[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48767-48775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23325]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration
[A-580-815 & A-580-816]


Certain Cold-Rolled and Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat 
Products from Korea: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Reviews

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

ACTION: Notice of preliminary results of antidumping duty 
administrative reviews.

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SUMMARY: In response to requests from three respondents and from the 
petitioners in the original investigation, the Department of Commerce 
(``the Department'') is conducting (the fifth) administrative reviews 
of the antidumping duty orders on certain cold-rolled and corrosion-
resistant carbon steel flat products from Korea. These reviews cover 
three manufacturers and exporters of the subject merchandise. The 
period of review (``POR'') is August 1, 1997, through July 31, 1998.
    We preliminarily determine that sales have been made below normal 
value (``NV''). If these preliminary results are adopted in our final 
results of administrative reviews, we will instruct U.S. Customs to 
assess antidumping duties equal to the difference between export price 
(``EP'') or constructed export price (``CEP'') and NV.
    Interested parties are invited to comment on these preliminary 
results. Parties who submit argument in this proceeding are requested 
to submit with the argument: (1) A statement of the issue; and (2) a 
brief summary of the argument.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 8, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Juanita Chen (Dongbu), Becky Hagen 
(the POSCO Group), Marlene Hewitt (Union), or James Doyle, Enforcement 
Group III--Office 9, Import Administration, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 7866, Washington, D.C. 20230; telephone 
(202) 482-0409 (Chen), -0961 (Hagen), -1385 (Hewitt), or -0159 (Doyle).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Applicable Statute

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

Background

    The Department published antidumping duty orders on certain cold-
rolled and corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Korea on 
August 19, 1993 (58 FR 44159). The Department published a notice of 
``Opportunity to Request an Administrative Review'' of the antidumping 
duty orders for the 1997/98 review period on August 19, 1998 (63 FR 
42821). On August 31, 1998, respondent Union Steel Manufacturing Co., 
Ltd. (``Union'') requested that the Department conduct an 
administrative review of the antidumping duty order on corrosion-
resistant carbon steel flat products from Korea, and Dongbu Steel Co., 
Ltd. (``Dongbu'') and Pohang Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (``POSCO'') 
requested that the Department conduct administrative reviews of the 
antidumping duty orders on cold-rolled and corrosion-resistant carbon 
steel flat products from Korea. On August 31, 1998, petitioners in the 
original less-than-fair-value (``LTFV'') investigations (AK Steel 
Corporation; Bethlehem Steel Corporation; Inland Steel Industries, 
Inc.; LTV Steel Company; National Steel Corporation; and U.S. Steel 
Group A Unit of USX Corporation) requested that the Department conduct 
administrative reviews of the antidumping duty orders on cold-rolled 
and corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Korea with 
respect to all three of the aforementioned respondents. We initiated 
these reviews on September 23, 1998 (63 FR 51893--September 29, 1998).
    Under the Act, the Department may extend the deadline for 
completion of administrative reviews if it determines that it is not 
practicable to complete the review within the statutory time limit of 
365 days. The Department extended the time limits for the preliminary 
results in these cases. See Certain Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat 
Products and Certain Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products 
from Korea: Antidumping Duty Administrative Reviews: Extension of Time 
Limit, 64 FR 10982 (March 8, 1999).
    The Department is conducting these administrative reviews in 
accordance with section 751 of the Act.

Scope of the Reviews

    The review of ``certain cold-rolled carbon steel flat products'' 
covers cold-rolled (cold-reduced) carbon steel flat-rolled products, of 
rectangular shape, neither clad, plated nor coated with metal, whether 
or not painted, varnished or coated with plastics or other nonmetallic 
substances, in coils (whether or not in successively superimposed 
layers) and of a width of 0.5 inch or greater, or in straight lengths 
which, if of a thickness less than 4.75 millimeters, are of a width of 
0.5 inch or greater and which measures at least 10 times the thickness 
or if of a thickness of 4.75 millimeters or more are of a width which 
exceeds 150 millimeters and measures at least twice the thickness, as 
currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (``HTS'') 
under item numbers 7209.15.0000, 7209.16.0030, 7209.16.0060, 
7209.16.0090, 7209.17.0030, 7209.17.0060, 7209.17.0090, 7209.18.1530, 
7209.18.1560, 7209.18.2550, 7209.18.6000, 7209.25.0000, 7209.26.0000, 
7209.27.0000, 7209.28.0000, 7209.90.0000, 7210.70.3000, 7210.90.9000, 
7211.23.1500, 7211.23.2000, 7211.23.3000, 7211.23.4500, 7211.23.6030, 
7211.23.6060, 7211.23.6085, 7211.29.2030, 7211.29.2090, 7211.29.4500, 
7211.29.6030, 7211.29.6080, 7211.90.0000, 7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000, 
7212.50.0000, 7215.50.0015, 7215.50.0060, 7215.50.0090, 7215.90.5000, 
7217.10.1000, 7217.10.2000, 7217.10.3000, 7217.10.7000,

[[Page 48768]]

