[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 32 (Thursday, February 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8173-8176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03418]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-570-849]


Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate From the People's 
Republic of China: Initiation of Circumvention Inquiry on Antidumping 
Duty Order

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

DATES: Effective Date: February 18, 2016.
SUMMARY: In response to a request from Nucor Corporation and SSAB 
Enterprises LLC (collectively ``Domestic Producers''), the Department 
of Commerce (``Department'') is initiating a circumvention inquiry, 
pursuant to section 781(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the 
``Act''), to determine whether certain imports of certain cut-to-length 
carbon steel plate (``CTL plate'') are circumventing the antidumping 
duty order on CTL plate from the People's Republic of China 
(``PRC'').\1\
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    \1\ See Suspension Agreement on Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon 
Steel Plate From the People's Republic of China; Termination of 
Suspension Agreement and Notice of Antidumping Duty Order, 68 FR 
60081 (October 21, 2003) (``Order'').

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick O'Connor or Thomas Martin, AD/
CVD Operations, Office IV, Enforcement & Compliance, International 
Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-
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0989, and (202) 482-3936, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 17, 2015, Domestic Producers 
requested that the Department make a final circumvention ruling within 
45 days pursuant to 19 CFR 351.225(c)(2) and (d) with respect to CTL 
plate from the PRC with small amounts of any alloying elements added so 
as to classify the steel as alloy steel under the Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS''), regardless of exporter or 
importer.\2\ As a result of further clarification and comments 
regarding Domestic Producers' allegation, we extended the deadline to 
make a final ruling or initiate a circumvention inquiry until February 
10, 2016.\3\
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    \2\ Domestic Producers initially filed versions of their request 
on April 30, 2015 (Business Proprietary) and May 1, 2015 (Public 
Version), but these submissions were rejected by the Department due 
to filing deficiencies. See Letter from Robert Bolling to Domestic 
Producers, ``Re: Rejection of Submission- Certain Cut-To-Length 
Carbon Steel Plate from the People's Republic of China,'' dated June 
9, 2015 letter.
    \3\ See Letter from Abdelali Elouaradia to Petitioners, ``Re: 
Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate from the People's Republic 
of China: Request for Circumvention Ruling,'' dated January 13, 
2016. The Department tolled this deadline by four business days. See 
Memorandum from Ron Lorentzen to The Record, ``Tolling of 
Administrative Deadlines as a Result of the Government Closure 
during Snowstorm ``Jonas'','' dated January 27, 2016.
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    Domestic Producers alleged that producers, exporters and importers 
are circumventing the Order by adding alloying elements (i.e., making 
minor alterations) to CTL plate that is otherwise ASTM A36 and A572 
commodity-grade steel plate.\4\ Domestic Producers provided business 
proprietary evidence which they believe supports their allegation.\5\
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    \4\ See 781(c) of the Act; see also Letter from Domestic 
Producers regarding, ``Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate From 
the People's Republic of China: Re-submission of Request for 
Circumvention Ruling,'' dated June 17, 2015 (``Domestic Producers' 
Request'').
    \5\ See Memorandum from Thomas Martin to the File, regarding 
``Anti-Circumvention Inquiry on Certain Cut-To Length Carbon Steel 
Plate (``CTL plate''), from the People's Republic of China: 
Initiation of Antidumping Circumvention Inquiry'' with the subject 
``Memorandum of Business Proprietary Information Accompanying the 
Notice of Initiation of Antidumping Circumvention Inquiry,'' dated 
concurrently with this notice (``Alloying Elements Circumvention BPI 
Memorandum'') at Note 1.
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    Domestic Producers noted that there is a history of evading the 
Order, and that the Department has made two separate circumvention 
determinations with regard to CTL plate from the PRC. In the first 
determination, the Department found that merchandise produced by 
Tianjin Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. and merchandise imported by Toyota 
Tsusho America Inc., regardless of producer or exporter, containing 
0.0008 percent or more boron, by weight, and otherwise meeting the 
description of in-scope merchandise is subject to the Order unless the 
merchandise meets all of the following requirements: (1) An aluminum 
level of 0.02 percent or greater, by weight; (2) a ratio of 3.4 to 1 or 
greater, by weight, of titanium to nitrogen; and (3) a hardenability 
test (i.e., Jominy test) result indicating a boron factor of 1.8 or 
greater.\6\ In the second determination, the Department found ``that it 
is appropriate to consider all plate with at least 0.0008 percent boron 
content and otherwise meeting the description of the scope to be 
covered by the order, unless the merchandise also possesses the three 
distinguishing characteristics referenced above.'' \7\ The Department

