[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 66 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18503-18510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7099]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-570-836]


Glycine from the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results 
of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Partial Rescission

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: In response to a request from Geo Specialty Chemicals, Inc. 
(``GSC''), a domestic glycine producer, the Department of Commerce 
(``the Department'') is conducting an administrative review of the 
antidumping duty order on glycine from the People's Republic of China 
(``PRC''). This review covers Nantong Dongchang Chemical Industry 
Corporation (``Nantong Dongchang'') and Baoding Mantong Fine Chemistry 
Co., Ltd. (``Baoding Mantong''). The period of review (``POR'') is 
March 1, 2006, through February 28, 2007. On July 26, 2007, Nantong 
Dongchang indicated that it would not reply to the Department's 
antidumping questionnaire in this administrative review; therefore, we 
have preliminarily determined to apply facts otherwise available with 
an adverse inference (``AFA'') to Nantong Dongchang. In addition, we 
have preliminarily determined that Baoding Mantong made sales below 
normal value (``NV''). With respect to the 21 other companies for whom 
petitioners submitted a request for review and a subsequent timely 
withdrawal request, we are rescinding this review.\1\ The preliminary 
results are listed below in the section titled ``Preliminary Results of 
Review.'' If these preliminary results are adopted in our final 
results, we will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (``CBP'') 
to assess the ad valorem margins against the entered value of each 
entry of the subject merchandise during the POR.
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    \1\ Although the Department initiated an administrative review 
for 24 companies, Nantong Dongchang was also identified in the 
initiation notice as Dongchang Chemical Industrial Company, as GSC 
indicated in its July 27, 2007, letter to the Department.
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    Interested parties are invited to comment on these preliminary 
results. We will issue the final results no later than 120 days from 
the date of publication of this notice.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 4, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Quigley or Toni Dach, AD/CVD 
Operations, Office 9, Import Administration, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-
4047, or (202) 482-1655, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 29, 1995, the Department published in the Federal Register 
an antidumping duty order on glycine from the PRC. See Antidumping Duty 
Order: Glycine from the People's Republic of China, 60 FR 16116 (March 
29, 1995). On March 2, 2007, the Department published an Antidumping or 
Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; 
Opportunity to Request Administrative Review, 72 FR 9505 (March 2, 
2007). On March 28, 2007, GEO Speciality Chemicals, Inc. (``GSC''), 
requested that the Department conduct an administrative review of sales 
of subject merchandise by 26 companies to the United States during the 
POR, in accordance with section 351.213(b) of the Department's 
regulations. Those 26 companies are: A.H.A. International Company, 
Ltd.; Amol Biotech Limited; Baoding Mantong; Beijing Jian Li 
Pharmaceutical Company; Changzhou Dahua Importer and Exporter (Group); 
Chem-Base (Nantong) Laboratories Company; China Container Line (USA); 
Dongchang Chemical Industrial Company; Hua Yip Company, Inc.; Jizhou 
City Huayang Chemical Company, Ltd.; Nantong Dongchang; Orichem 
International Ltd.; Qingdao Samin Chemical Company,

[[Page 18504]]

Ltd.; Shanghai Dayue International; Shanghai Light Industrial; Shanghai 
Waseta International; Sinochem Qingdao Company, Ltd.; Sinosweet 
Company, Ltd.; Sumee China Jiangsu Machinery; Sumec (On Behalf of 
Nantong); Taigeng Global Enterprises Ltd.; Textiles Silk Light Ind. 
Products; Tianjin Tiancheng Pharmaceutical Company; Weifang Sunwin 
Chemicals Company, Ltd.; Yicheng Logistics Shanghai Ltd.; and Zheijiang 
Ruili Cemented Carbide. On March 30, 2007, Nantong Dongchang requested 
an administrative review of its sales during the POR, in accordance 
with section 351.213(b) of the Department's regulations. On April 5, 
2007, prior to initiation of the review, GSC withdrew its review 
request with respect to two companies: Hua Yip Company, Inc. and 
Taigeng Global Enterprises Ltd, because GSC was unable to provide 
addresses for these two companies.
    On April 27, 2007, the Department initiated the antidumping duty 
administrative review with respect to the 24 remaining companies. See 
Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative 
Reviews, 72 FR 20986 (April 27, 2007). On June 14, 2007, the Department 
selected Baoding Mantong and Nantong Dongchang as mandatory 
respondents. See Memorandum to James C. Doyle, Director, AD/CVD 
Operations, Office 9, through Christopher D. Riker, Program Manager, 
AD/CVD Operations, Office 9, from Catherine C. Bertrand, Senior 
International Trade Analyst, AD/CVD Operations, Office 9, regarding 
2006/2007 Antidumping Duty Administrative Review of Glycine from the 
People's Republic of China: Selection of Respondents. On November 30, 
2007, the Department extended the deadline for the publication of the 
preliminary results to March 31, 2008. See Glycine from the People's 
Republic of China: Extension of Time Limits for the Preliminary Results 
of the 2006-2007 Administrative Review, 72 FR 67701 (November 30, 
2007).

