secretary's view, incomplete, in which case the Secretary will determine 
the time limits.
    (iv) Countervailable subsidy; upstream subsidy. A countervailable 
subsidy allegation made by the petitioner or other

[[Page 301]]

domestic interested party is due no later than:
    (A) In a countervailing duty investigation, 40 days before the 
scheduled date of the preliminary determination, unless the Secretary 
extends this time limit for good cause; or
    (B) In an administrative review, new shipper review, or changed 
circumstances review, 20 days after all responses to the initial 
questionnaire are filed with the Department, unless the Secretary alters 
this time limit.
    (C) Exception for upstream subsidy allegation in an investigation. 
In a countervailing duty investigation, an allegation of upstream 
subsidies made by the petitioner or other domestic interested party is 
due no later than 60 days after the date of the preliminary 
determination.
    (v) Other allegations. An interested party may submit factual 
information in support of other allegations not specified in paragraphs 
(c)(2)(i)-(iv) of this section. Upon receipt of factual information 
under this subsection, the Secretary will issue a memorandum accepting 
or rejecting the information and, to the extent practicable, will 
provide written notice stating the reasons for rejection. If the 
Secretary accepts the information, the Secretary will issue a schedule 
providing deadlines for submission of factual information to rebut, 
clarify or correct the factual information.
    (vi) Rebuttal, clarification, or correction of factual information 
submitted in support of allegations. An interested party is permitted 
one opportunity to submit factual information to rebut, clarify, or 
correct factual information submitted in support of allegations 10 days 
after the date such factual information is filed with the Department.
    (3) Factual information submitted to value factors under Sec.  
351.408(c) or to measure the adequacy of remuneration under Sec.  
351.511(a)(2).
    (i) Antidumping or countervailing duty investigations. All 
submissions of factual information to value factors of production under 
Sec.  351.408(c) in an antidumping investigation, or to measure the 
adequacy of remuneration under Sec.  351.511(a)(2) in a countervailing 
duty investigation, are due no later than 30 days before the scheduled 
date of the preliminary determination;
    (ii) Administrative review, new shipper review, or changed 
circumstances review. All submissions of factual information to value 
factors under Sec.  351.408(c), or to measure the adequacy of 
remuneration under Sec.  351.511(a)(2), are due no later than 30 days 
before the scheduled date of the preliminary results of review; and
    (iii) Expedited antidumping review. All submissions of factual 
information to value factors under Sec.  351.408(c) are due on a date 
specified by the Secretary.
    (iv) Rebuttal, clarification, or correction of factual information 
submitted to value factors under Sec.  351.408(c) or to measure the 
adequacy of remuneration under Sec.  351.511(a)(2). An interested party 
is permitted one opportunity to submit publicly available information to 
rebut, clarify, or correct such factual information submitted pursuant 
to Sec.  351.408(c) or Sec.  351.511(a)(2) 10 days after the date such 
factual information is filed with the Department. An interested party 
may not submit additional, previously absent-from-the-record alternative 
surrogate value information under this paragraph (c)(3)(iv). 
Additionally, all factual information submitted under this paragraph 
(c)(3)(iv) must be accompanied by a written explanation identifying what 
information already on the record of the ongoing proceeding the factual 
information is rebutting, clarifying, or correcting. Information 
submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information submitted 
pursuant to Sec.  351.408(c) will not be used to value factors under 
Sec.  351.408(c).
    (4) Factual information placed on the record of the proceeding by 
the Department. The Department may place factual information on the 
record of the proceeding at any time. An interested party is permitted 
one opportunity to submit factual information to rebut, clarify, or 
correct factual information placed on the record of the proceeding by 
the Department by a date specified by the Secretary.
    (5) Factual information not directly responsive to or relating to 
paragraphs (c)(1)-(4) of this section). Paragraph (c)(5) applies to 
factual information other than that described in

[[Page 302]]

Sec.  351.102(b)(21)(i)-(iv). The Secretary will reject information 
filed under paragraph (c)(5) that satisfies the definition of 
information described in Sec.  351.102(b)(21)(i)-(iv) and that was not 
filed within the deadlines specified above. All submissions of factual 
information under this subsection are required to clearly explain why 
the information contained therein does not meet the definition of 
factual information described in Sec.  351.102(b)(21)(i)-(iv), and must 
provide a detailed narrative of exactly what information is contained in 
the submission and why it should be considered. The deadline for filing 
such information will be 30 days before the scheduled date of the 
preliminary determination in an investigation, or 14 days before 
verification, whichever is earlier, and 30 days before the scheduled 
date of the preliminary results in an administrative review, or 14 days 
before verification, whichever is earlier.
    (i) Upon receipt of factual information under this subsection, the 
Secretary will issue a memorandum accepting or rejecting the information 
and, to the extent practicable, will provide written notice stating the 
reasons for rejection.
    (ii) If the Secretary accepts the information, the Secretary will 
issue a schedule providing deadlines for submission of factual 
information to rebut, clarify or correct the factual information.

[78 FR 21254, Apr. 10, 2013, as amended at 88 FR 67078, Sept. 29, 2023]

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20835, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.301 
was amended by adding paragraph (c)(6), effective Apr. 24, 2024. For the 
convenience of the user, the added text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.301  Time limits for submissions of factual information.

                                * * * * *

    (c) * * *
    (6) Notices of subsequent authority--(i) In general. If a United 
States Federal court issues a decision, or the Secretary in another 
segment or proceeding issues a determination, that an interested party 
believes is directly relevant to an issue in an ongoing segment of the 
proceeding, that interested party may submit a Notice of Subsequent 
Authority with the Secretary. Responsive comments and factual 
information to rebut or clarify the Notice of Subsequent Authority must 
be submitted by interested parties no later than five days after the 
submission of a Notice of Subsequent Authority.
    (ii) Timing restrictions for consideration. The Secretary will 
consider and address a Notice of Subsequent Authority in its final 
determinations or final results which is submitted no later than 30 days 
after the alleged subsequent authority was issued and no later than 30 
days before the deadline for issuing the final determination or results. 
Rebuttal submissions must be filed no later than 25 days before the 
deadline for issuing the final determinations or results. Given 
statutory deadlines for administrative proceedings, the Secretary may be 
unable to consider and address the arguments and applicability of 
alleged subsequent authorities adequately in a final determination or 
final results if a Notice of Subsequent Authority or rebuttal submission 
is submitted later in the segment of the proceeding.
    (iii) Contents of a notice of subsequent authority and responsive 
submissions. A Notice of Subsequent Authority must identify the Federal 
court decision or determination by the Secretary in another segment or 
proceeding that is alleged to be authoritative to an issue in the 
ongoing segment of the proceeding, provide the date the decision or 
determination was issued, explain the relevance of that decision or 
determination to an issue in the ongoing segment of the proceeding, and 
be accompanied by a complete copy of the Federal court decision or 
agency determination. Responsive comments must directly address the 
contents of the Notice of Subsequent Authority and must explain how the 
responsive comments and any accompanying factual information rebut or 
clarify the Notice of Subsequent Authority.



Sec.  351.302  Extension of time limits; return of untimely filed or
unsolicited material.

    (a) Introduction. This section sets forth the procedures for 
requesting an extension of a time limit. In addition, this section 
explains that certain untimely filed or unsolicited material will be 
rejected together with an explanation of the reasons for the rejection 
of such material.
    (b) Extension of time limits. Unless expressly precluded by statute, 
the Secretary may, for good cause, extend any time limit established by 
this part.
    (c) Requests for extension of specific time limit. Before the 
applicable time limit established under this part expires, a party may 
request an extension

[[Page 303]]

pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section. An untimely filed extension 
request will not be considered unless the party demonstrates that an 
extraordinary circumstance exists. The request must be in writing, in a 
separate, stand-alone submission, filed consistent with Sec.  351.303, 
and state the reasons for the request. An extension granted to a party 
must be approved in writing.
    (1) An extension request will be considered untimely if it is 
received after the applicable time limit expires or as otherwise 
specified by the Secretary.
    (2) An extraordinary circumstance is an unexpected event that:
    (i) Could not have been prevented if reasonable measures had been 
taken, and
    (ii) Precludes a party or its representative from timely filing an 
extension request through all reasonable means.
    (d) Rejection of untimely filed or unsolicited material. (1) Unless 
the Secretary extends a time limit under paragraph (b) of this section, 
the Secretary will not consider or retain in the official record of the 
proceeding:
    (i) Untimely filed factual information, written argument, or other 
material that the Secretary rejects, except as provided under Sec.  
351.104(a)(2); or
    (ii) Unsolicited questionnaire responses, except as provided under 
Sec.  351.204(d)(2).
    (2) The Secretary will reject such information, argument, or other 
material, or unsolicited questionnaire response with, to the extent 
practicable, written notice stating the reasons for rejection.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 76 FR 39275, July 6, 2011; 78 
FR 57795, Sept. 20, 2013]



Sec.  351.303  Filing, document identification, format, translation,
service, and certification of documents.

    (a) Introduction. This section contains the procedural rules 
regarding filing, document identification, format, service, translation, 
and certification of documents and applies to all persons submitting 
documents to the Department for consideration in an antidumping or 
countervailing duty proceeding.
    (b) Filing--(1) In general. Persons must address all documents to 
the Secretary of Commerce, Attention: Enforcement and Compliance, APO/
Dockets Unit, Room 18022, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. An electronically filed 
document must be received successfully in its entirety by the 
Department's electronic records system, ACCESS, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time 
on the due date. Where applicable, a submitter must manually file a 
document between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time on 
business days (see Sec.  351.103(b)). For both electronically filed and 
manually filed documents, if the applicable due date falls on a non-
business day, the Secretary will accept documents that are filed on the 
next business day. A manually filed document must be accompanied by a 
cover sheet generated in ACCESS, in accordance with Sec.  351.303(b)(3).
    (2) Filing of documents and databases--(i) Electronic filing. A 
person must file all documents and databases electronically using ACCESS 
at https://access.trade.gov. A person making a filing must comply with 
the procedures set forth in the ACCESS Handbook on Electronic Filing 
Procedures, which is available on the ACCESS Web site at https://
access.trade.gov.
    (ii) Manual filing. (A) Notwithstanding Sec.  351.303(b)(2)(i), a 
person must manually file a data file that exceeds the file size limit 
specified in the ACCESS Handbook on Electronic Filing Procedures and as 
referenced in Sec.  351.303(c)(3), and the data file must be accompanied 
by a cover sheet described in Sec.  351.303(b)(3). A person may manually 
file a bulky document. If a person elects to manually file a bulky 
document, it must be accompanied by a cover sheet described in Sec.  
351.303(b)(3). The Department both provides specifications for large 
data files and defines bulky document standards in the ACCESS Handbook 
on Electronic Filing Procedures, which is available on the ACCESS Web 
site at https://access.trade.gov.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (3) Cover sheet. When manually filing a document, parties must 
complete the

[[Page 304]]

cover sheet (as described in the ACCESS Handbook on Electronic Filing 
Procedures) online at https://access.trade.gov and print the cover sheet 
for submission to the APO/Dockets Unit.
    (4) Document identification. Each document must be clearly 
identified as one of the following five document classifications and 
must conform with the requirements under paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section. Business proprietary document or business proprietary/APO 
version, as applicable, means a document or a version of a document 
containing information for which a person claims business proprietary 
treatment under Sec.  351.304.
    (i) Business Proprietary Document--May be Released Under APO. This 
business proprietary document contains single-bracketed business 
proprietary information that the submitter agrees to release under APO. 
It must contain the statement ``May be Released Under APO'' in 
accordance with the requirements under paragraph (d)(2)(v) of this 
section.
    (ii) Business Proprietary Document--May Not be Released Under APO. 
This business proprietary document contains double-bracketed business 
proprietary information that the submitter does not agree to release 
under APO. This document must contain the statement ``May Not be 
Released Under APO'' in accordance with the requirements under paragraph 
(d)(2)(v) of this section. This type of document may contain single-
bracketed business proprietary information in addition to double-
bracketed business proprietary information.
    (iii) Business Proprietary/APO Version--May be Released Under APO. 
In the event that a business proprietary document contains both single- 
and double-bracketed business proprietary information, the submitting 
person must submit a version of the document with the double-bracketed 
business proprietary information omitted. This version must contain the 
single-bracketed business proprietary information that the submitter 
agrees to release under APO. This version must be identified as 
``Business Proprietary/APO Version'' and must contain the statement 
``May be Released Under APO'' in accordance with the requirements under 
paragraph (d)(2)(v) of this section.
    (iv) Public version. The public version excludes all business 
proprietary information, whether single- or double-bracketed. Specific 
filing requirements for public version submissions are discussed in 
Sec.  351.304(c).
    (v) Public document. The public document contains only public 
information. There is no corresponding business proprietary document for 
a public document.
    (c) Filing of business proprietary documents and public versions 
under the one-day lag rule; information in double brackets.
    (1) In general. If a submission contains information for which the 
submitter claims business proprietary treatment, the submitter may elect 
to file the submission under the one-day lag rule described in paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section. A petition, an amendment to a petition, and any 
other submission filed prior to the initiation of an investigation shall 
not be filed under the one-day lag rule. The business proprietary 
document and public version of such pre-initiation submissions must be 
filed simultaneously on the same day.
    (2) Application of the one-day lag rule--(i) Filing the business 
proprietary document. A person must file a business proprietary document 
with the Department within the applicable time limit.
    (ii) Filing of final business proprietary document; bracketing 
corrections. By the close of business one business day after the date 
the business proprietary document is filed under paragraph (c)(2)(i) of 
this section, a person must file the complete final business proprietary 
document with the Department. The final business proprietary document 
must be identical in all respects to the business proprietary document 
filed on the previous day except for any bracketing corrections and the 
omission of the warning ``Bracketing of Business Proprietary Information 
Is Not Final for One Business Day After Date of Filing'' in accordance 
with paragraph (d)(2)(v) of this section.
    (iii) Filing the public version. Simultaneously with the filing of 
the final business proprietary document under

[[Page 305]]

paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section, a person also must file the public 
version of such document (see Sec.  351.304(c)) with the Department.
    (iv) Information in double brackets. If a person serves authorized 
applicants with a business proprietary/APO version of a document that 
excludes information in double brackets pursuant to Sec. Sec.  
351.303(b)(4)(iii) and 351.304(b)(2), the person simultaneously must 
file with the Department the complete business proprietary/APO version 
of the document from which information in double brackets has been 
excluded.
    (3) Sales files, cost of production files and other electronic 
databases. When a submission includes sales files, cost of production 
files or other electronic databases, such electronic databases must be 
filed electronically in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section. If a submitter must file the database manually pursuant to 
Sec.  351.303(b)(2)(ii)(A), the submitter must file such information on 
the computer medium specified by the Department's request for such 
information. The submitter need not accompany the computer medium with a 
paper printout. All electronic database information must be releasable 
under APO (see Sec.  351.305). A submitter need not include brackets in 
an electronic database containing business proprietary information. The 
submitter's selection of the security classification ``Business 
Proprietary Document--May Be Released Under APO'' at the time of filing 
indicates the submitter's request for business proprietary treatment of 
the information contained in the database. Where possible, the submitter 
must insert headers or footers requesting business proprietary treatment 
of the information on the databases for printing purposes. A submitter 
must submit a public version of a database in pdf format. The public 
version of the database must be publicly summarized and ranged in 
accordance with Sec.  351.304(c).
    (d) Format of submissions--(1) In general. Unless the Secretary 
alters the requirements of this section, a document filed with the 
Department must conform to the specification and marking requirements 
under paragraph (d)(2) of this section or the Secretary may reject such 
document in accordance with Sec.  351.104(a).
    (2) Specifications and markings. If a document is filed manually, it 
must be on letter-size (8\1/2\ x 11 inch) paper, single-sided and 
double-spaced, bound with a paper clip, butterfly/binder clip, or rubber 
band. The filing of stapled, spiral, velo, or other type of solid 
binding is not permitted. In accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section, a cover sheet must be placed before the first page of the 
document. Electronically filed documents must be formatted to print on 
letter-size (8\1/2\ x 11 inch) paper and double-spaced. Spreadsheets, 
unusually sized exhibits, and databases are best utilized in their 
original printing format and should not be reformatted for submission. A 
submitter must mark the first page of each document in the upper right-
hand corner with the following information in the following format:
    (i) On the first line, except for a petition, indicate the 
Department case number;
    (ii) On the second line, indicate the total number of pages in the 
document including cover pages, appendices, and any unnumbered pages;
    (iii) On the third line, indicate the specific segment of the 
proceeding, (e.g., investigation, administrative review, scope inquiry, 
suspension agreement, etc.) and, if applicable, indicate the complete 
period of review (MM/DD/YY-MM/DD/YY);
    (iv) On the fourth line, except for a petition, indicate the 
Department office conducting the proceeding;
    (v) On the fifth and subsequent lines, indicate whether any portion 
of the document contains business proprietary information and, if so, 
list the applicable page numbers and state either: ``Business 
Proprietary Document--May Be Released Under APO,'' ``Business 
Proprietary Document--May Not Be Released Under APO,'' or ``Business 
Proprietary/APO Version--May Be Released Under APO,'' as applicable, and 
consistent with Sec.  351.303(b)(4). Indicate ``Business Proprietary 
Treatment Requested'' on the top of each page containing business 
proprietary information. In addition, include the warning ``Bracketing 
of Business Proprietary Information Is

[[Page 306]]

Not Final for One Business Day After Date of Filing'' on the top of each 
page containing business proprietary information in the business 
proprietary document filed under paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section 
(one-day lag rule). Do not include this warning in the final business 
proprietary document filed on the next business day under paragraph 
(c)(2)(ii) of this section (see Sec.  351.303(c)(2) and Sec.  
351.304(c)); and
    (vi) For the public version of a business proprietary document 
required under Sec.  351.304(c), complete the marking as required in 
paragraphs (d)(2)(i)-(v) of this section for the business proprietary 
document, but conspicuously mark the first page ``Public Version.''
    (vii) For a public document, complete the marking as required in 
paragraphs (d)(2)(i)-(v) of this section for the business proprietary 
document or version, as applicable, but conspicuously mark the first 
page ``Public Document.''
    (e) Translation to English. A document submitted in a foreign 
language must be accompanied by an English translation of the entire 
document or of only pertinent portions, where appropriate, unless the 
Secretary waives this requirement for an individual document. A party 
must obtain the Department's approval for submission of an English 
translation of only portions of a document prior to submission to the 
Department.
    (f) Service of copies on other persons--(1) In general. Generally, a 
person filing a document with the Department simultaneously must serve a 
copy of the document on all other persons on the service list. Except as 
provided in Sec.  351.202(c) (filing of petition), Sec.  351.208(f)(1) 
(submission of proposed suspension agreement) and paragraph (f)(2) of 
this section:
    (i) Service of a public document or public version of a business 
proprietary document is effectuated on the persons on the public service 
list upon the electronic filing of the submission in ACCESS, unless it 
is filed manually in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section, 
or ACCESS is unavailable. If a submission is filed manually or ACCESS is 
unavailable, paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section is applicable.
    (ii)(A) Service of a business proprietary document is effectuated on 
the persons on the APO service list upon the electronic filing of the 
submission in ACCESS, unless it is filed manually in accordance with 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section, or ACCESS is unavailable. If a 
submission is filed manually or ACCESS is unavailable, paragraph 
(f)(1)(iii) of this section is applicable. In addition, a business 
proprietary document submitted under the one-day lag rule under 
paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section must be served in accordance with 
paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section.
    (B) If the document contains the business proprietary information of 
a person who is not included on the APO service list, then service of 
such documents on that person cannot be effectuated on ACCESS and the 
submitter must serve that person its own business proprietary 
information in accordance with paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section. In 
addition, specific service requirements under Sec.  351.306(c)(2) are 
applicable.
    (iii) If service of a public document, public version of a business 
proprietary document, or a business proprietary document cannot be 
effectuated on ACCESS, the submitter must serve the recipient by 
electronic transmission. Generally, a business proprietary document must 
be served by secure electronic transmission. If the submitter is not 
able to use such a method, it may use an acceptable alternative method 
of service, including personal service, first-class mail, or electronic 
mail. Electronic mail may only be used as an acceptable alternative 
method of service for a business proprietary document under paragraph 
(f)(1)(ii)(B) of this section if the business proprietary document 
contains the business proprietary information of either the submitter or 
the recipient, with the consent of the recipient.
    (2) Service requirements for certain documents--(i) Request for 
review. In addition to the certificate of service requirements under 
paragraph (f)(3) of this section, an interested party that files with 
the Department a request for an expedited antidumping review, an 
administrative review, a new shipper review, or a changed circumstances 
review must serve a copy of the request on each exporter or producer 
specified

[[Page 307]]

in the request and on the petitioner by the end of the anniversary month 
or within ten days of filing the request for review, whichever is later. 
Service may be made by an electronic transmission method if the 
interested party that files the request has an electronic mail address 
for the recipient; otherwise, service must be made by personal service 
or first-class mail. If the interested party that files the request is 
unable to locate a particular exporter or producer, or the petitioner, 
the Secretary may accept the request for review if the Secretary is 
satisfied that the party made a reasonable attempt to serve a copy of 
the request on such person.
    (ii) Scope and circumvention. In addition to the certificate of 
service requirements under paragraph (f)(3) of this section, an 
interested party that files with the Department a scope ruling 
application or a request for a circumvention inquiry must serve a copy 
of the request on all persons included in the annual inquiry service 
list in accordance with Sec. Sec.  351.225(n) and 351.226(n), 
respectively.
    (3) Certificate of service. Each document filed with the Department 
must include a certificate of service listing each person served 
(including agents), the type of document served, and the date and method 
of service on each person. The Secretary may refuse to accept any 
document that is not accompanied by a certificate of service.
    (4) Notwithstanding any other paragraph in this section, until 
further notice, as of March 24, 2020, we are modifying the service 
requirements with respect to documents containing business proprietary 
information as follows:
    (i) For BPI documents submitted with final bracketing on the due 
date (i.e., documents not submitted under the one-day lag rule, 
paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section), E&C will deem service to be 
effectuated upon filing of the submission in ACCESS. E&C will notify 
interested parties that the document has been filed through daily ACCESS 
BPI Release Digest emails. This paragraph (f)(4)(i) does not apply to 
service to pro se parties or parties represented by a non-APO-authorized 
representative.
    (ii) For BPI documents submitted under the one-day lag rule, 
paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, E&C is temporarily waiving the 
service requirement for bracketing-not-final BPI submissions filed on 
the due date. In addition, E&C will deem service to be effectuated upon 
the filing in ACCESS of the complete final BPI document on the next 
business day under paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section. This paragraph 
(f)(4)(ii) does not apply to service to pro se parties or parties 
represented by a non-APO-authorized representative.
    (iii) For case and rebuttal briefs served pursuant to paragraph 
(f)(3)(i) of this section, service of BPI case and rebuttal briefs will 
be deemed effectuated via ACCESS. This paragraph (f)(4)(iii) does not 
apply to service to pro se parties or parties represented by a non-APO-
authorized representative.
    (iv) Parties must still take active steps to serve pro se parties 
BPI documents containing only the pro se party's BPI and serve parties 
represented by a non-APO-authorized representative documents containing 
only that party's BPI, consistent with Sec.  351.306(c)(2). However, E&C 
is temporarily modifying the electronic service provision under 
paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section, so that a pro se party may give 
consent to another interested party to serve a document electronically 
on that pro se party only, provided that the document only contains the 
pro se party's BPI. Such a document must not contain the BPI of other 
parties. In addition, a party represented by a non-APO-authorized 
representative may give consent to another interested party to serve a 
document electronically on that non-APO-authorized representative only, 
provided that the document only contains the BPI of the party 
represented by that non-APO-authorized representative. Such a document 
must not contain the BPI of other parties. If such consent is given, 
then the serving party's APO-authorized representative may serve the 
submission on that party via electronic transmission with that 
recipient's consent.
    (v) Exceptions. Notwithstanding paragraphs (f)(4)(i) through (iv) of 
this section, the following types of submissions and scenarios require 
the normal

[[Page 308]]

means of service as required by this paragraph (f):
    (A) Requests for administrative review, new shipper review, changed 
circumstances review and expedited review.
    (B) Requests for scope ruling or anti-circumvention inquiry.
    (g) Certifications. Each submission containing factual information 
must include the following certification from the person identified in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this section and, in addition, if the person has 
legal counsel or another representative, the certification in paragraph 
(g)(2) of this section. The certifying party must maintain the original 
signed certification for a period of five years from the date of filing 
the submission to which the certification pertains. The original signed 
certification must be available for inspection by U.S. Department of 
Commerce officials. Copies of the certifications must be included in the 
submission filed at the Department.
    (1) For the person(s) officially responsible for presentation of the 
factual information:
    (i) COMPANY CERTIFICATION *

    I, (PRINTED NAME AND TITLE), currently employed by (COMPANY NAME), 
certify that I prepared or otherwise supervised the preparation of the 
attached submission of (IDENTIFY THE SPECIFIC SUBMISSION BY TITLE) due 
on (DATE) OR filed on (DATE) pursuant to the (INSERT ONE OF THE 
FOLLOWING OPTIONS IN { {time} : {THE (ANTIDUMPING OR COUNTERVAILING) 
DUTY INVESTIGATION OF (PRODUCT) FROM (COUNTRY) (CASE NUMBER){time}  or 
{THE (DATES OF PERIOD OF REVIEW) (ADMINISTRATIVE OR NEW SHIPPER) REVIEW 
UNDER THE (ANTIDUMPING OR COUNTERVAILING) DUTY ORDER ON (PRODUCT) FROM 
(COUNTRY) (CASE NUMBER){time}  or {THE (SUNSET REVIEW OR CHANGED 
CIRCUMSTANCE REVIEW OR SCOPE RULING OR CIRCUMVENTION INQUIRY) OF THE 
(ANTIDUMPING OR COUNTERVAILING) DUTY ORDER ON (PRODUCT) FROM (COUNTRY) 
(CASE NUMBER){time} ). I certify that the public information and any 
business proprietary information of (CERTIFIER'S COMPANY NAME) contained 
in this submission is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. 
I am aware that the information contained in this submission may be 
subject to verification or corroboration (as appropriate) by the U.S. 
Department of Commerce. I am also aware that U.S. law (including, but 
not limited to, 18 U.S.C. 1001) imposes criminal sanctions on 
individuals who knowingly and willfully make material false statements 
to the U.S. Government. In addition, I am aware that, even if this 
submission may be withdrawn from the record of the AD/CVD proceeding, 
the U.S. Department of Commerce may preserve this submission, including 
a business proprietary submission, for purposes of determining the 
accuracy of this certification. I certify that a copy of this signed 
certification will be filed with this submission to the U.S. Department 
of Commerce.

Signature:______________________________________________________________

Date:___________________________________________________________________

    * For multiple person certifications, all persons should be listed 
in the first sentence of the certification and all persons should sign 
and date the certification. In addition, singular pronouns and 
possessive adjectives should be changed accordingly, e.g., ``I'' should 
be changed to ``we'' and ``my knowledge'' should be changed to ``our 
knowledge.''
    (ii) GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATION **
    I, (PRINTED NAME AND TITLE), currently employed by the government of 
(COUNTRY), certify that I prepared or otherwise supervised the 
preparation of the attached submission of (IDENTIFY THE SPECIFIC 
SUBMISSION BY TITLE) due on (DATE) OR filed on (DATE) pursuant to the 
(INSERT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS IN { {time} : {THE (ANTIDUMPING OR 
COUNTERVAILING) DUTY INVESTIGATION OF (PRODUCT) FROM (COUNTRY) (CASE 
NUMBER){time}  or {THE (DATES OF PERIOD OF REVIEW) (ADMINISTRATIVE OR 
NEW SHIPPER) REVIEW UNDER THE (ANTIDUMPING OR COUNTERVAILING) DUTY ORDER 
ON (PRODUCT) FROM (COUNTRY) (CASE NUMBER){time}  or {THE (SUNSET REVIEW 
OR CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCE REVIEW OR SCOPE RULING OR CIRCUMVENTION INQUIRY) 
OF THE (ANTIDUMPING OR COUNTERVAILING) DUTY ORDER ON (PRODUCT) FROM 
(COUNTRY) (CASE NUMBER){time} ). I certify that the public information 
and any business proprietary information of the government of (COUNTRY) 
contained in this submission is accurate and complete to the best of my 
knowledge. I am aware that the information contained in this submission 
may be subject to verification or corroboration (as appropriate) by the 
U.S. Department of Commerce. In addition, I am aware that, even if this 
submission may be withdrawn from the record of the AD/CVD proceeding, 
the U.S. Department of Commerce may preserve this submission, including 
a business proprietary submission, for purposes of determining the

[[Page 309]]

accuracy of this certification. I certify that a copy of this signed 
certification will be filed with this submission to the U.S. Department 
of Commerce.

Signature:______________________________________________________________

Date:___________________________________________________________________

    ** For multiple person certifications, all persons should be listed 
in the first sentence of the certification and all persons should sign 
and date the certification. In addition, singular pronouns and 
possessive adjectives should be changed accordingly, e.g., ``I'' should 
be changed to ``we'' and ``my knowledge'' should be changed to ``our 
knowledge.''
    (2) For the legal counsel or other representative:

    REPRESENTATIVE CERTIFICATION * * *
    I, (PRINTED NAME), with (LAW FIRM or OTHER FIRM), (INSERT ONE OF THE 
FOLLOWING OPTIONS IN { {time} : {COUNSEL TO{time}  or {REPRESENTATIVE 
OF{time} ) (COMPANY NAME, OR GOVERNMENT OF COUNTRY, OR NAME OF ANOTHER 
PARTY), certify that I have read the attached submission of (IDENTIFY 
THE SPECIFIC SUBMISSION BY TITLE) due on (DATE) OR filed on (DATE) 
pursuant to the (INSERT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS IN { {time} : {THE 
(ANTIDUMPING OR COUNTERVAILING DUTY) INVESTIGATION OF (PRODUCT) FROM 
(COUNTRY) (CASE NUMBER){time}  or {THE (DATES OF PERIOD OF REVIEW) 
(ADMINISTRATIVE OR NEW SHIPPER) REVIEW UNDER THE (ANTIDUMPING OR 
COUNTERVAILING) DUTY ORDER ON (PRODUCT) FROM (COUNTRY) (CASE 
NUMBER){time}  or {THE (SUNSET REVIEW OR CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCE REVIEW OR 
SCOPE RULING OR CIRCUMVENTION INQUIRY) OF THE (ANTIDUMPING OR 
COUNTERVAILING) DUTY ORDER ON (PRODUCT) FROM (COUNTRY) (CASE 
NUMBER){time} ). In my capacity as (INSERT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS 
IN { {time} : {COUNSEL{time}  or {ADVISER, PREPARER, OR REVIEWER{time} ) 
of this submission, I certify that the information contained in this 
submission is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I am 
aware that U.S. law (including, but not limited to, 18 U.S.C. 1001) 
imposes criminal sanctions on individuals who knowingly and willfully 
make material false statements to the U.S. Government. In addition, I am 
aware that, even if this submission may be withdrawn from the record of 
the AD/CVD proceeding, the U.S. Department of Commerce may preserve this 
submission, including a business proprietary submission, for purposes of 
determining the accuracy of this certification. I certify that a copy of 
this signed certification will be filed with this submission to the U.S. 
Department of Commerce.

Signature:______________________________________________________________

Date:___________________________________________________________________

    *** For multiple representative certifications, all representatives 
and their firms should be listed in the first sentence of the 
certification and all representatives should sign and date the 
certification. In addition, singular pronouns and possessive adjectives 
should be changed accordingly, e.g., ``I'' should be changed to ``we'' 
and ``my knowledge'' should be changed to ``our knowledge.''

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 73 FR 3643, Jan. 22, 2008; 76 
FR 7499, Feb. 10, 2011; 76 FR 39275, July 6, 2011; 76 FR 54699, Sept. 2, 
2011; 78 FR 42691, July 17, 2013; 79 FR 69047, Nov. 20, 2014; 80 FR 
36473, June 25, 2015; 85 FR 17007, Mar. 26, 2020; 88 FR 67079, Sept. 29, 
2023]

    Effective Date Note: At 85 FR 17007, Mar. 26, 2020, Sec.  351.303 
was amended by adding paragraph (f)(4), effective Mar. 24, 2020 through 
May 19, 2020. At 85 FR 29615, May 18, 2020, this amendment was extended 
to July 17, 2020. At 85 FR 41363, July 10, 2020, this amendment was 
extended indefinitely.



Sec.  351.304  Establishing business proprietary treatment of information.

    (a) Claim for business proprietary treatment. (1) Any person that 
submits factual information to the Secretary in connection with a 
proceeding may:
    (i) Request that the Secretary treat any part of the submission as 
business proprietary information that is subject to disclosure only 
under an administrative protective order,
    (ii) Claim that there is a clear and compelling need to withhold 
certain business proprietary information from disclosure under an 
administrative protective order, or
    (iii) In an investigation, identify customer names that are exempt 
from disclosure under administrative protective order under section 
777(c)(1)(A) of the Act.
    (2) The Secretary will require that all business proprietary 
information presented to, or obtained or generated by, the Secretary 
during a segment of a proceeding be disclosed to authorized applicants, 
except for
    (i) Customer names submitted in an investigation,
    (ii) Information for which the Secretary finds that there is a clear 
and compelling need to withhold from disclosure, and

[[Page 310]]

    (iii) Privileged or classified information.
    (b) Identification of business proprietary information--(1) 
Information releasable under administrative protective order--(i) In 
general. A person submitting information must identify the information 
for which it claims business proprietary treatment by enclosing the 
information within single brackets. The submitting person must provide 
with the information an explanation of why each item of bracketed 
information is entitled to business proprietary treatment. A person 
submitting a request for business proprietary treatment also must 
include an agreement to permit disclosure under an administrative 
protective order, unless the submitting party claims that there is a 
clear and compelling need to withhold the information from disclosure 
under an administrative protective order.
    (ii) Electronic databases. In accordance with Sec.  351.303(c)(3), 
an electronic database need not contain brackets. The submitter must 
select the security classification ``Business Proprietary Document--May 
Be Released Under APO'' at the time of filing to request business 
proprietary treatment of the information contained in the database. The 
public version of the database must be publicly summarized and ranged in 
accordance with Sec.  351.304(c).
    (2) Information claimed to be exempt from disclosure under 
administrative protective order. (i) If the submitting person claims 
that there is a clear and compelling need to withhold certain 
information from disclosure under an administrative protective order 
(see paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section), the submitting person must 
identify the information by enclosing the information within double 
brackets, and must include a full explanation of the reasons for the 
claim.
    (ii) In an investigation, the submitting person may enclose business 
proprietary customer names within double brackets (see paragraph 
(a)(1)(iii) of this section).
    (iii) The submitting person may exclude the information in double 
brackets from the business proprietary/APO version of the submission 
served on authorized applicants. See Sec.  351.303 for filing and 
service requirements.
    (c) Public version. (1) A person filing a submission that contains 
information for which business proprietary treatment is claimed must 
also file a public version of the submission. The public version must be 
filed on the filing deadline for the business proprietary document. If 
the business proprietary document was filed under the one-day lag rule 
(see Sec.  351.303(c)(2)), the public version and the final business 
proprietary document must be filed on the first business day after the 
filing deadline. The public version must contain a summary of the 
bracketed information in sufficient detail to permit a reasonable 
understanding of the substance of the information. If the submitting 
person claims that summarization is not possible, the claim must be 
accompanied by a full explanation of the reasons supporting that claim. 
Generally, numerical data will be considered adequately summarized if 
grouped or presented in terms of indices or figures within 10 percent of 
the actual figure. If an individual portion of the numerical data is 
voluminous, at least one percent representative of that portion must be 
summarized. A submitter should not create a public summary of business 
proprietary information of another person.
    (2) If a submitting party discovers that it has failed to bracket 
information correctly, the submitter may file a complete, corrected 
business proprietary document along with the public version (see Sec.  
351.303(c)(2)(ii) through (iii)). At the close of business on the day on 
which the public version of a submission is due under paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section, however, the bracketing of business proprietary 
information in the original business proprietary document or, if a 
corrected version is timely filed, the corrected business proprietary 
document will become final. Once bracketing has become final, the 
Secretary will not accept any further corrections to the bracketing of 
information in a submission, and the Secretary will treat non-bracketed 
information as public information.
    (d) Nonconforming submissions--(1) In general. The Secretary will 
reject a submission that does not meet the requirements of section 
777(b) of the Act

[[Page 311]]

and this section with a written explanation. The submitting person may 
take any of the following actions within two business days after 
receiving the Secretary's explanation:
    (i) Correct the problems and resubmit the information;
    (ii) If the Secretary denied a request for business proprietary 
treatment, agree to have the information in question treated as public 
information;
    (iii) If the Secretary granted business proprietary treatment but 
denied a claim that there was a clear and compelling need to withhold 
information under an administrative protective order, agree to the 
disclosure of the information in question under an administrative 
protective order; or
    (iv) Submit other material concerning the subject matter of the 
rejected information. If the submitting person does not take any of 
these actions, the Secretary will not consider the rejected submission.
    (2) Timing. The Secretary normally will determine the status of 
information within 30 days after the day on which the information was 
submitted. If the business proprietary status of information is in 
dispute, the Secretary will treat the relevant portion of the submission 
as business proprietary information until the Secretary decides the 
matter.

[63 FR 24401, May 4, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 39277, July 6, 2011; 88 
FR 67079, Sept. 29, 2023]



Sec.  351.305  Access to business proprietary information.

    (a) The administrative protective order. The Secretary will place an 
administrative protective order on the record as follows: within two 
business days after the day on which a petition is filed or an 
investigation is self-initiated; within five business days after the day 
on which a request for a new shipper review is properly filed in 
accordance with Sec. Sec.  351.214 and 351.303, an application for a 
scope ruling is properly filed in accordance with Sec. Sec.  351.225 and 
351.303, or a request for a circumvention inquiry is properly filed in 
accordance with Sec. Sec.  351.226 and 351.303; within five business 
days after the day on which a request for a changed circumstances review 
is properly filed in accordance with Sec. Sec.  351.216 and 351.303 or a 
changed circumstances review is self-initiated; or within five business 
days after initiating any other segment of a proceeding. The 
administrative protective order will require the authorized applicant 
to:
    (1) Establish and follow procedures to ensure that no employee of 
the authorized applicant's firm releases business proprietary 
information to any person other than the submitting party, an authorized 
applicant, or an appropriate Department official identified in section 
777(b) of the Act;
    (2) Notify the Secretary of any changes in the facts asserted by the 
authorized applicant in its administrative protective order application;
    (3) Destroy business proprietary information by the time required 
under the terms of the administrative protective order;
    (4) Immediately report to the Secretary any apparent violation of 
the administrative protective order; and
    (5) Acknowledge that any unauthorized disclosure may subject the 
authorized applicant, the firm of which the authorized applicant is a 
partner, associate, or employee, and any partner, associate, or employee 
of the authorized applicant's firm to sanctions listed in part 354 of 
this chapter (19 CFR part 354).
    (b) Application for access under administrative protective order. 
(1) Generally, no more than two independent representatives of a party 
to the proceeding may have access to business proprietary information 
under an administrative protective order. A party must designate a lead 
firm if the party has more than one independent authorized applicant 
firm.
    (2) A representative of a party to the proceeding may apply for 
access to business proprietary information under the administrative 
protective order by submitting an electronic application available in 
ACCESS at https://access.trade.gov (Form ITA-367) to the Secretary. The 
electronic application will be filed and served in ACCESS upon 
submission. Form ITA-367 must identify the applicant and the segment of 
the proceeding involved, state the basis for eligibility of the 
applicant for

[[Page 312]]

access to business proprietary information, and state the agreement of 
the applicant to be bound by the administrative protective order. Form 
ITA-367 must be accompanied by a certification that the application is 
consistent with Form ITA-367 and an acknowledgment that any 
discrepancies will be interpreted in a manner consistent with Form ITA-
367. An applicant must apply to receive all business proprietary 
information on the record of the segment of a proceeding in question but 
may waive service of business proprietary information it does not wish 
to receive from other parties to the proceeding.
    (3) To minimize the disruption caused by late applications, an 
application should be filed before the first response to the initial 
questionnaire has been submitted. Where justified, however, applications 
may be filed up to the date on which the case briefs are due.
    (c) Approval of access under administrative protective order; 
administrative protective order service list; service of earlier-filed 
business proprietary submissions. (1) The Secretary will grant access to 
a qualified applicant by including the name of the applicant on an 
administrative protective order service list. Access normally will be 
granted within five days of receipt of the application unless there is a 
question regarding the eligibility of the applicant to receive access. 
In that case, the Secretary will decide whether to grant the applicant 
access within 30 days of receipt of the application. The Secretary will 
provide by the most expeditious means available the administrative 
protective order service list to parties to the proceeding on the day 
the service list is issued or amended.
    (2) After the Secretary approves an application, the authorized 
applicant may request service of earlier-filed business proprietary 
submissions of the other parties that are no longer available in ACCESS.
    (i) For an application that is approved before the first response to 
the initial questionnaire is submitted, the submitting party must serve 
the authorized applicant those submissions within two business days of 
the request. Service must be made in accordance with section 
351.303(f)(1)(iii). A certificate of service is not required.
    (ii) For an application that is approved after the first response to 
the initial questionnaire is submitted, the submitting party must serve 
the authorized applicant those submissions within five business days of 
the request. Service must be made in accordance with section 
351.303(f)(1)(iii). A certificate of service is not required. Any 
authorized applicant who filed the application after the first response 
to the initial questionnaire is submitted will be liable for costs 
associated with the additional production and service of business 
proprietary information already on the record.
    (d) Additional filing requirements for importers. If an applicant 
represents a party claiming to be an interested party by virtue of being 
an importer, then the applicant shall submit, along with the Form ITA-
367, documentary evidence demonstrating that during the applicable 
period of investigation or period of review the interested party 
imported subject merchandise. For a scope segment of a proceeding 
pursuant to Sec.  351.225 or a circumvention segment of a proceeding 
pursuant to Sec.  351.226, the applicant must present documentary 
evidence that the interested party imported subject merchandise, or that 
it has taken steps towards importing the merchandise subject to the 
scope or circumvention inquiry. For a covered merchandise referral 
segment of a proceeding pursuant to Sec.  351.227, an applicant 
representing an interested party that has been identified by the Customs 
Service as the importer in a covered merchandise referral is exempt from 
the requirements of providing documentary evidence to demonstrate that 
it is an importer for purposes of that segment of a proceeding.

[63 FR 24402, May 4, 1998, as amended at 73 FR 3643, Jan. 22, 2008; 76 
FR 39277, July 6, 2011; 86 FR 52384, Sept. 20, 2021; 88 FR 67080, Sept. 
29, 2023]



Sec.  351.306  Use of business proprietary information.

    (a) By the Secretary. The Secretary may disclose business 
proprietary information submitted to the Secretary only to:
    (1) An authorized applicant;

[[Page 313]]

    (2) An employee of the Department of Commerce or the International 
Trade Commission directly involved in the proceeding in which the 
information is submitted;
    (3) An employee of the Customs Service directly involved in 
conducting a fraud investigation relating to an antidumping or 
countervailing duty proceeding;
    (4) The U.S. Trade Representative as provided by 19 U.S.C. 3571(i);
    (5) Any person to whom the submitting person specifically authorizes 
disclosure in writing; and
    (6) A charged party or counsel for the charged party under 19 CFR 
part 354.
    (b) By an authorized applicant. An authorized applicant may retain 
business proprietary information for the time authorized by the terms of 
the administrative protective order. An authorized applicant may use 
business proprietary information for purposes of the segment of a 
proceeding in which the information was submitted. If business 
proprietary information that was submitted in a segment of the 
proceeding is relevant to an issue in a different segment of the 
proceeding, an authorized applicant may place such information on the 
record of the subsequent segment as authorized by the APO.
    (c) Identifying parties submitting business proprietary information. 
(1) If a party submits a document containing business proprietary 
information of another person, the submitting party must identify, 
contiguously with each item of business proprietary information, the 
person that originally submitted the item (e.g., Petitioner, Respondent 
A, Respondent B). Business proprietary information not identified will 
be treated as information of the person making the submission. If the 
submission contains business proprietary information of only one person, 
it shall so state on the first page and identify the person that 
originally submitted the business proprietary information on the first 
page.
    (2) If a party to a proceeding is not represented, or its 
representative is not an authorized applicant, the submitter of a 
document containing that party's business proprietary information must 
serve that party or its representative, if applicable, with a version of 
the document that contains only that party's business proprietary 
information consistent with Sec.  351.303(f)(1)(iii). The document must 
not contain the business proprietary information of other parties.
    (d) Disclosure to parties not authorized to receive business 
proprietary information. No person, including an authorized applicant, 
may disclose the business proprietary information of another person to 
any other person except another authorized applicant or a Department 
official described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Any person that 
is not an authorized applicant and that is served with business 
proprietary information must return it to the sender immediately, to the 
extent possible without reading it, and must notify the Department. An 
allegation of an unauthorized disclosure will subject the person that 
made the alleged unauthorized disclosure to an investigation and 
possible sanctions under 19 CFR part 354.

[63 FR 24403, May 4, 1998, as amended at 88 FR 67080, Sept. 29, 2023]

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20836, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.306 
was amended by revising paragraph (b), effective Apr. 24, 2024. For the 
convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.306  Use of business proprietary information.

                                * * * * *

    (b) By an authorized applicant. (1) An authorized applicant may 
retain business proprietary information for the time authorized by the 
terms of the administrative protective order (APO).
    (2) An authorized applicant may use business proprietary information 
for purposes of the segment of the proceeding in which the information 
was submitted.
    (3) If business proprietary information that was submitted to a 
segment of the proceeding is relevant to an issue in a different segment 
of the same proceeding, an authorized applicant may place such 
information on the record of the subsequent segment as authorized by the 
APO of the segment where the business proprietary information was 
submitted.
    (4) If business proprietary information that was submitted to a 
countervailing duty segment of the proceeding is relevant to a 
subsequent scope, circumvention, or covered merchandise inquiry 
conducted on the record of the companion antidumping duty segment

[[Page 314]]

of the proceeding pursuant to Sec.  351.225(m)(2), Sec.  351.226(m)(2), 
or Sec.  351.227(m)(2), an authorized applicant may place such 
information on the record of the companion antidumping duty segment of 
the proceeding as authorized by the APO of the countervailing duty 
segment where the business proprietary information was submitted.
    (5) If business proprietary information that was submitted to a 
scope, circumvention, or covered merchandise inquiry conducted on the 
record of a companion antidumping duty segment of the proceeding 
pursuant to Sec.  351.225(m)(2), Sec.  351.226(m)(2), or Sec.  
351.227(m)(2) is relevant to a subsequent countervailing duty segment of 
the proceeding, an authorized applicant may place such information on 
the record of the companion countervailing duty segment of the 
proceeding as authorized by the APO of the antidumping duty segment 
where the business proprietary information was submitted.

                                * * * * *



Sec.  351.307  Verification of information.

    (a) Introduction. Prior to making a final determination in an 
investigation or issuing final results of review, the Secretary may 
verify relevant factual information. This section clarifies when 
verification will occur, the contents of a verification report, and the 
procedures for verification.
    (b) In general. (1) Subject to paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the 
Secretary will verify factual information upon which the Secretary 
relies in:
    (i) A final determination in a continuation of a previously 
suspended countervailing duty investigation (section 704(g) of the Act), 
countervailing duty investigation, continuation of a previously 
suspended antidumping investigation (section 705(a) of the Act), or 
antidumping investigation;
    (ii) The final results of an expedited antidumping review;
    (iii) A revocation under section 751(d) of the Act;
    (iv) The final results of an administrative review, new shipper 
review, or changed circumstances review, if the Secretary decides that 
good cause for verification exists; and
    (v) The final results of an administrative review if:
    (A) A domestic interested party, not later than 100 days after the 
date of publication of the notice of initiation of review, submits a 
written request for verification; and
    (B) The Secretary conducted no verification under this paragraph 
during either of the two immediately preceding administrative reviews.
    (2) The Secretary may verify factual information upon which the 
Secretary relies in a proceeding or a segment of a proceeding not 
specifically provided for in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (3) If the Secretary decides that, because of the large number of 
exporters or producers included in an investigation or administrative 
review, it is impractical to verify relevant factual information for 
each person, the Secretary may select and verify a sample.
    (4) The Secretary may conduct verification of a person if that 
person agrees to verification and the Secretary notifies the government 
of the affected country and that government does not object. If the 
person or the government objects to verification, the Secretary will not 
conduct verification and may disregard any or all information submitted 
by the person in favor of use of the facts available under section 776 
of the Act and Sec.  351.308.
    (c) Verification report. The Secretary will report the methods, 
procedures, and results of a verification under this section prior to 
making a final determination in an investigation or issuing final 
results in a review.
    (d) Procedures for verification. The Secretary will notify the 
government of the affected country that employees of the Department will 
visit with the persons listed below in order to verify the accuracy and 
completeness of submitted factual information. The notification will, 
where practicable, identify any member of the verification team who is 
not an officer of the U.S. Government. As part of the verification, 
employees of the Department will request access to all files, records, 
and personnel which the Secretary considers relevant to factual 
information submitted of:
    (1) Producers, exporters, or importers;
    (2) Persons affiliated with the persons listed in paragraph (d)(1) 
of this section, where applicable;
    (3) Unaffiliated purchasers, or

[[Page 315]]

    (4) The government of the affected country as part of verification 
in a countervailing duty proceeding.



Sec.  351.308  Determinations on the basis of the facts available.

