[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31157-31159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8511]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-588-846]


Certain Hot-Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon-Quality Steel Products from 
Japan: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: On March 9, 2006, the Department of Commerce (the Department) 
published in the Federal Register the preliminary results of the 
administrative review of the antidumping duty order on Certain Hot-
Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon-Quality Steel Products from Japan (hot-rolled 
steel). This review covers two manufacturers/exporters: JFE Steel 
Corporation (JFE) and Kawasaki Steel Corporation (Kawasaki). The period 
of review (POR) covers sales of subject merchandise to the United 
States during the period of June 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005.
    We provided interested parties with an opportunity to comment on 
the preliminary results of review. However, we received no comments 
from interested parties. Consequently, no changes have been made to the 
dumping margins set forth in the preliminary results of this 
administrative review. For the margins applicable to each respondent, 
see the ``Final Results of Review'' section of this notice.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 1, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberley Hunt, 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) 482-1272.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 9, 2006, the Department published in the Federal Register 
the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping 
duty order on hot-rolled steel from Japan. See Certain Hot-Rolled 
Carbon Steel Flat Products from Japan: Preliminary Results of 
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 71 FR 12179 (March 9, 2006) 
(Preliminary Results). No interested parties filed case briefs in 
response to the Department's invitation to comment on the Preliminary 
Results.

Period Of Review

    This review covers the period June 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005.

Scope Of The Order

    The merchandise covered by this order consists of 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 
order.
    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 investigation, regardless of Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the 
United States (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 order unless otherwise 
excluded. The following products, by way of example, are outside and/or 
specifically excluded from the scope of this order:
 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:

[[Page 31158]]



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               C                        Mn                P                S                Si               Cr               Cu                Ni
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.10-0.14[percnt]..............  0.90[percnt] Max    0.025[percnt]    0.005[percnt]  0.30-0.50[percn  0.50-0.70[percn  0.20-0.40[percnt     0.20[percnt]
                                                               Max              Max               t]               t]                 ]              Max
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.063-0.198 inches; Yield 
Strength = 50,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 70,000-88,000 psi.
    Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, physical 
and mechanical specifications:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 C                        Mn               P               S             Si            Cr            Cu            Ni            Mo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.10-0.16[percnt].................  0.70-0.90[perc   0.025[percnt]   0.006[percnt]  0.30-0.50[pe  0.50-0.70[pe  0.25[percnt]  0.20[percnt]  0.21[percnt]
                                               nt]             Max             Max         rcnt]         rcnt]           Max           Max           Max
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  C                        Mn           P            S            Si           Cr           Cu           Ni        V (wt.)        Cb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.10-0.14[percnt]...................  1.30-1.80[p  0.025[percn  0.005[percn  0.30-0.50[p  0.50-0.70[p  0.20-0.40[p  0.20[percnt  0.10[percnt  0.08[percn
                                           ercnt]       t] Max       t] Max       ercnt]       ercnt]       ercnt]        ] Max        ] Max      t] Max
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 C                       Mn          P           S          Si         Cr         Cu         Ni         Nb           Ca           Al
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.15[percnt] Max...................  1.40[perc  0.025[perc  0.010[perc  0.50[perc  1.00[perc  0.50[perc  0.20[perc  0.005[perc       Treated  0.01-0.07[
                                       nt] Max     nt] Max     nt] Max    nt] Max    nt] Max    nt] Max    nt] Max     nt] Min                   percnt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Width = 39.37 inches; Thickness = 0.181 inches maximum; Yield Strength 
= 70,000 psi minimum for thicknesses 0.148 inches and 65,000 psi 
minimum for thicknesses > 0.148 inches; 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 
either (i) tensile strength between 540 N/mm2 and 640 N/mm2 and an 
elongation percentage 26 percent for thicknesses of 2 mm and above, or 
(ii) a tensile strength between 590 N/mm2 and 690 N/mm2 and an 
elongation percentage 25 percent for thicknesses of 2mm 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 inch nominal), mill edge and skin passed, 
with a minimum copper content of 0.20[percnt].
    The merchandise subject to this order is classified in the 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, and 7212.50.00.00. Certain 
hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel covered by this order, 
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 Customs 
purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive.

