[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 194 (Monday, October 7, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53408-53411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21823]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-821-809]


Certain Hot-Rolled Flat-Rolled Carbon-Quality Steel Products From 
the Russian Federation: Preliminary No Shipments Determination of 
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2017-2018

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is conducting an 
administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain hot-
rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products (hot-rolled steel) 
from the Russian Federation. The period of review (POR) is December 1, 
2017 through November 30, 2018. Interested parties are invited to 
comment on these preliminary results.

DATES: Applicable October 7, 2019.

[[Page 53409]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Preston Cox, AD/CVD Operations, Office 
VI, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, 
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-5041.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In response to Commerce's notice of opportunity to request an 
administrative review on hot-rolled steel from the Russian 
Federation,\1\ Nucor Corporation, AK Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal 
USA LLC, United States Steel Corporation, California Steel Industries, 
Steel Dynamics, Inc., and SSAB Enterprises LLC (domestic interested 
parties) timely requested an administrative review with respect to 
Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK), Severstal PAO, and Severstal Export GmbH.\2\ 
On January 28, 2019, Commerce exercised its discretion to toll all 
deadlines for reviews of antidumping duty orders with December 
anniversary dates which were affected by the partial government 
shutdown by 31 days.\3\
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    \1\ See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or 
Suspended Investigation; Opportunity To Request Administrative 
Review, 83 FR 62293 (December 3, 2018).
    \2\ See Domestic Interested Parties' Letter, ``Certain Hot-
Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products from Russia: Request for 
Administrative Review,'' dated December 31, 2018.
    \3\ See Memorandum to the Record from Steven Presing, ``December 
Order Deadlines Affected by the Partial Shutdown of the Federal 
Government,'' dated August 7, 2019.
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    On March 14, 2019, Commerce published in the Federal Register a 
notice of initiation of an administrative review of the antidumping 
duty order on hot-rolled steel from the Russian Federation covering 
three companies: NLMK, Severstal PAO, and Severstal Export GmbH.\4\ 
Subsequently, on April 9, 2019, Commerce received a letter from NLMK 
reporting that it had no exports, sales, or entries of subject 
merchandise into the United States during the POR.\5\ On April 18, 
2019, Commerce received a letter from Severstal PAO reporting it had no 
exports, sales, or entries of subject merchandise into the United 
States during the POR.\6\ Similarly, on April 25, 2019, Commerce 
received a letter from Severstal Export GmbH reporting it had no 
exports, sales, or entries of subject merchandise into the United 
States during the POR.\7\ On June 28, 2019, we transmitted a ``No-
Shipment Inquiry'' to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 
regarding NLMK, Severstal PAO, and Severstal Export GmbH, to which CBP 
responded that it found no shipments of hot-rolled steel from NLMK, 
Severstal PAO, and Severstal Export GmbH during the POR.\8\
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    \4\ See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Reviews, 84 FR 9297 (March 14, 2019).
    \5\ See NLMK's Letter, ``Certification of No Shipments for 
Novolipetsk Steel: Administrative Review of the Antidumping Duty 
Order on Certain Hot-Rolled-Carbon-Quality Steel Products from the 
Russian Federation 12/1/2017 to 11/30/2018,'' dated April 9, 2019.
    \6\ See Severstal PAO's Letter, ``Administrative Review of the 
Antidumping Order on Certain Hot-Rolled
    Carbon-Quality Steel Products from the Russian Federation: 
Certification of No Shipments for PAO Severstal,'' dated April 18, 
2019.
    \7\ See Severstal Export GmbH's Letter, ``Administrative Review 
of the Antidumping Order on Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon-Quality Steel 
Products from the Russian Federation: Certification of No Shipments 
for JSC Severstal,'' dated April 25, 2019.
    \8\ See Memorandum, ``Hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality 
steel products from the Russia Federation (Commerce A-821-809; 
Customs A-462-809),'' dated July 1, 2019 (Customs Liaison Unit 
Memorandum).
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Scope of the Order