7217.90.1000, 7217.90.5030, 7217.90.5060, 7217.90.5090. Included in 
this review are flat-rolled products of nonrectangular cross-section 
where such cross-section is achieved subsequent to the rolling process 
(i.e., products which have been ``worked after rolling'')--for example, 
products which have been beveled or rounded at the edges. Excluded from 
this review is certain shadow mask steel, i.e., aluminum-killed, cold-
rolled steel coil that is open-coil annealed, has a carbon content of 
less than 0.002 percent, is of 0.003 to 0.012 inch in thickness, 15 to 
30 inches in width, and has an ultra flat, isotropic surface.
    The review of ``certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat 
products'' covers flat-rolled carbon steel products, of rectangular 
shape, either clad, plated, or coated with corrosion-resistant metals 
such as zinc, aluminum, or zinc-, aluminum-, nickel- or iron-based 
alloys, whether or not corrugated or painted, varnished or coated with 
plastics or other nonmetallic substances in addition to the metallic 
coating, in coils (whether or not in successively superimposed layers) 
and of a width of 0.5 inch or greater, or in straight lengths which, if 
of a thickness less than 4.75 millimeters, are of a width of 0.5 inch 
or greater and which measures at least 10 times the thickness or if of 
a thickness of 4.75 millimeters or more are of a width which exceeds 
150 millimeters and measures at least twice the thickness, as currently 
classifiable in the HTS under item numbers 7210.30.0030, 7210.30.0060, 
7210.41.0000, 7210.49.0030, 7210.49.0090, 7210.61.0000, 7210.69.0000, 
7210.70.6030, 7210.70.6060, 7210.70.6090, 7210.90.1000, 7210.90.6000, 
7210.90.9000, 7212.20.0000, 7212.30.1030, 7212.30.1090, 7212.30.3000, 
7212.30.5000, 7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000, 7212.50.0000, 7212.60.0000, 
7215.90.1000, 7215.90.3000, 7215.90.5000, 7217.20.1500, 7217.30.1530, 
7217.30.1560, 7217.90.1000, 7217.90.5030, 7217.90.5060, 7217.90.5090. 
Included in this review are flat-rolled products of nonrectangular 
cross-section where such cross-section is achieved subsequent to the 
rolling process (i.e., products which have been ``worked after 
rolling'')--for example, products which have been beveled or rounded at 
the edges. Excluded from this review are: flat-rolled steel products 
either plated or coated with tin, lead, chromium, chromium oxides, both 
tin and lead (``terne plate''), or both chromium and chromium oxides 
(``tin-free steel''), whether or not painted, varnished or coated with 
plastics or other nonmetallic substances in addition to the metallic 
coating; clad products in straight lengths of 0.1875 inch or more in 
composite thickness and of a width which exceeds 150 millimeters and 
measures at least twice the thickness; and certain clad stainless flat-
rolled products, which are three-layered corrosion-resistant carbon 
steel flat-rolled products less than 4.75 millimeters in composite 
thickness that consist of a carbon steel flat-rolled product clad on 
both sides with stainless steel in a 20%-60%-20% ratio.
    These HTS item numbers are provided for convenience and customs 
purposes. The written descriptions remain dispositive.
    The POR is August 1, 1997 through July 31, 1998. These reviews 
cover entries associated with sales of certain cold-rolled and 
corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products by Dongbu, Union, and 
the POSCO Group (see ``Affiliated Parties'' section below).

Verification

    We verified information provided by the POSCO Group with respect to 
costs, sales, and service center sales, including on-site inspection of 
facilities of the manufacturer, the examination of relevant accounting 
and financial records, and selection of original documentation 
containing relevant information. Our verification results are outlined 
in the cost, sales, and service center verification reports. See the 
August 5, 1999 Cost Verification Report from Steve Bezirganian, Becky 
Hagen, and Marlene Hewitt through James C. Doyle to Edward Yang, the 
August 10, 1999 Sales Verification Report from Steve Bezirganian, Becky 
Hagen, and Marlene Hewitt through James C. Doyle to the File, and the 
August 2, 1999 Service Center Verification Report from Steve 
Bezirganian, Becky Hagen, and Marlene Hewitt through James C. Doyle to 
Edward Yang, respectively.

Transactions Reviewed

    Consistent with prior reviews, we excluded reported overrun sales 
in the home market from our sales comparisons because such sales were 
outside the ordinary course of trade.

The POSCO Group

    According to section 351.403(d) of the Department's regulations, 
downstream sales to home market affiliates accounting for less than 5 
percent of total sales are normally excluded from the normal value 
calculation. Since the POSCO Group's sales to affiliated resellers did 
not meet the Department's 5 percent threshold, the Department has 
required the POSCO Group to report the home market downstream sales of 
the five affiliated service centers with the largest volume of sales of 
subject merchandise in each case. If the sales to the affiliated 
service centers did not pass the arm's length test, we used the resales 
made by these affiliated service centers. To test whether these sales 
were made at arm's length, we compared the prices of sales to 
affiliated and unaffiliated customers net of all movement charges, 
direct selling expenses, discounts and packing. Where prices to the 
affiliated parties were on average 99.5 percent or more of the price to 
the unaffiliated party, we determined that sales made to the related 
party were at arm's length. Where no affiliated customer ratio could be 
calculated because identical merchandise was not sold to unaffiliated 
customers, we were unable to determine that these sales were made at 
arm's length and, therefore, excluded them from our analysis. See Final 
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Certain Cold-Rolled 
Carbon Steel Flat Products from Argentina, 58 FR 37062, 37077 (July 9, 
1993). Where the exclusion of such sales eliminated all sales of the 
most appropriate comparison product, we made comparisons to the next 
most similar model.

Dongbu

    In determining NV, based on our review of the submissions by 
Dongbu, the Department determined that Dongbu need not report 
``downstream'' sales by affiliated resellers in the home market because 
of their small quantity.
    We excluded from our margin calculation certain Dongbu home market 
sales of painted corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products which 
we have determined to be outside of the ordinary course of trade. 
Specifically, we found that, based on Dongbu's description, the sales 
in question met such criteria for exclusion that were laid out in prior 
administrative reviews for products outside the ordinary course of 
trade. See, e.g., Certain Cold-Rolled and Corrosion-Resistant Carbon 
Steel Flat Products From Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Reviews, 64 FR 12927, 12941-42 (March 16, 1999); Certain 
Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From Australia; Final 
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Reviews, 61 FR 14049, 14050-
51 (March 29, 1996); and Certain Welded Carbon Steel Standard Pipes and 
Tubes From India, Final

[[Page 48769]]

Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Reviews, 56 FR 64753, 64755 
(December 12, 1991). The sales in question were: limited in quantity; 
at extremely low prices relative to costs; and involved coils of 
unusual sizes which would not be considered desirable by customers (see 
pages 18-19 of Dongbu's July 6, 1999 supplemental questionnaire 
response; note that the cover page to that response incorrectly 
indicates that the submission is dated July 6, 1998). For additional 
analysis, see the August 31, 1999 Preliminary Results Analysis 
Memorandum from Juanita Chen through James Doyle to the File.

Union

    Union did not have any ``downstream'' sales by affiliated resellers 
in the home market to report.

