[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13256-13260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6477]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-588-824]


Certain Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From 
Japan: Notice of Initiation and Preliminary Results of Changed 
Circumstances Review of the Antidumping Order, and Intent To Revoke 
Order in Part

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

ACTION: Notice of initiation and preliminary results of changed 
circumstances antidumping duty review, and intent to revoke order in 
part.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with 751(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (``the

[[Page 13257]]

Act'') and section 351.216(b) of the Department of Commerce's (``the 
Department'') regulations, Nippon Steel (``Nippon'') filed a request 
for a changed circumstances review of the antidumping order on certain 
corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Japan with respect 
to the carbon steel flat products as described below. Domestic 
producers of the like product have affirmatively expressed no interest 
in continuation of the order with respect to these particular products. 
In response to Nippon's request, the Department is initiating a changed 
circumstances review and issuing a notice of intent to revoke in part 
the antidumping duty order on certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel 
flat products from Japan. Interested parties are invited to comment on 
these preliminary results.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 19, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Bertrand or Peter Mueller, 
Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3207, and (202) 482-5811, 
respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On January 31, 2003, Nippon requested that the Department revoke in 
part the antidumping duty order on certain corrosion-resistant carbon 
steel flat products from Japan. Specifically, Nippon requested that the 
Department revoke the order with respect to imports meeting the 
following specifications: (1) flat-rolled products (provided for in 
HTSUS subheading 7210.49.00), other than of high-strength steel, known 
as ``ASE Iron Flash'' and either: (A) Having a base layer of zinc-based 
zinc-iron alloy applied by hot-dipping and a surface layer of iron-zinc 
alloy applied by electrolytic process, the weight of the coating and 
plating not over 40 percent by weight of zinc; or (B) two-layer-coated 
corrosion-resistant steel with a coating composed of (a) a base coating 
layer of zinc-based zinc-iron alloy by hot-dip galvanizing process, and 
(b) a surface coating layer of iron-zinc alloy by electro-galvanizing 
process, having an effective amount of zinc up to 40 percent by weight, 
and (2) corrosion resistant continuously annealed flat-rolled products, 
continuous cast, the foregoing with chemical composition (percent by 
weight): carbon not over 0.06 percent by weight, manganese 0.20 or more 
but not over 0.40, phosphorus not over 0.02, sulfur not over 0.023, 
silicon not over 0.03, aluminum 0.03 or more but not over 0.08, arsenic 
not over 0.02, copper not over 0.08 and nitrogen 0.003 or more but not 
over 0.008; and meeting the characteristics described below: (A) 
Products with one side coated with a nickel-iron-diffused layer which 
is less than 1 micrometer in thickness and the other side coated with a 
two-layer coating composed of a base nickel-iron-diffused coating layer 
and a surface coating layer of annealed and softened pure nickel, with 
total coating thickness for both layers of more than 2 micrometers; 
surface roughness (RA-microns) 0.18 or less; with scanning electron 
microscope (SEM) not revealing oxides greater than 1 micron; and 
inclusion groups or clusters shall not exceed 5 microns in length; (B) 
products having one side coated with a nickel-iron-diffused layer which 
is less than 1 micrometer in thickness and the other side coated with a 
four-layer coating composed of a base nickel-iron-diffused coating 
layer; with an inner middle coating layer of annealed and softened pure 
nickel, an outer middle surface coating layer of hard nickel and a 
topmost nickel-phosphorus-plated layer; with combined coating thickness 
for the four layers of more than 2 micrometers; surface roughness (RA-
microns) 0.18 or less; with SEM not revealing oxides greater than 1 
micron; and inclusion groups or clusters shall not exceed 5 microns in 
length; (C) products having one side coated with a nickel-iron-diffused 
layer which is less than 1 micrometer in thickness and the other side 
coated with a three-layer coating composed of a base nickel-iron-
diffused coating layer, with a middle coating layer of annealed and 
softened pure nickel and a surface coating layer of hard, luster-agent-
added nickel which is not heat-treated; with combined coating thickness 
for all three layers of more than 2 micrometers; surface roughness (RA-
microns) 0.18 or less; with SEM not revealing oxides greater than 1 
micron; and inclusion groups or clusters shall not exceed 5 microns in 
length; or (D) products having one side coated with a nickel-iron-
diffused layer which is less than 1 micrometer in thickness and the 
other side coated with a three-layer coating composed of a base nickel-
iron-diffused coating layer, with a middle coating layer of annealed 
and softened pure nickel and a surface coating layer of hard, pure 
nickel which is not heat-treated; with combined coating thickness for 
all three layers of more than 2 micrometers; surface roughness (RA-
microns) 0.18 or less; SEM not revealing oxides greater than 1 micron; 
and inclusion groups or clusters shall not exceed 5 microns in length.

