[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47131-47136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18772]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-580-851]


Dynamic Random Access Memory Semiconductors from the Republic of 
Korea: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is conducting an administrative 
review of the countervailing duty order on dynamic random access memory 
semiconductors from the Republic of Korea for the period January 1, 
2006, through December 31, 2006. We preliminarily find that Hynix 
Semiconductor, Inc. received countervailable subsidies during the 
period of review. If these preliminary results are adopted in our final 
results of this review, we will instruct U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection to assess countervailing duties as detailed in the 
``Preliminary Results of Review'' section of this notice. Interested 
parties are invited to comment on these preliminary results. See the 
``Public Comment'' section of this notice.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 13, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Neubacher or Shane Subler, 
Office of AD/CVD Operations, Office 1, Import Administration, 
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 
3069, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; 
telephone: (202) 482-5823 and (202) 482-0189, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 11, 2003, the Department of Commerce (``the Department'') 
published a countervailing duty order on dynamic random access memory 
semiconductors (``DRAMS'') from the Republic of Korea (``ROK''). See 
Notice of Countervailing Duty Order: Dynamic Random Access Memory 
Semiconductors from the Republic of Korea, 68 FR 47546 (Aug. 11, 2003) 
(``CVD Order''). On August 2, 2007, the Department published a notice 
of ``Opportunity to Request Administrative Review'' for this 
countervailing duty order. See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty 
Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity to Request 
Administrative Review, 72 FR 42383 (Aug. 2, 2007). On August 27, 2007, 
we received a request for review from Hynix Semiconductor, Inc. 
(``Hynix''). On August 29, 2007, we received a request for review of 
Hynix from the petitioner, Micron Technology, Inc. (``Micron''). In 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(c)(1)(i), we published a notice of 
initiation of the review on September 25, 2007. See Initiation of 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 72 FR 54428 
(September 25, 2007) (``Initiation Notice'').
    On October 23, 2007, we issued countervailing duty questionnaires 
to the Government of the Republic of Korea (``GOK'') and Hynix. We 
received responses to these questionnaires on November 26, 2007. On 
April 1, 2008, we issued supplemental questionnaires to the GOK and 
Hynix. We received timely responses to these supplemental 
questionnaires on April 15, 2008. We issued additional supplemental 
questionnaires to the GOK and Hynix on June 12, and July 16, 2008, and 
received responses on June 26, and July 23, 2008, respectively.
    We received new subsidy allegations from Micron on December 17, 
2007.\1\ On March 17, 2008, we initiated an investigation of one of the 
two new subsidies that Micron alleged in this administrative review. In 
addition, we stated that we did not intend to reexamine the timing of 
the benefit of a previously countervailed debt-to-equity swap (``DES'') 
for the preliminary results. See Fourth Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Review: Dynamic Random Access Memory Semiconductors from 
Korea: New Subsidy Allegations Memorandum (Mar. 17, 2008) (``New 
Subsidy Allegations--DOC Memorandum''), available in the Central 
Records Unit (``CRU''), Room 1117 of the main Department building. On 
March 25, 2008, we issued questionnaires concerning the new subsidy 
allegation to Hynix and the GOK. We received a response to this 
questionnaire from Hynix on April 8, 2008, and from the GOK on April 9, 
2008. On July 14, 2008, Micron submitted comments for consideration in 
the preliminary results.
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    \1\See submission from Micron to the Department, Re: Dynamic 
Random Access Memory Semiconductors From South Korea/Petitioner's 
New Subsidies Allegation And New Issues Presented (Dec. 17, 2007) 
(``New Subsidy Allegations'').
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    On April 7, 2008, we published a postponement of the preliminary 
results in this review until July 31, 2008. See Dynamic Random Access 
Memory Semiconductors from the Republic of Korea: Extension of Time 
Limit for Preliminary Results of the

[[Page 47132]]

Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, 73 FR 18771 (Apr. 7, 2008).