Affiliated Parties

    For purposes of these reviews, we are treating POSCO, Pohang Coated 
Steel Co., Ltd. (``POCOS''), and Pohang Steel Industries Co., Ltd. 
(``PSI'') as affiliated parties and have ``collapsed'' them, i.e., 
treated them as a single producer of certain cold-rolled carbon steel 
flat products (POSCO and PSI) and certain corrosion-resistant carbon 
steel flat products (POSCO, POCOS, and PSI). We refer to the collapsed 
respondent as the POSCO Group. POSCO, POCOS, and PSI were treated as 
collapsed in all previous segments of these proceedings. The POSCO 
Group has submitted no new information which would cause us to 
reconsider that determination. See the August 31, 1999 Analysis 
Memorandum from Becky Hagen through James Doyle to Edward Yang.
    As we have determined in past administrative reviews, we are 
treating Union and Dongkuk Industries Co., Ltd. (``DKI'') as a single 
producer of certain cold-rolled carbon steel flat products. See Certain 
Cold-Rolled and Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From 
Korea: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Reviews, 
60 FR 65284 (December 19, 1995).
    Additionally, we are treating DKI as a single producer of certain 
corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products. See the August 31, 1999 
Collapsing Memorandum from Marlene Hewitt through James Doyle to Edward 
Yang.

Product Comparisons

    In accordance with section 771(16) of the Act, we considered all 
cold-rolled carbon steel flat products produced by the respondents, 
covered by the descriptions in the ``Scope of the Reviews'' section of 
this notice, supra, and sold in the home market during the POR, to be 
foreign like products for the purpose of determining appropriate 
product comparisons to U.S. sales of cold-rolled carbon steel flat 
products. Likewise, we considered all corrosion-resistant carbon steel 
flat products produced by the respondents and sold in the home market 
during the POR to be foreign like products for the purpose of 
determining appropriate product comparisons to corrosion-resistant 
carbon steel flat products sold in the United States.
    For certain product characteristics (i.e., quality and surface 
finish) Dongbu reported additional sub-codes. The Department has 
included the additional codes that Dongbu reported in the 
aforementioned categories in the Department's product matching 
methodology. See the August 31, 1999 Preliminary Results Analysis 
Memorandum from Juanita Chen through James Doyle to the File.
    Where there were no sales of identical merchandise in the home 
market to compare to U.S. sales, we compared U.S. sales to the next 
most similar foreign like product on the basis of the characteristics 
listed in Appendix V of the Department's antidumping questionnaire. In 
making the product comparisons, we matched foreign like products based 
on the physical characteristics reported by the respondent. Where sales 
were made in the home market on a different weight basis from the U.S. 
market (theoretical versus actual weight), we converted all quantities 
to the same weight basis, using the conversion factors supplied by the 
respondents, before making our fair-value comparisons.

Fair-Value Comparisons

    To determine whether sales of certain cold-rolled and corrosion-
resistant carbon steel flat products by the respondents to the United 
States were made at less than fair value, we compared the export price 
(``EP'') or constructed export price (``CEP'') to the normal value 
(``NV''), as described in the ``Export Price/Constructed Export Price'' 
and ``Normal Value'' sections of this notice. In accordance with 
section 777A(d)(2) of the Act, we calculated monthly weighted-average 
prices for NV and compared these to individual U.S. transactions.

Particular Market Situation in the Home Market

    On November 9, and December 1, 1998, the petitioners alleged that 
the Korean home market should not be used to determine NV because there 
were economic distortions constituting a ``particular market 
situation'' in Korea during the period of review. Petitioners allege 
that two economic distortions make it impossible to obtain reliable 
measures of normal value in Korea, or to make proper comparisons of 
normal value with U.S. sales. These economic distortions, according to 
petitioners, are: (1) the precipitous depreciation of the Korean won 
during the POR, which was not accompanied by a corresponding increase 
in domestic prices, and resulted from a profound financial and banking 
crisis linked to global market activity rather than from underlying 
domestic economic fundamentals; and (2) the Government of Korea 
(``GOK'') controls home market prices of cold-rolled and corrosion-
resistant steel. Petitioners propose that the Department instead rely 
upon third country sales as the basis for normal value. We note that 
the precipitous drop in the value of the won at the end of 1997 
warrants the use of daily exchange rates and modified benchmarks, as 
discussed in the ``Currency Conversion'' section below.
    We preliminarily determine that the information submitted by 
petitioners and the questionnaire responses by the respondents do not 
show that there is a particular market situation in Korea that warrants 
disregarding the home market in this case. This is consistent with 
previous reviews in which petitioners also alleged a particular market 
situation in Korea's home market based on alleged government control of 
pricing. In those cases, we determined that the Korean home market was 
viable and appropriate as a basis for NV. See e.g. Certain Cold-Rolled 
and Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products from Korea: Final 
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Reviews, 62 FR 18404 (April 
15, 1997), and Certain Cold-Rolled and Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel 
Flat Products from Korea: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Reviews, 62 FR 47422, 47425 (September 9, 1997).

Duty Absorption

    On October 20, 1998, the petitioners requested that the Department 
determine whether antidumping duties have been absorbed by an exporter 
or producer subject to these administrative reviews, in the event that 
the subject merchandise was sold during this period of review in the 
United States through an importer affiliated with the POSCO Group, 
Dongbu, or Union. Section 751(a)(4) of the Act provides that, if 
requested, the Department will determine whether antidumping duties 
have been absorbed by a foreign producer or exporter subject to the 
order

[[Page 48770]]

if the subject merchandise is sold in the United States through an 
affiliated importer. Section 751(a)(4) of the Act authorizes this 
inquiry during an administrative review initiated two years or four 
years after publication of an order. For transition orders as defined 
in section 751(c)(6)(C) of the Act (i.e., antidumping orders in effect 
as of January 1, 1995), section 351.213(j)(2) of the Department's 
regulations provides that the Department will make such a determination 
for any administrative review initiated in 1996 or 1998. The orders in 
these cases are transition orders, which went into effect in 1993. See 
Notice of Antidumping Duty Orders: Certain Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel 
Flat Products and Certain Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat 
Products from Korea, 58 FR 44159 (August 19, 1993). Because this review 
was initiated in 1998, and the petitioners made a timely request for a 
duty absorption determination (i.e., within 30 days of the date of 
publication of the notice of initiation of this review), we find that 
the regulatory requirements for a duty absorption determination have 
been met. See 19 CFR 351.213(j).
    We have determined that duty absorption has occurred with respect 
to the percentages of sales shown below which were made through the 
respondents' U.S. affiliates and which had positive dumping margins:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Percentage of
                                                               U.S.
                                                            affiliate's
             Producer/Manufacturer/ Exporter                sales with
                                                              dumping
                                                              margins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Certain Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The POSCO Group.........................................            1.07
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Certain Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dongbu..................................................           20.81
The POSCO Group.........................................            2.92
Union...................................................            5.26
------------------------------------------------------------------------

