[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21580-21588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8679]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-570-894]


Certain Tissue Paper Products From the People's Republic of 
China: Affirmative Preliminary Determination of Circumvention of the 
Antidumping Duty Order and Extension of Final Determination

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

Preliminary Determination

    We preliminarily determine that certain tissue paper products 
(``tissue paper'') produced by Vietnam Quijiang Paper Co., Ltd. 
(``Quijiang'') are circumventing the antidumping duty order on tissue 
paper from the People's Republic of China (``PRC''), as provided in 
section 781(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (``the Act''). See 
Notice of Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less than Fair Value 
and Antidumping Duty Order: Certain Tissue Paper Products from the 
People's Republic of China, 70 FR 16223 (March 30, 2005) (``Order'').

DATES: Effective Date: April 22, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julia Hancock, Office 9, Import 
Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, 
20230; telephone: (202) 482-1394.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On July 19, 2006, the Seaman Paper Company of Massachusetts, Inc. 
(``Petitioner'') requested that the Department of Commerce (``the 
Department'') initiate a circumvention inquiry pursuant to section 
781(b) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.225(h), to determine whether imports 
of tissue paper from Vietnam made from PRC-origin jumbo rolls are 
circumventing the antidumping duty order on tissue paper from the PRC. 
See Petitioner's Request for a circumvention Inquiry, (July 19, 2006) 
(``Circumvention Petition''); Order. Petitioner alleged that sending 
PRC-origin jumbo rolls of tissue paper to Vietnam for completion or 
assembly into tissue paper products covered by the Order constitutes 
circumvention pursuant to section 781(b) of the Act.
    On July 21, 2006, Petitioner amended the Circumvention Petition to 
include certain business proprietary information. On August 11, 2006, 
Quijiang submitted comments regarding Petitioner's July 21, 2006, 
request for an anti-circumvention inquiry. On August 14, 2006, the 
Department requested that the Petitioner submit documentation 
referenced, but not included, in its July 21, 2006, request. On August 
18, 2006, Petitioner submitted a response to the Department's August 
14, 2006, request. On August 21, 2006, Petitioner submitted comments on 
Quijiang's August 11, 2006, submission.
    On September 5, 2006, the Department initiated a circumvention 
inquiry on certain imports of tissue paper from Vietnam. See Certain 
Tissue Paper Products from the People's Republic of China: Initiation 
of Circumvention Inquiry, 71 FR 53662 (September 12, 2006) 
(``Initiation''). In the Initiation notice, the Department stated that 
it would focus its analysis on the significance of the production 
process in Vietnam by Quijiang, the company the Petitioner identified 
in its circumvention request.
    However, in the Initiation notice, the Department also stated that 
Quijiang had admitted on the record of the first administrative review 
of the Order that it received jumbo rolls of tissue paper produced by 
its PRC parent company, Guilin Qifeng Paper Co., Ltd. (``Guilin 
Qifeng''). Guilin Qifeng is the sole owner of Quijiang. According to 
Quijiang, Guilin Qifeng, which is a tissue paper processor and exporter 
located in Guangxi, PRC, established Quijiang in June 2004. 
Additionally, Quijiang stated that Guilin Qifeng was the sole supplier 
of the PRC-origin jumbo rolls, which Quijiang converted to cut-to-
length tissue paper that was exported to the United States. See 
Quijiang's First Questionnaire Response, (December 11, 2006) at 4-8. 
Accordingly, for purposes of this circumvention inquiry, the Department 
has focused its analysis on whether PRC-origin jumbo rolls supplied by 
Guilin Qifeng that were converted to cut-to-length tissue paper 
products by Quijiang are circumventing the Order, as provided in 
section 781(b) of the Act.

Questionnaires

    On September 27, 2006, Petitioner submitted comments concerning the 
initial questionnaire to be issued to Quijiang. On October 6, 2006, 
Cleo Inc. (``Cleo''), a U.S. importer, submitted rebuttal comments to 
Petitioner's September 27, 2006, submission. On October 26, 2006, 
Petitioner submitted surrebuttal comments to Cleo's October 6, 2006, 
submission.
    Between November 2, 2006, and December 3, 2007, the Department 
issued six questionnaires to Quijiang soliciting information regarding 
Quijiang's tissue paper production and exports to the United States to 
which Quijiang responded. Between January 8, 2007, and April 3, 2008, 
Petitioner and Cleo submitted comments on Quijiang's questionnaire 
responses and whether the Department should suspend liquidation and 
collect cash deposits on all entries of tissue paper from Quijiang.

Surrogate Country Comments

    In this case, both the country that produced the jumbo rolls and 
the country that produced the tissue paper products from the jumbo 
rolls are considered non-market economy (``NME'') countries.\1\ 
Therefore, because the production of jumbo rolls and the cut-to-length 
tissue paper are performed in NME countries, we used surrogate values 
to determine whether the value of processing performed in Vietnam 
represents a small portion of the value of the merchandise sold in the 
United States. Accordingly, pursuant to section 773(c)(4) of the Act, 
in valuing the FOPs, the Department shall utilize, to the extent 
possible, the prices or costs of factors of production (``FOPs'') in 
one or more market-economy countries that are at a level of economic 
development comparable to that of the NME country and are significant 
producers of comparable merchandise.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ In accordance with section 771(18)(C)(i) of the Act, any 
determination that a foreign country is an NME country shall remain 
in effect until revoked by the administering authority. See 
Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and 
Postponement of Final Determination: Coated Free Sheet Paper from 
the People's Republic of China, 72 FR 30758, 30760 (June 4, 2007), 
unchanged in Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value: 
Coated Free Sheet Paper from the People's Republic of China, 72 FR 
60632 (October 25, 2007); Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the 
Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Final Results of the Second 
Administrative, 72 FR 13242 (March 21, 2007) (``FFF2 Final 
Results''). No party has challenged the designation of the PRC or 
Vietnam as an NME country in this investigation. Therefore, we 
continue to treat the PRC and Vietnam as NME countries for purposes 
of the preliminary determination of this circumvention inquiry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On November 5, 2007, the Department determined that India, 
Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Egypt are countries 
comparable to the PRC and also determined that Bangladesh, Pakistan, 
India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia are countries comparable to

[[Page 21581]]

Vietnam in terms of economic development. See Memorandum from Ron 
Lorentzen, Director, Office of Policy, to Alex Villanueva, Program 
Manager, China/NME Group, Office 9: Circumvention Inquiry of the 
Antidumping Duty Order of Certain Tissue Paper Products from the 
People's Republic of China (PRC): Request for a List of Surrogate 
Countries, (November 5, 2007) (``Surrogate Country List'').
    On November 8, 2007, the Department requested comments on the 
selection of a surrogate country from the interested parties in this 
circumvention inquiry. On November 29, 2007, Petitioner submitted 
surrogate country comments requesting that India be selected as the 
appropriate surrogate country for valuing factors of production for 
both the PRC and Vietnam. No other interested party commented on the 
selection of a surrogate country. For a detailed discussion of the 
selection of the surrogate country, see ``Surrogate Country'' section 
below.