Final Results Of Review

    As stated in the Preliminary Results, neither JFE nor Kawasaki 
participated in this review. We did not receive comments on our 
decision to apply an adverse facts available (AFA) rate to JFE and 
Kawasaki.\1\ Accordingly, we do not have any reason to reconsider our 
preliminary decision. Therefore, consistent with the Department's 
Preliminary Results, and in accordance with 19 CFR Sec.  351.213(d)(3), 
we have made no changes to the dumping margins applied to JFE and 
Kawasaki in the Preliminary Results. As noted in the Memorandum to the 
File from Kimberley Hunt, Analyst, through Scott Lindsay, Acting 
Program Manager, and

[[Page 31159]]

Barbara E. Tillman, Director, Office of AD/CVD Operations 6; Re: Notice 
of Correction to the Federal Register Notice for the Preliminary 
Results of the Administrative Review for Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat 
Products from Japan, dated March 9, 2006, the language in the 
Preliminary Results stating that the request for review for this POR 
came from both Nucor Corporation (Nucor) and Ispat Inland Inc. was 
incorrect. The language in the Preliminary Results should have stated 
that the review had been requested solely by Nucor. This oversight does 
not in any way affect the margin in this review.
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    \1\ As AFA, we applied the rate of 40.26 percent, which is the 
margin calculated in the section 129 redetermination of the original 
less than fair value (LTFV) investigation using information provided 
by Kawasaki, and the highest rate determined for any party in this 
proceeding. See Notice of Determination Under Section 129 of the 
Uruguay Round Agreement Act: Antidumping Measures on Certain Hot-
Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon-Quality Steel Products from Japan, 67 FR 
71936 (December 3, 2002) (129 Determination).
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    We determine that the following dumping margins exist for the 
period June 1, 2004, through May 31, 2005:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Margin
                    Manufacturer/Exporter                      (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JFE Steel Corporation.......................................       40.26
Kawasaki Steel Corporation..................................       40.26
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Duty Assessment

    The Department will determine, and U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate 
entries, pursuant to 19 CFR Sec.  351.212(b). We will direct CBP to 
assess the dumping rate listed above against all subject merchandise 
manufactured or exported by JFE or Kawaskai, and entered or withdrawn 
from warehouse for consumption during the POR. The Department will 
issue appropriate assessment instructions directly to CBP within 15 
days of publication of these final results of review.

Cash Deposit Requirements

    The following cash deposit rates will be effective with respect to 
all shipments of hot-rolled steel from Japan entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date of these 
final results, as provided for by section 751(a)(1) of the Act: (1) for 
JFE and Kawasaki, the cash deposit rate shall be 40.26 percent (the AFA 
rate from the 129 Determination); (2) for previously reviewed or 
investigated companies not listed above, the cash deposit rate will 
continue to be the company-specific rate established for the most 
recent period; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this 
review, a prior review, or the LTFV investigation, but the manufacturer 
is, the cash deposit rate will continue to be the rate established for 
the most recent period for the manufacturer of the subject merchandise; 
and (4) if neither the exporter nor the manufacturer is a firm covered 
by this review, a prior review, or the LTFV investigation, the cash 
deposit rate shall be the all others rate established in the section 
129 redetermination of the LTFV investigation, which is 22.92 percent. 
See 129 Determination. These deposit rates, when imposed, shall remain 
in effect until publication of the final results of the next 
administrative review.

Notification To Importers

    This notice serves as a final reminder to importers of their 
responsibility under 19 CFR Sec.  351.402(f) to file a certificate 
regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation 
of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply 
with this requirement could result in the Secretary's presumption that 
reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent 
assessment of double antidumping duties.

Administrative Protective Orders

    This notice also serves as a reminder to parties subject to 
administrative protective orders (APOs) of their responsibility 
concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information 
disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR Sec.  351.305. Timely 
written notification of the return/destruction of APO materials or 
conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to 
comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a violation that is 
subject to sanction.
    This administrative review and notice are issued and published in 
accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

    Dated: May 24, 2006.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretaryfor Import Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-8511 Filed 5-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S