[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 79 (Friday, April 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22005-22006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9299]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-351-826]


Notice of Extension of Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Review: Small Diameter Circular Seamless Carbon and 
Alloy Steel Standard, Line and Pressure Pipe From Brazil

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

ACTION: The Department of Commerce (``the Department'') is conducting 
an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on small 
diameter circular seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line and 
pressure pipe (``seamless pipe'') from Brazil in response to a request 
by respondent V&M do Brasil, S.A. (``VMB''). The review covers 
shipments to the United States during the period August 1, 2002, to 
July 31, 2003. For the reasons discussed below, we are fully extending 
the preliminary results of this administrative review by 120 days, to 
no later than August 30, 2004. This extension is made pursuant to 
Section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: April 23, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Edwards or Helen Kramer at 
(202) 482-8029 or (202) 482-0405, respectively; Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Enforcement Group III, Import Administration, 
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th 
Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

Background

    On August 12, 2003, in response to the Department's notice of 
opportunity to request a review published in the Federal Register, VMB 
requested that the Department conduct an administrative review of the 
antidumping duty order on seamless pipe from Brazil. The current 
antidumping duty order applies a company-specific rate for Mannesmann 
S.A. as well as the ``all-others'' rate. See Notice of Antidumping Duty 
Order and Amended Final Determination: Certain Small Diameter Seamless 
Carbon and Alloy Steel Standard, Line and Pressure Pipe From Brazil, 60 
FR 39707 (August 3, 1995).
    The Department initiated the review for VMB on September 30, 2003. 
See Notice of Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Reviews, Requests for Revocation in Part and Deferral of 
Administrative Reviews, 68 FR 56262.
    On January 13, 2004, the Department received a request from United 
States Steel Corporation, petitioner in this review, to commence a 
sales-below-cost investigation in this review. See Letter with 
Attachments from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP to the 
Secretary of Commerce, January 13, 2004, on file in the Central Records 
Unit (CRU) located in room B-099 of the main Commerce Building. The 
Department initiated a sales-below-cost investigation in this review on 
February 3, 2004. See Letter and Decision Memorandum from Abelali 
Elouaradia and Richard Weible, February 3, 2004, on file in the CRU.
    The preliminary results are currently due not later than May 1, 
2004.

Extension of Time Limits for Preliminary Results

    Pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.213(h)(2), the Department may extend the deadline for completion of 
the preliminary results of a review if it determines that it is not 
practicable to complete the preliminary results within 245 days after 
the last day of the anniversary month of the date of publication of the 
order for which the administrative review was requested. There are 
several complexities in this administrative review that require 
additional time to resolve, including issues regarding model match 
characteristics, the necessary revision of cost data, and the need to 
conduct an analysis of successorship to verify that VMB is the 
successor in Brazil to Mannesmann S.A. Furthermore, public

[[Page 22006]]

holidays in Brazil have resulted in a delay in the scheduling of 
verification. Therefore, it is not practicable for the Department to 
complete this review within the originally anticipated time limit 
(i.e., May 1, 2004) mandated by section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act.
    Therefore, in accordance with section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and 
19 CFR 351.213(h)(2), the Department is extending the time limits for 
the preliminary results by 120 days, to no later than August 30, 2004. 
The deadline for the final results of this review will continue to be 
120 days after publication of the preliminary results.

    Dated: April 19, 2004.
Joseph A. Spetrini,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, Group 3.
[FR Doc. 04-9299 Filed 4-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P