Surrogate Value Comments

    On December 20, 2008, Petitioner submitted surrogate factor 
valuation comments. No other interested party submitted surrogate 
factor valuation comments. For a detailed discussion of the selection 
of the surrogate values, see ``Calculation of Value-Added'' section 
below.

Verification

    On January 10, 2008, the Department issued the verification outline 
to Guilin Qifeng and Quijiang notifying them that the Department would 
verify Guilin Qifeng from February 19 to February 22, 2008, and would 
verify Quijiang from February 25 to February 27, 2008.
    On February 14, 2008, Quijiang submitted a letter requesting that 
the Department postpone the scheduled verification by one month because 
neither Quijiang nor Guilin Qifeng would be prepared when verification 
was scheduled to commence. On Feburary 15, 2008, Petitioner submitted a 
letter opposing Quijiang's request to delay the scheduled verification. 
On February 15, 2008, the Department notified Quijiang and Petitioner 
that it was not going to conduct the verification scheduled for 
February 19, 2008.

Extension of Determination

    On June 29, 2007, August 14, 2007, and January 4, 2008, the 
Department extended the determination deadline of this circumvention 
inquiry. The preliminary determination of this circumvention inquiry is 
currently due April 14, 2008.

Scope of the Antidumping Duty Order

    The tissue paper products subject to this order are cut-to-length 
sheets of tissue paper having a basis weight not exceeding 29 grams per 
square meter. Tissue paper products subject to this order may or may 
not be bleached, dye-colored, surface-colored, glazed, surface 
decorated or printed, sequined, crinkled, embossed, and/or die cut. The 
tissue paper subject to this order is in the form of cut-to-length 
sheets of tissue paper with a width equal to or greater than one-half 
(0.5) inch. Subject tissue paper may be flat or folded, and may be 
packaged by banding or wrapping with paper or film, by placing in 
plastic or film bags, and/or by placing in boxes for distribution and 
use by the ultimate consumer. Packages of tissue paper subject to this 
order may consist solely of tissue paper of one color and/or style, or 
may contain multiple colors and/or styles.
    The merchandise subject to this order does not have specific 
classification numbers assigned to them under the Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS''). Subject merchandise may be 
under one or more of several different subheadings, including: 4802.30; 
4802.54; 4802.61; 4802.62; 4802.69; 4804.31.1000; 4804.31.2000; 
4804.31.4020; 4804.31.4040; 4804.31.6000; 4804.39; 4805.91.1090; 
4805.91.5000; 4805.91.7000; 4806.40; 4808.30; 4808.90; 4811.90; 
4823.90; 4820.50.00; 4802.90.00; 4805.91.90; 9505.90.40. The tariff 
classifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes; 
however, the written description of the scope of this order is 
dispositive.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ On January 30, 2007, at the direction of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection (``CBP''), the Department added the following 
HTSUS classifications to the AD/CVD module for tissue paper: 
4802.54.3100, 4802.54.6100, and 4823.90.6700. However, we note that 
the six-digit classifications for these numbers were already listed 
in the scope.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Excluded from the scope of this order are the following tissue 
paper products: (1) Tissue paper products that are coated in wax, 
paraffin, or polymers, of a kind used in floral and food service 
applications; (2) tissue paper products that have been perforated, 
embossed, or die-cut to the shape of a toilet seat, i.e., disposable 
sanitary covers for toilet seats; (3) toilet or facial tissue stock, 
towel or napkin stock, paper of a kind used for household or sanitary 
purposes, cellulose wadding, and webs of cellulose fibers (HTSUS 
4803.00.20.00 and 4803.00.40.00).

Scope of the Circumvention Inquiry

    The products covered by this inquiry are jumbo rolls of tissue 
paper that are exported from the PRC to Vietnam where they are 
converted, possibly dyed and/or printed, into tissue paper products, as 
described above in the ``Scope of the Antidumping Duty Order'' section. 
This inquiry only covers such products that are exported to the United 
States by Quijiang.

Statutory Provisions Regarding Circumvention

    Section 781(b) of the Act provides that the Department may find 
circumvention of an antidumping duty order when merchandise of the same 
class or kind subject to the order is completed or assembled in a 
foreign country other than the country to which the order applies. In 
conducting circumvention inquiries under section 781(b) of the Act, the 
Department relies upon the following criteria: (A) Merchandise imported 
into the United States is of the same class or kind as any merchandise 
produced in a foreign country that is subject to an antidumping duty 
order; (B) before importation into the United States, such imported 
merchandise is completed or assembled in another foreign country from 
merchandise which is subject to the order or produced in the foreign 
country that is subject to the order; (C) the process of assembly or 
completion in the foreign country referred to in (B) is minor or 
insignificant; and (D) the value of the merchandise produced in the 
foreign country to which the antidumping duty order applies is a 
significant portion of the total value of the merchandise exported to 
the United States.
    The Department's questionnaires issued to Quijiang and its PRC 
parent company, Guilin Qifeng, were designed to elicit information for 
purposes of conducting both qualitative and quantitative analyses in 
accordance with the criteria enumerated in section 781(b) of the Act, 
as outlined above. This approach is consistent with our analyses in 
prior circumvention inquiries. See Circumvention and Scope Inquiries on 
the Antidumping Duty Order on Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the 
Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Partial Affirmative Final Determination 
of Circumvention of the Antidumping Duty Order, Partial Final 
Termination of Circumvention Inquiry and Final Rescission of Scope 
Inquiry, 71 FR 38608 (July 7, 2006) (``FFF Circumvention Final''); 
Anti-Circumvention Inquiry of the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty

[[Page 21582]]

Orders on Certain Pasta from Italy: Affirmative Final Determinations of 
Circumvention of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders, 68 FR 
54888 (September 19, 2003) (``Pasta Circumvention Final''); Hot-Rolled 
Lead and Bismuth Carbon Steel Products from Germany and the United 
Kingdom; Negative Final Determinations of Circumvention of Antidumping 
and Countervailing Duty Orders, 64 FR 40336 (July 26, 1999). To 
ascertain the value of the completed merchandise exported to the United 
States we requested PRC production data of jumbo rolls produced by 
Guilin Qifeng and Vietnam production data of the processing and 
packaging operations performed by Quijiang.