Scope of the Order

    The products covered by this order are DRAMS from the ROK, whether 
assembled or unassembled. Assembled DRAMS include all package types. 
Unassembled DRAMS include processed wafers, uncut die, and cut die. 
Processed wafers fabricated in the ROK, but assembled into finished 
semiconductors outside the ROK are also included in the scope. 
Processed wafers fabricated outside the ROK and assembled into finished 
semiconductors in the ROK are not included in the scope.
    The scope of this order additionally includes memory modules 
containing DRAMS from the ROK. A memory module is a collection of 
DRAMS, the sole function of which is memory. Memory modules include 
single in-line processing modules, single in-line memory modules, dual 
in-line memory modules, small outline dual in-line memory modules, 
Rambus in-line memory modules, and memory cards or other collections of 
DRAMS, whether unmounted or mounted on a circuit board. Modules that 
contain other parts that are needed to support the function of memory 
are covered. Only those modules that contain additional items which 
alter the function of the module to something other than memory, such 
as video graphics adapter boards and cards, are not included in the 
scope. This order also covers future DRAMS module types.
    The scope of this order additionally includes, but is not limited 
to, video random access memory and synchronous graphics random access 
memory, as well as various types of DRAMS, including fast page-mode, 
extended data-out, burst extended data-out, synchronous dynamic RAM, 
Rambus DRAM, and Double Data Rate DRAM. The scope also includes any 
future density, packaging, or assembling of DRAMS. Also included in the 
scope of this order are removable memory modules placed on 
motherboards, with or without a central processing unit, unless the 
importer of the motherboards certifies with CBP that neither it, nor a 
party related to it or under contract to it, will remove the modules 
from the motherboards after importation. The scope of this order does 
not include DRAMS or memory modules that are re-imported for repair or 
replacement.
    The DRAMS subject to this order are currently classifiable under 
subheadings 8542.21.8005, 8542.21.8020 through 8542.21.8030, and 
8542.32.0001 through 8542.32.0023 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of 
the United States (``HTSUS''). The memory modules containing DRAMS from 
the ROK, described above, are currently classifiable under subheadings 
8473.30.1040, 8473.30.1080, 8473.30.1140, and 8473.30.1180 of the 
HTSUS. Removable memory modules placed on motherboards are classifiable 
under subheadings 8443.99.2500, 8443.99.2550, 8471.50.0085, 
8471.50.0150, 8517.30.5000, 8517.50.1000, 8517.50.5000, 8517.50.9000, 
8517.61.0000, 8517.62.0010, 8517.62.0050, 8517.69.0000, 8517.70.0000, 
8517.90.3400, 8517.90.3600, 8517.90.3800, 8517.90.4400, 8542.21.8005, 
8542.21.8020, 8542.21.8021, 8542.21.8022, 8542.21.8023, 8542.21.8024, 
8542.21.8025, 8542.21.8026, 8542.21.8027, 8542.21.8028, 8542.21.8029, 
8542.21.8030, 8542.31.0000, 8542.33.0000, 8542.39.0000, 8543.89.9300, 
and 8543.89.9600 of the HTSUS. However, the product description, and 
not the HTSUS classification, is dispositive of whether merchandise 
imported into the United States falls within the scope.

Scope Rulings

    On December 29, 2004, the Department received a request from Cisco 
Systems, Inc. (``Cisco''), to determine whether removable memory 
modules placed on motherboards that are imported for repair or 
refurbishment are within the scope of the order. See CVD Order. The 
Department initiated a scope inquiry pursuant to 19 CFR 351.225(e) on 
February 4, 2005. On January 12, 2006, the Department issued a final 
scope ruling, finding that removable memory modules placed on 
motherboards that are imported for repair or refurbishment are not 
within the scope of the CVD Order provided that the importer certifies 
that it will destroy any memory modules that are removed for repair or 
refurbishment. See Memorandum from Stephen J. Claeys to David M. 
Spooner, regarding Final Scope Ruling, Countervailing Duty Order on 
DRAMs from the Republic of Korea (January 12, 2006).