Scope of Review

    The products covered by the antidumping duty order include 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 HTSUS 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 order are corrosion-resistant flat-rolled products of non-
rectangular 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 order 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.
    Also excluded from this order are 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.
    Also excluded from this order are certain clad stainless flat-
rolled products, which are three-layered corrosion-resistant carbon 
steel flat-

[[Page 13258]]

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.
    Also excluded from this order are certain corrosion-resistant 
carbon steel flat products meeting the following specifications: (1) 
Widths ranging from 10 millimeters (0.394 inches) through 100 
millimeters (3.94 inches); (2) thicknesses, including coatings, ranging 
from 0.11 millimeters (0.004 inches) through 0.60 millimeters (0.024 
inches); and (3) a coating that is from 0.003 millimeters (0.00012 
inches) through 0.005 millimeters (0.000196 inches) in thickness and 
that is comprised of either two evenly applied layers, the first layer 
consisting of 99% zinc, 0.5% cobalt, and 0.5% molybdenum, followed by a 
layer consisting of chromate, or three evenly applied layers, the first 
layer consisting of 99% zinc, 0.5% cobalt, and 0.5% molybdenum followed 
by a layer consisting of chromate, and finally a layer consisting of 
silicate.
    Also excluded from this order are carbon steel flat products 
measuring 1.84 millimeters in thickness and 43.6 millimeters or 16.1 
millimeters in width consisting of carbon steel coil (SAE 1008) clad 
with an aluminum alloy that is balance aluminum, 20% tin, 1% copper, 
0.3% silicon, 0.15% nickel, less than 1% other materials and meeting 
the requirements of SAE standard 783 for Bearing and Bushing Alloys.
    Also excluded from this order are carbon steel flat products 
measuring 0.97 millimeters in thickness and 20 millimeters in width 
consisting of carbon steel coil (SAE 1008) with a two-layer lining, the 
first layer consisting of a copper-lead alloy powder that is balance 
copper, 9% to 11% tin, 9% to 11% lead, less than 1% zinc, less than 1% 
other materials and meeting the requirements of SAE standard 792 for 
Bearing and Bushing Alloys, the second layer consisting of 45% to 55% 
lead, 38% to 50% PTFE, 3% to 5% molybdenum disulfide and less than 2% 
other materials.
    Also excluded from this order are doctor blades meeting the 
following specifications: carbon steel coil or strip, plated with 
nickel phosphorous, having a thickness of 0.1524 millimeters (0.006 
inches), a width between 31.75 millimeters (1.25 inches) and 50.80 
millimeters (2.00 inches), a core hardness between 580 to 630 HV, a 
surface hardness between 900-990 HV; the carbon steel coil or strip 
consists of the following elements identified in percentage by weight: 
0.90% to 1.05% carbon; 0.15% to 0.35% silicon; 0.30% to 0.50% 
manganese; less than or equal to 0.03% of phosphorous; less than or 
equal to 0.006% of sulfur; other elements representing 0.24%; and the 
remainder of iron.
    Also excluded from this order are products meeting the following 
specifications: carbon steel flat products measuring 1.64 millimeters 
in thickness and 19.5 millimeters in width consisting of carbon steel 
coil (SAE 1008) with a lining clad with an aluminum alloy that is 
balance aluminum; 10 to 15% tin; 1 to 3% lead; 0.7 to 1.3% copper; 1.8 
to 3.5% silicon; 0.1 to 0.7% chromium, less than 1% other materials and 
meeting the requirements of SAE standard 783 for Bearing and Bushing 
Alloys.
    Also excluded from this order are products meeting the following 
specifications: carbon steel coil or strip, measuring 1.93 millimeters 
or 2.75 millimeters (0.076 inches or 0.108 inches) in thickness, 87.3 
millimeters or 99 millimeters (3.437 inches or 3.900 inches) in width, 