    For the purposes of this order, ``hot-rolled steel'' means certain 
hot-rolled flat-rolled carbon-quality steel products of a rectangular 
shape, of a width of 0.5 inch or greater, neither clad, plated, nor 
coated with metal and whether or not painted, varnished, or coated with 
plastics or other non-metallic substances, in coils (whether or not in 
successively superimposed layers) regardless of thickness, and in 
straight lengths, of a thickness less than 4.75 mm and of a width 
measuring at least 10 times the thickness.
    Universal mill plate (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 a thickness not less than 4.0 
mm is not included within the scope of this order.
    Specifically included in this scope are vacuum degassed, fully 
stabilized (commonly referred to as interstitial-free (IF)) steels, 
high strength low alloy (HSLA) steels, and the substrate for motor 
lamination steels. IF steels are recognized as low carbon steels with 
micro-alloying levels of elements such as titanium and/or niobium added 
to stabilize carbon and nitrogen elements. HSLA steels are recognized 
as steels with micro-alloying levels of elements such as chromium, 
copper, niobium, titanium, vanadium, and molybdenum. The substrate for 
motor lamination steels contains micro-alloying levels of elements such 
as silicon and aluminum.
    Steel products to be included in the scope of this order, 
regardless of Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) 
definitions, are products in which: (1) Uiron predominates, by weight, 
over each of the other contained elements; (2) the carbon content is 2 
percent or less, by weight; and (3) none of the elements listed below 
exceeds the quantity, by weight, respectively indicated: 1.80 percent 
of manganese, or 1.50 percent of silicon, or 1.00 percent of copper, or 
0.50 percent of aluminum, or 1.25 percent of chromium, or 0.30 percent 
of cobalt, or 0.40 percent of lead, or 1.25 percent of nickel, or 0.30 
percent of tungsten, or 0.012 percent of boron, or 0.10 percent of 
molybdenum, or 0.10 percent of niobium, or 0.41 percent of titanium, or 
0.15 percent of vanadium, or 0.15 percent of zirconium.
    All products that meet the physical and chemical description 
provided above are within the scope of this agreement unless otherwise 
excluded. The following products, by way of example, are outside and/or 
specifically excluded from the scope of this agreement:

-- Alloy hot-rolled steel products in which at least one of the 
chemical elements exceeds those listed above (including e.g., ASTM 
specifications A543, A387, A514, A517, and A506).
-- SAE/AISI grades of series 2300 and higher.
-- Ball bearing steels, as defined in the HTSUS.
-- Tool steels, as defined in the HTSUS.
-- Silica-manganese (as defined in the HTSUS) or silicon electrical 
steel with a silicon level exceeding 1.50 percent.
-- ASTM specifications A710 and A736.
-- USS Abrasion-resistant steels (USS AR 400, USS AR 500).
-- Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, physical 
and mechanical specifications:

[[Page 53410]]



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                C                         Mn               P                S                Si               Cr               Cu               Ni
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0.10-0.14%.......................       0.90% Max       0.025% Max       0.005% Max     0.30 - 0.50%     0.50 - 0.70%     0.20 - 0.40%        0.20% Max
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Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.063 - 0.198 inches; Yield Strength = 50,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 70,000 - 88,000 psi.

--Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, physical 
and mechanical specifications:

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                C                         Mn               P                S                Si               Cr               Cu               Ni
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0.10 - 0.16%.....................   0.70% - 0.90%       0.025% Max       0.006% Max     0.30 - 0.50%     0.50 - 0.70%        0.25% Max        0.20% Max
Mo...............................  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
0.21% Max........................  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
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Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.350 inches maximum; Yield Strength = 80,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 105,000 psi Aim.

--Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, physical 
and mechanical specifications:

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                C                         Mn               P                S                Si               Cr               Cu               Ni
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0.10 - 0.14%.....................    1.30 - 1.80%       0.025% Max       0.005% Max     0.30 - 0.50%     0.50 - 0.70%     0.20 - 0.70%        0.20% Max
V(wt.)...........................                Cb ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
0.10% Max........................       0.08% Max   ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
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Width = 44.80 inches maximum; Thickness = 0.350 inches maximum; Yield Strength = 80,000 ksi minimum; Tensile Strength = 105,000 psi Aim.