    (a) Introduction. The Secretary may make determinations on the basis 
of the facts available whenever necessary information is not available 
on the record, an interested party or any other person withholds or 
fails to provide information requested in a timely manner and in the 
form required or significantly impedes a proceeding, or the Secretary is 
unable to verify submitted information. If the Secretary finds that an 
interested party ``has failed to cooperate by not acting to the best of 
its ability to comply with a request for information,'' the Secretary 
may use an inference that is adverse to the interests of that party in 
selecting from among the facts otherwise available. This section lists 
some of the sources of information upon which the Secretary may base an 
adverse inference and explains the actions the Secretary will take with 
respect to corroboration of information.
    (b) In general. The Secretary may make a determination under the Act 
and this part based on the facts otherwise available in accordance with 
section 776(a) of the Act.
    (c) Adverse inferences. For purposes of section 776(b) of the Act, 
an adverse inference may include reliance on:
    (1) Secondary information, such as information derived from:
    (i) The petition;
    (ii) A final determination in a countervailing duty investigation or 
an antidumping investigation;
    (iii) Any previous administrative review, new shipper review, 
expedited antidumping review, section 753 review, or section 762 review; 
or
    (2) Any other information placed on the record.
    (d) Corroboration of secondary information. Under section 776(c) of 
the Act, when the Secretary relies on secondary information, the 
Secretary will, to the extent practicable, corroborate that information 
from independent sources that are reasonably at the Secretary's 
disposal. Independent sources may include, but are not limited to, 
published price lists, official import statistics and customs data, and 
information obtained from interested parties during the instant 
investigation or review. Corroborate means that the Secretary will 
examine whether the secondary information to be used has probative 
value. The fact that corroboration may not be practicable in a given 
circumstance will not prevent the Secretary from applying an adverse 
inference as appropriate and using the secondary information in 
question.
    (e) Use of certain information. In reaching a determination under 
the Act and this part, the Secretary will not decline to consider 
information that is submitted by an interested party and is necessary to 
the determination but does not meet all the applicable requirements 
established by the Secretary if the conditions listed under section 
782(e) of the Act are met.
    (f) Use of facts available in a sunset review. Where the Secretary 
determines to issue final results of sunset review on the basis of facts 
available, the Secretary normally will rely on:
    (1) Calculated countervailing duty rates or dumping margins, as 
applicable, from prior Department determinations; and
    (2) Information contained in parties' substantive responses to the 
Notice of Initiation filed under Sec.  351.218(d)(3), consistent with 
section 752(b) or 752(c) of the Act, as applicable.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 13524, Mar. 20, 1998]

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20836, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.308 
was amended by adding reserved paragraphs (g) through (i), and paragraph 
(j), effective Apr. 24, 2024. For the convenience of the user, the added 
text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.308  Determinations on the basis of facts available.

                                * * * * *

    (g)-(i) [Reserved]
    (j) Adverse facts available hierarchy in countervailing duty 
proceedings. In accordance with sections 776(d)(1)(A) and 776(d)(2) of 
the Act, when the Secretary applies an adverse inference in selecting a 
countervailable subsidy rate on the basis of facts otherwise available 
in a countervailing duty proceeding, the Secretary will normally select

[[Page 316]]

the highest program rate available using a hierarchical analysis as 
follows:
    (1) For investigations, conducted pursuant to section 701 of the 
Act, the hierarchy will be applied in the following sequence:
    (i) If there are cooperating respondents in the investigation, the 
Secretary will determine if a cooperating respondent used an identical 
program in the investigation and apply the highest calculated above-de 
minimis rate for the identical program;
    (ii) If no rate exists which the Secretary is able to apply under 
paragraph (j)(1)(i), the Secretary will determine if an identical 
program was used in another countervailing duty proceeding involving the 
same country and apply the highest calculated above-de minimis rate for 
the identical program;
    (iii) If no rate exists which the Secretary is able to apply under 
paragraph (j)(1)(ii), the Secretary will determine if there is a similar 
or comparable program in any countervailing duty proceeding involving 
the same country and apply the highest calculated above-de minimis rate 
for the similar or comparable program; and
    (iv) If no rate exists which the Secretary is able to apply under 
paragraph (j)(1)(iii), the Secretary will apply the highest calculated 
above-de minimis rate from any non-company-specific program in a 
countervailing duty proceeding involving the same country that the 
Secretary considers the company's industry could possibly use.
    (2) For administrative reviews, conducted pursuant to section 751 of 
the Act, the hierarchy will be applied in the following sequence:
    (i) The Secretary will determine if an identical program has been 
used in any segment of the proceeding and apply the highest calculated 
above-de minimis rate for any respondent for the identical program;
    (ii) If no rate exists which the Secretary is able to apply under 
paragraph (j)(2)(i), the Secretary will determine if there is a similar 
or comparable program within any segment of the same proceeding and 
apply the highest calculated above-de minimis rate for the similar or 
comparable program;
    (iii) If no rate exists which the Secretary is able to apply under 
paragraph (j)(2)(ii), the Secretary will determine if there is an 
identical program in any countervailing duty proceeding involving the 
same country and apply the highest calculated above-de minimis rate for 
the identical program or, if there is no identical program or above-de 
minimis rate available, determine if there is a similar or comparable 
program in any countervailing duty proceeding involving the same country 
and apply the highest calculated above-de minimis rate for the similar 
or comparable program; and
    (iv) If no rate exists which the Secretary is able to apply under 
paragraph (j)(2)(iii), the Secretary will apply the highest calculated 
rate for any non-company-specific program from any countervailing duty 
proceeding involving the same country that the Secretary considers the 
company's industry could possibly use.
    (3) When the Secretary uses an adverse facts available 
countervailing duty hierarchy, the following will apply:
    (i) The Secretary will treat rates less than 0.5 percent as de 
minimis;
    (ii) The Secretary will normally determine a program to be a similar 
or comparable program based on the Secretary's treatment of the 
program's benefit;
    (iii) The Secretary will normally select the highest program rate 
available in accordance with the hierarchical sequence, unless the 
Secretary determines that such a rate is otherwise inappropriate; and
    (iv) When applicable, the Secretary will determine an adverse facts 
available rate selected using the hierarchy to be corroborated in 
accordance with section 776(c)(1) of the Act.



Sec.  351.309  Written argument.

    (a) Introduction. Written argument may be submitted during the 
course of an antidumping or countervailing duty proceeding. This section 
sets forth the time limits for submission of case and rebuttal briefs 
and provides guidance on what should be contained in these documents.
    (b) Written argument--(1) In general. In making the final 
determination in a countervailing duty investigation or antidumping 
investigation or the final results of an administrative review, new 
shipper review, expedited antidumping review, section 753 review, or 
section 762 review, the Secretary will consider written arguments in 
case or rebuttal briefs filed within the time limits in this section.
    (2) Written argument on request. Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section, the Secretary may request written argument on any issue 
from any person or U.S. Government agency at any time during a 
proceeding.
    (c) Case brief. (1) Any interested party or U.S. Government agency 
may submit a ``case brief'' within:
    (i) For a final determination in a countervailing duty investigation 
or antidumping investigation, or for the final results of a full sunset 
review, 50 days after the date of publication of the preliminary 
determination or results of review, as applicable, unless the Secretary 
alters the time limit;

[[Page 317]]

    (ii) For the final results of an administrative review, new shipper 
review, changed circumstances review, or section 762 review, 30 days 
after the date of publication of the preliminary results of review, 
unless the Secretary alters the time limit; or
    (iii) For the final results of an expedited sunset review, expedited 
antidumping review, Article 8 violation review, Article 4/Article 7 
review, or section 753 review, a date specified by the Secretary.
    (2) The case brief must present all arguments that continue in the 
submitter's view to be relevant to the Secretary's final determination 
or final results, including any arguments presented before the date of 
publication of the preliminary determination or preliminary results. As 
part of the case brief, parties are encouraged to provide a summary of 
the arguments not to exceed five pages and a table of statutes, 
regulations, and cases cited.
    (d) Rebuttal brief. (1) Any interested party or U.S. Government 
agency may submit a ``rebuttal brief'' within five days after the time 
limit for filing the case brief, unless the Secretary alters this time 
limit.
    (2) The rebuttal brief may respond only to arguments raised in case 
briefs and should identify the arguments to which it is responding. As 
part of the rebuttal brief, parties are encouraged to provide a summary 
of the arguments not to exceed five pages and a table of statutes, 
regulations, and cases cited.
    (e) Comments on adequacy of response and appropriateness of 
expedited sunset review--(i) In general. Where the Secretary determines 
that respondent interested parties provided inadequate response to a 
Notice of Initiation (see Sec.  351.218(e)(1)(ii)) and has notified the 
International Trade Commission as such under Sec.  351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C), 
interested parties (and industrial users and consumer organizations) 
that submitted a complete substantive response to the Notice of 
Initiation under Sec.  351.218(d)(3) may file comments on whether an 
expedited sunset review under section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and Sec.  
351.218(e)(1)(ii)(B) or 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C) is appropriate based on the 
adequacy of responses to the notice of initiation. These comments may 
not include any new factual information or evidence (such as 
supplementation of a substantive response to the notice of initiation) 
and are limited to five pages.
    (ii) Time limit for filing comments. Comments on adequacy of 
response and appropriateness of expedited sunset review must be filed 
not later than 70 days after the date publication in the Federal 
Register of the notice of initiation.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 13524, Mar. 20, 1998; 70 
FR 62064, Oct. 28, 2005]



Sec.  351.310  Hearings.

    (a) Introduction. This section sets forth the procedures for 
requesting a hearing, indicates that the Secretary may consolidate 
hearings, and explains when the Secretary may hold closed hearing 
sessions.
    (b) Pre-hearing conference. The Secretary may conduct a telephone 
pre-hearing conference with representatives of interested parties to 
facilitate the conduct of the hearing.
    (c) Request for hearing. Any interested party may request that the 
Secretary hold a public hearing on arguments to be raised in case or 
rebuttal briefs within 30 days after the date of publication of the 
preliminary determination or preliminary results of review, unless the 
Secretary alters this time limit, or in a proceeding where the Secretary 
will not issue a preliminary determination, not later than a date 
specified by the Secretary. To the extent practicable, a party 
requesting a hearing must identify arguments to be raised at the 
hearing. At the hearing, an interested party may make an affirmative 
presentation only on arguments included in that party's case brief and 
may make a rebuttal presentation only on arguments included in that 
party's rebuttal brief.
    (d) Hearings in general. (1) If an interested party submits a 
request under paragraph (c) of this section, the Secretary will hold a 
public hearing on the date stated in the notice of the Secretary's 
preliminary determination or preliminary results of administrative 
review (or otherwise specified by the Secretary in an expedited 
antidumping review), unless the Secretary alters the

[[Page 318]]

date. Ordinarily, the hearing will be held two days after the scheduled 
date for submission of rebuttal briefs.
    (2) The hearing is not subject to 5 U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  551-559, and 
Sec.  702 (Administrative Procedure Act). Witness testimony, if any, 
will not be under oath or subject to cross-examination by another 
interested party or witness. During the hearing, the chair may question 
any person or witness and may request persons to present additional 
written argument.
    (e) Consolidated hearings. At the Secretary's discretion, the 
Secretary may consolidate hearings in two or more cases.
    (f) Closed hearing sessions. An interested party may request a 
closed session of the hearing no later than the date the case briefs are 
due in order to address limited issues during the course of the hearing. 
The requesting party must identify the subjects to be discussed, specify 
the amount of time requested, and justify the need for a closed session 
with respect to each subject. If the Secretary approves the request for 
a closed session, only authorized applicants and other persons 
authorized by the regulations may be present for the closed session (see 
Sec.  351.305).
    (g) Transcript of hearing. The Secretary will place a verbatim 
transcript of the hearing in the public and official records of the 
proceeding and will announce at the hearing how interested parties may 
obtain copies of the transcript.



Sec.  351.311  Countervailable subsidy practice discovered during
investigation or review.

    (a) Introduction. During the course of a countervailing duty 
investigation or review, Department officials may discover or receive 
notice of a practice that appears to provide a countervailable subsidy. 
This section explains when the Secretary will examine such a practice.
    (b) Inclusion in proceeding. If during a countervailing duty 
investigation or a countervailing duty administrative review the 
Secretary discovers a practice that appears to provide a countervailable 
subsidy with respect to the subject merchandise and the practice was not 
alleged or examined in the proceeding, or if, pursuant to section 775 of 
the Act, the Secretary receives notice from the United States Trade 
Representative that a subsidy or subsidy program is in violation of 
Article 8 of the Subsidies Agreement, the Secretary will examine the 
practice, subsidy, or subsidy program if the Secretary concludes that 
sufficient time remains before the scheduled date for the final 
determination or final results of review.
    (c) Deferral of examination. If the Secretary concludes that 
insufficient time remains before the scheduled date for the final 
determination or final results of review to examine the practice, 
subsidy, or subsidy program described in paragraph (b) of this section, 
the Secretary will:
    (1) During an investigation, allow the petitioner to withdraw the 
petition without prejudice and resubmit it with an allegation with 
regard to the newly discovered practice, subsidy, or subsidy program; or
    (2) During an investigation or review, defer consideration of the 
newly discovered practice, subsidy, or subsidy program until a 
subsequent administrative review, if any.
    (d) Notice. The Secretary will notify the parties to the proceeding 
of any practice the Secretary discovers, or any subsidy or subsidy 
program with respect to which the Secretary receives notice from the 
United States Trade Representative, and whether or not it will be 
included in the then ongoing proceeding.



Sec.  351.312  Industrial users and consumer organizations.

    (a) Introduction. The URAA provides for opportunity for comment by 
consumer organizations and industrial users on matters relevant to a 
particular determination of dumping, subsidization, or injury. This 
section indicates under what circumstances such persons may submit 
relevant information and argument.
    (b) Opportunity to submit relevant information and argument. In an 
antidumping or countervailing duty proceeding under title VII of the Act 
and this part, an industrial user of the subject merchandise or a 
representative

[[Page 319]]

consumer organization, as described in section 777(h) of the Act, may 
submit relevant factual information and written argument to the 
Department under paragraphs (d)(3)(ii), and (d)(3)(vi), and (d)(4) of 
Sec.  351.218, paragraphs (b), (c)(1), and (c)(3) of Sec.  351.301, and 
paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of Sec.  351.309 concerning dumping or a 
countervailing subsidy. All such submissions must be filed in accordance 
with Sec.  351.303.
    (c) Business proprietary information. Persons described in paragraph 
(b) of this section may request business proprietary treatment of 
information under Sec.  351.304, but will not be granted access under 
Sec.  351.305 to business proprietary information submitted by other 
persons.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 13524, Mar. 20, 1998]



Sec.  351.313  Attorneys or representatives.

    In general. No register of attorneys or representatives who may 
practice before the Department is maintained. No application for 
admission to practice is required. Any person desiring to appear as 
attorney or representative before the Department may be required to show 
to the satisfaction of the Secretary his acceptability in that capacity. 
Any attorney or representative practicing before the Department, or 
desiring so to practice, may for good cause shown be suspended or barred 
from practicing before the Department, or have imposed on him such 
lesser sanctions (e.g., public or private reprimand) as the Secretary 
deems appropriate, but only after he has been accorded an opportunity to 
present his views in the matter. The Department will maintain a public 
register of attorneys and representatives suspended or barred from 
practice. ``Attorney'' pursuant to this subpart and ``legal counsel'' in 
Sec.  351.303(g) have the same meaning. ``Representative'' pursuant to 
this subpart and in Sec.  351.303(g) has the same meaning.

[78 FR 22777, Apr. 17, 2013]



 Subpart D_Calculation of Export Price, Constructed Export Price, Fair 
                         Value, and Normal Value



Sec.  351.401  In general.

    (a) Introduction. In general terms, an antidumping analysis involves 
a comparison of export price or constructed export price in the United 
States with normal value in the foreign market. This section establishes 
certain general rules that apply to the calculation of export price, 
constructed export price and normal value. (See section 772, section 
773, and section 773A of the Act.)
    (b) Adjustments in general. In making adjustments to export price, 
constructed export price, or normal value, the Secretary will adhere to 
the following principles:
    (1) The interested party that is in possession of the relevant 
information has the burden of establishing to the satisfaction of the 
Secretary the amount and nature of a particular adjustment; and
    (2) The Secretary will not double-count adjustments.
    (c) Use of price net of price adjustments. In calculating export 
price, constructed export price, and normal value (where normal value is 
based on price), the Secretary normally will use a price that is net of 
price adjustments, as defined in Sec.  351.102(b), that are reasonably 
attributable to the subject merchandise or the foreign like product 
(whichever is applicable). The Secretary will not accept a price 
adjustment that is made after the time of sale unless the interested 
party demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, its 
entitlement to such an adjustment.
    (d) Delayed payment or pre-payment of expenses. Where cost is the 
basis for determining the amount of an adjustment to export price, 
constructed export price, or normal value, the Secretary will not factor 
in any delayed payment or pre-payment of expenses by the exporter or 
producer.
    (e) Adjustments for movement expenses--(1) Original place of 
shipment. In making adjustments for movement expenses to establish 
export price or constructed export price under section 772(c)(2)(A) of 
the Act, or normal value under section 773(a)(6)(B)(ii) of the Act,

[[Page 320]]

the Secretary normally will consider the production facility as being 
the ``original place of shipment. However, where the Secretary bases 
export price, constructed export price, or normal value on a sale by an 
unaffiliated reseller, the Secretary may treat the original place from 
which the reseller shipped the merchandise as the ``original place of 
shipment.''
    (2) Warehousing. The Secretary will consider warehousing expenses 
that are incurred after the subject merchandise or foreign like product 
leaves the original place of shipment as movement expenses.
    (f) Treatment of affiliated producers in antidumping proceedings--
(1) In general. In an antidumping proceeding under this part, the 
Secretary will treat two or more affiliated producers as a single entity 
where those producers have production facilities for similar or 
identical products that would not require substantial retooling of 
either facility in order to restructure manufacturing priorities and the 
Secretary concludes that there is a significant potential for the 
manipulation of price or production.
    (2) Significant potential for manipulation. In identifying a 
significant potential for the manipulation of price or production, the 
factors the Secretary may consider include:
    (i) The level of common ownership;
    (ii) The extent to which managerial employees or board members of 
one firm sit on the board of directors of an affiliated firm; and
    (iii) Whether operations are intertwined, such as through the 
sharing of sales information, involvement in production and pricing 
decisions, the sharing of facilities or employees, or significant 
transactions between the affiliated producers.
    (g) Allocation of expenses and price adjustments--(1) In general. 
The Secretary may consider allocated expenses and price adjustments when 
transaction-specific reporting is not feasible, provided the Secretary 
is satisfied that the allocation method used does not cause inaccuracies 
or distortions.
    (2) Reporting allocated expenses and price adjustments. Any party 
seeking to report an expense or a price adjustment on an allocated basis 
must demonstrate to the Secretary's satisfaction that the allocation is 
calculated on as specific a basis as is feasible, and must explain why 
the allocation methodology used does not cause inaccuracies or 
distortions.
    (3) Feasibility. In determining the feasibility of transaction-
specific reporting or whether an allocation is calculated on as specific 
a basis as is feasible, the Secretary will take into account the records 
maintained by the party in question in the ordinary course of its 
business, as well as such factors as the normal accounting practices in 
the country and industry in question and the number of sales made by the 
party during the period of investigation or review.
    (4) Expenses and price adjustments relating to merchandise not 
subject to the proceeding. The Secretary will not reject an allocation 
method solely because the method includes expenses incurred, or price 
adjustments made, with respect to sales of merchandise that does not 
constitute subject merchandise or a foreign like product (whichever is 
applicable).
    (h) [Reserved]
    (i) Date of sale. In identifying the date of sale of the subject 
merchandise or foreign like product, the Secretary normally will use the 
date of invoice, as recorded in the exporter or producer's records kept 
in the ordinary course of business. However, the Secretary may use a 
date other than the date of invoice if the Secretary is satisfied that a 
different date better reflects the date on which the exporter or 
producer establishes the material terms of sale.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 73 FR 16518, Mar. 28, 2008; 81 
FR 15645, Mar. 24, 2016]



Sec.  351.402  Calculation of export price and constructed export price;
reimbursement of antidumping and countervailing duties.

    (a) Introduction. In order to establish export price, constructed 
export price, and normal value, the Secretary must make certain 
adjustments to the price to the unaffiliated purchaser (often called the 
``starting price'') in both the United States and foreign markets.

[[Page 321]]

This regulation clarifies how the Secretary will make certain of the 
adjustments to the starting price in the United States that are required 
by section 772 of the Act.
    (b) Additional adjustments to constructed export price. In 
establishing constructed export price under section 772(d) of the Act, 
the Secretary will make adjustments for expenses associated with 
commercial activities in the United States that relate to the sale to an 
unaffiliated purchaser, no matter where or when paid. The Secretary will 
not make an adjustment for any expense that is related solely to the 
sale to an affiliated importer in the United States, although the 
Secretary may make an adjustment to normal value for such expenses under 
section 773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Act.
    (c) Special rule for merchandise with value added after 
importation--(1) Merchandise imported by affiliated persons. In applying 
section 772(e) of the Act, merchandise imported by and value added by a 
person affiliated with the exporter or producer includes merchandise 
imported and value added for the account of such an affiliated person.
    (2) Estimation of value added. The Secretary normally will determine 
that the value added in the United States by the affiliated person is 
likely to exceed substantially the value of the subject merchandise if 
the Secretary estimates the value added to be at least 65 percent of the 
price charged to the first unaffiliated purchaser for the merchandise as 
sold in the United States. The Secretary normally will estimate the 
value added based on the difference between the price charged to the 
first unaffiliated purchaser for the merchandise as sold in the United 
States and the price paid for the subject merchandise by the affiliated 
person. The Secretary normally will base this determination on averages 
of the prices and the value added to the subject merchandise.
    (3) Determining dumping margins. For purposes of determining dumping 
margins under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 772(e) of the Act, the 
Secretary may use the weighted-average dumping margins calculated on 
sales of identical or other subject merchandise sold to unaffiliated 
persons.
    (d) Special rule for determining profit. This paragraph sets forth 
rules for calculating profit in establishing constructed export price 
under section 772(f) of the Act.
    (1) Basis for total expenses and total actual profit. In calculating 
total expenses and total actual profit, the Secretary normally will use 
the aggregate of expenses and profit for all subject merchandise sold in 
the United States and all foreign like products sold in the exporting 
country, including sales that have been disregarded as being below the 
cost of production. (See section 773(b) of the Act (sales at less than 
cost of production).)
    (2) Use of financial reports. For purposes of determining profit 
under section 772(d)(3) of the Act, the Secretary may rely on any 
appropriate financial reports, including public, audited financial 
statements, or equivalent financial reports, and internal financial 
reports prepared in the ordinary course of business.
    (3) Voluntary reporting of costs of production. The Secretary will 
not require the reporting of costs of production solely for purposes of 
determining the amount of profit to be deducted from the constructed 
export price. The Secretary will base the calculation of profit on costs 
of production if such costs are reported voluntarily by the date 
established by the Secretary, and provided that it is practicable to do 
so and the costs of production are verifiable.
    (e) Treatment of payments between affiliated persons. Where a person 
affiliated with the exporter or producer incurs any of the expenses 
deducted from constructed export price under section 772(d) of the Act 
and is reimbursed for such expenses by the exporter, producer or other 
affiliate, the Secretary normally will make an adjustment based on the 
actual cost to the affiliated person. If the Secretary is satisfied that 
information regarding the actual cost to the affiliated person is 
unavailable to the exporter or producer, the Secretary may determine the 
amount of the adjustment on any other reasonable basis, including the 
amount of the reimbursement to the affiliated person if the Secretary is 
satisfied that

[[Page 322]]

such amount reflects the amount usually paid in the market under 
consideration.
    (f) Reimbursement of antidumping duties and countervailing duties--
(1) In general. (i) In calculating the export price (or the constructed 
export price), the Secretary will deduct the amount of any antidumping 
duty or countervailing duty which the exporter or producer:
    (A) Paid directly on behalf of the importer; or
    (B) Reimbursed to the importer.
    (ii) The Secretary will not deduct the amount of any antidumping 
duty or countervailing duty paid or reimbursed if the exporter or 
producer granted to the importer before initiation of the antidumping 
investigation in question a warranty of nonapplicability of antidumping 
duties or countervailing duties with respect to subject merchandise 
which was:
    (A) Sold before the date of publication of the Secretary's order 
applicable to the merchandise in question; and
    (B) Exported before the date of publication of the Secretary's final 
antidumping determination.
    (iii) Ordinarily, under paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this section, the 
Secretary will deduct the amount reimbursed only once in the calculation 
of the export price (or constructed export price).
    (2) Reimbursement certification. (i) The importer must certify with 
the Customs Service prior to liquidation (except as provided for in 
paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this section) whether the importer has or has 
not been reimbursed or entered into any agreement or understanding for 
the payment or for the refunding to the importer by the manufacturer, 
producer, seller, or exporter for all or any part of the antidumping and 
countervailing duties, as appropriate. Such certifications should 
identify the commodity and country and contain the information necessary 
to link the certification to the relevant entry or entry line number(s).
    (ii) The reimbursement certification may be filed either 
electronically or in paper in accordance with the Customs Service's 
requirements, as applicable.
    (iii) If an importer does not provide its reimbursement 
certification prior to liquidation, the Customs Service may accept the 
reimbursement certification in accordance with its protest procedures 
under 19 U.S.C. 1514, unless otherwise directed.
    (iv) Reimbursement certifications are required for entries of the 
relevant commodity that have been imported on or after the date of 
publication of the antidumping notice in the Federal Register that first 
suspended liquidation in that proceeding.
    (3) Presumption. The Secretary may presume from an importer's 
failure to file the certificate required in paragraph (f)(2) of this 
section that the exporter or producer paid or reimbursed the antidumping 
duties or countervailing duties.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 86 FR 52384, Sept. 20, 2021]

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20837, Mar. 25, 2024, in Sec.  
351.402, paragraph (f)(2)(ii) was amended by removing the words ``the 
Customs Service's'' and adding in its place, the words ``the U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection's'', effective Apr. 24, 2024.



Sec.  351.403  Sales used in calculating normal value; transactions
between affiliated parties.

    (a) Introduction. This section clarifies when the Secretary may use 
offers for sale in determining normal value. Additionally, this section 
clarifies the authority of the Secretary to use sales to or through an 
affiliated party as a basis for normal value. (See section 773(a)(5) of 
the Act (indirect sales or offers for sale).)
    (b) Sales and offers for sale. In calculating normal value, the 
Secretary normally will consider offers for sale only in the absence of 
sales and only if the Secretary concludes that acceptance of the offer 
can be reasonably expected.
    (c) Sales to an affiliated party. If an exporter or producer sold 
the foreign like product to an affiliated party, the Secretary may 
calculate normal value based on that sale only if satisfied that the 
price is comparable to the price at which the exporter or producer sold 
the foreign like product to a person who is not affiliated with the 
seller.
    (d) Sales through an affiliated party. If an exporter or producer 
sold the foreign like product through an affiliated party, the Secretary 
may calculate

[[Page 323]]

normal value based on the sale by such affiliated party. However, the 
Secretary normally will not calculate normal value based on the sale by 
an affiliated party if sales of the foreign like product by an exporter 
or producer to affiliated parties account for less than five percent of 
the total value (or quantity) of the exporter's or producer's sales of 
the foreign like product in the market in question or if sales to the 
affiliated party are comparable, as defined in paragraph (c) of this 
section.



Sec.  351.404  Selection of the market to be used as the basis for 
normal value.

    (a) Introduction. Although in most circumstances sales of the 
foreign like product in the home market are the most appropriate basis 
for determining normal value, section 773 of the Act also permits use of 
sales to a third country or constructed value as the basis for normal 
value. This section clarifies the rules for determining the basis for 
normal value.
    (b) Determination of viable market--(1) In general. The Secretary 
will consider the exporting country or a third country as constituting a 
viable market if the Secretary is satisfied that sales of the foreign 
like product in that country are of sufficient quantity to form the 
basis of normal value.
    (2) Sufficient quantity. ``Sufficient quantity'' normally means that 
the aggregate quantity (or, if quantity is not appropriate, value) of 
the foreign like product sold by an exporter or producer in a country is 
5 percent or more of the aggregate quantity (or value) of its sales of 
the subject merchandise to the United States.
    (c) Calculation of price-based normal value in viable market--(1) In 
general. Subject to paragraph (c)(2) of this section:
    (i) If the exporting country constitutes a viable market, the 
Secretary will calculate normal value on the basis of price in the 
exporting country (see section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act (price used 
for determining normal value)); or
    (ii) If the exporting country does not constitute a viable market, 
but a third country does constitute a viable market, the Secretary may 
calculate normal value on the basis of price to a third country (see 
section 773(a)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act (use of third country prices in 
determining normal value)).
    (2) Exception. The Secretary may decline to calculate normal value 
in a particular market under paragraph (c)(1) of this section if it is 
established to the satisfaction of the Secretary that:
    (i) In the case of the exporting country or a third country, a 
particular market situation exists that does not permit a proper 
comparison with the export price or constructed export price (see 
section 773(a)(1)(B)(ii)(III) or section 773(a)(1)(C)(iii) of the Act); 
or
    (ii) In the case of a third country, the price is not representative 
(see section 773(a)(1)(B)(ii)(I) of the Act).
    (d) Allegations concerning market viability and the basis for 
determining a price-based normal value. In an antidumping investigation 
or review, allegations regarding market viability or the exceptions in 
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, must be filed, with all supporting 
factual information, in accordance with Sec.  351.301(c)(2)(i).
    (e) Selection of third country. For purposes of calculating normal 
value based on prices in a third country, where prices in more than one 
third country satisfy the criteria of section 773(a)(1)(B)(ii) of the 
Act and this section, the Secretary generally will select the third 
country based on the following criteria:
    (1) The foreign like product exported to a particular third country 
is more similar to the subject merchandise exported to the United States 
than is the foreign like product exported to other third countries;
    (2) The volume of sales to a particular third country is larger than 
the volume of sales to other third countries;
    (3) Such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    (f) Third country sales and constructed value. The Secretary 
normally will calculate normal value based on sales to a third country 
rather than on constructed value if adequate information is available 
and verifiable (see section

[[Page 324]]

773(a)(4) of the Act (use of constructed value)).

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 88 FR 67080, Sept. 29, 2023]



Sec.  351.405  Calculation of normal value based on constructed value.

    (a) Introduction. In certain circumstances, the Secretary may 
determine normal value by constructing a value based on the cost of 
manufacture, selling general and administrative expenses, and profit. 
The Secretary may use constructed value as the basis for normal value 
where: neither the home market nor a third country market is viable; 
sales below the cost of production are disregarded; sales outside the 
ordinary course of trade, or sales the prices of which are otherwise 
unrepresentative, are disregarded; sales used to establish a fictitious 
market are disregarded; no contemporaneous sales of comparable 
merchandise are available; or in other circumstances where the Secretary 
determines that home market or third country prices are inappropriate. 
(See section 773(e) and section 773(f) of the Act.) This section 
clarifies the meaning of certain terms relating to constructed value.
    (b) Profit and selling, general, and administrative expenses. In 
determining the amount to be added to constructed value for profit and 
for selling, general, and administrative expenses, the following rules 
will apply:
    (1) Under section 773(e)(2)(A) of the Act, ``foreign country'' means 
the country in which the merchandise is produced or a third country 
selected by the Secretary under Sec.  351.404(e), as appropriate.
    (2) Under section 773(e)(2)(B) of the Act, ``foreign country'' means 
the country in which the merchandise is produced.



Sec.  351.406  Calculation of normal value if sales are made at less 
than cost of production.

    (a) Introduction. In determining normal value, the Secretary may 
disregard sales of the foreign like product made at prices that are less 
than the cost of production of that product. However, such sales will be 
disregarded only if they are made within an extended period of time, in 
substantial quantities, and are not at prices which permit recovery of 
costs within a reasonable period of time. (See section 773(b) of the 
Act.) This section clarifies the meaning of the term ``extended period 
of time'' as used in the Act.
    (b) Extended period of time. The ``extended period of time'' under 
section 773(b)(1)(A) of the Act normally will coincide with the period 
in which the sales under consideration for the determination of normal 
value were made.



Sec.  351.407  Calculation of constructed value and cost of production.

    (a) Introduction. This section sets forth certain rules that are 
common to the calculation of constructed value and the cost of 
production. (See section 773(f) of the Act.)
    (b) Determination of value under the major input rule. For purposes 
of section 773(f)(3) of the Act, the Secretary normally will determine 
the value of a major input purchased from an affiliated person based on 
the higher of:
    (1) The price paid by the exporter or producer to the affiliated 
person for the major input;
    (2) The amount usually reflected in sales of the major input in the 
market under consideration; or
    (3) The cost to the affiliated person of producing the major input.
    (c) Allocation of costs. In determining the appropriate method for 
allocating costs among products, the Secretary may take into account 
production quantities, relative sales values, and other quantitative and 
qualitative factors associated with the manufacture and sale of the 
subject merchandise and the foreign like product.
    (d) Startup costs. (1) In identifying startup operations under 
section 773(f)(1)(C)(ii) of the Act:
    (i) ``New production facilities'' includes the substantially 
complete retooling of an existing plant. Substantially complete 
retooling involves the replacement of nearly all production machinery or 
the equivalent rebuilding of existing machinery.
    (ii) A ``new product'' is one requiring substantial additional 
investment, including products which, though sold under an existing 
nameplate, involve the complete revamping or redesign of

[[Page 325]]

the product. Routine model year changes will not be considered a new 
product.
    (iii) Mere improvements to existing products or ongoing improvements 
to existing facilities will not be considered startup operations.
    (iv) An expansion of the capacity of an existing production line 
will not qualify as a startup operation unless the expansion constitutes 
such a major undertaking that it requires the construction of a new 
facility and results in a depression of production levels due to 
technical factors associated with the initial phase of commercial 
production of the expanded facilities.
    (2) In identifying the end of the startup period under clauses (ii) 
and (iii) of section 773(f)(1)(C) of the Act:
    (i) The attainment of peak production levels will not be the 
standard for identifying the end of the startup period, because the 
startup period may end well before a company achieves optimum capacity 
utilization.
    (ii) The startup period will not be extended to cover improvements 
and cost reductions that may occur over the entire life cycle of a 
product.
    (3) In determining when a producer reaches commercial production 
levels under section 773(f)(1)(C)(ii) of the Act:
    (i) The Secretary will consider the actual production experience of 
the merchandise in question, measuring production on the basis of units 
processed.
    (ii) To the extent necessary, the Secretary will examine factors in 
addition to those specified in section 773(f)(1)(C)(ii) of the Act, 
including historical data reflecting the same producer's or other 
producers' experiences in producing the same or similar products. A 
producer's projections of future volume or cost will be accorded little 
weight.
    (4) In making an adjustment for startup operations under section 
773(f)(1)(C)(iii) of the Act:
    (i) The Secretary will determine the duration of the startup period 
on a case-by-case basis.
    (ii) The difference between actual costs and the costs of production 
calculated for startup costs will be amortized over a reasonable period 
of time subsequent to the startup period over the life of the product or 
machinery, as appropriate.
    (iii) The Secretary will consider unit production costs to be items 
such as depreciation of equipment and plant, labor costs, insurance, 
rent and lease expenses, material costs, and factory overhead. The 
Secretary will not consider sales expenses, such as advertising costs, 
or other general and administrative or non-production costs (such as 
general research and development costs), as startup costs.



Sec.  351.408  Calculation of normal value of merchandise from nonmarket
economy countries.

    (a) Introduction. In identifying dumping from a nonmarket economy 
country, the Secretary normally will calculate normal value by valuing 
the nonmarket economy producers' factors of production in a market 
economy country. (See section 773(c) of the Act.) This section clarifies 
when and how this special methodology for nonmarket economies will be 
applied.
    (b) Economic Comparability. In determining whether a country is at a 
level of economic development comparable to the nonmarket economy under 
section 773(c)(2)(B) or section 773(c)(4)(A) of the Act, the Secretary 
will place primary emphasis on per capita GDP as the measure of economic 
comparability.
    (c) Valuation of Factors of Production. For purposes of valuing the 
factors of production, general expenses, profit, and the cost of 
containers, coverings, and other expenses (referred to collectively as 
``factors'') under section 773(c)(1) of the Act the following rules will 
apply:
    (1) Information used to value factors. The Secretary normally will 
use publicly available information to value factors. However, where a 
factor is produced in one or more market economy countries, purchased 
from one or more market economy suppliers and paid for in market economy 
currency, the Secretary normally will use the price(s) paid to the 
market economy supplier(s) if substantially all of the total volume of 
the factor is purchased from the market economy supplier(s). For 
purposes of this provision, the Secretary defines the term 
``substantially all'' to

[[Page 326]]

be 85 percent or more of the total volume purchased of the factor used 
in the production of subject merchandise. In those instances where less 
than substantially all of the total volume of the factor is produced in 
one or more market economy countries and purchased from one or more 
market economy suppliers, the Secretary normally will weight-average the 
actual price(s) paid for the market economy portion and the surrogate 
value for the nonmarket economy portion by their respective quantities.
    (2) Valuation in a single country. The Secretary normally will value 
all factors in a single surrogate country.
    (3) Manufacturing overhead, general expenses, and profit. For 
manufacturing overhead, general expenses, and profit, the Secretary 
normally will use non-proprietary information gathered from producers of 
identical or comparable merchandise in the surrogate country.

[62 FR 27379, May 19, 1997, as amended at 78 FR 46804, Aug. 2, 2013; 88 
FR 67080, Sept. 29, 2023]

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20837, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.408 
was amended by adding paragraph (d), effective Apr. 24, 2024. For the 
convenience of the user, the added text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.408  Calculation of normal value of merchandise from nonmarket 
          economy countries.

                                * * * * *

    (d) A determination that certain surrogate value information is not 
otherwise appropriate--(1) In general. Notwithstanding the factors 
considered under paragraph (c) of this section, the Secretary may 
disregard a proposed market economy country value for consideration as a 
surrogate value if the Secretary determines that evidence on the record 
reflects that the use of such a value would be inappropriate.
    (i) In accordance with section 773(c)(5), the Secretary may 
disregard a proposed surrogate value if the Secretary determines that 
the value is derived from a country that provides broadly available 
export subsidies, if particular instances of subsidization occurred with 
respect to that proposed surrogate value, or if that proposed surrogate 
value was subject to an antidumping order.
    (ii) In addition, the Secretary may disregard a proposed surrogate 
value if the Secretary determines based on record evidence that the 
value is derived from a facility, party, industry, intra-country region 
or a country with weak, ineffective, or nonexistent property (including 
intellectual property), human rights, labor, or environmental 
protections.
    (2) Requirements to disregard a proposed surrogate value based on 
weak, ineffective, or nonexistent protections. For purposes of paragraph 
(d)(1)(ii) of this section, the Secretary will only consider 
disregarding a proposed market economy country value as a surrogate 
value of production if the Secretary determines the following:
    (i) The proposed surrogate value at issue is for a significant input 
or labor;
    (ii) The proposed surrogate value is derived from one country or an 
average of values from a limited number of countries; and
    (iii) The information on the record supports a claim that the 
identified weak, ineffective, or nonexistent property (including 
intellectual property), human rights, labor, or environmental 
protections undermine the appropriateness of using that value as a 
surrogate value.
    (3) The use of a surrogate value located in a country which is not 
at a level of economic development comparable to that of the nonmarket 
economy. If the Secretary determines, pursuant to this section, after 
reviewing all proposed values on the record derived from market economy 
countries which are at a level of economic development comparable to the 
nonmarket economy, that no such proposed value is appropriate to value a 
specific factor of production, the Secretary may use a value on the 
record derived from a market economy country which is not at a level of 
economic development comparable to that of the nonmarket economy country 
as a surrogate to value that specific factor of production.
    (4) The use of a surrogate value not located in a country which is a 
significant producer of comparable merchandise. If the Secretary 
determines, pursuant to this section, after reviewing all proposed 
surrogate values on the record derived from market economy countries 
which are significant producers of merchandise comparable to the subject 
merchandise, that no such proposed value is appropriate to value a 
specific factor of production, the Secretary may use a value on the 
record derived from a market economy country which is not a significant 
producer of merchandise comparable to the subject merchandise as a 
surrogate to value that specific factor of production.



Sec.  351.409  Differences in quantities.

    (a) Introduction. Because the quantity of merchandise sold may 
affect the price, in comparing export price or constructed export price 
with normal value, the Secretary will make a reasonable allowance for 
any difference in quantities to the extent the Secretary

[[Page 327]]

is satisfied that the amount of any price differential (or lack thereof) 
is wholly or partly due to that difference in quantities. (See section 
773(a)(6)(C)(i) of the Act.)
    (b) Sales with quantity discounts in calculating normal value. The 
Secretary normally will calculate normal value based on sales with 
quantity discounts only if:
    (1) During the period examined, or during a more representative 
period, the exporter or producer granted quantity discounts of at least 
the same magnitude on 20 percent or more of sales of the foreign like 
product for the relevant country; or
    (2) The exporter or producer demonstrates to the Secretary's 
satisfaction that the discounts reflect savings specifically 
attributable to the production of the different quantities.
    (c) Sales with quantity discounts in calculating weighted-average 
normal value. If the exporter or producer does not satisfy the 
conditions of paragraph (b) of this section, the Secretary will 
calculate normal value based on weighted-average prices that include 
sales at a discount.
    (d) Price lists. In determining whether a discount has been granted, 
the existence or lack of a published price list reflecting such a 
discount will not be controlling. Ordinarily, the Secretary will give 
weight to a price list only if, in the line of trade and market under 
consideration, the exporter or producer demonstrates that it has adhered 
to its price list.
    (e) Relationship to level of trade adjustment. If adjustments are 
claimed for both differences in quantities and differences in level of 
trade, the Secretary will not make an adjustment for differences in 
quantities unless the Secretary is satisfied that the effect on price 
comparability of differences in quantities has been identified and 
established separately from the effect on price comparability of 
differences in the levels of trade.



Sec.  351.410  Differences in circumstances of sale

    (a) Introduction. In calculating normal value the Secretary may make 
adjustments to account for certain differences in the circumstances of 
sales in the United States and foreign markets. (See section 
773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Act.) This section clarifies certain terms used 
in the statute regarding circumstances of sale adjustments and describes 
the adjustment when commissions are paid only in one market.
    (b) In general. With the exception of the allowance described in 
paragraph (e) of this section concerning commissions paid in only one 
market, the Secretary will make circumstances of sale adjustments under 
section 773(a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Act only for direct selling expenses 
and assumed expenses.
    (c) Direct selling expenses. ``Direct selling expenses'' are 
expenses, such as commissions, credit expenses, guarantees, and 
warranties, that result from, and bear a direct relationship to, the 
particular sale in question.
    (d) Assumed expenses. Assumed expenses are selling expenses that are 
assumed by the seller on behalf of the buyer, such as advertising 
expenses.
    (e) Commissions paid in one market. The Secretary normally will make 
a reasonable allowance for other selling expenses if the Secretary makes 
a reasonable allowance for commissions in one of the markets under 
considerations, and no commission is paid in the other market under 
consideration. The Secretary will limit the amount of such allowance to 
the amount of the other selling expenses incurred in the one market or 
the commissions allowed in the other market, whichever is less.
    (f) Reasonable allowance. In deciding what is a reasonable allowance 
for any difference in circumstances of sale, the Secretary normally will 
consider the cost of such difference to the exporter or producer but, if 
appropriate, may also consider the effect of such difference on the 
market value of the merchandise.



Sec.  351.411  Differences in physical characteristics.

    (a) Introduction. In comparing United States sales with foreign 
market sales, the Secretary may determine that the merchandise sold in 
the United States does not have the same physical characteristics as the 
merchandise sold in

[[Page 328]]

the foreign market, and that the difference has an effect on prices. In 
calculating normal value, the Secretary will make a reasonable allowance 
for such differences. (See section 773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act.)
    (b) Reasonable allowance. In deciding what is a reasonable allowance 
for differences in physical characteristics, the Secretary will consider 
only differences in variable costs associated with the physical 
differences. Where appropriate, the Secretary may also consider 
differences in the market value. The Secretary will not consider 
differences in cost of production when compared merchandise has 
identical physical characteristics.



Sec.  351.412  Levels of trade; adjustment for difference in level of trade;
constructed export price offset.

    (a) Introduction. In comparing United States sales with foreign 
market sales, the Secretary may determine that sales in the two markets 
were not made at the same level of trade, and that the difference has an 
effect on the comparability of the prices. The Secretary is authorized 
to adjust normal value to account for such a difference. (See section 
773(a)(7) of the Act.)
    (b) Adjustment for difference in level of trade. The Secretary will 
adjust normal value for a difference in level of trade if:
    (1) The Secretary calculates normal value at a different level of 
trade from the level of trade of the export price or the constructed 
export price (whichever is applicable); and
    (2) The Secretary determines that the difference in level of trade 
has an effect on price comparability.
    (c) Identifying levels of trade and differences in levels of trade--
(1) Basis for identifying levels of trade. The Secretary will identify 
the level of trade based on:
    (i) In the case of export price, the starting price;
    (ii) In the case of constructed export price, the starting price, as 
adjusted under section 772(d) of the Act; and
    (iii) In the case of normal value, the starting price or constructed 
value.
    (2) Differences in levels of trade. The Secretary will determine 
that sales are made at different levels of trade if they are made at 
different marketing stages (or their equivalent). Substantial 
differences in selling activities are a necessary, but not sufficient, 
condition for determining that there is a difference in the stage of 
marketing. Some overlap in selling activities will not preclude a 
determination that two sales are at different stages of marketing.
    (d) Effect on price comparability--(1) In general. The Secretary 
will determine that a difference in level of trade has an effect on 
price comparability only if it is established to the satisfaction of the 
Secretary that there is a pattern of consistent price differences 
between sales in the market in which normal value is determined:
    (i) At the level of trade of the export price or constructed export 
price (whichever is appropriate); and
    (ii) At the level of trade at which normal value is determined.
    (2) Relevant sales. Where possible, the Secretary will make the 
determination under paragraph (d)(1) of this section on the basis of 
sales of the foreign like product by the producer or exporter. Where 
this is not possible, the Secretary may use sales of different or 
broader product lines, sales by other companies, or any other reasonable 
basis.
    (e) Amount of adjustment. The Secretary normally will calculate the 
amount of a level of trade adjustment by:
    (1) Calculating the weighted-averages of the prices of sales at the 
two levels of trade identified in paragraph (d), after making any other 
adjustments to those prices appropriate under section 773(a)(6) of the 
Act and this subpart;
    (2) Calculating the average of the percentage differences between 
those weighted-average prices; and
    (3) Applying the percentage difference to normal value, where it is 
at a different level of trade from the export price or constructed 
export price (whichever is applicable), after making any other 
adjustments to normal value appropriate under section 773(a)(6) of the 
Act and this subpart.
    (f) Constructed export price offset--(1) In general. The Secretary 
will grant a constructed export price offset only where:

[[Page 329]]

    (i) Normal value is compared to constructed export price;
    (ii) Normal value is determined at a more advanced level of trade 
than the level of trade of the constructed export price; and
    (iii) Despite the fact that a person has cooperated to the best of 
its ability, the data available do not provide an appropriate basis to 
determine under paragraph (d) of this section whether the difference in 
level of trade affects price comparability.
    (2) Amount of the offset. The amount of the constructed export price 
offset will be the amount of indirect selling expenses included in 
normal value, up to the amount of indirect selling expenses deducted in 
determining constructed export price. In making the constructed export 
price offset, ``indirect selling expenses'' means selling expenses, 
other than direct selling expenses or assumed selling expenses (see 
Sec.  351.410), that the seller would incur regardless of whether 
particular sales were made, but that reasonably may be attributed, in 
whole or in part, to such sales.
    (3) Where data permit determination of affect on price 
comparability. Where available data permit the Secretary to determine 
under paragraph (d) of this section whether the difference in level of 
trade affects price comparability, the Secretary will not grant a 
constructed export price offset. In such cases, if the Secretary 
determines that price comparability has been affected, the Secretary 
will make a level of trade adjustment. If the Secretary determines that 
price comparability has not been affected, the Secretary will not grant 
either a level of trade adjustment or a constructed export price offset.



Sec.  351.413  Disregarding insignificant adjustments.

    Ordinarily, under section 777A(a)(2) of the Act, an ``insignificant 
adjustment'' is any individual adjustment having an ad valorem effect of 
less than 0.33 percent, or any group of adjustments having an ad valorem 
effect of less than 1.0 percent, of the export price, constructed export 
price, or normal value, as the case may be. Groups of adjustments are 
adjustments for differences in circumstances of sale under Sec.  
351.410, adjustments for differences in the physical characteristics of 
the merchandise under Sec.  351.411, and adjustments for differences in 
the levels of trade under Sec.  351.412.



Sec.  351.414  Comparison of normal value with export price 
(constructed export price).

    (a) Introduction. This section explains when and how the Secretary 
will average prices in making comparisons of export price or constructed 
export price with normal value. (See section 777A(d) of the Act.)
    (b) Description of methods of comparison--(1) Average-to-average 
method. The ``average-to-average'' method involves a comparison of the 
weighted average of the normal values with the weighted average of the 
export prices (and constructed export prices) for comparable 
merchandise.
    (2) Transaction-to-transaction method. The ``transaction-to-
transaction'' method involves a comparison of the normal values of 
individual transactions with the export prices (or constructed export 
prices) of individual transactions for comparable merchandise.
    (3) Average-to-transaction method. The ``average-to-transaction'' 
method involves a comparison of the weighted average of the normal 
values to the export prices (or constructed export prices) of individual 
transactions for comparable merchandise.
    (c) Choice of method. (1) In an investigation or review, the 
Secretary will use the average-to-average method unless the Secretary 
determines another method is appropriate in a particular case.
    (2) The Secretary will use the transaction-to-transaction method 
only in unusual situations, such as when there are very few sales of 
subject merchandise and the merchandise sold in each market is identical 
or very similar or is custom-made.
    (d) Application of the average-to-average method--(1) In general. In 
applying the average-to-average method, the Secretary will identify 
those sales of the subject merchandise to the United States that are 
comparable, and will include such sales in an ``averaging

[[Page 330]]

group.'' The Secretary will calculate a weighted average of the export 
prices and the constructed export prices of the sales included in the 
averaging group, and will compare this weighted average to the weighted 
average of the normal values of such sales.
    (2) Identification of the averaging group. An averaging group will 
consist of subject merchandise that is identical or virtually identical 
in all physical characteristics and that is sold to the United States at 
the same level of trade. In identifying sales to be included in an 
averaging group, the Secretary also will take into account, where 
appropriate, the region of the United States in which the merchandise is 
sold, and such other factors as the Secretary considers relevant.
    (3) Time period over which weighted average is calculated. When 
applying the average-to-average method in an investigation, the 
Secretary normally will calculate weighted averages for the entire 
period of investigation. However, when normal values, export prices, or 
constructed export prices differ significantly over the course of the 
period of investigation, the Secretary may calculate weighted averages 
for such shorter period as the Secretary deems appropriate. When 
applying the average-to-average method in a review, the Secretary 
normally will calculate weighted averages on a monthly basis and compare 
the weighted-average monthly export price or constructed export price to 
the weighted-average normal value for the contemporaneous month.
    (e) Application of the average-to-transaction method--In applying 
the average-to-transaction method in a review, when normal value is 
based on the weighted average of sales of the foreign like product, the 
Secretary will limit the averaging of such prices to sales incurred 
during the contemporaneous month.
    (f) Contemporaneous Month. Normally, the Secretary will select as 
the contemporaneous month the first of the following months which 
applies:
    (1) The month during which the particular U.S. sales under 
consideration were made;
    (2) If there are no sales of the foreign like product during this 
month, the most recent of the three months prior to the month of the 
U.S. sales in which there was a sale of the foreign like product.
    (3) If there are no sales of the foreign like product during any of 
these months, the earlier of the two months following the month of the 
U.S. sales in which there was a sale of the foreign like product.

