[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34778-34780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16549]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration
[A-588-846]


Antidumping Duty Order; Certain Hot-Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon-
Quality Steel Products From Japan

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of antidumping duty order.

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EFFECTIVE DATES: June 29, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Totaro at (202) 482-1374, 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Enforcement Group III, Import 
Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20230.

Applicable Statute and Regulations

    Unless otherwise indicated, all citations to the Tariff Act of 
1930, as amended (the Tariff Act), are to the provisions effective 
January 1, 1995, the effective date of the amendments made to the 
Tariff Act by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA). In addition, 
unless otherwise indicated, all citations to the Department's 
regulations are to the regulations codified at 19 CFR Part 351 (April 
1, 1998).

Scope of the Order

    The products covered by this order are certain hot-rolled flat-
rolled carbon-quality steel products of a rectangular shape, of a width 
of 0.5 inch or greater, neither clad, plated, nor coated with metal and 
whether or not painted, varnished, or coated with plastics or other 
non-metallic substances, in coils (whether or not in successively 
superimposed layers) regardless of thickness, and in straight lengths, 
of a thickness less than 4.75 mm and of a width measuring at least 10 
times the thickness. Universal mill plate (i.e., flat-rolled products 
rolled on four faces or in a closed box pass, of a width exceeding 150 
mm but not exceeding 1250 mm and of a thickness of not less than 4 mm, 
not in coils and without patterns in relief) of a thickness not less 
than 4.0 mm is not included within the scope of this order.

[[Page 34779]]

    Specifically included in this scope are vacuum degassed, fully 
stabilized (commonly referred to as interstitial-free (``IF'')) steels, 
high strength low alloy (``HSLA'') steels, and the substrate for motor 
lamination steels. IF steels are recognized as low carbon steels with 
micro-alloying levels of elements such as titanium and/or niobium added 
to stabilize carbon and nitrogen elements. HSLA steels are recognized 
as steels with micro-alloying levels of elements such as chromium, 
copper, niobium, titanium, vanadium, and molybdenum. The substrate for 
motor lamination steels contains micro-alloying levels of elements such 
as silicon and aluminum.
    Steel products included in the scope of this order, regardless of 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS'') 
definitions, are products in which: (1) Iron predominates, by weight, 
over each of the other contained elements; (2) the carbon content is 2 
percent or less, by weight; and (3) none of the elements listed below 
exceeds the quantity, by weight, respectively indicated:
    1.80 percent of manganese, or
    1.50 percent of silicon, or
    1.00 percent of copper, or
    0.50 percent of aluminum, or
    1.25 percent of chromium, or
    0.30 percent of cobalt, or
    0.40 percent of lead, or
    1.25 percent of nickel, or
    0.30 percent of tungsten, or
    0.012 percent of boron, or
    0.10 percent of molybdenum, or
    0.10 percent of niobium, or
    0.41 percent of titanium, or
    0.15 percent of vanadium, or
    0.15 percent of zirconium.

All products that meet the physical and chemical description provided 
above are within the scope of this order unless otherwise excluded. The 
following products, by way of example, are outside and/or specifically 
excluded from the scope of this order:
     Alloy hot-rolled steel products in which at least one of 
the chemical elements exceeds those listed above (including e.g., ASTM 
specifications A543, A387, A514, A517, and A506).
     SAE/AISI grades of series 2300 and higher.
     Ball bearing steels, as defined in the HTSUS.
     Tool steels, as defined in the HTSUS.
     Silico-manganese (as defined in the HTSUS) or silicon 
electrical steel with a silicon level exceeding 1.50 percent.
     ASTM specifications A710 and A736.
     USS abrasion-resistant steels (USS AR 400, USS AR 500).
     Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, 
physical and mechanical specifications:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      C              Mn             P             S            Si            Cr            Cu            Ni
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  0.10-0.14%      0.90% Max    0.025% Max    0.005% Max    0.30-0.50%    0.50-0.70%    0.20-0.40%     0.20% Max
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.063-0.198 inches; Yield 
Strength = 50,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 70,000-88,000 psi.
     Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, 
physical and mechanical specifications:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        C                Mn               P                S                Si               Cr               Cu               Ni               Mo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   0.10-0.16%        0.70-0.90%       0.025% Max       0.006% Max       0.30-0.50%       0.50-0.70%        0.25% Max        0.20% Max       10.21% Max
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.350 inches maximum; Yield 
Strength = 80,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 105,000 psi Aim.
     Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, 
physical and mechanical specifications:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       C              Mn               P               S              Si             Cr             Cu             Ni           V(wt.)           Cb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  0.10-0.14%      1.30-1.80%      0.025% Max      0.005% Max     0.30-0.50%     0.50-0.70%     0.20-0.40%      0.20% Max       0.10 Max      0.08% Max
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.350 inches maximum; Yield 
Strength = 80,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 105,000 psi Aim.
     Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, 
physical and mechanical specifications:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      C            Mn             P             S            Si            Cr            Cu            Ni            Nb            Ca            Al
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 0.15% Max     1.40% Max    0.025% Max    0.010% Max     0.50% Max     1.00% Max     0.50% Max     0.20% Max    0.005% Min       Treated    0.01-0.07%
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Width = 39.37 inches; Thickness = 0.181 inches maximum; Yield Strength 
= 70,000 psi minimum for thicknesses 0.148 inches and 65,000 
psi minimum for thicknesses >0.148 inches; Tensile Strength = 80,000 
psi minimum.
     Hot-rolled dual phase steel, phase-hardened, primarily 
with a ferritic-martensitic microstructure, contains 0.9 percent up to 
and including 1.5 percent silicon by weight, further characterized by 
either (i) tensile strength between 540 N/mm \2\ and 640 N/mm \2\ and 
an elongation percentage 26 percent for thicknesses of 2 mm 
and above; or (ii) a tensile strength between 590 N/mm \2\ and 690 N/mm 
\2\ and an elongation percentage 25 percent for thicknesses 
of 2mm and above.
     Hot-rolled bearing quality steel, SAE grade 1050, in 
coils, with an inclusion rating of 1.0 maximum per ASTM E 45, Method A, 
with excellent surface quality and chemistry restrictions as follows: 
0.012 percent maximum phosphorus, 0.015 percent maximum sulfur, and 
0.20 percent maximum residuals including 0.15 percent maximum chromium.
     Grade ASTM A570-50 hot-rolled steel sheet in coils or cut 
lengths, width of 74 inches (nominal, within ASTM tolerances), 
thickness of 11 gauge (0.119 inch nominal), mill edge and skin passed, 
with a minimum copper content of 0.20%.
    The merchandise subject to this order is classified in the HTSUS at 
subheadings: 7208.10.15.00, 7208.10.30.00, 7208.10.60.00, 
7208.25.30.00, 7208.25.60.00,