Questionnaires

    On June 14, 2007, the Department issued standard non-market economy 
(``NME'') antidumping duty questionnaires to Baoding Mantong and 
Nantong Dongchang. On July 3, 2007, and July 23, 2007, the Department 
issued extensions of the deadline for Nantong Dongchang to file its 
response to the questionnaire. On July 26, 2007, Nantong Dongchang 
notified the Department that it would not reply to the Department's 
antidumping questionnaire in this administrative review. On July 27, 
2007, GSC withdrew its request for administrative review for all 
companies except Nantong Dongchang and Baoding Mantong.
    Baoding Mantong submitted its section A response on July 5, 2007, 
and its response to sections C and D on July 20, 2007. Baoding Mantong 
submitted supplemental responses on December 3, 2007, February 28, 
2008, and March 7, 2008.

Surrogate Country and Factors

    On September 17, 2007, the Department's Office of Policy issued a 
memorandum listing India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Indonesia, and the 
Philippines as economically comparable surrogate countries for this 
review. On October 5, 2007, we invited interested parties to comment on 
the Department's surrogate country selection and to submit publicly 
available information to value the factors of production (``FOPs''), 
and attached the memorandum outlining the appropriate surrogate 
countries in this case based solely on economic comparability. See 
Letter to All Interested Parties, from Scot T. Fullerton, Program 
Manager, Office 9, Import Administration, regarding 2006-2007 
Administrative Review of Administrative Review of Glycine from the 
People's Republic of China (``China''): Surrogate Country List, at 
Attachment One (``Surrogate Country Letter Attachment''). On November 
20, 2007, Baoding Mantong submitted comments regarding the selection of 
surrogate values. On February 7, 2008, GSC submitted information for 
the Department to consider in valuing the FOPs. On February 29, 2008, 
GSC submitted comments regarding the surrogate value information placed 
on the record. All surrogate value data submitted by both parties were 
from Indian sources.
    When the Department is investigating imports from an NME country, 
section 773(c)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (``the Act''), 
directs it to base NV, in most circumstances, on the NME producer's 
FOPs, valued in a surrogate market economy country or countries 
considered to be appropriate by the Department. In accordance with 
section 773(c)(4) of the Act, in valuing the factors of production, the 
Department shall utilize, to the extent possible, the prices or costs 
of FOPs in one or more market economy countries that are: (1) at a 
level of economic development comparable to that of the NME country; 
and (2) significant producers of comparable merchandise.
    India is among the countries comparable to the PRC in terms of 
overall economic development. In its February 7, 2008, letter 
commenting on surrogate country selection, GSC suggested that India be 
the primary surrogate country because it is a significant producer of 
glycine (whereas the other selected countries are not), and also 
because of the availability of surrogate value data from Indian 
sources. In addition, based on publicly available information placed on 
the record (i.e., export data as found in the Surrogate Country Letter 
Attachment), India is a significant producer of the subject 
merchandise. Furthermore, India has been the primary surrogate country 
in past segments of this case, and both GSC and Baoding Mantong 
submitted surrogate values based solely on Indian data that are 
contemporaneous to the POR.
    Given that India meets the criteria listed in sections 773(c)(4)(A) 
and (B) of the Act, interested parties have placed only Indian 
surrogate value information on the record of this review, and our use 
of India as the surrogate country in past reviews of glycine, we have 
selected India as the surrogate country for purposes of these 
preliminary results. The sources of the surrogate factor values are 
discussed under the ``Normal Value'' section below and in Memorandum to 
the File through Scot T. Fullerton, Program Manager, Office 9 from Toni 
Dach, International Trade Analyst, Office 9: Administrative Review of 
Glycine from the People's Republic of China: Surrogate Values for the 
Preliminary Results, March 28, 2008 (``Surrogate Values Memo''). In 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.301(c)(3)(ii), for the final results of an 
antidumping administrative review, interested parties may submit 
publicly available information to value the factors of production 
within 20 days after the date of publication of the preliminary 
determination.\2\
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    \2\ In accordance with 19 CFR 351.301(c)(1), for the final 
results of this administrative review, interested parties may submit 
factual information to rebut, clarify, or correct factual 
information submitted by an interested party less than ten days 
before, on, or after, the applicable deadline for submission of such 
factual information. However, the Department notes that 19 CFR 
351.301(c)(1) permits new information only insofar as it rebuts, 
clarifies, or corrects information placed on the record. The 
Department generally will not accept the submission of additional, 
previously absent-from-the-record alternative surrogate value 
information pursuant to 19 CFR 351.301(c)(1). See Glycine from the 
People's Republic of China: Final Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Review and Final Rescission, in Part, 72 FR 58809 
(October 17, 2007) and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum 
at Comment 2.
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Scope of the Order

    The product covered by the order is glycine, which is a free-
flowing crystalline material, like salt or sugar.

[[Page 18505]]

Glycine is produced at varying levels of purity and is used as a 
sweetener/taste enhancer, a buffering agent, reabsorbable amino acid, 
chemical intermediate, and a metal complexing agent. This review covers 
glycine of all purity levels. Glycine is currently classified under 
subheading 2922.49.4020 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States (``HTSUS''). Although the HTSUS subheading is provided for 
convenience and Customs purposes, the written description of the 
merchandise under the order is dispositive.