With respect to the above companies, we rebuttably presume that the 
duties will be absorbed for those sales which were dumped. This 
presumption can be rebutted with evidence that the unaffiliated 
purchasers in the United States will pay the ultimately assessed duty. 
However, there is no such evidence on the record. Under these 
circumstances, we preliminarily find that antidumping duties have been 
absorbed by the above-listed firms on the percentages of U.S. sales 
indicated. If interested parties wish to submit evidence that the 
unaffiliated purchasers in the United States will pay the ultimately 
assessed duty, they must do so no later than 15 days after publication 
of these preliminary results.

Request for Revocation

The POSCO Group

    On August 31, 1998, the POSCO Group submitted a request, in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.222(e), that the Department revoke the 
orders covering certain cold-rolled carbon steel flat products and 
certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Korea with 
respect to its sales of this merchandise.
    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.222(e), these requests were 
accompanied by a certification from POSCO that it had not sold the 
subject merchandise at less than NV for a three-year period, including 
this review period, and would not do so in the future. POSCO also 
agreed to its immediate reinstatement of the relevant antidumping 
order, as long as any firm is subject to the order, if the Department 
concludes under 19 CFR 351.216 that, subsequent to revocation, POSCO 
sold the subject merchandise at less than NV.
    In the third administrative reviews, we determined that the POSCO 
Group sold both cold-rolled and corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat 
products at less than normal value. See Certain Cold-Rolled and 
Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products from Korea: Final 
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Reviews, 63 FR 13170 (March 
18, 1998), as amended at 63 FR 20572 (April 27, 1998). Although the 
final results of the third reviews are subject to litigation, that 
litigation is not yet complete. In the fourth administrative reviews, 
the POSCO Group had de minimis margins for both products. See Certain 
Cold-Rolled and Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products from 
Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Reviews, 64 FR 
10982 (March 8, 1999). Consequently, we preliminarily determine that 
because the POSCO Group does not have three consecutive years of zero 
or de minimis margins on cold-rolled carbon steel flat products and 
corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products, it is not eligible for 
revocation of these orders under 19 CFR 351.222(e).

Dongbu

    On August 31, 1998, Dongbu submitted a request, in accordance with 
19 CFR 351.222(e), that the Department revoke the orders covering 
certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Korea with 
respect to its sales of this merchandise.
    In accordance with 19 CFR Sec. 351.222(e), the request was 
accompanied by a certification from Dongbu that it had not sold the 
subject merchandise at less than NV for a three-year period, including 
this review period, and would not do so in the future. Dongbu also 
agreed to its immediate reinstatement in the relevant antidumping 
order, as long as any firm is subject to the order, if the Department 
concludes under 19 CFR 351.216 that, subsequent to revocation, it sold 
the subject merchandise at less than NV.
    In the third administrative review, we determined that Dongbu sold 
corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products at less than normal 
value. See Certain Cold-Rolled and Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel 
Flat Products from Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Reviews, 63 FR 13170 (March 18, 1998), as amended at 63 
FR 20572 (April 27, 1998). In the fourth administrative review, we 
determined that Dongbu was selling corrosion-resistant carbon steel 
products at less than normal value. See Certain Cold-Rolled and 
Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products from Korea: Final 
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Reviews, 64 FR 10982 (March 
8, 1999). Consequently, we preliminarily determine that because Dongbu 
does not have three consecutive years of zero or de minimis margins on 
corrosion-resistant steel, it is not eligible for revocation of the 
order on corrosion-resistant steel under 19 CFR Sec. 351.222(e).

Union

    Union did not request revocation.

Date of Sale

    It is the Department's current practice normally to use the invoice 
date as the date of sale, although we may use a date other than the 
invoice date if we are satisfied that a different date better reflects 
the date on which the exporter or producer establishes the material 
terms of sale. See 19 CFR 351.401(i). We have preliminarily determined 
that there is no reason to depart from the Department's treatment of 
date of sale for these respondents. Consistent with prior reviews, for 
home market sales, we used the reported date of the invoice from the 
Korean manufacturer; for U.S. sales we have followed the Department's 
methodology from the prior reviews, and have based date of sale on 
invoice date from the U.S. affiliate, unless that date was subsequent 
to the date of shipment from Korea, in which case that shipment date is 
the date of sale. See Certain Cold-Rolled and Corrosion-Resistant 
Carbon

[[Page 48771]]

Steel Flat Products from Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Reviews, 64 FR 12927 at 12935 (March 16, 1999).