[77 FR 8114, Feb. 14, 2012]



Sec.  351.415  Conversion of currency.

    (a) In general. In an antidumping proceeding, the Secretary will 
convert foreign currencies into United States dollars using the rate of 
exchange on the date of sale of the subject merchandise.
    (b) Exception. If the Secretary establishes that a currency 
transaction on forward markets is directly linked to an export sale 
under consideration, the Secretary will use the exchange rate specified 
with respect to such foreign currency in the forward sale agreement to 
convert the foreign currency.
    (c) Exchange rate fluctuations. The Secretary will ignore 
fluctuations in exchange rates.
    (d) Sustained movement in foreign currency value. In an antidumping 
investigation, if there is a sustained movement increasing the value of 
the foreign currency relative to the United States dollar, the Secretary 
will allow exporters 60 days to adjust their prices to reflect such 
sustained movement.



Sec.  351.416  Determination of a particular market situation.

    (a) Particular market situation defined. A particular market 
situation is a circumstance or set of circumstances that does the 
following as determined by the Secretary:
    (1) Prevents or does not permit a proper comparison of sales prices 
in the home market or third country market with export prices and 
constructed export prices; or
    (2) Contributes to the distortion of the cost of materials and 
fabrication or other processing of any kind, such that the cost of 
production of merchandise subject to an investigation, suspension 
agreement, or antidumping order does not accurately reflect the cost of 
production in the ordinary course of trade.

[[Page 331]]

    (b) Submission requirements when alleging the existence of a 
particular market situation. When an interested party submits a timely 
allegation as to the existence of a particular market situation in an 
antidumping duty proceeding, relevant information reasonably available 
to that interested party supporting the claim must accompany the 
allegation. If the particular market situation being alleged is similar 
to an allegation of a particular market situation made in a previous or 
ongoing segment of the same or another proceeding, the interested party 
must identify the facts and arguments in the submission which are 
distinguishable from those provided in the other segment or proceeding.
    (c) A determination that a particular market situation prevented or 
did not permit a proper comparison of prices existed during the period 
of investigation or review. The Secretary may determine that a 
particular market situation, identified in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, existed during the period of investigation or review if a 
circumstance or set of circumstances prevented or did not permit a 
proper comparison between sales prices in the home market or third 
country market of the foreign like product and export prices or 
constructed export prices of subject merchandise for purposes of an 
antidumping analysis.
    (1) Examples of particular market situations in the home market that 
may prevent or do not permit a proper comparison with U.S. price. 
Examples of a circumstance or set of circumstances in the home market 
that may prevent or not permit a proper comparison of prices, and are 
therefore particular market situations, include, but are not limited to, 
the following:
    (i) The imposition of an export tax on subject merchandise;
    (ii) Limitations on exports of subject merchandise from the subject 
country;
    (iii) The issuance and enforcement of anticompetitive regulations 
that confer a unique status on favored producers or that create barriers 
to new entrants to an industry; and
    (iv) Direct government control over pricing of subject merchandise 
to such an extent that home market prices for subject merchandise cannot 
be considered competitively set.
    (2) Examples of particular market situations in a third country 
market that may prevent or not permit a proper comparison of prices. In 
situations where third country prices may be needed to calculate normal 
value in a dumping calculation, the Secretary may determine that third 
country prices cannot be properly compared to export prices or 
constructed export prices for reasons similar to those listed in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (3) The use of constructed value may be warranted if a proper 
comparison of prices is prevented or not permitted. If the Secretary 
determines that a particular market situation prevented or did not 
permit a proper comparison of sales prices in the home market or third 
country market with export prices or constructed export prices during 
the period of investigation or review, the Secretary may conclude that 
it is necessary to determine normal value by constructing a value in 
accordance with section 773(e) of the Act and Sec.  351.405.
    (d) A determination that a market situation existed during the 
period of investigation or review such that the cost of materials and 
fabrication or other processing of any kind does not accurately reflect 
the cost of production in the ordinary course of trade--(1) In general. 
For purposes of this paragraph (d)(1), the Secretary will determine that 
a market situation, identified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, 
existed during the period of investigation or review if the Secretary 
determines the following, based on information on the record:
    (i) A circumstance or set of circumstances existed that may have 
impacted the costs of producing subject merchandise, or costs or prices 
of inputs into the production of subject merchandise;
    (ii) The cost of materials and fabrication or other processing of 
any kind, including the prices of inputs used to produce subject 
merchandise, were not in accordance with market principles or distorted, 
and therefore did not accurately reflect the cost of production of 
subject merchandise in the ordinary course of trade; and

[[Page 332]]

    (iii) The circumstance or set of circumstances at issue contributed 
to the distortion of the cost of production of subject merchandise.
    (2) The Secretary will determine if it is more likely than not that 
a circumstance or set of circumstances contributed to distorted costs or 
prices. In accordance with paragraph (d)(1)(iii), the Secretary will 
weigh the information on the record and determine whether it is more 
likely than not that the circumstance or set of circumstances 
contributed to the distortion in the cost of production of subject 
merchandise during the period of investigation or review, and therefore, 
that a market situation existed during that period.
    (3) Information the Secretary may consider in determining the 
existence of a market situation. In determining whether a market 
situation existed in the subject country such that the cost of materials 
and fabrication or other processing did not accurately reflect the cost 
of production of subject merchandise in the ordinary course of trade 
during the period of investigation or review, the Secretary will 
consider all relevant information placed on the record by interested 
parties, including, but not limited to, the following:
    (i) Comparisons of prices paid for significant inputs used to 
produce subject merchandise under the alleged market situation to prices 
paid for the same input under market-based circumstances, either in the 
home country or elsewhere;
    (ii) Detailed reports and other documentation issued by foreign 
governments or independent international, analytical, or academic 
organizations indicating that lower prices for a significant input in 
the subject country would likely result from governmental or 
nongovernmental actions or inactions taken in the subject country or 
other countries;
    (iii) Detailed reports and other documentation issued by foreign 
governments or independent international, analytical, or academic 
organizations indicating that prices for a significant input have 
deviated from a fair market value within the subject country, as a 
result, in part or in whole, of governmental or nongovernmental actions 
or inactions;
    (iv) Agency determinations or results in which the Secretary 
determined record information did or did not support the existence of 
the alleged particular market situation with regard to the same or 
similar merchandise in the subject country in previous proceedings or 
segments of the same proceeding; and
    (v) Information that property (including intellectual property), 
human rights, labor, or environmental protections in the subject country 
are weak, ineffective, or nonexistent, those protections exist and are 
effectively enforced in other countries, and that the ineffective 
enforcement or lack of protections may contribute to distortions in the 
cost of production of subject merchandise or prices or costs of a 
significant input into the production of subject merchandise in the 
subject country. For purposes of this paragraph (d)(3)(v), the Secretary 
will normally look to cost effects on same or similar merchandise 
produced in economically comparable countries in analyzing the impact of 
such protections on the cost of production.
    (4) No restrictions based on lack of precise quantifiable data, 
hypothetical prices or actions of governments and industries in other 
market economies. In determining whether a market situation exists in 
the subject country such that the cost of materials and fabrication or 
other processing do not accurately reflect the cost of production in the 
ordinary course of trade, the following will not preclude the finding of 
a market situation:
    (i) The lack of precision in the quantifiable data relating to the 
distortion of prices or costs in the subject country;
    (ii) The speculated cost of production of the subject merchandise, 
or the speculated prices or costs of a significant input into the 
production of the subject merchandise, unsupported by objective data, 
that a party claims would hypothetically exist in the subject country 
absent the alleged particular market situation or its contributing 
circumstances;
    (iii) The actions taken or not taken by governments, government-
controlled entities, or other public entities in other market economy 
countries in

[[Page 333]]

comparison with the actions taken or not taken by the government, state 
enterprise, or other public entity of the subject country, with the 
exception of information associated with the allegations addressed in 
paragraph (d)(3)(v) of this section; and
    (iv) The existence of the same or similar government or 
nongovernment actions in the subject country that preceded the period of 
investigation or review.
    (e) Factors to consider in determining if a market situation is 
particular--(1) In general. If the Secretary determines that a market 
situation exists under paragraph (c) or (d), the Secretary must also 
determine if the market situation is particular. A market situation is 
particular if it impacts prices or costs for only certain parties or 
products in the subject country. In reaching this determination, the 
following applies:
    (i) A particular market situation may exist even if a large number 
of certain parties or products are impacted by the circumstance or set 
of circumstances. The Secretary's analysis does not concern the specific 
number of products or parties, but whether the market situation impacts 
only certain parties or products, or the general population of parties 
or products, in the subject country;
    (ii) The same or similar market situations can exist in multiple 
countries or markets and still be considered particular for purposes of 
this paragraph (e)(1) if the Secretary determines that a market 
situation exists which distorts sales prices or cost of production for 
certain parties or products specifically in the subject country; and
    (iii) There are varied circumstances in which a market situation in 
a subject country can be determined to be particular, and a market 
situation may apply only to certain producers, importers, exporters, 
purchasers, users, industries, or enterprises, individually or in any 
combination.
    (2) Information the Secretary may consider in determining if a 
market situation is particular. In determining if a market situation in 
the subject country is particular in accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of 
this section, the Secretary will consider all relevant information 
placed on the record by interested parties, including, but not limited 
to, the following:
    (i) The size and nature of the market situation;
    (ii) The volume of merchandise potentially impacted by the price or 
cost distortions resulting from the market situation; and
    (iii) The number and nature of the entities potentially affected by 
the price or cost distortions resulting from a market situation.
    (f) The Secretary may adjust its calculations to address distortions 
to which a particular market situation under paragraphs (d) and (e) of 
this section has contributed--(1) In general. If the Secretary 
determines a particular market situation exists in the subject country 
which has contributed to a distortion in the cost of materials and 
fabrication or other processing, such that those costs do not accurately 
reflect the cost of production of subject merchandise in the ordinary 
course of trade, in accordance with sections 771(15) and 773(e) of the 
Act, the Secretary may address such distortions to the cost of 
production in its calculations.
    (2) Imprecise quantification of the distortions. If, after 
consideration of the information on the record, the Secretary is unable 
to precisely quantify the distortions to the cost of production of 
subject merchandise in the ordinary course of trade to which the 
particular market situation has contributed, the Secretary may use any 
reasonable methodology based on record information to adjust its 
calculations to address those distortions.
    (3) The Secretary may determine not to adjust its calculations. If 
the Secretary determines that a particular market situation exists in 
the subject country which has contributed to the distortions to the cost 
of production, but that an adjustment to its calculations of the cost of 
production of subject merchandise is not appropriate based on record 
information, the Secretary may determine not to adjust its calculations. 
In determining whether an adjustment is appropriate, the Secretary may 
consider the following:
    (i) Whether the cost distortion is already sufficiently addressed in 
its calculations in accordance with another

[[Page 334]]

statutory provision, such as the transaction disregarded and major input 
rules of sections 773(f)(2) and (3) of the Act;
    (ii) Whether a reasonable method for quantifying an adjustment to 
the calculations is absent from the record; and
    (iii) Whether information on the record suggests that the 
application of an adjustment to the Secretary's calculations would 
otherwise be unreasonable.
    (g) Examples of particular market situations which contribute to 
distortions in the cost of materials and fabrication or other processing 
of any kind, such that those costs do not accurately reflect the cost of 
production in the ordinary course of trade. Examples of particular 
market situations which may contribute to the distortion of the cost of 
production of subject merchandise in the subject country, alone or in 
conjunction with others, include, but are not limited to, the following:
    (1) A significant input into the production of subject merchandise 
is produced in such amounts that there is considerably more supply than 
demand in international markets for the input and the Secretary 
concludes, based on record information, that regardless of the impact of 
such overcapacity of the significant input on other countries, such 
overcapacity contributed to distortions of the price or cost of that 
input in the subject country during the period of investigation or 
review;
    (2) A government, government-controlled entity, or other public 
entity in the subject country owns or controls the predominant producer 
or supplier of a significant input used in the production of subject 
merchandise and the Secretary concludes, based on record information, 
that such ownership or control of the producer or supplier contributed 
to price or cost distortions of that input in the subject country during 
the period of investigation or review;
    (3) A government, government-controlled entity, or other public 
entity in the subject country intervenes in the market for a significant 
input into the production of subject merchandise and the Secretary 
concludes, based on record information, such that the intervention 
contributed to price or cost distortions of that input in the subject 
country during the period of investigation or review;
    (4) A government in the subject country limits exports of a 
significant input into the production of subject merchandise and the 
Secretary concludes, based on record information, that such export 
limitations contributed to price or cost distortions of that input in 
the subject country during the period of investigation or review;
    (5) A government in the subject country imposes export taxes on a 
significant input into the production of subject merchandise and the 
Secretary concludes, based on record information, that such taxes 
contributed to price or cost distortions of that input in the subject 
country during the period of investigation or review;
    (6) A government in the subject country exempts an importer, 
producer, or exporter of subject merchandise from paying duties or taxes 
associated with trade remedies established by the government relating to 
a significant input into the production of subject merchandise during 
the period of investigation or review;
    (7) A government in the subject country rebates duties or taxes paid 
by an importer, producer or exporter of subject merchandise associated 
with trade remedies established by the government related to a 
significant input into the production of subject merchandise during the 
period of investigation or review;
    (8) A government, government-controlled entity, or other public 
entity in the subject country provides financial assistance or other 
support to the producer or exporter of subject merchandise, or to a 
producer or supplier of a significant input into the production of 
subject merchandise and the Secretary concludes, based on record 
information, that such assistance or support contributed to cost 
distortions of subject merchandise or distortions in the price or cost 
of a significant input into the production of subject merchandise in the 
subject country during the period of investigation or review;
    (9) A government, government-controlled entity, or other public 
entity in the subject country mandates, through

[[Page 335]]

law or in practice, the use of a certain percentage of domestic-
manufactured inputs, the sharing or use of certain intellectual property 
or production processes, or the formation of certain business 
relationships with other entities to produce subject merchandise or a 
significant input into the production of subject merchandise and the 
Secretary concludes, based on record information, that those 
requirements contributed to cost distortions of subject merchandise or 
distortions in the price or cost of a significant input into the 
production of subject merchandise in the subject country during the 
period of investigation or review;
    (10) A government, government-controlled entity, or other public 
entity in the subject country does not enforce its property (including 
intellectual property), human rights, labor, or environmental protection 
laws and policies, or those laws and policies are otherwise shown to be 
ineffective with respect to either a producer or exporter of subject 
merchandise, or to a producer or supplier of a significant input into 
the production of subject merchandise in the subject country and the 
Secretary concludes, based on record information, that the lack of 
enforcement or effectiveness of such laws and policies contributed to 
cost distortions of subject merchandise or distortions in the price or 
cost of a significant input into the production of subject merchandise 
during the period of investigation or review;
    (11) A government, government-controlled entity, or other public 
entity in the subject country does not implement property (including 
intellectual property), human rights, labor, or environmental protection 
laws and policies and the Secretary concludes, based on record 
information, that the absence of such laws and policies contributed to 
cost distortions of subject merchandise, or distortions in the price or 
cost of a significant input into the production of subject merchandise 
in the subject country during the period of investigation or review; and
    (12) Nongovernmental entities take actions which the Secretary 
concludes, based on record information, contributed to cost distortions 
of subject merchandise or distortions in the price or cost of a 
significant input into the production of subject merchandise in the 
subject country during the period of investigation or review. Actions 
that result in distortive prices and costs by nongovernmental entities 
covered by this example include, but are not limited to, the formation 
of business relationships between one or more producers of subject 
merchandise and suppliers of significant inputs to the production of 
subject merchandise, including mutually-beneficial strategic alliances 
or noncompetitive arrangements, as well as sales by third-country 
exporters of significant inputs into the subject country for prices for 
less than fair value.
    (h) A particular market situation which contributes to distortions 
in the cost of materials and fabrication or other processing of any 
kind, such that the costs do not accurately reflect the cost of 
production in the ordinary course of trade, may also contribute to a 
particular market situation that prevents or does not permit a proper 
comparison of prices. If the Secretary determines that a particular 
market situation existed during the period of investigation or review 
such that the cost of materials and fabrication or other processing of 
any kind did not accurately reflect the cost of production of subject 
merchandise in the ordinary course of trade, the Secretary may consider, 
based on record information, whether that particular market situation 
also contributed to the circumstance or set of circumstances that 
prevented, or did not permit, a proper comparison of home market or 
third country sales prices with export prices or constructed export 
prices, in accordance with section 771(15)(C) of the Act.

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20837, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.416 
was added, effective Apr. 24, 2024.



  Subpart E_Identification and Measurement of Countervailable Subsidies

    Source: 63 FR 65407, Nov. 25, 1998, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  351.501  Scope.

    The provisions of this subpart E set forth rules regarding the 
identification

[[Page 336]]

and measurement of countervailable subsidies. Where this subpart E does 
not expressly deal with a particular type of alleged subsidy, the 
Secretary will identify and measure the subsidy, if any, in accordance 
with the underlying principles of the Act and this subpart E.



Sec.  351.502  Specificity of domestic subsidies.

    (a) Sequential analysis. In determining whether a subsidy is de 
facto specific, the Secretary will examine the factors contained in 
section 771(5A)(D)(iii) of the Act sequentially in order of their 
appearance. If a single factor warrants a finding of specificity, the 
Secretary will not undertake further analysis.
    (b) Characteristics of a ``group.'' In determining whether a subsidy 
is being provided to a ``group'' of enterprises or industries within the 
meaning of section 751(5A)(D) of the Act, the Secretary is not required 
to determine whether there are shared characteristics among the 
enterprises or industries that are eligible for, or actually receive, a 
subsidy.
    (c) Traded goods sector. In determining whether a subsidy is being 
provided to a ``group'' of enterprises or industries within the meaning 
of section 771(5A)(D) of the Act, the Secretary normally will consider 
enterprises that buy or sell goods internationally to comprise such a 
group.
    (d) Integral linkage. Unless the Secretary determines that two or 
more programs are integrally linked, the Secretary will determine the 
specificity of a program under section 771(5A)(D) of the Act solely on 
the basis of the availability and use of the particular program in 
question. The Secretary may find two or more programs to be integrally 
linked if:
    (1) The subsidy programs have the same purpose;
    (2) The subsidy programs bestow the same type of benefit;
    (3) The subsidy programs confer similar levels of benefits on 
similarly situated firms; and
    (4) The subsidy programs were linked at inception.
    (e) Agricultural subsidies. The Secretary will not regard a subsidy 
as being specific under section 771(5A)(D) of the Act solely because the 
subsidy is limited to the agricultural sector (domestic subsidy).
    (f) Subsidies to small-and medium-sized businesses. The Secretary 
will not regard a subsidy as being specific under section 771(5A)(D) of 
the Act solely because the subsidy is limited to small firms or small-
and medium-sized firms.
    (g) Disaster relief. The Secretary will not regard disaster relief 
as being specific under section 771(5A)(D) of the Act if such relief 
constitutes general assistance available to anyone in the area affected 
by the disaster.

[63 FR 65407, Nov. 25, 1998, as amended at 85 FR 6043, Feb. 4, 2020]



Sec.  351.503  Benefit.

    (a) Specific rules. In the case of a government program for which a 
specific rule for the measurement of a benefit is contained in this 
subpart E, the Secretary will measure the extent to which a financial 
contribution (or income or price support) confers a benefit as provided 
in that rule. For example, Sec.  351.504(a) prescribes the specific rule 
for measurement of the benefit of grants.
    (b) Other subsidies--(1) In general. For other government programs, 
the Secretary normally will consider a benefit to be conferred where a 
firm pays less for its inputs (e.g., money, a good, or a service) than 
it otherwise would pay in the absence of the government program, or 
receives more revenues than it otherwise would earn.
    (2) Exception. Paragraph (b)(1) of this section is not intended to 
limit the ability of the Secretary to impose countervailing duties when 
the facts of a particular case establish that a financial contribution 
(or income or price support) has conferred a benefit, even if that 
benefit does not take the form of a reduction in input costs or an 
enhancement of revenues. When paragraph (b)(1) of this section is not 
applicable, the Secretary will determine whether a benefit is conferred 
by examining whether the alleged program or practice has common or 
similar elements to the four illustrative examples in sections 
771(5)(E)(i) through (iv) of the Act.

[[Page 337]]

    (c) Distinction from effect of subsidy. In determining whether a 
benefit is conferred, the Secretary is not required to consider the 
effect of the government action on the firm's performance, including its 
prices or output, or how the firm's behavior otherwise is altered.
    (d) Varying financial contribution levels--(1) In general. Where a 
government program provides varying levels of financial contributions 
based on different eligibility criteria, and one or more of such levels 
is not specific within the meaning of Sec.  351.502, a benefit is 
conferred to the extent that a firm receives a greater financial 
contribution than the financial contributions provided at a non-specific 
level under the program. The preceding sentence shall apply only to the 
extent the Secretary determines that the varying levels of financial 
contributions are set forth in a statute, decree, regulation, or other 
official act; that the levels are clearly delineated and identifiable; 
and that the firm would have been eligible for the non-specific level of 
contributions.
    (2) Exception. Paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall not apply 
where the statute specifies a commercial test for determining the 
benefit.
    (e) Tax consequences. In calculating the amount of a benefit, the 
Secretary will not consider the tax consequences of the benefit.

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20840, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.503 
was amended by revising paragraph (c), effective Apr. 24, 2024. For the 
convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.503  Benefit.

                                * * * * *

    (c) Distinction from effect of subsidy--(1) In general. In 
determining whether a benefit is conferred, the Secretary is not 
required to consider the effect or impact of the government action on 
the firm's performance, including its costs, prices, output, or whether 
the firm's behavior is otherwise altered.
    (2) Subsidy provided to support compliance with a government-imposed 
mandate. When a government provides assistance to a firm to comply with 
a government regulation, requirement or obligation, the Secretary, in 
measuring the benefit from the subsidy, will not consider whether the 
firm incurred a cost in complying with the government-imposed 
regulation, requirement, or obligation.

                                * * * * *



Sec.  351.504  Grants.

    (a) Benefit. In the case of a grant, a benefit exists in the amount 
of the grant.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of a grant, the 
Secretary normally will consider a benefit as having been received on 
the date on which the firm received the grant.
    (c) Allocation of a grant to a particular time period. The Secretary 
will allocate the benefit from a grant to a particular time period in 
accordance with Sec.  351.524.



Sec.  351.505  Loans.

    (a) Benefit--(1) In general. In the case of a loan, a benefit exists 
to the extent that the amount a firm pays on the government-provided 
loan is less than the amount the firm would pay on a comparable 
commercial loan(s) that the firm could actually obtain on the market. 
See section 771(5)(E)(ii) of the Act. In making the comparison called 
for in the preceding sentence, the Secretary normally will rely on 
effective interest rates.
    (2) ``Comparable commercial loan'' defined--(i) ``Comparable'' 
defined. In selecting a loan that is ``comparable'' to the government-
provided loan, the Secretary normally will place primary emphasis on 
similarities in the structure of the loans (e.g., fixed interest rate v. 
variable interest rate), the maturity of the loans (e.g., short-term v. 
long-term), and the currency in which the loans are denominated.
    (ii) ``Commercial'' defined. In selecting a ``commercial'' loan, the 
Secretary normally will use a loan taken out by the firm from a 
commercial lending institution or a debt instrument issued by the firm 
in a commercial market. Also, the Secretary will treat a loan from a 
government-owned bank as a commercial loan, unless there is evidence 
that the loan from a government-owned bank is provided on non-commercial 
terms or at the direction of the government. However, the Secretary will 
not consider a loan provided under a government program, or a loan

[[Page 338]]

provided by a government-owned special purpose bank, to be a commercial 
loan for purposes of selecting a loan to compare with a government-
provided loan.
    (iii) Long-term loans. In selecting a comparable loan, if the 
government-provided loan is a long-term loan, the Secretary normally 
will use a loan the terms of which were established during, or 
immediately before, the year in which the terms of the government-
provided loan were established.
    (iv) Short-term loans. In making the comparison required under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, if the government-provided loan is a 
short-term loan, the Secretary normally will use an annual average of 
the interest rates on comparable commercial loans during the year in 
which the government-provided loan was taken out, weighted by the 
principal amount of each loan. However, if the Secretary finds that 
interest rates fluctuated significantly during the period of 
investigation or review, the Secretary will use the most appropriate 
interest rate based on the circumstances presented.
    (3) ``Could actually obtain on the market'' defined--(i) In general. 
In selecting a comparable commercial loan that the recipient ``could 
actually obtain on the market,'' the Secretary normally will rely on the 
actual experience of the firm in question in obtaining comparable 
commercial loans for both short-term and long-term loans.
    (ii) Where the firm has no comparable commercial loans. If the firm 
did not take out any comparable commercial loans during the period 
referred to in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) or (a)(2)(iv) of this section, the 
Secretary may use a national average interest rate for comparable 
commercial loans.
    (iii) Exception for uncreditworthy companies. If the Secretary finds 
that a firm that received a government-provided long-term loan was 
uncreditworthy, as defined in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, the 
Secretary normally will calculate the interest rate to be used in making 
the comparison called for by paragraph (a)(1) of this section according 
to the following formula:

ib = [(1 - qn)(1 + if)\n\ / (1 - 
pn)]1/n - 1,

where:

n = the term of the loan;
ib = the benchmark interest rate for uncreditworthy 
          companies;
if = the long-term interest rate that would be paid by a 
          creditworthy company;
pn = the probability of default by an uncreditworthy company 
          within n years; and
qn = the probability of default by a creditworthy company 
          within n years.


``Default'' means any missed or delayed payment of interest and/or 
principal, bankruptcy, receivership, or distressed exchange. For values 
of pn, the Secretary will normally rely on the average 
cumulative default rates reported for the Caa to C-rated category of 
companies in Moody's study of historical default rates of corporate bond 
issuers. For values of qn, the Secretary will normally rely 
on the average cumulative default rates reported for the Aaa to Baa-
rated categories of companies in Moody's study of historical default 
rates of corporate bond issuers.
    (4) Uncreditworthiness--(i) In general. The Secretary will consider 
a firm to be uncreditworthy if the Secretary determines that, based on 
information available at the time of the government-provided loan, the 
firm could not have obtained long-term loans from conventional 
commercial sources. The Secretary will determine uncreditworthiness on a 
case-by-case basis, and may, in appropriate circumstances, focus its 
creditworthiness analysis on the project being financed rather than the 
company as a whole. In making the creditworthiness determination, the 
Secretary may examine, among other factors, the following:
    (A) The receipt by the firm of comparable commercial long-term 
loans;
    (B) The present and past financial health of the firm, as reflected 
in various financial indicators calculated from the firm's financial 
statements and accounts;
    (C) The firm's recent past and present ability to meet its costs and 
fixed financial obligations with its cash flow; and
    (D) Evidence of the firm's future financial position, such as market 
studies, country and industry economic

[[Page 339]]

forecasts, and project and loan appraisals prepared prior to the 
agreement between the lender and the firm on the terms of the loan.
    (ii) Significance of long-term commercial loans. In the case of 
firms not owned by the government, the receipt by the firm of comparable 
long-term commercial loans, unaccompanied by a government-provided 
guarantee, will normally constitute dispositive evidence that the firm 
is not uncreditworthy.
    (iii) Significance of prior subsidies. In determining whether a firm 
is uncreditworthy, the Secretary will ignore current and prior subsidies 
received by the firm.
    (iv) Discount rate. When the creditworthiness of a firm is 
considered in connection with the allocation of non-recurring benefits, 
the Secretary will rely on information available in the year in which 
the government agreed to provide the subsidy conferring a non-recurring 
benefit.
    (5) Long-term variable rate loans--(i) In general. In the case of a 
long-term variable rate loan, the Secretary normally will make the 
comparison called for by paragraph (a)(1) of this section by relying on 
a comparable commercial loan with a variable interest rate. The 
Secretary then will compare the variable interest rates on the 
comparable commercial loan and the government-provided loan for the year 
in which the terms of the government-provided loan were established. If 
the comparison shows that the interest rate on the government-provided 
loan was equal to or higher than the interest rate on the comparable 
commercial loan, the Secretary will not consider the government-provided 
loan as having conferred a benefit. If the comparison shows that the 
interest rate on the government-provided loan was lower, the Secretary 
will consider the government-provided loan as having conferred a 
benefit, and, if the other criteria for a countervailable subsidy are 
satisfied, will calculate the amount of the benefit in accordance with 
paragraph (c)(4) of this section.
    (ii) Exception. If the Secretary is unable to make the comparison 
described in paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section or if the comparison 
described in paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section would yield an 
inaccurate measure of the benefit, the Secretary may modify the method 
described in paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section.
    (6) Allegations--(i) Allegation of uncreditworthiness required. 
Normally, the Secretary will not consider the uncreditworthiness of a 
firm absent a specific allegation by the petitioner that is supported by 
information establishing a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that 
the firm is uncreditworthy.
    (ii) Government-owned banks. The Secretary will not investigate a 
loan provided by a government-owned bank absent a specific allegation 
that is supported by information reasonably available to petitioners 
indicating that:
    (A) The loan meets the specificity criteria in accordance with 
section 771(5A) of the Act; and
    (B) A benefit exists within the meaning of paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of loans described in 
paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(4) of this section, the Secretary 
normally will consider a benefit as having been received in the year in 
which the firm otherwise would have had to make a payment on the 
comparable commercial loan. In the case of a loan described in paragraph 
(c)(3) of this section, the Secretary normally will consider the benefit 
as having been received in the year in which the firm receives the 
proceeds of the loan.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period--(1) Short-
term loans. The Secretary will allocate (expense) the benefit from a 
short-term loan to the year(s) in which the firm is due to make interest 
payments on the loan. In no event may the present value (in the year of 
receipt of the loan) of the amounts calculated under the preceding 
sentence exceed the principal of the loan.
    (2) Long-term fixed-rate loans with concessionary interest rates. 
Except as provided in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, the Secretary 
normally will calculate the subsidy amount to be assigned to a 
particular year by calculating the difference in interest payments for 
that year, i.e., the difference

[[Page 340]]

between the interest paid by the firm in that year on the government-
provided loan and the interest the firm would have paid on the 
comparison loan. However, in no event may the present value (in the year 
of receipt of the loan) of the amounts calculated under the preceding 
sentence exceed the principal of the loan.
    (3) Long-term fixed-rate loans with different repayment schedules--
(i) Calculation of present value of benefit. Where the government-
provided loan and the loan to which it is compared under paragraph (a) 
of this section are both long-term, fixed-interest rate loans, but have 
different grace periods or maturities, or where the shapes of the 
repayment schedules differ, the Secretary will determine the total 
benefit by calculating the present value, in the year that repayment 
would begin on the comparable commercial loan, of the difference between 
the amount that the firm is to pay on the government-provided loan and 
the amount that the firm would have paid on the comparison loan. In no 
event may the total benefit calculated under the preceding sentence 
exceed the principal of the loan.
    (ii) Calculation of annual benefit. With respect to the benefit 
calculated under paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section, the Secretary will 
determine the portion of that benefit to be assigned to a particular 
year by using the formula set forth in Sec.  351.524(d)(1) and the 
following parameters:

Ak = the amount countervailed in year k,
y = the present value of the benefit (see paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this 
          section),
n = the number of years in the life of the loan,
d = the interest rate on the comparison loan selected under paragraph 
          (a) of this section, and
k = the year of allocation, where the year that repayment would begin on 
          the comparable commercial loan = 1.

    (4) Long-term variable interest rate loans. In the case of a 
government-provided long-term variable-rate loan, the Secretary normally 
will determine the amount of the benefit attributable to a particular 
year by calculating the difference in payments for that year, i.e., the 
difference between the amount paid by the firm in that year on the 
government-provided loan and the amount the firm would have paid on the 
comparison loan. However, in no event may the present value (in the year 
of receipt of the loan) of the amounts calculated under the preceding 
sentence exceed the principal of the loan.
    (d) Contingent liability interest-free loans--(1) Treatment as 
loans. In the case of an interest-free loan, for which the repayment 
obligation is contingent upon the company taking some future action or 
achieving some goal in fulfillment of the loan's requirements, the 
Secretary normally will treat any balance on the loan outstanding during 
a year as an interest-free, short-term loan in accordance with 
paragraphs (a), (b), and (c)(1) of this section. However, if the event 
upon which repayment of the loan depends will occur at a point in time 
more than one year after the receipt of the contingent liability loan, 
the Secretary will use a long-term interest rate as the benchmark in 
accordance with paragraphs (a), (b), and (c)(2) of this section. In no 
event may the present value (in the year of receipt of the contingent 
liability loan) of the amounts calculated under this paragraph exceed 
the principal of the loan.
    (2) Treatment as grants. If, at any point in time, the Secretary 
determines that the event upon which repayment depends is not a viable 
contingency, the Secretary will treat the outstanding balance of the 
loan as a grant received in the year in which this condition manifests 
itself.

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20840, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.505 
was amended by revising paragraph (d) and adding paragraph (e), 
effective Apr. 24, 2024. For the convenience of the user, the added and 
revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.505  Loans.

                                * * * * *

    (d) Treatment of outstanding loans as grant after three years of no 
payments of interest or principal. With the exception of debt 
forgiveness tied to a particular loan and contingent liability interest-
free loans, addressed in Sec.  351.508 and paragraph (e) of this 
section, the Secretary will normally treat a loan as a grant if no 
payments on the loan have been made in three years unless the loan 
recipient

[[Page 341]]

can demonstrate that nonpayment is consistent with the terms of a 
comparable commercial loan it could obtain on the market, or the 
payments on the loan are consistent with the terms of the loan contract.
    (e) Contingent liability interest-free loans--(1) Treatment as 
loans. In the case of an interest-free loan, for which the repayment 
obligation is contingent upon the company taking some future action or 
achieving some goal in fulfillment of the loan's requirements, the 
Secretary normally will treat any balance on the loan outstanding during 
a year as an interest-free, short-term loan in accordance with 
paragraphs (a), (b), and (c)(1) of this section. However, if the event 
upon which repayment of the loan depends will occur at a point in time 
more than one year after the receipt of the contingent liability loan, 
the Secretary will use a long-term interest rate as the benchmark in 
accordance with paragraphs (a), (b), and (c)(2) of this section. In no 
event may the present value (in the year of receipt of the contingent 
liability loan) of the amounts calculated under this paragraph exceed 
the principal of the loan.
    (2) Treatment as grants. If, at any point in time, the Secretary 
determines that the event upon which repayment depends is not a viable 
contingency, the Secretary will treat the outstanding balance of the 
loan as a grant received in the year in which this condition manifests 
itself.



Sec.  351.506  Loan guarantees.

    (a) Benefit--(1) In general. In the case of a loan guarantee, a 
benefit exists to the extent that the total amount a firm pays for the 
loan with the government-provided guarantee is less than the total 
amount the firm would pay for a comparable commercial loan that the firm 
could actually obtain on the market absent the government-provided 
guarantee, including any difference in guarantee fees. See section 
771(5)(E)(iii) of the Act. The Secretary will select a comparable 
commercial loan in accordance with Sec.  351.505(a).
    (2) Government acting as owner. In situations where a government, 
acting as the owner of a firm, provides a loan guarantee to that firm, 
the guarantee does not confer a benefit if the respondent provides 
evidence demonstrating that it is normal commercial practice in the 
country in question for shareholders to provide guarantees to their 
firms under similar circumstances and on comparable terms.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of a loan guarantee, the 
Secretary normally will consider a benefit as having been received in 
the year in which the firm otherwise would have had to make a payment on 
the comparable commercial loan.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. In allocating 
the benefit from a government-provided loan guarantee to a particular 
time period, the Secretary will use the methods set forth in Sec.  
351.505(c) regarding loans.



Sec.  351.507  Equity.

    (a) Benefit--(1) In general. In the case of a government-provided 
equity infusion, a benefit exists to the extent that the investment 
decision is inconsistent with the usual investment practice of private 
investors, including the practice regarding the provision of risk 
capital, in the country in which the equity infusion is made. See 
section 771(5)(E)(i) of the Act.
    (2) Private investor prices available--(i) In general. Except as 
provided in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section, the Secretary will 
consider an equity infusion as being inconsistent with usual investment 
practice (see paragraph (a)(1) of this section) if the price paid by the 
government for newly issued shares is greater than the price paid by 
private investors for the same (or similar form of) newly issued shares.
    (ii) Timing of private investor prices. In selecting a private 
investor price under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, the Secretary 
will rely on sales of newly issued shares made reasonably concurrently 
with the newly issued shares purchased by the government.
    (iii) Significant private sector participation required. The 
Secretary will not use private investor prices under paragraph (a)(2)(i) 
of this section if the Secretary concludes that private investor 
purchases of newly issued shares are not significant.
    (iv) Adjustments for ``similar'' form of equity. Where the Secretary 
uses private investor prices for a form of shares that is similar to the 
newly issued shares purchased by the government (see paragraph (a)(2)(i) 
of this section), the Secretary, where appropriate, will adjust the 
prices to reflect the differences in the forms of shares.
    (3) Actual private investor prices unavailable--(i) In general. If 
actual private investor prices are not available

[[Page 342]]

under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the Secretary will determine 
whether the firm funded by the government-provided equity was 
equityworthy or unequityworthy at the time of the equity infusion (see 
paragraph (a)(4) of this section). If the Secretary determines that the 
firm was equityworthy, the Secretary will apply paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section to determine whether the equity infusion was inconsistent with 
the usual investment practice of private investors. A determination by 
the Secretary that the firm was unequityworthy will constitute a 
determination that the equity infusion was inconsistent with usual 
investment practice of private investors, and the Secretary will apply 
paragraph (a)(6) of this section to measure the benefit attributable to 
the equity infusion.
    (4) Equityworthiness--(i) In general. The Secretary will consider a 
firm to have been equityworthy if the Secretary determines that, from 
the perspective of a reasonable private investor examining the firm at 
the time the government-provided equity infusion was made, the firm 
showed an ability to generate a reasonable rate of return within a 
reasonable period of time. The Secretary may, in appropriate 
circumstances, focus its equityworthiness analysis on a project rather 
than the company as a whole. In making the equityworthiness 
determination, the Secretary may examine the following factors, among 
others:
    (A) Objective analyses of the future financial prospects of the 
recipient firm or the project as indicated by, inter alia, market 
studies, economic forecasts, and project or loan appraisals prepared 
prior to the government-provided equity infusion in question;
    (B) Current and past indicators of the recipient firm's financial 
health calculated from the firm's statements and accounts, adjusted, if 
appropriate, to conform to generally accepted accounting principles;
    (C) Rates of return on equity in the three years prior to the 
government equity infusion; and
    (D) Equity investment in the firm by private investors.
    (ii) Significance of a pre-infusion objective analysis. For purposes 
of making an equityworthiness determination, the Secretary will request 
and normally require from the respondents the information and analysis 
completed prior to the infusion, upon which the government based its 
decision to provide the equity infusion (see, paragraph (a)(4)(i)(A) of 
this section). Absent the existence or provision of an objective 
analysis, containing information typically examined by potential private 
investors considering an equity investment, the Secretary will normally 
determine that the equity infusion received provides a countervailable 
benefit within the meaning of paragraph (a)(1) of this section. The 
Secretary will not necessarily make such a determination if the absence 
of an objective analysis is consistent with the actions of reasonable 
private investors in the country in question.
    (iii) Significance of prior subsidies. In determining whether a firm 
was equityworthy, the Secretary will ignore current and prior subsidies 
received by the firm.
    (5) Benefit where firm is equityworthy. If the Secretary determines 
that the firm or project was equityworthy (see paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section), the Secretary will examine the terms and the nature of the 
equity purchased to determine whether the investment was otherwise 
inconsistent with the usual investment practice of private investors. If 
the Secretary determines that the investment was inconsistent with usual 
private investment practice, the Secretary will determine the amount of 
the benefit conferred on a case-by-case basis.
    (6) Benefit where firm is unequityworthy. If the Secretary 
determines that the firm or project was unequityworthy (see paragraph 
(a)(4) of this section), a benefit to the firm exists in the amount of 
the equity infusion.
    (7) Allegations. The Secretary will not investigate an equity 
infusion in a firm absent a specific allegation by the petitioner which 
is supported by information establishing a reasonable basis to believe 
or suspect that the firm received an equity infusion that provides a 
countervailable benefit within the meaning of paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section.

[[Page 343]]

    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of a government-provided 
equity infusion, the Secretary normally will consider the benefit to 
have been received on the date on which the firm received the equity 
infusion.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. The benefit 
conferred by an equity infusion shall be allocated over the same time 
period as a non-recurring subsidy. See Sec.  351.524(d).

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20841, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.507 
was amended by revising paragraph (c) and adding paragraph (d), 
effective Apr. 24, 2024. For the convenience of the user, the added and 
revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.507  Equity.

                                * * * * *

    (c) Outside investor standard. Any analysis made under paragraph (a) 
of this section will be based upon the standard of a new outside private 
investor. The Secretary normally will consider whether an outside 
private investor, under its usual investment practice, would make an 
equity investment in the firm, and not whether a private investor who 
has already invested in the firm would continue to invest in the firm.
    (d) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. The benefit 
conferred by an equity infusion shall be allocated over a period of 12 
years or the same time period as a non-recurring subsidy under Sec.  
351.524(d), whichever is longer.



Sec.  351.508  Debt forgiveness.

    (a) Benefit. In the case of an assumption or forgiveness of a firm's 
debt obligation, a benefit exists equal to the amount of the principal 
and/or interest (including accrued, unpaid interest) that the government 
has assumed or forgiven. In situations where the entity assuming or 
forgiving the debt receives shares in a firm in return for eliminating 
or reducing the firm's debt obligation, the Secretary will determine the 
existence of a benefit under Sec.  351.507 (equity infusions).
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of a debt or interest 
assumption or forgiveness, the Secretary normally will consider the 
benefit as having been received as of the date on which the debt or 
interest was assumed or forgiven.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period--(1) In 
general. The Secretary will treat the benefit determined under paragraph 
(a) of this section as a non-recurring subsidy, and will allocate the 
benefit to a particular year in accordance with Sec.  351.524(d).
    (2) Exception. Where an interest assumption is tied to a particular 
loan and where a firm can reasonably expect to receive the interest 
assumption at the time it applies for the loan, the Secretary will 
normally treat the interest assumption as a reduced-interest loan and 
allocate the benefit to a particular year in accordance with Sec.  
351.505(c) (loans).

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20841, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.508 
was amended by revising paragraph (c)(1), effective Apr. 24, 2024. For 
the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.508  Debt forgiveness.

                                * * * * *

    (c) * * *
    (1) In general. The Secretary will treat the benefit determined 
under paragraph (a) of this section as a non-recurring subsidy and will 
allocate the benefit to a particular year in accordance with Sec.  
351.524(d), or over a period of 12 years, whichever is longer.

                                * * * * *



Sec.  351.509  Direct taxes.

    (a) Benefit--(1) Exemption or remission of taxes. In the case of a 
program that provides for a full or partial exemption or remission of a 
direct tax (e.g., an income tax), or a reduction in the base used to 
calculate a direct tax, a benefit exists to the extent that the tax paid 
by a firm as a result of the program is less than the tax the firm would 
have paid in the absence of the program.
    (2) Deferral of taxes. In the case of a program that provides for a 
deferral of direct taxes, a benefit exists to the extent that 
appropriate interest charges are not collected. Normally, a deferral of 
direct taxes will be treated as a government-provided loan in the amount 
of the tax deferred, according to the methodology described in Sec.  
351.505. The Secretary will use a short-term interest rate as the 
benchmark for tax deferrals of one year or less. The Secretary will use 
a long-term interest

[[Page 344]]

rate as the benchmark for tax deferrals of more than one year.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit--(1) Exemption or remission of taxes. 
In the case of a full or partial exemption or remission of a direct tax, 
the Secretary normally will consider the benefit as having been received 
on the date on which the recipient firm would otherwise have had to pay 
the taxes associated with the exemption or remission. Normally, this 
date will be the date on which the firm filed its tax return.
    (2) Deferral of taxes. In the case of a tax deferral of one year or 
less, the Secretary normally will consider the benefit as having been 
received on the date on which the deferred tax becomes due. In the case 
of a multi-year deferral, the Secretary normally will consider the 
benefit as having been received on the anniversary date(s) of the 
deferral.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. The Secretary 
normally will allocate (expense) the benefit of a full or partial 
exemption, remission, or deferral of a direct tax to the year in which 
the benefit is considered to have been received under paragraph (b) of 
this section.

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20841, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.509 
was amended by adding paragraph (d), effective Apr. 24, 2024. For the 
convenience of the user, the added text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.509  Direct taxes.

                                * * * * *

    (d) Benefit not tied to particular markets or products. If a program 
provides for a full or partial exemption, reduction, credit, or 
remission of an income tax, the Secretary normally will consider any 
benefit to be not tied with respect to a particular market under Sec.  
351.525(b)(4) or to a particular product under Sec.  351.525(b)(5).



Sec.  351.510  Indirect taxes and import charges 
(other than export programs).

    (a) Benefit--(1) Exemption or remission of taxes. In the case of a 
program, other than an export program, that provides for the full or 
partial exemption or remission of an indirect tax or an import charge, a 
benefit exists to the extent that the taxes or import charges paid by a 
firm as a result of the program are less than the taxes the firm would 
have paid in the absence of the program.
    (2) Deferral of taxes. In the case of a program, other than an 
export program, that provides for a deferral of indirect taxes or import 
charges, a benefit exists to the extent that appropriate interest 
charges are not collected. Normally, a deferral of indirect taxes or 
import charges will be treated as a government-provided loan in the 
amount of the taxes deferred, according to the methodology described in 
Sec.  351.505. The Secretary will use a short-term interest rate as the 
benchmark for tax deferrals of one year or less. The Secretary will use 
a long-term interest rate as the benchmark for tax deferrals of more 
than one year.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit--(1) Exemption or remission of taxes. 
In the case of a full or partial exemption or remission of an indirect 
tax or import charge, the Secretary normally will consider the benefit 
as having been received at the time the recipient firm otherwise would 
be required to pay the indirect tax or import charge.
    (2) Deferral of taxes. In the case of the deferral of an indirect 
tax or import charge of one year or less, the Secretary normally will 
consider the benefit as having been received on the date on which the 
deferred tax becomes due. In the case of a multi-year deferral, the 
Secretary normally will consider the benefit as having been received on 
the anniversary date(s) of the deferral.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. The Secretary 
normally will allocate (expense) the benefit of a full or partial 
exemption, remission, or deferral described in paragraph (a) of this 
section to the year in which the benefit is considered to have been 
received under paragraph (b) of this section.



Sec.  351.511  Provision of goods or services.

    (a) Benefit--(1) In general. In the case where goods or services are 
provided, a benefit exists to the extent that such goods or services are 
provided for less than adequate remuneration. See section 771(5)(E)(iv) 
of the Act.
    (2) ``Adequate Remuneration'' defined--(i) In general. The Secretary 
will normally seek to measure the adequacy of

[[Page 345]]

remuneration by comparing the government price to a market-determined 
price for the good or service resulting from actual transactions in the 
country in question. Such a price could include prices stemming from 
actual transactions between private parties, actual imports, or, in 
certain circumstances, actual sales from competitively run government 
auctions. In choosing such transactions or sales, the Secretary will 
consider product similarity; quantities sold, imported, or auctioned; 
and other factors affecting comparability.
    (ii) Actual market-determined price unavailable. If there is no 
useable market-determined price with which to make the comparison under 
paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, the Secretary will seek to measure 
the adequacy of remuneration by comparing the government price to a 
world market price where it is reasonable to conclude that such price 
would be available to purchasers in the country in question. Where there 
is more than one commercially available world market price, the 
Secretary will average such prices to the extent practicable, making due 
allowance for factors affecting comparability.
    (iii) World market price unavailable. If there is no world market 
price available to purchasers in the country in question, the Secretary 
will normally measure the adequacy of remuneration by assessing whether 
the government price is consistent with market principles.
    (iv) Use of delivered prices. In measuring adequate remuneration 
under paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this section, the Secretary 
will adjust the comparison price to reflect the price that a firm 
actually paid or would pay if it imported the product. This adjustment 
will include delivery charges and import duties.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of the provision of a 
good or service, the Secretary normally will consider a benefit as 
having been received as of the date on which the firm pays or, in the 
absence of payment, was due to pay for the government-provided good or 
service.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. In the case 
of the provision of a good or service, the Secretary will normally 
allocate (expense) the benefit to the year in which the benefit is 
considered to have been received under paragraph (b) of this section. In 
the case of the provision of infrastructure, the Secretary will normally 
treat the benefit as non-recurring and will allocate the benefit to a 
particular year in accordance with Sec.  351.524(d).
    (d) Exception for general infrastructure. A financial contribution 
does not exist in the case of the government provision of general 
infrastructure. General infrastructure is defined as infrastructure that 
is created for the broad societal welfare of a country, region, state or 
municipality.

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20841, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.511 
was amended by adding paragraph (a)(2)(v), effective Apr. 24, 2024. For 
the convenience of the user, the added text is set forth as follows:



Sec.  351.511  Provision of goods or services.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (v) Exclusion of certain prices. In measuring the adequacy of 
remuneration under this section, the Secretary may exclude certain 
prices from its analysis if interested parties have demonstrated, with 
sufficient information, that those prices are derived from countries 
with weak, ineffective, or nonexistent property (including intellectual 
property), human rights, labor, or environmental protections, and that 
the lack of such protections would likely impact such prices.

                                * * * * *



Sec.  351.512  Purchase of goods. [Reserved]



Sec.  351.513  Worker-related subsidies.