Separate Rate

    A designation of a country as an NME remains in effect until it is 
revoked by the Department. See section 771(18)(C)(i) of the Act. 
Accordingly, there is a rebuttable presumption that all companies 
within the PRC are subject to government control and, thus, should be 
assessed a single antidumping duty rate. It is the Department's 
standard policy to assign all exporters of the merchandise subject to 
review in NME countries a single rate unless an exporter can 
affirmatively demonstrate an absence of government control, both in law 
(de jure) and in fact (de facto), with respect to exports. To establish 
whether a company is sufficiently independent to be entitled to a 
separate, company-specific rate, the Department analyzes each exporting 
entity in an NME country under the test established in the Final 
Determination of Sales at Less than Fair Value: Sparklers from the 
People's Republic of China, 56 FR 20588 (May 6, 1991) (``Sparklers''), 
as amplified by the Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than 
Fair Value: Silicon Carbide from the People's Republic of China, 59 FR 
22585 (May 2, 1994) (``Silicon Carbide''). With respect to Nantong 
Dongchang, as noted above, Nantong Dongchang withdrew from 
participation in the administrative review; therefore Nantong Dongchang 
has failed to demonstrate its eligibility for a separate rate. See 
``PRC-Wide Rate and Facts Otherwise Available'' Section, below.

A. Absence of De Jure Control

    The Department considers the following de jure criteria in 
determining whether an individual company may be granted a separate 
rate: 1) an absence of restrictive stipulations associated with an 
individual exporter's business and export licenses; 2) any legislative 
enactments decentralizing control of companies; and 3) any other formal 
measures by the government decentralizing control of companies. See 
Sparklers, 56 FR at 20589. In a prior administrative review for this 
case, the Department granted a separate rate to Baoding Mantong. See 
Glycine from the People's Republic of China: Notice of Final Results of 
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 70 FR 47176 (August 12, 2005). 
However, it is the Department's policy to evaluate requests for a 
separate rate individually, regardless of whether the respondent 
received a separate rate in the past. See Manganese Metal From the 
People's Republic of China: Final Results and Partial Rescission of 
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 63 FR 12440, 12441-12442 (March 
13, 1998).
    In this review, Baoding Mantong submitted a complete response to 
the separate rates section of the Department's NME questionnaire. See 
Baoding Mantong section A response, July 5, 2008. In its response, 
Baoding Mantong includes PRC government laws and regulations with 
respect to corporate ownership, its business license, and narrative 
information regarding the company's operations and selection of 
management. The information provided by Baoding Mantong supports a 
finding of a de jure absence of governmental control over their export 
activities based on: (1) an absence of restrictive stipulations 
associated with the exporter's business license; and (2) the legal 
authority on the record decentralizing control over the respondents, as 
demonstrated by the PRC laws placed on the record of this review. No 
party submitted information to the contrary. Accordingly, we 
preliminarily find an absence of de jure control.

B. Absence of De Facto Control

    The absence of de facto governmental control over exports is based 
on whether the respondent: (1) sets its own export prices independent 
of the government and other exporters; (2) retains the proceeds from 
its export sales and makes independent decisions regarding the 
disposition of profits or financing of losses; (3) has the authority to 
negotiate and sign contracts and other agreements; and (4) has autonomy 
from the government regarding the selection of management. See Silicon 
Carbide, 59 FR at 22587; Sparklers, 56 FR at 20589; see also Notice of 
Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Furfuryl Alcohol 
from the People's Republic of China, 60 FR 22544, 22545 (May 8, 1995).
    In its questionnaire responses, Baoding Mantong submitted evidence 
indicating an absence of de facto governmental control over its export 
activities. Specifically, this evidence indicates that: (1) Baoding 
Mantong sets its own export prices independent of the government and 
without the approval of a government authority; (2) Baoding Mantong 
retains the proceeds from its sales and makes independent decisions 
regarding the disposition of profits or financing of losses; (3) 
Baoding Mantong has a general manager with the authority to negotiate 
and bind the company in an agreement; (4) the general manager is 
selected by the board of directors, and the general manager appoints 
the deputy managers and the manager of each department; and (5) there 
is no restriction on the company's use of export revenues. Therefore, 
the Department preliminarily finds that Baoding Mantong has established 
prima facie that it qualifies for a separate rate under the criteria 
established by Silicon Carbide and Sparklers.

Partial Rescission of Review

    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), as a timely withdrawal 
request was submitted to the Department by GSC on July 27, 2007, we are 
rescinding this administrative review with respect to the following 21 
companies: A.H.A. International Company, Ltd.; Amol Biotech Limited; 
Beijing Jian Li Pharmaceutical Company; Changzhou Dahua Importer and 
Exporter (Group); Chem-Base (Nantong) Laboratories Company; China 
Container Line (USA); Jizhou City Huayang Chemical Company, Ltd.; 
Orichem International Ltd.; Qingdao Samin Chemical Company, Ltd.; 
Shanghai Dayue International; Shanghai Light Industrial; Shanghai 
Waseta International; Sinochem Qingdao Company, Ltd.; Sinosweet 
Company, Ltd.; Sumee China Jiangsu Machinery; Sumec (On Behalf of 
Nantong); Textiles Silk Light Ind. Products; Tianjin Tiancheng 
Pharmaceutical Company; Weifang Sunwin Chemicals Company, Ltd.; Yicheng 
Logistics Shanghai Ltd.; and Zheijiang Ruili Cemented Carbide.\3\
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    \3\ Tianjin Tiancheng Pharmaceutical Company has a separate 
rate, and we will liquidate its entries 15 days after publication of 
this notice. As the remaining 20 companies do not have a separate 
rate, they are considered part of the PRC-wide entity and any 
entries will be liquidated at the conclusion of this review.
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PRC Wide Rate and Facts Otherwise Available