Export Price/Constructed Export Price

    We calculated the price of United States sales based on CEP, in 
accordance with section 772(b) of the Act, except for U.S. sales made 
by PSI, which we have classified as ``export price'' sales. The Act 
defines the term ``constructed export price'' as ``the price at which 
the subject merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be sold) in the 
United States before or after the date of importation by or for the 
account of the producer or exporter of such merchandise or by a seller 
affiliated with the producer or exporter, to a purchaser not affiliated 
with the producer or exporter, as adjusted under subsections (c) and 
(d).'' In contrast, ``export price'' is defined as ``the price at which 
the subject merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be sold) before the 
date of importation by the producer or exporter of the subject 
merchandise outside of the United States.'' Sections 772(a)-(b) of the 
Act (emphasis added). In the instant case, the record establishes that 
Dongbu, the POSCO Group, and Union's affiliates in the United States 
were in most instances the parties first contacted by unaffiliated U.S. 
customers desiring to purchase the subject merchandise and also that 
the sales affiliates in question signed the sales contracts and 
performed other selling functions. Respondents have submitted no new 
evidence warranting a change in our finding in the third and fourth 
reviews--based in part on exhaustive sales verifications--that sales by 
Dongbu, Union and the POSCO Group sales by POSCO and POCOS are CEP 
transactions. See Certain Cold-Rolled and Corrosion-Resistant Carbon 
Steel Flat Products from Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Reviews, 64 FR 12927, 12937 (March 16, 1999).
    We preliminarily determine that the POSCO Group's U.S. sales made 
by PSI are EP sales. The U.S. affiliate, Pohang Steel America Corp. 
(``POSAM''), was not involved in the negotiations, and in fact, had no 
communication with the U.S. customer until the purchase order was 
finalized. Given the information from the record indicating PSI's 
substantial involvement in those sales and POSAM's absence of any 
involvement until the very end of the sales process (see, e.g., Section 
IVA of the Sales Verification report), we have classified PSI's sales 
as EP sales. For Dongbu, Union, and POSCO Group sales by POSCO and 
POCOS, we calculated CEP based on packed prices to unaffiliated 
customers in the United States. Where appropriate, we made deductions 
from the starting price for foreign inland freight, foreign inland 
insurance, foreign brokerage and handling, international freight, 
marine insurance, U.S. inland freight, U.S. brokerage and handling, 
U.S. Customs duties, commissions, credit expenses, warranty expenses, 
inventory carrying costs incurred in the United States, and other 
indirect selling expenses. Our calculation of indirect selling expenses 
does not include interest expenses of the U.S. sales affiliates because 
we have preliminarily determined that virtually all of those interest 
expenses relate to the financing of receivables or to borrowings 
involving non-subject merchandise. Pursuant to section 772(d)(3) we 
made an adjustment for CEP profit. Where appropriate, we added interest 
revenue to the gross unit price. Consistent with the Department's 
normal practice, we added duty drawback to the gross unit price. We did 
so in accordance with the Department's long-standing test, which 
requires: (1) that the import duty and rebate be directly linked to, 
and dependent upon, one another; and (2) that the company claiming the 
adjustment demonstrate that there were sufficient imports of imported 
raw materials to account for the duty drawback received on the exports 
of the manufactured product.
    Additionally, for Dongbu, we revised the calculation of U.S. 
indirect selling expenses to reflect our determination that a certain 
category of expenses should not be allocated across both subject and 
non-subject merchandise but, rather, should be considered to only apply 
to the former. Our original questionnaire requested that Dongbu provide 
a list of the overhead expenses incurred, and Dongbu's initial response 
included a category called ``Others'' (see pages C-47, C-48, and 
Exhibit C-19 of Dongbu's November 24, 1998 Section C response). Our 
first supplemental questionnaire asked Dongbu to indicate for all 
categories the basis for assigning costs to subject and non-subject 
merchandise, and Dongbu's response does not appear to clarify the types 
of expenses, and their applicability to subject vs. non-subject 
merchandise, included under the category ``Others'' (see page 31 and 
Exhibit C-31 of Dongbu's April 22, 1999 supplemental questionnaire 
response). Finally, in our most recent supplemental questionnaire we 
asked Dongbu to provide an explanation for each type of common expense 
including the category ``other'' common expenses, and to provide a list 
indicating each type of expense included in the ``other'' expense 
category, but Dongbu did not provide such information (see pages 28-29 
of Dongbu's July 6, 1999 supplemental questionnaire response). For 
additional analysis, see the August 31, 1999 Preliminary Results 
Analysis Memorandum from Juanita Chen through James Doyle to the File.
    For PSI's U.S. sales, we calculated EP based on the packed prices 
to unaffiliated purchasers in the United States. We made deductions for 
foreign inland freight, brokerage and handling, ocean freight, marine 
insurance, U.S. inland freight (where applicable), U.S. brokerage and 
wharfage charges (where applicable) and U.S. Customs duties in 
accordance with section 772(c)(2)(A) of the Act. Additionally, we added 
to the U.S. price an amount for duty drawback pursuant to section 
772(c)(1)(B) of the Act. This is not a change from the fourth reviews, 
as PSI did not sell subject merchandise to the United States during 
that period of review.

Normal Value

    Based on a comparison of the aggregate quantity of home-market and 
U.S. sales, we determined that the quantity of the foreign like product 
sold in the exporting country was sufficient to permit a proper 
comparison with the sales of the subject merchandise to the United 
States, pursuant to section 773(a) of the Act. Therefore, in accordance 
with section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act, we based NV on the price at 
which the foreign like product was first sold for consumption in the 
home market, in the usual commercial quantities and in the ordinary 
course of trade.
    Where appropriate, we deducted rebates, discounts, inland freight 
(offset, where applicable, by freight revenue), inland insurance, and 
packing. We made adjustments to NV, where appropriate, for differences 
in credit expenses (offset, where applicable, by interest income), 
warranty expenses, post-sale warehousing, and differences in weight 
basis. We also made adjustments, where appropriate, for home-market 
indirect selling expenses to offset U.S. commissions in CEP 
comparisons.
    We also increased NV by U.S. packing costs in accordance with 
section 773(a)(6)(A) of the Act. We made adjustments to NV for 
differences in cost attributable to differences in physical 
characteristics of the merchandise, pursuant to section 
773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act. In accordance with the Department's 
practice, where all contemporaneous matches to a U.S sale observation 
resulted in difference-in-merchandise adjustments exceeding

[[Page 48772]]

20 percent of the cost of manufacturing (``COM'') of the U.S. product, 
we based NV on constructed value (``CV'').