with a low carbon steel back comprised of: carbon under 8%, manganese 
under 0.4%, phosphorous under 0.04%, and sulfur under 0.05%; clad with 
aluminum alloy comprised of: 0.7% copper, 12% tin, 1.7% lead, 0.3% 
antimony, 2.5% silicon, 1% maximum total other (including iron), and 
remainder aluminum.
    Also excluded from this order are products meeting the following 
specifications: carbon steel coil or strip, clad with aluminum, 
measuring 1.75 millimeters (0.069 inches) in thickness, 89 millimeters 
or 94 millimeters (3.500 inches or 3.700 inches) in width, with a low 
carbon steel back comprised of: carbon under 8%, manganese under 0.4%, 
phosphorous under 0.04%, and sulfur under 0.05%; clad with aluminum 
alloy comprised of: 0.7% copper, 12% tin, 1.7% lead, 2.5% silicon, 0.3% 
antimony, 1% maximum total other (including iron), and remainder 
aluminum.
    Also excluded from this order are products meeting the following 
specifications: carbon steel coil or strip, measuring a minimum of and 
including 1.10mm to a maximum of and including 4.90mm in overall 
thickness, a minimum of and including 76.00mm to a maximum of and 
including 250.00mm in overall width, with a low carbon steel back 
comprised of: Carbon under 0.10%, manganese under 0.40%, phosphorous 
under 0.04%, sulfur under 0.05%, and silicon under 0.05%; clad with 
aluminum alloy comprised of: under 2.51% copper, under 15.10% tin, and 
remainder aluminum as listed on the mill specification sheet.
    Also excluded from this order are products meeting the following 
specifications: (1) Diffusion annealed, non-alloy nickel-plated carbon 
products, with a substrate of cold-rolled battery grade sheet 
(``CRBG'') with both sides of the CRBG initially electrolytically 
plated with pure, unalloyed nickel and subsequently annealed to create 
a diffusion between the nickel and iron substrate, with the nickel 
plated coating having a thickness of 0-5 microns per side with one side 
equaling at least 2 microns; and with the nickel carbon sheet having a 
thickness of from 0.004'' (0.10mm) to 0.030'' (0.762mm) and conforming 
to the following chemical specifications (%): C <= 0.08; Mn <= 0.45; P 
<= 0.02; S <= 0.02; Al <= 0.15; and Si <= 0.10; and the following 
physical specifications: Tensile = 65 KSI maximum; Yield = 32-55 KSI; 
Elongation = 18% minimum (aim 34%); Hardness = 85-150 Vickers; Grain 
Type = Equiaxed or Pancake; Grain Size (ASTM) = 7-12; Delta r value = 
aim less than +/-0.2; Lankford value = = 1.2; and (2) next 
generation diffusion-annealed nickel plate meeting the following 
specifications: (a) nickel-graphite plated, diffusion annealed, tin-
nickel plated carbon products, with a natural composition mixture of 
nickel and graphite electrolytically plated to the top side of 
diffusion annealed tin-nickel plated carbon steel strip with a cold 
rolled or tin mill black plate base metal conforming to chemical 
requirements based on AISI 1006; having both sides of the cold rolled 
substrate electrolytically plated with natural nickel, with the top 
side of the nickel plated strip electrolytically plated with tin and 
then annealed to create a diffusion between the nickel and tin layers 
in which a nickel-tin alloy is created, and an additional layer of 
mixture of natural nickel and graphite then electrolytically plated on 
the top side of the strip of the nickel-tin alloy; having a coating 
thickness: top side: nickel-graphite, tin-nickel layer = 1.0 
micrometers; tin layer only = 0.05 micrometers, nickel-
graphite layer only  0.2 micrometers, and bottom side: 
nickel layer = 1.0 micrometers; (b) nickel-graphite, 
diffusion annealed, nickel plated carbon products, having a natural 
composition mixture of nickel and graphite electrolytically plated to 
the top side of diffusion annealed nickel plated steel strip with a 
cold rolled or tin mill black plate base metal conforming to chemical 
requirements based on AISI 1006; with both sides of the cold rolled 
base metal initially electrolytically plated with natural nickel, and 
the material then annealed