[[Page 8174]]

also found it appropriate to apply its second determination ``on a 
countrywide basis, given that multiple parties have been found to be 
circumventing the order using the same general approach (i.e., 
inclusion of small inconsequential amounts of an alloying element in 
order to change the tariff classification from non-alloy to alloy 
steel).'' \8\
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    \6\ See Affirmative Final Determination of Circumvention of the 
Antidumping Duty Order on Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate 
From the People's Republic of China, 74 FR 40565 (August 12, 2009) 
(``Toyota Tsusho Circumvention Final Determination'').
    \7\ See Affirmative Final Determination of Circumvention of the 
Antidumping Duty Order on Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate 
From the People's Republic of China, 76 FR 50996 (August 17, 2011) 
(``Wuyang Circumvention Final Determination'').
    \8\ Id. at 50997.
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    Domestic Producers contended that PRC producers are now adding 
other alloying elements, in addition to boron, to otherwise subject CTL 
plate in order to circumvent the Order.\9\ According to Domestic 
Producers, PRC manufacturers have an incentive to produce the CTL plate 
at issue to circumvent antidumping duties, and only began adding 
certain alloying elements in response to the Order and the Department's 
prior circumvention findings.\10\ Domestic Producers stated that 
another possible motivation for PRC CTL plate producers to add other 
alloying elements to their plate, such as chromium, is the PRC 
government's cancellation of the Value Added Tax (``VAT'') export 
rebate for steel with boron added. CTL plate with other alloys 
continues to receive the VAT rebate.\11\ Domestic Producers submitted 
news articles to support this contention.\12\
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    \9\ See Domestic Producers' Request at 12-15.
    \10\ Id. at 21-23.
    \11\ Id. at 10-11.
    \12\ Id. at Exhibits 6-7.
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    On July 6, 2015, the Department identified various areas of the 
Domestic Producers' Request that required clarification and therefore 
issued questions to them.\13\ On July 22, 2015, Domestic Producers 
submitted their responses to those questions.\14\ In their responses, 
Domestic Producers clarified the names and addresses of the exporters 
and importers of the product that they believe is being produced to 
circumvent the Order.\15\ Regarding the PRC government's cancellation 
of VAT rebates for steel with boron added, Domestic Producers submitted 
an official announcement from the PRC government's Ministry of Finance, 
cancelling the rebate program.\16\ Domestic Producers also clarified 
that 80 percent of the market for commodity-grade carbon steel plate 
meets ASTM specifications A36 and A572, and that there is no overlap 
between these specifications and alloy steel specifications that 
require heat treatment, have a higher tensile strength, and require 
minimum levels of nickel, chromium, and molybdenum.\17\
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    \13\ See Letter from Howard Smith, ``Re: Certain Cut-To-Length 
Carbon Steel Plate (``CTL Carbon Plate'') from the People's Republic 
of China (``PRC''): Anti-circumvention Ruling Request,'' dated July 
6, 2015.
    \14\ See Letter from Domestic Producers' regarding, ``Certain 
Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate From the People's Republic of 
China: Supplemental Response to Questions Regarding Petitioners' 
Request for an Anti-Circumvention Ruling,'' dated July 22, 2015 
(``First Supplemental Submission'').
    \15\ See First Supplemental Submission at 5.
    \16\ Id. at Exhibit 9.
    \17\ Id. at 6-8.
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    Domestic Producers also stated that the exclusion criteria in 
Toyota Tsusho Circumvention Final Determination is specific to boron's 
intended purpose of increasing hardenability in steel that has been 
heat treated, and is not relevant to other alloying elements such as 