Differences in Levels of Trade

    In accordance with section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act and the 
Statement of Administrative Action (``SAA'') at 829-831, to the extent 
practicable, the Department will calculate NV based on sales at the 
same level of trade as the U.S. sales (either EP or CEP). When the 
Department is unable to find sales in the comparison market at the same 
level of trade as the U.S. sale(s), the Department may compare sales in 
the U.S. and foreign markets at different levels of trade, and adjust 
NV if appropriate. The NV level of trade is that of the starting-price 
sales in the home market. As the Department explained in Gray Portland 
Cement and Clinker From Mexico: Final Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Review, 62 FR 17148, 17156 (April 9, 1997), for both EP 
and CEP, the relevant transaction for the level-of-trade analysis is 
the sale from the exporter to the importer.
    To determine whether comparison market NV sales are at a different 
LOT than EP or CEP, we examine stages in the marketing process and 
selling functions along the chain of distribution between the producer 
and unaffiliated customer. If the comparison-market sales are at a 
different level of trade and the difference affects price 
comparability, as manifested in a pattern of consistent price 
differences between the sales on which NV is based and comparison-
market sales at the level of trade of the export transaction, we make a 
level-of-trade adjustment under section 773(a)(&)(A) of the Act. 
Finally, if the NV level is more remote from the factory than the CEP 
level and there is no basis for determining whether the difference in 
the levels between NV and CEP affects price comparability, we adjust NV 
under section 773(a)(7)(B) of the Act (the CEP-offset provision). See 
Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Certain 
Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate from South Africa, 62 FR 61731, 61732 
(November 17, 1997), and Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin From 
Italy; Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 
63 FR 25826 (May 11, 1998).

A. Dongbu

    In its questionnaire responses, Dongbu states that there were no 
significant differences in its selling activities by customer 
categories within or between each market. Therefore, Dongbu states that 
it is not distinguishing between levels of trade for these reviews and 
that it is not claiming a level of trade adjustment nor claiming a CEP 
offset. Our analysis of the questionnaire responses detailing the 
selling functions provided by Dongbu in the U.S. and home market leads 
us to conclude that sales within or between each market are not made at 
different levels of trade. We also note that the selling functions 
described by Dongbu in these reviews are consistent with the selling 
functions described for the previous reviews of these orders, in which 
we determined no distinct levels of trade. See Notice of Preliminary 
Results: Certain Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products and Certain 
Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products from Korea, 63 FR 48173, 
48178 (September 9, 1998). Accordingly, we preliminarily find that all 
sales in the home market and the U.S. market were made at the same 
level of trade. Therefore, all price comparisons are at the same level 
of trade and any adjustment pursuant to section 773(a)(7) of the Act is 
unwarranted.

B. Union

    Union argues that, with the Department's classification of Union's 
U.S. sales as CEP sales, and its view of Dongkuk International Inc.''s 
(``DKA's'') role in the sales process as more than ancillary for the 
U.S. sales, it is incumbent on the Department to recognize that U.S 
sales and home market sales are at different levels of trade. 
Furthermore, Union notes that because the difference in the level of 
trade cannot be quantified, Union is eligible for a CEP offset. Union 
states that home market sales are at a different level of trade from 
CEP sales, a level representing a more advanced stage of distribution. 
Union asserts that the Department's practice in a CEP situation is to 
compare the level of trade of the U.S. sale after the deduction of the 
selling expenses with the level of trade of the home market product 
with no deduction; therefore, the indirect selling expenses incurred 
for the selling functions associated with the U.S. sale, i.e., the 
contact, and other ancillary functions (in particular the arranging of 
credit terms) have been deducted from the U.S. sales price, but remain 
in the home market price.
    In identifying the level of trade for home market sales, we 
consider the selling functions reflected in the starting price of home 
market sales before any adjustments, pursuant to section 
773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act. Union's description of selling functions in 
the home market makes no distinction with regard to customer categories 
or channels of trade, and there is no evidence on the record indicating 
that such functions vary within the home market. In identifying the 
level of trade for CEP sales, we considered only the selling activities 
reflected in the U.S. price after deduction of expenses and profit 
under section 772(d) of the Act.
    We find that Union performed similar functions for its U.S. sales 
to DKA as it did for its sales to home market customers. Although the 
expenses related to DKA's activities have been deducted from CEP, the 
expenses incurred by Union are still reflected in CEP. Because we find 
there are no substantive differences in selling functions provided by 
Union for its home market customers as compared to DKA, there is no 
difference in level of trade and, therefore, no basis for granting a 
level of trade adjustment or a CEP offset. This is consistent with our 
treatment of level of trade for Union in prior administrative reviews. 
See Notice of Preliminary Results: Certain Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel 
Flat Products and Certain Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat 
Products from Korea, 63 FR 48173, 48178 (September 9, 1998).

C. The POSCO Group

    In its questionnaire responses, the POSCO Group stated that its 
home-market sales by affiliated service centers were at a different 
level of trade than its other home-market sales and its U.S. sales 
(regardless of the customer category). The respondent indicated that 
the service centers provide certain selling functions to all of their 
customers, while POSCO, POCOS and PSI provide a different set of 
selling functions to all of their customers (including the service 
centers).
    In order to confirm the presence of separate levels of trade within 
or between the U.S. and home markets, we examined the respondent's 
questionnaire responses for indications of substantive differences in 
selling and marketing functions, and reviewed this issue during the 
sales verification in Korea. See the preamble to section 351.412 of the 
Department's new regulations (62 FR at 27371).
    In its October 30, 1998 Section A response, the POSCO Group claimed 
that there are two channels of distribution in the home market: one 
channel of distribution consists of sales made by POSCO, POCOS, and 
PSI, while they claim that a second channel of distribution consists of 
the sales made by the affiliated service centers. Our analysis of the 
questionnaire responses and review of the sales functions at the 
service center and sales

[[Page 48773]]

verifications of the POSCO Group leads us to conclude that the 
cumulative functions of the POSCO Group and the service centers for 
sales made by the service centers are essentially the same as the 
cumulative functions of the POSCO Group for sales made by the POSCO 
Group. The only substantive additional function that the affiliated 
service centers perform is the slitting and shearing of coils, which is 
not a sales function, but rather a manufacturing operation. See, e.g., 
the September 9, 1997 Preliminary Results Analysis Memorandum from 
Steve Bezirganian to Richard Weible, the August 10, 1999 Sales 
Verification Report from Steve Bezirganian, Becky Hagen, and Marlene 
Hewitt through James C. Doyle to the File, and the August 2, 1999 
Service Center Verification Report from Steve Bezirganian, Becky Hagen, 
and Marlene Hewitt through James C. Doyle to Edward Yang. Furthermore, 
the Department finds that POSCO, POCOS, and PSI all provide comparable 
services to their customers in each market. Thus, our analysis of the 
questionnaire responses and the review of sales functions at the 
service center and sales verifications leads us to conclude that sales 
within or between each market are not made at different levels of 
trade. Accordingly, we find that all sales in the home market and the 
U.S. market were made at the same level of trade. Therefore, all price 
comparisons are at the same level of trade and an adjustment pursuant 
to section 773(a)(7) is unwarranted.

