[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 202 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61119-61120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-5791]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-588-702, A-580-813, A-583-816]


Certain Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from Japan, South 
Korea, and Taiwan; Continuation of Antidumping Duty Orders

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: As a result of the determinations by the Department of 
Commerce (the Department) and the International Trade Commission (ITC) 
that revocation of the antidumping duty orders on certain stainless 
steel butt-weld pipe fittings (pipe fittings) from Japan, South Korea, 
and Taiwan would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping 
and material injury to an industry in the United States, the Department 
is publishing this notice of continuation of these antidumping duty 
orders.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 20, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Dana Mermelstein, AD/CVD Operations, Office 6, 
Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20230, telephone: (202) 482-1391.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 2, 2005, the Department and the ITC instituted sunset 
reviews of the antidumping duty orders on pipe fittings from Japan, 
South Korea, and Taiwan pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act. See 
Initiation of Five-year (``Sunset'') Reviews, 70 FR 5415 (Feb. 2, 
2005). As a result of its review, the Department found that revocation 
of the antidumping duty orders would likely lead to continuation or 
recurrence of dumping, and notified the ITC of the magnitude of the 
margins likely to prevail were the orders to be revoked. See Certain 
Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from Japan, South Korea, and 
Taiwan; Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Reviews of the 
Antidumping Duty Orders, 70 FR 53631 (Sept. 9, 2005). On October 3, 
2005, the ITC determined, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act, that 
revocation of the antidumping duty orders on pipe fittings from Japan, 
Korea, and Taiwan would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of 
material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably 
foreseeable time. See USITC Publication 3801 (September 2005) and 
Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, 
Inv. Nos. 731-TA-376, 563, and 564 (Second Review) 70 FR 58748 (Oct. 7, 
2005).

Scope of the Orders

Japan
    The products covered by this order include certain stainless steel 
butt-weld pipe and tube fittings, or SSPFs. These fittings are used in 
piping systems for chemical plants, pharmaceutical plants, food 
processing facilities, waste treatment facilities, semiconductor 
equipment applications, nuclear power plants and other areas. This 
merchandise is classifiable under the Harmonized Tariff Schedules of 
the United States (HTSUS) subheading 7307.23.0000. While the HTSUS 
subheading is provided for convenience and for customs purposes, the 
written product description remains dispositive as to the scope of the 
product coverage.
South Korea
    The products subject to this order are certain welded stainless 
steel butt-weld pipe fittings (pipe fittings), whether finished or 
unfinished, under 14 inches in inside diameter.
    Pipe fittings are used to connect pipe sections in piping systems 
where conditions require welded connections. The subject merchandise 
can be used where one or more of the following conditions is a factor 
in designing the piping system: (1) Corrosion of the piping system will 
occur if material other than stainless steel is used; (2) contamination 
of the material in the system by the system itself must be prevented; 
(3) high temperatures are present; (4) extreme low temperatures are 
present; (5) high pressures are contained within the system.
    Pipe fittings come in a variety of shapes, and the following five 
are the most basic: ``elbows,'' ``tees,'' ``reducers,'' ``stub ends,'' 
and ``caps.'' The edges of finished fittings are beveled. Threaded, 
grooved, and bolted fittings are excluded from this review. The pipe 
fittings subject to this order are

[[Page 61120]]

classifiable under subheading 7307.23.00 of the HTSUS.
    Although the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and 
customs purposes, our written description of the scope of the order is 
dispositive.
Taiwan
    The products subject to this order are certain stainless steel 
butt-weld pipe fittings, whether finished or unfinished, under 14 
inches inside diameter.
    Certain welded stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings (pipe 
fittings) are used to connect pipe sections in piping systems where 
conditions require welded connections. The subject merchandise is used 
where one or more of the following conditions is a factor in designing 
the piping system: (1) Corrosion of the piping system will occur if 
material other than stainless steel is used; (2) contamination of the 
material in the system by the system itself must be prevented; (3) high 
temperatures are present; (4) extreme low temperatures are present; and 
(5) high pressures are contained within the system.
    Pipe fittings come in a variety of shapes, with the following five 
shapes the most basic: ``elbows,'' ``tees,'' ``reducers,'' ``stub 
ends,'' and ``caps.'' The edges of finished pipe fittings are beveled. 
Threaded, grooved, and bolted fittings are excluded from this review. 
The pipe fittings subject to this order are classifiable under 
subheading 7307.23.00 of the HTSUS.
    Although the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and 
customs purposes, our written description of the scope of the order is 
dispositive.

Determination

    As a result of the determinations by the Department and the ITC 
that revocation of the antidumping duty orders would likely lead to 
continuation or recurrence of dumping and material injury to an 
industry in the United States, pursuant to section 751(d)(2) of the 
Act, the Department hereby orders the continuation of the antidumping 
duty orders on pipe fittings from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will continue to collect 
antidumping duty cash deposits at the rates in effect at the time of 
entry for all imports of subject merchandise.
    The effective date of continuation of these orders will be the date 
of publication in the Federal Register of this Notice of Continuation. 
Pursuant to section 751(c)(2) of the Act, the Department intends to 
initiate the next five-year review of these orders not later than 
October 2010.
    These five-year (sunset) reviews and notices are in accordance with 
section 751(c) of the Act and published pursuant to section 777(i)(1) 
of the Act.

    Dated: October 14, 2005.
Joseph A. Spetrini,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. E5-5791 Filed 10-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S