Statutory Analysis

(A) Whether Merchandise Sold in the United States Is of the Same Class 
or Kind as Other Merchandise That Is Subject to the Order

    The Order covers cut-to-length sheets of tissue paper equal to or 
greater than 0.5 inches in width, with a basis weight not exceeding 29 
grams per square meter and other specified characteristics of the 
scope. The merchandise subject to this inquiry is tissue paper products 
exported to the United States by Quijiang produced from PRC-origin 
jumbo rolls. The information provided by Quijiang in its questionnaire 
responses indicates that the tissue paper products produced from PRC-
origin jumbo rolls it exported to the United States meet the written 
description of the products subject to the Order. See Quijiang's First 
Questionnaire Response, (December 11, 2006) at Appendix 7. Quijiang 
submitted a product list showing that all the tissue paper products it 
produced and exported to the United States were below the basis weight 
of 29 grams per square meter, which is the weight that merchandise 
subject to the Order is not to exceed. See Quijiang's Second 
Questionnaire Response, (April 3, 2007) at Exhibit S1-2. A review of 
the product list also shows that Quijiang's tissue paper products meet 
other criteria identified in the Order such as dyed, printed, etc. 
Finally, we note that Quijiang has not argued that its exports of 
tissue paper products to the United States are not of the same class or 
kind of merchandise as that subject to the Order. Accordingly, we find 
that the merchandise subject to this inquiry is the same class or kind 
of merchandise as that subject to the Order.

 (B) Whether Merchandise Sold in the United States Is Completed or 
Assembled in Another Foreign Country From Merchandise Which Is Subject 
to the Order or Produced in the Foreign Country That Is Subject to the 
Order

    In this proceeding, the merchandise exported to the United States 
is tissue paper products processed in Vietnam from PRC-origin jumbo 
rolls of tissue paper. Qujiang has reported that it exported tissue 
paper that was processed in Vietnam using PRC-origin jumbo rolls of 
tissue paper as the input. See Quijiang's First Questionnaire Response, 
at 6. Specifically, Quijiang stated that it imported PRC-origin jumbo 
rolls of tissue paper produced by its parent company, Guilin Qifeng, 
which were then converted, possibly dyed and/or printed, into cut-to-
length tissue paper. See id. at 6 and Appendix 1. Additionally, 
Quijiang reported that it exported tissue paper that was processed in 
Vietnam using PRC-origin jumbo rolls between July 2004 and July 2006. 
See Quijiang's Sixth Questionnaire Response, (January 4, 2008) at 22. 
Accordingly, we find that the merchandise subject to this circumvention 
inquiry was completed in Vietnam from PRC-origin jumbo rolls that were 
produced in the country to which this Order applies.

(C) Whether the Process of Assembly or Completion in the Foreign 
Country Is Minor or Insignificant

    Section 781(b)(2) of the Act provides the criteria for determining 
whether the process of assembly or completion is minor or 
insignificant. These criteria are:
    (a) The level of investment in the foreign country;
    (b) the level of research and development in the foreign country;
    (c) the nature of the production process in the foreign country;
    (d) the extent of the production facilities in the foreign country; 
and
    (e) whether the value of the processing performed in the foreign 
country represents a small proportion of the value of the merchandise 
imported into the United States.
    The Statement of Administrative Action (``SAA'') accompanying the 
Uruguay Round Agreements Act, H. Doc. No. 103-316, at 893 (1994), 
provides some guidance with respect to these criteria. It explains that 
no single factor listed in section 781(b)(2) of the Act will be 
controlling. Accordingly, it is the Department's practice to evaluate 
each of the factors as they exist in the United States or foreign 
country depending on the particular circumvention scenario. Therefore, 
the importance of any one of the factors listed under section 781(b)(2) 
of the Act can vary from case to case depending on the particular 
circumstances unique to each circumvention inquiry.
    In this circumvention inquiry, we based our analysis on both 
qualitative and quantitative factors in determining whether the process 
of converting the jumbo rolls in Vietnam was minor or insignificant, in 
accordance with the criteria of section 781(b)(2) of the Act. This 
approach is consistent with our analysis in prior circumvention 
inquiries. See Anti-Circumvention Inquiry of the Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Orders on Certain Pasta From Italy: Affirmative 
Preliminary Determinations of Circumvention of Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Orders, 68 FR 46571 (August 6, 2003) (``Pasta 
Circumvention Prelim'') (unchanged in Pasta Circumvention Final, 68 FR 
54888).
(a) The Level of Investment in Vietnam
    For purposes of this circumvention inquiry, we analyzed the level 
of investment in Quijiang that is associated with converting the PRC-
origin jumbo rolls into finished cut-to-length tissue paper. 
Specifically, we reviewed the level of investment in Quijiang for the 
conversion process by Quijiang's parent company, Guilin Qifeng, and 
Quijiang's investment on its own behalf.
    Quijiang reported that its operations in Vietnam for converting 
jumbo rolls into cut-to-length tissue paper are comprised of equipment 
sourced in three ways: (1) Assets identified as ``purchase from 
China,'' which consist of equipment that Quijiang purchased from its 
parent company, Guilin Qifeng; (2) assets identified as ``Guilin Qifeng 
Investment,'' which are assets that Guilin Qifeng physically moved to 
Quijiang but nevertheless retained ownership; and (3) assets identified 
as ``Vietnam domestic purchase,'' which are assets or equipment that 
Quijiang purchased in Vietnam. See Quijiang's Second Questionnaire 
Response, at 7. Additionally, Quijiang identified the types of 
equipment and where that equipment was used in the production of cut-
to-length tissue paper products, (i.e., Quijiang identified what type 
of equipment, such as cutting machines, was used in the processing 
workshop where the jumbo rolls were converted). Id., at Exhibit S2-5. 
Moreover, Quijiang stated that for the assets that were sourced in 
these three ways, the first method, which is identified as ``purchases 
from China,'' is Guilin Qifeng's investment and that the second

[[Page 21583]]