Period of Review

    The period for which we are measuring subsidies, i.e., the period 
of review (``POR''), is January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006.

Changes in Ownership

    Effective June 30, 2003, the Department adopted a new methodology 
for analyzing privatizations in the countervailing duty context. See 
Notice of Final Modification of Agency Practice Under Section 123 of 
the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, 68 FR 37125 (June 23, 2003) 
(``Modification Notice''). The Department's new methodology is based on 
a rebuttable ``baseline'' presumption that non-recurring, allocable 
subsidies continue to benefit the subsidy recipient throughout the 
allocation period (which normally corresponds to the average useful 
life (``AUL'') of the recipient's assets). However, an interested party 
may rebut this baseline presumption by demonstrating that, during the 
allocation period, a change in ownership occurred in which the former 
owner sold all or substantially all of a company or its assets, 
retaining no control of the company or its assets, and that the sale 
was an arm's-length transaction for fair market value.
    Hynix's ownership changed during the AUL period as a result of 
debt-to-equity conversions in December 2002 and various asset sales. In 
addition, Hynix reported that its ownership changed during the POR 
because Hynix's Share Management Council decreased its ownership share 
in Hynix from 50.6 percent to 36 percent. However, during the current 
administrative review, Hynix has not rebutted the Department's baseline 
presumption that the non-recurring, allocable subsidies received prior 
to the equity conversions, asset sales, and POR ownership change 
continue to benefit the company throughout the allocation period. See 
Hynix's November 26, 2007, questionnaire response at pages 9 and 10.

Subsidies Valuation Information

Allocation Period

    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.524(b), non-recurring subsidies are 
allocated over a period corresponding to the AUL of the renewable 
physical assets used to produce the subject merchandise. Section 
351.524(d)(2) of the Department's regulations creates a rebuttable 
presumption that the AUL will be taken from the U.S. Internal Revenue 
Service's 1977 Class Life Asset Depreciation Range System (the ``IRS 
Tables''). For DRAMS, the IRS Tables prescribe an AUL of five years. 
During this review, none of the interested parties disputed this 
allocation period. Therefore, we continue to allocate non-recurring 
benefits over the five-year AUL.

Discount Rates and Benchmarks for Loans

    For loans that we found countervailable in the investigation or

[[Page 47133]]

in the first three administrative reviews, and which continued to be 
outstanding during the POR, we have used the benchmarks from the first, 
second, and third administrative reviews. These benchmarks are 
described below.

Long-Term Rates

    For long-term, won-denominated loans originating in 1986 through 
1995, we used the average interest rate for three-year corporate bonds 
as reported by the Bank of Korea (``BOK'') or the International 
Monetary Fund (``IMF''). For long-term won-denominated loans 
originating in 1996 through 1999, we used annual weighted averages of 
the rates on Hynix's corporate bonds, which were not specifically 
related to any countervailable financing. We did not use the rates on 
Hynix's corporate bonds for 2000-2003 for any calculations because 
Hynix either did not obtain bonds or obtained bonds through 
countervailable debt restructurings during those years.
    For U.S. dollar-denominated loans, we relied on the lending rates 
as reported in the IMF's International Financial Statistics Yearbook.
    For the years in which we previously determined Hynix to be 
uncreditworthy (2000 through 2003), we used the formula described in 19 
CFR 351.505(a)(3)(iii) to determine the benchmark interest rate. For 
the probability of default by an uncreditworthy company, we used the 
average cumulative default rates reported for the Caa-to C-rated 
category of companies as published in Moody's Investors Service, 
``Historical Default Rates of Corporate Bond Issuers, 1920-1997'' 
(February 1998). For the probability of default by a creditworthy 
company, we used the cumulative default rates for investment grade 
bonds as published in Moody's Investors Service: ``Statistical Tables 
of Default Rates and Recovery Rates'' (February 1998). For the 
commercial interest rates charged to creditworthy borrowers, we used 
the rates for won-denominated corporate bonds as reported by the BOK 
and the U.S. dollar lending rates published by the IMF for each year.

