[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 18, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49094-49095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20174]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-570-909]


Certain Steel Nails From the People's Republic of China: Notice 
of Court Decision Not in Harmony With Final Scope Ruling and Notice of 
Amended Final Scope Ruling Pursuant to Court Decision

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is notifying the public 
that the Court of International Trade's (CIT) final judgment in this 
case is not in harmony with Commerce's final scope ruling and is, 
therefore, finding that zinc and nylon anchors imported by Simpson 
Strong-Tie Company (Simpson), are not within the scope of the 
antidumping duty order on certain steel nails (nails) from the People's 
Republic of China (China).

DATES: Applicable August 4, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Annathea Cook, Office V, AD/CVD 
Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-0250.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 10, 2016, Simpson submitted a scope request asking 
Commerce to confirm its claim that ``Zinc Nailon\TM\'' anchors and 
``Nylon Nailon\TM\'' anchors \1\ are outside the scope of the 
antidumping duty order on nails from China.\2\ Simpson described the 
zinc and nylon anchors as consisting of two parts: (1) A zinc alloy or 
nylon body; and (2) a carbon and stainless steel pin.\3\
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    \1\ See Simpson's Letter, ``Certain Steel Nails from the 
People's Republic of China (A-570-909) for Simpson Strong-Tie and 
Certain ``Zinc and ``Nylon Nailon\TM\'' Pin Drive Anchors,'' dated 
July 21, 2016 (Scope Request).
    \2\ See Antidumping Duty Order: Certain Steel Nails from the 
People's Republic of China, 73 FR 44961 (August 1, 2008) (Order).
    \3\ See Scope Request at 3-4, and 18.
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    Commerce issued its Final Scope Ruling on March 20, 2017, finding 
that Simpson's zinc and nylon anchors were subject to the scope of the 
Order based upon the plain meaning of the Order and the description of 
the zinc and nylon anchors contained in Simpson's scope ruling 
request.\4\ Commerce also found that several sources under 19 CFR 
351.225(k)(1)--particularly the petition, the final determination of 
the International Trade Commission (ITC) issued in connection with the 
underlying investigation, and prior scope rulings--further supported 
Commerce's determination that Simpson's zinc and nylon anchors fall 
within the scope of the Order.\5\ As a result of the Final Scope 
Ruling, Commerce instructed U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to 
continue suspension of liquidation of entries of Simpson's zinc and 
nylon anchors.\6\
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    \4\ See Memorandum, ``Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders 
on Certain Steel Nails from the People's Republic of China: Final 
Scope Ruling on Simpson Strong-Tie Company's Anchors,'' dated March 
20, 2017 (Final Scope Ruling).
    \5\ Id. at 12-13.
    \6\ See Message Number 7125304, dated May 5, 2017.
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    Simpson challenged Commerce's Final Scope Ruling before the CIT. On 
September 21, 2018, the CIT remanded the Final Scope Ruling, holding 
that Simpson's zinc and nylon anchors are not a ``nail'' within the 
plain meaning of the word and are, therefore, outside the scope of the 
Order.\7\ The CIT relied on dictionary definitions to determine the 
definition of ``nail'' and concluded that, because Simpson's zinc and 
nylon anchors are a unitary article of commerce, the entire product, 
not just a component part, must fit the definition of a nail to fall 
within the scope of the Order.\8\ Therefore, the CIT held that the 
entire zinc or nylon anchor is not a nail ``constructed of two or more 
pieces'' pursuant to the Order.\9\ Additionally, the CIT held that, 
because the relevant industry classifies anchors with a steel pin as 
anchors, not nails, trade usage further supports the conclusion that 
Simpson's zinc and nylon anchors are not nails.\10\ In support of its 
conclusion, the CIT cited its decision in OMG, Inc. v. United States, 
in which it found a product with a zinc anchor body and a

[[Page 49095]]

steel pin outside the scope of the antidumping duty order on certain 
steel nails from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.\11\
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    \7\ See Simpson Strong-Tie Company, v. United States, Court No. 
17-00057, Slip Op. 18-123 (CIT 2018) (Remand Order).
    \8\ See Remand Order, Slip Op. 18-123 at 10-11.
    \9\ Id. at 11.
    \10\ Id. at 11-12.
    \11\ Id. at 12-13 (citing OMG, Inc. v. United States, Court No. 
17-00036, Slip. Op. 18-63 (CIT 2018)).
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    The CIT remanded the Final Scope Ruling to Commerce for further 
consideration consistent with the CIT's opinion.\12\ The CIT also 
directed Commerce to issue appropriate instructions to CBP regarding 
the suspension of liquidation of Simpson's zinc and nylon anchors.\13\
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    \12\ Id. at 15.
    \13\ Id.
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    Pursuant to the CIT's instructions, on remand, under respectful 
protest, Commerce found that Simpson's zinc and nylon anchors do not 
fall within the scope of the Order.\14\ On July 25, 2019, the CIT 
sustained Commerce's Final Remand Results.\15\
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    \14\ See Final Results of Redetermination Pursuant to Court 
Remand, Simpson Strong-Tie Company, v. United States, Court No. 17-
00057, Slip Op. 18-123 (CIT September 21, 2018), dated December 20, 
2018 (Final Remand Results).
    \15\ See Simpson Strong-Tie Company, v. United States, Court No. 
17-00057, Slip Op. 19-93 (CIT 2019).
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Timken Notice

    In its decision in Timken,\16\ as clarified by Diamond 
Sawblades,\17\ the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) held 
that, pursuant to sections 516A(c) and (e) of the Tariff Act of 1930, 
as amended (the Act), Commerce must publish a notice of a court 
decision that is not ``in harmony'' with a Commerce determination and 
must suspend liquidation of entries pending a ``conclusive'' court 
decision. The CIT's July 25, 2019 judgment in this case constitutes a 
final decision of the court that is not in harmony with Commerce's 
Final Scope Ruling. This notice is published in fulfillment of the 
publication requirements of Timken. Accordingly, Commerce will continue 
the suspension of liquidation of components for nails pending 
expiration of the period of appeal or, if appealed, pending a final and 
conclusive court decision.
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    \16\ See Timken Co. v. United States, 893 F. 2d 337, 341 (Fed. 
Cir. 1990) (Timken).
    \17\ See Diamond Sawblades Mfrs. Coalition v. United States, 626 
F. 3d 1374 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (Diamond Sawblades).
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Amended Final Scope Ruling

    Because there is now a final court decision with respect to this 
case, Commerce is amending its final scope ruling and finds that the 
scope of the Order does not cover the zinc and nylon anchors specified 
in Simpson's Scope Request. Commerce will instruct CBP that the cash 
deposit rate will be zero percent for zinc and nylon articles subject 
to Simpson's Scope Request. In the event that the CIT's ruling is not 
appealed, or if appealed, upheld by the CAFC, Commerce will instruct 
CBP to liquidate entries of Simpson's zinc and nylon anchors without 
regard to antidumping duties, and to lift suspension of liquidation of 
such entries.

Notification to Interested Parties

    This notice is issued and published in accordance with section 
516A(e)(1) of the Act.

    Dated: September 12, 2019.
James Maeder,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Operations.
[FR Doc. 2019-20174 Filed 9-17-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P