and third method, which are identified as ``purchases from China'' and 
``Vietnamese domestic purchases,'' is Quijiang's investment. Id.
    With respect to Guilin Qifeng's investment in Quijiang for the 
conversion of the jumbo rolls, Quijiang stated that these assets were 
in use by Guilin Qifeng immediately prior to their physical transfer to 
Quijiang. See Quijiang's Second Questionnaire Response, at 7. 
Specifically, Quijiang stated that these assets were transferred to 
Quijiang from Guilin Qifeng in the following manner: (1) Dissembling, 
packing, and loading the assets or equipment onto a truck; (2) 
transporting the assets or equipment across the border from China to 
Quijiang in Vietnam; and (3) unloading, assembling, and testing the 
assets or equipment. See Quijiang's Sixth Questionnaire Response, at 25 
and Appendix S6-29. The facts show that the vast majority of the 
equipment or assets that were transferred from Guilin Qifeng to 
Quijiang to be used in converting the PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-
length tissue paper were not new assets as nearly all of this equipment 
had been in use by Guilin Qifeng prior to their transfer. Therefore, we 
find that Guilin Qifeng's investment in Quijiang that was used for 
converting the PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper was 
not new investment because almost all of the assets that consist of 
this investment were in prior use by Guilin Qifeng. However, we will 
use Guilin Qifeng's investment in Quijiang for the conversion process 
in determining whether Quijiang's own investment was minor or 
insignificant because the assets or equipment representing Guilin 
Qifeng's investment were used in the conversion process and there were 
some expenses incurred for moving the equipment and getting it situated 
in Vietnam.
    We calculated the total level of investment in Quijiang for 
converting PRC-origin jumbo rolls into cut-length tissue paper and find 
that the Guilin Qifeng's investment (i.e., assets transferred from 
Guilin Qifeng) is significant as compared to the level of investment, 
(i.e., purchases from China and Vietnamese domestic purchases), 
provided by Quijiang. See Memorandum to the File from Julia Hancock, 
Senior Case Analyst, through Alex Villanueva, Program Manager, AD/CVD 
Operations, Office 9: Circumvention Inquiry on Certain Tissue Paper 
Products from the People's Republic of China: Proprietary Analysis of 
Certain Statutory Factors for Vietnam Quijiang for the Preliminary 
Determination, (April 14, 2008) (``Analysis Memorandum''). 
Specifically, Guilin Qifeng's overall investment in the conversion of 
the PRC-origin jumbo rolls accounts for approximately 75 percent of 
total investment whereas Quijiang's total investment accounts for 
approximately only 25 percent of the total investment for equipment 
used in converting PRC-origin jumbo rolls.\3\ Id. Accordingly, we find 
that the level of investment by Quijiang for equipment used in 
converting the PRC-origin jumbo rolls is minor or insignificant 
compared to the level of investment provided by Guilin Qifeng.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Because this information is business proprietary, the values 
have been ranged by plus or minus 10 percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(b) The Level of Research and Development (``R&D'') in Vietnam
    We find that the record evidence for this circumvention inquiry 
demonstrates that Quijiang has not undertaken a significant level of 
R&D in order to process tissue paper products. In describing the level 
of R&D in the tissue paper industry in Vietnam, Quijiang reported that 
the tissue paper industry is a mature, traditional and labor intensive 
industry and that there is not much research and development involved 
in this industry. See Quijiang's First Questionnaire Response, at 10. 
Additionally, the limited role of R&D in the tissue paper industry in 
Vietnam is further supported by the fact that Quijiang confirmed that 
it did not undertake any R&D initiatives and expenditures involved with 
tissue paper processing. See Quijiang's Sixth Questionnaire Response, 
at 25. Accordingly, based on facts on the record of this circumvention 
inquiry and because the conversion of jumbo rolls to tissue paper 
products is a technically mature process, we find that R&D into the 
process of producing tissue paper products is not a significant factor 
in the Vietnamese tissue paper industry.
(c) The Nature of the Production Process in Vietnam
    As discussed above, the element of the tissue paper production 
process performed by Quijiang in Vietnam is the conversion of the PRC-
origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper. According to 
Quijiang, the entire process to produce cut-to-length tissue paper from 
the raw input, paper pulp, occurs in six stages. See Quijiang's First 
Questionnaire Response, at Exhibit 1. However, according to Quijiang's 
questionnaire responses, Quijiang's conversion of the PRC-origin jumbo 
rolls covers only the last two stages of the overall production 
process.\4\ Id. According to Quijiang, seasonal workers were used in 
the conversion of the PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue 
paper during the final stage of the overall production process, which 
is primarily a manual operation. In contrast to the production process 
of converting PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue, Quijiang 
stated that Guilin Qifeng's production of the PRC-origin jumbo rolls 
involved the first four stages of the overall production process 
required to produce cut-to-length tissue paper.\5\ According to 
Quijiang, the fourth stage of the overall production process requires 
three shifts of workers and is labor intensive. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The first of the final two stages of the overall production 
process that involve the conversion of the jumbo rolls involves the 
following: (1) Workers unrolling and re-rolling the jumbo roll 
during the surface coloring, decorating, or embossing process; (2) 
preparing the dye and dip-dying the jumbo rolls; (3) multi-color 
printing the jumbo rolls on the printing machines; and (4) cutting 
the jumbo rolls to length on the cutting machines. The second of the 
final two stages of the overall production process that involve the 
conversion of the jumbo rolls involves the following: (1) Counting 
and folding the sheets prior to packaging; (2) packaging the sheets 
in polyethylene bags, sealing, and labeling the bags; and (3) 
packing the bags of tissue paper in cartons, which are tied in 
plastic strip and then shipped to the customer.
    \5\ The first of the first four stages of the overall production 
process that involve the production of the jumbo rolls is the 
blending stage (i.e., this involves water and paper pulp being 
blended in a tank into a pulp mixture, which is pumped into crude 
stock storage). The second of the first four stages of the overall 
production process that involves the production of the jumbo rolls 
is the stock grinding stage (i.e., this involves refining the crude 
stock by grinding the fibers into shorter lengths and then 
cleaning). The third of the first four stages of the overall 
production process that involve the production of the jumbo rolls is 
the stock preparation stage (i.e., this involves the refined stock 
being pumped from a storage vat into a preparation tank where 
whiteners, dyes, or other fixatives may be added). The fourth of the 
first four stages of the overall production process that involve the 
production of the jumbo rolls is the paper-making stage (i.e., this 
involves the prepared stock being moved onto a porous cylinder where 
the wet paper is then transferred to a second spinning cylinder and 
is wrapped onto and passes over a heated drum as it rotates).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on the above descriptions, we find that, in contrast to the 
first four stages of the overall production process that involved the 
production of jumbo rolls, which require significant equipment involved 
in the process and labor, the final two stages of the overall 
production process that involved the conversion of PRC-origin jumbo 
rolls are limited to cutting, dyeing, printing, and packaging/packing 
the cut-to-length tissue paper. Moreover, the facts on the record show 
that there is limited equipment and labor involved in these two stages 
of the production process. Accordingly, we find that the

[[Page 21584]]