Analysis of Programs

I. Programs Previously Determined To Confer Subsidies

    We examined the following programs determined to confer subsidies 
in the investigation and first three administrative reviews and 
preliminarily find that Hynix continued to receive benefits under these 
programs during the POR.

A. GOK Entrustment or Direction Prior to 2004

    In the investigation, the Department determined that the GOK 
entrusted or directed creditor banks to participate in financial 
restructuring programs, and to provide credit and other funds to Hynix, 
in order to assist Hynix through its financial difficulties. The 
financial assistance provided to Hynix by its creditors took various 
forms, including new loans, convertible and other bonds, extensions of 
maturities and interest rate reductions on existing debt (which we 
treated as new loans), Documents Against Acceptance (``D/A'') 
financing, usance financing, overdraft lines of credit, debt 
forgiveness, and debt-for-equity swaps. The Department determined that 
these were financial contributions that constituted countervailable 
subsidies during the period of investigation.
    In the first three administrative reviews, the Department found 
that the GOK continued to entrust or direct Hynix's creditors to 
provide financial assistance to Hynix throughout 2002 and 2003. The 
financial assistance provided to Hynix during this period included the 
December 2002 DES and the extensions of maturities and/or interest rate 
deductions on existing debt.\2\
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    \2\ The Department also found that Hynix received a benefit for 
a 2001 DES. However, the benefit was fully allocated as of the prior 
administrative review.
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    In an administrative review, we do not revisit past findings unless 
new factual information or evidence of changed circumstances has been 
placed on the record of the proceeding that would compel us to 
reconsider those findings. See, e.g., Certain Pasta from Italy: 
Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Seventh Countervailing 
Duty Administrative Review, 69 FR 45676 (July 30, 2004), unchanged in 
Certain Pasta From Italy: Final Results of Seventh Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Review, 69 FR 70657 (December 7, 2004). No such new 
factual information or evidence of changed circumstances has been 
placed on the record in this review. Thus, we preliminarily find that a 
re-examination of the Department's findings in the investigation, first 
administrative review, second administrative review, and third 
administrative review with respect to the debt forgiveness, 2002 DES, 
loans, and extensions of maturities and/or interest rate deductions on 
existing debt is unwarranted.
    Because we found Hynix to be unequityworthy at the time of the 2002 
DES, we have treated the full amount swapped as grants and allocated 
the benefit over the five-year AUL. See 19 CFR 351.507(a)(6) and (c). 
We used a discount rate that reflects our finding that Hynix was 
uncreditworthy at the time of the debt-to-equity conversions. For the 
loans, we have followed the methodology described at 19 CFR 351.505(c) 
using the benchmarks described in the ``Subsidies Valuation 
Information'' section of this notice.
    We divided the total benefits allocated to the POR from the various 
financial contributions by Hynix's POR sales. On this basis, we 
preliminarily determine the countervailable subsidy to be 4.86 percent 
ad valorem during the POR.