    Nantong Dongchang, which was selected as a mandatory respondent, 
did not respond to the Department's request for information, and thus 
has failed to demonstrate its eligibility for a separate rate. The PRC-
wide rate applies to all entries of subject merchandise except for 
entries from PRC producers/exporters that have their own calculated

[[Page 18506]]

rate. See ``Separate Rates'' section above. Companies that have not 
demonstrated their entitlement to a separate rate are appropriately 
considered to be part of the PRC-wide entity. Therefore, we determine 
it is necessary to review the PRC-wide entity, because Nantong 
Dongchang is subject to the instant proceeding. In doing so, we note 
that section 776(a)(1) of the Act mandates that the Department use the 
facts available if necessary information is not available on the record 
of an antidumping proceeding. In addition, section 776(a)(2) of the Act 
provides that if an interested party or any other person: (A) withholds 
information that has been requested by the administering authority; (B) 
fails to provide such information by the deadlines for the submission 
of the information or in the form and manner requested, subject to 
subsections (c)(1) and (e) of section 782 of the Act; (C) significantly 
impedes a proceeding under this title; or (D) provides such information 
but the information cannot be verified as provided in section 782(i) of 
the Act, the Department shall, subject to section 782(d) of the Act, 
use the facts otherwise available in reaching the applicable 
determination under this title. Where the Department determines that a 
response to a request for information does not comply with the request, 
section 782(d) of the Act provides that the Department shall promptly 
inform the party submitting the response of the nature of the 
deficiency and shall, to the extent practicable, provide that party 
with an opportunity to remedy or explain the deficiency. Section 782(d) 
of the Act additionally states that if the party submits further 
information that is unsatisfactory or untimely, the administering 
authority may, subject to subsection (e), disregard all or part of the 
original and subsequent responses. Section 782(e) of the Act provides 
that the Department shall not decline to consider information that is 
submitted by an interested party and is necessary to the determination 
but does not meet all the applicable requirements established by the 
administering authority if: (1) the information is submitted by the 
deadline established for its submission; (2) the information can be 
verified; (3) the information is not so incomplete that it cannot serve 
as a reliable basis for reaching the applicable determination; (4) the 
interested party has demonstrated that it acted to the best of its 
ability in providing the information and meeting the requirements 
established by the administering authority with respect to the 
information; and (5) the information can be used without undue 
difficulties.
    As addressed below for Nantong Dongchang, we find that the PRC-wide 
entity, which includes Nantong Dongchang, did not respond to our 
request for information and that necessary information either was not 
provided, or the information provided could not be verified and is not 
sufficiently complete to enable the Department to use it for these 
preliminary results. Therefore, we find it necessary, under section 
776(a)(2) of the Act, to use facts otherwise available as the basis for 
the preliminary results of this review for the PRC-wide entity.
    Nantong Dongchang submitted a response to the Department's Quantity 
and Value questionnaire. The Department granted Nantong Dongchang an 
extension on July 3, 2007, and another extension on July 23, 2007 to 
submit its section A response. However, on July 26, 2007, the 
Department received a notification from Nantong Dongchang stating that 
it would not submit responses to the Department's antidumping 
questionnaires. See July 26, 2007, letter to the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, from Nantong Dongchang. Because Nantong Dongchang did not 
provide its initial questionnaire response, or continue to participate 
in the review, the company denied the Department an opportunity to 
analyze any of its POR-specific sales and production information, as 
well as its eligibility for a separate rate. Because Nantong Dongchang 
denied the Department the opportunity to further investigate its 
quantity and value response and, despite several extensions, did not 
submit any responses to the Department's section A, C and D 
questionnaires, the Department has preliminarily determined that 
Nantong Dongchang significantly impeded the Department's proceeding by 
withholding information, and failing to respond to the Department's 
request for information within the Department's specified deadlines. 
Therefore, pursuant to sections 776(a)(2)(A),(B), and (C) of the Act, 
the Department preliminarily finds that the application of facts 
available is appropriate for these preliminary results.
    Pursuant to section 776(b) of the Act, we find that the PRC-wide 
entity, which includes Nantong Dongchang, failed to cooperate by not 
acting to the best of its ability. As noted above, Nantong Dongchang 
indicated to the Department that it would not participate in this 
review, or otherwise did not provide the requested information, despite 
repeated requests that it do so. This POR-specific information was in 
the sole possession of Nantong Dongchang, and could not be obtained 
otherwise. Thus, because Nantong Dongchang, and thus the PRC-wide 
entity, refused to participate fully in this proceeding, we find it 
appropriate to use an inference that is adverse to the interests of the 
PRC-wide entity in selecting from among the facts otherwise available. 
By doing so, we ensure that the companies that are part of the PRC-wide 
entity, including Nantong Dongchang, will not obtain a more favorable 
result by failing to cooperate than had they cooperated fully in this 
review.