chromium and titanium.\18\ They contended that the addition of alloying 
elements to steel plate is only useful when steel plate is heat 
treated, which has a substantial cost, and PRC producers are not heat 
treating the steel plate at issue.\19\ Domestic Producers claimed that 
commodity-grade carbon steel plate of ASTM specifications A36 and A572 
is not heat-treated.\20\ Thus, Domestic Producers contended that there 
is no reason to produce CTL plate which meets the exclusion criteria in 
Toyota Tsusho Circumvention Final Determination, but that is not heat 
treated, other than to circumvent the Order. According to Domestic 
Producers, it is possible to determine from mill test certificates 
whether CTL steel plate has been heat treated.\21\ Domestic Producers 
provided relevant business proprietary evidence in their supplemental 
submission.\22\
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    \18\ Id. at 5-6.
    \19\ Id. at 12-13, 14, 17, 23-24.
    \20\ Id. at 14, 17, 23-24.
    \21\ Id. at 12-13.
    \22\ See Alloying Elements Circumvention BPI Memorandum at Note 
2.
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    On August 5, 2015, Wuyang Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (``Wuyang'') 
commented on Domestic Producers' First Supplemental Submission.\23\ 
Wuyang contended that although Domestic Producers requested the 
Department to initiate a circumvention inquiry regarding all alloys, 
Domestic Producers failed to identify any alloy, other than boron, 
chromium and titanium, which they claim PRC producers add to steel 
plate, and failed to claim whether adding any of the other alloys can 
actually have a beneficial effect on steel.\24\ Further, Wuyang stated 
that Domestic Producers should not be permitted to add heat treatment 
to the three-part test to exclude CTL plate with at least 0.0008 
percent boron content from the Order, (the exception established in 
Toyota Tsusho Circumvention Final Determination), without specifying 
whether the heat treatment must occur before or after importation, how 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (``CBP'') can administer such a 
proposed rule, and what alloy ASTM specifications are at issue.\25\
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    \23\ See Letter from Wuyang regarding ``Circumvention Inquiry of 
the Antidumping Duty Order on Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel 
Plate From China: Comments on Petitioners' Response to Supplemental 
Questionnaire regarding Ant-Circumvention Ruling Request'' dated 
August 5, 2015 (``Wuyang Comments'').
    \24\ See Wuyang Comments at 4, 6.
    \25\ Id. at 5.
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    On August 28, 2015, the Department issued another request for 
information to Domestic Producers,\26\ to which they responded on 
September 11, 2015.\27\ In their response, Domestic Producers clarified 
that their request covers steel plate with any alloy listed in note (f) 
of Chapter 72 of the HTSUS at levels that would allow the plate to be 
classified as alloy steel under the HTSUS, that is marketed, priced or 
sold in the United States as commodity-grade carbon steel plate or made 
to specifications considered to be carbon steel specifications in the 
market (e.g., ASTM specifications A36 and A572).\28\ For further 
support of their claim that PRC producers are adding alloying elements 
other than boron, chromium and titanium to CTL plate to circumvent the 
Order, Domestic Producers submitted news articles regarding PRC steel 
overproduction, as well as information regarding a circumvention 
inquiry in Australia.\29\ Domestic Producers claimed that adding any 
alloys to commodity-grade steel plate has no commercial or 
metallurgical purpose other than to change the tariff classification of 
the plate in the HTSUS.\30\ Domestic Producers also explicitly stated 
that the three-part exclusion established in Toyota Tsusho 
Circumvention Final Determination is no longer a legitimate or reliable 
exclusion for the Order, and that the Department should analyze boron 
in the