B. Operation G-7/HAN Program

    Implemented under the Framework on Science and Technology Act, the 
Operation G-7/HAN Program (``G-7/HAN Program'') began in 1992 and ended 
in 2001. The purpose of this program was to raise the GOK's technology 
standards to the level of the G-7 countries. The Department found that 
the G7/HAN Program ended in 2001. See Final Affirmative Countervailing 
Duty Determination: Dynamic Random Access Memory Semiconductors from 
the Republic of Korea, 68 FR 37122 (June 23, 2003), and accompanying 
Issues and Decision Memorandum at page 25. However, during the POR, 
Hynix had outstanding interest-free loans that it had previously 
received under this program. See Hynix's November 26, 2007, 
questionnaire response at page 13 and Exhibit 10.
    We found that the G-7/HAN Program provided countervailable 
subsidies in the investigation. No interested party provided new 
evidence that would lead us to reconsider our earlier finding. 
Therefore, we continue to find that these loans confer a 
countervailable subsidy.
    To calculate the benefit of these loans during the POR, we compared 
the interest actually paid on the loans during the POR to what Hynix 
would have paid under the benchmark described in the ``Subsidy 
Valuation Information'' section of this notice. Next, we divided the 
total benefit by Hynix's total sales of subject merchandise for the POR 
to calculate the countervailable subsidy. On this basis, we 
preliminarily determine the countervailable subsidy to be 0.03 percent 
ad valorem during the POR.

C. 21st Century Frontier R&D Program

    The 21st Century Frontier R&D Program (``21st Century Program'') 
was established in 1999 with a structure and governing regulatory 
framework similar

[[Page 47134]]

to those of the G-7/HAN Program, and for a similar purpose, i.e., to 
promote greater competitiveness in science and technology. The 21st 
Century Program provides long-term interest-free loans in the form of 
matching funds. Repayment of program funds is made in the form of 
``technology usance fees'' upon completion of the project, pursuant to 
a schedule established under a technology execution or implementation 
contract.
    Hynix reported that it had loans from the 21st Century Program 
outstanding during the POR. See Hynix's November 26, 2007, 
questionnaire response at page 14 and Exhibit 10.
    In the investigation, we determined that this program conferred a 
countervailable benefit on Hynix. No interested party provided new 
evidence that would lead us to reconsider our earlier finding. 
Therefore, we continue to find that these loans confer a 
countervailable subsidy.
    To calculate the benefit of these loans during the POR, we compared 
the interest actually paid on the loans during the POR to what Hynix 
would have paid under the benchmark described in the ``Subsidy 
Valuation Information'' section of this notice. We then divided the 
total benefit by Hynix's total sales in the POR to calculate the 
countervailable subsidy rate. On this basis, we preliminarily find 
countervailable benefits of less than 0.005 percent ad valorem during 
the POR. Consistent with our past practice, we did not include this 
program in our preliminary net countervailing duty rate because the 
rate of the program is less than 0.005 percent ad valorem. See, e.g., 
Coated Free Sheet Paper from the People's Republic of China: Final 
Determination of Countervailing Duty Investigation, 72 FR 60645 
(October 25, 2007), and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at 
16 (``CFS''); and Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative 
Review: Low Enriched Uranium from France, 70 FR 39998 (July 12, 2005), 
and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at ``Purchases at 
Prices that Constitute `More than Adequate Remuneration,''' (citing 
Final Results of Administrative Review: Certain Softwood Lumber 
Products from Canada, 69 FR 75917 (December 20, 2004), and accompanying 
Issues and Decision Memorandum at ``Other Programs Determined to Confer 
Subsidies'') (``Uranium from France'').

D. Import Duty Reduction Program for Certain Factory Automation Items

    Article 95(1).4 of the Korean Customs Act provides for import duty 
reductions on imports of ``machines, instruments and facilities 
(including the constituent machines and tools) and key parts designated 
by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance and Economy (`MOFE') for a 
factory automatization applying machines, electronics or data 
processing techniques.''
    Hynix reported that it had received duty reductions under this 
program during the POR. See Hynix's November 26, 2007, questionnaire 
response at page 19 and Exhibit 14.
    In the prior administrative review, the Department found that the 
above program provided a financial contribution in the form of revenue 
forgone and a benefit in the amount of the duty savings. See section 
771(5)(D)(ii) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and 19 
CFR 351.510(a). See Dynamic Random Access Memory Semiconductors from 
the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Review, 73 FR 14218 (March 17, 2008) (``DRAMS 3rd AR 
Final''), and the accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at pages 
6-7 and Comment 6. The Department also found the program to be de facto 
specific under section 771(5A)(D)(iii)(III) of the Act. Id. No 
interested party provided new evidence that would lead us to reconsider 
our earlier finding. Therefore, we continue to find that these duty 
reductions confer a countervailable subsidy.
    To calculate the benefit, we divided the total duty savings Hynix 
received during the POR by Hynix's total sales during the POR. On this 
basis, we preliminarily determine the countervailable subsidy to be 
0.02 ad valorem percent during the POR.