[[Page 13259]]

to create a diffusion between the nickel and the iron substrate; with 
an additional layer of natural nickel-graphite then electrolytically 
plated on the top side of the strip of the nickel plated steel strip; 
with the nickel-graphite, nickel plated material sufficiently ductile 
and adherent to the substrate to permit forming without cracking, 
flaking, peeling, or any other evidence of separation; having a coating 
thickness: top side: nickel-graphite, tin-nickel layer = 1.0 
micrometers; nickel-graphite layer = 0.5 micrometers; bottom 
side: nickel layer = 1.0 micrometers; (c) diffusion annealed 
nickel-graphite plated products, which are cold-rolled or tin mill 
black plate base metal conforming to the chemical requirements based on 
AISI 1006; having the bottom side of the base metal first 
electrolytically plated with natural nickel, and the top side of the 
strip then plated with a nickel-graphite composition; with the strip 
then annealed to create a diffusion of the nickel-graphite and the iron 
substrate on the bottom side; with the nickel-graphite and nickel 
plated material sufficiently ductile and adherent to the substrate to 
permit forming without cracking, flaking, peeling, or any other 
evidence of separation; having coating thickness: top side: nickel-
graphite layer = 1.0 micrometers; bottom side: nickel layer 
= 1.0 micrometers; (d) nickel-phosphorous plated diffusion 
annealed nickel plated carbon product, having a natural composition 
mixture of nickel and phosphorus electrolytically plated to the top 
side of a diffusion annealed nickel plated steel strip with a cold 
rolled or tin mill black plate base metal conforming to the chemical 
requirements based on AISI 1006; with both sides of the base metal 
initially electrolytically plated with natural nickel, and the material 
then annealed to create a diffusion of the nickel and iron substrate; 
another layer of the natural nickel-phosphorous then electrolytically 
plated on the top side of the nickel plated steel strip; with the 
nickel-phosphorous, nickel plated material sufficiently ductile and 
adherent to the substrate to permit forming without cracking, flaking, 
peeling or any other evidence of separation; having a coating 
thickness: top side: nickel-phosphorous, nickel layer = 1.0 
micrometers; nickel-phosphorous layer = 0.1 micrometers; 
bottom side: nickel layer = 1.0 micrometers; (e) diffusion 
annealed, tin-nickel plated products, electrolytically plated with 
natural nickel to the top side of a diffusion annealed tin-nickel 
plated cold rolled or tin mill black plate base metal conforming to the 
chemical requirements based on AISI 1006; with both sides of the cold 
rolled strip initially electrolytically plated with natural nickel, 
with the top side of the nickel plated strip electrolytically plated 
with tin and then annealed to create a diffusion between the nickel and 
tin layers in which a nickel-tin alloy is created, and an additional 
layer of natural nickel then electrolytically plated on the top side of 
the strip of the nickel-tin alloy; sufficiently ductile and adherent to 
the substrate to permit forming without cracking, flaking, peeling or 
any other evidence of separation; having coating thickness: top side: 
nickel-tin-nickel combination layer = 1.0 micrometers; tin 
layer only = 0.05 micrometers; bottom side: nickel layer 
= 1.0 micrometers; and (f) tin mill products for battery 
containers, tin and nickel plated on a cold rolled or tin mill black 
plate base metal conforming to chemical requirements based on AISI 
1006; having both sides of the cold rolled substrate electrolytically 
plated with natural nickel; then annealed to create a diffusion of the 
nickel and iron substrate; then an additional layer of natural tin 
electrolytically plated on the top side; and again annealed to create a 
diffusion of the tin and nickel alloys; with the tin-nickel, nickel 
plated material sufficiently ductile and adherent to the substrate to 
permit forming without cracking, flaking, peeling or any other evidence 
of separation; having a coating thickness: top side: nickel-tin layer 
= 1 micrometer; tin layer alone = 0.05 
micrometers; bottom side: nickel layer = 1.0 micrometer.
    Also excluded from this order are products meeting the following 
specifications: (1) Widths ranging from 10 millimeters (0.394 inches) 
through 100 millimeters (3.94 inches); (2) thicknesses, including 
coatings, ranging from 0.11 millimeters (0.004 inches) through 0.60 
millimeters (0.024 inches); and (3) a coating that is from 0.003 
millimeters (0.00012 inches) through 0.005 millimeters (0.000196 
inches) in thickness and that is comprised of either two evenly applied 
layers, the first layer consisting of 99% zinc, 0.5% cobalt, and 0.5% 
molybdenum, followed by a layer consisting of phosphate, or three 
evenly applied layers, the first layer consisting of 99% zinc, 0.5% 
cobalt, and 0.5% molybdenum followed by a layer consisting of 
phosphate, and finally a layer consisting of silicate.