--Hot-rolled steel coil which meets the following chemical, physical 
and mechanical specifications:

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                C                         Mn               P                S                Si               Cr               Cu               Ni
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0.15% Max........................       1.40% Max       0.025% Max       0.010% Max        0.50% Max        1.00% Max        0.50% Max         .20% Max
Nb...............................                Ca             Al   ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
0.005% Max.......................         Treated     0.01 - 0.07%   ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
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Width = 39.37 inches; Thickness = 0.181 inches maximum; Yield Strength = 70,000 psi minimum for thicknesses <= 0.148 inches and 65,000 psi minimum for
  thicknesses > 0.148 inches; Tensile Strength = 80,000 psi minimum.

Hot-rolled dual phase steel, phase-hardened, primarily with a ferritic-
martensitic microstructure, contains 0.9 percent up to and including 
1.5 percent silicon by weight, further characterized by either (i) 
tensile strength between 540 N/mm\2\ and 640 N/mm\2\ and an elongation 
percentage >= 26 percent for thicknesses of 2 mm and above, or (ii) a 
tensile strength between 590 N/mm\2\ and 690 N/mm\2\ and an elongation 
percentage >= 25 percent for thicknesses of 2mm and above.
Hot-rolled bearing quality steel, SAE grade 1050, in coils, with an 
inclusion rating of 1.0 maximum per ASTM E 45, Method A, with excellent 
surface quality and chemistry restrictions as follows: 0.012 percent 
maximum phosphorus, 0.015 percent maximum sulfur, and 0.20 percent 
maximum residuals including 0.15 percent maximum chromium.
Grade ASTM A570-50 hot-rolled steel sheet in coils or cut lengths, 
width of 74 inches (nominal, within ASTM tolerances), thickness of 11 
gauge (0.119 inches nominal), mill edge and skin passed, with a minimum 
copper content of 0.20 percent.

    The covered merchandise is classified in the HTSUS at subheadings: 
7208.10.15.00, 7208.10.30.00, 7208.10.60.00, 7208.25.30.00, 
7208.25.60.00, 7208.26.00.30, 7208.26.00.60, 7208.27.00.30, 
7208.27.00.60, 7208.36.00.30, 7208.36.00.60, 7208.37.00.30, 
7208.37.00.60, 7208.38.00.15, 7208.38.00.30, 7208.38.00.90, 
7208.39.00.15, 7208.39.00.30, 7208.39.00.90, 7208.40.60.30, 
7208.40.60.60, 7208.53.00.00, 7208.54.00.00, 7208.90.00.00, 
7210.70.30.00, 7210.90.90.00, 7211.14.00.30, 7211.14.00.90, 
7211.19.15.00, 7211.19.20.00, 7211.19.30.00, 7211.19.45.00, 
7211.19.60.00, 7211.19.75.30, 7211.19.75.60, 7211.19.75.90, 
7212.40.10.00, 7212.40.50.00, 7212.50.00.00. Certain hot-rolled flat-
rolled carbon-quality steel covered include: Vacuum degassed, fully 
stabilized; high strength low alloy; and the substrate for motor 
lamination steel may also enter under the following tariff numbers: 
7225.11.00.00, 7225.19.00.00, 7225.30.30.50, 7225.30.70.00, 
7225.40.70.00, 7225.99.00.90, 7226.11.10.00, 7226.11.90.30, 
7226.11.90.60, 7226.19.10.00, 7226.19.90.00, 7226.91.50.00, 
7226.91.70.00, 7226.91.80.00, and 7226.99.01.80. Although the HTSUS 
subheadings are provided for convenience and Customs purposes, the

[[Page 53411]]

written description of the covered merchandise is dispositive.