[[Page 8175]]

same manner as any other alloy.\31\ Domestic Producers also stated that 
ASTM specification A36 steel would not be classifiable as alloy steel 
in the HTSUS due to its manganese or silicon content because this ASTM 
specification has a maximum range for manganese and silicon below the 
thresholds in note (f) of Chapter 72 of the HTSUS.\32\ According to 
Domestic Producers, the application of the circumvention inquiry to 
ASTM specifications A36 and A572 would be easily enforced by CBP since 
these specifications are identified in mill test certificates and also 
marked on the steel itself.\33\ However, Domestic Producers also 
requested that all ``commodity-grade'' steel plate be covered by the 
circumvention inquiry in case any ASTM specifications are eliminated, 
changed or developed in the future.\34\
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    \26\ See Letter from Howard Smith, ``Re: Certain Cut-To-Length 
Carbon Steel Plate (``CTL Carbon Plate'') from the People's Republic 
of China (``PRC''): Anti-circumvention Ruling Request,'' dated 
August 28, 2015.
    \27\ See Letter from Domestic Producers regarding, ``Certain 
Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate From the People's Republic of 
China: Second Supplemental Response to Questions Regarding 
Petitioners' Request for an Anti-Circumvention Ruling,'' dated 
September 11, 2015 (``Second Supplemental Submission'')
    \28\ See Second Supplemental Submission at 3.
    \29\ Id. at 5-6.
    \30\ Id. at 7-8.
    \31\ Id. at 11.
    \32\ Id. at 12-14; see also Alloying Elements Circumvention BPI 
Memorandum at Note 3.
    \33\ See Second Supplemental Submission at 15.
    \34\ Id. at 15.
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    On November 18, 2015, the Department again issued a request for 
information to the Domestic Producers requesting clarification of 
certain previously submitted evidence and additional evidence relating 
to their allegation.\35\ On November 24, 2015, Domestic Producers 
submitted their response to the request for information.\36\ In their 
response, Domestic Producers provided evidence that is business 
proprietary.\37\
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    \35\ See Letter from Howard Smith, ``Re: Certain Cut-To-Length 
Carbon Steel Plate (``CTL Carbon Plate'') from the People's Republic 
of China (``PRC''): Anti-circumvention Ruling Request,'' dated 
November 18, 2015.
    \36\ See Letter from Domestic Producers regarding, ``Certain 
Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate From the People's Republic of 
China: Third Supplemental Response to Questions Regarding 
Petitioners' Request for an Anti-Circumvention Ruling,'' dated 
November 24, 2015 (``Third Supplemental Submission'')
    \37\ See Alloying Elements Circumvention BPI Memorandum at Note 
4.
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    On January 20, 2016, Domestic Producers submitted additional 
business proprietary factual support for their request for a 
circumvention inquiry.\38\
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    \38\ See Letter from Domestic Producers, ``Re: Certain Cut-To-
Length Carbon Steel Plate (``CTL Carbon Plate'') from the People's 
Republic of China (``PRC''): Request to Issue Final Ruling Or 
Initiate Anti-Circumvention Inquiry,'' dated January 20, 2016 and 
Alloying Elements Circumvention BPI Memorandum at Note 5.
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Scope of the Order

    The product covered by the order is certain cut-to-length carbon 
steel plate from the PRC. Included in this description is hot-rolled 
iron and non-alloy steel universal mill plates (i.e., flat-rolled 
products rolled on four faces or in a closed box pass, of a width 
exceeding 150 mm but not exceeding 1250 mm and of a thickness of not 
less than 4 mm, not in coils and without patterns in relief), of 
rectangular shape, neither clad, plated nor coated with metal, whether 
or not painted, varnished, or coated with plastics or other nonmetallic 
substances; and certain iron and non-alloy steel flat-rolled products 
not in coils, of rectangular shape, hot-rolled, neither clad, plated, 
nor coated with metal, whether or not painted, varnished, or coated 
with plastics or other nonmetallic substances, 4.75 mm or more in 
thickness and of a width which exceeds 150 mm and measures at least 
twice the thickness. Included as subject merchandise in the order are 
flat-rolled products of nonrectangular cross-section where such cross-
section is achieved subsequent to the rolling process (i.e., products 
which have been ``worked after rolling'')--for example, products which 
have been bevelled or rounded at the edges. This merchandise is 
currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States (HTSUS) under item numbers 7208.40.3030, 7208.40.3060, 
7208.51.0030, 7208.51.0045, 7208.51.0060, 7208.52.0000, 7208.53.0000, 
7208.90.0000, 7210.70.3000, 7210.90.9000, 7211.13.0000, 7211.14.0030, 
7211.14.0045, 7211.90.0000, 7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000, 7212.50.0000. 
Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs 
purposes, the written description of the scope of the order is 
dispositive. Specifically excluded from subject merchandise within the 
scope of the order is grade X-70 steel plate.

Merchandise Subject to the Minor Alterations Antidumping Duty 
Circumvention Inquiry

    For the reasons explained below in the ``Conclusion'' section of 
this notice, we have not initiated this circumvention inquiry on all of 
the products described in Domestic Producers' Request. Rather, this 
circumvention inquiry covers all CTL plate from the PRC made to ASTM 
A36 or A572 specifications with levels of chromium or titanium above 
the levels identified in note (f), ``Other alloy steel'', of Chapter 72 
of the HTSUS. This inquiry also covers all CTL plate from the PRC made 
to ASTM A36 or A572 specifications which contains levels of boron above 
the levels identified in note (f) of Chapter 72 of the HTSUS and which 
has not been heat treated to meet tensile and hardness requirements 
beyond commodity-grade ASTM specifications. This inquiry will cover 
U.S. imports of all CTL plate from the PRC.