Initiation of Changed Circumstances Antidumping Duty Administrative 
Review, and Intent To Revoke Order in Part

    Pursuant to sections 751(d)(1) and 782(h)(2) of the Act, the 
Department may revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, in 
whole or in part, based on a review under section 751(b) of the Act 
(i.e., a changed circumstances review) where the Department determines 
that ``producers accounting for substantially all of the production of 
that domestic like product have expressed a lack of interest in 
issuance of an order.'' See section 782(h)(2) of the Act. See e.g., 
Certain Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products From the Netherlands: 
Initiation and Preliminary Results of Changed Circumstances Review, 66 
FR 57415, 57416 (November 15, 2001).
    Furthermore, 19 CFR 351.222(g)(1) provides that the Department will 
conduct a changed circumstances administrative review under 19 CFR 
351.216, and may revoke an order (in whole or in part), if it 
determines that producers accounting for substantially all of the 
production of the domestic like product to which the order pertains 
have expressed a lack of interest in the relief provided by the order, 
in whole or in part, or if other changed circumstances sufficient to 
warrant revocation exist. In addition, in the event that the Department 
concludes that expedited action is warranted, 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(ii) 
permits the Department to combine the notices of initiation and 
preliminary results.
    In accordance with sections 751(d)(1) and 782(h)(2) of the Act, and 
19 CFR 351.216 and 351.222(g), based on affirmative statements by 
domestic producers of the like product, Bethlehem Steel Corporation, 
National Steel Corporation, and United States Steel Corporation 
(``Domestic Producers''), no further interest exists in continuing the 
order with respect to certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat 
products meeting the following specifications: (1) Flat-rolled products 
(provided for in HTSUS subheading 7210.49.00), other than of high-
strength steel, known as ``ASE Iron Flash'' and either: (A) Having a 
base layer of zinc-based zinc-iron alloy applied by hot-dipping and a 
surface layer of iron-zinc alloy applied by electrolytic process, the 
weight of the coating and plating not over 40 percent by weight of 
zinc; or (B) two-layer-coated corrosion-resistant steel with a coating 
composed of (a) a base coating layer of zinc-based zinc-iron alloy by 
hot-dip galvanizing process, and (b) a surface coating layer

[[Page 13260]]