production process conducted by Quijiang in converting the PRC-origin 
jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper is limited and minor when 
compared to the production process of the jumbo rolls.
(d) The Extent of Production Facilities in Vietnam
    In analyzing the extent of the production facilities, we have 
considered the capital equipment used in the production process, the 
types of employees, and whether the facilities used by Quijiang in the 
conversion process were permanent facilities.
    Quijiang states that when it began operations in July 2004, the 
facility had four conversion lines and dip-dyeing machines that were 
used to convert PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length paper. See 
Quijiang's First Questionnaire Response, at 8. A review of the records 
of the equipment at this facility shows that the capital equipment used 
to convert PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper 
consisted of paper-cutting machines, electronic scales, trolleys, and 
bed-plate. See Quijiang's Second Questionnaire Response, at Exhibit S1-
5. Additionally, Quijiang also reports that it leased two facilities to 
conduct the printing and packaging processes. A review of the records 
of the equipment at these facilities shows that the capital equipment 
used to print and package the cut-to-length tissue paper consisted of 
packaging working tables and printing machines. Id., at Exhibits S1-4 
and S1-5.
    In comparison, Quijiang states that Guilin Qifeng produced the PRC-
origin jumbo rolls at one location in Guilin, PRC. See Quijiang's Fifth 
Questionnaire Response, at 6. A review of Guilin Qifeng's production 
process shows that the capital equipment used to produce the stock for 
the paper mixture consisted of numerous blending lines that have stock 
storage, storage vats, and numerous stock preparation tanks. See 
Quijiang's Fourth Questionnaire Response, at Appendix S4-5. 
Additionally, Guilin Qifeng's production process shows that the capital 
equipment used to produce the jumbo roll from the paper mixture 
consisted of two facilities that had numerous long net machines and 
numerous round net machines. Id. The facts on the record show that the 
capital equipment used by Guilin Qifeng to produce the PRC-origin jumbo 
rolls requires sophisticated machinery, such as blending lines and long 
net machines. In contrast, the capital equipment used by Quijiang to 
convert the PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper did 
not require sophisticated capital equipment since the machinery only 
consisted of paper-cutting machines, packaging tables, etc. Therefore, 
based on the facts on the record, we find that Quijiang has not made 
substantial purchases of sophisticated machinery to convert PRC-origin 
jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper.
    With regard to the level of employees involved in the conversion of 
PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper, Quijiang reported 
that skilled labor is involved in the first of the final two stages of 
the overall production process, cutting, dyeing, and printing of the 
jumbo rolls, is a semi-automatic operation. However, according to 
Quijiang, the last of the final two stages of the overall production 
process for converting the PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length 
tissue paper is a manual operation, which involves unskilled labor 
folding and packaging the tissue paper. See Quijiang's First 
Questionnaire Response, at 12. Additionally, Quijiang reported that the 
workers involved in the packaging and packing of the cut-to-length 
tissue paper are seasonal workers. Id., at Exhibit S1-5. Moreover, 
according to Quijiang, there are more workers involved during the last 
of the final two stages. Id. Based on a review of the labor involved in 
the conversion of PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper, 
we find that most of Quijiang's labor force consists of unskilled 
workers that are employed on a temporary basis.
    Quijiang reports that the headquarters facility, which housed the 
conversion lines, and the two facilities which conducted the printing 
and packaging, were all leased by Quijiang from other, unaffiliated 
parties between July 2004 and July 2006. See Quijiang's Second 
Questionnaire Response, at Exhibit S1-3. Because the three facilities 
where Quijiang converted the PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length 
tissue paper were leased rather than owned, we find that Quijiang's 
production facilities were temporary, rather than permanent. 
Accordingly, based on the fact that Quijiang's capital equipment was 
not substantial, Quijiang's labor force primarily consisted of 
unskilled temporary workers, and the facilities were leased, we find 
that the extent of Quijiang's production facilities to convert PRC-
origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper was minimal.
(e) Whether the Value of the Processing Performed in Vietnam Represents 
a Small Portion of the Value of the Merchandise Sold in the United 
States
    In prior circumvention cases pursuant to section 781(a) and section 
781(b) of the Act, where the Department must determine whether the 
value of processing either in the United States or in a third country 
is minor, we used the U.S. sales and cost of production data because 
the countries at issue were market economy countries. See Pasta 
Circumvention Prelim, 68 FR at 46575 (unchanged in Pasta Circumvention 
Final, 68 FR 54888); Certain Carbon Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from 
the People's Republic of China: Affirmative Final Determination of 
Circumvention of Antidumping Duty Order, 59 FR 15155, 15156 (March 31, 
1994). However, in this case, both the country that produced the jumbo 
rolls and the country that produced the tissue paper products from the 
jumbo rolls are considered NME countries. Therefore, because the 
production of jumbo rolls and the cut-to-length tissue paper is 
performed in NME countries, we used surrogate values to determine 
whether the value of processing performed in Vietnam represents a small 
portion of the value of the merchandise sold in the United States.
    In accordance with section 773(c)(4) of the Act, in valuing the 
factors of production (``FOPs''), the Department shall utilize, to the 
extent possible, the prices or costs of FOPs in one or more market-
economy countries that are at a level of economic development 
comparable to that of the NME country and are significant producers of 
comparable merchandise. The Department selected India as the surrogate 
country for both the PRC and Vietnam on the basis that: (1) It is at a 
similar level of economic development pursuant to section 773(c)(4) of 
the Act; (2) it is a significant producer of comparable merchandise; 
and (3) we have reliable data from India. See Memorandum to the File 
from Julia Hancock, through Alex Villanueva, Program Manager, AD/CVD 
Operations, Office 9, and James C. Doyle, Director, AD/CVD Operations, 
Office 9: Circumvention Inquiry on Certain Tissue Paper Products from 
the People's Republic of China: Surrogate Country and Surrogate Values 
for the Preliminary Determination (April 14, 2008) (``Surrogate Country 
and Value Memorandum''). Thus, we have calculated the value of 
processing performed in Vietnam and the value of the PRC-origin jumbo 
rolls using surrogate prices from India. The sources

[[Page 21585]]

of the surrogate values we have used in this circumvention inquiry are 
discussed in the Surrogate Country and Value Memorandum.
    To calculate the value of the PRC-origin jumbo rolls, we used 
publicly available Indian import prices for Harmonized Tariff Schedule 
(``HTS'') 4802.54.50, described as ``Uncoated Paper in Rolls, under 40 
grams, Tissue Paper,'' as reported in the Monthly Statistics of the 
Foreign Trade of India.\6\ We calculated the surrogate value for PRC-
origin jumbo rolls using monthly data for July 2004 to July 2006 
because Quijiang reported that July 2006 was the last month that Guilin 
Qifeng produced jumbo rolls that were sold to Quijiang. See Quijiang's 
Sixth Questionnaire Response, at 12 and Appendix S6-16. We converted 
the surrogate value into U.S. dollars, in accordance with section 
773A(a) of the Act, based on the exchange rates in effect for July 1, 
2004, to July 31, 2006, as certified by the Federal Reserve Bank. For 
further information, see Surrogate Country and Value Memorandum.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The same import prices are also available from the World 
Trade Atlas (``WTA''), published by Global Trade Information 
Services, Inc., which is a secondary electronic source based upon 
the publication Monthly Statistics of the Foreign Trade of India. 
Volume II: Imports.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To calculate the value of Quijiang's processing of the finished 
merchandise, we used Quijiang's FOPs for each stage of converting PRC-
origin jumbo rolls to tissue paper, i.e., from the cutting of the jumbo 
rolls into cut-to-length sheets of tissue paper, dyeing (where 
appropriate), printing (where appropriate), and packaging of the final 
product. See Quijiang's First Questionnaire Response, at Exhibit 1. We 
multiplied the reported per-unit factor consumption rates by the Indian 
surrogate values.\7\ In selecting the surrogate values, we considered 
the quality, specificity, and contemporaneity of the data.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 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 or the distance from the nearest seaport to the factory 
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, 1407-08 (Fed. Cir. 1997). 
Additionally, we made currency conversions into U.S. dollars, in 
accordance with section 773A(a) of the Act, based on the exchange 
rates in effect on the dates of the U.S. sales as certified by the 
Federal Reserve Bank.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To derive the value added to the finished merchandise by Quijiang's 
processing, we divided the total value of the finished merchandise 
(i.e., sum of the surrogate value of the PRC-origin jumbo rolls and 
Quijiang's value of processing), by Quijiang's value of processing. The 
value added to the finished merchandise by Quijiang's processing is an 
average value of approximately 34 percent.\8\ Based on our analysis of 
the value added, we find that the value of the processing performed by 
Quijiang to convert the PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue 
paper does not represent a small proportion of the value of the 
finished merchandise sold in the United States. See Analysis 
Memorandum.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Because this information is business proprietary, we have 
ranged the values by plus or minus 10 percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of Analysis of Whether the Process of Assembly or Completion in 
the Foreign Country Is Minor or Insignificant

