[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 174 (Thursday, September 9, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54633-54635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-2103]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 International Trade Administration

[A-821-809]


Certain Hot-Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon-Quality Steel Products From 
the Russian Federation; Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Review of 
Antidumping Duty Suspended Investigation

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

ACTION: Notice of expedited sunset review of the suspended antidumping 
duty investigation of certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality 
steel products from the Russian Federation; final results.

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SUMMARY: On May 3, 2004, the Department of Commerce (``the 
Department'') initiated a sunset review of the suspended antidumping 
duty investigation of certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality 
steel products (``hot-rolled steel'') from the Russian Federation 
(``Russia'').\1\ On the basis of the notice of intent to participate, 
adequate substantive comments filed on behalf of the domestic 
interested parties, and inadequate response from respondent interested 
parties, the Department conducted an expedited sunset review of the 
suspended antidumping duty investigation pursuant to section 
751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and section 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C) of the 
Department's regulations. As a result of this sunset review, the 
Department determined that termination of the suspended antidumping 
duty investigation would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of 
dumping at the levels listed below in the section entitled ``Final 
Results of Review''.
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    \1\ See Initiation of Five-Year (``Sunset'') Reviews, 69 FR 
24,118 (May 3, 2004) (``Notice of Initiation'').

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EFFECTIVE DATE: September 9, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martha V. Douthit, Office of Policy, 
Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: 202-482-5050.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On May 3, 2004, the Department initiated a sunset review of the 
suspended antidumping duty investigation on hot-rolled steel products 
from Russia in accordance with section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 
1930, as amended (``the Act''). See Notice of Initiation, 69 FR 24118 
(2004).
    Section 351.218(d)(1)(i) of the Department's regulations provides 
domestic interested parties opportunity to file a Notice of Intent to 
Participate in a Sunset Review within 15 days of initiation of review. 
The Department received notices of intent to participate within the 
applicable deadline specified in Sec.  351.218(d)(1)(i) of the 
Department's regulations on behalf of Nucor Corporation (``Nucor''), 
United States Steel Corporation (``U.S. Steel''), International Steel 
Group, Inc. (``ISG''), Gallatin Steel Company (``Gallatin''), IPSCO 
Steel Inc. (``IPSCO''), and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (``SDI''), and Ispat 
Inland Inc. and its division Ispat Inland Flat Products (``Ispat 
Inland'') (collectively ``domestic interested parties''). The domestic 
interested parties claimed interested-party status as producers of 
subject merchandise in the United States as defined by section 
771(9)(C) of the Act.
    The Department's regulations at Sec.  351.218(d)(3)(i) states that 
all interested parties participating in a sunset review must submit a 
complete substantive response to a Notice of Initiation within 30 days 
of initiation of the sunset review. On June 2, 2004, the Department 
received complete substantive responses from the domestic interested 
parties within the 30-day deadline specified in the Department's 
regulations under Sec.  351.218(d)(3)(i). However, the Department did 
not receive any responses from respondent interested parties to this 
proceeding. As a result, pursuant to section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act 
and Sec.  351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(2) of the Department's regulations, the 
Department conducted an expedited 120-day, sunset review of this 
suspended antidumping duty investigation.
    This suspended antidumping duty investigation remains in effect for 
Russian producers and exporters of subject merchandise.

Scope of the Suspended Investigation

    See Appendix 1.

Analysis of Comments Received

    All issues raised in this sunset review are addressed in the Issues 
and Decision Memorandum (``Decision Memo'') from Ronald K. Lorentzen, 
Acting Director, Office of Policy, Import Administration, to James J. 
Jochum, Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, dated August 31, 
2004, which is hereby adopted by this notice. The issues discussed in 
the Decision Memo include the likelihood of continuation or recurrence 
of dumping and the magnitude of the margin likely to prevail if the 
suspended investigation were revoked. Parties can find a complete 
discussion of all issues raised in this sunset review and the 
corresponding recommendations in this public memo, which is on file in 
room B-099 of the main Commerce Building.
    In addition, a complete version of the Decision Memo can be 
accessed directly on the Web at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/frn, under the 
heading ``September 2004.'' The paper copy and electronic version of 
the Decision Memo are identical in content.

