[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 7, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18346-18349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7873]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-588-824]


Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Certain 
Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From Japan

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

ACTION: Notice of the rescission of the antidumping duty administrative 
review of certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from 
Japan.

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SUMMARY: In response to a request from the International Steel Group 
Inc. (``ISG'') (``Petitioner''), the Department of Commerce 
(``Department'') initiated an administrative review of the antidumping 
duty order on certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products 
from Japan covering the period August 1, 2002 through July 31, 2003. On 
March 2, 2004, Petitioner withdrew its request for an administrative 
review. The Department is now rescinding this administrative review.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 7, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Bertrand or Aishe Allen, 
Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: 202-482-3207 or 202-482-0172, 
respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 29, 2003, Petitioner requested that the Department 
initiate an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on 
certain corrosion-resistant carbon products from Japan for the period 
of review (``POR'') August 1, 2002 through July 31, 2003. On September 
30, 2003, the Department published a notice of initiation of this 
antidumping duty administrative. See Initiation of Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, Requests for Revocation in 
Part and Deferral of Administrative Reviews 68 FR 56262 (September 30, 
2003). The initiation covered the six companies that were requested by 
the Petitioner for an administrative review: JFE Steel Corporation 
(``JFE''), Kawasho Corporation, Nippon Steel Corporation (``NSC''), 
Kobe Steel Company Limited (``Kobe''), Nisshin Steel (``Nisshin''), and 
Sumitomo Metals Industries, Ltd. (``SMI''). On March 2, 2004, 
Petitioners withdrew its request for review.

Scope of the 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,

[[Page 18347]]

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-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'' (0.10 mm) to 0.030'' (0.762 mm) 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

[[Page 18348]]

= 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 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.
    Also excluded from this order are 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 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

[[Page 18349]]

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.

Rescission of Review

    Section 351.213(d)(1) of the Department's regulations provides that 
a party that requests an administrative review may withdraw the request 
within 90 days after the date of publication of the notice of 
initiation of the requested administrative review. Additionally, Sec.  
351.213(d)(1) provides that the Secretary may extend the time limit for 
withdrawal requests where it is reasonable.
    On March 2, 2004, Petitioner withdrew its request for an 
administrative review. Since the review was initiated on September 30, 
2003, more than 90 days has passed since the initiation of the review. 
However, in this case, the Secretary finds that it is reasonable to 
extend the 90 day limit for Petitioner to withdraw its request for 
review because Petitioner was the only party to request a review in 
this case. Continuing the review would only require the parties and the 
Department to expend time and resources on a review in which the only 
party that requested the review is no longer interested.
    Therefore, for the above stated reasons, the Department is 
rescinding the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on 
certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Japan 
covering the period August 1, 2002 through July 31, 2003. This notice 
is in accordance with section 777(i)(1) of the Act and Sec.  
251.213(d)(4) of the Department's regulations.

    Dated: March 31, 2004.
Jeffrey A. May,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-7873 Filed 4-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P