    In sum, we preliminarily conclude that the record evidence of this 
circumvention inquiry supports a finding that the process or completion 
of the PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper in Vietnam 
is minor or insignificant. Pursuant to section 781(b)(2)(A) of the Act, 
we find that the level of investment by Quijiang in the equipment used 
to convert the PRC-origin jumbo rolls is minor compared to the level of 
investment provided by Guilin Qifeng. Pursuant to section 781(b)(2)(B) 
of the Act, we find that the absence of R&D initiatives by Quijiang in 
the production of tissue paper products shows that R&D is not a 
significant factor in the Vietnamese tissue paper industry. Pursuant to 
section 781(b)(2)(C) of the Act, we find that the portion of the 
overall production process of cut-to-length tissue paper conducted by 
Quijiang in converting the PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length 
tissue paper is limited and minor when compared to Guilin Qifeng's 
share of the overall production process in the production of the jumbo 
rolls. Pursuant to section 781(b)(2)(D) of the Act, we find that the 
extent of Quijiang's production facilities is minor with respect to 
converting PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper because 
the capital equipment used by Quijiang in converting the PRC-origin 
jumbo rolls is not substantial in comparison to the capital equipment 
used by Guilin Qifeng to produce the jumbo rolls, the labor force used 
by Quijiang is composed primarily unskilled workers, and Quijiang's 
facilities were leased, not permanent. Finally, pursuant to section 
781(b)(2)(E) of the Act, we find that value of the processing performed 
by Quijiang to convert the PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length 
tissue paper does not represent a small proportion of the value of the 
finished merchandise sold in the United States.
    While the statutory factor, section 781(b)(2)(E) of the Act, is 
inconclusive, the information on the record regarding the four other 
statutory factors, sections 781(b)(2)(A),(B),(C), and (D) of the Act, 
shows that the processing operation to convert PRC-origin jumbo rolls 
to cut-to-length tissue paper in Vietnam is minor or insignificant. We 
have based our decision as to whether the processing operation to 
convert PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper is minor 
or insignificant based on the totality of the record evidence of this 
circumvention inquiry. Specifically, the legislative history to section 
781(b) indicates that Congress intended the Department to make 
determinations regarding circumvention on a case-by-case basis in 
recognition that the facts of individual cases and the nature of 
specific industries vary widely. See S. Rep. No. 103-412 (1994), at 81-
82.
    Although we find pursuant to section 781(b)(2)(E) of the Act, that 
the value of the processing performed by Quijiang to convert the PRC-
origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper does not represent a 
small proportion of the value of the finished merchandise sold in the 
United States, the preponderance of the other record evidence, pursuant 
to sections 781(b)(2)(A),(B),(C), and (D) of the Act, shows that the 
value of the processing operation in Vietnam is minor or insignificant. 
Accordingly, based on a review of the record evidence, it is clear that 
the majority of the actual production process for cut-to-length tissue 
paper is concentrated in Guilin Qifeng's production facilities in the 
PRC. Therefore, we find that the processing operation to convert PRC-
origin jumbo rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper in Vietnam is minor or 
insignificant, pursuant to section 781(b)(1)(C) of the Act.

(D) Whether the Value of the Merchandise Produced in the Foreign 
Country to Which the Order Applies Is a Significant Portion of the 
Total Value of the Merchandise Exported to the United States

    Under section 781(b)(1)(D) of the Act, the value of the merchandise 
produced in the foreign country to which the Order applies must be a 
significant portion of the total value of the merchandise sold in the 
United States in order to find circumvention. The major parts and 
components that consist of the total value of the cut-to-length tissue 
paper sold in the United States are: PRC-origin jumbo rolls, inks and 
dyes, and packaging materials. As

[[Page 21586]]

discussed in the section of ``Whether Merchandise Sold in The United 
States is Completed or Assembled in Another Foreign Country From 
Merchandise Which Is Subject to the Order or Produced In the Foreign 
Country That Is Subject to the Order,'' in all instances the PRC-origin 
jumbo rolls are imported from Guilin Qifeng, which is located in the 
PRC. Additionally, the value of the PRC-origin jumbo rolls is 
approximately an average value of 66 percent of the total value of the 
finished merchandise.\9\ As discussed above, although the value of the 
processing conducted in Vietnam is not small, we find that the value of 
the PRC-origin jumbo rolls constitutes a great majority of the value of 
the finished merchandise. Based on our analysis, the value of the PRC-
origin jumbo rolls taken as a whole constitutes a significant portion 
of the value of the finished product ultimately sold in the United 
States.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Because this information is business proprietary, we have 
ranged the values by plus or minus 10 percent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Factors To Consider

    In making a determination whether to include merchandise assembled 
or completed in a foreign country within an order, section 781(b)(3) of 
the Act instructs us to take into account such factors as: (A) The 
pattern of trade, including sourcing patterns; (B) whether affiliation 
exists between the exporter of the merchandise and the person who uses 
the merchandise to assemble or complete in the foreign country the 
merchandise that is sold in the United States; and (C) whether imports 
into the foreign country of the merchandise described in section 
781(b)(1)(B) have increased since the initiation of the original 
investigation. Each of these factors is examined below.