Cost-of-Production/Constructed Value

    At the time the questionnaires were issued in these reviews, the 
third annual administrative reviews were the most recently completed 
segments of these proceedings in which each of the three respondents 
had participated. In accordance with section 773(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the 
Act, because we disregarded certain below-cost sales by each of the 
three respondents in those reviews, we found reasonable grounds in 
these reviews to believe or suspect that those respondents made sales 
in the home market at prices below the cost of producing the 
merchandise. We therefore initiated cost investigations with regard to 
Dongbu, Union, and the POSCO Group, in order to determine whether the 
respondents made home-market sales during the POR at prices below their 
COP within the meaning of section 773(b) of the Act.
    Before making concordance matches, we conducted the COP analysis 
described below.

A. Calculation of COP

    We calculated the COP for Dongbu, Union, and the POSCO Group based 
on the sum of each respondent's cost of materials and fabrication for 
the foreign like product, plus amounts for home-market selling 
expenses, general, and administrative expenses (``SG&A''), and packing 
costs in accordance with section 773(b)(3) of the Act.

Dongbu

    We adjusted Dongbu's cost of materials and fabrication so that net 
currency and translation losses are allocated based on their 
relationship to Dongbu Steel costs rather than consolidated costs of 
goods sold (see Exhibits D-27 and C-31 of Dongbu's April 22, 1999 
supplemental questionnaire response). For additional analysis, see the 
August 31, 1999 Preliminary Results analysis memo from Juanita Chen 
through James Doyle to the File.

Union

    We made adjustments to Union's fixed overhead (``FOH'') due to our 
recalculation of depreciation, consistent with the Department's 
treatment of depreciation for the previous review period. See 64 FR 
12927, 12944 (March 16, 1999). See also the August 31, 1999 Analysis 
Memorandum from Marlene Hewitt through James Doyle to the File.

The POSCO Group

    We adjusted the reported costs to reflect differences in production 
costs associated with quality and coating weight. Also, in order to 
correct a clerical coding error in reported minimum thickness, we 
calculated the correct minimum thickness by taking the reported nominal 
thickness, then reassigning this minimum thickness value to the proper 
minimum thickness band as required by the Department's questionnaire. 
We reassigned the observations with corrected minimum thicknesses to 
the appropriate CONNUM. We increased all reported costs to account for 
missing cost centers in the POSCO Group's cost buildups. See the August 
31, 1999 Preliminary Results Analysis Memorandum from Becky Hagen 
through James Doyle to the File. Finally, the Department notes that it 
appears that a small portion of the POSCO Group's home market database 
was miscoded for yield strength. We will examine the accuracy and 
extent of this problem for the final determination.
    We have conducted an analysis of the POSCO Group's startup 
adjustment claim for the preliminary results. The POSCO Group has 
claimed that the installation of a new production line at one of its 
two works constitutes a new facility, and claimed startup adjustment 
should be applied to products manufactured on this new line. See the 
December 4, 1998 Section D Questionnaire Response at page 32. We 
preliminarily find that this new line does not constitute a ``new 
production facility,'' as required by the startup adjustment provision. 
See section 773(f)(1)(C)(ii)(I) of the Act. The SAA sets a high 
standard for startup adjustment claims when it states that, `` `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.'' SAA at 836 (emphasis added). 
Therefore, the startup adjustment should only be applied when 
substantial modifications have been made to an entire production plant.
    When determining whether substantial modifications have been made 
the Department must consider, along with other factors, the extent to 
which the improvements relate to the total production process. In the 
instant case, the new line is but one of many processing steps 
necessary to produce corrosion-resistant products performed by the 
POSCO Group. We also note that, although the equipment in question is 
large and expensive, its relative size to the other production 
equipment involved in the production of cold-rolled products at the 
POSCO Group is small. Moreover, the line produces merchandise similar 
to that manufactured on numerous other lines by the POSCO Group. 
Therefore, we do not believe that the installation of this equipment 
constitutes the substantial retooling of one of the POSCO Group's 
facilities and, therefore, does not meet the standard established in 
the statute.
    Because section 773(f)(1)(C) of the Act establishes that both 
prongs of the test must be met before a startup adjustment is 
warranted, this finding is sufficient to deny the POSCO Group's claim. 
Therefore, we need not address the POSCO Group's arguments concerning 
technical factors that limit commercial production levels (see Notice 
of Final Determination of Sales at Not Less Than Fair Value: Collated 
Roofing Nails from Korea, 62 FR 51420, 51426 (October 1, 1997).

B. Test of Home-Market Prices

    We used the respondents' weighted-average COP, as adjusted (see 
above), for the period July 1997 to June 1998. We compared the 
weighted-average COP figures to home-market sales of the

[[Page 48774]]

foreign like product as required under section 773(b) of the Act. In 
determining whether to disregard home-market sales made at prices below 
the COP, we examined whether (1) within an extended period of time, 
such sales were made in substantial quantities, and (2) such sales were 
made at prices which permitted the recovery of all costs within a 
reasonable period of time. On a product-specific basis, we compared the 
COP to the home-market prices (not including VAT), less any applicable 
movement charges, discounts, and rebates.

C. Results of COP Test

    Pursuant to section 773(b)(2)(C) of the Act, where less than 20 
percent of a respondent's sales of a given product were at prices less 
than the COP, we did not disregard any below-cost sales of that product 
because we determined that the below-cost sales were not made in 
``substantial quantities.'' Where 20 percent or more of a respondent's 
sales of a given product during the POR were at prices less than the 
COP, we found that sales of that model were made in ``substantial 
quantities'' within a reasonable period of time, in accordance with 
sections 773(b)(2)(B) and (C) of the Act, and were not at prices which 
would permit recovery of all costs within an extended period of time, 
in accordance with section 773(b)(2)(D) of the Act. In such cases, we 
disregarded the below-cost sales in accordance with section 773(b)(1) 
of the Act.