    (a) Benefit. In the case of a program that provides assistance to 
workers, a benefit exists to the extent that the assistance relieves a 
firm of an obligation that it normally would incur.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of assistance provided 
to workers, the Secretary normally will consider the benefit as having 
been received by the firm on the date on which the payment is made that 
relieves the firm of the relevant obligation.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. Normally, the 
Secretary will allocate (expense) the benefit from

[[Page 346]]

assistance provided to workers to the year in which the benefit is 
considered to have been received under paragraph (b) of this section.



Sec.  351.514  Export subsidies.

    (a) In general. The Secretary will consider a subsidy to be an 
export subsidy if the Secretary determines that eligibility for, 
approval of, or the amount of, a subsidy is contingent upon export 
performance. In applying this section, the Secretary will consider a 
subsidy to be contingent upon export performance if the provision of the 
subsidy is, in law or in fact, tied to actual or anticipated exportation 
or export earnings, alone or as one of two or more conditions.
    (b) Exception. In the case of export promotion activities of a 
government, a benefit does not exist if the Secretary determines that 
the activities consist of general informational activities that do not 
promote particular products over others.



Sec.  351.515  Internal transport and freight charges for export shipments.

    (a) Benefit--(1) In general. In the case of internal transport and 
freight charges on export shipments, a benefit exists to the extent that 
the charges paid by a firm for transport or freight with respect to 
goods destined for export are less than what the firm would have paid if 
the goods were destined for domestic consumption. The Secretary will 
consider the amount of the benefit to equal the difference in amounts 
paid.
    (2) Exception. For purposes of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a 
benefit does not exist if the Secretary determines that:
    (i) Any difference in charges is the result of an arm's-length 
transaction between the supplier and the user of the transport or 
freight service; or
    (ii) The difference in charges is commercially justified.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of internal transport 
and freight charges for export shipments, the Secretary normally will 
consider the benefit as having been received by the firm on the date on 
which the firm paid, or in the absence of payment was due to pay, the 
charges.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. Normally, the 
Secretary will allocate (expense) the benefit from internal transport 
and freight charges for export shipments to the year in which the 
benefit is considered to have been received under paragraph (b) of this 
section.



Sec.  351.516  Price preferences for inputs used in the production of goods for export.

    (a) Benefit--(1) In general. In the case of a program involving the 
provision by governments or their agencies, either directly or 
indirectly through government-mandated schemes, of imported or domestic 
products or services for use in the production of exported goods, a 
benefit exists to the extent that the Secretary determines that the 
terms or conditions on which the products or services are provided are 
more favorable than the terms or conditions applicable to the provision 
of like or directly competitive products or services for use in the 
production of goods for domestic consumption unless, in the case of 
products, such terms or conditions are not more favorable than those 
commercially available on world markets to exporters.
    (2) Amount of benefit. In the case of products provided under such 
schemes, the Secretary will determine the amount of the benefit by 
comparing the price of products used in the production of exported goods 
to the commercially available world market price of such products, 
inclusive of delivery charges.
    (3) Commercially available. For purposes of paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, commercially available means that the choice between domestic 
and imported products is unrestricted and depends only on commercial 
considerations.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of a benefit described 
in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the Secretary normally will 
consider the benefit to have been received as of the date on which the 
firm paid, or in the absence of payment was due to pay, for the product.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. Normally, the 
Secretary

[[Page 347]]

will allocate (expense) benefits described in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section to the year in which the benefit is considered to have been 
received under paragraph (b) of this section.



Sec.  351.517  Exemption or remission upon export of indirect taxes.

    (a) Benefit. In the case of the exemption or remission upon export 
of indirect taxes, a benefit exists to the extent that the Secretary 
determines that the amount remitted or exempted exceeds the amount 
levied with respect to the production and distribution of like products 
when sold for domestic consumption.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of the exemption or 
remission upon export of an indirect tax, the Secretary normally will 
consider the benefit as having been received as of the date of 
exportation.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. Normally, the 
Secretary will allocate (expense) the benefit from the exemption or 
remission upon export of indirect taxes to the year in which the benefit 
is considered to have been received under paragraph (b) of this section.



Sec.  351.518  Exemption, remission, or deferral upon export of 
prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes.

    (a) Benefit--(1) Exemption of prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes. 
In the case of a program that provides for the exemption of prior-stage 
cumulative indirect taxes on inputs used in the production of an 
exported product, a benefit exists to the extent that the exemption 
extends to inputs that are not consumed in the production of the 
exported product, making normal allowance for waste, or if the exemption 
covers taxes other than indirect taxes that are imposed on the input. If 
the Secretary determines that the exemption of prior-stage cumulative 
indirect taxes confers a benefit, the Secretary normally will consider 
the amount of the benefit to be the prior-stage cumulative indirect 
taxes that otherwise would have been paid on the inputs not consumed in 
the production of the exported product, making normal allowance for 
waste, and the amount of charges other than import charges covered by 
the exemption.
    (2) Remission of prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes. In the case 
of a program that provides for the remission of prior-stage cumulative 
indirect taxes on inputs used in the production of an exported product, 
a benefit exists to the extent that the amount remitted exceeds the 
amount of prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes paid on inputs that are 
consumed in the production of the exported product, making normal 
allowance for waste. If the Secretary determines that the remission of 
prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes confers a benefit, the Secretary 
normally will consider the amount of the benefit to be the difference 
between the amount remitted and the amount of the prior-stage cumulative 
indirect taxes on inputs that are consumed in the production of the 
export product, making normal allowance for waste.
    (3) Deferral of prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes. In the case 
of a program that provides for a deferral of prior-stage cumulative 
indirect taxes on an exported product, a benefit exists to the extent 
that the deferral extends to inputs that are not consumed in the 
production of the exported product, making normal allowance for waste, 
and the government does not charge appropriate interest on the taxes 
deferred. If the Secretary determines that a benefit exists, the 
Secretary will normally treat the deferral as a government-provided loan 
in the amount of the tax deferred, according to the methodology 
described in Sec.  351.505. The Secretary will use a short-term interest 
rate as the benchmark for tax deferrals of one year or less. The 
Secretary will use a long-term interest rate as the benchmark for tax 
deferrals of more than one year.
    (4) Exception. Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraphs (a)(1), 
(a)(2), and (a)(3) of this action, the Secretary will consider the 
entire amount of the exemption, remission or deferral to confer a 
benefit, unless the Secretary determines that:
    (i) The government in question has in place and applies a system or 
procedure to confirm which inputs are consumed

[[Page 348]]

in the production of the exported products and in what amounts, and to 
confirm which indirect taxes are imposed on these inputs, and the system 
or procedure is reasonable, effective for the purposes intended, and is 
based on generally accepted commercial practices in the country of 
export; or
    (ii) If the government in question does not have a system or 
procedure in place, if the system or procedure is not reasonable, or if 
the system or procedure is instituted and considered reasonable, but is 
found not to be applied or not to be applied effectively, the government 
in question has carried out an examination of actual inputs involved to 
confirm which inputs are consumed in the production of the exported 
product, in what amounts, and which indirect taxes are imposed on the 
inputs.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of the exemption, 
remission, or deferral of priorstage cumulative indirect taxes, the 
Secretary normally will consider the benefit as having been received:
    (1) In the case of an exemption, as of the date of exportation;
    (2) In the case of a remission, as of the date of exportation;
    (3) In the case of a deferral of one year or less, on the date the 
deferred tax became due; and
    (4) In the case of a multi-year deferral, on the anniversary date(s) 
of the deferral.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. The Secretary 
normally will allocate (expense) the benefit of the exemption, remission 
or deferral of prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes to the year in 
which the benefit is considered to have been received under paragraph 
(b) of this section.



Sec.  351.519  Remission or drawback of import charges upon export.

    (a) Benefit--(1) In general. The term ``remission or drawback'' 
includes full or partial exemptions and deferrals of import charges.
    (i) Remission or drawback of import charges. In the case of the 
remission or drawback of import charges upon export, a benefit exists to 
the extent that the Secretary determines that the amount of the 
remission or drawback exceeds the amount of import charges on imported 
inputs that are consumed in the production of the exported product, 
making normal allowances for waste.
    (ii) Exemption of import charges. In the case of an exemption of 
import charges upon export, a benefit exists to the extent that the 
exemption extends to inputs that are not consumed in the production of 
the exported product, making normal allowances for waste, or if the 
exemption covers charges other than import charges that are imposed on 
the input.
    (iii) Deferral of import charges. In the case of a deferral, a 
benefit exists to the extent that the deferral extends to inputs that 
are not consumed in the production of the exported product, making 
normal allowance for waste, and the government does not charge 
appropriate interest on the import charges deferred.
    (2) Substitution drawback. ``Substitution drawback'' involves a 
situation in which a firm uses a quantity of home market inputs equal 
to, and having the same quality and characteristics as, the imported 
inputs as a substitute for them. Substitution drawback does not 
necessarily result in the conferral of a benefit. However, a benefit 
exists if the Secretary determines that:
    (i) The import and the corresponding export operations both did not 
occur within a reasonable time period, not to exceed two years; or
    (ii) The amount drawn back exceeds the amount of the import charges 
levied initially on the imported inputs for which drawback is claimed.
    (3) Amount of the benefit--(i) Remission or drawback of import 
charges. If the Secretary determines that the remission or drawback, 
including substitution drawback, of import charges confers a benefit 
under paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section, the Secretary normally 
will consider the amount of the benefit to be the difference between the 
amount of import charges remitted or drawn back and the amount paid on 
imported inputs consumed in production for which remission or drawback 
was claimed.

[[Page 349]]

    (ii) Exemption of import charges. If the Secretary determines that 
the exemption of import charges upon export confers a benefit, the 
Secretary normally will consider the amount of the benefit to be the 
import charges that otherwise would have been paid on the inputs not 
consumed in the production of the exported product, making normal 
allowance for waste, and the amount of charges other than import charges 
covered by the exemption.
    (iii) Deferral of import charges. If the Secretary determines that 
the deferral of import charges upon export confers a benefit, the 
Secretary will normally treat a deferral as a government-provided loan 
in the amount of the import charges deferred on the inputs not consumed 
in the production of the exported product, making normal allowance for 
waste, according to the methodology described in Sec.  351.505. The 
Secretary will use a short-term interest rate as the benchmark for 
deferrals of one year or less. The Secretary will use a long-term 
interest rate as the benchmark for deferrals of more than one year.
    (4) Exception. Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the 
Secretary will consider the entire amount of an exemption, deferral, 
remission or drawback to confer a benefit, unless the Secretary 
determines that:
    (i) The government in question has in place and applies a system or 
procedure to confirm which inputs are consumed in the production of the 
exported products and in what amounts, and the system or procedure is 
reasonable, effective for the purposes intended, and is based on 
generally accepted commercial practices in the country of export; or
    (ii) If the government in question does not have a system or 
procedure in place, if the system or procedure is not reasonable, or if 
the system or procedure is instituted and considered reasonable, but is 
found not to be applied or not to be applied effectively, the government 
in question has carried out an examination of actual inputs involved to 
confirm which inputs are consumed in the production of the exported 
product, and in what amounts.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of the exemption, 
deferral, remission or drawback, including substitution drawback, of 
import charges, the Secretary normally will consider the benefit as 
having been received:
    (1) In the case of remission or drawback, as of the date of 
exportation;
    (2) In the case of an exemption, as of the date of the exportation;
    (3) In the case of a deferral of one year or less, on the date the 
import charges became due; and (4) In the case of a multi-year deferral, 
on the anniversary date(s) of the deferral.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. The Secretary 
normally will allocate (expense) the benefit from the exemption, 
deferral, remission or drawback of import charges to the year in which 
the benefit is considered to have been received under paragraph (b) of 
this section.



Sec.  351.520  Export insurance.

    (a) Benefit--(1) In general. In the case of export insurance, a 
benefit exists if the premium rates charged are inadequate to cover the 
long-term operating costs and losses of the program.
    (2) Amount of the benefit. If the Secretary determines under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section that premium rates are inadequate, the 
Secretary normally will calculate the amount of the benefit as the 
difference between the amount of premiums paid by the firm and the 
amount received by the firm under the insurance program during the 
period of investigation or review.
    (b) Time of receipt of benefit. In the case of export insurance, the 
Secretary normally will consider the benefit as having been received in 
the year in which the difference described in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section occurs.
    (c) Allocation of benefit to a particular time period. The Secretary 
normally will allocate (expense) the benefit from export insurance to 
the year in which the benefit is considered to have been received under 
paragraph (b) of this section.

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20841, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.520 
was amended by revising paragraph (a)(1), effective Apr. 24, 2024. For 
the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as follows:

[[Page 350]]



Sec.  351.520  Export insurance.

    (a) * * *
    (1) In general. In the case of export insurance, a benefit exists if 
the premium rates charged are inadequate to cover the long-term 
operating costs and losses of the program normally over a five-year 
period.

                                * * * * *



Sec.  351.521  Import substitution subsidies. [Reserved]



Sec.  351.522  Green light and green box subsidies.

    (a) Certain agricultural subsidies. The Secretary will treat as non-
countervailable domestic support measures that are provided to certain 
agricultural products (i.e., products listed in Annex 1 of the WTO 
Agreement on Agriculture) and that the Secretary determines conform to 
the criteria of Annex 2 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. See section 
771(5B)(F) of the Act. The Secretary will determine that a particular 
domestic support measure conforms fully to the provisions of Annex 2 if 
the Secretary finds that the measure:
    (1) Is provided through a publicly-funded government program 
(including government revenue foregone) not involving transfers from 
consumers;
    (2) Does not have the effect of providing a price support to 
producers; and (3) Meets the relevant policy-specific criteria and 
conditions set out in paragraphs 2 through 13 of Annex 2.
    (b) Research subsidies. In accordance with section 
771(5B)(B)(iii)(II) of the Act, the Secretary will examine the total 
eligible costs to be incurred over the duration of a particular project 
to determine whether a subsidy for research activities exceeds 75 
percent of the costs of industrial research, 50 percent of the costs of 
precompetitive development activity, or 62.5 percent of the costs for a 
project that includes both industrial research and precompetitive 
activity. If the Secretary determines that, at some point over the life 
of a particular project, these relevant thresholds will be exceeded, the 
Secretary will treat the entire amount of the subsidy as 
countervailable.
    (c) Subsidies for adaptation of existing facilities to new 
environmental requirements. If the Secretary determines that a subsidy 
is given to upgrade existing facilities to environmental standards in 
excess of minimum statutory or regulatory requirements, the subsidy will 
not qualify for non-countervailable treatment under section 771(5B)(D) 
of the Act and the Secretary will treat the entire amount of the subsidy 
as countervailable.



Sec.  351.523  Upstream subsidies.

    (a) Investigation of upstream subsidies--(1) In general. Before 
investigating the existence of an upstream subsidy (see section 771A of 
the Act), the Secretary must have a reasonable basis to believe or 
suspect that all of the following elements exist:
    (i) A countervailable subsidy, other than an export subsidy, is 
provided with respect to an input product;
    (ii) One of the following conditions exists:
    (A) The supplier of the input product and the producer of the 
subject merchandise are affiliated;
    (B) The price for the subsidized input product is lower than the 
price that the producer of the subject merchandise otherwise would pay 
another seller in an arm's-length transaction for an unsubsidized input 
product; or
    (C) The government sets the price of the input product so as to 
guarantee that the benefit provided with respect to the input product is 
passed through to producers of the subject merchandise; and
    (iii) The ad valorem countervailable subsidy rate on the input 
product, multiplied by the proportion of the total production costs of 
the subject merchandise accounted for by the input product, is equal to, 
or greater than, one percent.
    (b) Input product. For purposes of this section, ``input product'' 
means any product used in the production of the subject merchandise.
    (c) Competitive benefit--(1) In general. In evaluating whether a 
competitive benefit exists under section 771A(b) of the Act, the 
Secretary will determine whether the price for the subsidized input 
product is lower than the benchmark input price. For purposes of this 
section, the Secretary will use as a

[[Page 351]]

benchmark input price the following, in order of preference:
    (i) The actual price paid by, or offered to, the producer of the 
subject merchandise for an unsubsidized input product, including an 
imported input product;
    (ii) An average price for an unsubsidized input product, including 
an imported input product, based upon publicly available data;
    (iii) The actual price paid by, or offered to, the producer of the 
subject merchandise for a subsidized input product, including an 
imported input product, that is adjusted to account for the 
countervailable subsidy;
    (iv) An average price for a subsidized input product, including an 
imported input product, based upon publicly available data, that is 
adjusted to account for the countervailable subsidy; or
    (v) An unadjusted price for a subsidized input product or any other 
surrogate price deemed appropriate by the Secretary.
    For purposes of this section, such prices must be reflective of a 
time period that reasonably corresponds to the time of the purchase of 
the input.
    (2) Use of delivered prices. The Secretary will use a delivered 
price whenever the Secretary uses the price of an input product under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
    (d) Significant effect--(1) Presumptions. In evaluating whether an 
upstream subsidy has a significant effect on the cost of manufacturing 
or producing the subject merchandise (see section 771A(a)(3) of the 
Act), the Secretary will multiply the ad valorem countervailable subsidy 
rate on the input product by the proportion of the total production cost 
of the subject merchandise that is accounted for by the input product. 
If the product of that multiplication exceeds five percent, the 
Secretary will presume the existence of a significant effect. If the 
product is less than one percent, the Secretary will presume the absence 
of a significant effect. If the product is between one and five percent, 
there will be no presumption.
    (2) Rebuttal of presumptions. A party to the proceeding may present 
information to rebut these presumptions. In evaluating such information, 
the Secretary will consider the extent to which factors other than 
price, such as quality differences, are important determinants of demand 
for the subject merchandise.



Sec.  351.524  Allocation of benefit to a particular time period.

    Unless otherwise specified in Sec. Sec.  351.504-351.523, the 
Secretary will allocate benefits to a particular time period in 
accordance with this section.
    (a) Recurring benefits. The Secretary will allocate (expense) a 
recurring benefit to the year in which the benefit is received.
    (b) Non-recurring benefits--(1) In general. The Secretary will 
normally allocate a non-recurring benefit to a firm over the number of 
years corresponding to the average useful life (``AUL'') of renewable 
physical assets as defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
    (2) Exception. The Secretary will normally allocate (expense) non-
recurring benefits provided under a particular subsidy program to the 
year in which the benefits are received if the total amount approved 
under the subsidy program is less than 0.5 percent of relevant sales 
(e.g., total sales, export sales, the sales of a particular product, or 
the sales to a particular market) of the firm in question during the 
year in which the subsidy was approved.
    (c) ``Recurring'' versus ``non-recurring'' benefits--(1) Non-binding 
iIlustrative lists of recurring and non-recurring benefits. The 
Secretary normally will treat the following types of subsidies as 
providing recurring benefits: Direct tax exemptions and deductions; 
exemptions and excessive rebates of indirect taxes or import duties; 
provision of goods and services for less than adequate remuneration; 
price support payments; discounts on electricity, water, and other 
utilities; freight subsidies; export promotion assistance; early 
retirement payments; worker assistance; worker training; wage subsidies; 
and upstream subsidies. The Secretary normally will treat the following 
types of subsidies as providing non-recurring benefits: equity 
infusions, grants, plant closure assistance, debt forgiveness, coverage 
for operating losses, debt-to-equity conversions, provision of non-

[[Page 352]]

general infrastructure, and provision of plant and equipment.
    (2) The test for determining whether a benefit is recurring or non-
recurring. If a subsidy is not on the illustrative lists, or is not 
addressed elsewhere in these regulations, or if a party claims that a 
subsidy on the recurring list should be treated as non-recurring or a 
subsidy on the non-recurring list should be treated as recurring, the 
Secretary will consider the following criteria in determining whether 
the benefits from the subsidy should be considered recurring or non-
recurring:
    (i) Whether the subsidy is exceptional in the sense that the 
recipient cannot expect to receive additional subsidies under the same 
program on an ongoing basis from year to year;
    (ii) Whether the subsidy required or received the government's 
express authorization or approval (i.e., receipt of benefits is not 
automatic), or
    (iii) Whether the subsidy was provided for, or tied to, the capital 
structure or capital assets of the firm.
    (d) Process for allocating non-recurring benefits over time--(1) In 
general. For purposes of allocating a non-recurring benefit over time 
and determining the annual benefit amount that should be assigned to a 
particular year, the Secretary will use the following formula:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25NO98.006

Where:

Ak = the amount of the benefit allocated to year k,
y = the face value of the subsidy,
n = the AUL (see paragraph (d)(2) of this section),
d = the discount rate (see paragraph (d)(3) of this section), and
k = the year of allocation, where the year of receipt = 1 and 1 <=k <=n.

    (2) AUL--(i) In general. The Secretary will presume the allocation 
period for non-recurring subsidies to be the AUL of renewable physical 
assets for the industry concerned as listed in the Internal Revenue 
Service's (``IRS'') 1977 Class Life Asset Depreciation Range System 
(Rev. Proc. 77-10, 1977-1, C.B. 548 (RR-38)), as updated by the 
Department of Treasury. The presumption will apply unless a party claims 
and establishes that the IRS tables do not reasonably reflect the 
company-specific AUL or the country-wide AUL for the industry under 
investigation, subject to the requirement, in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of 
this section, that the difference between the company-specific AUL or 
country-wide AUL for the industry under investigation and the AUL in the 
IRS tables is significant. If this is the case, the Secretary will use 
company-specific or country-wide AULs to allocate non-recurring benefits 
over time (see paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section).
    (ii) Definition of ``significant.'' For purposes of this paragraph 
(d), significant means that a party has demonstrated that the company-
specific AUL or country-wide AUL for the industry differs from AUL in 
the IRS tables by one year or more.
    (iii) Calculation of a company-specific or country-wide AUL. A 
calculation of a company-specific AUL will not be accepted by the 
Secretary unless it satisfies the following requirements: the company 
must base its depreciation on an estimate of the actual useful lives of 
assets and it must use straight-line depreciation or demonstrate that 
its calculation is not distorted through irregular or uneven additions 
to the pool of fixed assets. A company-specific AUL is calculated by 
dividing the aggregate of the annual average gross book values of the 
firm's depreciable productive fixed assets by the firm's aggregated 
annual charge to accumulated depreciation, for a period considered 
appropriate by the Secretary, subject to appropriate normalizing 
adjustments. A country-wide AUL for the industry under investigation 
will not be accepted by the Secretary unless the respondent government 
demonstrates that it has a system in place to calculate AULs for its 
industries, and that this system provides a reliable representation of 
AUL.
    (iv) Exception. Under certain extraordinary circumstances, the 
Secretary may consider whether an allocation period other than AUL is 
appropriate or whether the benefit stream begins at a date other than 
the date the subsidy was bestowed.
    (3) Selection of a discount rate. (i) In general. The Secretary will 
select a discount rate based upon data for the year

[[Page 353]]

in which the government agreed to provide the subsidy. The Secretary 
will use as a discount rate the following, in order of preference:
    (A) The cost of long-term, fixed-rate loans of the firm in question, 
excluding any loans that the Secretary has determined to be 
countervailable subsidies;
    (B) The average cost of long-term, fixed-rate loans in the country 
in question; or
    (C) A rate that the Secretary considers to be most appropriate.
    (ii) Exception for uncreditworthy firms. In the case of a firm 
considered by the Secretary to be uncreditworthy (see Sec.  
351.505(a)(4)), the Secretary will use as a discount rate the interest 
rate described in Sec.  351.505(a)(3)(iii).



Sec.  351.525  Calculation of ad valorem subsidy rate and attribution
of subsidy to a product.

    (a) Calculation of ad valorem subsidy rate. The Secretary will 
calculate an ad valorem subsidy rate by dividing the amount of the 
benefit allocated to the period of investigation or review by the sales 
value during the same period of the product or products to which the 
Secretary attributes the subsidy under paragraph (b) of this section. 
Normally, the Secretary will determine the sales value of a product on 
an f.o.b. (port) basis (if the product is exported) or on an f.o.b. 
(factory) basis (if the product is sold for domestic consumption). 
However, if the Secretary determines that countervailable subsidies are 
provided with respect to the movement of a product from the port or 
factory to the place of destination (e.g., freight or insurance costs 
are subsidized), the Secretary may make appropriate adjustments to the 
sales value used in the denominator.
    (b) Attribution of subsidies--(1) In general. In attributing a 
subsidy to one or more products, the Secretary will apply the rules set 
forth in paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(7) of this section.
    (2) Export subsidies. The Secretary will attribute an export subsidy 
only to products exported by a firm.
    (3) Domestic subsidies. The Secretary will attribute a domestic 
subsidy to all products sold by a firm, including products that are 
exported.
    (4) Subsidies tied to a particular market. If a subsidy is tied to 
sales to a particular market, the Secretary will attribute the subsidy 
only to products sold by the firm to that market.
    (5) Subsidies tied to a particular product. (i) In general. If a 
subsidy is tied to the production or sale of a particular product, the 
Secretary will attribute the subsidy only to that product.
    (ii) Exception. If a subsidy is tied to production of an input 
product, then the Secretary will attribute the subsidy to both the input 
and downstream products produced by a corporation.
    (6) Corporations with cross-ownership. (i) In general. The Secretary 
normally will attribute a subsidy to the products produced by the 
corporation that received the subsidy.
    (ii) Corporations producing the same product. If two (or more) 
corporations with cross-ownership produce the subject merchandise, the 
Secretary will attribute the subsidies received by either or both 
corporations to the products produced by both corporations.
    (iii) Holding or parent companies. If the firm that received a 
subsidy is a holding company, including a parent company with its own 
operations, the Secretary will attribute the subsidy to the consolidated 
sales of the holding company and its subsidiaries. However, if the 
Secretary finds that the holding company merely served as a conduit for 
the transfer of the subsidy from the government to a subsidiary of the 
holding company, the Secretary will attribute the subsidy to products 
sold by the subsidiary.
    (iv) Input suppliers. If there is cross-ownership between an input 
supplier and a downstream producer, and production of the input product 
is primarily dedicated to production of the downstream product, the 
Secretary will attribute subsidies received by the input producer to the 
combined sales of the input and downstream products produced by both 
corporations (excluding the sales between the two corporations).
    (v) Transfer of subsidy between corporations with cross-ownership 
producing different products. In situations where paragraphs (b)(6)(i) 
through (iv) of this section do not apply, if a corporation

[[Page 354]]

producing non-subject merchandise received a subsidy and transferred the 
subsidy to a corporation with cross-ownership, the Secretary will 
attribute the subsidy to products sold by the recipient of the 
transferred subsidy.
    (vi) Cross-ownership defined. Cross-ownership exists between two or 
more corporations where one corporation can use or direct the individual 
assets of the other corporation(s) in essentially the same ways it can 
use its own assets. Normally, this standard will be met where there is a 
majority voting ownership interest between two corporations or through 
common ownership of two (or more) corporations.
    (7) Multinational firms. If the firm that received a subsidy has 
production facilities in two or more countries, the Secretary will 
attribute the subsidy to products produced by the firm within the 
country of the government that granted the subsidy. However, if it is 
demonstrated that the subsidy was tied to more than domestic production, 
the Secretary will attribute the subsidy to multinational production.
    (c) Trading companies. Benefits from subsidies provided to a trading 
company which exports subject merchandise shall be cumulated with 
benefits from subsidies provided to the firm which is producing subject 
merchandise that is sold through the trading company, regardless of 
whether the trading company and the producing firm are affiliated.

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20841, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.525 
was amended by revising paragraphs (b)(2) and (3), effective Apr. 24, 
2024. For the convenience of the user, the revised text is set forth as 
follows:



Sec.  351.525  Calculation of ad valorem subsidy rate and attribution of 
          subsidy to a product.

                                * * * * *

    (b) * * *
    (2) Export subsidies. The Secretary will normally attribute an 
export subsidy only to products exported by a firm.
    (3) Domestic subsidies. The Secretary will normally attribute a 
domestic subsidy to all products sold by a firm, including products that 
are exported.

                                * * * * *



Sec.  351.526  Program-wide changes.

    (a) In general. The Secretary may take a program-wide change into 
account in establishing the estimated countervailing duty cash deposit 
rate if:
    (1) The Secretary determines that subsequent to the period of 
investigation or review, but before a preliminary determination in an 
investigation (see Sec.  351.205) or a preliminary result of an 
administrative review or a new shipper review (see Sec. Sec.  351.213 
and 351.214), a program-wide change has occurred; and
    (2) The Secretary is able to measure the change in the amount of 
countervailable subsidies provided under the program in question.
    (b) Definition of program-wide change. For purposes of this section, 
``program-wide change'' means a change that:
    (1) Is not limited to an individual firm or firms; and
    (2) Is effectuated by an official act, such as the enactment of a 
statute, regulation, or decree, or contained in the schedule of an 
existing statute, regulation, or decree.
    (c) Effect limited to cash deposit rate--(1) In general. The 
application of paragraph (a) of this section will not result in 
changing, in an investigation, an affirmative determination to a 
negative determination or a negative determination to an affirmative 
determination.
    (2) Example. In a countervailing duty investigation, the Secretary 
determines that during the period of investigation a countervailable 
subsidy existed in the amount of 10 percent ad valorem. Subsequent to 
the period of investigation, but before the preliminary determination, 
the foreign government in question enacts a change to the program that 
reduces the amount of the subsidy to a de minimis level. In a final 
determination, the Secretary would issue an affirmative determination, 
but would establish a cash deposit rate of zero.
    (d) Terminated programs. The Secretary will not adjust the cash 
deposit rate under paragraph (a) of this section if the program-wide 
change consists of the termination of a program and:

[[Page 355]]

    (1) The Secretary determines that residual benefits may continue to 
be bestowed under the terminated program; or
    (2) The Secretary determines that a substitute program for the 
terminated program has been introduced and the Secretary is not able to 
measure the amount of countervailable subsidies provided under the 
substitute program.



Sec.  351.527  Transnational subsidies.

    Except as otherwise provided in section 701(d) of the Act (subsidies 
provided to international consortia) and section 771A of the Act 
(upstream subsidies), a subsidy does not exist if the Secretary 
determines that the funding for the subsidy is supplied in accordance 
with, and as part of, a program or project funded:
    (a) By a government of a country other than the country in which the 
recipient firm is located; or
    (b) By an international lending or development institution.

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20841, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.527 
was removed and reserved, effective Apr. 24, 2024.



Sec.  351.528  Exchanges of undervalued currencies.

    (a) Currency undervaluation--(1) In general. The Secretary normally 
will consider whether a benefit is conferred from the exchange of United 
States dollars for the currency of a country under review or 
investigation under a unified exchange rate system only if that 
country's currency is undervalued during the relevant period. In 
determining whether a country's currency is undervalued, the Secretary 
normally will take into account the gap between the country's real 
effective exchange rate (REER) and the real effective exchange rate that 
achieves an external balance over the medium term that reflects 
appropriate policies (equilibrium REER).
    (2) Government action. The Secretary normally will make an 
affirmative finding under paragraph (a)(1) of this section only if there 
has been government action on the exchange rate that contributes to an 
undervaluation of the currency. In assessing whether there has been such 
government action, the Secretary will not normally include monetary and 
related credit policy of an independent central bank or monetary 
authority. The Secretary may also consider the government's degree of 
transparency regarding actions that could alter the exchange rate.
    (b) Benefit--(1) In general. Where the Secretary has made an 
affirmative finding under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the 
Secretary normally will determine the existence of a benefit after 
examining the difference between:
    (i) The nominal, bilateral United States dollar rate consistent with 
the equilibrium REER; and
    (ii) The actual nominal, bilateral United States dollar rate during 
the relevant time period, taking into account any information regarding 
the impact of government action on the exchange rate.
    (2) Amount of benefit. Where there is a difference under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, the amount of the benefit from a currency 
exchange normally will be based on the difference between the amount of 
currency the firm received in exchange for United States dollars and the 
amount of currency that firm would have received absent the difference 
referred to in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (c) Information sources. In applying this section, the Secretary 
will request that the Secretary of the Treasury provide its evaluation 
and conclusion as to the determinations under paragraphs (a) and (b)(1) 
of this section.

[85 FR 6043, Feb. 4, 2020]



Sec.  351.529  Certain fees, fines, and penalties.

    (a) Financial contribution. When determining if a fee, fine, or 
penalty that is otherwise due, has been forgone or not collected, within 
the meaning of section 771(5)(D)(ii) of the Act, the Secretary may 
conclude that a financial contribution exists if information on the 
record demonstrates that payment was otherwise required and was not 
made, in full or in part. In making such a determination, the Secretary 
will not be required to consider whether the government took efforts to 
seek payment or grant deferral, or otherwise acknowledged nonpayment, of 
the fee, fine, or penalty.

[[Page 356]]

    (b) Benefit. If the Secretary determines that the government has 
exempted or remitted in part or in full, a fee, fine, or penalty under 
paragraph (a) of this section, a benefit exists to the extent that the 
fee, fine, or penalty paid by a party is less than if the government had 
not exempted or remitted that fee, fine, or penalty. Further, if the 
government is determined to have deferred the payment of the fee, fine, 
or penalty, in part or in full, a benefit exists to the extent that 
appropriate interest charges are not collected. Normally, a deferral of 
payment of fees, fines, or penalties will be treated as a government 
provided loan in the amount of the payments deferred, according to the 
methodology described in Sec.  351.505.

    Effective Date Note: At 89 FR 20841, Mar. 25, 2024, Sec.  351.529 
was added, effective Apr. 24, 2024.



Subpart F_Subsidy Determinations Regarding Cheese Subject to an In-Quota 
                              Rate of Duty



Sec.  351.601  Annual list and quarterly update of subsidies.

    The Secretary will make the determinations called for by section 
702(a) of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1202 
note) based on the available information, and will publish the annual 
list and quarterly updates described in such section in the Federal 
Register.



Sec.  351.602  Determination upon request.

    (a) Request for determination. (1) Any person, including the 
Secretary of Agriculture, who has reason to believe there have been 
changes in or additions to the latest annual list published under Sec.  
351.601 may request in writing that the Secretary determine under 
section 702(a)(3) of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 whether there are 
any changes or additions. The person must file the request with the 
Central Records Unit (see Sec.  351.103). The request must allege either 
a change in the type or amount of any subsidy included in the latest 
annual list or quarterly update or an additional subsidy not included in 
that list or update provided by a foreign government, and must contain 
the following, to the extent reasonably available to the requesting 
person:
    (i) The name and address of the person;
    (ii) The article of cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty 
allegedly benefitting from the changed or additional subsidy;
    (iii) The country of origin of the article of cheese subject to an 
in-quota rate of duty; and
    (iv) The alleged subsidy or changed subsidy and relevant factual 
information (particularly documentary evidence) regarding the alleged 
changed or additional subsidy including the authority under which it is 
provided, the manner in which it is paid, and the value of the subsidy 
to producers or exporters of the article.
    (2) The requirements of Sec.  351.303 (c) and (d) apply to this 
section.
    (b) Determination. Not later than 30 days after receiving an 
acceptable request, the Secretary will:
    (1) In consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, determine 
based on the available information whether there has been any change in 
the type or amount of any subsidy included in the latest annual list or 
quarterly update or an additional subsidy not included in that list or 
update is being provided by a foreign government;
    (2) Notify the Secretary of Agriculture and the person making the 
request of the determination; and
    (3) Promptly publish in the Federal Register notice of any changes 
or additions.



Sec.  351.603  Complaint of price-undercutting by subsidized imports.

    Upon receipt of a complaint filed with the Secretary of Agriculture 
under section 702(b) of the Trade Agreements Act concerning price-
undercutting by subsidized imports, the Secretary will promptly 
determine, under section 702(a)(3) of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, 
whether or not the alleged subsidies are included in or should be added 
to the latest annual list or quarterly update.

[[Page 357]]



Sec.  351.604  Access to information.

    Subpart C of this part applies to factual information submitted in 
connection with this subpart.



                      Subpart G_Applicability Dates



Sec.  351.701  Applicability dates.

    The regulations contained in this part 351 apply to all 
administrative reviews initiated on the basis of requests made on or 
after the first day of July, 1997, to all investigations and other 
segments of proceedings initiated on the basis of petitions filed or 
requests made after June 18, 1997 and to segments of proceedings self-
initiated by the Department after June 18, 1997. Segments of proceedings 
to which part 351 do not apply will continue to be governed by the 
regulations in effect on the date the petitions were filed or requests 
were made for those segments, to the extent that those regulations were 
not invalidated by the URAA or replaced by the interim final regulations 
published on May 11, 1995 (60 FR 25130 (1995)). For segments of 
proceedings initiated on the basis of petitions filed or requests made 
after January 1, 1995, but before part 351 applies, part 351 will serve 
as a restatement of the Department's interpretation of the requirements 
of the Act as amended by the URAA.



Sec.  351.702  Applicability dates for countervailing duty regulations.

    (a) Notwithstanding Sec.  351.701, the regulations in subpart E of 
this part apply to:
    (1) All CVD investigations initiated on the basis of petitions filed 
after December 28, 1998;
    (2) All CVD administrative reviews initiated on the basis of 
requests filed on or after the first day of January 1999; and
    (3) To all segments of CVD proceedings self-initiated by the 
Department after December 28, 1998.
    (b) Segments of CVD proceedings to which subpart E of this part does 
not apply will continue to be guided by the Department's previous 
methodology (in particular, as described in the 1989 Proposed 
Regulations), except to the extent that the previous methodology was 
invalidated by the URAA, in which case the Secretary will treat subpart 
E of this part as a restatement of the Department's interpretation of 
the requirements of the Act as amended by the URAA.

[63 FR 65417, Nov. 25, 1998]



   Sec. Annex I to Part 351--Deadlines for Parties in Countervailing 
                             Investigations

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Day \1\                   Event               Regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 days......................  Initiation.........  .....................
31 days \2\.................  Notification of      351.301(c)(2)(iv) (14
                               difficulty in        days after date of
                               responding to        receipt of initial
                               questionnaire.       questionnaire)
37 days.....................  Application for an   351.305(b)(3)
                               administrative
                               protective order.
40 days.....................  Request for          351.205(e) (25 days
                               postponement by      or more before
                               petitioner.          preliminary
                                                    determination)
45 days.....................  Allegation of        351.206(c)(2)(i) (20
                               critical             days before
                               circumstances.       preliminary
                                                    determination)
47 days.....................  Questionnaire        351.301(c)(2)(iii)
                               response.            (30 days from date
                                                    of receipt of
                                                    initial
                                                    questionnaire)
55 days.....................  Allegation of        351.301(d)(4)(ii)(A)
                               upstream subsidies.  (10 days before
                                                    preliminary
                                                    determination)
65 days (Can be extended)...  Preliminary          351.205(b)(1)
                               determination.
72 days.....................  Submission of        351.208(f)(1)(B) (7
                               proposed             days after
                               suspension           preliminary
                               agreement.           determination)
75 days \3\.................  Submission of        351.301(b)(1) (7 days
                               factual              before date on which
                               information.         verification is to
                                                    commence)
75 days.....................  Submission of        351.224(c)(2) (5 days
                               ministerial error    after release of
                               comments.            disclosure
                                                    documents)
77 days \4\.................  Request to align a   351.210(i) (5 days
                               CVD case with a      after date of
                               concurrent AD case.  publication of
                                                    preliminary
                                                    determination)
102 days....................  Request for a        351.310(c) (30 days
                               hearing.             after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    preliminary
                                                    determination)
119 days....................  Critical             351.206(e) (21 days
                               circumstances        or more before final
                               allegation.          determination)

[[Page 358]]

 
122 days....................  Requests for closed  351.310(f) (No later
                               hearing sessions.    than the date the
                                                    case briefs are due)
122 days....................  Submission of        351.309(c)(1)(i) (50
                               briefs.              days after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    preliminary
                                                    determination)
125 days....................  Allegation of        351.301(d)(4)(ii)(B)
                               upstream subsidies.  (15 days before
                                                    final determination)
127 days....................  Submission of        351.309(d) (5 days
                               rebuttal briefs.     after dead-line for
                                                    filing case brief)
129 days....................  Hearing............  351.310(d)(1) (2 days
                                                    after submission of
                                                    rebuttal briefs)
140 days (Can be extended)..  Final determination  351.210(b)(1) (75
                                                    days after
                                                    preliminary
                                                    determination)
150 days....................  Submission of        351.224(c)(2) (5 days
                               ministerial error    after release of
                               comments.            disclosure
                                                    documents)
155 days....................  Submission of        351.224(c)(3) (5 days
                               replies to           after filing of
                               ministerial error    comments)
                               comments.
192 days....................  Order issued.......  351.211(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Indicates the number of days from the date of initiation. Most of
  the deadlines shown here are approximate. The actual deadline in any
  particular segment of a proceeding may depend on the date of an
  earlier event or be established by the Secretary.
\2\ Assumes that the Department sends out the questionnaire within 10
  days of the initiation and allows 7 days for receipt of the
  questionnaire from the date on which it was transmitted.
\3\ Assumes about 17 days between the preliminary determination and
  verification.
\4\ Assumes that the preliminary determination is published 7 days after
  issuance (i.e., signature).



   Sec. Annex II to Part 351--Deadlines for Parties in Countervailing 
                         Administrative Reviews

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Day \1\                   Event               Regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 days......................  Request for review.  351.213(b) (Last day
                                                    of the anniversary
                                                    month)
30 days.....................  Publication of       351.221(c)(1)(i) (End
                               initiation notice.   of month following
                                                    the anniversary
                                                    month)
66 days \2\.................  Notification of      351.301(c)(2)(iv) (14
                               difficulty in        days after date of
                               responding to        receipt of initial
                               questionnaire.       questionnaire)
75 days.....................  Application for an   351.305(b)(3)
                               administrative
                               protective order.
90 days \3\.................  Questionnaire        351.301(c)(2)(iii)
                               response.            (At least 30 days
                                                    after date of
                                                    receipt of initial
                                                    questionnaire)
120 days....................  Withdrawal of        351.213(d)(1) (90
                               request for review.  days after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    initiation)
130 days....................  Request for          351.307(b)(1)(v) (100
                               verification.        days after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    initiation)
140 days....................  Submission of        351.301(b)(2)
                               factual
                               information.
245 days (Can be extended)..  Preliminary results  351.213(h)(1)
                               of review.
282 days \4\................  Request for a        351.310(c);
                               hearing and/or       351.310(f) (30 days
                               closed hearing       after date of
                               session.             publication of
                                                    preliminary results)
282 days....................  Submission of        351.309(c)(1)(ii) (30
                               briefs.              days after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    preliminary results)
287 days....................  Submission of        351.309(d)(1) (5 days
                               rebuttal briefs.     after deadline for
                                                    filing case briefs)
289 days....................  Hearing............  351.310(d)(1) (2 days
                                                    after submission of
                                                    rebuttal briefs)
372 days (Can be extended)..  Final results of     351.213(h)(1) (120
                               review.              days after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    preliminary results)
382 days....................  Submission of        351.224(c)(2) (5 days
                               ministerial error    after release of
                               comments.            disclosure
                                                    documents)
387 days....................  Replies to           351.224(c)(3) (5 days
                               ministerial error    after filing of
                               comments.            comments)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Indicates the number of days from the end of the anniversary month.
  Most of the deadlines shown here are approximate. The actual deadline
  in any particular segment of a proceeding may depend on the date of an
  earlier event or be established by the Secretary.
\2\ Assumes that the Department sends out the questionnaire 45 days
  after the last day of the anniversary month and allows 7 days for
  receipt of the questionnaire from the date on which it was
  transmitted.
\3\ Assumes that the Department sends out the questionnaire on day 45
  and the response is due 45 days later.
\4\ Assumes that the preliminary results are published 7 days after
  issuance (i.e., signature).



    Sec. Annex III to Part 351--Deadlines for Parties in Antidumping 
                             Investigations

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Day \1\                   Event               Regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 days......................  Initiation.........  .....................
37 days.....................  Application for an   351.305(b)(3)
                               administrative
                               protective order.
50 days.....................  Country-wide cost    351.301(d)(2)(i)(A)
                               allegation.          (20 days after date
                                                    on which initial
                                                    questionnaire was
                                                    transmitted)

[[Page 359]]

 
51 days \2\.................  Notification of      351.301(c)(2)(iv)
                               difficulty in        (Within 14 days
                               responding to        after date of
                               questionnaire.       receipt of initial
                                                    questionnaire)
51 days.....................  Section A response.  None
67 days.....................  Sections B, C, D, E  351.301(c)(2)(iii)
                               responses.           (At least 30 days
                                                    after date of
                                                    receipt of initial
                                                    questionnaire)
70 days.....................  Viability arguments  351.301(d)(1) (40
                                                    days after date on
                                                    which initial
                                                    questionnaire was
                                                    transmitted)
87 days.....................  Company-specific     351.301(d)(2)(i)(B)
                               cost allegations.
87 days.....................  Major input cost     351.301(d)(3)
                               allegations.
115 days....................  Request for          351.205(e) (25 days
                               postponement by      or more before
                               petitioner.          preliminary
                                                    determination)
120 days....................  Allegation of        351.206(c)(2)(i) (20
                               critical             days before
                               circumstances.       preliminary
                                                    determination)
140 days (Can be extended)..  Preliminary          351.205(b)(1)
                               determination.
150 days....................  Submission of        351.224(c)(2) (5 days
                               ministerial error    after release of
                               comments.            disclosure
                                                    documents)
155 days....................  Submission of        351.208(f)(1)(A) (15
                               proposed             days after
                               suspension           preliminary
                               agreement.           determination)
161 days \3\................  Submission of        351.301(b)(1) (7 days
                               factual              before date on which
                               information.         verification is to
                                                    commence)
177 days \4\................  Request for a        351.310(c) (30 days
                               hearing.             after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    preliminary
                                                    determination)
187 days....................  Submission of        351.301(c)(3)(i) (40
                               publicly available   days after date of
                               information to       publication of
                               value factors        preliminary
                               (NME's).             determination)
194 days....................  Critical             351.206(e) (21 days
                               circumstance         before final
                               allegation.          determination)
197 days (Can be changed)...  Request for closed   351.310(f) (No later
                               hearing sessions.    than the date the
                                                    case briefs are due)
197 days (Can be changed)...  Submission of        351.309(c)(1)(i) (50
                               briefs.              days after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    preliminary
                                                    determination)
202 days....................  Submission of        351.309(d) (5 days
                               rebuttal briefs.     after dealine for
                                                    filing case briefs)
204 days....................  Hearing............  351.310(d)(1) (2 days
                                                    after submission of
                                                    rebuttal briefs)
215 days....................  Request for          351.210(e)
                               postponement of
                               the final
                               determination.
215 days (Can be extended)..  Final determination  351.210(b)(1) (75
                                                    days after
                                                    preliminary
                                                    determination)
225 days....................  Submission           351.224(c)(2) (5 days
                               ministerial error    after release of
                               comments.            disclosure
                                                    documents)
230 days....................  Replies to           351.224(c)(3) (5 days
                               ministerial error    after filing of
                               comments.            comments)
267 days....................  Order issued.......  351.211(b)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Indicates the number of days from the date of initiation. Most of
  the deadlines shown here are approximate. The actual deadline in any
  particular segment of a proceeding may depend on the date of an
  earlier event or be established by the Secretary.
\2\ Assumes that the Department sends out the questionnaire 5 days after
  the ITC vote and allows 7 days for receipt of the questionnaire from
  the date on which it was transmitted.
\3\ Assumes about 28 days between the preliminary determination and
  verification.
\4\ Assumes that the preliminary determination is published 7 days after
  issuance (i.e., signature).



    Sec. Annex IV to Part 351--Deadlines for Parties in Antidumping 
                         Administrative Reviews

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Day\1\                    Event                Regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 days....................  Request for review...  351.213(b) (Last day
                                                    of the anniversary
                                                    month)
30 days...................  Publication of         351.221 (c)(1)(i)
                             initiation.            (End of month
                                                    following the
                                                    anniversary month)
37 days...................  Application for an     351.305(b)(3)
                             administrative
                             protective order.
60 days...................  Request to examine     351.213(j) (30 days
                             absorption of duties   after date of
                             (AD).                  publication of
                                                    initiation)
66 days \2\...............  Notification of        351.301(c)(2)(iv) (14
                             difficulty in          days after date of
                             responding to          receipt of initial
                             questionnaire.         questionnaire)
66 days...................  Section A response...  None
85 days...................  Viability arguments..  351.301(d)(1) (40
                                                    days after date of
                                                    transmittal of
                                                    initial
                                                    questionnaire)
90 days\3\................  Sections B, C, D, E    351.301(c)(2)(iii)
                             response.              (At least 30 days
                                                    after date of
                                                    receipt of initial
                                                    questionnaire)
110 days..................  Company-specific cost  351.301(d)(2)(i)(B)
                             allegations.           (20 days after
                                                    relevant section is
                                                    filed)
110 days..................  Major input cost       351.301(d)(3) (20
                             allegations.           days after relevant
                                                    section is filed)
120 days..................  Withdrawal of request  351.213(d)(1) (90
                             for review.            days after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    initiation)

[[Page 360]]

 
130 days..................  Request for            351.307(b)(1)(v) (100
                             verification.          days after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    initiation)
140 days..................  Submission of factual  351.301(b)(2)
                             information.
245 days (Can be extended)  Preliminary results    351.213(h)(1)
                             of review.
272 days\4\...............  Submission of          351.301(c)(3)(ii) (20
                             publicly available     days after date of
                             information to value   publication of
                             factors (NME's).       preliminary results)
282 days..................  Request for a hearing  351.310(c);
                             and/or closed          351.310(f) (30 days
                             hearing session.       after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    preliminary results)
282 days..................  Submission of briefs.  351.309(c)(1)(ii) (30
                                                    days after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    preliminary results)
287 days..................  Submission of          351.309(d)(1) (5 days
                             rebuttal briefs.       after deadline for
                                                    filing case briefs)
289 days..................  Hearing; closed        351.310(d)(1) (2 days
                             hearing session.       after submission of
                                                    rebuttal briefs)
372 days (Can be extended)  Final results of       351.213(h)(1) (120
                             review.                days after date of
                                                    publication of
                                                    preliminary results)
382 days..................  Ministerial error      351.224(c)(2) (5 days
                             comments.              after release of
                                                    disclosure
                                                    documents)
387 days..................  Replies to             351.224(c)(3) (5 days
                             ministerial error      after filing of
                             comments.              comments)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Indicates the number of days from the end of the anniversary month.
  Most of the deadlines shown here are approximate. The actual deadline
  in any particular segment of a proceeding may depend on the date of an
  earlier event or be established by the Secretary.
\2\ Assumes that the Department sends out the questionnaire 45 days
  after the last day of the anniversary month and allows 7 days for
  receipt of the questionnaire from the date on which it was
  transmitted.
\3\ Assumes that the Department sends out the questionnaire on day 45
  and the response is due 45 days later.
\4\ Assumes that the preliminary results are published 7 days after
  issuance (i.e., signature).