(A) Pattern of Trade and Sourcing

    The first factor to consider under section 781(b)(3) is changes in 
the pattern of trade, including changes in the sourcing patterns. To 
evaluate the pattern of trade in this case, we examined Quijiang's 
source channel of jumbo rolls. According to Quijiang, it started 
sourcing PRC-origin jumbo rolls from Guilin Qifeng in July 2004 to 
produce tissue paper products that Quijiang exported to the United 
States. See Quijiang's First Questionnaire Response, at 12. 
Additionally, the record of this circumvention inquiry shows that 
between July 2004 and July 2006, Quijiang did not purchase PRC-origin 
jumbo rolls from any other supplier. See id., at Exhibit 11; Quijiang's 
Sixth Questionnaire Response, at 13 and Appendix S6-16. Based on the 
facts on the record, we find that the fact that Quijiang sourced jumbo 
rolls from a PRC supplier to produce tissue paper products, which were 
exported to the United States, supports a finding that circumvention 
was occurring during this period.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ The Department recognizes that Petitioner submitted 
comments on February 4, 2008, alleging that Quijiang, contrary to 
its own declarations, continued to import semi-completed tissue 
paper products from the PRC after July 2006. However, the Department 
finds Petitioner's evidence in support of its allegations to be 
inconclusive. Accordingly, a factual finding that Quijiang was not 
truthful in its statements to the Department with respect to this 
issue is not warranted. Thus, the Department cannot conclude either 
as a factual matter or based upon an adverse inference resulting 
from Quijiang's failure to cooperate to the best of its ability that 
all exports of subject merchandise by Quijiang were produced from 
Chinese-origin semi-finished tissue paper products. However, if the 
Department reaches a final determination of circumvention in this 
proceeding, the 2007/2008 administrative review will cover all of 
Quijiang's entries as of the date of initiation of this 
circumvention inquiry, and the Department will further investigate 
the issue of origin of all covered entries in the context of such 
review.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We also examined the timing and quantities of Quijiang's exports to 
the United States of tissue paper that were produced from PRC-origin 
jumbo rolls since the initiation of the LTFV investigation in March 
2004. A review of Quijiang's monthly total exports shows that from July 
2004 to July 2006, Quijiang's exports of tissue paper products produced 
from PRC-origin rolls to the United States consisted of the majority of 
Quijiang's total monthly exports. See Quijiang's Fifth Questionnaire 
Response, at Exhibit 6. These data indicate that the monthly volume of 
Quijiang's exports of tissue paper products produced from PRC-origin 
jumbo rolls to the United States was significant subsequent to the 
initiation of the LTFV investigation. Additionally, we examined the 
timing and quantities of exports of tissue paper from the PRC to the 
United States between 2004 and 2006, and exports of tissue paper from 
Vietnam to the United States between 2004 and 2006. A review of the 
data shows that PRC exports of tissue paper to the United States 
decreased by 59.2 percent between 2004 and 2006, whereas Vietnam 
exports of tissue paper to the United States increased by 1739.11 
percent between 2004 and 2006. See Analysis Memorandum. Accordingly, 
the data show that PRC exports have decreased significantly whereas 
Vietnamese exports have increased significantly since the initiation of 
the LTFV investigation. Therefore, based on the facts on the record, we 
find that the pattern of trade has changed since the initiation of the 
LTFV investigation and the imposition of the Order and thus, supports a 
finding that circumvention has occurred.

(B) Affiliation

    The second factor to consider under section 781(b)(3) of the Act is 
whether the manufacturer or exporter of the tissue paper is affiliated 
with the entity that assembles or completes the merchandise sold in the 
United States from the imported PRC-origin jumbo rolls. Generally, we 
consider circumvention to be more likely to occur when the manufacturer 
of the covered merchandise is related to the third country assembler 
and is a critical element in our evaluation of circumvention. See Color 
Picture Tubes From Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea & Singapore: 
Negative Final Determinations of Circumvention of Antidumping Duty 
Orders, 56 FR 9667 (March 7, 1991) and accompanying Issues and Decision 
Memorandum at Comment 8. The record evidence of this circumvention 
inquiry indicates that the Vietnamese assembler, Quijiang, which 
converted the PRC-origin jumbo rolls into tissue paper products, is a 
wholly-owned subsidiary of Guilin Qifeng. See Quijiang's First 
Questionnaire Response, at 4. Accordingly, because Quijiang is 100 
percent owned by Guilin Qifeng, we find that Quijiang and Guilin Qifeng 
are affiliated, pursuant to section 771(33) of the Act. Additionally, 
the record evidence shows that Guilin Qifeng was Quijiang's sole 
supplier of PRC-origin jumbo rolls. See Quijiang's Second Questionnaire 
Response, at 3. In sum, we find that the record evidence demonstrates 
that the relationship between Quijiang and Guilin Qifeng supports a 
finding that circumvention of the Order may have occurred during the 
period of investigation.

(C) Whether Imports Have Increased

    The third factor to consider under section 781(b)(3) is whether 
imports into the foreign country of the merchandise described in 
section 781(b)(1)(B) have increased since the initiation of the 
original investigation. Generally, we consider circumvention to be more 
likely when imports of jumbo rolls, the merchandise imported from the 
PRC, have increased into Vietnam. Because Quijiang was not established 
until June 2004, we reviewed Quijiang's imports of PRC-origin jumbo 
rolls from July 2004, which was when it began importing PRC-origin 
jumbo rolls, to the issuance of the Order, and compared these imports 
to those after the issuance of the Order. See Quijiang's First

[[Page 21587]]

Questionnaire Response, at Exhibit 11. The Department finds that 
Quijiang's imports of PRC-origin jumbo rolls were at their highest 
levels in the months after the issuance of the Order through July 2006. 
Id.
    Additionally, the Department obtained PRC export data of tissue 
paper products to Vietnam since 2004, which was the year that the LTFV 
investigation was initiated. The Department has obtained PRC export 
data of HTS 4802.54, which is defined as ``Paper/Paperboard (Excluding 
Mechanical Fibers), Weighing <40 grams.'' \11\ Although HTS 4802.54 
does not necessarily provide export data specific to jumbo rolls, the 
Department finds that it is reasonable to assume that at least a 
portion of the data contains exports of jumbo rolls and thus, are the 
best available data in determining PRC exports of jumbo rolls.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ The Department has obtained PRC export data for jumbo rolls 
using 4802.54 because HTS 4802.54 includes exports for both finished 
tissue paper and jumbo rolls, which are classified under this HTS 
category.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In reviewing PRC exports of HTS 4802.54 between 2003 and 2006, the 
Department finds that PRC exports to Vietnam have steadily increased 
since the initiation of the LTFV investigation. See Analysis 
Memorandum. Specifically, the Department finds that the PRC total 
exports to Vietnam increased by 41.12 percent between 2003 and 2006. 
This increase corresponds with the initiation of the LTFV investigation 
and issuance of the Order. Accordingly, we find that both the increase 
in Quijiang's imports of PRC-origin jumbo rolls and the increase in PRC 
exports to Vietnam since the initiation of the LTFV investigation 
supports a finding that circumvention may have occurred.