[[Page 34780]]

7208.26.00.30, 7208.26.00.60, 7208.27.00.30, 7208.27.00.60, 
7208.36.00.30, 7208.36.00.60, 7208.37.00.30, 7208.37.00.60, 
7208.38.00.15, 7208.38.00.30, 7208.38.00.90, 7208.39.00.15, 
7208.39.00.30, 7208.39.00.90, 7208.40.60.30, 7208.40.60.60, 
7208.53.00.00, 7208.54.00.00, 7208.90.00.00, 7210.70.30.00, 
7210.90.90.00, 7211.14.00.30, 7211.14.00.90, 7211.19.15.00, 
7211.19.20.00, 7211.19.30.00, 7211.19.45.00, 7211.19.60.00, 
7211.19.75.30, 7211.19.75.60, 7211.19.75.90, 7212.40.10.00, 
7212.40.50.00, 7212.50.00.00. Certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-
quality steel covered by this order, including: vacuum degassed, fully 
stabilized; high strength low alloy; and the substrate for motor 
lamination steel may also enter under the following tariff numbers: 
7225.11.00.00, 7225.19.00.00, 7225.30.30.50, 7225.30.70.00, 
7225.40.70.00, 7225.99.00.90, 7226.11.10.00, 7226.11.90.30, 
7226.11.90.60, 7226.19.10.00, 7226.19.90.00, 7226.91.50.00, 
7226.91.70.00, 7226.91.80.00, and 7226.99.00.00. Although the HTS 
subheadings are provided for convenience and Customs purposes, the 
written description of the scope of the order is dispositive.

Antidumping Duty Order

    In accordance with section 735(a) of the Tariff Act, the Department 
made its final determinations that certain hot-rolled flat-rolled 
carbon-quality steel products from Japan are being sold at less than 
fair value. See Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than 
Fair Value: Certain Hot-Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon-Quality Steel 
Products From Japan, 64 FR 24329, (May 6, 1999). This determination 
included a finding that critical circumstances existed with respect to 
Kawasaki Steel Corporation (Kawasaki) and the ``All Others'' exporter/
producer category, but not with respect to Nippon Steel Corporation and 
NKK Corporation.
    On June 18, 1999, the International Trade Commission (the 
Commission) notified the Department of its final determination pursuant 
to section 735(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Tariff Act that an industry in the 
United States is materially injured by reason of less-than-fair-value 
imports of subject merchandise from Japan. The Commission further found 
that critical circumstances do not exist with respect to imports of the 
subject merchandise from Japan. As a result, the Department will direct 
Customs officers to refund any cash deposits made or bonds posted, 
pursuant to the Department's final determination of critical 
circumstances, on merchandise produced/exported by Kawasaki and by any 
of the ``All Others'' companies which were entered on or after November 
21, 1998 (90 days prior to the Department's preliminary determination 
publication date of February 19, 1999) and before February 19, 1999.
    Moreover, in accordance with section 736(a)(1) of the Tariff Act, 
the Department will direct Customs officers to assess, upon further 
advice by the Department, antidumping duties equal to the amount by 
which the normal value of the merchandise exceeds the export price (or 
constructed export price) of the merchandise for all relevant entries 
of hot-rolled carbon-quality steel products from Japan. These 
antidumping duties will be assessed on all unliquidated entries of 
certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products from Japan 
entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after 
February 19, 1999, the date on which the Department published its 
notice of preliminary determination in the Federal Register (64 FR 
8291). Customs officers must require, at the same time as importers 
would normally deposit estimated duties on this merchandise, a cash 
deposit equal to the estimated weighted-average antidumping duty 
margins as noted below. The ``All Others'' rates apply to all exporters 
of subject hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products not 
specifically listed. Imports of hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality 
steel products, not described above under ``Scope of the Order,'' will 
not be covered by this order. The weighted-average dumping margins are 
as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Cash
                                                               deposit
         Producer/manufacturer/exporter  (company)               rate
                                                              (margin in
                                                               percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nippon Steel Corporation...................................        19.65
NKK Corporation............................................        17.86
Kawasaki Steel Corporation.................................        67.14
All Others.................................................        29.30
------------------------------------------------------------------------

This notice constitutes the antidumping duty order with respect to 
certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products from 
Japan. Interested parties may contact the Department's Central Records 
Unit, room B-099 of the main Commerce building, for copies of an 
updated list of antidumping duty orders currently in effect. These 
orders are published in accordance with section 736(a) of the Tariff 
Act of 1930, as amended.

    Dated: June 23, 1999.
Richard W. Moreland,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-16549 Filed 6-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P