D. Calculation of CV

    In accordance with section 773(e) of the Act, we calculated CV for 
Dongbu, Union, and the POSCO Group based on the sum of respondents' 
cost of materials, fabrication, SG&A, including interest expenses, U.S. 
packing costs, and profit. In accordance with section 773(e)(2)(A) of 
the Act, we based SG&A and profit on the amounts incurred and realized 
by the respondent in connection with the production and sale of the 
foreign like product in the ordinary course of trade, for consumption 
in the foreign country. For selling expenses, we used the weighted-
average home-market selling expenses. As noted in the ``Calculation of 
COP'' section of this notice, we made adjustments to the reported COMs 
of the POSCO Group and Union. We also made adjustments, where 
appropriate, for home-market indirect selling expenses to offset U.S. 
commissions in CEP comparisons.

Currency Conversion

    Our preliminary analysis of Federal Reserve dollar-won exchange 
rate data shows that the won declined rapidly at the end of 1997, 
losing over 40% of its value between the beginning of November and the 
end of December. The decline was, in both speed and magnitude, many 
times more severe than any change in the dollar-won exchange rate 
during the previous eight years. Had the won rebounded quickly enough 
to recover all or almost all of the initial loss, the Department might 
have been inclined to view the won's decline at the end of 1997 as 
nothing more than a sudden, but only momentary, drop, despite the 
magnitude of that drop. As it was, however, there was no significant 
rebound. Therefore, we have preliminarily determined that the decline 
in the won at the end of 1997 was so precipitous and large that the 
dollar-won exchange rate cannot reasonably be viewed as having simply 
fluctuated during this time, i.e., as having experienced only a 
momentary drop in value. Therefore, in making this preliminary 
determination, the Department used daily rates exclusively for currency 
conversion purposes for comparison market sales matched to U.S. sales 
occurring between November 1 and December 31, 1997. For sales occurring 
after December 31, but before March 1, 1998, the Department continued 
to rely on the standard exchange rate model, but used as the benchmark 
rate a (stationary) average of the daily rates over this period. In 
this manner, we used an ``up-to-date'' (post-precipitous drop) 
benchmark, but at the same time avoided undue day-to-day fluctuations 
in the exchange rates used. See Notice of Final Determination of Sales 
at Less Than Fair Value: Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from the 
Republic of Korea, 64 FR 14865, 14868 (March 29, 1999) and Notice of 
Preliminary Results and Partial Recission of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Review: Steel Wire Rope from Korea, 63 FR 67662, 67665 
(December 8, 1998), unchanged at Steel Wire Rope from Korea; Final 
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Partial 
Rescission of Antidumping Administrative Review, 64 FR 17995 (April 13, 
1999).

Preliminary Results of the Reviews

    As a result of these reviews, we preliminarily determine that the 
following weighted-average dumping margins exist:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Weighted-
             Producer/Manufacturer/Exporter               average margin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Certain Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dongbu..................................................            0.00
The POSCO Group.........................................            0.10
Union...................................................            0.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Certain Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dongbu..................................................            1.29
The POSCO Group.........................................            0.45
Union...................................................            0.17
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.224(b), the Department will disclose to parties 
to the proceeding any calculations performed in connection with these 
preliminary results within five days after the publication of this 
notice. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309, interested parties may submit 
written comments in response to these preliminary results. Case briefs 
must be submitted within 30 days after the date of publication of this 
notice, and rebuttal briefs, limited to arguments raised in case 
briefs, must be submitted no later than five days after the time limit 
for filing case briefs. Parties who submit argument in this proceeding 
are requested to submit with the argument: (1) A statement of the 
issue, and (2) a brief summary of the argument. Case and rebuttal 
briefs must be served on interested parties in accordance with 19 CFR 
351.303(f). Also, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310, within 30 days of the 
date of publication of this notice, interested parties may request a 
public hearing on arguments to be raised in the case and rebuttal 
briefs. Unless the Secretary specifies otherwise, the hearing, if 
requested, will be held two days after the date for submission of 
rebuttal briefs, that is, thirty-seven days after the date of 
publication of these preliminary results. The Department will publish 
the final results of this administrative review, including the results 
of its analysis of issues raised in any case or rebuttal brief or at a 
hearing not later than 120 days after the date of publication of these 
preliminary results.
    The Department shall determine, and the U.S. Customs Service shall 
assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate entries. In accordance 
with 19 CFR 351.212(b), we have calculated exporter/ importer-specific 
assessment rates. We divided the total dumping margins for the reviewed 
sales by the total entered value of those reviewed sales for each 
importer. We will direct the U.S. Customs Service to assess the 
resulting percentage margin against the entered customs values for the 
subject

[[Page 48775]]

merchandise on each of that importer's entries under the relevant order 
during the review period.

Cash Deposit

    The following cash deposit requirements will be effective upon 
publication of the final results of this administrative review for all 
shipments of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date, as 
provided for by section 751(a)(1) of the Act: (1) the cash deposit rate 
for each respondent will be the rate established in the final results 
of these administrative reviews (except that no deposit will be 
required for firms with zero or de minimis margins, i.e., margins lower 
than 0.5 percent); (2) for previously reviewed or investigated 
companies not listed above, the cash deposit rate will continue to be 
the company-specific rate published for the most recent period; (3) if 
the exporter is not a firm covered in these reviews, a prior review, or 
the original LTFV investigations, but the manufacturer is, the cash 
deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recent period 
for the manufacturer of the merchandise; and (4) if neither the 
exporter nor the manufacturer is a firm covered in these or any prior 
reviews, the cash deposit rate will be 14.44 percent (for certain cold-
rolled carbon steel flat products) and 17.70 percent (for certain 
corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products), the ``all others'' 
rate established in the LTFV investigations. These deposit 
requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until publication of 
the final results of the next administrative reviews.
    This notice also serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of 
their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f) to file a certificate 
regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation 
of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply 
with this requirement could result in the Secretary's presumption that 
reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent 
assessment of double antidumping duties.
    These administrative reviews and notice are in accordance with 
sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

    Dated: August 31, 1999.
Richard W. Moreland,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-23325 Filed 9-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P