Selection of Adverse Facts Available (``AFA'') Rate

    In deciding which facts to use as AFA, section 776(b) of the Act 
and 19 CFR 351.308(c) authorize the Department to rely on information 
derived from (1) the petition, (2) a final determination in the 
investigation, (3) any previous review or determination, or (4) any 
information placed on the record. In reviews, the Department normally 
selects, as AFA, the highest rate on the record of any segment of the 
proceeding. See, e.g., Freshwater Crawfish Tail Meat from the People's 
Republic of China: Notice of Final Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Review, 68 FR 19504, 19506 (April 21, 2003). The Court 
of International Trade (``CIT'') and the Court of Appeals for the 
Federal Circuit have consistently upheld the Department's practice in 
this regard. See Rhone Poulenc, Inc. v. United States, 899 F.2d 1185, 
1190 (Fed. Cir. 1990) (``Rhone Poulenc''); NSK Ltd. v. United States, 
346 F. Supp. 2d 1312, 1335 (CIT 2004) (upholding a 73.55 percent total 
AFA rate, the highest available dumping margin from a different 
respondent in a LTFV investigation); see also Kompass Food Trading 
Int'l v. United States, 24 CIT 678, 680 (2000) (upholding a 51.16 
percent total AFA rate, the highest available dumping margin from a 
different, fully cooperative respondent); and Shanghai Taoen Int'l 
Trading Co., Ltd. v. United States, 360 F. Supp 2d 1339, 1348 (CIT 
2005) (upholding a 223.01 percent total AFA rate, the highest available 
dumping margin from a different respondent in a previous administrative 
review).
    The Department's practice when selecting an adverse rate from among 
the possible sources of information is to ensure that the margin is 
sufficiently adverse ``so as to effectuate the statutory purposes of 
the adverse facts available rule to induce respondents to provide the 
Department with complete and accurate information in a timely

[[Page 18507]]

manner.'' See Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less than Fair 
Value: Static Random Access Memory Semiconductors from Taiwan, 63 FR 
8909, 8932 (February 23, 1998). The Department's practice also ensures 
``that the party does not obtain a more favorable result by failing to 
cooperate than if it had cooperated fully.'' See Statement of 
Administrative Action accompanying the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, 
H.R. Doc. 103-316, vol. 1 (1994) (``SAA''), at 870; see also Notice of 
Final Determination of Sales at Less than Fair Value: Certain Frozen 
and Canned Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil, 69 FR 76910, 76912 (December 
23, 2004); D&L Supply Co. v. United States, 113 F.3d 1220, 1223 (Fed. 
Cir. 1997). In choosing the appropriate balance between providing 
respondents with an incentive to respond accurately and imposing a rate 
that is reasonably related to the respondent's prior commercial 
activity, selecting the highest prior margin ``reflects a common sense 
inference that the highest prior margin is the most probative evidence 
of current margins because, if it were not so, the importer, knowing of 
the rule, would have produced current information showing the margin to 
be less.'' Rhone Poulenc, 899 F.2d at 1190. Consistent with the 
statute, court precedent, and its normal practice, the Department has 
assigned the rate of 155.89 percent, the highest rate on the record of 
any segment of the proceeding, to the PRC-wide entity, which includes 
Nantong Dongchang, as AFA. See, e.g., Glycine from the People's 
Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Review of the 
Antidumping Duty Order, 70 FR 58185 (October 5, 2005) (``Glycine Sunset 
Results''). As discussed further below, this rate has been 
corroborated.