Final Results of Review

    The Department determines that termination of the suspended 
antidumping duty investigation on hot-rolled steel from Russia would 
likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the following 
weighted-average margins:

[[Page 54634]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Weighted-
                                                               average
             Manufacturers/producers/exporter's                 margin
                                                              (percent)
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JSC Severstal..............................................        73.59
Russia-Wide Rate...........................................       184.56
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    This notice also serves as the only reminder to parties subject to 
administrative protective orders (``APO'') of their responsibility 
concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information 
disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305 of the 
Department's regulations. Timely notification of the return or 
destruction of APO materials or conversion of APO is a violation which 
is subject to sanction.
    We are issuing and publishing the results and notice in accordance 
with sections 751(c), 752(c), and 777(i)(1) of the Act. p

    Dated: August 31, 2004.
James J. Jochum
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.

Appendix 1--Scope of the Suspended Investigation on Hot-Rolled Steel 
From Russia (A-821-809)

    For purposes of this sunset review, the products covered are 
certain hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products of a 
rectangular shape, of a width of 0.5 inch or greater, neither clad, 
plated, nor coated with metal and whether or not painted, varnished, 
or coated with plastics or other non-metallic substances, in coils 
(whether or not in successively superimposed layers) regardless of 
thickness, and in straight lengths, of a thickness less than 4.75 mm 
and of a width measuring at least 10 times the thickness. Universal 
mill plate (i.e., flat-rolled products rolled on four faces or in a 
closed box pass, of a width exceeding 150 mm but not exceeding 1250 
mm and of a thickness of not less than 4 mm, not in coils and 
without patterns in relief) of a thickness not less than 4.0 mm is 
not included within the scope of this review. Specifically included 
in this scope are vacuum degassed, fully stabilized (commonly 
referred to as interstitial-free (``IF'')) steels, high strength low 
alloy (``HSLA'') steels, and the substrate for motor lamination 
steels. IF steels are recognized as low carbon steels with micro-
alloying levels of elements such as titanium and/or niobium added to 
stabilize carbon and nitrogen elements. HSLA steels are recognized 
as steels with micro-alloying levels of elements such as chromium, 
copper, niobium, titanium, vanadium, and molybdenum. The substrate 
for motor lamination steels contains micro-alloying levels of 
elements such as silicon and aluminum. Steel products to be included 
in the scope of this review, regardless of HTSUS definitions, are 
products in which: (1) Iron predominates, by weight, over each of 
the other contained elements; (2) the carbon content is 2 percent or 
less, by weight; and (3) none of the elements listed below exceeds 
the quantity, by weight, respectively indicated:

1.80 percent of manganese, or 1.50 percent of silicon, or 1.00 
percent of copper, or 0.50 percent of aluminum, or 1.25 percent of 
chromium, or 0.30 percent of cobalt, or 0.40 percent of lead, or 
1.25 percent of nickel, or 0.30 percent of tungsten, or 0.012 
percent of boron, or 0.10 percent of molybdenum, or 0.10 percent of 
niobium, or 0.41 percent of titanium, or 0.15 percent of vanadium, 
or 0.15 percent of zirconium.

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

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              C                       Mn                 P                 S                Si               Cr               Cu               Ni
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0.10-0.14%...................  0.90% Max.......  0.025% Max......  0.005% Max......  0.30-0.50%.....  0.50-0.70%.....  0.20-0.40%.....  0.20% Max.
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Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.063-0.198 inches; Yield Strength = 50,000 ksi minimum; Tensil Strength = 70,000-88,000 psi.

    Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, 
physical and mechanical specifications:

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               C                         Mn                   P                   S                  Si                  Cr                  Cu                  Ni                   Mo
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0.10-0.16%.....................  0.70-0.90%........  0.025% Max........  0.006% Max........  0.30-0.50%........  0.50-0.70%........  0.25% Max.........  0.20% Max.........  0.21% Max.
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Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.350 inches maximum; Yield Strength = 80,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 105,000 psi Aim.

    Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, 
physical and mechanical specifications:

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              C                       Mn                 P                 S                Si                Cr                Cu                Ni              V(wt.)               Cb
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0.10-0.14%...................  1.30-1.80%......  0.025% Max......  0.005% Max......  0.30-0.50%......  0.50-0.70%......  0.20-0.40%......  0.20% Max.......  0.10 Max........  0.08% Max
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Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.350 inches maximum; Yield Strength = 80,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 105,000 psi Aim.

    Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, 
physical and mechanical specifications.

[[Page 54635]]



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               C                         Mn                   P                   S                  Si                  Cr                  Cu                  Ni                  Nb                  Ca                   Al
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0.15% Max......................  1.40% Max.........  0.025% Max........  0.010% Max........  0.50% Max.........  1.00% Max.........  0.50% Max.........  0.20% Max.........  0.005% Max........  Treated...........  0.01-0.07%.
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Width = 39.37 inches; Thickness = 0.181 inches maximum; Yield Strength = 70,000 psi minimum for thickness <= 0.148 inches and 65,000 psi minimum for ``thicknesses'' > 0.148 inches; account for 64 FR 38650; Tensile Strength = 80,000
  psi minimum.

    Hot-rolled dual phase steel, phase-hardened, primarily with a 
ferritic-martensitic microstructure, contains 0.9 percent up to and 
including 1.5 percent silicon by weight, further characterized by 
silicon by either (i) tensile strength between 540 N/mm2 
and 640 N/mm2 and an elongation percentage > 26 percent 
account for 64 FR 38650, for thickness of 2 mm and above, or (ii) a 
tensile strength between 590 N/mm2 and 640 N/
mm2 and an elongation percentage >= 25 percent for 
thickness of 2 mm and above.
    Hot-rolled bearing quality steel, SAE grade 1050, in coils, with 
an inclusion rating of 1.0 maximum per ASTM E 45, Method A, with 
excellent surface quality and chemistry restrictions as follows: 
0.012 percent maximum phosphorus, 0.015 percent maximum sulfur, and 
0.20 percent maximum residuals including 0.15 percent maximum 
chromium.
    Grade ASTM A570-50 hot-rolled steel sheet in coils or cut 
lengths, width of 74 inches (nominal, within ASTM tolerances), 
thickness of 11 gauge (0.119 nominal), mill edge and skin passed, 
with a minimum copper content of 0.20 percent.
    The covered merchandise is classified in the Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS'') as subheadings:
    The merchandise subject to this sunset review is classified in 
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS'') at 
subheadings: 7208.10.15.00, 7208.10.30.00, 7208.10.60.00, 
7208.25.30.00, 7208.25.60.00, 7208.26.00.30, 7208.26.00.60, 
7208.27.00.30, 7208.27.00.60, 7208.36.00.30, 7208.36.00.60, 
7208.37.00.30, 7208.37.00.60, 7208.38.00.15, 7208.38.00.30, 
7208.38.00.90, 7208.39.00.15, 7208.39.00.30, 7208.39.00.90, 
7208.40.60.30, 7208.40.60.60, 7208.53.00.00, 7208.54.00.00, 
7208.90.00.00, 7210.70.30.00, 7210.90.90.00, 7211.14.00.30, 
7211.14.00.90, 7211.19.15.00, 7211.19.20.00, 7211.19.30.00, 
7211.19.45.00, 7211.19.60.00, 7211.19.75.30, 7211.19.75.60, 
7211.19.75.90, 7212.40.10.00, 7212.40.50.00, 7212.50.00.00. Certain 
hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel covered by this sunset 
review including: vacuum degassed, fully stabilized; high strength 
low alloy; and the substrate for motor lamination steel may also 
enter under the following tariff numbers: 7225.11.00.00, 
7225.19.00.00, 7225.30.30.50, 7225.30.70.00, 7225.40.70.00, 
7225.99.00.90, 7226.11.10.00, 7226.11.90.30, 7226.11.90.60, 
7226.19.10.00, 7226.19.90.00, 7226.91.50.00, 7226.91.70.00, 
7226.91.80.00, and 7226.99.00.00.
    Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and 
U.S. Customs purposes, the written description of the covered 
merchandise is dispositive.

[FR Doc. E4-2103 Filed 9-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P