II. Newly Alleged Subsidy Program Preliminarily Determined To Be Not-
Used Import-Export Bank of Korea Loan

    Micron alleges that Hynix received a new, subsidized loan during 
the POR from the Import-Export Bank of Korea (``KEXIM''), which the 
Department previously found to be a government authority. Therefore, 
Micron alleges that KEXIM, as a government authority, provided a 
financial contribution within the meaning of section 771(5)(D) of the 
Act and a benefit within the meaning of section 771(5)(E) of the Act. 
Furthermore, Micron argues the loan was specific within the meaning of 
section 771(5A) of the Act as the loan was based on export performance, 
an import substitution program or another enumerated domestic program.
    On March 17, 2008, the Department included this newly alleged 
subsidy in this review. As discussed above in the ``History'' section, 
we received questionnaire and supplemental responses from the GOK and 
Hynix with regard to this program.
    In its April 9, 2008, questionnaire response, the GOK stated that 
Hynix received the loan under KEXIM's ``Import Financing Program.'' As 
outlined in Article 18, paragraph 1, subparagraph 4 of the KEXIM Act, 
the ``Import Financing Program'' is provided to Korean importers to 
facilitate their purchase of essential materials, major resources, and 
operating equipment, the stable and timely supply of which is essential 
to the stability of the general economy. The equipment and materials 
eligible to be imported under the program fall under 13 headings listed 
in Article 14 of the KEXIM Business Manual. The listed items range from 
raw materials to factory automation equipment and include products and 
materials described in government notices.
    Further, according to the GOK, any Korean company is eligible for 
the ``Import Financing Program'' as long as the equipment or material 
appears under the 13 headings of eligible items, the company can 
satisfy the financial criteria laid out in ``KEXIM's Credit Extension 
Regulation,'' and KEXIM's Credit Extension Committee approves the 
financing application. Regarding the last item, the GOK stated that all 
decisions to offer this financing are based on the application and 
financial status of the applicant company.
    Based on our analysis, any potential benefit to Hynix under this 
program is less than 0.005 percent ad valorem. To determine this, we 
applied Micron's proposed interest benchmark, the highest submitted 
rate on record, in the calculation. As explained above, where the 
countervailable subsidy rate for a program is less than 0.005 percent, 
the program is not included in the total countervailing duty rate. See 
CFS and Uranium from France. Accordingly, it is unnecessary in this 
review for the Department to make a finding as to the 
countervailability of this program for this POR. We will include an 
examination of this subsidy in a future administrative review.

III. Programs Previously Found Not To Have Been Used or Provided No 
Benefits

    We preliminarily determine that the following programs were not 
used during the POR:
    A. Short-Term Export Financing
    B. Reserve for Research and Human Resources Development (formerly 
Technological Development Reserve) (Article 9 of RSTA / formerly, 
Article 8 of TERCL)

[[Page 47135]]

    C. Tax Credit for Investment in Facilities for Productivity 
Enhancement (Article 24 of RSTA/Article 25 of TERCL)
    D. Tax Credit for Investment in Facilities for Special Purposes 
(Article 25 of RSTA)
    E. Reserve for Overseas Market Development (formerly, Article 17 of 
TERCL)
    F. Reserve for Export Loss (formerly, Article 16 of TERCL)
    G. Tax Exemption for Foreign Technicians (Article 18 of RSTA)
    H. Reduction of Tax Regarding the Movement of a Factory That Has 
Been Operated for More Than Five Years (Article 71 of RSTA)
    I. Tax Reductions or Exemption on Foreign Investments under Article 
9 of the Foreign Investment Promotion Act (``FIPA'')/ FIPA (Formerly 
Foreign Capital Inducement Law)
    J. Duty Drawback on Non-Physically Incorporated Items and Excessive 
Loss Rates
    K. Export Insurance
    L. Electricity Discounts Under the RLA Program
    M. Import Duty Reduction for Cutting Edge Products.