Corroboration of Secondary Information Used as AFA

    Section 776(c) of the Act provides that, where the Department 
selects from among the facts otherwise available and relies on 
``secondary information,'' the Department shall, to the extent 
practicable, corroborate that information from independent sources 
reasonably at the Department's disposal. Secondary information is 
described in the SAA as ``{i{time} nformation derived from the petition 
that gave rise to the investigation or review, the final determination 
concerning the subject merchandise, or any previous review under 
section 751 concerning the subject merchandise.'' See SAA at 870. The 
SAA states that ``corroborate'' means to determine that the information 
used has probative value. The Department has determined that to have 
probative value, information must be reliable and relevant. See Tapered 
Roller Bearings and Parts Thereof, Finished and Unfinished from Japan, 
and Tapered Roller Bearings Four Inches or Less in Outside Diameter, 
and Components Thereof, from Japan; Preliminary Results of Antidumping 
Duty Administrative Reviews and Partial Termination of Administrative 
Reviews, 61 FR 57391, 57392 (November 6, 1996), unchanged in Tapered 
Roller Bearings and Parts Thereof, Finished and Unfinished, From Japan, 
and Tapered Roller Bearings, Four Inches or Less in Outside Diameter, 
and Components Thereof, From Japan; Final Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Reviews and Termination in Part, 62 FR 11825 (March 13, 
1997). The SAA also states that independent sources used to corroborate 
such evidence may include, for example, published price lists, official 
import statistics and customs data, and information obtained from 
interested parties during the particular investigation or review. SAA, 
at 870. See Notice of Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than 
Fair Value: High and Ultra-High Voltage Ceramic Station Post Insulators 
from Japan, 68 FR 35627 (June 16, 2003) unchanged in Notice of Final 
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: High and Ultra-High 
Voltage Ceramic Station Post Insulators from Japan, 68 FR 62560 
(November 5, 2003); Notice of Final Determination of Sales at Less Than 
Fair Value: Live Swine From Canada, 70 FR 12181, 12183 (March 11, 
2005).
    To be considered corroborated, information must be found to be both 
reliable and relevant. Unlike other types of information, such as input 
costs or selling expenses, there are no independent sources for 
calculated dumping margins. The only sources for calculated margins are 
administrative determinations. The AFA rate we are applying for the 
current review, 155.89 percent, the PRC-wide rate established in the 
LTFV investigation, was determined to have probative value during the 
2005 sunset review of glycine from the PRC, as the Department found it 
to be the only margin that reflects the actions of the PRC-wide entity 
absent the discipline of an order. See Glycine from the People's 
Republic of China; Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Review of the 
Antidumping Duty Order, 70 FR 58185 (October 5, 2005) and accompanying 
Issues and Decision Memorandum for the Expedited Sunset Review of the 
Antidumping Duty Order on Glycine from the People's Republic of China; 
Final Results, to Joseph A. Spetrini, Acting Assistant Secretary for 
Import Administration, from Barbara E. Tillman, Acting Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Import Administration, at Comment 2 (``Glycine Sunset 
Review''). Furthermore, no information has been presented in the 
current review that calls into question the reliability of this 
information. Thus, the Department finds that the information continues 
to be reliable.
    With respect to the relevance aspect of corroboration, the 
Department will consider information reasonably at its disposal to 
determine whether a margin continues to have relevance. Where 
circumstances indicate that the selected margin is not appropriate as 
adverse facts available, the Department will disregard the margin and 
determine an appropriate margin. See, e.g., Fresh Cut Flowers from 
Mexico; Final Results of Antidumping Administrative Review, 61 FR 6812, 
6814 (February 22, 1996). Similarly, the Department does not apply a 
margin that has been discredited. See D & L Supply Co. v. United 
States, 113 F.3d 1220, 1221 (Fed. Cir. 1997) (the Department will not 
use a margin that has been judicially invalidated). As noted, the AFA 
rate we are applying for the current review was determined to have 
probative value during the 2005 sunset review of glycine from the PRC, 
as the Department found it to be the only margin that reflects the 
actions of the PRC-wide entry absent the discipline of an order. See 
Glycine Sunset Review. Moreover, as there is no information on the 
record of this review that demonstrates that this rate is not 
appropriately used as adverse facts available, we determine that this 
rate has relevance.
    As the AFA rate is both reliable and relevant, we find that it has 
probative value. As a result, the Department preliminarily determines 
that the AFA margin is corroborated for the purposes of this 
administrative review and may reasonably be applied to the PRC-wide 
entity, which includes Nantong Dongchang. Because these are the 
preliminary results of the review, the Department will consider all 
margins on the record at the time of the final results of review for 
the purpose of determining the most appropriate final margin for 
Nantong Dongchang. See Notice of Preliminary Determination of Sales at 
Less Than Fair Value: Solid Fertilizer Grade Ammonium Nitrate From the 
Russian Federation, 65 FR 1139 (January 7, 2000) unchanged in Notice of 
Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value; Solid Fertilizer 
Grade Ammonium Nitrate from the Russian Federation, 65 FR 42669 (July 
11, 2000).

[[Page 18508]]

Non-Market Economy Country

    In every case conducted by the Department involving the PRC, the 
PRC has been treated as a non-market economy (``NME'') country. See, 
e.g., Honey from the People's Republic of China: Final Results and 
Final Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 
71 FR 34893 (June 16, 2006), and Honey from the People's Republic of 
China: Final Results and Rescission in Part, of Antidumping Duty New 
Shipper Reviews, 72 FR 37715 (July 11, 2007). Pursuant to section 
771(18)(C)(i) of the Act, any determination that a foreign country is a 
NME country shall remain in effect until revoked by the administering 
authority. See, e.g., Carbazole Violet Pigment 23 From the People's 
Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Review and Rescission in Part, 71 FR 65073, 65074 
(November 7, 2006) unchanged in Carbazole Violet Pigment 23 from the 
People's Republic of China: Final Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Review, 72 FR 26589 (May 10, 2007). None of the parties 
to this proceeding have contested such treatment. Accordingly, we 
calculated NV in accordance with section 773(c) of the Act, which 
applies to NME countries.

Normal Value Comparisons

    To determine whether Baoding Mantong's sales of the subject 
merchandise to the United States were made at a price below NV, we 
compared its United States prices to a normal value, as described in 
the ``United States Price'' and ``Normal Value'' section of this 
notice.

U.S. Price

A. Export Price

    In accordance with section 772(a) of the Act, we calculated the 
export price (``EP'') for certain sales to the United States for 
Baoding Mantong because the first sale to an unaffiliated party was 
made before the date of importation and the use of constructed EP 
(``CEP'') was not otherwise warranted. We calculated EP based on the 
FOB price to unaffiliated purchasers in the United States.\4\ In 
accordance with section 772(c)(2) of the Act, as appropriate, we 
deducted from the starting price to unaffiliated purchasers foreign 
inland freight. This service was either provided by an NME vendor or 
paid for using an NME currency. Thus, we based the deduction of these 
movement charges on surrogate values. See Surrogate Values Memo for 
details regarding the surrogate values for movement expenses.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ We note that certain of Baoding Mantong's sales appeared to 
have entered the United States as ``type 1'' entries not subject to 
antidumping duties. See Letter from Scot T. Fullerton, Program 
Manager, AD/CVD Operations, Office 9, to Baoding Mantong, dated 
February 29, 2008. We have referred this matter to CBP for possible 
enforcement action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Normal Value (``NV'')

1. Methodology

    Section 773(c)(1) of the Act provides that the Department shall 
determine the NV using a factors-of-production methodology if the 
merchandise is exported from an NME and the information does not permit 
the calculation of NV using home-market prices, third-country prices, 
or constructed value under section 773(a) of the Act. The Department 
bases NV on the FOPs because the presence of government controls on 
various aspects of NMEs renders price comparisons and the calculation 
of production costs invalid under the Department's normal 
methodologies.