Preliminary Determination of No Shipments

    Based on record evidence, we preliminarily determine that NLMK, 
Severstal PAO, and Severstal Export GmbH had no shipments of subject 
merchandise during the POR. Specifically, CBP indicated that it found 
no shipments by NLMK, Severstal PAO, and Severstal Export GmbH during 
the POR.\9\ Consistent with Commerce's practice, we find that it is not 
appropriate to rescind the review with respect to NLMK, Severstal PAO, 
and Severstal Export GmbH but, rather, to complete the review and issue 
appropriate instructions to CBP based on the final results of this 
review.\10\
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    \9\ See Customs Liaison Unit Memorandum.
    \10\ See, e.g., Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From Thailand; 
Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 
Partial Rescission of Review, Preliminary Determination of No 
Shipments; 2012-2013, 79 FR 15951, 15952 (March 24, 2014), unchanged 
in Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From Thailand: Final Results of 
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, Final Determination of No 
Shipments, and Partial Rescission of Review; 2012-2013, 79 FR 51306 
(August 28, 2014); Magnesium Metal From the Russian Federation: 
Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 75 FR 
26922, 26923 (May 13, 2010), unchanged in Magnesium Metal From the 
Russian Federation: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative 
Review, 75 FR 56989 (September 17, 2010).
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Public Comment

    Interested parties may submit case briefs no later than 30 days 
after the date of publication of this notice.\11\ Rebuttal briefs, 
limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may be filed not later 
than five days after the date for filing case briefs.\12\ Parties who 
submit case or rebuttal briefs in this proceeding are encouraged to 
submit with each argument: (1) A statement of the issue; (2) a brief 
summary of the argument; and (3) a table of authorities.\13\
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    \11\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(ii).
    \12\ See 19 CFR 351.309(d).
    \13\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2).
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    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), 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 Enforcement and 
Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce using Enforcement and 
Compliance's ACCESS system within 30 days after the date of publication 
of this notice.\14\ Requests should contain: (1) The party's name, 
address, and telephone number; (2) the number of participants; and (3) 
a list of issues to be discussed. Issues raised in the hearing will be 
limited to those raised in the respective case and rebuttal briefs. If 
a request for a hearing is made, Commerce intends to hold the hearing 
at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20230, at a time and date to be determined. Parties 
should confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the hearing 
two days before the scheduled date.
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    \14\ See 19 CFR 351.310(c).
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    All submissions must be filed electronically using ACCESS and 
served on interested parties.\15\ An electronically-filed document must 
be received successfully in its entirety by ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time on the date that the document is due.
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    \15\ See 19 CFR 351.303(f).
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    Unless the deadline is extended, Commerce intends to issue the 
final results of this administrative review, including the results of 
its analysis of the issues raised in any written briefs, not later than 
120 days after the date of publication of this notice, pursuant to 
section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act).

Assessment Rates

    In accordance with Commerce's practice, we find it appropriate to 
complete the review and issue liquidation instructions to CBP 
concerning entries for NLMK, Severstal PAO, and Severstal Export GmbH 
following issuance of the final results of review. If we continue to 
find that NLMK, Severstal PAO, and Severstal Export GmbH had no 
shipments of subject merchandise in the final results, we will instruct 
CBP to liquidate any existing entries of merchandise produced by NLMK, 
Severstal PAO, and Severstal Export GmbH, but exported by other 
parties, at the rate for the intermediate reseller, if available, or at 
the all-others rate.\16\
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    \16\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: 
Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68 FR 23954 (May 6, 2003).
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    We intend to issue instructions to CBP 15 days after the 
publication date of the final results of this review.

Cash Deposit Requirements

    If the final results of review continue to find that NLMK, 
Severstal PAO, and Severstal Export GmbH had no shipments during the 
POR, there will be no change to the existing cash deposit requirements.

Notification to Importers

    This notice also serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of 
their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate 
regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation 
of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply 
with this requirement could result in Commerce's presumption that 
reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent 
assessment of double antidumping duties.

Notification to Interested Parties

    We are issuing and publishing these results in accordance with 
sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i) of the Act.

    Dated: September 30, 2019.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2019-21823 Filed 10-4-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P