    Sec. Annex V to Part 351--Comparison of Prior and New Regulations

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Prior                                    New                              Description
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          PART 353--ANTIDUMPING DUTIES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Subpart A--Scope and Definitions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
353.1................................  351.101...............................  Scope of regulations
353.2................................  351.102...............................  Definitions
353.3................................  351.104...............................  Record of proceedings
353.4................................  351.105...............................  Public, proprietary, privileged &
                                                                                classified
353.5................................  Removed...............................  Trade and Tariff Act of 1984
                                                                                amendments
353.6................................  351.106...............................  De minimis weighted-average
                                                                                dumping margin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Subpart B--Antidumping Duty Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
353.11...............................  351.201...............................  Self-initiation
353.12...............................  351.202...............................  Petition requirements
353.13...............................  351.203...............................  Determination of sufficiency of
                                                                                petition
353.14...............................  351.204(e)............................  Exclusion from antidumping duty
                                                                                order
353.15...............................  351.205...............................  Preliminary determination
353.16...............................  351.206...............................  Critical circumstances
353.17...............................  351.207...............................  Termination of investigation
353.18...............................  351.208...............................  Suspension of investigation
353.19...............................  351.209...............................  Violation of suspension agreement
353.20...............................  351.210...............................  Final determination
353.21...............................  351.211...............................  Antidumping duty order
353.21(c)............................  351.204(e)............................  Exclusion from antidumping duty
                                                                                order
1353.22(a)-(d).......................  351.213, 351.221......................  Administrative reviews under
                                                                                751(a) of the Act
353.22(e)............................  351.212(c)............................  Automatic assessment of duties
353.22(f)............................  351.216, 351.221(c)(3)................  Changed circumstances reviews
353.22(g)............................  351.215, 351.221(c)(2)................  Expedited antidumping review
353.23...............................  351.212(d)............................  Provisional measures deposit cap
353.24...............................  351.212(e)............................  Interest on overpayments and
                                                                                under-payments
353.25...............................  351.222...............................  Revocation of orders; termination
                                                                                of suspended investigations
353.26...............................  351.402(f)............................  Reimbursement of duties
353.27...............................  351.223...............................  Downstream product monitoring
353.28...............................  351.224...............................  Correction of ministerial errors
353.29...............................  351.225...............................  Scope rulings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Subpart C--Information and Argument
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
353.31(a)-(c)........................  351.301...............................  Time Limits for submission of
                                                                                factual information
353.31(a)(3).........................  351.301(d), 351.104(a)(2).............  Return of untimely material
353.31(b)(3).........................  351.302(c)............................  Request for extension of time
353.31(d)-(i)........................  351.303...............................  Filing, format, translation,
                                                                                service and certification

[[Page 361]]

 
353.32...............................  351.304...............................  Request for proprietary treatment
                                                                                of information
353.33...............................  351.104, 351.304(a)(2)................  Information exempt from
                                                                                disclosure
353.34...............................  351.305, 351.306......................  Disclosure of information under
                                                                                protective order
353.35...............................  Removed...............................  Ex parte meeting
353.36...............................  351.307...............................  Verification
353.37...............................  351.308...............................  Determination on the basis of the
                                                                                facts available
353.38(a)-(e)........................  351.309...............................  Written argument
353.38(f)............................  351.310...............................  Hearings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subpart D--Calculation of Export Price, Constructed Export Price, Fair Value and Normal Value
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
353.41...............................  351.402...............................  Calculation of export price
353.42(a)............................  351.102...............................  Fair value (definition)
353.42(b)............................  351.104(c)............................  Transaction and persons examined
353.43...............................  351.403(b)............................  Sales used in calculating normal
                                                                                value
353.44...............................  Removed...............................  Sales at varying prices
353.45...............................  351.403...............................  Transactions between affiliated
                                                                                parties
353.46...............................  351.404...............................  Selection of home market as the
                                                                                basis for normal value
353.47...............................  Removed...............................  Intermediate countries
353.48...............................  351.404...............................  Basis for normal value if home
                                                                                market sales are inadequate
353.49...............................  351.404...............................  Sales to a third country
353.50...............................  351.405, 351.407......................  Calculation of normal value based
                                                                                on constructed value
353.51...............................  351.406, 351.407......................  Sales at less than the cost of
                                                                                production
353.52...............................  351.408...............................  Nonmarket economy countries
353.53...............................  Removed...............................  Multinational corporations
353.54...............................  351.401(b)............................  Claims for adjustments
353.55...............................  351.409...............................  Differences in quantities
353.56...............................  351.410...............................  Differences in circumstances of
                                                                                sale
353.57...............................  351.411...............................  Differences in physical
                                                                                characteristics
353.58...............................  351.412...............................  Levels of trade
353.59(a)............................  351.413...............................  Insignificant adjustments
353.59(b)............................  351.414...............................  Use of averaging
353.60...............................  351.415...............................  Conversion of currency
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         PART 355--COUNTERVAILING DUTIES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Subpart A--Scope and Definitions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
355.1................................  351.001...............................  Scope of regulations
355.2................................  351.002...............................  Definitions
355.3................................  351.004...............................  Record of proceeding
355.4................................  351.005...............................  Public, proprietary, privileged &
                                                                                classified
355.5................................  351.003(a)............................  Subsidy library
355.6................................  Removed...............................  Trade and Tariff Act of 1984
                                                                                amendments
355.7................................  351.006...............................  De minimis net subsidies
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Subpart B--Countervailing Duty Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
355.11...............................  351.101...............................  Delf-initiation
355.12...............................  351.102...............................  Petition requirements
355.13...............................  351.103...............................  Determination of sufficiency of
                                                                                petition
355.14...............................  351.104(e)............................  Exclusion from countervailing
                                                                                duty order
355.15...............................  351.105...............................  Preliminary determination
355.16...............................  351.106...............................  Critical circumstances
355.17...............................  351.107...............................  Termination of investigation
355.18...............................  351.108...............................  Suspension of investigation
355.19...............................  351.109...............................  Violation of agreement
355.20...............................  351.110...............................  Final determination
355.21...............................  351.111...............................  Countervailing duty order
355.21(c)............................  351.104(e)............................  Exclusion from countervailing
                                                                                duty order
355.22(a)-(c)........................  351.113, 351.121......................  Administrative reviews under
                                                                                751(a) of the Act
355.22(d)............................  Removed...............................  Calculation of individual rates
355.22(e)............................  351.113(h)............................  Possible cancellation or revision
                                                                                of suspension agreements
355.22(f)............................  Removed...............................  Review of individual producer or
                                                                                exporter
355.22(g)............................  351.112(c)............................  Automatic assessment of duties
355.22(h)............................  351.116, 351.121(c)(3)................  Changed circumstances review
355.22(i)............................  351.120, 351.221(c)(7)................  Review at the direction of the
                                                                                President
355.23...............................  351.112(d)............................  Provisional measures deposit cap
355.24...............................  351.112(e)............................  Interest on overpayments and
                                                                                underpayments
355.25...............................  351.112...............................  Revocation of orders; termination
                                                                                of suspended investigations
355.27...............................  351.123...............................  Downstream product monitoring
355.28...............................  351.124...............................  Correction of ministerial errors
355.29...............................  351.125...............................  Scope determinations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 362]]

 
                                       Subpart C--Information and Argument
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
355.31(a)-(c)........................  351.301...............................  Time limits for submission of
                                                                                factual information
355.31(a)(3).........................  351.302(d), 351.104(a)(2).............  Return of untimely material
355.31(b)(3).........................  351.302(c)............................  Request for extension of time
355.31(d)-(i)........................  351.303...............................  Filing, format, translation,
                                                                                service and certification
355.32...............................  351.304...............................  Request for proprietary treatment
                                                                                of information
355.33...............................  351.104, 351.304(a)(2)................  Information exempt from
                                                                                disclosure
355.34...............................  351.305, 351.306......................  Disclosure of information under
                                                                                protective order
355.35...............................  Removed...............................  Ex parte meeting
355.36...............................  351.307...............................  Verification
355.37...............................  351.308...............................  Determinations on the basis of
                                                                                the facts available
355.38(a)-(e)........................  351.309...............................  Written argument
355.38(f)............................  351.310...............................  Hearings
355.39...............................  351.311...............................  Subsidy practice discovered
                                                                                during investigation or review
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Subpart D--Quota Cheese Subsidy Determinations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
355.41...............................  Removed...............................  Definition of subsidy
355.42...............................  351.601...............................  Annual list and quarterly update
355.43...............................  351.602...............................  Determination upon request
355.44...............................  351.603...............................  Complaint of price-undercutting
355.45...............................  351.604...............................  Access to information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 363]]



    Sec. Annex VI to Part 351--Countervailing Investigations Timeline
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19MY97.000


[[Page 364]]





     Sec. Annex VII to Part 351--Antidumping Investigations Timeline
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19MY97.001


[[Page 365]]





    Sec. Annex VIII-A to Part 351--Schedule for 90-Day Sunset Reviews

------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Day \1\                 Event                    Regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.................  Initiation...............  Sec.   351.218(c)
15................  Filing of Notice of        Sec.   351.218(d)(1)(i)
                     Intent to Participate by   (not later than 15 days
                     domestic interested        after the date of
                     parties.                   publication of the
                                                Notice of Initiation)
20................  Notification to the ITC    Sec.
                     that no domestic           351.218(d)(1)(iii)(B)(2)
                     interested party has       (normally not later than
                     responded to the Notice    20 days after the date
                     of Initiation.             of publication of the
                                                Notice of Initiation)
30................  Filing of substantive      Sec.  Sec.
                     response to the Notice     351.218(d)(3)(i) and
                     of Initiation by all       351.218(d)(3)(vi) (not
                     interested parties and     later than 30 days after
                     industrial users and       the date of publication
                     consumers.                 of the Notice of
                                                Initiation)
35................  Filing of rebuttal to      Sec.   351.218(d)(4) (not
                     substantive response to    later than 5 days after
                     the Notice of Initiation.  the substantive response
                                                is filed with the
                                                Department)
40................  Notification to the ITC    Sec.
                     that no domestic           351.218(e)(1)(i)(C)(2)
                     interested party has       (normally not later than
                     responded to the Notice    40 days after the date
                     of Initiation (based on    of publication of the
                     inadequate response from   Notice of Initiation)
                     domestic interested
                     parties).
90................  Final determination        Sec.  Sec.
                     revoking an order or       351.218(d)(1)(iii)(B)(3)
                     terminating a suspended    and 351.222(i)(1)(i)
                     investigation where no     (not later than 90 days
                     domestic interested        after the date of
                     party responds to the      publication of the
                     Notice of Initiation.      Notice of Initiation)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Indicates the number of days from the date of publication in the
  Federal Register of the Notice of Initiation.


[63 FR 13524, Mar. 20, 1998]



  Sec. Annex VIII-B to Part 351--Schedule for Expedited Sunset Reviews

------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Day \1\                 Event                    Regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.................  Initiation...............  Sec.   351.218(c)
15................  Filing of Notice of        Sec.   351.218(d)(1)(i)
                     Intent to Participate by   (not later than 15 days
                     domestic interested        after the date of
                     parties.                   publication of the
                                                Notice of Initiation)
30................  Filing of Statement of     Sec.   351.218(d)(2)(i)
                     Waiver by respondent       (not later than 30 days
                     interested parties.        after the date of
                                                publication of the
                                                Notice of Initiation)
30................  Filing of substantive      Sec.  Sec.
                     response to the Notice     351.218(d)(3)(i) and
                     of Initiation by all       351.218(d)(3)(vi) (not
                     interested parties and     later than 30 days after
                     industrial users and       the date of publication
                     consumers.                 of the Notice of
                                                Initiation)
35................  Filing of rebuttal to      Sec.   351.218(d)(4) (not
                     substantive response to    later than 5 days after
                     the Notice of Initiation.  the substantive response
                                                is filed with the
                                                Department)
50................  Notification to the ITC    Sec.
                     that respondent            351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(1)
                     interested parties         (normally not later than
                     provided inadequate        50 days after the date
                     response to the Notice     of publication of the
                     of Initiation.             Notice of Initiation)
70................  Comments on adequacy of    Sec.   351.309(e)(ii)
                     response and               (not later than 70 days
                     appropriateness of         after the date of
                     expedited sunset review.   publication of the
                                                Notice of Initiation)
120...............  Final results of           Sec.  Sec.
                     expedited sunset review    351.218(e)(1)(ii)(B) and
                     where respondent           351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(2)
                     interested parties         (not later than 120 days
                     provide inadequate         after the date of
                     response to the Notice     publication of the
                     of Initiation.             Notice of Initiation)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Indicates the number of days from the date of publication in the
  Federal Register of the Notice of Initiation.


[63 FR 13525, Mar. 20, 1998]



     Sec. Annex VIII-C to Part 351--Schedule for Full Sunset Reviews

------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Day \1\                 Event                    Regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.................  Initiation...............  Sec.   351.218(c)
15................  Filing of Notice of        Sec.   351.218(d)(1)(i)
                     Intent to Participate by   (not later than 15 days
                     domestic interested        after the date of
                     parties.                   publication of the
                                                Notice of Initiation)
30................  Filing of Statement of     Sec.   351.218(d)(2)(i)
                     Waiver by respondent       (not later than 30 days
                     interested parties.        after the date of
                                                publication of the
                                                Notice of Initiation)
30................  Filing of substantive      Sec.  Sec.
                     response to the Notice     351.218(d)(3)(i) and
                     of Initiation by all       351.218(d)(3)(vi) (not
                     interested parties and     later than 30 days after
                     industrial users and       the date of publication
                     consumers.                 of the Notice of
                                                Initiation)
35................  Filing of rebuttal to      Sec.   351.218(d)(4) (not
                     substantive response to    later than 5 days after
                     the Notice of Initiation.  the substantive response
                                                is filed with the
                                                Department)
110...............  Preliminary results of     Sec.   351.218(f)(1)
                     full sunset review.        (normally not later than
                                                110 days after the date
                                                of publication of the
                                                Notice of Initiation)
120...............  Verification in a full     Sec.   351.218(f)(2)(ii)
                     sunset review, where       (approximately 120 days
                     needed.                    after the date of
                                                publication of the
                                                Notice of Initiation)
160...............  Filing of case brief in    Sec.   351.309(c)(1)(i)
                     full sunset review.        (50 days after the date
                                                of publication of the
                                                preliminary results of
                                                full sunset review)
165...............  Filing of rebuttal brief   Sec.   351.309(d)(1) (5
                     in full sunset review.     days after the time
                                                limit for filing a case
                                                brief)

[[Page 366]]

 
167...............  Hearing in full sunset     Sec.   351.310(d)(i) (2
                     review if requested.       days after the time
                                                limit for filing a
                                                rebuttal brief)
240...............  Final results of full      Sec.   351.218(f)(3)(i)
                     sunset review.             (not later than 240 days
                                                after the date of
                                                publication of the
                                                Notice of Initiation)
330...............  Final results of full      Sec.   351.218(f)(3)(ii)
                     sunset review if fully     (if full sunset review
                     extended.                  is extraordinarily
                                                complicated, period for
                                                issuing final results
                                                may be extended by not
                                                more than 90 days)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Indicates the number of days from the date of publication in the
  Federal Register of the Notice of Initiation.


[63 FR 13525, Mar. 20, 1998]



PART 354_PROCEDURES FOR IMPOSING SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATION OF AN
ANTIDUMPING OR COUNTERVAILING DUTY ADMINISTRATIVE PROTECTIVE ORDER-
-Table of Contents



Sec.
354.1 Scope.
354.2 Definitions.
354.3 Sanctions.
354.4 Suspension of rules.
354.5 Report of violation and investigation.
354.6 Initiation of proceedings.
354.7 Charging letter.
354.8 Interim sanctions.
354.9 Request for a hearing.
354.10 Discovery.
354.11 Prehearing conference.
354.12 Hearing.
354.13 Proceeding without a hearing.
354.14 Initial decision.
354.15 Final decision.
354.16 Reconsideration.
354.17 Confidentiality.
354.18 Public notice of sanctions.
354.19 Sunset.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, and 19 U.S.C. 1677.

    Source: 53 FR 47920, Nov. 28, 1988, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 354 appear at 63 FR 
24403, May 4, 1998, and at 78 FR 62418, Oct. 22, 2013.



Sec.  354.1  Scope.

    This part sets forth the procedures for imposing sanctions for 
violation of an administrative protective order issued under 19 CFR 
351.306, or successor regulations, as authorized by 19 U.S.C. 1677f(c).

[53 FR 47920, Nov. 28, 1988, as amended at 63 FR 24403, May 4, 1998]



Sec.  354.2  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part:
    Administrative protective order (APO) means an administrative 
protective order described in section 777(c)(1) of the Tariff Act of 
1930, as amended; APO Sanctions Board means the Administrative 
Protective Order Sanctions Board.
    Business proprietary information means information the disclosure of 
which the Secretary has decided is limited under 19 CFR 351.105, or 
successor regulations;
    Charged party means a person who is charged by the Deputy Under 
Secretary with violating a protective order;
    Chief Counsel means the Chief Counsel for Trade Enforcement and 
Compliance or a designee;
    Date of service means the day a document is deposited in the mail or 
delivered in person;
    Days means calendar days, except that a deadline which falls on a 
weekend or holiday shall be extended to the next working day;
    Department means the United States Department of Commerce;
    Deputy Under Secretary means the Deputy Under Secretary for 
International Trade or a designee;
    Director means the Senior APO Specialist or an office director under 
a Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Trade Administration, or a 
designee;
    Lesser included sanction means a sanction of the same type but of 
more limited scope than the proposed sanction; thus a one-year bar on 
representations before the International Trade Administration is a 
lesser included sanction of a proposed seven-year bar;
    Parties means the Department and the charged party or affected party 
in an action under this part;
    Presiding official means the person authorized to conduct hearings 
in administrative proceedings or to rule on any

[[Page 367]]

motion or make any determination under this part, who may be an 
Administrative Law Judge, a Hearing Commissioner, or such other person 
who is not under the supervision or control of the Assistant Secretary 
for Enforcement and Compliance, the Deputy Under Secretary for 
International Trade, the Chief Counsel for Trade Enforcement and 
Compliance, or a member of the APO Sanctions Board;
    Proprietary information means information the disclosure of which 
the Secretary has decided is limited under 19 CFR part 351 including 
business or trade secrets; production costs; distribution costs; terms 
of sale; prices of individual sales, likely sales, or offers; names of 
customers, distributors, or suppliers; exact amounts of the gross net 
subsidies received and used by a person; names of particular persons 
from whom proprietary information was obtained; and any other business 
information the release of which to the public would cause substantial 
harm to the competitive position of the submitter;
    Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce or a designee;
    Segment of the proceeding means a portion of an antidumping or 
countervailing duty proceeding that is reviewable under section 516A of 
the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.
    Senior APO Specialist means the Department employee under the 
Director for Policy and Analysis who leads the APO Unit and is 
responsible for directing Enforcement and Compliance's handling of 
business proprietary information;
    Under Secretary means the Under Secretary for International Trade or 
a designee.

[63 FR 24403, May 4, 1998]



Sec.  354.3  Sanctions.

    (a) A person determined under this part to have violated an 
administrative protective order may be subjected to any or all of the 
following sanctions:
    (1) Barring such person from appearing before the International 
Trade Administration to represent another for a designated time period 
from the date of publication in the Federal Register of a notice that a 
violation has been determined to exist;
    (2) Denying the person access to business proprietary information 
for a designated time period from the date of publication in the Federal 
Register of a notice that a violation has been determined to exist;
    (3) Other appropriate administrative sanctions, including striking 
from the record any information or argument submitted by, or on behalf 
of, the violating party or the party represented by the violating party; 
terminating any proceeding then in progress; or revoking any order then 
in effect;
    (4) Requiring the person to return material previously provided by 
the Secretary and all other materials containing the business 
proprietary information, such as briefs, notes, or charts based on any 
such information received under an administrative protective order; and
    (5) Issuing a private letter of reprimand.
    (b)(1) The firm of which a person determined to have violated an 
administrative protective order is a partner, associate or employee; any 
partner, associate, employer, or employee of such person; and any person 
represented by such person may be barred from appearing before the 
International Trade Administration for a designated time period from the 
date of publication in the Federal Register of notice that a violation 
has been determined to exist or may be subjected to the sanctions set 
forth in paragraph (a) of this section, as appropriate.
    (2) Each person against whom sanctions are proposed under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section is entitled to all the administrative rights set 
forth in this part separately and apart from rights provided to a person 
subject to sanctions under paragraph (a) of this section, including the 
right to a charging letter, right to representation, and right to a 
hearing, but subject to joinder or consolidation by a presiding official 
under Sec.  354.12(b).

[53 FR 47920, Nov. 28, 1988, as amended at 63 FR 24404, May 4, 1998]



Sec.  354.4  Suspension of rules.

    Upon request by the Deputy Under Secretary, a charged or affected 
party, or the APO Sanctions Board, a presiding official may modify or 
waive

[[Page 368]]

any rule in the part upon determining that no party will be unduly 
prejudiced and the ends of justice will thereby be served and upon 
notice to all parties.



Sec.  354.5  Report of violation and investigation.

    (a) An employee of the Department who has information indicating 
that the terms of an administrative protective order have been violated 
will provide the information to the Senior APO Specialist or the Chief 
Counsel.
    (b) Upon receiving information which indicates that a person may 
have violated the terms of an administrative protective order from an 
employee of the Department or any other person, the director will 
conduct an investigation concerning whether there was a violation of an 
administrative protective order, and who was responsible for the 
violation, if any. No director shall investigate an alleged violation 
that arose out of a proceeding for which the director was responsible. 
For the purposes of this part, the director will be supervised by the 
Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade with guidance from the 
Chief Counsel. The director will conduct an investigation only if the 
information is received within 30 days after the alleged violation 
occurred or, as determined by the director, could have been discovered 
through the exercise of reasonable and ordinary care.
    (c)(1) The director conducting the investigation will provide a 
report of the investigation to the Deputy Under Secretary for 
International Trade, after review by the Chief Counsel, no later than 90 
days after receiving information concerning a violation if:
    (i) The person alleged to have violated an administrative protective 
order personally notified the Secretary and reported the particulars 
surrounding the incident; and
    (ii) The alleged violation did not result in any actual disclosure 
of business proprietary information. Upon the director's request, and if 
extraordinary circumstances exist, the Deputy Under Secretary for 
International Trade may grant the director up to an additional 90 days 
to conduct the investigation and submit the report.
    (2) In all other cases, the director will provide a report of the 
investigation to the Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade, 
after review by the Chief Counsel, no later than 180 days after 
receiving information concerning a violation. Upon the director's 
request, and if extraordinary circumstances exist, the Deputy Under 
Secretary for International Trade may grant the director up to an 
additional 180 days to conduct the investigation and submit the report.
    (d) The following examples of actions that constitute violations of 
an administrative protective order shall serve as guidelines to each 
person subject to an administrative protective order. These examples do 
not represent an exhaustive list. Evidence that one of the acts 
described in the guidelines has been committed, however, shall be 
considered by the Deputy Under Secretary as reasonable cause to believe 
a person has violated an administrative protective order, within the 
meaning of Sec.  354.6.
    (1) Disclosure of business proprietary information to any person 
other than the submitting party, an authorized applicant, or an 
appropriate Department official identified in section 777(b) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930, including disclosure to an employee of any other 
United States Government agency or a member of Congress.
    (2) Failure to follow the terms and conditions outlined in the 
administrative protective order for safeguarding business proprietary 
information.
    (3) Loss of business proprietary information.
    (4) Failure to return or destroy all copies of the original 
documents and all notes, memoranda, and submissions containing business 
proprietary information at the close of the proceeding for which the 
data were obtained by burning or shredding of the documents or by 
erasing electronic memory, computer disk, or tape memory, as set forth 
in the administrative protective order.
    (5) Failure to delete business proprietary information from the 
public version of a brief or other correspondence filed with the 
Department.
    (6) Disclosure of business proprietary information during a public 
hearing.

[[Page 369]]

    (7) Use of business proprietary information submitted in one segment 
of a proceeding in another segment of the same proceeding or in another 
proceeding, except as authorized by the Tariff Act of 1930 or by an 
administrative protective order.
    (8) Use of business proprietary information submitted for a 
countervailing duty investigation or administrative review during an 
antidumping duty investigation or administrative review, or vice versa.

[53 FR 47920, Nov. 28, 1988, as amended at 63 FR 24404, May 4, 1998]



Sec.  354.6  Initiation of proceedings.

    (a) In general. After an investigation and report by the director 
under Sec.  354.5(c) and consultation with the Chief Counsel, the Deputy 
Under Secretary for International Trade will determine whether there is 
reasonable cause to believe that a person has violated an administrative 
protective order. If the Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade 
determines that there is reasonable cause, the Deputy Under Secretary 
for International Trade also will determine whether sanctions under 
paragraph (b) or a warning under paragraph (c) is appropriate for the 
violation.
    (b) Sanctions. In determining under paragraph (a) of this section 
whether sanctions are appropriate, and, if so, what sanctions to impose, 
the Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade will consider the 
nature of the violation, the resulting harm, and other relevant 
circumstances of the case. If the Deputy Under Secretary for 
International Trade determines that sanctions are appropriate, the 
Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade will initiate a 
proceeding under this part by issuing a charging letter under Sec.  
354.7. The Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade will determine 
whether to initiate a proceeding no later than 60 days after receiving a 
report of the investigation.
    (c) Warning. If the Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade 
determines under paragraph (a) of this section that a warning is 
appropriate, the Deputy Under Secretary will issue a warning letter to 
the person believed to have violated an administrative protective order. 
Sanctions are not appropriate and a warning is appropriate if:
    (1) The person took due care;
    (2) The Secretary has not previously charged the person with 
violating an administrative protective order;
    (3) The violation did not result in any disclosure of the business 
proprietary information or the Secretary is otherwise able to determine 
that the violation caused no harm to the submitter of the information; 
and
    (4) The person cooperated fully in the investigation.

[63 FR 24404, May 4, 1998]



Sec.  354.7  Charging letter.

    (a) Contents of Letter. The Deputy Under Secretary will initiate 
proceedings by issuing a charging letter to each charged party and 
affected party which includes:
    (1) A statement of the allegation that an administrative protective 
order has been violated and the basis thereof;
    (2) A statement of the proposed sanctions;
    (3) A statement that the charged or affected party is entitled to 
review the documents or other physical evidence upon which the charge is 
based and the method for requesting access to, or copies of, such 
documents;
    (4) A statement that the charged or affected party is entitled to a 
hearing before a presiding official if requested within 30 days of the 
date of service of the charging letter and the procedure for requesting 
a hearing, including the name, address, and telephone number of the 
person to contact if there are further questions;
    (5) A statement that the charged or affected party has a right, if a 
hearing is not requested, to submit documentary evidence to the Deputy 
Under Secretary and an explanation of the method for submitting evidence 
and the date by which it must be received; and
    (6) A statement that the charged or affected party has a right to 
retain counsel at the party's own expense for purposes of 
representation.
    (b) Settlement and amending the charging letter. The Deputy Under 
Secretary for International Trade and a charged or affected party may 
settle a

[[Page 370]]

charge brought under this part by mutual agreement at any time after 
service of the charging letter; approval of the presiding official or 
the administrative protective order Sanctions Board is not necessary. 
The charged or affected party may request a hearing but at the same time 
request that a presiding official not be appointed pending settlement 
discussions. Settlement agreements may include sanctions for purposes of 
Sec.  354.18. The Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade may 
amend, supplement, or withdraw the charging letter as follows:
    (1) If there has been no request for a hearing, or if supporting 
information has not been submitted under Sec.  354.13, the withdrawal 
will not preclude future actions on the same alleged violation.
    (2) If a hearing has been requested but no presiding official has 
been appointed, withdrawal of the charging letter will preclude the 
Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade from seeking sanctions at 
a later date for the same alleged violation.
    (3) The Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade may amend, 
supplement or withdraw the charging letter at any time after the 
appointment of a presiding official, if the presiding official 
determines that the interests of justice would thereby be served. If the 
presiding official so determines, the presiding official will also 
determine whether the withdrawal will preclude the Deputy Under 
Secretary for International Trade from seeking sanctions at a later date 
for the same alleged violation.
    (c) Service of charging letter on a resident of the United States. 
(1) Service of a charging letter on a United States resident will be 
made by:
    (i) Mailing a copy by registered or certified mail addressed to the 
charged or affected party at the party's last known address;
    (ii) Leaving a copy with the charged or affected party or with an 
officer, a managing or general agent, or any other agent authorized by 
appointment or by law to receive service for the party; or
    (iii) Leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion 
who resides at the party's last known dwelling.
    (2) Service made in the manner described in paragraph (c) (ii) or 
(iii) of this section shall be evidenced by a certificate of service 
signed by the person making such service, stating the method of service 
and the identity of the person with whom the charging letter was left.
    (d) Service of charging letter on a non-resident. If applicable laws 
or intergovernmental agreements or understandings make the methods of 
service set forth in paragraph (c) of this section inappropriate or 
ineffective, service of the charging letter on a person who is not a 
resident of the United States may be made by any method that is 
permitted by the country in which the person resides and that satisfies 
the due process requirements under United States law with respect to 
notice in administrative proceedings.

[53 FR 47920, Nov. 28, 1988, as amended at 63 FR 24405, May 4, 1998]



Sec.  354.8  Interim sanctions.

    (a) If the Deputy Under Secretary concludes, after issuing a 
charging letter under Sec.  354.7 and before a final decision is 
rendered, that interim sanctions are necessary to protect the interests 
of the Department or others, including the protection of business 
proprietary information, the Deputy Under Secretary may petition a 
presiding official to impose such sanctions.
    (b) The presiding official may impose interim sanctions against a 
person upon determining that:
    (1) There is probable cause to believe that there was a violation of 
an administrative protective order and the Department is likely to 
prevail in obtaining sanctions under this part,
    (2) The Department or others are likely to suffer irreparable harm 
if the interim sanctions are not imposed, and
    (3) The interim sanctions are a reasonable means for protecting the 
rights of the Department or others while preserving to the greatest 
extent possible the rights of the person against whom the interim 
sanctions are proposed.
    (c) Interim sanctions which may be imposed include any sanctions 
that are necessary to protect the rights of the Department or others, 
including, but not limited to:

[[Page 371]]

    (1) Denying a person further access to business proprietary 
information.
    (2) Barring a person from representing another person before the 
International Trade Administration.
    (3) Barring a person from appearing before the International Trade 
Administration, and
    (4) Requiring the person to return material previously provided by 
the Department and all other materials containing the business 
proprietary information, such as briefs, notes, or charts based on any 
such information received under an administrative protective order.
    (d) The Deputy Under Secretary will notify the person against whom 
interim sanctions are sought of the request for interim sanctions and 
provide to that person the material submitted to the presiding official 
to support the request. The notice will include a reference to the 
procedures of this section.
    (e) A person against whom interim sanctions are proposed has a right 
to oppose the request through submission of material to the presiding 
official. The presiding official has discretion to permit oral 
presentations and to allow further submissions.
    (f) The presiding official will notify the parties of the decision 
on interim sanctions and the basis therefor within five days of the 
conclusion of oral presentations or the date of final written 
submissions.
    (g) If interim sanctions have been imposed, the investigation and 
any proceedings under this part will be conducted on an expedited basis.
    (h) An order imposing interim sanctions may be revoked at any time 
by the presiding official and expires automatically upon the issuance of 
a final order.
    (i) The presiding official may reconsider imposition of interim 
sanctions on the basis of new and material evidence or other good cause 
shown. The Deputy Under Secretary or a person against whom interim 
sanctions have been imposed may appeal a decision on interim sanctions 
to the APO Sanctions Board, if such an appeal is certified by the 
presiding official as necessary to prevent undue harm to the Department, 
a person against whom interim sanctions have been imposed or others, or 
is otherwise in the interests of justice. Interim sanctions which have 
been imposed remain in effect while an appeal is pending, unless the 
presiding official determines otherwise.
    (j) The Deputy Under Secretary may request a presiding official to 
impose emergency interim sanctions to preserve the status quo. Emergency 
interim sanctions may last no longer than 48 hours, excluding weekends 
and holidays. The person against whom such emergency interim sanctions 
are proposed need not be given prior notice or an opportunity to oppose 
the request for sanctions. The presiding official may impose emergency 
interim sanctions upon determining that the Department is, or others 
are, likely to suffer irreparable harm if such sanctions are not imposed 
and that the interests of justice would thereby be served. The presiding 
official will promptly notify a person against whom emergency sanctions 
have been imposed of the sanctions and their duration.
    (k) If a hearing has not been requested, the Deputy Under Secretary 
will ask the Under Secretary to appoint a presiding official for making 
determinations under this section.



Sec.  354.9  Request for a hearing.

    (a) Any party may request a hearing by submitted a written request 
to the Under Secretary within 30 days after the date of service of the 
charging letter. However, the Deputy Under Secretary may request a 
hearing only if the interests of justice would thereby be served.
    (b) Upon timely receipt of a request for a hearing, and unless the 
party requesting a hearing requests that the Under Secretary not appoint 
a presiding official, the Under Secretary will appoint a presiding 
official to conduct the hearing and render an initial decision.

[53 FR 47920, Nov. 28, 1988, as amended at 63 FR 24405, May 4, 1998]



Sec.  354.10  Discovery.

    (a) Voluntary discovery. All parties are encouraged to engage in 
voluntary discovery procedures regarding any

[[Page 372]]

matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter of the 
pending proceeding.
    (b) Interrogatories and requests for admissions or production of 
documents. A party may serve on any other party interrogatories, 
requests for admissions, or requests for production of documents for 
inspection and copying, and a party concerned may then apply to the 
presiding official for such enforcement or administrative protective 
order as that party deems warranted concerning such discovery. The party 
will serve a discovery request at least 20 days before the scheduled 
date of a hearing, if a hearing has been requested and scheduled, unless 
the presiding official specifies a shorter time period. Copies of 
interrogatories, requests for admissions, and requests for production of 
documents and responses thereto will be served on all parties. Matters 
of fact or law of which admission is requested will be deemed admitted 
unless, within a period designated in the request (at least 10 days 
after the date of service of the request, or within such further time as 
the presiding official may allow), the party to whom the request is 
directed serves upon the requesting party a sworn statement either 
admitting or denying specifically the matters of which admission is 
requested or setting forth in detail the reasons why the party cannot 
truthfully either admit or deny such matters.
    (c) Depositions. Upon application of a party and for good cause 
shown, the presiding official may order the taking of the testimony of 
any person who is a party, or under the control or authority of a party, 
by deposition and the production of specified documents or materials by 
the person at the deposition. The application shall state the purpose of 
the deposition and shall set forth the facts sought to be established 
through the deposition.
    (d) Enforcement. The presiding official may order a party to answer 
designated questions, to produce specified documents or items, or to 
take any other action in response to a proper discovery request. If a 
party does not comply with such an order, the presiding official may 
make any determination or enter any order in the proceedings as he or 
she deems reasonable and appropriate. The presiding official may strike 
related charges or defenses in whole or in part, or may take particular 
facts relating to the discovery request to which the party failed or 
refused to respond as being established for purposes of the proceeding 
in accordance with the contentions of the party seeking discovery. In 
issuing a discovery order, the presiding official will consider the 
necessity to protect business proprietary information and will not order 
the release of information in circumstances where it is reasonable to 
conclude that such release will lead to unauthorized dissemination of 
such information.
    (e) Role of the Under Secretary. If a hearing has not been 
requested, the party seeking enforcement will ask the Under Secretary to 
appoint a presiding official to rule on motions under this section.



Sec.  354.11  Prehearing conference.

    (a)(1) If an administrative hearing has been requested, the 
presiding official will direct the parties to attend a prehearing 
conference to consider:
    (i) Simplification of issues;
    (ii) Obtaining stipulations of fact and of documents to avoid 
unnecessary proof;
    (iii) Settlement of the matter;
    (iv) Discovery; and
    (v) Such other matters as may expedite the disposition of the 
proceedings.
    (2) Any relevant and significant stipulations or admissions will be 
incorporated into the initial decision.
    (b) If a prehearing conference is impractical, the presiding 
official will direct the parties to correspond with each other or to 
confer by telephone or otherwise to achieve the purposes of such a 
conference.



Sec.  354.12  Hearing.

    (a) Scheduling of hearing. The presiding official will schedule the 
hearing at a reasonable time, date, and place, which will be in 
Washington, DC, unless the presiding official determines otherwise based 
upon good cause shown that another location would better serve the 
interests of justice. In setting the date, the presiding official will 
give due regard to the need for the parties

[[Page 373]]

adequately to prepare for the hearing and the importance of 
expeditiously resolving the matter.
    (b) Joinder or consolidation. The presiding official may order 
joinder or consolidation if sanctions are proposed against more than one 
party or if violations of more than one administrative protective order 
are alleged if to do so would expedite processing of the cases and not 
adversely affect the interests of the parties.
    (c) Hearing procedures. Hearings will be conducted in a fair and 
impartial manner by the presiding official, who may limit attendance at 
any hearing or portion thereof if necessary or advisable in order to 
protect business proprietary information from improper disclosure. The 
rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law shall not apply, and all 
evidentiary material the presiding official determines to be relevant 
and material to the proceeding and not unduly repetitious may be 
received into evidence and given appropriate weight. The presiding 
official may make such orders and determinations regarding the 
admissibility of evidence, conduct of examination and cross-examination, 
and similar matters as are necessary or appropriate to ensure 
orderliness in the proceedings. The presiding official will ensure that 
a record of the hearing be taken by reporter or by electronic recording, 
and will order such part of the record to be sealed as is necessary to 
protect business proprietary information.
    (d) Rights of parties. At a hearing each party shall have the right 
to:
    (1) Introduce and examine witnesses and submit physical evidence,
    (2) Confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses,
    (3) Present oral argument, and
    (4) Receive a transcript or recording of the proceedings, upon 
request, subject to the presiding official's orders regarding sealing 
the record.
    (e) Representation. Each charged or affected party has a right to 
represent himself or herself or to retain private counsel for that 
purpose. The Chief Counsel will represent the Department, unless the 
General Counsel determines otherwise. The presiding official may 
disallow a representative if such representation constitutes a conflict 
of interest or is otherwise not in the interests of justice and may 
debar a representative for contumacious conduct relating to the 
proceedings.
    (f) Ex parte communications. The parties and their representatives 
may not make any ex parte communications to the presiding official 
concerning the merits of the allegations or any matters at issue, except 
as provided in Sec.  354.8 regarding emergency interim sanctions.



Sec.  354.13  Proceeding without a hearing.

    If no party has requested a hearing, the Deputy Under Secretary, 
within 40 days after the date of service of a charging letter, will 
submit for inclusion into the record and provide each charged or 
affected party information supporting the allegations in the charging 
letter. Each charged or affected party has the right to file a written 
response to the information and supporting documentation within 30 days 
after the date of service of the information provided by the Deputy 
Under Secretary unless the Deputy Under Secretary alters the time period 
for good cause. The Deputy Under Secretary may allow the parties to 
submit further information and argument.



Sec.  354.14  Initial decision.

    (a) Initial decision. The presiding official, if a hearing was 
requested, or the Deputy Under Secretary will submit an initial decision 
to the APO Sanctions Board, providing copies to the parties. The 
presiding official or Deputy Under Secretary will ordinarily issue the 
decision within 20 days of the conclusion of the hearing, if one was 
held, or within 15 days of the date of service of final written 
submissions. The initial decision will be based solely on evidence 
received into the record, and the pleadings of the parties.
    (b) Findings and conclusions. The initial decision will state 
findings and conclusions as to whether a person has violated an 
administrative protective order; the basis for those findings and 
conclusions; and whether the sanctions proposed in the charging letter, 
or lesser included sanctions, should be imposed against the charged or 
affected party. The presiding official or Deputy Under Secretary may 
impose sanctions

[[Page 374]]

only upon determining that the preponderance of the evidence supports a 
finding of violation of an administrative protective order and that the 
sanctions are warranted against the charged or affected party. In 
determining whether sanctions are appropriate and, if so, what sanctions 
to impose, the presiding official or the Deputy Under Secretary will 
consider the nature of the violation, the resulting harm, and other 
relevant circumstances of the case.
    (c) Finality of decision. If the APO Sanctions Board has not issued 
a decision on the matter within 60 days after issuance of the initial 
decision, the initial decision becomes the final decision of the 
Department.



Sec.  354.15  Final decision.

    (a) APO Sanctions Board. Upon request of a party, the initial 
decision will be reviewed by the members of the APO Sanctions Board. The 
Board consists of the Under Secretary for International Trade, who shall 
serve as Chairperson, the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, and the 
General Counsel.
    (b) Comments on initial decision. Within 30 days after issuance of 
the initial decision, a party may submit written comments to the APO 
Sanctions Board on the initial decision, which the Board will consider 
when reviewing the initial decision. The parties have no right to an 
oral presentation, although the Board may allow oral argument in its 
discretion.
    (c) Final decision by the APO Sanctions Board. Within 60 days but 
not sooner than 30 days after issuance of an initial decision, the APO 
Sanctions Board may issue a final decision which adopts the initial 
decision in its entirety; differs in whole or in part from the initial 
decision, including the imposition of lesser included sanctions; or 
remands the matter to the presiding official or Deputy Under Secretary 
for further consideration. The only sanctions that the Board can impose 
are those sanctions proposed in the charging letter or lesser included 
sanctions.
    (d) Contents of final decision. If the final decision of the APO 
Sanctions Board does not remand the matter and differs from the initial 
decision, it will state findings and conclusions which differ from the 
initial decision, if any, the basis for those findings and conclusions, 
and the sanctions which are to be imposed, to the extent they differ 
from the sanctions in the initial decision.

[53 FR 47920, Nov. 28, 1988, as amended at 63 FR 24405, May 4, 1998]



Sec.  354.16  Reconsideration.

    Any party may file a motion for reconsideration with the APO 
Sanctions Board. The party must state with particularity the grounds for 
the motion, including any facts or points of law which the party claims 
the APO Sanctions Board has overlooked or misapplied. The party may file 
the motion within 30 days of the issuance of the final decision or the 
adoption of the initial decision as the final decision, except that if 
the motion is based on the discovery of new and material evidence which 
was not known, and could not reasonably have been discovered through due 
diligence prior to the close of the record, the party shall file the 
motion within 15 days of the discovery of the new and material evidence. 
The party shall provide a copy of the motion to all other parties. 
Opposing parties may file a response within 30 days of the date of 
service of the motion. The response shall be considered as part of the 
record. The parties have no right to an oral presentation on a motion 
for reconsideration, but the Board may permit oral argument at its 
discretion. If the motion to reconsider is granted, the Board will 
review the record and affirm, modify, or reverse the original decision 
or remand the matter for further consideration to a presiding official 
or the Deputy Under Secretary, as warranted.



Sec.  354.17  Confidentiality.

    (a) All proceedings involving allegations of a violation of an 
administrative protective order shall be kept confidential until such 
time as the Department makes a final decision under these regulations, 
no longer subject to reconsideration, imposing a sanction.
    (b) The charged party or counsel for the charged party will be 
granted access to business proprietary information in these proceedings, 
as necessary,

[[Page 375]]

under administrative protective order, consistent with the provisions of 
19 CFR 351.305(c), or their successor regulations.

[53 FR 47920, Nov. 28, 1988, as amended at 63 FR 24405, May 4, 1998]



Sec.  354.18  Public notice of sanctions.

    If there is a final decision under Sec.  354.15 to impose sanctions, 
or if a charging letter is settled under Sec.  354.7(b), notice of the 
Secretary's decision or of the existence of a settlement will be 
published in the Federal Register. If a final decision is reached, such 
publication will be no sooner than 30 days after issuance of a final 
decision or after a motion to reconsider has been denied, if such a 
motion was filed. In addition, whenever the Deputy Under Secretary for 
International Trade subjects a charged or affected party to a sanction 
under Sec.  354.3(a)(1), the Deputy Under Secretary for International 
Trade also will provide such information to the ethics panel or other 
disciplinary body of the appropriate bar associations or other 
professional associations and to any Federal agency likely to have an 
interest in the matter. The Deputy Under Secretary for International 
Trade will cooperate in any disciplinary actions by any association or 
agency. Whenever the Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade 
subjects a charged or affected party to a private letter of reprimand 
under Sec.  354.3(a)(5), the Secretary will not make public the identity 
of the violator, nor will the Secretary make public the specifics of the 
violation in a manner that would reveal indirectly the identity of the 
violator.

[63 FR 24405, May 4, 1998]



Sec.  354.19  Sunset.

    (a) If, after a period of three years from the date of issuance of a 
warning letter, a final decision or settlement in which sanctions were 
imposed, the charged or affected party has fully complied with the terms 
of the sanctions and has not been found to have violated another 
administrative protective order, the party may request in writing that 
the Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade rescind the charging 
letter. A request for rescission must include:
    (1) A description of the actions taken during the preceding three 
years in compliance with the terms of the sanctions; and
    (2) A letter certifying that: the charged or affected party complied 
with the terms of the sanctions; the charged or affected party has not 
received another administrative protective order sanction during the 
three-year period; and the charged or affected party is not the subject 
of another investigation for a possible violation of an administrative 
protective order.
    (b) Subject to the Chief Counsel's confirmation that the charged or 
affected party has complied with the terms set forth in paragraph (a) of 
this section, the Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade will 
rescind the charging letter within 30 days after receiving the written 
request.

[63 FR 24405, May 4, 1998]



PART 356_PROCEDURES AND RULES FOR ARTICLE 10.12 OF THE UNITED STATES-
MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT--Table of Contents



                     Subpart A_Scope and Definitions

Sec.
356.1 Scope.
356.2 Definitions.

   Subpart B_Procedures for Commencing Review of Final Determinations

356.3 Notice of intent to commence judicial review.
356.4 Request for panel review.
356.5 [Reserved]
356.6 Receipt of notice of a class or kind of merchandise determination 
          by the Government of a FTA country.
356.7 Request to determine when the Government of a FTA country received 
          notice of a scope determination.
356.8 Continued suspension of liquidation.

            Subpart C_Proprietary and Privileged Information

356.9 Persons authorized to receive proprietary information.
356.10 Procedures for obtaining access to proprietary information.
356.11 Procedures for obtaining access to privileged information.

[[Page 376]]

  Subpart D_Violation of a Protective Order or a Disclosure Undertaking

356.12 Sanctions for violation of a protective order or disclosure 
          undertaking.
356.13 Suspension of rules.
356.14 Report of violation and investigation.
356.15 Initiation of proceedings.
356.16 Charging letter.
356.17 Request to charge.
356.18 Interim sanctions.
356.19 Request for a hearing.
356.20 Discovery.
356.21 Subpoenas.
356.22 Prehearing conference.
356.23 Hearing.
356.24 Proceeding without a hearing.
356.25 Witnesses.
356.26 Initial decision.
356.27 Final decision.
356.28 Reconsideration.
356.29 Confidentiality.
356.30 Sanctions for violations of a protective order for privileged 
          information.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1516a and 1677f(f), unless otherwise noted.

    Source: 59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 356 appear at 78 FR 
62418, Oct. 22, 2013.



                     Subpart A_Scope and Definitions



Sec.  356.1  Scope.

    This part sets forth procedures and rules for Article 10.12 of the 
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement under the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended by title IV of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement 
Implementation Act of 2020 (19 U.S.C. 1516a and 1677f(f)). This part is 
authorized by section 412(g) of the United States-Mexico-Canada 
Agreement Implementation Act of 2020.