Initiation of Minor Alterations Antidumping Duty Circumvention 
Proceeding

    Section 781(c)(1) of the Act provides that the class or kind of 
merchandise subject to an antidumping duty order shall include articles 
``altered in form or appearance in minor respects . . . whether or not 
included in the same tariff classification.'' The Department notes 
that, while the statute is silent as to what factors to consider in 
determining whether alterations are properly considered ``minor,'' the 
legislative history of this provision indicates there are certain 
factors which should be considered before reaching a circumvention 
determination. In conducting a circumvention inquiry under section 
781(c) of the Act, the Department has generally relied upon ``such 
criteria as the overall physical characteristics of the merchandise, 
the expectations of the ultimate users, the use of the merchandise, the 
channels of marketing and the cost of any modification relative to the 
total value of the imported products.'' \39\
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    \39\ See S. Rep. No.71, 100th Cong., 1st Sess. 100 (1987) (``In 
applying this provision, the Commerce Department should apply 
practical measurements regarding minor alterations, so that 
circumvention can be dealt with effectively, even where such 
alterations to an article technically transform it into a 
differently designated article.'')
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Overall Physical Characteristics

    According to Domestic Producers, the CTL plate at issue is made in 
nearly the same manner, made to the same specifications, and has the 
same physical characteristics as carbon steel plate. Domestic Producers 
claimed that the effect of the added alloying elements is 
negligible.\40\ Specifically, Domestic Producers claimed that 
commodity-grade carbon steel plate of ASTM specifications A36 and A572 
is not heat-treated, and thus cannot achieve the hardenability of alloy 
steel by adding alloys.\41\ Thus, Domestic Producers maintained that 
CTL plate with small amounts of alloying elements that is considered 
commodity-grade steel plate has the same physical characteristics as 
subject CTL plate.\42\
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    \40\ See Domestic Producers' Request at 16-17.
    \41\ See First Supplemental Submission at 14, 17, 23-24.
    \42\ See Alloying Elements Circumvention BPI Memorandum at Note 
6.
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Expectations of the Ultimate Users

    Domestic Producers contended that the ultimate users purchasing the 
CTL

[[Page 8176]]

plate at issue with elevated levels of alloys expect a commodity-grade, 
rather than a specialty alloy, product because of the way the product 
is represented to purchasers, and because of its price.\43\ Also, 
according to Domestic Producers, information in recent administrative 
reviews of the Order indicating that no importers entered steel plate 
from the PRC into the United States as subject merchandise, supports 
the belief that the ultimate users of CTL plate are consuming plates 
with elevated levels of boron, chromium and titanium, in place of steel 
plate without elevated levels of boron, chromium and titanium.\44\
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    \43\ See Domestic Producers' Request at 17-19 and the Alloying 
Elements Circumvention BPI Memorandum at Note 7.
    \44\ See Third Supplemental Submission at 7-8.
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Use of the Merchandise

    Domestic Producers argued that the product at issue is used for the 
same purposes as subject merchandise.\45\ Domestic Producers claimed 
that adding alloys to commodity-grade steel plate has no commercial or 
metallurgical purpose other than to change the tariff classification in 
the HTSUS.\46\ Domestic Producers stated that the CTL plate at issue 
with elevated alloy levels is still classified as ASTM A36 and A572 
plate, and thus is not suitable for additional uses beyond those of 
commodity-grade plate with these specifications.\47\ Domestic Producers 
also contended that the addition of elevated levels of alloying 
elements are only useful when steel plate is heat treated, which has a 
substantial cost, and PRC producers are not heat treating the steel 
plates at issue.\48\ Specifically, Domestic Producers claim that 
commodity-grade carbon steel plate of ASTM specifications A36 and A572 
is generally not heat-treated.\49\
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    \45\ See Domestic Producers' Request at 19-20.
    \46\ See Second Supplemental Submission at 7-8.
    \47\ See Domestic Producers' Request at 19-20.
    \48\ See First Supplemental Submission at 10-12, 15-17.
    \49\ Id. at 14, 17, 23-24; see also Alloying Elements 
Circumvention BPI Memorandum at Note 8.
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Channels of Marketing