See Hynix's November 26, 2007, questionnaire response at pages 13 and 
16 and the GOK's November 26, 2007, questionnaire response at page 9.
    In the first administrative review, the Department found that ``any 
benefits provided to Hynix under the System IC 2010 Project are tied to 
non-subject merchandise'' and, therefore, that ``Hynix did not receive 
any countervailable benefits under this program during the POR,'' in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.525(b)(5). See Dynamic Random Access Memory 
Semiconductors from the Republic of Korea: Final Results of 
Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, 71 FR 14174 (March 21, 
2006), and the accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at page 15. 
No new information has been provided with respect to this program. 
Therefore, we preliminarily find that Hynix did not receive any 
countervailable benefits from the System IC 2010 Project during the 
POR.

Preliminary Results of Review

    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4)(i), we calculated an 
individual subsidy rate for Hynix Semiconductor, Inc., the producer/
exporter covered by this administrative review. We preliminarily 
determine that the total estimated net countervailable subsidy rate for 
Hynix for calendar year 2006 is 4.91 percent ad valorem. 
    If these preliminary results are adopted in our final results of 
this review, 15 days after publication of the final results of this 
review the Department will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(``CBP'') to liquidate shipments of DRAMS by Hynix entered or withdrawn 
from warehouse, for consumption from January 1, 2006, through December 
31, 2006, at 4.91 percent ad valorem of the entered value.
    We will instruct CBP to continue to collect cash deposits for non-
reviewed companies covered by this order at the most recent company-
specific rate applicable to the company. Accordingly, the cash deposit 
rate that will be applied to non-reviewed companies covered by this 
order will be the rate for that company established in the 
investigation. See Notice of Amended Final Affirmative Countervailing 
Duty Determination: Dynamic Random Access Memory Semiconductors from 
the Republic of Korea, 68 FR 44290 (July 28, 2003). The all-others rate 
shall apply to all non-reviewed companies until a review of a company 
assigned this rate is requested. The Department has previously excluded 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. from this order. Id.
    On May 23, 2008, Hynix requested that the Department adjust Hynix's 
deposit rate to reflect a program-wide change and more accurately 
reflect countervailing duty liability. Citing 19 CFR 351.526, Hynix 
claims that the Department has regulations involving program-wide 
changes that allow it to adjust the deposit rate, as well as the 
discretion to effect changes in the deposit rate where circumstances do 
not fit the more formal program-wide change criteria under the 
regulations.\3\
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    \3\ See Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils from France: 
Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, 68 FR 
53963 (September 15, 2003), and accompanying Issues and Decision 
Memorandum at Comment 3 (``SSSC from France''); and Low Enriched 
Uranium from Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom: Final 
Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 69 FR 40869 
(July 7, 2004), and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at 
Comment 3 (``Uranium'').
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    Hynix claims that those circumstances exist in this case. 
Specifically, Hynix notes that the ``change'' is the termination of a 
known non-recurring subsidy benefit stream during the POR. Citing 
Magnesium from Canada,\4\ Hynix states that the Department considers 
two key elements when adjusting a cash deposit rate when no formal 
change has occurred: (1) Whether the information needed to make the 
deposit rate adjustment was derived entirely from the POR; and (2) 
whether expiry of the subsidy meant that the expected countervailing 
duty rate for entries subject to the deposit rate in the review would 
be de minimis.\5\ Hynix asserts that both conditions are met here.
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    \4\ See Pure Magnesium and Alloy Magnesium from Canada: Final 
Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, 70 FR 54367 
(September 14, 2005), and accompanying Issues and Decision 
Memorandum at Comment 2 (``Magnesium from Canada'').
    \5\ See, also, SSSC from France and Uranium.
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    In its pre-preliminary comments, Micron objects to Hynix's request. 
Micron first notes that the situation in the review does not meet the 
elements of a ``program-wide'' change as defined by 19 CFR 351.526, and 
that the Department has previously stated that expiration of benefits 
from a non-recurring subsidy does not qualify as a program-wide 
change.\6\ Furthermore, citing the DRAMS 3AR Final Decision Memo,\7\ 
Micron states that the Department rejected Hynix's request to adjust 
the cash deposit rate because expiration of a non-recurring subsidy in 
that review would lead to a lower but not de minimis rate, given the 
presence of other subsidy programs. In the instant case, Micron asserts 
that the same situation exists. Specifically, while Micron concedes the 
last non-recurring subsidy will expire during the POR, it argues that 
there are several remaining programs (e.g., Operation G-7/HAN Program 
and Import Duty Reduction Program) as well as loans from GOK 
entrustment or direction prior to 2004, and that Hynix cannot 
demonstrate that the combined total of these programs is de minimis or 
that the company will not continue to receive such benefits in the next 
review period.
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    \6\ See Carbon and Ally Steel Wire Rod from Canada: Final 
Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination, 67 FR 55813 (August 
30, 2002), and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at 
Comment 11.
    \7\ See DRAMS 3rd AR Final and accompanying Issues and Decision 
Memorandum at Comment 4 (``DRAMS 3AR Final Decision Memo'').
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    It is the Department's general practice to adjust cash deposit 
rates to reflect the expected discontinuation of future subsidy 
benefits only where it has been demonstrated that a program-wide change 
has occurred, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.526. As we stated in the Magnesium 
from Canada at Comment 2 and restated in the DRAMS 3AR Final Decision 
Memo, the Department provided a narrowly circumscribed exception to 
this general practice only where certain, specific conditions were met; 
namely, (1) The information needed to make the adjustment is derived 
entirely from the POR and (2) the expiry of the subsidy means that the 
expected countervailing duty rate for