Summary of Statutory Analysis

    As discussed above, in order to make an affirmative determination 
of circumvention, all the elements under sections 781(b)(1) of the Act 
must be satisfied, taking into account the factors under section 
781(b)(2). In addition, section 781(b)(3) of the Act instructs the 
Department to consider, in determining whether to include merchandise 
assembled or completed in a foreign country within the scope of an 
order, such factors as: Pattern of trade, affiliation, and whether 
imports into the foreign country of the merchandise described in 
section 781(b)(1)(B) have increased after the initiation of the 
investigation. Pursuant to section 781(b)(1) of the Act, we find that 
the merchandise sold in the United States is within the same class or 
kind of merchandise that is subject to the Order and was completed or 
assembled in a third country. Additionally, pursuant to section 
781(b)(2), we find that the process or assembly of the PRC-origin jumbo 
rolls to cut-to-length tissue paper by Quijiang is minor and 
insignificant. Furthermore, in accordance with section 781(b)(1)(D) and 
781(b)(1)(E) of the Act, we find that the value of the merchandise 
produced in the PRC is a significant portion of the total value of the 
merchandise exported to the United States and that action is 
appropriate to prevent evasion of the Order. Thus, we find affirmative 
evidence of circumvention in accordance with section 781(b)(1) and (2) 
of the Act. Moreover, we find the factors required by section 781(b)(3) 
of the Act indicate that there is circumvention of the Order. 
Consequently, our statutory analysis leads us to find that during the 
period of time examined there was circumvention of the Order as a 
result of Quijiang's conversion of the PRC-origin jumbo rolls to cut-
to-length tissue paper in Vietnam, as discussed above.

Suspension of Liquidation

    In accordance with section 733(d) of the Act, the Department will 
direct CBP to suspend liquidation and to require a cash deposit of 
estimated duties, at the PRC-wide rate, on all unliquidated entries of 
certain tissue paper products produced by Quijiang that were entered, 
or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption from on or after September 
5, 2006, the date of initiation of the circumvention inquiry, through 
the date of publication of the preliminary determination, with the 
exception described below.
    After consideration of Petitioner's comments between January 8, 
2007, and April 3, 2008, arguing that the Department should not allow 
Quijiang to certify that these entries of tissue paper products are not 
produced from PRC-origin jumbo rolls, the Department notes that no 
party on the record has contested that Quijiang itself now in Vietnam 
produces jumbo rolls suitable for conversion into the tissue paper 
products meeting the physical description of products subject to the 
scope of the Order. Given that some of Quijiang's tissue paper products 
may be made from Vietnamese-origin jumbo rolls, and given that the 
Department does not consider it appropriate to suspend liquidation of 
such non-subject merchandise, the Department finds it appropriate to 
follow precedent and permit certification as described below. See 
Circumvention and Scope Inquiries of the Antidumping Duty Order on 
Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: 
Partial Affirmative Final Determination of Circumvention of the 
Antidumping Duty order, Partial Final Determination of Circumvention 
Inquiry and Final Rescission of Scope Inquiry, 71 FR 38608 (July 7, 
2006) and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at Comment 3. 
However, in the event of a final determination of circumvention, the 
Department will expand the third administrative review period back to 
September 5, 2006, the date of initiation of this circumvention 
inquiry, to include all of Quijiang's entries covered by this 
determination. In addition, we hereby serve notice to Quijiang that 
such certified entries are subject to verification by the Department. 
The Department will examine any records Quijiang maintains in its 
normal course of business, or any information placed on the record, 
supporting or calling into question its certifications that no PRC-
origin jumbo rolls were used in the production of its tissue paper 
products.
    For all entries of certain tissue paper products produced by 
Quijiang that entered on or after the date of the publication of the 
Initiation, the Department will instruct CBP to allow Quijiang to 
certify that no PRC-origin jumbo rolls were used in the production of 
the certain tissue paper products. The Department will not request that 
CBP suspend liquidation, or require a cash deposit of estimated duties, 
at the PRC-wide rate, for any entries of certain tissue paper products 
accompanied by the certification in Appendix I in this notice. However, 
the Department will direct CBP to suspend liquidation and to require a 
cash deposit of estimated duties, at the PRC-wide rate of 112.64 
percent of any entries of certain tissue paper products not accompanied 
by the attached certification in Appendix I of this notice.

Notification to the International Trade Commission

    The Department, consistent with section 781(e) of the Act, has 
notified the International Trade Commission (``ITC'') of this 
preliminary determination to include the merchandise subject to this 
inquiry within the antidumping duty order on certain tissue paper 
products from the PRC. Pursuant to section 781(e) of the Act, the ITC 
may request consultations concerning the Department's proposed 
inclusion of the subject merchandise. If, after consultations, the ITC 
believes that a significant injury issue is presented by the proposed 
inclusion, it will have 15 days to provide written advice to the 
Department.

[[Page 21588]]

Public Comment

    Interested parties may submit publicly available information to 
value the FOPs within 15 days after the date of publication of the 
preliminary determination.\12\ Case briefs from interested parties may 
be submitted no later than 40 days from the publication of this notice. 
A list of authorities used and an executive summary of issues should 
accompany any briefs submitted to the Department. This summary should 
be limited to five pages total, including footnotes. Rebuttal briefs 
limited to issues raised in the initial comments may be filed no later 
than 45 days after the publication of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ In accordance with 19 CFR 351.301(c)(1), for the final 
determination of this circumvention inquiry, 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 recently placed on the record. 
The Department generally cannot 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Interested parties who wish to request a hearing, or to participate 
if one is requested, must submit a written request to the Assistant 
Secretary for Import Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 
1870, within 25 days after the date of publication of this notice. 
Requests should contain the party's name, address, and telephone 
number, the number of participants, and a list of the issues to be 
discussed. At the hearing, each party may make an affirmative 
presentation only on issues raised in that party's case brief and may 
make rebuttal presentations only on arguments included in that party's 
rebuttal brief. We intend to hold a hearing, if requested, no later 
than 50 days after the publication of this notice.

Final Determination

    The final determination with respect to this circumvention inquiry 
will be issued no later than ninety days from the publication of this 
notice, including the results of the Department's analysis of any 
written comments.
    This affirmative preliminary circumvention determination is 
published in accordance with section 781(b) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.225.

    Dated: April 15, 2008.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.

Attachment I

Certification of Vietnam Quijiang Paper Co., Ltd.----------------

Certification to U.S. Customs and Border Protection

    1. Vietnam Quijiang Paper Co., Ltd. (``Vietnam Quijiang'') hereby 
certifies that the certain tissue paper products being exported and 
subject to this certification were not produced from Chinese origin 
jumbo rolls.
    2. By signing this certificate, Vietnam Quijiang also hereby agrees 
to maintain sufficient documentation supporting the above statement 
such as country of origin certificates for all jumbo rolls used to 
process the exported certain tissue paper products. Further, Vietnam 
Quijiang agrees to submit to verification of the underlying 
documentation supporting the above statement. Vietnam Quijiang agrees 
that failure to submit to verification of the documentation supporting 
these statements will result in immediate revocation of certification 
rights and that Vietnam Quijiang will be required to post a cash 
deposit equal to the China-wide entity rate on all entries of certain 
tissue paper products. In addition, if the Department of Commerce 
identifies any misrepresentation or inconsistencies regarding the 
certifications, Vietnam Quijiang recognizes that the matter may be 
reported to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection by the Department 
for possible enforcement action.

Signature:-------------------------------------------------------------
Printed Name:----------------------------------------------------------
Title:-----------------------------------------------------------------

 [FR Doc. E8-8679 Filed 4-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P