[86 FR 70048, Dec. 9, 2021]



Sec.  356.2  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part:
    (a) Act means the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended;
    (b) Administrative law judge means the person appointed under 5 
U.S.C. 3105 who presides over the taking of evidence as provided by 
subpart D of this part;
    (c) Affected party means a person against whom sanctions have been 
proposed for alleged violation of a protective order or disclosure 
undertaking but who is not a charged party;
    (d) Agreement means the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement 
(USMCA) between Canada, the United Mexican States, and the United 
States, signed on November 30, 2018, as amended;
    (e) APO Sanctions Board means the Administrative Protective Order 
Sanctions Board;
    (f) Article 10.12 Binational Panel Rules means the USMCA Article 
10.12 Binational Panel Rules, established in accordance with Article 
10.12.14 of the USMCA, and any subsequent amendments;
    (g) Authorized agency of a free trade area country means:
    (1) In the case of Canada, any Canadian government agency that is 
authorized by Canadian law to request the Department to initiate 
proceedings to impose sanctions for an alleged violation of a disclosure 
undertaking; and
    (2) In the case of Mexico, any Mexican government agency that is 
authorized by Mexican law to request the Department to initiate 
proceedings to impose sanctions for an alleged violation of a disclosure 
undertaking;
    (h) Binational panel means a binational panel established pursuant 
to Annex 10-B.1 to Chapter Ten of the Agreement for the purposes of 
reviewing a final determination;
    (i) Charged party means a person who is charged by the Deputy Under 
Secretary with violating a protective order or a disclosure undertaking;
    (j) Chief Counsel means the Chief Counsel for Trade Enforcement and 
Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce, or designee;
    (k) Days means calendar days, except that a deadline which falls on 
a weekend or holiday shall be extended to the next working day;
    (l) Department means the U.S. Department of Commerce;
    (m) Deputy Under Secretary means the Deputy Under Secretary for 
International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce;
    (n) Director means the Senior APO Specialist (as defined by 19 CFR 
354.2) or an office director under a Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
International Trade Administration, or a designee;
    (o) Disclosure undertaking means:

[[Page 377]]

    (1) In the case of Canada, the Canadian mechanism for protecting 
proprietary or privileged information during proceedings pursuant to 
Article 10.12 of the Agreement, as prescribed by subsection 77.21(2) of 
the Special Import Measures Act, as amended;
    (2) In the case of Mexico, the Mexican mechanism for protecting 
proprietary or privileged information during the proceedings pursuant to 
Article 10.12 of the Agreement, as prescribed by the Ley de Comercio 
Exterior and its regulations;
    (p) Extraordinary challenge committee means the committee 
established pursuant to Annex 10-B.3 to Chapter Ten of the Agreement to 
review decisions of a panel or conduct of a panelist;
    (q) Final determination means ``final determination'' as defined by 
Article 10.8 of the Agreement;
    (r) Free trade area country or FTA country means ``free trade area 
country'' as defined by section 516A(f)(9) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 
1516a(f)(9));
    (s) Investigating authority means the competent investigating 
authority that issued the final determination subject to review and 
includes, in respect of the issuance, amendment, modification or 
revocation of a protective order or disclosure undertaking, any person 
authorized by the investigating authority;
    (t) Lesser-included sanction means a sanction of the same type but 
of more limited scope than the proposed sanction for violation of a 
protective order or disclosure undertaking; thus, a one-year bar on 
representation before the Department is a lesser-included sanction of a 
proposed seven-year bar;
    (u) Letter of transmittal means a document marked according to the 
requirements of 19 CFR 351.303(d)(2);
    (v) Official publication means:
    (1) In the case of Canada, the Canada Gazette;
    (2) In the case of Mexico, the Diario Oficial de la Federacion; and
    (3) In the case of the United States, the Federal Register;
    (w) Panel review means review of a final determination pursuant to 
Chapter Ten of the Agreement;
    (x) Party to the proceeding means a person that would be entitled, 
under section 516A of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1516a), to commence proceedings 
for judicial review of a final determination;
    (y) Participant means a party to the proceeding that files a 
Complaint or a Notice of Appearance in a panel review, and the 
Department;
    (z) Parties means, in an action under subpart D of this part, the 
Department and the charged party or affected party;
    (aa) Person means, an individual, partnership, corporation, 
association, organization, or other entity;
    (bb) Privileged information means:
    (1) With respect to a panel review of a final determination made in 
Canada, information of the investigating authority that is subject to 
the solicitor-client privilege under the laws of Canada, or that 
constitutes part of the deliberative process with respect to the final 
determination, and with respect to which the privilege has not been 
waived;
    (2) With respect to a panel review of a final determination made in 
Mexico:
    (i) Information of the investigating authority that is subject to 
attorney-client privilege under the laws of Mexico; or
    (ii) Internal communications between officials of Secretariat of 
Economy in charge of antidumping and countervailing duty investigations 
or communications between those officials and other government 
officials, where those communications constitute part of the 
deliberative process with respect to the final determination; and
    (3) With respect to a panel review of a final determination made in 
the United States, information of the investigating authority that is 
subject to the attorney-client, attorney work product or government 
deliberative process privilege under the laws of the United States and 
with respect to which the privilege has not been waived;
    (cc) Proprietary information means:
    (1) With respect to a panel review of a final determination made in 
Canada, information referred to in subsection 84(3) of the Special 
Import Measures Act, as amended, or subsection 45(3) of the Canadian 
International Trade Tribunal Act, as amended, with respect to which the 
person who designated or

[[Page 378]]

submitted the information has not withdrawn the person's claim as to the 
confidentiality of the information;
    (2) With respect to a panel review of a final determination made in 
Mexico, informacion confidencial, as defined under article 80 of the Ley 
de Comercio Exterior and its regulations; and
    (3) With respect to a panel review of a final determination made in 
the United States, business proprietary information under section 777(f) 
of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1677f(f)) and information the disclosure of which 
the Department has decided is limited under the procedures adopted 
pursuant to Article 10.12.14 of the Agreement, including business or 
trade secrets; production costs; terms of sale; prices of individual 
sales, likely sales, or offers; names of customers, distributors, or 
suppliers; exact amounts of the subsidies received and used by a person; 
names of particular persons from whom proprietary information was 
obtained; and any other business information the release of which to the 
public would cause substantial harm to the competitive position of the 
submitter;
    (dd) Protective order means a protective order issued by the 
Department under 19 CFR 356.10(c) or 356.11(c);
    (ee) Class or kind of merchandise determination means a 
determination by the Department, reviewable under section 
516A(a)(2)(B)(vi) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1516a(a)(2)(B)(vi)), as to 
whether a particular type of merchandise is within the class or kind of 
merchandise described in an existing finding of dumping or an 
antidumping or countervailing duty order covering free trade area 
country merchandise. This includes Department rulings and determinations 
issued under Sec. Sec.  351.225, 351.226, and 351.227.
    (ff) Secretariat means the Secretariat established pursuant to 
Article 30.6 of the Agreement and includes the Secretariat sections 
located in Canada, Mexico, and the United States;
    (gg) Secretary means the Secretary of the Canadian section of the 
Secretariat, the Secretary of the Mexican section of the Secretariat, or 
the Secretary of the United States section of the Secretariat and 
includes any person authorized to act on behalf of the Secretary;
    (hh) Service address means the address of the counsel of record for 
a person, including an electronic mail address submitted with that 
address, or, where a person is not represented by counsel, the address 
set out by the person in a Request for Panel Review, Complaint or Notice 
of Appearance as the address at which the person may be served, 
including an electronic mail address submitted with that address, or 
where a Change of Service Address has been filed by a person, the new 
service address set out as the service address in that form, including 
an electronic mail address submitted with that address;
    (ii) Service list means, with respect to a panel review of a final 
determination made in the United States, the list maintained by the 
investigating authority of persons who have been served in the 
proceeding leading to the final determination;
    (jj) Under Secretary means the Under Secretary for International 
Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce, or designee;
    (kk) United States section of the Secretariat means, for the 
purposes of filing, United States Secretary, USMCA Secretariat, room 
2061, U.S. Department of Commerce 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20230.

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 86 FR 70048, Dec. 9, 2021; 89 FR 
6015, Jan. 31, 2024]



   Subpart B_Procedures for Commencing Review of Final Determinations



Sec.  356.3  Notice of intent to commence judicial review.

    A party to a proceeding who intends to commence judicial review of a 
final determination made in the United States shall file a Notice of 
Intent to Commence Judicial Review, which shall contain such 
information, and be in such form, manner, and style, including service 
requirements, as prescribed by the Article 10.12 Binational Panel Rules, 
within 20 days after:
    (a) The date of publication in the Federal Register of the final 
determination; or
    (b) The date on which the notice of the final determination was 
received by the Government of the FTA country

[[Page 379]]

if the final determination was not published in the Federal Register.

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 86 FR 70048, Dec. 9, 2021]



Sec.  356.4  Request for panel review.

    A party to a proceeding who seeks panel review of a final 
determination shall file a Request for Panel Review, which shall contain 
such information, and be in such form, manner, and style, including 
service requirements, as prescribed by the Article 10.12 Binational 
Panel Rules, within 30 days after:
    (a) The date of publication in the official publication of the final 
determination; or
    (b) The date on which the notice of the final determination was 
received by the United States Government or the Government of the FTA 
country if the final determination was not published in the official 
publication.

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 86 FR 70049, Dec. 9, 2021]



Sec.  356.5  [Reserved]



Sec.  356.6  Receipt of notice of a class or kind of merchandise 
determination by the Government of a FTA country.

    Where the Department has made a class or kind of merchandise 
determination, notice of such determination shall be deemed received by 
the Government of a FTA country:
    (a) On the date of publication in the official publication of the 
determination; or
    (b) If the determination was not published in the official 
publication, on the date on which the Department conveys a copy of the 
determination to the electronic mail address provided by the Embassy of 
the FTA country during its normal business hours.

[86 FR 70049, Dec. 9, 2021]



Sec.  356.7  Request to determine when the Government of a FTA country 
received notice of a scope determination.

    (a) Pursuant to section 516A(g)(1) of the Act (19 U.S.C 
1516a(g)(10)), any party to the proceeding may request in writing from 
the Department the date on which the Government of a FTA country 
received notice of a class or kind of merchandise determination made by 
the Department.
    (b) A request shall be made by filing a request in accordance with 
the requirements set forth in 19 CFR 351.303(b) and 351.303(d)(2) with 
the Secretary of Commerce, Attention: Enforcement and Compliance, APO/
Dockets Unit, Room 18022, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. A letter of transmittal 
must be the first page of the request.
    (c) The requesting party shall serve a copy of the Request to 
Determine When the Government of [insert name of applicable FTA country] 
Received Notice of a Class or Kind of Merchandise Determination on any 
interested party on the Department's service list in accordance with the 
service requirements listed in 19 CFR 351.303(f).
    (d) The Department will respond to the request referred to in 
paragraph (b) of this section within five business days of receipt.

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 86 FR 70049, Dec. 9, 2021]



Sec.  356.8  Continued suspension of liquidation.

    (a) In general. In the case of an administrative determination 
specified in clause (iii) or (vi) of section 516A(a)(2)(B) of the Act 
(19 U.S.C. 1516a(a)(2)(B)(iii) and (vi)) and involving free trade area 
country merchandise, the Department shall not order liquidation of 
entries of merchandise covered by such a determination until the forty-
first day after the date of publication of the notice described in 
clause (iii) or receipt of the determination described in clause (vi), 
as appropriate. If requested, the Department will order the continued 
suspension of liquidation of such entries in accordance with the terms 
of paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
    (b) Eligibility to request continued suspension of liquidation. (1) 
A participant in a binational panel review that was a domestic party to 
the proceeding, as described in section 771(9)(C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) 
of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1677(9)(C), (D), (E), (F) and (G)), may request 
continued suspension of liquidation of entries of merchandise covered by 
the administrative determination

[[Page 380]]

under review by the panel and that would be affected by the panel 
review.
    (2) A participant in a binational panel review that was a domestic 
party to the proceeding, as described in section 771(9)(C), (D), (E), 
(F), or (G) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1677(9)(C), (D), (E), (F) and (G)), 
may request continued suspension of liquidation of entries of 
merchandise covered by the administrative determination under review by 
the panel and that would be affected by the panel review. Foreign 
governments are not listed as interested parties who may request the 
continuation of suspension under 19 U.S.C. 1516a(g)(5)(C)(iii).
    (c) Request for continued suspension of liquidation. A request for 
continued suspension of liquidation must include:
    (1) The name of the final determination subject to binational panel 
review and the case number assigned by the Department;
    (2) The caption of the binational panel proceeding;
    (3) The name of the requesting participant;
    (4) The requestor's status as a party to the proceeding and as a 
participant in the binational panel review; and
    (5) The specific entries to be suspended by name of manufacturer, 
producer, exporter, or U.S. importer.
    (d) Filing and service. (1) A request for Continued Suspension of 
Liquidation must be filed with the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement 
and Compliance, Attention: APO/Dockets Unit, Room 18022, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20230, in accordance with the requirements set forth in 19 CFR 
351.303(b) and (d)(2). A letter of transmittal must be the first page of 
the request and be marked: Panel Review--Request for Continued 
Suspension of Liquidation. The request may be made no earlier than the 
date on which the first request for binational panel review is filed.
    (2) The requesting party shall serve a copy of the Request for 
Continued Suspension of Liquidation on the United States Secretary and 
all parties to the proceeding in accordance with the requirements of 19 
CFR 351.303(f).
    (e) Termination of Continued Suspension. Upon completion of the 
panel review, including any panel review of remand determinations and 
any review by an extraordinary challenge committee, the Department will 
order liquidation of entries, the suspension of which was continued 
pursuant to this section.

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 86 FR 70049, Dec. 9, 2021; 89 FR 
6015, Jan. 31, 2024]



            Subpart C_Proprietary and Privileged Information



Sec.  356.9  Persons authorized to receive proprietary information.

    Persons described in paragraphs (a), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of this 
section shall, and persons described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section may, be authorized by the Department to receive access to 
proprietary information if they comply with this subpart and such other 
conditions imposed upon them by the Department:
    (a) The members of, and appropriate staff of, a binational panel or 
extraordinary challenge committee;
    (b) Counsel to participants in panel reviews and professionals 
retained by, or under the direction or control of such counsel, provided 
that the counsel or professional does not participate in competitive 
decision-making activity (such as advice on production, sales, 
operations, or investments, but not legal advice) for the participant 
represented or for any person who would gain competitive advantage 
through knowledge of the proprietary information sought;
    (c) Other persons who are retained or employed by and under the 
direction or control of a counsel or professional, panelist, or 
committee member who has been issued a protective order, such as 
paralegals, law clerks, and secretaries, if such other persons are:
    (1) Not involved in the competitive decision-making of a participant 
to the panel review or for any person who would gain competitive 
advantage through knowledge of the proprietary information sought; and
    (2) Have agreed to be bound by the terms set forth on the 
application for protective order of the counsel or professional, 
panelist, or committee member;

[[Page 381]]

    (d) Each Secretary and every member of the staff of the Secretariat;
    (e) Such officials of the United States Government (other than an 
officer or employee of the investigating authority that issued the final 
determination subject to review) as the United States Trade 
Representative informs the Department require access to proprietary 
information for the purpose of evaluating whether the United States 
should seek an extraordinary challenge committee review of a panel 
determination;
    (f) Such officials of the Government of a FTA country as an 
authorized agency of the FTA country informs the Department require 
access to proprietary information for the purpose of evaluating whether 
the FTA country should seek an extraordinary challenge committee review 
of a panel determination; and
    (g) Every court reporter, interpreter, and translator employed in a 
panel or extraordinary challenge committee review, as well as 
individuals employed to provide audiovisual services at hearings, 
meetings, or other events as needed.

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 89 FR 6016, Jan. 31, 2024; 89 FR 
11729, Feb. 15, 2024]



Sec.  356.10  Procedures for obtaining access to proprietary information.

    (a) Persons who must file an application for disclosure under 
protective order. In order to be permitted access to proprietary 
information in the administrative record of a final determination under 
review by a panel, all persons described in Sec. Sec.  356.9 (a), (b), 
(d), (e), (f) and (g) shall file an application for a protective order. 
The procedures for applying for a protective order described in 
paragraph (b) of this section apply as well to amendments or 
modifications filed by persons described in Sec.  356.9.
    (b) Procedures for applying for a protective order--(1) Contents of 
applications. (i) The Department has adopted application forms for 
disclosure of proprietary information which are available from the 
United States section of the Secretariat or the Central Records Unit, 
Room B8024, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. The application forms may be amended 
from time to time.
    (ii) Such forms require the applicant to submit a personal sworn 
statement stating, in addition to such other terms as the Department may 
require, that the applicant shall:
    (A) Not disclose any proprietary information obtained under 
protective order and not otherwise available to the applicant, to any 
person other than:
    (1) An official of the Department involved in the particular panel 
review in which the proprietary information is part of the 
administrative record;
    (2) The person from whom the information was obtained;
    (3) A person who has been granted access to the proprietary 
information at issue under Sec.  356.9; and
    (4) A person employed by and under the direction or control of a 
counsel or professional, panelist, or committee member who has been 
issued a protective order, such as a paralegal, law clerk, or secretary 
if such person:
    (i) Is not involved in competitive decision-making for a participant 
in the panel review or for any person that would gain competitive 
advantage through knowledge of the proprietary information sought; and
    (ii) Has agreed to be bound by the terms set forth in the 
application for protective order by the counsel, professional, panelist, 
or committee member;
    (B) Not use any of the proprietary information not otherwise 
available to the applicant for purposes other than proceedings pursuant 
to Article 10.12 of the Agreement;
    (C) Upon completion of the panel review, or at such earlier date as 
may be determined by the Department, destroy and certify to the 
Department the destruction of all documents released under the 
protective order and all other documents containing the proprietary 
information (such as briefs, notes, or charts based on any such 
information received under the protective order); and
    (D) Acknowledge that breach thereof may subject the signatory to 
sanctions under Sec.  356.12.
    (2) Timing of application for disclosure under protective order--(i) 
Persons described in Sec.  356.9(a) (panelists, etc.). A

[[Page 382]]

person described in Sec.  356.9(a) may file an application after a 
Notice of Request for Panel Review has been filed with the Secretariat.
    (ii) Persons described in Sec.  356.9(b) (counsel, etc.). A person 
described in Sec.  356.9(b) may file an application at any time but not 
before that person files a Complaint or a Notice of Appearance.
    (iii) Persons described in Sec.  356.9(d) (Secretaries, etc.). A 
person described in Sec.  356.9(d) shall file an application immediately 
upon assuming official responsibilities in the Secretariat.
    (iv) Persons described in Sec.  356.9 (e), (f) or (g) (designated 
Government officials or court reporters, etc.). A person described in 
Sec.  356.9 (e), (f) or (g) shall file an application before seeking or 
obtaining access to proprietary information.
    (3) Filing of applications. A person described in Sec.  356.9(a), 
(b), (d), (e), (f), or (g) shall file the completed application with the 
United States section of the Secretariat which, in turn, shall provide 
the application to the Department. A letter of transmittal and proposed 
protective order must be included with the application.
    (4) Service of applications--(i) Persons described in Sec. Sec.  
356.9(b) (counsel, etc.). A person described in Sec.  356.9(b) who files 
an application before the expiration of the time period fixed under the 
Article 10.12 Binational Panel Rules for filing a Notice of Appearance 
in the panel review shall serve the application on each person listed on 
the service list in accordance with paragraphs (b)(4)(ii) and (iii) of 
this section. In any other case, such person shall serve the application 
on each participant, other than the investigating authority, in 
accordance with paragraphs (b)(4)(ii) and (iii).
    (ii) Method of service. A document may be served by:
    (A) Delivering a copy of the document to the service address of the 
participant;
    (B) Sending a copy of the document to the service address of the 
participant by electronic means or by expedited delivery courier or 
expedited mail service;
    (C) Personal service on the participant; or
    (D) Filing the document using the United States section of the 
Secretariat's electronic filing platform.
    (iii) Proof and date of service. A proof of service shall appear on, 
or be affixed to, the document. Where a document is served by expedited 
delivery courier or expedited mail service, the date of service set out 
in the affidavit of service or certificate of service shall be the day 
on which the document is consigned to the expedited delivery courier 
service or expedited mail service. If a document is served by electronic 
means, the date of service shall be the day on which the document is 
sent by the sender. If a document is filed using the United States 
section of the Secretariat's electronic filing platform, the date of 
service shall be the date of filing.
    (5) Release to employees of panelists, committee members, and 
counsel or professionals. A person described in Sec.  356.9(c), 
including a paralegal, law clerk, or secretary, may be permitted access 
to proprietary information disclosed under protective order by the 
counsel, professional, panelist, or extraordinary challenge committee 
member who retains or employs such person, if such person has agreed to 
the terms of the protective order issued to the counsel, professional, 
panelist, or extraordinary challenge committee member, by signing and 
dating a completed application for protective order of the 
representative counsel, professional, panelist or extraordinary 
challenge committee member in the location indicated in that 
application.
    (6) Counsel or professional who retains access to proprietary 
information under a protective order issued during the administrative 
proceeding. A person described in Sec.  356.9(b) who has been granted 
access to proprietary information under protective order during an 
administrative proceeding that resulted in a final determination that 
becomes the subject of panel review may, if permitted by the terms of 
the protective order previously issued by the Department, retain such 
information until the applicant receives a protective order under this 
part.
    (c) Issuance and service of protective orders--(1) Persons described 
in Sec.  356.9(a) (panelists, etc.). (i) Upon receipt by the Department 
of an application from a person described in Sec.  356.9(a), the 
Department will issue a protective order

[[Page 383]]

authorizing disclosure of proprietary information included in the 
administrative record of the final determination that is the subject of 
the panel review at issue. The Department shall transmit the protective 
order to the United States section of the Secretariat which, in turn, 
shall transmit the order to the applicant and serve the order on each 
participant, other than the investigating authority, in accordance with 
paragraphs (b)(4)(ii) and (iii) of this section.
    (ii) [Removed]
    (2) Persons described in Sec. Sec.  356.9 (b) or (c) (counsel, etc., 
or paralegals, etc.)--(i) Opportunity to object to disclosure. The 
Department will not rule on an application filed by a person described 
in Sec.  356.9(b) until at least ten days after the request is filed, 
unless there is compelling need to rule more expeditiously. Unless the 
Department has indicated otherwise, any person may file an objection to 
the application within seven days of filing of the application. Any such 
objection shall state the specific reasons in the view of such person 
why the application should not be granted. The objection shall be served 
on the applicant and on all persons who were served with the 
application. Service shall be made in accordance with paragraphs 
(b)(4)(ii) and (iii) of this section. Any reply to an objection will be 
considered if it is filed before the Department renders a decision.
    (ii) Timing of decisions on applications. Normally, the Department 
will render a decision to approve or deny an application within 14 days. 
If any person files an objection, the Department will normally render 
the decision within 30 days.
    (iii) Approval of applications. If appropriate, the Department will 
issue a protective order permitting the release of proprietary 
information to the applicant.
    (iv) Denial of applications. If the Department denies an 
application, it shall issue a letter notifying the applicant of its 
decision and the reasons therefor.
    (v) Issuance of protective orders. If the Department issues a 
protective order to a person described in Sec.  356.9(b), that person 
shall immediately file the protective order with the United States 
section of the Secretariat and shall serve the order on each 
participant, other than the investigating authority, in accordance with 
paragraphs (b)(4)(ii) and (iii) of this section.
    (3) Persons described in Sec.  356.9(d) or (g) (Secretaries, etc., 
or court reporters, etc.). Upon receipt by the Department of an 
application from a person described in Sec.  356.9(d) or (g), the 
Department will issue a protective order authorizing disclosure of 
proprietary information to the applicant. The Department shall transmit 
the protective order to the United States section of the Secretariat.
    (4) Persons described in Sec.  356.9 (e) or (f) (designated 
Government officials). (i) Upon receipt by the Department of an 
application from a person described in Sec.  356.9(e) or (f), the 
Department will issue a protective order authorizing disclosure of 
proprietary information included in the record of the panel review at 
issue. The Department shall transmit the protective order to the United 
States section of the Secretariat which, in turn, shall transmit the 
order to the applicant and serve the order on each participant, other 
than the investigating authority, in accordance with paragraphs 
(b)(4)(ii) and (iii) of this section.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (d) Modification or revocation of protective orders--(1) 
Notification. If any person believes that changed conditions of fact or 
law, or the public interest, may require that a protective order issued 
pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section be modified or revoked, in 
whole or in part, such person may notify the Department in writing. The 
notification shall state the changes desired and the changed 
circumstances warranting such action and shall include materials and 
argument in support thereof. Such notification shall be served by the 
person submitting it upon the person to whom the protective order was 
issued. Responses to the notification may be filed within 20 days after 
the notification is filed unless the Department indicates otherwise. The 
Department may also consider such action on its own initiative.
    (2) Issuance of modification or revocation. If the Department 
modifies or revokes a protective order pursuant to this paragraph (d), 
the Department

[[Page 384]]

shall transmit the modification or Notice of Revocation to the United 
States section of the Secretariat which, in turn, shall transmit the 
document to the person to whom the protective order was issued and serve 
the document on each participant, other than the investigating 
authority, in accordance with paragraphs (b)(4)(ii) and (iii) of this 
section.

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 86 FR 70049, Dec. 9, 2021]



Sec.  356.11  Procedures for obtaining access to privileged information.

    (a) Persons who may apply for access to privileged information under 
protective order and filing of applications--(1) Panelists. (i) If a 
panel decides that in camera examination of a document containing 
privileged information in an administrative record is necessary in order 
for the panel to determine whether the document, or portions thereof, 
should be disclosed under a Protective Order for Privileged Information, 
each panelist who is to conduct the in camera review, pursuant to the 
rules of procedure adopted by the United States and the free trade area 
countries to implement Article 10.12 of the Agreement, shall submit an 
application for disclosure of the privileged information under 
Protective Order for Privileged Information to the United States section 
of the Secretariat for filing with the Department; and
    (ii) If a panel orders disclosure of a document containing 
privileged information, any panelist who has not filed an application 
pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section shall submit an 
application for disclosure of the privileged information under a 
Protective Order for Privileged Information to the United States section 
of the Secretariat for filing with the Department.
    (2) Designated officials of the United States Government. Where, in 
the course of a panel review, the panel has reviewed privileged 
information under a Protective Order for Privileged Information, and the 
issue to which such information pertains is relevant to the evaluation 
of whether the United States should request an extraordinary challenge 
committee, each official of the United States Government (other than an 
officer or employee of the investigating authority that issued the final 
determination subject to review) whom the United States Trade 
Representative informs the Department requires access for the purpose of 
such evaluation shall file an application for a Protective Order for 
Privileged Information with the United States section of the Secretariat 
which, in turn, shall submit the application to the Department.
    (3) Designated officials of the government of a FTA country. Where, 
in the course of a panel review, the panel has reviewed privileged 
information under a Protective Order for Privileged Information, and the 
issue to which such information pertains is relevant to the evaluation 
of whether the Government of an involved FTA country should request an 
extraordinary challenge committee, each official of the Government of 
the involved FTA country whom an authorized agency of the involved FTA 
country informs the Department requires access for the purpose of such 
evaluation shall file an application for a Protective Order for 
Privileged Information with the United States section of the Secretariat 
which, in turn, shall submit the application to the Department.
    (4) Members of an extraordinary challenge committee. Where an 
extraordinary challenge record contains privileged information and a 
Protective Order for Privileged Information was issued to counsel or 
professionals representing participants in the panel review at issue, 
each member of the extraordinary challenge committee shall submit an 
application for a Protective Order for Privileged Information to the 
United States section of the Secretariat for filing with the Department.
    (5) Counsel or a professional under the direction or control of 
counsel. If the panel decides, in accordance with the Article 10.12 
Binational Panel Rules, that disclosure of a document containing 
privileged information is appropriate, a counsel or a professional under 
the direction or control of counsel identified in such a decision as 
entitled to release of information under a Protective Order for 
Privileged Information shall submit an application for a Protective 
Order for Privileged Information. Any such person shall:

[[Page 385]]

    (i) File the application with the United States section of the 
Secretariat which, in turn, shall submit the application to the 
Department; and
    (ii) As soon as the deadline fixed under the Article 10.12 
Binational Panel Rules for filing a Notice of Appearance in the panel 
review has passed, shall serve the application on each participant, 
other than the investigating authority, in accordance with paragraphs 
(b)(4)(ii) and (iii) of this section.
    (6) Other designated persons. If the panel decides, in accordance 
with the Article 10.12 Binational Panel Rules, that disclosure of a 
document containing privileged information is appropriate, any person 
identified in such a decision as entitled to release of information 
under a Protective Order for Privileged Information, e.g., a Secretary, 
Secretariat staff, court reporters, interpreters and translators, or a 
member of the staff of a panelist or extraordinary challenge committee 
member, shall submit an application for release under Protective Order 
for Privileged Information to the United States section of the 
Secretariat for filing with the Department.
    (b) Contents of applications for release under protective order for 
privileged information. (1) The Department has adopted application forms 
for disclosure of privileged information which are available from the 
United States section of the Secretariat and the Central Records Unit, 
Room B8024, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. These forms may be amended from time to 
time.
    (2) Such forms require the applicant for release of privileged 
information under Protective Order for Privileged Information to submit 
a personal sworn statement stating, in addition to such other conditions 
as the Department may require, that the applicant shall:
    (i) Not disclose any privileged information obtained under 
protective order to any person other than:
    (A) An official of the Department involved in the particular panel 
review in which the privileged information is part of the record;
    (B) A person who has furnished a similar application and who has 
been issued a Protective Order for Privileged Information concerning the 
privileged information at issue; and
    (C) A person retained or employed by counsel, a professional, a 
panelist or extraordinary challenge committee member who has been issued 
a Protective Order for Privileged Information, such as a paralegal, law 
clerk, or secretary, if such person has agreed to be bound by the terms 
set forth in the application for Protective Order for Privileged 
Information of the counsel, professional, panelist or extraordinary 
challenge committee member by signing and dating the completed 
application at the location indicated in such application;
    (ii) Use such information solely for purposes of the proceedings 
under Article 10.12 of the Agreement;
    (iii) Upon completion of the panel review, or at such earlier date 
as may be determined by the Department, destroy and certify to the 
Department the destruction of all documents released under the 
Protective Order for Privileged Information and all other documents 
containing the privileged information (such as briefs, notes, or charts 
based on any such information received under the Protective Order for 
Privileged Information); and
    (iv) Acknowledge that breach thereof may subject the signatory to 
sanctions under Sec. Sec.  356.12 and 356.30.
    (c) Issuance of protective orders for privileged information--(1) 
Panelists, designated government officials and members of an 
extraordinary challenge committee. (i) Upon receipt of an application 
for protective order under this section from a panelist, designated 
government official or member of an extraordinary challenge committee, 
the Department shall issue a Protective Order for Privileged 
Information. The Department shall transmit the protective order to the 
United States section of the Secretariat which, in turn, shall transmit 
the order to the applicant and serve the order on each participant, 
other than the investigating authority, in accordance with Sec. Sec.  
356.10(b)(4)(ii) and (iii).
    (ii) [Reserved]

[[Page 386]]

    (2) Counsel or a professional under the direction or control of 
counsel. Upon receipt of an application for protective order under this 
section from a counsel or a professional under the direction or control 
of counsel, the Department shall issue a Protective Order for Privileged 
Information. If the Department issues a protective order to such person, 
that person shall immediately file the protective order with the United 
States section of the Secretariat and shall serve the order on each 
participant, other than the investigating authority, in accordance with 
Sec.  356.10(b)(4)(ii) and (iii).
    (3) Other designated persons described in paragraph (a)(6) of this 
section. Upon receipt of an application for protective order under this 
section from a designated person described in paragraph (a)(6) of this 
section, the Department shall issue a Protective Order for Privileged 
Information. The Department shall transmit the protective order to the 
United States section of the Secretariat.
    (d) Modification or revocation of protective order for privileged 
information--(1) Notification. If any person believes that changed 
conditions of fact or law, or the public interest, may require that a 
Protective Order for Privileged Information be modified or revoked, in 
whole or in part, such person may notify the Department in writing. The 
notification shall state the changes desired and the changed 
circumstances warranting such action and shall include materials and 
argument in support thereof. Such notification shall be served by the 
person submitting it upon the person to whom the Protective Order for 
Privileged Information was issued. Responses to the notification may be 
filed within 20 days after the notification is filed unless the 
Department indicates otherwise. The Department may also consider such 
action on its own initiative.
    (2) Issuance of modification or revocation. If the Department 
modifies or revokes a Protective Order for Privileged Information 
pursuant to this paragraph (d), the Department shall transmit the 
modification or Notice of Revocation to the United States section of the 
Secretariat which, in turn, shall transmit the document to the person to 
whom the protective order was issued and serve the document on each 
participant, other than the investigating authority, in accordance with 
Sec.  356.10(b)(4)(ii) and (iii).

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 86 FR 70050, Dec. 9, 2021]



  Subpart D_Violation of a Protective Order or a Disclosure Undertaking



Sec.  356.12  Sanctions for violation of a protective order or disclosure
undertaking.

    (a) A person, other than a person exempted from this part by the 
provisions of section 777f(f)(4) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1677f(f)(4)), 
determined under this part to have violated a protective order or a 
disclosure undertaking may be subjected to any or all or the following 
sanctions:
    (1) Liable to the United States for a civil penalty not to exceed 
$100,000 for each violation;
    (2) Barred from appearing before the Department to represent another 
for a designated time period from the date of publication in an official 
publication of a notice that a violation has been determined to exist;
    (3) Denied access to proprietary information for a designated time 
period from the date of publication in an official publication of a 
notice that a violation has been determined to exist;
    (4) Other appropriate administrative sanctions, including striking 
from the record of the panel review any information or argument 
submitted by, or on behalf of, the violating party or the party 
represented by the violating party; terminating any proceeding then in 
progress; or revoking any order then in effect; and
    (5) Required to destroy and certify to the Department the 
destruction of all material previously provided by the investigating 
authority, and all other materials containing the proprietary 
information, such as briefs, notes, or charts based on any such 
information received under a protective order or a disclosure 
undertaking.
    (b)(1) The firm of which a person determined to have violated a 
protective order or a disclosure undertaking is a partner, associate, or 
employee; any

[[Page 387]]

partner, associate, employer, or employee of such person; and any person 
represented by such person may be barred from appearing before the 
Department for a designated time period from the date of publication in 
an official publication of notice that a violation has been determined 
to exist or may be subjected to the sanctions set forth in paragraph (a) 
of this section, as appropriate.
    (2) Each person against whom sanctions are proposed under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section is entitled to all the administrative rights set 
forth in this subpart separately and apart from rights provided to a 
person subject to sanctions under paragraph (a) of this section, 
including the right to a charging letter, right to representation, and 
right to a hearing, but subject to joinder or consolidation by the 
administrative law judge under Sec.  356.23(b).

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 86 FR 70052, Dec. 9, 2021]



Sec.  356.13  Suspension of rules.

    Upon request by the Deputy Under Secretary, a charged or affected 
party, or the APO Sanctions Board, the administrative law judge may 
modify or waive any rule in this subpart upon determining that no party 
will be unduly prejudiced and the ends of justice will thereby be served 
and upon notice to all parties.



Sec.  356.14  Report of violation and investigation.

    (a) An employee of the Department or any other person who has 
information indicating that the terms of a protective order or a 
disclosure undertaking have been violated will provide the information 
to a Director or the Chief Counsel.
    (b) Upon receiving information which indicates that a person may 
have violated the terms of a protective order or an undertaking, the 
Director will conduct an investigation concerning whether there was a 
violation of a protective order or a disclosure undertaking, and who was 
responsible for the violation, if any. For purposes of this subpart, the 
Director will be supervised by the Deputy Under Secretary with guidance 
from the Chief Counsel. The Director will conduct an investigation only 
if the information is received within 30 days after the alleged 
violation occurred or, as determined by the Director, could have been 
discovered through the exercise of reasonable and ordinary care.
    (c) The Director will provide a report of the investigation to the 
Deputy Under Secretary, after review by the Chief Counsel, no later than 
180 days after receiving information concerning a violation. Upon the 
Director's request, and if extraordinary circumstances exist, the Deputy 
Under Secretary may grant the Director up to an additional 180 days to 
conduct the investigation and submit the report.
    (d) The following examples of actions that constitute violations of 
an administrative protective order shall serve as guidelines to each 
person subject to a protective order. These examples do not represent an 
exhaustive list. Evidence that one of the acts described in the 
guidelines has been committed, however, shall be considered by the 
Director as reasonable cause to believe a person has violated a 
protective order within the meaning of Sec.  356.15.
    (1) Disclosure of proprietary information to any person not granted 
access to that information by protective order, including an official of 
the Department or member of the Secretariat staff not directly involved 
with the panel review pursuant to which the proprietary information was 
released, an employee of any other United States, foreign government or 
international agency, or a member of the United States Congress, the 
Canadian Parliament, or the Mexican Congress.
    (2) Failure to follow the detailed procedures outlined in the 
protective order for safeguarding proprietary information, including 
requiring all employees who obtain access to proprietary information 
(under the terms of a protective order granted their employer) to sign 
and date a copy of that protective order.
    (3) Loss of proprietary information.
    (4) Failure to destroy and certify to the Department the destruction 
of all copies of the original documents and all notes, memoranda, and 
submissions containing proprietary information at the close of the 
proceeding for which the data were obtained by burning or

[[Page 388]]

shredding of the documents or by erasing electronic memory, computer 
disk, or tape memory, as set forth in the protective order.
    (5) Failure to delete proprietary information from the public 
version of a brief or other correspondence filed with the Secretariat.
    (6) Disclosure of proprietary information during a public hearing.
    (e) Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate 
violation.

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 86 FR 70052, Dec. 9, 2021]



Sec.  356.15  Initiation of proceedings.

    (a) If the Deputy Under Secretary concludes, after an investigation 
and report by the Director under Sec.  356.14(c) and consultation with 
the Chief Counsel, that there is reasonable cause to believe that a 
person has violated a protective order or a disclosure undertaking and 
that sanctions are appropriate for the violation, the Deputy Under 
Secretary will, at the Deputy Under Secretary's discretion, either 
initiate a proceeding under this subpart by issuing a charging letter as 
set forth in Sec.  356.16 or request that the authorized agency of the 
involved FTA country initiate a proceeding by issuing a request to 
charge as set forth in Sec.  356.17. In determining whether sanctions 
are appropriate and, if so, what sanctions to impose, the Deputy Under 
Secretary will consider the nature of the violation, the resulting harm, 
and other relevant circumstances of the case. The Deputy Under Secretary 
will decide whether to initiate a proceeding no later than 60 days after 
receiving a report of the investigation.
    (b) If the Department receives a request to charge from an 
authorized agency of a FTA country, the Deputy Under Secretary will 
promptly initiate proceedings under this part by issuing a charging 
letter as set forth in Sec.  356.16.



Sec.  356.16  Charging letter.

    (a) Contents of letter. The Deputy Under Secretary will initiate 
proceedings by issuing a charging letter to each charged party and 
affected party which includes:
    (1) A statement of the allegation that a protective order or a 
disclosure undertaking has been violated and the basis thereof;
    (2) A statement of the proposed sanctions;
    (3) A statement that the charged or affected party is entitled to 
review the documents or other physical evidence upon which the charge is 
based and the method for requesting access to, or copies of, such 
documents;
    (4) A statement that the charged or affected party is entitled to a 
hearing before an administrative law judge if requested within 30 days 
of the date of service of the charging letter and the procedure for 
requesting a hearing, including the name, address, and telephone number 
of the person to contact if there are further questions;
    (5) A statement that the charged or affected party has a right, if a 
hearing is not requested, to submit documentary evidence to the Deputy 
Under Secretary and an explanation of the method for submitting evidence 
and the date by which it must be received; and
    (6) A statement that the charged or affected party has a right to 
retain counsel at the party's own expense for purposes of 
representation.
    (b) Settlement and amendment of the charging letter. The Deputy 
Under Secretary may amend, supplement, or withdraw the charging letter 
at any time with the approval of an administrative law judge if the 
interests of justice would thereby be served. If a hearing has not been 
requested, the Deputy Under Secretary will ask the Under Secretary to 
appoint an administrative law judge to make this determination. If a 
charging letter is withdrawn after a request for a hearing, the 
administrative law judge will determine whether the withdrawal will bar 
the Deputy Under Secretary from seeking sanctions at a later date for 
the same alleged violation. If there has been no request for a hearing, 
or if supporting information has not been submitted under Sec.  356.28, 
the withdrawal will not bar future actions on the same alleged 
violation. The Deputy Under Secretary and a charged or affected party 
may settle a charge brought under this subpart by mutual agreement at 
any time

[[Page 389]]

after service of the charging letter; approval of the administrative law 
judge or the APO Sanctions Board is not necessary.
    (c) Service of charging letter on a resident of the United States. 
(1) Service of a charging letter on a United States resident will be 
made by:
    (i) Mailing a copy by registered or certified mail addressed to the 
charged or affected party at the party's last known address;
    (ii) Leaving a copy with the charged or affected party or with an 
officer, a managing or general agent, or any other agent authorized by 
appointment or by law to receive service for the party; or
    (iii) Leaving a copy with a person of suitable age and discretion 
who resides at the party's last known dwelling.
    (2) Service made in the manner described in paragraph (c)(1) (ii) or 
(iii) of this section shall be evidenced by a certificate of service 
signed by the person making such service, stating the method of service 
and the identity of the person with whom the charging letter was left.
    (d) Service of charging letter on a non-resident. If applicable laws 
or intergovernmental agreements or understandings make the methods of 
service set forth in paragraph (c) of this section inappropriate or 
ineffective, service of the charging letter on a person who is not a 
resident of the United States may be made by any method that is 
permitted by the country in which the person resides and that, in the 
opinion of the Deputy Under Secretary, satisfies due process 
requirements under United States law with respect to notice in 
administrative proceedings.



Sec.  356.17  Request to charge.

    Upon deciding to initiate a proceeding pursuant to Sec.  356.15, the 
Deputy Under Secretary will request the authorized agency of the 
involved FTA country to initiate a proceeding for imposing sanctions for 
violation of a protective order or a disclosure undertaking by issuing a 
letter of request to charge that includes a statement of the allegation 
that a protective order or a disclosure undertaking has been violated 
and the basis thereof.



Sec.  356.18  Interim sanctions.

    (a) If the Deputy Under Secretary concludes, after issuing a 
charging letter under Sec.  356.16 and before a final decision is 
rendered, that interim sanctions are necessary to protect the interests 
of the Department, an authorized agency of the involved FTA country, or 
others, including the protection of proprietary information, the Deputy 
Under Secretary may petition an administrative law judge to impose such 
sanctions.
    (b) The administrative law judge may impose interim sanctions 
against a person upon determining that:
    (1) There is probable cause to believe that there was a violation of 
a protective order or a disclosure undertaking and the Department is 
likely to prevail in obtaining sanctions under this subpart;
    (2) The Department, authorized agency of the involved FTA country, 
or others are likely to suffer irreparable harm if the interim sanctions 
are not imposed; and
    (3) The interim sanctions are a reasonable means for protecting the 
rights of the Department, authorized agency of the involved FTA country, 
or others while preserving to the greatest extent possible the rights of 
the person against whom the interim sanctions are proposed.
    (c) Interim sanctions which may be imposed include any sanctions 
that are necessary to protect the rights of the Department, authorized 
agency of the involved FTA country, or others, including, but not 
limited to:
    (1) Denying a person further access to proprietary information;
    (2) Barring a person from representing another person before the 
Department;
    (3) Barring a person from appearing before the Department; and
    (4) Requiring the person to destroy and certify to the Department 
the destruction of all material previously provided by the Department or 
the investigating authority of the involved FTA country, and all other 
materials containing the proprietary information, such as briefs, notes, 
or charts based on any such information received under a protective 
order or disclosure undertaking.

[[Page 390]]

    (d) The Deputy Under Secretary will notify the person against whom 
interim sanctions are sought of the request for interim sanctions and 
provide to that person the material submitted to the administrative law 
judge to support the request. The notice will include a reference to the 
procedures of this section.
    (e) A person against whom interim sanctions are proposed has a right 
to oppose the request through submission of material to the 
administrative law judge. The administrative law judge has discretion to 
permit oral presentations and to allow further submissions.
    (f) The administrative law judge will notify the parties of the 
decision on interim sanctions and the basis therefor within five days of 
the conclusion of oral presentations or the date of final written 
submissions.
    (g) If interim sanctions have been imposed, the investigation and 
any proceedings under this subpart will be conducted on an expedited 
basis.
    (h) An order imposing interim sanctions may be revoked at any time 
by the administrative law judge and expires automatically upon the 
issuance of a final order.
    (i) The administrative law judge may reconsider imposition of 
interim sanctions on the basis of new and material evidence or other 
good cause shown. The Deputy Under Secretary or a person against whom 
interim sanctions have been imposed may appeal a decision on interim 
sanctions to the APO Sanctions Board, if such an appeal is certified by 
the administrative law judge as necessary to prevent undue harm to the 
Department or authorized agency of the involved FTA country, a person 
against whom interim sanctions have been imposed or others, or is 
otherwise in the interests of justice. Interim sanctions which have been 
imposed remain in effect while an appeal is pending, unless the 
administrative law judge determines otherwise.
    (j) The Deputy Under Secretary may request an administrative law 
judge to impose emergency interim sanctions to preserve the status quo. 
Emergency interim sanctions may last no longer than 48 hours, excluding 
weekends and holidays. The person against whom such emergency interim 
sanctions are proposed need not be given prior notice or an opportunity 
to oppose the request for sanctions. The administrative law judge may 
impose emergency interim sanctions upon determining that the Department 
or authorized agency of the involved FTA country is, or others are, 
likely to suffer irreparable harm if such sanctions are not imposed and 
that the interests of justice would thereby be served. The 
administrative law judge will promptly notify a person against whom 
emergency sanctions have been imposed of the sanctions and their 
duration.
    (k) If a hearing has not been requested, the Deputy Under Secretary 
will request that the Under Secretary appoint an administrative law 
judge for making determinations under this section.
    (l) The Deputy Under Secretary will notify the Secretariat 
concerning the imposition or revocation of interim sanctions or 
emergency interim sanctions.

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 86 FR 70052, Dec. 9, 2021]



Sec.  356.19  Request for a hearing.

    (a) Any party may request a hearing by submitting a written request 
to the Under Secretary within 30 days after the date of service of the 
charging letter. However, the Deputy Under Secretary may request a 
hearing only if the interests of justice would thereby be served.
    (b) Upon timely receipt of a request for a hearing, the Under 
Secretary will appoint an administrative law judge to conduct the 
hearing and render an initial decision.



Sec.  356.20  Discovery.

    (a) Voluntary discovery. All parties are encouraged to engage in 
voluntary discovery procedures regarding any matter, not privileged, 
which is relevant to the subject matter of the pending sanctions 
proceeding.
    (b) Limitations on discovery. The administrative law judge shall 
place such limits upon the kind or amount of discovery to be had or the 
period of time during which discovery may be carried out as shall be 
consistent with the time limitations set forth in this Part.

[[Page 391]]

    (c) Interrogatories and requests for admissions or production of 
documents. A party may serve on any other party interrogatories, 
requests for admissions, or requests for production of documents for 
inspection and copying, and the party may then apply to the 
administrative law judge for such enforcement or protective order as 
that party deems warranted concerning such discovery. The party will 
serve a discovery request at least 20 days before the scheduled date of 
a hearing, if a hearing has been requested and scheduled, unless the 
administrative law judge specifies a shorter time period. Copies of 
interrogatories, requests for admissions, and requests for production of 
documents and responses thereto will be served on all parties. Matters 
of fact or law of which admission is requested will be deemed admitted 
unless, within a period designated in the request (at least 10 days 
after the date of service of the request, or within such further time as 
the administrative law judge may allow), the party to whom the request 
is directed serves upon the requesting party a sworn statement either 
admitting or denying specifically the matters of which admission is 
requested or setting forth in detail the reasons why the party cannot 
truthfully either admit or deny such matters.
    (d) Depositions. Upon application of a party and for good cause 
shown, the administrative law judge may order the taking of the 
testimony of any person who is a party, or under the control or 
authority of a party, by deposition and the production of specified 
documents or materials by the person at the deposition. The application 
shall state the purpose of the deposition and shall set forth the facts 
sought to be established through the deposition.
    (e) Supplementation of responses. A party who has responded to a 
request for discovery with a response that was complete when made is 
under no duty to supplement the party's response to include information 
thereafter acquired, except as follows:
    (1) A party is under a duty to seasonably supplement the party's 
response with respect to any question directly addressed to:
    (i) The identity and location of persons having knowledge of 
discoverable matters; and
    (ii) The identity of each person expected to be called as an expert 
witness at a hearing, the subject matter on which the witness is 
expected to testify, and the substance of the testimony.
    (2) A party is under a duty to seasonably amend a prior response if 
the party obtains information upon the basis of which the party:
    (i) Knows the response was incorrect when made; or
    (ii) Knows that the response, though correct when made, is no longer 
true, and the circumstances are such that a failure to amend the 
response is in substance a knowing concealment.
    (3) A duty to supplement responses may be imposed by order of the 
administrative law judge, agreement of the parties, or at any time prior 
to a hearing through new requests for supplementation of prior 
responses.
    (f) Enforcement. The administrative law judge may order a party to 
answer designated questions, to produce specified documents or items, or 
to take any other action in response to a proper discovery request. If a 
party does not comply with such an order, the administrative law judge 
may make any determination or enter any order in the proceedings as the 
administrative law judge deems reasonable and appropriate. The 
administrative law judge may strike related charges or defenses in whole 
or in part, or may take particular facts relating to the discovery 
request to which the party failed or refused to respond as being 
established for purpose of the proceeding in accordance with the 
contentions of the party seeking discovery. In issuing a discovery 
order, the administrative law judge will consider the necessity to 
protect proprietary information and will not order the release of 
information in circumstances where it is reasonable to conclude that 
such release will lead to unauthorized dissemination of such 
information.



Sec.  356.21  Subpoenas.

    (a) Application for issuance of a subpoena. An application for 
issuance of a subpoena requiring a person to appear

[[Page 392]]

and depose or testify at the taking of a deposition or at a hearing 
shall be made to the administrative law judge. An application for 
issuance of a subpoena requiring a person to appear and depose or 
testify and to produce specified documents, papers, books, or other 
physical exhibits at the taking of a deposition, at a prehearing 
conference, at a hearing, or under any other circumstances, shall be 
made in writing to the administrative law judge and shall specify the 
material to be produced as precisely as possible, showing the general 
relevancy of the material and the reasonableness of the scope of the 
subpoena.
    (b) Use of subpoena for discovery. Subpoenas may be used by any 
party for purposes of discovery or for obtaining documents, papers, 
books, or other physical exhibits for use in evidence, or for both 
purposes. When used for discovery purposes, a subpoena may require a 
person to produce and permit the inspection and copying of nonprivileged 
documents, papers, books, or other physical exhibits which constitute or 
contain evidence relevant to the subject matter involved and which are 
in the possession, custody, or control of such person.
    (c) Application for subpoenas for nonparty department records or 
personnel or for records or personnel of other Government agencies. (1) 
An application for issuance of a subpoena requiring the production of 
nonparty documents, papers, books, physical exhibits, or other material 
in the records of the Department, or requiring the appearance of an 
official or employee of the Department, or requiring the production of 
records or personnel of other Government agencies shall specify as 
precisely as possible the material to be produced, the nature of the 
information to be disclosed, or the expected testimony of the official 
or employee, and shall contain a statement showing the general relevancy 
of the material, information, or testimony and the reasonableness of the 
scope of the application, together with a showing that such material, 
information, or testimony or their substantial equivalent could not be 
obtained without undue hardship by alternative means.
    (2) Such applications shall be ruled upon by the administrative law 
judge. To the extent that the motion is granted, the administrative law 
judge shall provide such terms and conditions for the production of the 
material, the disclosure of the information, or the appearance of the 
official or employee as may appear necessary and appropriate for the 
protection of the public interest.
    (3) No application for a subpoena for production of documents 
grounded upon the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) shall be 
entertained by the administrative law judge.
    (d) Motion to limit or quash. Any motion to limit or quash a 
subpoena shall be filed within 10 days after service thereof, or within 
such other time as the administrative law judge may allow.
    (e) Ex parte rulings on applications for subpoenas. Applications for 
the issuance of subpoenas pursuant to this section may be made ex parte, 
and, if so made, such applications and rulings thereon shall remain ex 
parte unless otherwise ordered by the administrative law judge.
    (f) Role of the Under Secretary. If a hearing has not been 
requested, the party seeking enforcement will ask the Under Secretary to 
appoint an administrative law judge to rule on applications for issuance 
of a subpoena under this section.