2. Factor Valuations

    In accordance with section 773(c)(1) of the Act, we calculated NV 
based on factors of production reported by respondent for the POR. To 
calculate NV, we multiplied the reported per unit factor-consumption 
rates by publicly available Indian surrogate values. In selecting the 
surrogate values, we considered the quality, specificity, and 
contemporaneity of the data. As appropriate, we adjusted input prices 
by including freight costs to make them delivered prices. Specifically, 
we added to Indian import surrogate values a surrogate freight cost 
using the shorter of the reported distance from the domestic supplier 
to the factory of production or the distance from the nearest seaport 
to the factory of production where appropriate. This adjustment is in 
accordance with the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit's decision 
in Sigma Corp. v. United States, 117 F.3d 1401, 1407-1408 (Fed. Cir. 
1997). Where we did not use Indian import data, we calculated freight 
based on the reported distance from the supplier to the factory.
    With regard to surrogate values from import statistics, we 
disregard prices that we have reason to believe or suspect may be 
subsidized, such as the prices of inputs from Indonesia, South Korea 
and Thailand. We have found in other proceedings that these countries 
maintain broadly available, non-industry-specific export subsidies and, 
therefore, it is reasonable to infer that all exports to all markets 
from these countries may be subsidized. See Notice of Final 
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Negative Final 
Determination of Critical Circumstances: Certain Color Television 
Receivers From the People's Republic of China, 69 FR 20594 (April 16, 
2004) and accompanying Issues and Decision memorandum at Comment 7 
(``CTVs from the PRC''). The legislative history provides guidance that 
in making its determination as to whether input values may be 
subsidized, the Department is not required to conduct a formal 
investigation. Instead, the Department is to base its decision on 
information that is available to it at the time it makes its 
determination. See H.R. Rep. 100-576 (1988) at 590. Therefore, based on 
the information currently available, we have not used prices from these 
countries in calculating the surrogate values based on Indian import 
data. We have also disregarded Indian import data from countries that 
the Department has previously determined to be NME countries, as well 
as imports from unspecified countries. See CTVs from the PRC.
    It is the Department's practice to calculate price index adjustors 
to inflate or deflate, as appropriate, surrogate values that are not 
contemporaneous with the POR using the wholesale price index for the 
subject country. See, e.g., Certain Preserved Mushrooms from the 
People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of the Antidumping Duty 
New Shipper Review, 71 FR 38617, 38619 (July 7, 2006), unchanged in 
final, Certain Preserved Mushrooms from the People's Republic of China: 
Final Results of the Antidumping Duty New Shipper Review, 71 FR 66910 
(November 17, 2006). Therefore, where publicly available information 
contemporaneous with the POR with which to calculate surrogate values 
could not be obtained, surrogate values were adjusted using the 
Wholesale Price Index (``WPI'') for India, as published in the 
International Financial Statistics (``IFS'') of the International 
Monetary Fund (``IMF''). Surrogate values denominated in foreign 
currencies were converted into U.S. dollars (``USD'') using the 
applicable average exchange rate based on exchange rate data from the 
Department's website. In accordance with 19 CFR 351.301(c)(3)(ii), for 
the final determination in an administrative review, interested parties 
may submit publicly available information to value the factors of 
production within 20 days after the date of publication of the 
preliminary results. See Surrogate Values Memo.

[[Page 18509]]

    The Department used Indian Import Statistics to value the raw 
material and packing material inputs that Baoding Mantong used to 
produce the merchandise under review during the POR, except where 
listed below. For a detailed description of all surrogate values used 
for Baoding Mantong, see Surrogate Values Memo.

Raw Material:

    To value liquid chlorine, the Department used the values reported 
for the purchase, manufacture, and sale of liquid chlorine from the 
publicly available 2006-2007 financial reports of Kanoria Chemicals & 
Industries Limited (``Kanoria'') and Tata Chemicals Limited (``Tata''), 
two chemical companies in India that use and produce liquid chlorine, 
submitted by Baoding Mantong on November 20, 2007. See Surrogate Values 
Memo.

By-Product:

    Petitioner and Baoding Mantong both placed data from Chemical 
Weekly on the record to value hydrochloric acid. Consistent with past 
practice and these submissions, the Department has applied a surrogate 
value for hydrochloric acid using the values submitted by the parties 
from Chemical Weekly. See Surrogate Values Memo.

Energy:

    Baoding Mantong reported the consumption of water, electricity, and 
coal as energy inputs consumed in the production of glycine. To value 
water, we calculated the average water rates from various regions as 
reported by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, http://midcindia.org, dated June 1, 2003, and inflated the value for water to 
be contemporaneous to the POR. See Surrogate Values Memo. To value 
electricity, we used the latest rates provided by the OECD's 
International Energy Agency's publication: Key World Energy Statistics 
from 2003. Because the electricity prices are based on annual year 2000 
prices; we inflated the value for electricity to be contemporaneous to 
the POR average WPI rate. See Surrogate Values Memo.