    Domestic Producers stated that PRC producers market the CTL plate 
at issue in the same manner as the CTL plate without the alloying 
elements.\50\ According to Domestic Producers, the CTL plate at issue 
and subject plate appeal to the same end users and are used for the 
same end uses.\51\
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    \50\ See Domestic Producers' Request at 20.
    \51\ Id. and Alloying Elements Circumvention BPI Memorandum at 
Note 9.
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Cost of Modification

    Domestic Producers claimed that the cost of adding only small 
amounts of alloying elements is small when compared to the total cost 
of production and total value of CTL plate.\52\ In particular, Domestic 
Producers noted that the Department determined in CTL Plate from Canada 
that the cost of adding alloying elements is minor relative to the 
total value of the merchandise.\53\ Also, as noted above, Domestic 
Producers contended that alloying elements are only useful when steel 
plate is heat treated, which has a substantial cost; however, PRC 
producers are not heat treating the steel plate at issue.\54\
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    \52\ See Domestic Producers' Request at 20.
    \53\ Id. at 20-21.
    \54\ See First Supplemental Submission at 10-12, 15-17.
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Conclusion

    Based on the information provided by Domestic Producers, the 
Department finds there is sufficient basis to initiate an antidumping 
duty circumvention inquiry, pursuant to section 781(c) of the Act, to 
determine whether CTL plate from the PRC made to ASTM A36 or A572 
specifications with levels of chromium or titanium above the levels 
identified in note (f), ``Other alloy steel'', of Chapter 72 of the 
HTSUS involves a minor alteration to subject merchandise that is so 
insignificant as to render the resulting merchandise (classified as 
``alloy'' steel under the HTSUS) subject to the Order. We also find 
sufficient basis to initiate an antidumping duty circumvention inquiry, 
pursuant to section 781(c) of the Act, to determine whether CTL plate 
from the PRC made to ASTM A36 or A572 specifications which contains 
levels of boron above the levels identified in note (f) of Chapter 72 
of the HTSUS and which has not been heat treated to meet tensile and 
hardness requirements beyond commodity-grade ASTM specifications 
involves a minor alteration to subject merchandise that is so 
insignificant as to render the resulting merchandise (classified as 
``alloy'' steel under the HTSUS) subject to the Order.
    Although Domestic Producers requested a circumvention inquiry with 
respect to all of the alloying elements identified in note (f), ``Other 
alloy steel'', of Chapter 72 of the HTSUS, we limited initiation to the 
alloys noted above (chromium, titanium, and boron where there was no 
heat treatment) based on the evidence of alleged circumvention 
provided. Moreover, we have not described the merchandise subject to 
this inquiry as steel plate marketed, priced or sold in the United 
States as commodity-grade carbon steel plate or made to specifications 
considered to be carbon steel specifications in the market because of 
concerns over the administrability of that language (e.g., difficulties 
determining whether certain prices are commodity-grade carbon steel 
plate prices, the lack of clarity with respect to which specifications 
should be considered to be carbon steel specifications). Based on the 
evidence of alleged circumvention provided, and Domestic Producers' 
statement that 80 percent of the market for commodity-grade carbon 
steel plate meets ASTM specifications A36 and A572, we have described 
the merchandise subject to this inquiry as CTL plate from the PRC made 
to ASTM A36 or A572 specifications. Lastly, as noted above, the 
Department intends to apply its circumvention ruling to all U.S. 
imports of CTL plate from the PRC, consistent with the recent history 
of this proceeding.\55\
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    \55\ See Wuyang Circumvention Final Determination, 76 FR at 
50997.
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    Although Domestic Producers requested that the Department make a 
final ruling within 45 days, additional time is needed for further 
inquiry into Domestic Producers' allegations. The Department intends to 
issue its final determination within 300 days of the date of the 
initiation of this antidumping duty circumvention inquiry.
    The Department will not order the suspension of liquidation of 
entries of any of the merchandise at issue at this time. However, in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.225(l)(2), if the Department issues a 
preliminary affirmative determination, we will then instruct CBP to 
suspend liquidation and require a cash deposit of estimated duties, at 
the applicable rate, for each unliquidated entry of the merchandise at 
issue, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or 
after the date of initiation of the inquiry.
    The Department will establish a schedule for questionnaires and 
comments on the issues.
    This notice is published in accordance with section 781(c) of the 
Act and 19 CFR 351.225(i).

    Dated: February 10, 2016.
Paul Piquado,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2016-03418 Filed 2-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P