Sec.  356.22  Prehearing conference.

    (a)(1) If an administrative hearing has been requested, the 
administrative law judge will direct the parties to attend a prehearing 
conference to consider:
    (i) Simplification of issues;
    (ii) Obtaining stipulations of fact and of documents to avoid 
unnecessary proof;
    (iii) Settlement of the matter;
    (iv) Discovery; and
    (v) Such other matters as may expedite the disposition of the 
proceedings.
    (2) Any relevant and significant stipulations or admissions will be 
incorporated into the initial decision.
    (b) If a prehearing conference is impractical, the administrative 
law judge will direct the parties to correspond

[[Page 393]]

with each other or to confer by telephone or otherwise to achieve the 
purposes of such a conference.



Sec.  356.23  Hearing.

    (a) Scheduling of hearing. The administrative law judge will 
schedule the hearing at a reasonable time, date, and place, which will 
be in Washington, DC, unless the administrative law judge determines 
otherwise based upon good cause shown, that another location would 
better serve the interests of justice. In setting the date, the 
administrative law judge will give due regard to the need for the 
parties adequately to prepare for the hearing and the importance of 
expeditiously resolving the matter.
    (b) Joinder or consolidation. The administrative law judge may order 
joinder or consolidation if sanctions are proposed against more than one 
party or if violations of more than one protective order or disclosure 
undertaking are alleged if to do so would expedite processing of the 
cases and not adversely affect the interests of the parties.
    (c) Hearing procedures. Hearings will be conducted in a fair and 
impartial manner by the administrative law judge, who may limit 
attendance at any hearing or portion thereof if necessary or advisable 
in order to protect proprietary information from improper disclosure. 
The rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law shall not apply, and 
all evidentiary material the administrative law judge determines to be 
relevant and material to the proceeding and not unduly repetitious may 
be received into evidence and given appropriate weight. The 
administrative law judge may make such orders and determinations 
regarding the admissibility of evidence, conduct of examination and 
cross-examination, and similar matters as are necessary or appropriate 
to ensure orderliness in the proceedings. The administrative law judge 
will ensure that a record of the hearing will be taken by reporter or by 
electronic recording, and will order such part of the record to be 
sealed as is necessary to protect proprietary information.
    (d) Rights of parties. At a hearing each party shall have the right 
to:
    (1) Introduce and examine witnesses and submit physical evidence;
    (2) Confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses;
    (3) Present oral argument; and
    (4) Receive a transcript or recording of the proceedings, upon 
request, subject to the administrative law judge's orders regarding 
sealing the record.
    (e) Representation. Each charged or affected party has a right to 
represent himself or herself or to retain private counsel for that 
purpose. The Chief Counsel will represent the Department, unless the 
General Counsel of the Department determines otherwise. The 
administrative law judge may disallow a representative if such 
representation constitutes a conflict of interest or is otherwise not in 
the interests of justice and may debar a representative for contumacious 
conduct relating to the proceedings.
    (f) Ex parte communications. The parties and their representatives 
may not make any ex parte communications to the administrative law judge 
concerning the merits of the allegations or any matters at issue, except 
as provided in Sec.  356.18(j) regarding emergency interim sanctions.



Sec.  356.24  Proceeding without a hearing.

    If no party has requested a hearing, the Deputy Under Secretary, 
within 40 days after the date of service of a charging letter, will 
submit for inclusion into the record and provide each charged or 
affected party information supporting the allegations in the charging 
letter. Each charged or affected party has the right to file a written 
response to the information and supporting documentation within 30 days 
after the date of service of the information provided by the Deputy 
Under Secretary unless the Deputy Under Secretary alters the time period 
for good cause. The Deputy Under Secretary may allow the parties to 
submit further information and argument.



Sec.  356.25  Witnesses.

    Witnesses summoned before the Department shall be paid the same fees 
and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States.

[[Page 394]]



Sec.  356.26  Initial decision.

    (a) Initial decision. The administrative law judge, if a hearing was 
requested, or the Deputy Under Secretary will submit an initial decision 
to the APO Sanctions Board, providing copies to the parties. The 
administrative law judge or the Deputy Under Secretary will ordinarily 
issue the decision within 20 days of the conclusion of the hearing, if 
one was held, or within 15 days of the date of service of final written 
submissions. The initial decision will be based solely on evidence 
received into the record and the pleadings of the parties.
    (b) Findings and conclusions. The initial decision will state 
findings and conclusions as to whether a person has violated a 
protective order or a disclosure undertaking; the basis for those 
findings and conclusions; and whether the sanctions proposed in the 
charging letter, or lesser included sanctions, should be imposed against 
the charged or affected party. The administrative law judge or the 
Deputy Under Secretary may impose sanctions only upon determining that 
the preponderance of the evidence supports a finding of violation of a 
protective order or a disclosure undertaking and that the sanctions are 
warranted against the charged or affected party.
    (c) Finality of decision. If the APO Sanctions Board has not issued 
a decision on the matter within 60 days after issuance of the initial 
decision, the initial decision becomes the final decision of the 
Department.



Sec.  356.27  Final decision.

    (a) APO Sanctions Board. Upon request of a party, the initial 
decision will be reviewed by the members of the APO Sanctions Board. The 
Board consists of the Under Secretary for International Trade, who shall 
serve as Chairperson, the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, and the 
General Counsel.
    (b) Comments on initial decision. Within 30 days after issuance of 
the initial decision, a party may submit written comments to the APO 
Sanctions Board on the initial decision, which the Board will consider 
when reviewing the initial decision. The parties have no right to an 
oral presentation, although the Board may allow oral argument in its 
discretion.
    (c) Final decision by the APO Sanctions Board. Within 60 days but 
not sooner than 30 days after issuance of an initial decision, the APO 
Sanctions Board may issue a final decision which adopts the initial 
decision in its entirety; differs in whole or in part from the initial 
decision, including the imposition of lesser included sanctions; or 
remands the matter to the administrative law judge or the Deputy Under 
Secretary for further consideration. The only sanctions that the Board 
can impose are those sanctions proposed in the charging letter or lesser 
included sanctions.
    (d)
    (d) Contents of final decision. If the final decision of the APO 
Sanctions Board does not remand the matter and differs from the initial 
decision, it will state findings and conclusions which differ from the 
initial decision, if any, the basis for those findings and conclusions, 
and the sanctions which are to be imposed, to the extent they differ 
from the sanctions in the initial decision.
    (e) Public notice of sanctions. If the final decision is that there 
has been a violation of a protective order or a disclosure undertaking 
and that sanctions are to be imposed, notice of the decision will be 
published in the Federal Register and forwarded to the United States 
section of the Secretariat. Such publication will be no sooner than 30 
days after issuance of a final decision or after a motion to reconsider 
has been denied, if such a motion was filed. If the final decision is 
made in a proceeding based upon a request to charge by an authorized 
agency of an FTA country, the decision will be forwarded to the 
Secretariat of the involved FTA country for transmittal to the 
authorized agency of the FTA country for publication in the official 
publication or other appropriate action. The Deputy Under Secretary will 
also provide such information to the ethics panel or other disciplinary 
body of the appropriate bar associations or other professional 
associations whenever the Deputy Under Secretary subjects a charged or 
affected party to a sanction under Sec.  356.12(a)(2) and to any Federal 
agency

[[Page 395]]

likely to have an interest in the matter and will cooperate in any 
disciplinary actions by any association or agency.

[59 FR 229, Jan. 3, 1994, as amended at 86 FR 70051, Dec. 9, 2021]



Sec.  356.28  Reconsideration.

    Any party may file a motion for reconsideration with the APO 
Sanctions Board. The party must state with particularity the grounds for 
the motion, including any facts or points of law which the party claims 
the APO Sanctions Board has overlooked or misapplied. The party may file 
the motion within 30 days of the issuance of the final decision or the 
adoption of the initial decision as the final decision, except that if 
the motion is based on the discovery of new and material evidence which 
was not known, and could not reasonably have been discovered through due 
diligence prior to the close of the record, the party shall file the 
motion within 15 days of the discovery of the new and material evidence. 
The party shall provide a copy of the motion to all other parties. 
Opposing parties may file a response within 30 days of the date of 
service of the motion. The response shall be considered as part of the 
record. The parties have no right to an oral presentation on a motion 
for reconsideration, but the Board may permit oral argument at its 
discretion. If the motion to reconsider is granted, the Board will 
review the record and affirm, modify, or reverse the original decision 
or remand the matter for further consideration to an administrative law 
judge or the Deputy Under Secretary, as warranted.



Sec.  356.29  Confidentiality.

    (a) All proceedings involving allegations of a violation of a 
protective order or a disclosure undertaking shall be kept confidential 
until such time as the Department makes a final decision under these 
regulations, which is no longer subject to reconsideration, imposing a 
sanction.
    (b) The charged party or counsel for the charged party will be, to 
the extent possible, granted access to proprietary information in these 
proceedings, as necessary, under administrative protective order, 
consistent with the provisions of Sec.  356.10.



Sec.  356.30  Sanctions for violations of a protective order for privileged information.

    The provisions of this subpart shall apply to persons who are 
alleged to have violated a Protective Order for Privileged Information.



PART 358_SUPPLIES FOR USE IN EMERGENCY RELIEF WORK--Table of Contents



Sec.
358.101 Scope.
358.102 Definitions.
358.103 Importation of supplies.
358.104 Report.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1318(a).

    Source: 71 FR 63234, Oct. 30, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  358.101  Scope.

    This part sets forth the procedures for importation of supplies for 
use in emergency relief work free of antidumping and countervailing 
duties, as authorized under section 318(a) of the Act.



Sec.  358.102  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part:
    Act means the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.
    CBP means the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection of the United 
States Department of Homeland Security.
    Department means the United States Department of Commerce.
    Order means an order issued by the Secretary under section 303, 
section 706, or section 736 of the Act.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce or a designee.
    Supplies for use in emergency relief work means food, clothing, and 
medical, surgical, and other supplies for use in emergency relief work.



Sec.  358.103  Importation of supplies.

    (a) Where the President, acting under section 318 of the Act, 
authorizes the Secretary to permit the importation of supplies for use 
in emergency relief work free of antidumping and countervailing duties, 
the Secretary shall consider requests for such importation under the 
following conditions:

[[Page 396]]

    (1) Before importation, a written request shall be submitted to the 
Secretary by the person in charge of sending the subject merchandise 
from the foreign country or by the person for whose account it will be 
brought into the United States. Three copies of the request should be 
submitted to the Secretary of Commerce, Attention: Enforcement and 
Compliance, Central Records Unit, Room 1870, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
    (2) The request shall state the Department antidumping and/or 
countervailing duty order case number, the producer of the merchandise, 
a detailed description of the merchandise, the current HTS number, the 
price in the United States, the quantity, the proposed date of entry, 
the proposed port of entry, the mode of transport, the person for whose 
account the merchandise will be brought into the United States, the 
destination, the use to be made of the merchandise at the designated 
destination, and any other information the person would like the 
Secretary to consider.
    (b) If the Secretary determines to permit duty-free importation of 
particular merchandise for use in emergency relief work, the Secretary 
will notify the person who submitted the request, instruct CBP to allow 
entry of the merchandise identified in the request submitted under 
paragraph (a) without regard to antidumping and countervailing duties, 
and post notification of the determination on the Department's website.
    (c) Any subject merchandise entered under paragraph (b) of this 
section must enter the United States normally within 60 days after the 
date on which the Secretary notifies the person who submitted the 
request or the merchandise will be subject to antidumping and/or 
countervailing duties, as applicable.
    (d) Any subject merchandise entered under paragraph (b) of this 
section which is used in the United States other than for a purpose 
contemplated for it by section 318(a) of the Act may be subject to 
seizure or other penalty, including under section 592 of the Act.
    (e) Any subject merchandise entered under paragraph (b) of this 
section is subject to the Department's reporting requirements in its 
conduct of an antidumping and/or countervailing duty administrative or 
new shipper review, as applicable.
    (f) Any subject merchandise entered under paragraph (b) of this 
section will be excluded from:
    (1) The calculation of assessment and cash deposit rates in an 
administrative or new shipper review under section 751(a) of the Act;
    (2) ``Commercial quantities'' under 19 CFR 351.222; and
    (3) The quantity allowed by, or revised price requirements 
established pursuant to, a suspension agreement under section 704 or 
section 734 of the Act, as applicable.

[71 FR 63234, Oct. 30, 2006, as amended at 78 FR 77354, Dec. 23, 2013]



Sec.  358.104  Report.

    The Secretary will review and issue a report on the first five years 
of the operation of Part 358. The report will consider the impact of 
determinations to permit importation of particular merchandise for use 
in emergency relief work under this Part, on U.S. parties injured by 
dumped and/or subsidized imports.



PART 360_STEEL IMPORT MONITORING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM--Table of Contents



Sec.
360.101 Steel import licensing.
360.102 Online registration.
360.103 Automatic issuance of import licenses.
360.104 Steel import monitoring.
360.105 [Reserved]
360.106 Fees.
360.107 Hours of operation.
360.108 Loss of electronic licensing privileges.

    Authority: 13 U.S.C. 301(a) and 302.

    Source: 70 FR 12136, Mar. 11, 2005, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  360.101  Steel import licensing.

    (a) In general. (1) All imports of basic steel mill products are 
subject to the import licensing requirements. These products are listed 
on the Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system website 
(https://www.trade.gov/steel). Registered users will be able to

[[Page 397]]

obtain steel import licenses on the SIMA system website. This website 
contains two sections related to import licensing--the online 
registration system and the automatic steel import license issuance 
system. Information gathered from these licenses will be aggregated and 
posted on the import monitoring section of the SIMA system website.
    (2) A single license may cover multiple products as long as certain 
information on the license (e.g., importer, exporter, manufacturer and 
country of origin) remains the same. However, separate licenses for 
steel entered under a single entry will be required if the information 
differs. As a result, a single Customs entry may require more than one 
steel import license. The applicable license(s) must cover the total 
quantity of steel entered and should cover the same information provided 
on the Customs entry summary.
    (b) Entries for consumption. All entries for consumption of covered 
steel products, other than the exception for ``informal entries'' listed 
in paragraph (d) of this section, will require an import license prior 
to the filing of Customs entry summary documents. The license number(s) 
must be reported on the entry summary (Customs Form 7501) at the time of 
filing. There is no requirement to present physical copies of the 
license forms at the time of entry summary. However, copies must be 
maintained in accordance with Customs' normal requirements. Entry 
summaries submitted without the required license number(s) will be 
considered incomplete and will be subject to liquidated damages for 
violation of the bond condition requiring timely completion of entry.
    (c) Foreign Trade Zone entries. All shipments of covered steel 
products into a foreign trade zones (FTZ), known as FTZ admissions, will 
require an import license prior to the filing of FTZ admission 
documents. The license number(s) must be reported on the application for 
FTZ admission and/or status designation (Customs form 214) at the time 
of filing. There is no requirement to present physical copies of the 
license forms at the time of FTZ admission; however, copies must be 
maintained in accordance with Customs' normal requirements. FTZ 
admission documents submitted without the required license number(s) 
will not be considered complete and will be subject to liquidated 
damages for violation of the bond condition requiring timely completion 
of admission. A further steel license will not be required for shipments 
from zones into the commerce of the United States.
    (d) Informal entries. No import license shall be required on 
informal entries of covered steel products, such as merchandise valued 
at less than $2,000. This exemption applies to informal entries only, 
imports of steel valued at less than $2,000 that are part of a formal 
entry will require a license. For additional information, refer to 19 
CFR 143.21 through 143.28.
    (e) Other non-consumption entries. Import licenses are not required 
on temporary importation bond (TIB) entries, transportation and 
exportation (T&E) entries or entries into a bonded warehouse. Covered 
steel products withdrawn for consumption from a bonded warehouse will 
require a license at the entry summary.

[70 FR 12136, Mar. 11, 2005, as amended at 85 FR 56171, Sept. 11, 2020]



Sec.  360.102  Online registration.

    (a) In general. (1) Any importer, importing company, customs broker 
or importer's agent with a U.S. street address may register and obtain 
the user identification number necessary to log on to the automatic 
steel import license issuance system. Foreign companies may obtain a 
user identification number if they have a U.S. address through which 
they may be reached; P.O. boxes will not be accepted. A user 
identification number will be issued within two business days. Companies 
will be able to register online through the SIMA system Web site. 
However, should a company prefer to apply for a user identification 
number non-electronically, a phone/fax option will be available at 
Commerce during regular business hours.
    (2) This user identification number will be required in order to log 
on to

[[Page 398]]

the steel import license issuance system. A single user identification 
number will be issued to an importer, customs broker or importer's 
agent. Operating units within the company (e.g., individual branches, 
divisions or employees) will all use the same basic company user 
identification code but can supply suffixes to identify the branches. 
The steel import license issuance system will be designed to allow 
multiple users of a single identification number from different 
locations within the company to enter information simultaneously.
    (b) Information required to obtain a user identification number. In 
order to obtain a user identification number, the importer, importing 
company, customs broker or importer's agent will be required to provide 
general information. This information will include: the filer company 
name, employer identification number (EIN) or Customs ID number (where 
no EIN is available), U.S. street address, phone number, contact 
information and e-mail address for both the company headquarters and any 
branch offices that will be applying for steel licenses. It is the 
responsibility of the applicant to keep the information up-to-date. This 
information will not be released by Commerce, except as required by U.S. 
law.



Sec.  360.103  Automatic issuance of import licenses.

    (a) In general. Steel import licenses will be issued to registered 
importers, customs brokers or their agents through an automatic steel 
import licensing system. The licenses will be issued automatically after 
the completion of the form.
    (b) Customs entry number. Filers are not required to report a 
Customs entry number to obtain an import license but are encouraged to 
do so if the Customs entry number is known at the time of filing for the 
license.
    (c) Information required to obtain an import license. (1) The 
following information is required to be reported in order to obtain an 
import license (if using the automatic licensing system, some of this 
information will be provided automatically from information submitted as 
part of the registration process):
    (i) Filer company name and address;
    (ii) Filer contact name, phone number, and email address;
    (iii) Entry type (i.e., Consumption, FTZ);
    (iv) Importer name;
    (v) Exporter name;
    (vi) Manufacturer name (filer may state ``unknown'');
    (vii) Country of origin;
    (viii) Country of exportation;
    (ix) Expected date of export;
    (x) Expected date of import;
    (xi) Expected port of entry;
    (xii) Current Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number (from Chapters 
72 or 73);
    (xiii) Country where the steel used in the manufacture of the 
product was melted and poured (see paragraph (c)(3) of this section for 
further instruction);
    (xiv) Quantity (in kilograms); and
    (xv) Customs value (U.S. $).
    (2) Certain fields will be automatically filled out by the automatic 
license system based on information submitted by the filer (e.g., 
product category, unit value). Filers should review these fields to help 
confirm the accuracy of the submitted data.
    (3)(i) The field in the license application requiring identification 
of the country where the steel used in the manufacture of the product 
was melted and poured (see paragraph (c)(1)(xiii) of this section) 
applies to the original location where the raw steel is:
    (A) First produced in a steel-making furnace in a liquid state; and 
then
    (B) Poured into its first solid shape.
    (ii) The first solid state can take the form of either a semi-
finished product (slab, billets or ingots) or a finished steel mill 
product. The location of melt and pour is customarily identified on mill 
test certificates that are commonplace in steel production, generated at 
each stage of the production process, and maintained in the ordinary 
course of business. The reporting requirement in paragraph (c)(1)(xiii) 
of this section will not apply to raw materials used in the steel 
manufacturing process (i.e., steel scrap; iron ore; pig iron; reduced, 
processed, or pelletized iron ore; or raw alloys).

[[Page 399]]

    (4) Upon completion of the form, the importer, customs broker or the 
importer's agent will certify as to the accuracy and completeness of the 
information and submit the form electronically. After refreshing the 
page, the system will automatically issue a steel import license number. 
The refreshed form containing the submitted information and the newly 
issued license number will appear on the screen (the ``license form''). 
Filers can print the license form themselves only at that time. For 
security purposes, users will not be able to retrieve licenses 
themselves from the license system at a later date for reprinting. If 
needed, copies of completed license forms can be requested from Commerce 
during normal business hours.
    (d) Duration of the steel import license. The steel import license 
can be applied for up to 60 days prior to the expected date of 
importation and until the date of filing of the entry summary documents, 
or in the case of FTZ entries, the filing of Customs form 214. The steel 
import license is valid for 75 days; however, import licenses that were 
valid on the date of importation but expired prior to the filing of 
entry summary documents will be accepted.
    (e) Correcting submitted license information. Users will need to 
correct licenses themselves if they determine that there was an error 
submitted. To access a previously issued license, a user must log on 
with his user identification code and identify the license number and 
the volume (in kilograms) for the first product shown on the license. 
The information on the license should match the information presented on 
the CF-7501 entry summary document as closely as possible; this includes 
the value and volume of the shipment, the expected date of importation, 
and the customs district of entry.
    (f) Low-value licenses. There is one exception to the requirement 
for obtaining a unique license for each Customs entry. If the total 
value of the covered steel portion of an entry is less than $5,000, 
applicants may apply to Commerce for a low-value license that can be 
used in lieu of a single-entry license for low-value entries.

[70 FR 12136, Mar. 11, 2005, as amended at 85 FR 56171, Sept. 11, 2020]



Sec.  360.104  Steel import monitoring.

    (a) Commerce will maintain an import monitoring system on the SIMA 
system website that will report certain aggregate information on imports 
of steel mill products obtained from the steel licenses and, where 
available, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Aggregate data will be reported, 
as appropriate, on a monthly basis by country of origin, country of melt 
and pour, and relevant steel mill product groupings, etc. and will 
include import quantity (metric tons), import Customs value (U.S. $), 
and average unit value ($/metric ton). The website will also contain 
certain aggregate data at the 6-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule level 
and will also present a range of historical data for comparison 
purposes. Provision of aggregate data on the website may be revisited 
should concerns arise over the possible release of proprietary data.
    (b) Reported monthly import data will be refreshed each week, as 
appropriate, with new data on licenses issued during the previous week. 
This data will also be adjusted periodically for cancelled or unused 
steel import licenses, as appropriate. Additionally, outdated license 
data will be replaced, where available, with information from the U.S. 
Census Bureau.

[85 FR 56171, Sept. 11, 2020]



Sec.  360.105  [Reserved]



Sec.  360.106  Fees.

    No fees will be charged for obtaining a user identification number, 
issuing a steel import license or accessing the steel import surge 
monitoring system.



Sec.  360.107  Hours of operation.

    The automatic licensing system will generally be accessible 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week but may be unavailable at selected times for server 
maintenance. If the system is unavailable for an extended period of 
time, parties will be able to obtain licenses from Commerce directly via 
fax during regular

[[Page 400]]

business hours. Should the system be inaccessible for an extended period 
of time, Commerce would advise Customs to consider this as part of 
mitigation on any liquidated damage claims that may be issued.



Sec.  360.108  Loss of electronic licensing privileges.

    Should Commerce determine that a filer consistently files inaccurate 
licensing information or otherwise abuses the licensing system, Commerce 
may revoke its electronic licensing privileges without prior notice. The 
filer will then only be able to obtain a license directly from Commerce. 
Because of the additional time need to review such forms, Commerce may 
require up to 10 working days to process such forms. Delays in filing 
caused by the removal of a filer's electronic filing privilege will not 
be considered a mitigating factor by the U.S. Customs Service.



PART 361_ALUMINUM IMPORT MONITORING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM--Table of Contents



Sec.
361.101 Aluminum import licensing.
361.102 Online registration.
361.103 Automatic issuance of import licenses.
361.104 Aluminum import monitoring.
361.105 [Reserved]
361.106 Fees.
361.107 Hours of operation.
361.108 Loss of electronic licensing privileges.

    Authority: 13 U.S.C. 301(a) and 302.

    Source: 85 FR 83814, Dec. 23, 2020, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  361.101  Aluminum import licensing.

    (a) In general. (1) All imports of basic aluminum products are 
subject to the import licensing requirements imposed by the U.S. 
Department of Commerce (Commerce). These products are listed on the 
Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) system website (https://
www.trade.gov/aluminum). Registered users will be able to obtain 
aluminum import licenses on the AIM system website. This website 
contains two sections related to import licensing--the online 
registration system and the automatic aluminum import license issuance 
system. Aluminum import licenses must be provided to U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection (CBP or Customs) as discussed in this section. 
Information gathered from these licenses will be aggregated and posted 
on the import monitoring section of the AIM system website.
    (2) A single license may cover multiple products as long as certain 
information on the license (e.g., importer, exporter, manufacturer and 
country of origin) remains the same. However, separate licenses for 
aluminum entered under a single entry will be required if the 
information differs. As a result, a single Customs entry may require 
more than one aluminum import license. The applicable license(s) must 
cover the total quantity of aluminum entered and should cover the same 
information provided on the Customs entry summary.
    (b) Entries for consumption. All entries for consumption of covered 
aluminum products, other than the exceptions discussed in paragraphs (c) 
and (d) of this section, will require an import license prior to the 
filing of Customs entry summary documents, or its electronic equivalent. 
The license number(s) must be reported on the entry summary (Customs 
Form 7501), or its electronic equivalent, at the time of filing. There 
is no requirement to present physical copies of the license forms at the 
time of entry summary. However, copies must be maintained in accordance 
with Customs' normal requirements. Entry summaries submitted without the 
required license number(s) will be considered incomplete and will be 
subject to liquidated damages for violation of the bond condition 
requiring timely completion of entry.
    (c) Foreign Trade Zone admissions. All shipments of covered aluminum 
products into a foreign trade zone (FTZ), known as FTZ admissions, will 
require an import license prior to the filing of FTZ admission 
documents, or its electronic equivalents. The license number(s) must be 
reported on the application for FTZ admission and/or status designation 
(Customs Form 214) at the time of filing. There is no requirement

[[Page 401]]

to present physical copies of the license forms at the time of FTZ 
admission; however, copies must be maintained in accordance with 
Customs' normal requirements. FTZ admission documents submitted without 
the required license number(s) will not be considered complete and will 
be subject to liquidated damages for violation of the bond condition 
requiring timely completion of admission. The aluminum license for FTZ 
admission does not expire, and a further aluminum license will not be 
required for shipments of entries for consumption from zones into the 
commerce of the United States.
    (d) Informal entries. No import license shall be required on 
informal entries of covered aluminum products, such as merchandise 
valued at less than $2,500. This exemption applies to informal entries 
only; imports of aluminum valued at less than $2,500 that are part of a 
formal entry will require a license. For additional information, refer 
to 19 CFR 143.21 through 143.28.
    (e) Other non-consumption entries. Import licenses are not required 
on temporary importation bond (TIB) entries, transportation and 
exportation (T&E) entries or entries into a bonded warehouse. Covered 
aluminum products withdrawn for consumption from a bonded warehouse will 
require a license at the entry summary in accordance with paragraph (b) 
of this section.



Sec.  361.102  Online registration.

    (a) In general. (1) Any importer, importing company, customs broker 
or importer's agent with a U.S. street address may register and obtain 
the username necessary to log on to the automatic aluminum import 
license issuance system. Foreign companies may obtain a username if they 
have a U.S. address through which they may be reached; P.O. boxes will 
not be accepted. A username will be issued within two business days. 
Companies will be able to register online through the AIM system 
website. However, should a company prefer to apply for a username non-
electronically, a phone/email option will be available at Commerce 
during regular business hours.
    (2) This username will be required in order to log on to the 
aluminum import license issuance system. A single username will be 
issued to an importer, customs broker or importer's agent. Operating 
units within the company (e.g., individual branches, divisions or 
employees) will all use the same basic company username but can supply 
suffixes to identify the branches. The aluminum import license issuance 
system will be designed to allow multiple users of a single 
identification number from different locations within the company to 
enter information simultaneously.
    (b) Information required to obtain a username. In order to obtain a 
username, the importer, importing company, customs broker or importer's 
agent will be required to provide general information. This information 
will include: The filer company name, employer identification number 
(EIN) or Customs ID number (the Customs-issued importer number) (where 
no EIN is available), U.S. street address, phone number, contact 
information and email address for both the company headquarters and any 
branch offices that will be applying for aluminum licenses. It is the 
responsibility of the applicant to keep the information up to date. This 
information will not be released by Commerce, except as required by U.S. 
law.



Sec.  361.103  Automatic issuance of import licenses.

    (a) In general. Aluminum import licenses will be issued to 
registered importers, customs brokers or their agents through an 
automatic aluminum import licensing system. The licenses will be issued 
automatically after the completion of the form.
    (b) Customs entry number. Filers are not required to report a 
Customs entry number to obtain an import license but are encouraged to 
do so if the Customs entry number is known at the time of filing for the 
license.
    (c) Information required to obtain an import license. (1) The 
following information is required to be reported in order to obtain an 
import license (if using the automatic licensing system, some of this 
information will be provided automatically from information submitted as 
part of the registration process):
    (i) Filer company name and address;

[[Page 402]]

    (ii) Filer contact name, phone number, email address;
    (iii) Entry type (i.e., Consumption, FTZ);
    (iv) Importer name;
    (v) Exporter name;
    (vi) Manufacturer name (filer may state ``unknown'');
    (vii) Country of origin;
    (viii) Country of exportation;
    (ix) Expected date of export;
    (x) Expected date of import;
    (xi) Expected port of entry;
    (xii) Current Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number (from Chapter 
76);
    (xiii) Country where the largest volume of primary aluminum used in 
the manufacture of the product was smelted (see paragraph (c)(3)(i) of 
this section);
    (xiv) Country where the second largest volume of primary aluminum 
used in the manufacture of the product was smelted (see paragraph 
(c)(3)(ii) of this section);
    (xv) Country where the product was most recently cast (see paragraph 
(c)(3)(iii) of this section);
    (xvi) Quantity (in kilograms); and
    (xvii) Customs value (US$).
    (2) Certain fields will be automatically filled out by the automatic 
license system based on information submitted by the filer (e.g., 
product category, unit value). Filers should review these fields to help 
confirm the accuracy of the submitted data.
    (3)(i) For purposes of paragraph (c)(1)(xiii) of this section:
    (A) The field in the license application requiring identification of 
the country where the largest volume of primary aluminum used in the 
manufacture of the product was smelted applies to the country where the 
largest volume of new aluminum metal is produced from alumina (or 
aluminum oxide) by the electrolytic Hall-H[eacute]roult process.
    (B) Filers may state ``not applicable'' for this field if the 
product contains only secondary aluminum and no primary aluminum. 
Secondary aluminum is defined as aluminum metal that is produced from 
recycled aluminum scrap through a re-melting process.
    (C) For license applications up to June 28, 2022, filers may state 
``unknown'' for this field. Effective June 29, 2022, filers may not 
state ``unknown'' for this field.
    (ii) For purposes of paragraph (c)(1)(xiv) of this section:
    (A) The field in the license application requiring identification of 
the country where the second largest volume of primary aluminum used in 
the manufacture of the product was smelted applies to the country where 
the second largest volume of new aluminum metal is produced from alumina 
(or aluminum oxide) by the electrolytic Hall-H[eacute]roult process.
    (B) Filers may state ``not applicable'' for this field if the 
product does not contain a second largest volume of primary aluminum or 
if the product contains only secondary aluminum and no primary aluminum. 
Secondary aluminum is defined as aluminum metal that is produced from 
recycled aluminum scrap through a re-melting process.
    (C) For license applications up to June 28, 2022, filers may state 
``unknown'' for this field. Effective June 29, 2022, filers may not 
state ``unknown'' for this field.
    (iii) For purposes of paragraph (c)(1)(xv) of this section:
    (A) The field in the license application requiring identification of 
the country where the product was most recently cast applies to the 
country where the aluminum (with or without alloying elements) was last 
liquified by heat and cast into a solid state. The final solid state can 
take the form of either a semi-finished product (slab, billets or 
ingots) or a finished aluminum product.
    (B) Filers may not state ``not applicable'' for this field.
    (C) Filers may not state ``unknown'' for this field.
    (4) Upon completion of the form, the importer, customs broker or the 
importer's agent will certify as to the accuracy and completeness of the 
information and submit the form electronically. After refreshing the 
page, the system will automatically issue an aluminum import license 
number. The refreshed form containing the submitted information and the 
newly issued license number will appear on the screen (the ``license 
form''). Filers can print

[[Page 403]]

the license form themselves only at that time. For security purposes, 
users will not be able to retrieve licenses themselves from the license 
system at a later date for reprinting. If needed, copies of completed 
license forms can be requested from Commerce during normal business 
hours.
    (d) Duration of the aluminum import license. The aluminum import 
license can be applied for up to 60 days prior to the expected date of 
importation and until the date of filing of the entry summary documents, 
or in the case of FTZ admissions, the filing of Customs Form 214, or 
their electronic equivalents. With the exception of the licenses for FTZ 
admission (see Sec.  361.101(c)), the aluminum import license is valid 
for 75 days; however, import licenses that were valid on the date of 
importation but expired prior to the filing of entry summary data will 
be accepted.
    (e) Correcting submitted license information. Users will need to 
correct licenses themselves if they determine that there was an error 
submitted. To access a previously issued license, a user must log on 
with his username and identify the license number and the volume 
(quantity in kilograms) for the first product shown on the license. The 
information on the license should match the information presented in the 
entry summary data as closely as possible. This includes the value and 
quantity of the shipment, the expected date of importation, and the 
Customs port of entry.
    (f) Low-value licenses. There is one exception to the requirement 
for obtaining a unique license for each Customs entry. If the total 
value of the covered aluminum portion of an entry is less than $5,000, 
applicants may apply to Commerce for a low-value license that can be 
used in lieu of a single-entry license for low-value entries.

[85 FR 83814, Dec. 23, 2020, as amended at 86 FR 27518, May 21, 2021]



Sec.  361.104  Aluminum import monitoring.

    (a) Commerce will maintain an import monitoring system on the public 
AIM system website that will report certain aggregate information on 
imports of aluminum products obtained from the aluminum licenses and, 
where available, from publicly available U.S. import statistics. 
Aggregate data will be reported, as appropriate, on a monthly basis by 
country of origin, country of smelt, country of last cast, relevant 
aluminum product grouping, etc., and will include import quantity 
(metric tons), import Customs value (U.S. $), and average unit value ($/
metric ton). The website will also contain certain aggregate data at the 
6-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule level and will also present a range 
of historical data for comparison purposes. Provision of aggregate data 
on the website may be revisited should concerns arise over the possible 
release of proprietary data.
    (b) Reported monthly import data will be refreshed each week, as 
appropriate, with new data on licenses issued during the previous week. 
This data will also be adjusted periodically for cancelled or unused 
aluminum import licenses, as appropriate. Additionally, outdated license 
data will be replaced, where available, with publicly available U.S. 
import statistics.



Sec.  361.105  [Reserved]



Sec.  361.106  Fees.

    No fees will be charged for obtaining a username, issuing an 
aluminum import license or accessing the aluminum import monitoring 
system.



Sec.  361.107  Hours of operation.

    The automatic licensing system will generally be accessible 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week but may be unavailable at selected times for server 
maintenance. If the system is unavailable for an extended period of 
time, parties will be able to obtain licenses from Commerce directly via 
email ([email protected]) during regular business hours. Should 
the system be inaccessible for an extended period of time, Commerce 
would advise CBP to consider this as part of mitigation on any 
liquidated damage claims that may be issued.

[[Page 404]]



Sec.  361.108  Loss of electronic licensing privileges.

    Should Commerce determine that a filer consistently files inaccurate 
licensing information or otherwise abuses the licensing system, Commerce 
may revoke its electronic licensing privileges without prior notice. The 
filer will then only be able to obtain a license directly from Commerce. 
Because of the additional time needed to review such forms, Commerce may 
require up to 10 working days to process such forms. Delays in filing 
caused by the removal of a filer's electronic filing privilege will not 
be considered a mitigating factor by CBP.



PART 362_PROCEDURES COVERING SUSPENSION OF LIQUIDATION, DUTIES AND 
ESTIMATED DUTIES IN ACCORD WITH PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION 10414-
-Table of Contents



Sec.
362.101 Scope.
362.102 Definitions.
362.103 Actions being taken pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10414 
          and Section 318(a) of the Act.
362.104 Certifications.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 1318; Proc. 10414, 87 FR 35067.

    Source: 87 FR 56866, Sept. 16, 2022, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  362.101  Scope.

    This part sets forth the actions the Secretary is taking to respond 
to the emergency declared in Presidential Proclamation 10414.



Sec.  362.102  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part:
    Act means the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1202 et 
seq.).
    Applicable Entries means the entries of Southeast Asian-Completed 
Cells and Modules that are entered into the United States, or withdrawn 
from warehouse, for consumption before the Date of Termination and, for 
entries that enter after November 15, 2022, are used in the United 
States by the Utilization Expiration Date.
    CBP means U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the United States 
Department of Homeland Security.
    Certain Solar Orders means Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, 
Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules from the People's Republic of 
China: Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, and 
Antidumping Duty Order; Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether 
or Not Assembled Into Modules, from the People's Republic of China: 
Countervailing Duty Order; and Certain Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic 
Products from Taiwan: Antidumping Duty Order.
    Date of Termination means June 6, 2024, or the date the emergency 
described in Presidential Proclamation 10414 has been terminated, 
whichever occurs first.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce or a designee.
    Solar Circumvention Inquiries means some or all of the inquiries at 
issue in Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not 
Assembled Into Modules, From the People's Republic of China: Initiation 
of Circumvention Inquiry on the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty 
Orders.
    Southeast Asian-Completed Cells and Modules means crystalline 
silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules (solar 
cells and modules), which are completed in the Kingdom of Cambodia, 
Malaysia, the Kingdom of Thailand, or the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
using parts and components manufactured in the People's Republic of 
China, and subsequently exported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand or 
Vietnam to the United States. These are cells and modules subject to the 
Solar Circumvention Inquiries. Southeast Asian-Completed Cells and 
Modules does not mean solar cells and modules that, on June 6, 2022, the 
date Proclamation 10414 was signed, were already subject to Certain 
Solar Orders.
    Utilization and utilized means the Southeast Asian-Completed Cells 
and Modules will be used or installed in the United States. Merchandise 
which remains in inventory or a warehouse in the United States, is 
resold to another party, is subsequently exported, or is destroyed after 
importation is not considered utilized for purposes of these provisions.

[[Page 405]]

    Utilization Expiration Date means the date 180 days after the Date 
of Termination.



Sec.  362.103  Actions being taken pursuant to Presidential
Proclamation 10414 and Section 318(a) of the Act.

    (a) Importation of applicable entries free of duties and estimated 
duties. The Secretary will permit the importation of Applicable Entries 
free of the collection of antidumping and countervailing duties and 
estimated duties under sections 701, 731, 751 and 781 of the Act until 
the Date of Termination. Part 358 of this chapter shall not apply to 
these imports.
    (b) Suspension of liquidation and collection of cash deposits. (1) 
To facilitate the importation of certain Southeast Asian-Completed Cells 
and Modules without regard to estimated antidumping and countervailing 
duties, notwithstanding Sec.  351.226(l) of this chapter, the Secretary 
shall do the following with respect to estimated duties:
    (i) The Secretary shall instruct CBP to discontinue the suspension 
of liquidation of entries and collection of cash deposits for any 
Southeast Asian-Completed Cells and Modules that were suspended pursuant 
to Sec.  351.226(l) of this chapter. If at the time instructions are 
conveyed to CBP the entries at issue are suspended and cash deposits 
collected only on the basis of the circumvention inquiries, then the 
Secretary will direct CBP to liquidate the entries without regard to 
antidumping and countervailing duties and to refund cash deposits 
collected on that basis.
    (ii) In the event of an affirmative preliminary or final 
determination of circumvention in the Solar Circumvention Inquiries 
before the Date of Termination, the Secretary will not, at that time, 
direct CBP to suspend liquidation of Applicable Entries and collect cash 
deposits of estimated duties on those Applicable Entries.
    (iii) In the event of an affirmative preliminary or final 
determination of circumvention in the Solar Circumvention Inquiries, the 
Secretary will direct CBP to suspend liquidation of entries of, and 
collect cash deposits of estimated duties on, imports of Southeast 
Asian-Completed Cells and Modules that are not Applicable Entries.
    (2) In the event that the Secretary makes an affirmative preliminary 
or final determination of circumvention in the Solar Circumvention 
Inquiries, as applicable, and the emergency described in Presidential 
Proclamation 10414 is terminated before June 6, 2024, notwithstanding 
Sec.  351.226(l) of this chapter, upon notification of the termination 
of the emergency the Secretary will thereafter issue instructions to CBP 
informing it of the Date of Termination and directing it to begin 
suspension of liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated 
antidumping and countervailing duties, at the applicable rate for each 
unliquidated entry of Southeast Asian-Completed Cells and Modules that 
is entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after an 
appropriate date that is on or after the Date of Termination. For 
purposes of this paragraph, Applicable Entries may also include certain 
entries of Southeast Asian-Completed Cells and Modules that are entered 
on or after the Date of Termination, as appropriate.
    (3) In the event that the Secretary makes an affirmative preliminary 
or final determination of circumvention in the Solar Circumvention 
Inquiries, as applicable, and the Date of Termination is June 6, 2024, 
notwithstanding Sec.  351.226(l) of this chapter, the Secretary will 
issue instructions to CBP informing it that the Date of Termination is 
June 6, 2024, and will direct CBP to begin suspension of liquidation and 
require a cash deposit of estimated antidumping and countervailing 
duties, at the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of Southeast 
Asian-Completed Cells and Modules that is entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the Date of Termination.
    (c) Waiver of assessment of duties. In the event the Secretary 
issues an affirmative final determination of circumvention in the Solar 
Circumvention Inquiries and thereafter, in accordance with other 
segments of the proceedings, pursuant to section 751 of the Act and 
Sec.  351.212(b) of this chapter, issues liquidation instructions to 
CBP,

[[Page 406]]

the Secretary will direct CBP to liquidate Applicable Entries without 
regard to antidumping and countervailing duties that would otherwise 
apply pursuant to an affirmative final determination of circumvention.



Sec.  362.104  Certifications.

    Nothing in this section shall preclude the Secretary from requiring 
certifications for Southeast Asian-Completed Cells and Modules pursuant 
to Sec.  351.228 of this chapter in the event of an affirmative 
preliminary or final determination in the Solar Circumvention Inquiries.

                        PARTS 363	399 [RESERVED]

[[Page 407]]



  CHAPTER IV--U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF 
                      HOMELAND SECURITY [RESERVED]




  --------------------------------------------------------------------



 PARTS 400-599 [RESERVED]

[[Page 409]]



                              FINDING AIDS




  --------------------------------------------------------------------

  A list of CFR titles, subtitles, chapters, subchapters and parts and 
an alphabetical list of agencies publishing in the CFR are included in 
the CFR Index and Finding Aids volume to the Code of Federal Regulations 
which is published separately and revised annually.