of iron-zinc alloy by electro-galvanizing process, having an effective 
amount of zinc up to 40 percent by weight, and (2) corrosion resistant 
continuously annealed flat-rolled products, continuous cast, the 
foregoing with chemical composition (percent by weight): carbon not 
over 0.06 percent by weight, manganese 0.20 or more but not over 0.40, 
phosphorus not over 0.02, sulfur not over 0.023, silicon not over 0.03, 
aluminum 0.03 or more but not over 0.08, arsenic not over 0.02, copper 
not over 0.08 and nitrogen 0.003 or more but not over 0.008; and 
meeting the characteristics described below: (A) Products with one side 
coated with a nickel-iron-diffused layer which is less than 1 
micrometer in thickness and the other side coated with a two-layer 
coating composed of a base nickel-iron-diffused coating layer and a 
surface coating layer of annealed and softened pure nickel, with total 
coating thickness for both layers of more than 2 micrometers; surface 
roughness (RA-microns) 0.18 or less; with scanning electron microscope 
(SEM) not revealing oxides greater than 1 micron; and inclusion groups 
or clusters shall not exceed 5 microns in length; (B) products having 
one side coated with a nickel-iron-diffused layer which is less than 1 
micrometer in thickness and the other side coated with a four-layer 
coating composed of a base nickel-iron-diffused coating layer; with an 
inner middle coating layer of annealed and softened pure nickel, an 
outer middle surface coating layer of hard nickel and a topmost nickel-
phosphorus-plated layer; with combined coating thickness for the four 
layers of more than 2 micrometers; surface roughness (RA-microns) 0.18 
or less; with SEM not revealing oxides greater than 1 micron; and 
inclusion groups or clusters shall not exceed 5 microns in length; (C) 
products having one side coated with a nickel-iron-diffused layer which 
is less than 1 micrometer in thickness and the other side coated with a 
three-layer coating composed of a base nickel-iron-diffused coating 
layer, with a middle coating layer of annealed and softened pure nickel 
and a surface coating layer of hard, luster-agent-added nickel which is 
not heat-treated; with combined coating thickness for all three layers 
of more than 2 micrometers; surface roughness (RA-microns) 0.18 or 
less; with SEM not revealing oxides greater than 1 micron; and 
inclusion groups or clusters shall not exceed 5 microns in length; or 
(D) products having one side coated with a nickel-iron-diffused layer 
which is less than 1 micrometer in thickness and the other side coated 
with a three-layer coating composed of a base nickel-iron-diffused 
coating layer, with a middle coating layer of annealed and softened 
pure nickel and a surface coating layer of hard, pure nickel which is 
not heat-treated; with combined coating thickness for all three layers 
of more than 2 micrometers; surface roughness (RA-microns) 0.18 or 
less; SEM not revealing oxides greater than 1 micron; and inclusion 
groups or clusters shall not exceed 5 microns in length. See Domestic 
Producers' February 13, 2003, letter to the Department. Therefore, we 
are initiating this changed circumstances administrative review.
    Furthermore, because domestic producers have expressed a lack of 
interest, we determine that expedited action is warranted, and we 
preliminarily determine that continued application of the order with 
respect to certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products 
falling within the description above is no longer of interest to 
domestic interested parties. Because we have concluded that expedited 
action is warranted, we are combining these notices of initiation and 
preliminary results. Therefore, we are hereby notifying the public of 
our intent to revoke in part the antidumping duty order with respect to 
imports of certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products 
meeting the above-mentioned specifications from Japan.
    If the final revocation in part occurs, we intend to instruct the 
U.S. Customs Service (``Customs'') to liquidate without regard to 
antidumping duties, as applicable, and to refund any estimated 
antidumping duties collected for all unliquidated entries of certain 
corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products meeting the 
specifications indicated above, not subject to final results of 
administrative review as of the date of publication in the Federal 
Register of the final results of this changed circumstances review in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.222. We will also instruct Customs to pay 
interest on such refunds in accordance with section 778 of the Act. The 
current requirement for a cash deposit of estimated antidumping duties 
on certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products meeting the 
above specifications will continue unless and until we publish a final 
determination to revoke in part.

Public Comment

    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. Parties to the proceedings may request a 
hearing within 14 days of publication. Any hearing, if requested, will 
be held no later than two days after the deadline for the submission of 
rebuttal briefs, or the first workday thereafter. Case briefs may be 
submitted by interested parties not later than 14 days after the date 
of publication of this notice. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(d)(1), 
rebuttal briefs and rebuttals to written comments, limited to the 
issues raised in those comments, may be filed not later than five days 
after the deadline for submission of case briefs. All written comments 
shall be submitted in accordance with 19 CFR 351.303 and shall be 
served on all interested parties on the Department's service list in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.303. Persons interested in attending the 
hearing should contact the Department for the date and time of the 
hearing.
    This notice is published in accordance with section 751(b)(1) of 
the Act and 19 CFR 351.216 and 351.222.

    Dated: March 11, 2003.
Joseph A. Spetrini,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-6477 Filed 3-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P