[[Page 47136]]

entries subject to the deposit rate set in that review is de minimis. 
While those circumstances did not exist in the prior review, we have 
considered Hynix's request again in this review.
    We preliminarily determine that the information submitted by Hynix 
supports the requested adjustment to the cash deposit rate. The 
information needed to calculate the adjustment, i.e., a subsidy of zero 
for the allocated subsidy that expired in the POR, is derived entirely 
from this POR. Also, removal of the subsidy for the expired program 
results in an ad valorem rate of 0.07 percent, which is de minimis (see 
19 CFR 351.106(c)(1)). Therefore, we preliminarily find that if our 
preliminary subsidy calculations remain unchanged for the final 
results, merchandise produced and/or exported by Hynix will not be 
subject to cash deposits of estimated countervailing duties because the 
countervailing duty rate is de minimis.

Public Comment

    Interested parties may submit written arguments in case briefs 
within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice. Rebuttal 
briefs, limited to issues raised in case briefs, may be filed not later 
than five days after the date of filing the case briefs. Parties who 
submit briefs in this proceeding should provide a summary of the 
arguments not to exceed five pages and a table of statutes, 
regulations, and cases cited. Copies of case briefs and rebuttal briefs 
must be served on interested parties in accordance with 19 CFR 
351.303(f).
    Interested parties may request a hearing within 30 days after the 
date of publication of this notice. Unless otherwise specified, the 
hearing, if requested, will be held two days after the scheduled date 
for submission of rebuttal briefs.
    The Department will publish a notice of the final results of this 
administrative review within 120 days from the publication of these 
preliminary results.
    We are issuing and publishing these results in accordance with 
sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

    Dated: July 31, 2008.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-18772 Filed 8-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P