  Table of CFR Titles and Chapters
  Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR
  List of CFR Sections Affected

[[Page 411]]



                    Table of CFR Titles and Chapters




                      (Revised as of April 1, 2024)

                      Title 1--General Provisions

         I  Administrative Committee of the Federal Register 
                (Parts 1--49)
        II  Office of the Federal Register (Parts 50--299)
       III  Administrative Conference of the United States (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  Miscellaneous Agencies (Parts 400--599)
        VI  National Capital Planning Commission (Parts 600--699)

                    Title 2--Grants and Agreements

            Subtitle A--Office of Management and Budget Guidance 
                for Grants and Agreements
         I  Office of Management and Budget Governmentwide 
                Guidance for Grants and Agreements (Parts 2--199)
        II  Office of Management and Budget Guidance (Parts 200--
                299)
            Subtitle B--Federal Agency Regulations for Grants and 
                Agreements
       III  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 300--
                399)
        IV  Department of Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
        VI  Department of State (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Agency for International Development (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Department of Energy (Parts 900--999)
         X  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  Department of Defense (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Department of Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Department of Commerce (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Department of the Interior (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1500--1599)
     XVIII  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1800--1899)
        XX  United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 
                2000--2099)
      XXII  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                2200--2299)
     XXIII  Social Security Administration (Parts 2300--2399)
      XXIV  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2400--2499)
       XXV  National Science Foundation (Parts 2500--2599)
      XXVI  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                2600--2699)

[[Page 412]]

     XXVII  Small Business Administration (Parts 2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Department of Justice (Parts 2800--2899)
      XXIX  Department of Labor (Parts 2900--2999)
       XXX  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 3000--3099)
      XXXI  Institute of Museum and Library Services (Parts 3100--
                3199)
     XXXII  National Endowment for the Arts (Parts 3200--3299)
    XXXIII  National Endowment for the Humanities (Parts 3300--
                3399)
     XXXIV  Department of Education (Parts 3400--3499)
      XXXV  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 3500--
                3599)
     XXXVI  Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive 
                Office of the President (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXXVII  Peace Corps (Parts 3700--3799)
     LVIII  Election Assistance Commission (Parts 5800--5899)
       LIX  Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Parts 5900--
                5999)
        LX  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 6000--6099)

                        Title 3--The President

         I  Executive Office of the President (Parts 100--199)

                           Title 4--Accounts

         I  Government Accountability Office (Parts 1--199)

                   Title 5--Administrative Personnel

         I  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1--1199)
        II  Merit Systems Protection Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       III  Office of Management and Budget (Parts 1300--1399)
        IV  Office of Personnel Management and Office of the 
                Director of National Intelligence (Parts 1400--
                1499)
         V  The International Organizations Employees Loyalty 
                Board (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      VIII  Office of Special Counsel (Parts 1800--1899)
        IX  Appalachian Regional Commission (Parts 1900--1999)
        XI  Armed Forces Retirement Home (Parts 2100--2199)
       XIV  Federal Labor Relations Authority, General Counsel of 
                the Federal Labor Relations Authority and Federal 
                Service Impasses Panel (Parts 2400--2499)
       XVI  Office of Government Ethics (Parts 2600--2699)
       XXI  Department of the Treasury (Parts 3100--3199)
      XXII  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Parts 3200--
                3299)
     XXIII  Department of Energy (Parts 3300--3399)
      XXIV  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Parts 3400--
                3499)
       XXV  Department of the Interior (Parts 3500--3599)

[[Page 413]]

      XXVI  Department of Defense (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXVIII  Department of Justice (Parts 3800--3899)
      XXIX  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 3900--3999)
       XXX  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4099)
      XXXI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 4100--4199)
    XXXIII  U.S. International Development Finance Corporation 
                (Parts 4300--4399)
     XXXIV  Securities and Exchange Commission (Parts 4400--4499)
      XXXV  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 4500--4599)
     XXXVI  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 4600--4699)
    XXXVII  Federal Election Commission (Parts 4700--4799)
        XL  Interstate Commerce Commission (Parts 5000--5099)
       XLI  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Parts 5100--
                5199)
      XLII  Department of Labor (Parts 5200--5299)
     XLIII  National Science Foundation (Parts 5300--5399)
       XLV  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 5500--
                5599)
      XLVI  Postal Rate Commission (Parts 5600--5699)
     XLVII  Federal Trade Commission (Parts 5700--5799)
    XLVIII  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 5800--5899)
      XLIX  Federal Labor Relations Authority (Parts 5900--5999)
         L  Department of Transportation (Parts 6000--6099)
       LII  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 6200--
                6299)
      LIII  Department of Education (Parts 6300--6399)
       LIV  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 6400--6499)
        LV  National Endowment for the Arts (Parts 6500--6599)
       LVI  National Endowment for the Humanities (Parts 6600--
                6699)
      LVII  General Services Administration (Parts 6700--6799)
     LVIII  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 
                (Parts 6800--6899)
       LIX  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                6900--6999)
        LX  United States Postal Service (Parts 7000--7099)
       LXI  National Labor Relations Board (Parts 7100--7199)
      LXII  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Parts 7200--
                7299)
     LXIII  Inter-American Foundation (Parts 7300--7399)
      LXIV  Merit Systems Protection Board (Parts 7400--7499)
       LXV  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                7500--7599)
      LXVI  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                7600--7699)
     LXVII  Institute of Museum and Library Services (Parts 7700--
                7799)
    LXVIII  Commission on Civil Rights (Parts 7800--7899)
      LXIX  Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 7900--7999)
       LXX  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
                District of Columbia (Parts 8000--8099)
      LXXI  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Parts 8100--8199)

[[Page 414]]

    LXXIII  Department of Agriculture (Parts 8300--8399)
     LXXIV  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 8400--8499)
     LXXVI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Parts 
                8600--8699)
    LXXVII  Office of Management and Budget (Parts 8700--8799)
      LXXX  Federal Housing Finance Agency (Parts 9000--9099)
   LXXXIII  Special Inspector General for Afghanistan 
                Reconstruction (Parts 9300--9399)
    LXXXIV  Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Parts 9400--
                9499)
    LXXXVI  National Credit Union Administration (Parts 9600--
                9699)
     XCVII  Department of Homeland Security Human Resources 
                Management System (Department of Homeland 
                Security--Office of Personnel Management) (Parts 
                9700--9799)
    XCVIII  Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
                Efficiency (Parts 9800--9899)
      XCIX  Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization 
                Commission (Parts 9900--9999)
         C  National Council on Disability (Parts 10000--10049)
        CI  National Mediation Board (Parts 10100--10199)
       CII  U.S. Office of Special Counsel (Parts 10200--10299)
      CIII  Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (Parts 
                10300--10399)
       CIV  Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement 
                Coordinator (Part 10400--10499)

                      Title 6--Domestic Security

         I  Department of Homeland Security, Office of the 
                Secretary (Parts 1--199)
         X  Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (Parts 
                1000--1099)

                         Title 7--Agriculture

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Agriculture 
                (Parts 0--26)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Department of 
                Agriculture
         I  Agricultural Marketing Service (Standards, 
                Inspections, Marketing Practices), Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 27--209)
        II  Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 210--299)
       III  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         V  Agricultural Research Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Farm Service Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                700--799)

[[Page 415]]

      VIII  Agricultural Marketing Service (Federal Grain 
                Inspection Service, Fair Trade Practices Program), 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 900--999)
         X  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Milk), Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1000--1199)
        XI  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Miscellaneous Commodities), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1200--1299)
       XIV  Commodity Credit Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  [Reserved]
      XVII  Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1700--1799)
     XVIII  Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative 
                Service, Rural Utilities Service, and Farm Service 
                Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 1800--
                2099)
        XX  [Reserved]
       XXV  Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 2500--2599)
      XXVI  Office of Inspector General, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 2600--2699)
     XXVII  Office of Information Resources Management, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Office of Operations, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                2800--2899)
      XXIX  Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 2900--2999)
       XXX  Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3000--3099)
      XXXI  Office of Environmental Quality, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3100--3199)
     XXXII  Office of Procurement and Property Management, 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 3200--3299)
    XXXIII  Office of Transportation, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3300--3399)
     XXXIV  National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Parts 
                3400--3499)
      XXXV  Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3500--3599)
     XXXVI  National Agricultural Statistics Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXXVII  Economic Research Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3700--3799)
   XXXVIII  World Agricultural Outlook Board, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3800--3899)
       XLI  [Reserved]

[[Page 416]]

      XLII  Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 4200--4299)
         L  Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing 
                Service, and Rural Utilities Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 5000--5099)

                    Title 8--Aliens and Nationality

         I  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 1--499)
         V  Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1000--1399)

                 Title 9--Animals and Animal Products

         I  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1--199)
        II  Agricultural Marketing Service (Fair Trade Practices 
                Program), Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--
                299)
       III  Food Safety and Inspection Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 300--599)

                           Title 10--Energy

         I  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 0--199)
        II  Department of Energy (Parts 200--699)
       III  Department of Energy (Parts 700--999)
         X  Department of Energy (General Provisions) (Parts 
                1000--1099)
      XIII  Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (Parts 1300--
                1399)
      XVII  Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Parts 1700--
                1799)
     XVIII  Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste 
                Commission (Parts 1800--1899)

                      Title 11--Federal Elections

         I  Federal Election Commission (Parts 1--9099)
        II  Election Assistance Commission (Parts 9400--9499)

                      Title 12--Banks and Banking

         I  Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 1--199)
        II  Federal Reserve System (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 400--
                499)
         V  (Parts 500--599) [Reserved]
        VI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Credit Union Administration (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Federal Financing Bank (Parts 800--899)

[[Page 417]]

        IX  (Parts 900--999)[Reserved]
         X  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Parts 1000--
                1099)
        XI  Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Federal Housing Finance Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Financial Stability Oversight Council (Parts 1300--
                1399)
       XIV  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 1400--
                1499)
        XV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Office of Financial Research, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                1700--1799)
     XVIII  Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, 
                Department of the Treasury (Parts 1800--1899)

               Title 13--Business Credit and Assistance

         I  Small Business Administration (Parts 1--199)
       III  Economic Development Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board (Parts 400--499)
         V  Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board (Parts 
                500--599)

                    Title 14--Aeronautics and Space

         I  Federal Aviation Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--199)
        II  Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation 
                (Aviation Proceedings) (Parts 200--399)
       III  Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 400--1199)
         V  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        VI  Air Transportation System Stabilization (Parts 1300--
                1399)

                 Title 15--Commerce and Foreign Trade

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Commerce (Parts 
                0--29)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Commerce and 
                Foreign Trade
         I  Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                30--199)
        II  National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 400--499)

[[Page 418]]

       VII  Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 900--999)
        XI  National Technical Information Service, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 1100--1199)
      XIII  East-West Foreign Trade Board (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Minority Business Development Agency (Parts 1400--
                1499)
        XV  Office of the Under-Secretary for Economic Affairs, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 1500--1599)
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Foreign Trade 
                Agreements
        XX  Office of the United States Trade Representative 
                (Parts 2000--2099)
            Subtitle D--Regulations Relating to Telecommunications 
                and Information
     XXIII  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                2300--2399) [Reserved]

                    Title 16--Commercial Practices

         I  Federal Trade Commission (Parts 0--999)
        II  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Parts 1000--1799)

             Title 17--Commodity and Securities Exchanges

         I  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Parts 1--199)
        II  Securities and Exchange Commission (Parts 200--399)
        IV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 400--499)

          Title 18--Conservation of Power and Water Resources

         I  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of 
                Energy (Parts 1--399)
       III  Delaware River Basin Commission (Parts 400--499)
        VI  Water Resources Council (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Susquehanna River Basin Commission (Parts 800--899)
      XIII  Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 1300--1399)

                       Title 19--Customs Duties

         I  U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of 
                Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--199)
        II  United States International Trade Commission (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)

[[Page 419]]

        IV  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department 
                of Homeland Security (Parts 400--599) [Reserved]

                     Title 20--Employees' Benefits

         I  Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Railroad Retirement Board (Parts 200--399)
       III  Social Security Administration (Parts 400--499)
        IV  Employees' Compensation Appeals Board, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 500--599)
         V  Employment and Training Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 600--699)
        VI  Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Benefits Review Board, Department of Labor (Parts 
                800--899)
      VIII  Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries (Parts 
                900--999)
        IX  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training Service, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 1000--1099)

                       Title 21--Food and Drugs

         I  Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1--1299)
        II  Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 1300--1399)
       III  Office of National Drug Control Policy (Parts 1400--
                1499)

                      Title 22--Foreign Relations

         I  Department of State (Parts 1--199)
        II  Agency for International Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Peace Corps (Parts 300--399)
        IV  International Joint Commission, United States and 
                Canada (Parts 400--499)
         V  United States Agency for Global Media (Parts 500--599)
       VII  U.S. International Development Finance Corporation 
                (Parts 700--799)
        IX  Foreign Service Grievance Board (Parts 900--999)
         X  Inter-American Foundation (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  International Boundary and Water Commission, United 
                States and Mexico, United States Section (Parts 
                1100--1199)
       XII  United States International Development Cooperation 
                Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Millennium Challenge Corporation (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Foreign Service Labor Relations Board; Federal Labor 
                Relations Authority; General Counsel of the 
                Federal Labor Relations Authority; and the Foreign 
                Service Impasse Disputes Panel (Parts 1400--1499)

[[Page 420]]

        XV  African Development Foundation (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Japan-United States Friendship Commission (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      XVII  United States Institute of Peace (Parts 1700--1799)

                          Title 23--Highways

         I  Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--999)
        II  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 
                Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
       III  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 1300--1399)

                Title 24--Housing and Urban Development

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Housing and Urban Development (Parts 0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban 
                Development
         I  Office of Assistant Secretary for Equal Opportunity, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                100--199)
        II  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Government National Mortgage Association, Department 
                of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Housing and Office of Multifamily Housing 
                Assistance Restructuring, Department of Housing 
                and Urban Development (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 600--699) [Reserved]
       VII  Office of the Secretary, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Housing Assistance Programs and 
                Public and Indian Housing Programs) (Parts 700--
                799)
      VIII  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Section 8 Housing Assistance 
                Programs, Section 202 Direct Loan Program, Section 
                202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and 
                Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons With 
                Disabilities Program) (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
                Housing, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 900--1699)
         X  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Interstate Land Sales 
                Registration Program) (Parts 1700--1799) 
                [Reserved]

[[Page 421]]

       XII  Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 2000--2099)
        XV  Emergency Mortgage Insurance and Loan Programs, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2700--2799) [Reserved]
        XX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 3200--3899)
      XXIV  Board of Directors of the HOPE for Homeowners Program 
                (Parts 4000--4099) [Reserved]
       XXV  Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (Parts 4100--
                4199)

                           Title 25--Indians

         I  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--299)
        II  Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 300--399)
       III  National Indian Gaming Commission, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 500--599)
        IV  Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (Parts 
                700--899)
         V  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, 
                and Indian Health Service, Department of Health 
                and Human Services (Part 900--999)
        VI  Office of the Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 1000--1199)
       VII  Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 1200--1299)

                      Title 26--Internal Revenue

         I  Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 1--End)

           Title 27--Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms

         I  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department 
                of the Treasury (Parts 1--399)
        II  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 
                Department of Justice (Parts 400--799)

                   Title 28--Judicial Administration

         I  Department of Justice (Parts 0--299)
       III  Federal Prison Industries, Inc., Department of Justice 
                (Parts 300--399)
         V  Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice (Parts 500--
                599)
        VI  Offices of Independent Counsel, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Office of Independent Counsel (Parts 700--799)

[[Page 422]]

      VIII  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
                District of Columbia (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council 
                (Parts 900--999)
        XI  Department of Justice and Department of State (Parts 
                1100--1199)

                            Title 29--Labor

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Labor (Parts 
                0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Labor
         I  National Labor Relations Board (Parts 100--199)
        II  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Railroad Adjustment Board (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 400--499)
         V  Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor (Parts 
                500--899)
        IX  Construction Industry Collective Bargaining Commission 
                (Parts 900--999)
         X  National Mediation Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       XII  Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (Parts 
                1400--1499)
       XIV  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Parts 1600--
                1699)
      XVII  Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 
                Department of Labor (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2200--2499)
       XXV  Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 2500--2599)
     XXVII  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2700--2799)
        XL  Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4999)

                      Title 30--Mineral Resources

         I  Mine Safety and Health Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 200--299)
        IV  Geological Survey, Department of the Interior (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 500--599)
       VII  Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 700--999)
       XII  Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 1200--1299)

[[Page 423]]

                 Title 31--Money and Finance: Treasury

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--50)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Money and Finance
         I  Monetary Offices, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                51--199)
        II  Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                200--399)
        IV  Secret Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of 
                the Treasury (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Office of Investment Security, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Federal Claims Collection Standards (Department of the 
                Treasury--Department of Justice) (Parts 900--999)
         X  Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Department of 
                the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)

                      Title 32--National Defense

            Subtitle A--Department of Defense
         I  Office of the Secretary of Defense (Parts 1--399)
         V  Department of the Army (Parts 400--699)
        VI  Department of the Navy (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Department of the Air Force (Parts 800--1099)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to National 
                Defense
       XII  Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency (Parts 
                1200--1299)
       XVI  Selective Service System (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  Office of the Director of National Intelligence (Parts 
                1700--1799)
     XVIII  National Counterintelligence Center (Parts 1800--1899)
       XIX  Central Intelligence Agency (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Information Security Oversight Office, National 
                Archives and Records Administration (Parts 2000--
                2099)
       XXI  National Security Council (Parts 2100--2199)
      XXIV  Office of Science and Technology Policy (Parts 2400--
                2499)
     XXVII  Office for Micronesian Status Negotiations (Parts 
                2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Office of the Vice President of the United States 
                (Parts 2800--2899)

               Title 33--Navigation and Navigable Waters

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, Department 
                of Defense (Parts 200--399)

[[Page 424]]

        IV  Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development 
                Corporation, Department of Transportation (Parts 
                400--499)

                          Title 34--Education

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Education (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Offices of the 
                Department of Education
         I  Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 
                Department of Education (Parts 200--299)
       III  Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
                Services, Department of Education (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, 
                Department of Education (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages 
                Affairs, Department of Education (Parts 500--599) 
                [Reserved]
        VI  Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of 
                Education (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Office of Educational Research and Improvement, 
                Department of Education (Parts 700--799) 
                [Reserved]
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Education
        XI  [Reserved]
       XII  National Council on Disability (Parts 1200--1299)

                          Title 35 [Reserved]

             Title 36--Parks, Forests, and Public Property

         I  National Park Service, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
        II  Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--
                299)
       III  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  American Battle Monuments Commission (Parts 400--499)
         V  Smithsonian Institution (Parts 500--599)
        VI  [Reserved]
       VII  Library of Congress (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (Parts 800--
                899)
        IX  Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation (Parts 
                900--999)
         X  Presidio Trust (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance 
                Board (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        XV  Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust (Parts 1500--
                1599)
       XVI  Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National 
                Environmental Policy Foundation (Parts 1600--1699)

[[Page 425]]

             Title 37--Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

         I  United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department 
                of Commerce (Parts 1--199)
        II  U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 400--599)

           Title 38--Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief

         I  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 0--199)
        II  Armed Forces Retirement Home (Parts 200--299)

                       Title 39--Postal Service

         I  United States Postal Service (Parts 1--999)
       III  Postal Regulatory Commission (Parts 3000--3099)

                  Title 40--Protection of Environment

         I  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1--1099)
        IV  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1400--1499)
         V  Council on Environmental Quality (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
       VII  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Defense; Uniform National Discharge Standards for 
                Vessels of the Armed Forces (Parts 1700--1799)
      VIII  Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Parts 1800--
                1899)
        IX  Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Part 
                1900)

          Title 41--Public Contracts and Property Management

            Subtitle A--Federal Procurement Regulations System 
                [Note]
            Subtitle B--Other Provisions Relating to Public 
                Contracts
        50  Public Contracts, Department of Labor (Parts 50-1--50-
                999)
        51  Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
                Severely Disabled (Parts 51-1--51-99)
        60  Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal 
                Employment Opportunity, Department of Labor (Parts 
                60-1--60-999)
        61  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training Service, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 61-1--61-999)
   62--100  [Reserved]
            Subtitle C--Federal Property Management Regulations 
                System
       101  Federal Property Management Regulations (Parts 101-1--
                101-99)
       102  Federal Management Regulation (Parts 102-1--102-299)

[[Page 426]]

  103--104  [Reserved]
       105  General Services Administration (Parts 105-1--105-999)
       109  Department of Energy Property Management Regulations 
                (Parts 109-1--109-99)
       114  Department of the Interior (Parts 114-1--114-99)
       115  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 115-1--115-99)
       128  Department of Justice (Parts 128-1--128-99)
  129--200  [Reserved]
            Subtitle D--Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security
       201  Federal Acquisition Security Council (Parts 201-1--
                201-99)
            Subtitle E [Reserved]
            Subtitle F--Federal Travel Regulation System
       300  General (Parts 300-1--300-99)
       301  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances (Parts 301-1--
                301-99)
       302  Relocation Allowances (Parts 302-1--302-99)
       303  Payment of Expenses Connected with the Death of 
                Certain Employees (Part 303-1--303-99)
       304  Payment of Travel Expenses from a Non-Federal Source 
                (Parts 304-1--304-99)

                        Title 42--Public Health

         I  Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human 
                Services (Parts 1--199)
   II--III  [Reserved]
        IV  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department 
                of Health and Human Services (Parts 400--699)
         V  Office of Inspector General-Health Care, Department of 
                Health and Human Services (Parts 1000--1099)

                   Title 43--Public Lands: Interior

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Lands
         I  Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 400--999)
        II  Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1000--9999)
       III  Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
                Commission (Parts 10000--10099)

             Title 44--Emergency Management and Assistance

         I  Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 0--399)
        IV  Department of Commerce and Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 400--499)

[[Page 427]]

                       Title 45--Public Welfare

            Subtitle A--Department of Health and Human Services 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Welfare
        II  Office of Family Assistance (Assistance Programs), 
                Administration for Children and Families, 
                Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  Office of Child Support Services, Administration of 
                Families and Services, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 400--499)
         V  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United 
                States, Department of Justice (Parts 500--599)
        VI  National Science Foundation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Commission on Civil Rights (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Denali Commission (Parts 900--999)
         X  Office of Community Services, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                1200--1299)
      XIII  Administration for Children and Families, Department 
                of Health and Human Services (Parts 1300--1399)
       XVI  Legal Services Corporation (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  National Commission on Libraries and Information 
                Science (Parts 1700--1799)
     XVIII  Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation (Parts 1800--
                1899)
       XXI  Commission of Fine Arts (Parts 2100--2199)
     XXIII  Arctic Research Commission (Parts 2300--2399)
      XXIV  James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation (Parts 
                2400--2499)
       XXV  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                2500--2599)

                          Title 46--Shipping

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 200--399)
       III  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage), Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 400--499)
        IV  Federal Maritime Commission (Parts 500--599)

[[Page 428]]

                      Title 47--Telecommunication

         I  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 0--199)
        II  Office of Science and Technology Policy and National 
                Security Council (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce, and 
                National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 400--499)
         V  The First Responder Network Authority (Parts 500--599)

           Title 48--Federal Acquisition Regulations System

         1  Federal Acquisition Regulation (Parts 1--99)
         2  Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of 
                Defense (Parts 200--299)
         3  Health and Human Services (Parts 300--399)
         4  Department of Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         5  General Services Administration (Parts 500--599)
         6  Department of State (Parts 600--699)
         7  Agency for International Development (Parts 700--799)
         8  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 800--899)
         9  Department of Energy (Parts 900--999)
        10  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)
        12  Department of Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
        13  Department of Commerce (Parts 1300--1399)
        14  Department of the Interior (Parts 1400--1499)
        15  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1500--1599)
        16  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees 
                Health Benefits Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                1600--1699)
        17  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1700--1799)
        18  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1800--1899)
        19  Broadcasting Board of Governors (Parts 1900--1999)
        20  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 2000--2099)
        21  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees 
                Group Life Insurance Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation (Parts 2100--2199)
        23  Social Security Administration (Parts 2300--2399)
        24  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2400--2499)
        25  National Science Foundation (Parts 2500--2599)
        28  Department of Justice (Parts 2800--2899)
        29  Department of Labor (Parts 2900--2999)
        30  Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security 
                Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) (Parts 3000--3099)
        34  Department of Education Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                3400--3499)

[[Page 429]]

        51  Department of the Army Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5100--5199) [Reserved]
        52  Department of the Navy Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5200--5299)
        53  Department of the Air Force Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation Supplement (Parts 5300--5399) 
                [Reserved]
        54  Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Defense (Parts 
                5400--5499)
        57  African Development Foundation (Parts 5700--5799)
        61  Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, General Services 
                Administration (Parts 6100--6199)
        99  Cost Accounting Standards Board, Office of Federal 
                Procurement Policy, Office of Management and 
                Budget (Parts 9900--9999)

                       Title 49--Transportation

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Transportation 
                (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to 
                Transportation
         I  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Federal Railroad Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Federal Transit Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) 
                (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  National Transportation Safety Board (Parts 800--999)
         X  Surface Transportation Board (Parts 1000--1399)
        XI  Research and Innovative Technology Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 1400--1499) 
                [Reserved]
       XII  Transportation Security Administration, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 1500--1699)

                   Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries

         I  United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of 
                the Interior (Parts 1--199)
        II  National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Fishing and Related Activities (Parts 
                300--399)

[[Page 430]]

        IV  Joint Regulations (United States Fish and Wildlife 
                Service, Department of the Interior and National 
                Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce); Endangered Species Committee 
                Regulations (Parts 400--499)
         V  Marine Mammal Commission (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Fishery Conservation and Management, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 600--699)

[[Page 431]]





           Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR




                      (Revised as of April 1, 2024)

                                                  CFR Title, Subtitle or 
                     Agency                               Chapter

Administrative Conference of the United States    1, III
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation         36, VIII
Advocacy and Outreach, Office of                  7, XXV
Afghanistan Reconstruction, Special Inspector     5, LXXXIII
     General for
African Development Foundation                    22, XV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 57
Agency for International Development              2, VII; 22, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
Agricultural Marketing Service                    7, I, VIII, IX, X, XI; 9, 
                                                  II
Agricultural Research Service                     7, V
Agriculture, Department of                        2, IV; 5, LXXIII
  Advocacy and Outreach, Office of                7, XXV
  Agricultural Marketing Service                  7, I, VIII, IX, X, XI; 9, 
                                                  II
  Agricultural Research Service                   7, V
  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service      7, III; 9, I
  Chief Financial Officer, Office of              7, XXX
  Commodity Credit Corporation                    7, XIV
  Economic Research Service                       7, XXXVII
  Energy Policy and New Uses, Office of           2, IX; 7, XXIX
  Environmental Quality, Office of                7, XXXI
  Farm Service Agency                             7, VII, XVIII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 4
  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation              7, IV
  Food and Nutrition Service                      7, II
  Food Safety and Inspection Service              9, III
  Foreign Agricultural Service                    7, XV
  Forest Service                                  36, II
  Information Resources Management, Office of     7, XXVII
  Inspector General, Office of                    7, XXVI
  National Agricultural Library                   7, XLI
  National Agricultural Statistics Service        7, XXXVI
  National Institute of Food and Agriculture      7, XXXIV
  Natural Resources Conservation Service          7, VI
  Operations, Office of                           7, XXVIII
  Procurement and Property Management, Office of  7, XXXII
  Rural Business-Cooperative Service              7, XVIII, XLII
  Rural Development Administration                7, XLII
  Rural Housing Service                           7, XVIII, XXXV
  Rural Utilities Service                         7, XVII, XVIII, XLII
  Secretary of Agriculture, Office of             7, Subtitle A
  Transportation, Office of                       7, XXXIII
  World Agricultural Outlook Board                7, XXXVIII
Air Force, Department of                          32, VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement       48, 53
Air Transportation Stabilization Board            14, VI
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau          27, I
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,       27, II
     Bureau of
AMTRAK                                            49, VII
American Battle Monuments Commission              36, IV
American Indians, Office of the Special Trustee   25, VII
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service        7, III; 9, I
Appalachian Regional Commission                   5, IX
Architectural and Transportation Barriers         36, XI
   Compliance Board
[[Page 432]]

Arctic Research Commission                        45, XXIII
Armed Forces Retirement Home                      5, XI; 38, II
Army, Department of                               32, V
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 51
Benefits Review Board                             20, VII
Bilingual Education and Minority Languages        34, V
     Affairs, Office of
Blind or Severely Disabled, Committee for         41, 51
     Purchase from People Who Are
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 19
Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Office    34, IV
     of
Census Bureau                                     15, I
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services          42, IV
Central Intelligence Agency                       32, XIX
Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board    40, VI
Chief Financial Officer, Office of                7, XXX
Child Support Services, Office of                 45, III
Children and Families, Administration for         45, II, IV, X, XIII
Civil Rights, Commission on                       5, LXVIII; 45, VII
Civil Rights, Office for                          34, I
Coast Guard                                       33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)                46, III
Commerce, Department of                           2, XIII; 44, IV; 50, VI
  Census Bureau                                   15, I
  Economic Affairs, Office of the Under-          15, XV
       Secretary for
  Economic Analysis, Bureau of                    15, VIII
  Economic Development Administration             13, III
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 13
  Foreign-Trade Zones Board                       15, IV
  Industry and Security, Bureau of                15, VII
  International Trade Administration              15, III; 19, III
  National Institute of Standards and Technology  15, II; 37, IV
  National Marine Fisheries Service               50, II, IV
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric                15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
       Administration                             VI
  National Technical Information Service          15, XI
  National Telecommunications and Information     15, XXIII; 47, III, IV
       Administration
  National Weather Service                        15, IX
  Patent and Trademark Office, United States      37, I
  Secretary of Commerce, Office of                15, Subtitle A
Commercial Space Transportation                   14, III
Commodity Credit Corporation                      7, XIV
Commodity Futures Trading Commission              5, XLI; 17, I
Community Planning and Development, Office of     24, V, VI
     Assistant Secretary for
Community Services, Office of                     45, X
Comptroller of the Currency                       12, I
Construction Industry Collective Bargaining       29, IX
     Commission
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau              5, LXXXIV; 12, X
Consumer Product Safety Commission                5, LXXI; 16, II
Copyright Royalty Board                           37, III
Corporation for National and Community Service    2, XXII; 45, XII, XXV
Cost Accounting Standards Board                   48, 99
Council on Environmental Quality                  40, V
Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity    5, XCVIII
     and Efficiency
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency    5, LXX; 28, VIII
     for the District of Columbia
Customs and Border Protection                     19, I
Defense, Department of                            2, XI; 5, XXVI; 32, 
                                                  Subtitle A; 40, VII
  Advanced Research Projects Agency               32, I
  Air Force Department                            32, VII
  Army Department                                 32, V; 33, II; 36, III; 
                                                  48, 51
  Defense Acquisition Regulations System          48, 2
  Defense Intelligence Agency                     32, I

[[Page 433]]

  Defense Logistics Agency                        32, I, XII; 48, 54
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  National Imagery and Mapping Agency             32, I
  Navy, Department of                             32, VI; 48, 52
  Secretary of Defense, Office of                 2, XI; 32, I
Defense Contract Audit Agency                     32, I
Defense Intelligence Agency                       32, I
Defense Logistics Agency                          32, XII; 48, 54
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board           10, XVII
Delaware River Basin Commission                   18, III
Denali Commission                                 45, IX
Disability, National Council on                   5, C; 34, XII
District of Columbia, Court Services and          5, LXX; 28, VIII
     Offender Supervision Agency for the
Drug Enforcement Administration                   21, II
East-West Foreign Trade Board                     15, XIII
Economic Affairs, Office of the Under-Secretary   15, XV
     for
Economic Analysis, Bureau of                      15, VIII
Economic Development Administration               13, III
Economic Research Service                         7, XXXVII
Education, Department of                          2, XXXIV; 5, LIII
  Bilingual Education and Minority Languages      34, V
       Affairs, Office of
  Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Office  34, IV
       of
  Civil Rights, Office for                        34, I
  Educational Research and Improvement, Office    34, VII
       of
  Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of   34, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 34
  Postsecondary Education, Office of              34, VI
  Secretary of Education, Office of               34, Subtitle A
  Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,  34, III
       Office of
Educational Research and Improvement, Office of   34, VII
Election Assistance Commission                    2, LVIII; 11, II
Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of     34, II
Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board       13, V
Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board              13, IV
Employee Benefits Security Administration         29, XXV
Employees' Compensation Appeals Board             20, IV
Employees Loyalty Board                           5, V
Employment and Training Administration            20, V
Employment Policy, National Commission for        1, IV
Employment Standards Administration               20, VI
Endangered Species Committee                      50, IV
Energy, Department of                             2, IX; 5, XXIII; 10, II, 
                                                  III, X
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 9
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission            5, XXIV; 18, I
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 109
Energy, Office of                                 7, XXIX
Engineers, Corps of                               33, II; 36, III
Engraving and Printing, Bureau of                 31, VI
Environmental Protection Agency                   2, XV; 5, LIV; 40, I, IV, 
                                                  VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 15
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 115
Environmental Quality, Office of                  7, XXXI
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission           5, LXII; 29, XIV
Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant Secretary  24, I
     for
Executive Office of the President                 3, I
  Environmental Quality, Council on               40, V
  Management and Budget, Office of                2, Subtitle A; 5, III, 
                                                  LXXVII; 14, VI; 48, 99
  National Drug Control Policy, Office of         2, XXXVI; 21, III
  National Security Council                       32, XXI; 47, II
  Presidential Documents                          3
  Science and Technology Policy, Office of        32, XXIV; 47, II
  Trade Representative, Office of the United      15, XX
     States
[[Page 434]]

Export-Import Bank of the United States           2, XXXV; 5, LII; 12, IV
Families and Services, Administration of          45, III
Family Assistance, Office of                      45, II
Farm Credit Administration                        5, XXXI; 12, VI
Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation          5, XXX; 12, XIV
Farm Service Agency                               7, VII, XVIII
Federal Acquisition Regulation                    48, 1
Federal Acquisition Security Council              41, 201
Federal Aviation Administration                   14, I
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
Federal Claims Collection Standards               31, IX
Federal Communications Commission                 2, LX; 5, XXIX; 47, I
Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office of   41, 60
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation                7, IV
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation             5, XXII; 12, III
Federal Election Commission                       5, XXXVII; 11, I
Federal Emergency Management Agency               44, I
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal    48, 21
     Acquisition Regulation
Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition     48, 16
     Regulation
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission              5, XXIV; 18, I
Federal Financial Institutions Examination        12, XI
     Council
Federal Financing Bank                            12, VIII
Federal Highway Administration                    23, I, II
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation            1, IV
Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Office       12, XVII
Federal Housing Finance Agency                    5, LXXX; 12, XII
Federal Labor Relations Authority                 5, XIV, XLIX; 22, XIV
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center           31, VII
Federal Management Regulation                     41, 102
Federal Maritime Commission                       46, IV
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service        5, CIII; 29, XII
Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission  5, LXXIV; 29, XXVII
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration       49, III
Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council   40, IX
Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                   28, III
Federal Procurement Policy Office                 48, 99
Federal Property Management Regulations           41, 101
Federal Railroad Administration                   49, II
Federal Register, Administrative Committee of     1, I
Federal Register, Office of                       1, II
Federal Reserve System                            12, II
  Board of Governors                              5, LVIII
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board        5, VI, LXXVI
Federal Service Impasses Panel                    5, XIV
Federal Trade Commission                          5, XLVII; 16, I
Federal Transit Administration                    49, VI
Federal Travel Regulation System                  41, Subtitle F
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network              31, X
Financial Research Office                         12, XVI
Financial Stability Oversight Council             12, XIII
Fine Arts, Commission of                          45, XXI
Fiscal Service                                    31, II
Fish and Wildlife Service, United States          50, I, IV
Food and Drug Administration                      21, I
Food and Nutrition Service                        7, II
Food Safety and Inspection Service                9, III
Foreign Agricultural Service                      7, XV
Foreign Assets Control, Office of                 31, V
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the       45, V
     United States
Foreign Service Grievance Board                   22, IX
Foreign Service Impasse Disputes Panel            22, XIV
Foreign Service Labor Relations Board             22, XIV
Foreign-Trade Zones Board                         15, IV
Forest Service                                    36, II
General Services Administration                   5, LVII; 41, 105
  Contract Appeals, Board of                      48, 61

[[Page 435]]

  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 5
  Federal Management Regulation                   41, 102
  Federal Property Management Regulations         41, 101
  Federal Travel Regulation System                41, Subtitle F
  General                                         41, 300
  Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel    41, 304
       Expenses
  Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death    41, 303
       of Certain Employees
  Relocation Allowances                           41, 302
  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances          41, 301
Geological Survey                                 30, IV
Government Accountability Office                  4, I
Government Ethics, Office of                      5, XVI
Government National Mortgage Association          24, III
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards          7, VIII; 9, II
     Administration
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development       33, IV
     Corporation
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council          2, LIX; 40, VIII
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation            45, XVIII
Health and Human Services, Department of          2, III; 5, XLV; 45, 
                                                  Subtitle A
  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services        42, IV
  Child Support Services, Office of               45, III
  Children and Families, Administration for       45, II, IV, X, XIII
  Community Services, Office of                   45, X
  Families and Services, Administration of        45, III
  Family Assistance, Office of                    45, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 3
  Food and Drug Administration                    21, I
  Indian Health Service                           25, V
  Inspector General (Health Care), Office of      42, V
  Public Health Service                           42, I
  Refugee Resettlement, Office of                 45, IV
Homeland Security, Department of                  2, XXX; 5, XXXVI; 6, I; 8, 
                                                  I
  Coast Guard                                     33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)              46, III
  Customs and Border Protection                   19, I
  Federal Emergency Management Agency             44, I
  Human Resources Management and Labor Relations  5, XCVII
       Systems
  Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau      19, IV
  Transportation Security Administration          49, XII
HOPE for Homeowners Program, Board of Directors   24, XXIV
     of
Housing and Urban Development, Department of      2, XXIV; 5, LXV; 24, 
                                                  Subtitle B
  Community Planning and Development, Office of   24, V, VI
       Assistant Secretary for
  Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant          24, I
       Secretary for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 24
  Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, Office    12, XVII
       of
  Government National Mortgage Association        24, III
  Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office   24, II, VIII, X, XX
       of Assistant Secretary for
  Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing     24, IV
       Assistance Restructuring, Office of
  Inspector General, Office of                    24, XII
  Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant  24, IX
       Secretary for
  Secretary, Office of                            24, Subtitle A, VII
Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office of  24, II, VIII, X, XX
     Assistant Secretary for
Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing       24, IV
     Assistance Restructuring, Office of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau        19, IV
Immigration Review, Executive Office for          8, V
Independent Counsel, Office of                    28, VII
Independent Counsel, Offices of                   28, VI
Indian Affairs, Bureau of                         25, I, V

[[Page 436]]

Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant           25, VI
     Secretary
Indian Arts and Crafts Board                      25, II
Indian Health Service                             25, V
Industry and Security, Bureau of                  15, VII
Information Resources Management, Office of       7, XXVII
Information Security Oversight Office, National   32, XX
     Archives and Records Administration
Inspector General
  Agriculture Department                          7, XXVI
  Health and Human Services Department            42, V
  Housing and Urban Development Department        24, XII, XV
Institute of Peace, United States                 22, XVII
Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator,    5, CIV
     Office of
Inter-American Foundation                         5, LXIII; 22, X
Interior, Department of                           2, XIV
  American Indians, Office of the Special         25, VII
       Trustee
  Endangered Species Committee                    50, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 14
  Federal Property Management Regulations System  41, 114
  Fish and Wildlife Service, United States        50, I, IV
  Geological Survey                               30, IV
  Indian Affairs, Bureau of                       25, I, V
  Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant         25, VI
       Secretary
  Indian Arts and Crafts Board                    25, II
  Land Management, Bureau of                      43, II
  National Indian Gaming Commission               25, III
  National Park Service                           36, I
  Natural Resource Revenue, Office of             30, XII
  Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of              30, V
  Reclamation, Bureau of                          43, I
  Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Bureau    30, II
       of
  Secretary of the Interior, Office of            2, XIV; 43, Subtitle A
  Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,     30, VII
       Office of
Internal Revenue Service                          26, I
International Boundary and Water Commission,      22, XI
     United States and Mexico, United States 
     Section
International Development, United States Agency   22, II
     for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
International Development Cooperation Agency,     22, XII
     United States
International Development Finance Corporation,    5, XXXIII; 22, VII
     U.S.
International Joint Commission, United States     22, IV
     and Canada
International Organizations Employees Loyalty     5, V
     Board
International Trade Administration                15, III; 19, III
International Trade Commission, United States     19, II
Interstate Commerce Commission                    5, XL
Investment Security, Office of                    31, VIII
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation      45, XXIV
Japan-United States Friendship Commission         22, XVI
Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries       20, VIII
Justice, Department of                            2, XXVIII; 5, XXVIII; 28, 
                                                  I, XI; 40, IV
  Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,     27, II
       Bureau of
  Drug Enforcement Administration                 21, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 28
  Federal Claims Collection Standards             31, IX
  Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                 28, III
  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the     45, V
       United States
  Immigration Review, Executive Office for        8, V
  Independent Counsel, Offices of                 28, VI
  Prisons, Bureau of                              28, V
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 128
Labor, Department of                              2, XXIX; 5, XLII
  Benefits Review Board                           20, VII
  Employee Benefits Security Administration       29, XXV
  Employees' Compensation Appeals Board           20, IV

[[Page 437]]

  Employment and Training Administration          20, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 29
  Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office    41, 60
       of
  Federal Procurement Regulations System          41, 50
  Labor-Management Standards, Office of           29, II, IV
  Mine Safety and Health Administration           30, I
  Occupational Safety and Health Administration   29, XVII
  Public Contracts                                41, 50
  Secretary of Labor, Office of                   29, Subtitle A
  Veterans' Employment and Training Service,      41, 61; 20, IX
       Office of the Assistant Secretary for
  Wage and Hour Division                          29, V
  Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of       20, I, VI
Labor-Management Standards, Office of             29, II, IV
Land Management, Bureau of                        43, II
Legal Services Corporation                        45, XVI
Libraries and Information Science, National       45, XVII
     Commission on
Library of Congress                               36, VII
  Copyright Royalty Board                         37, III
  U.S. Copyright Office                           37, II
Management and Budget, Office of                  5, III, LXXVII; 14, VI; 
                                                  48, 99
Marine Mammal Commission                          50, V
Maritime Administration                           46, II
Merit Systems Protection Board                    5, II, LXIV
Micronesian Status Negotiations, Office for       32, XXVII
Military Compensation and Retirement              5, XCIX
     Modernization Commission
Millennium Challenge Corporation                  22, XIII
Mine Safety and Health Administration             30, I
Minority Business Development Agency              15, XIV
Miscellaneous Agencies                            1, IV
Monetary Offices                                  31, I
Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in     36, XVI
     National Environmental Policy Foundation
Museum and Library Services, Institute of         2, XXXI
National Aeronautics and Space Administration     2, XVIII; 5, LIX; 14, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 18
National Agricultural Library                     7, XLI
National Agricultural Statistics Service          7, XXXVI
National and Community Service, Corporation for   2, XXII; 45, XII, XXV
National Archives and Records Administration      2, XXVI; 5, LXVI; 36, XII
  Information Security Oversight Office           32, XX
National Capital Planning Commission              1, IV, VI
National Counterintelligence Center               32, XVIII
National Credit Union Administration              5, LXXXVI; 12, VII
National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact     28, IX
     Council
National Drug Control Policy, Office of           2, XXXVI; 21, III
National Endowment for the Arts                   2, XXXII
National Endowment for the Humanities             2, XXXIII
National Foundation on the Arts and the           45, XI
     Humanities
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency           32, I
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration    23, II, III; 47, VI; 49, V
National Imagery and Mapping Agency               32, I
National Indian Gaming Commission                 25, III
National Institute of Food and Agriculture        7, XXXIV
National Institute of Standards and Technology    15, II; 37, IV
National Intelligence, Office of Director of      5, IV; 32, XVII
National Labor Relations Board                    5, LXI; 29, I
National Marine Fisheries Service                 50, II, IV
National Mediation Board                          5, CI; 29, X
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration   15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
                                                  VI
National Park Service                             36, I
National Railroad Adjustment Board                29, III
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK)  49, VII
National Science Foundation                       2, XXV; 5, XLIII; 45, VI

[[Page 438]]

  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 25
National Security Council                         32, XXI; 47, II
National Technical Information Service            15, XI
National Telecommunications and Information       15, XXIII; 47, III, IV, V
     Administration
National Transportation Safety Board              49, VIII
Natural Resource Revenue, Office of               30, XII
Natural Resources Conservation Service            7, VI
Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, Office of      25, IV
Navy, Department of                               32, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 52
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation             24, XXV
Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste  10, XVIII
     Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission                     2, XX; 5, XLVIII; 10, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 20
Occupational Safety and Health Administration     29, XVII
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission  29, XX
Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of                30, V
Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust             36, XV
Operations Office                                 7, XXVIII
Patent and Trademark Office, United States        37, I
Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel      41, 304
     Expenses
Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death of   41, 303
     Certain Employees
Peace Corps                                       2, XXXVII; 22, III
Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation       36, IX
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation              29, XL
Personnel Management, Office of                   5, I, IV, XXXV; 45, VIII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 17
  Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal  48, 21
       Acquisition Regulation
  Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition   48, 16
       Regulation
  Human Resources Management and Labor Relations  5, XCVII
       Systems, Department of Homeland Security
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety           49, I
     Administration
Postal Regulatory Commission                      5, XLVI; 39, III
Postal Service, United States                     5, LX; 39, I
Postsecondary Education, Office of                34, VI
President's Commission on White House             1, IV
     Fellowships
Presidential Documents                            3
Presidio Trust                                    36, X
Prisons, Bureau of                                28, V
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board       6, X
Procurement and Property Management, Office of    7, XXXII
Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant    24, IX
     Secretary for
Public Contracts, Department of Labor             41, 50
Public Health Service                             42, I
Railroad Retirement Board                         20, II
Reclamation, Bureau of                            43, I
Refugee Resettlement, Office of                   45, IV
Relocation Allowances                             41, 302
Research and Innovative Technology                49, XI
     Administration
Rural Business-Cooperative Service                7, XVIII, XLII, L
Rural Housing Service                             7, XVIII, XXXV, L
Rural Utilities Service                           7, XVII, XVIII, XLII, L
Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Bureau of   30, II
Science and Technology Policy, Office of          32, XXIV; 47, II
Secret Service                                    31, IV
Securities and Exchange Commission                5, XXXIV; 17, II
Selective Service System                          32, XVI
Small Business Administration                     2, XXVII; 13, I
Smithsonian Institution                           36, V
Social Security Administration                    2, XXIII; 20, III; 48, 23
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, United States        5, XI
Special Counsel, Office of                        5, VIII
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,    34, III
   Office of
[[Page 439]]

State, Department of                              2, VI; 22, I; 28, XI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 6
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,       30, VII
     Office of
Surface Transportation Board                      49, X
Susquehanna River Basin Commission                18, VIII
Tennessee Valley Authority                        5, LXIX; 18, XIII
Trade Representative, United States, Office of    15, XX
Transportation, Department of                     2, XII; 5, L
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 12
  Federal Aviation Administration                 14, I
  Federal Highway Administration                  23, I, II
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration     49, III
  Federal Railroad Administration                 49, II
  Federal Transit Administration                  49, VI
  Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development     33, IV
       Corporation
  Maritime Administration                         46, II
  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  23, II, III; 47, IV; 49, V
  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety         49, I
       Administration
  Secretary of Transportation, Office of          14, II; 49, Subtitle A
  Transportation Statistics Bureau                49, XI
Transportation, Office of                         7, XXXIII
Transportation Security Administration            49, XII
Transportation Statistics Bureau                  49, XI
Travel Allowances, Temporary Duty (TDY)           41, 301
Treasury, Department of the                       2, X; 5, XXI; 12, XV; 17, 
                                                  IV; 31, IX
  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau        27, I
  Community Development Financial Institutions    12, XVIII
       Fund
  Comptroller of the Currency                     12, I
  Customs and Border Protection                   19, I
  Engraving and Printing, Bureau of               31, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 10
  Federal Claims Collection Standards             31, IX
  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center         31, VII
  Financial Crimes Enforcement Network            31, X
  Fiscal Service                                  31, II
  Foreign Assets Control, Office of               31, V
  Internal Revenue Service                        26, I
  Investment Security, Office of                  31, VIII
  Monetary Offices                                31, I
  Secret Service                                  31, IV
  Secretary of the Treasury, Office of            31, Subtitle A
Truman, Harry S. Scholarship Foundation           45, XVIII
United States Agency for Global Media             22, V
United States and Canada, International Joint     22, IV
     Commission
United States and Mexico, International Boundary  22, XI
     and Water Commission, United States Section
U.S. Copyright Office                             37, II
U.S. Office of Special Counsel                    5, CII
Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation      43, III
     Commission
Veterans Affairs, Department of                   2, VIII; 38, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 8
Veterans' Employment and Training Service,        41, 61; 20, IX
     Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Vice President of the United States, Office of    32, XXVIII
Wage and Hour Division                            29, V
Water Resources Council                           18, VI
Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of         20, I, VI
World Agricultural Outlook Board                  7, XXXVIII

[[Page 441]]



List of CFR Sections Affected



All changes in this volume of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that 
were made by documents published in the Federal Register since January 
1, 2019 are enumerated in the following list. Entries indicate the 
nature of the changes effected. Page numbers refer to Federal Register 
pages. The user should consult the entries for chapters, parts and 
subparts as well as sections for revisions.
For changes to this volume of the CFR prior to this listing, consult the 
annual edition of the monthly List of CFR Sections Affected (LSA). The 
LSA is available at www.govinfo.gov. For changes to this volume of the 
CFR prior to 2001, see the ``List of CFR Sections Affected, 1949-1963, 
1964-1972, 1973-1985, and 1986-2000'' published in 11 separate volumes. 
The ``List of CFR Sections Affected 1986-2000'' is available at 
www.govinfo.gov.

                                  2019

19 CFR
                                                                   84 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter II
220.5 (e), (h), and (j) revised; (n) redesignated as (o); new (n) 
        added......................................................44692
220.7 Heading revised..............................................44693
220.9 (a) revised..................................................44693
220.10 Revised.....................................................44693
220.11 Redesignated as 220.12; new 220.11 added....................44693
220.12 Redesignated as 220.13; new section redesignated from 
        220.11; new (b)(2) revised.................................44693
220.13 Redesignated as 220.14; new section redesignated from 
        220.12.....................................................44693
220.14 Redesignated as 220.15; new section redesignated from 
        220.13.....................................................44693
220.15 Redesignated from 220.14....................................44693

                                  2020

19 CFR
                                                                   85 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter II
208 Added; interim.................................................41357
Chapter III
351.303 (f)(4) Added; eff. 3-20-20 through 5-9-20..................17007
351.303 Regulation at 85 FR 17006 eff. date extended to 7-17-20....29615
351.303 Regulation at 85 FR 17006 eff. date extended indefinitely 
                                                                   41363
351.502 (c) through (f) redesignated as (d) through (g); new (c) 
        added; eff. 4-6-20..........................................6043
351.528 Added; eff. 4-6-20..........................................6043
360.101 (a)(1) revised.............................................56171
360.103 ) revised; (c)(1)(xiii), (xiv), and (3) redesignated as 
        (c)(1)(xiv), (xv), and (4); (c)(1)(ii), (iii), and (xii), 
        new (xiv) and (f) revised; new (c)(1)(xiii) and new (3) 
        added;.....................................................56171
360.104 Revised....................................................56171
360.105 Removed....................................................56172
361 Added..........................................................83814
Chapter IV
Chapter IV Notification............................................59651

                                  2021

19 CFR
                                                                   86 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter II
208.5 (e)(i)(vi) revised...........................................18185
208.5 Correction: Instruction amended..............................19781

[[Page 442]]

Chapter III
351 Notification...................................................53205
351.103 (d) introductory text and (1) revised......................52371
351.203 (g) added..................................................52371
351.214 Revised....................................................52371
351.225 Revised....................................................52374
351.226 Added......................................................52377
351.227 Added......................................................52381
351.228 Added......................................................52383
351.305 (d) revised................................................52384
351.402 (f)(2) revised.............................................52384
356 Heading revised; interim.......................................70048
356.1 Revised; interim.............................................70048
356.2 (d), (f), (h), (n) through (r), (u), (w), (bb)(2)(ii), 
        (cc)(3), (ee), (ff), (hh), and (kk) revised; interim.......70048
356.3 Introductory text revised; interim...........................70049
356.4 Introductory text revised; interim...........................70049
356.6 Revised; interim.............................................70049
356.7 (a) through (c) revised; interim.............................70049
356.8 (d)(1) and (2) revised; interim..............................70049
356.10 (b)(1)(i), (ii)(B), (C), (3), (4)(i), (ii)(B), (C), (iii), 
        (5), (c)(1)(i), (2)(i), (v), (3), (4)(i), and (d)(2) 
        revised; (b)(4)(ii)(D) added; (c)(2)(ii) removed; interim 
                                                                   70049
356.11 (a)(1)(i), (2), (3), (5), (6), (b)(1), (2)(ii), (iii), 
        (c)(1)(i), (2), (3), and (d)(2) revised; (c)(1)(ii) 
        removed; interim...........................................70050
356.12 (a)(5) revised; interim.....................................70052
356.14 (d)(2) and (4) revised; interim.............................70052
356.18 (c)(4) revised; interim.....................................70052
356.27 (d) heading revised; interim................................70052
361 Stayed; eff. 3-29-21 until June 28, 2021.......................17059
361 Stayed until 6-28-21...........................................17059
361.103 (c)(3)(i)(C) and (ii)(C) revised...........................27518

                                  2022

19 CFR
                                                                   87 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter III
362 Added..........................................................56886

                                  2023

19 CFR
                                                                   88 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter II
206 Authority citation revised.....................................14890
206.1 Revised......................................................14890
206.6 (b)(2) revised...............................................14890
206.14 (i) revised.................................................14890
206.21--206.26 (Subpart C) Heading revised.........................14890
206.21 Revised.....................................................14890
206.23 Revised.....................................................14890
206.24 (c) revised.................................................14890
206.31 Revised.....................................................14890
206.33 (a) through (d) revised.....................................14890
206.34 Introductory text revised...................................14891
206.37 Revised.....................................................14891
207 Authority citation revised.....................................14891
207.90--207.120 (Subpart G) Heading revised; authority citation 
        removed....................................................14891
207.90 Revised.....................................................14891
207.91 Revised.....................................................14891
207.92 Revised.....................................................14892
207.93 (b) introductory text, (6), (c)(2)(i), (ii)(B), (3), 
        (4)(ii)(A), (B), (v), (5)(i), (ii), and (d)(1) revised.....14892
207.94 Revised.....................................................14893
Chapter III
351.103 (a) and (b) revised........................................67077
351.104 (a)(2)(ii)(A) revised......................................67077
351.204 (d)(3) removed; (d)(4) redesignated as new (d)(3)..........67077
351.225 (b), (d)(1), (e)(2), (f)(1), and (2) revised...............67077
351.226 (b), (d)(1), (f)(1), (2), and (l)(2)(ii) revised...........67078
351.227 (b) and (d)(1) revised.....................................67078
351.301 (c)(2)(vi) and (3)(iv) revised.............................67078
351.303 (c)(2)(ii) and (f)(1) through (3) revised..................67079
351.304 (c)(1) and (2) revised.....................................67079
351.305 (a) introductory text, (b)(2), (3), and (c) revised; 
        (b)(4) removed.............................................67080
351.306 (c)(2) revised.............................................67080
351.404 (d) revised................................................67080
351.408 (c)(2) revised; (c)(3) removed; (c)(4) redesignated as new 
        (c)(3).....................................................67080
361 Notification....................................................5775

[[Page 443]]

                                  2024

   (Regulations published from January 1, 2024, through April 1, 2024)

19 CFR
                                                                   89 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter III
351 Nomenclature change; eff. 4-24-24..............................20832
351.102 (b)(14) revised; (b)(53) added; eff. 4-24-24...............20832
351.104 (a)(1) revised; (a)(3) through (7) added; eff. 4-24-24.....20832
351.225 (c)(1), (d)(1), (l)(1), (m)(2), and (q) revised; 
        (c)(2)(x), (3), and (f) introductory text added; (l)(5) 
        amended; eff. 4-24-24......................................20833
351.226 (c)(3) and (f) introductory text added; (d)(1), (e)(1), 
        and (m)(2) revised; (l)(5) amended; eff. 4-24-24...........20834
351.227 (d) introductory text added; (d)(5)(i) and (l)(5) amended; 
        (l)(1) and (m)(2) revised; eff. 4-24-24....................20835
351.301 (c)(6) added; eff. 4-24-24.................................20835
351.306 (b) revised; eff. 4-24-24..................................20836
351.308 (g) through (j) added; eff. 4-24-24........................20836
351.402 (f)(2)(ii) amended; eff. 4-24-24...........................20837
351.408 (d) added; eff. 4-24-24....................................20837
351.416 Added; eff. 4-24-24........................................20837
351.503 (c) revised; eff. 4-24-24..................................20840
351.505 (d) revised; (e) added; eff. 4-24-24.......................20840
351.507 (c) revised; (d) added; eff. 4-24-24.......................20841
351.508 (c)(1) revised; eff. 4-24-24...............................20841
351.509 (d) added; eff. 4-24-24....................................20841
351.511 (a)(2)(v) added; eff. 4-24-24..............................20841
351.520 (a)(1) revised; eff. 4-24-24...............................20841
351.525 (b)(2) and (3) revised; eff. 4-24-24.......................20841
351.527 Removed; eff. 4-24-24......................................20841
351.529 Added; eff. 4-24-24........................................20841
356.2 (ee) revised..................................................6015
356.8 (b)(2) revised................................................6015
356.9 (g) revised...................................................6016
356.9 Correction: (g) revised......................................11729


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