Financial Ratios:

    To value the surrogate financial ratios for factory overhead, 
selling, general & administrative expenses, and profit, the Department 
relied on publicly available information contained in the financial 
statements for the following two companies: Jubilant Organosis Limited 
of India (``Jubilant''), for fiscal year 2006-2007, submitted by 
Baoding Mantong on November 20, 2007; and Diamines and Chemical Limited 
(``Diamines''), for fiscal year 2006-2007, submitted by GSC on February 
7, 2008. The annual report covers the period April 1, 2006, to March 
31, 2007, and includes data for the 2005-2006 fiscal year as well, 
covering the entire POR. We have determined that the financial 
statements for both Jubilant and Diamines are appropriate for use in 
these preliminary results because both Jubilant and Diamines are 
producers of comparable merchandise and their financial data are 
contemporaneous with the POR. See Surrogate Values Memo.

Wage Rate:

    Because of the variability of wage rates in countries with similar 
levels of per capita gross national product, 19 CFR 351.408(c)(3) 
requires the use of a regression-based wage rate. Therefore, to value 
the labor input, we used the PRC's regression-based wage rate published 
by Import Administration on its website, http://www.trade.gov/ia/. We 
note that this wage rate is calculated in accordance with the 
Department's revised methodology. See Expected Non Market Economy 
Wages: Request for Comments on 2006 Calculation, 72 FR 949 (January 9, 
2007) and Antidumping Methodologies: Market Economy Inputs, Expected 
Non Market Economy Wages, Duty Drawback, and Request for Comments, 71 
FR 6176 (October 19, 2006). See also Surrogate Values Memo.

Movement Expenses:

    To value truck freight, we calculated a weighted-average freight 
cost based on publicly available data from www.infreight.com, an Indian 
inland freight logistics resource website. See Surrogate Values Memo. 
For a comprehensive list of the sources and data used to determine the 
surrogate vales for the FOPs, by-products, and the surrogate financial 
ratios for factory overhead, selling, general and administrative 
expenses, and profit, see Surrogate Values Memo.

Preliminary Results of the Review

    The Department has determined that the following preliminary 
dumping margins exist for the period March 1, 2006, through February 
28, 2007:

                          Glycine from the PRC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Weighted-
                 Manufacturer/Exporter                    Average Margin
                                                            (Percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baoding Mantong Fine Chemistry Co., Ltd................          31.82
PRC-Wide Rate (which includes Nantong Dongchang                 155.89
 Chemical Industry Corporation)........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Department will disclose calculations performed for these 
preliminary results to the parties within five days of the date of 
publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b). 
Interested parties may submit case briefs and/or written comments no 
later than 30 days after the date of publication of these preliminary 
results of review. See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(ii). Rebuttal briefs and 
rebuttals to written comments, limited to issues raised in such briefs 
or comments, may be filed no later than five days after the time limit 
for filing the case briefs. See 19 CFR 351.309(d).
    Any interested party may request a hearing within 30 days of 
publication of these preliminary results. See 19 CFR 351.310(c). 
Requests should contain the following information: (1) the party's 
name, address, and telephone number; (2) the number of participants; 
and (3) a list of the issues to be discussed. Oral presentations will 
be limited to issues raised in the briefs. If we receive a request for 
a hearing, we intend to hold the hearing seven days after the deadline 
for submission of the rebuttal briefs at the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20230. The Department intends to issue the final results of this 
administrative review, which will include the results of its analysis 
of issues raised in any such comments, within 120 days of publication 
of these preliminary results, pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A) of the 
Act.

Assessment Rates

    Upon issuance of the final results, the Department will determine, 
and CBP shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate entries. 
The Department intends to issue assessment instructions to CBP 15 days 
after the date of publication of the final results of review. If these 
preliminary results are adopted in our final results of review, the 
Department shall determine, and CBP shall assess, antidumping duties on 
all appropriate entries. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1), we will 
calculate importer-specific (or customer) ad valorem duty assessment 
rates based on the ratio of the total amount of the dumping margins 
calculated for the

[[Page 18510]]

examined sales to the total entered value of those same sales. We will 
instruct CBP to assess antidumping duties on all appropriate entries 
covered by this review if any importer-specific assessment rate 
calculated in the final results of this review is above de minimis.

Cash Deposit Requirements

    Further, the following cash deposit requirements will be effective 
upon publication of the final results of the administrative review for 
shipments of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date of the 
final results, as provided by section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) for 
subject merchandise exported by Baoding Mantong, the cash deposit rate 
will be that established in the final results of review; (2) for 
previously reviewed or investigated companies not listed above that 
have separate rates, the cash deposit rate will continue to be the 
company specific rate published for the most recent period; (3) for all 
other PRC exporters of subject merchandise, which have not been found 
to be entitled to a separate rate, the cash deposit rate will be PRC 
wide rate of 155.89 percent; (4) for all non PRC exporters of subject 
merchandise, the cash deposit rate will be the rate applicable to the 
PRC exporter that supplied that exporter. These deposit requirements, 
when imposed, shall remain in effect until publication of the final 
results of the next administrative review.

Notification to Importers

    This notice also serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of 
their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) 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.
    This administrative review and this notice are in accordance with 
sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i) of the Act, 19 CFR 351.213, and 19 CFR 
351.221(b)(4).

    Dated: March 28, 2008.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-7099 Filed 4-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-S