[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7268-7270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02468]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-580-876]


Welded Line Pipe From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results 
of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2017-2018

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines 
that producers and/or exporters subject to this administrative review 
made sales of subject merchandise at less than normal value (NV). 
Interested parties are invited to comment on these preliminary results 
of review.

DATES: Applicable February 7, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Goldberger or Joshua Tucker, AD/
CVD Operations, Office II, Enforcement and Compliance, International 
Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-4136 or (202) 
482-2044, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On March 14, 2019, based on timely filed requests for review, in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(c)(1)(i), we initiated an administrative 
review of the antidumping duty order on welded line pipe from Korea.\1\ 
The period of review is December 1, 2017 through November 30, 2018. In 
September 2019, we extended the preliminary results of this review to 
no later than January 31, 2020.\2\ For a complete description of the 
events that followed the initiation of this review, see the Preliminary 
Decision Memorandum.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Reviews, 84 FR 9297 (March 14, 2019).
    \2\ See Memorandum, ``December Order Deadlines Affected by the 
Partial Shutdown of the Federal Government,'' dated August 7, 2019; 
see also Memorandum, ``Welded Line Pipe from the Republic of Korea: 
Extension of Deadline for Preliminary Results of 2017-2018 
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review,'' dated September 6, 2019.
    \3\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary 
Results of the 2017-2018 Administrative Review of the Antidumping 
Duty Order on Welded Line Pipe from Korea,'' dated concurrently 
with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scope of the Order

    The merchandise subject to the order is welded line pipe.\4\ The 
product is currently classified under the following Harmonized Tariff 
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) item numbers: 7305.11.1030, 
7305.11.1060, 7305.11.5000, 7305.12.1030, 7305.12.1060, 7305.12.5000, 
7305.19.1030, 7305.19.5000, 7306.19.1010, 7306.19.1050, 7306.19.5110, 
and 7306.19.5150. Although the HTSUS numbers are provided for 
convenience and for customs purposes, the written product description 
remains dispositive.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ For a complete description of the scope of the order, see 
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Methodology

    Commerce is conducting this review in accordance with section 
751(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Export price 
and constructed export price are calculated in accordance with section 
772 of the Act. NV is calculated in accordance with section 773 of the 
Act. For a full description of the methodology underlying our 
conclusions, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. The Preliminary 
Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically 
via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to 
registered users at http://access.trade.gov, and to all parties in the 
Central Records Unit, Room B8024 of the main Commerce building. In 
addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can 
be accessed directly at http://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/. The signed 
and electronic versions of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum are 
identical in content. A list of the topics discussed in the Preliminary

[[Page 7269]]

Decision Memorandum is attached as an appendix to this notice.

Preliminary Results of the Review

    As a result of this review, we preliminarily determine the 
following weighted-average dumping margins for the period December 1, 
2017 through November 30, 2018:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Weighted-
                                                                average
                      Exporter/producer                         dumping
                                                                margin
                                                               (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEXTEEL Co., Ltd............................................        4.81
SeAH Steel Corporation......................................        3.45
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Review-Specific Average Rate Applicable to the Following Companies: 
\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ This rate is based on the weighted-average of the margins 
calculated for those companies selected for individual review using 
the publicly-ranged U.S. quantities. Because we cannot apply our 
normal methodology of calculating a weighted-average margin due to 
requests to protect business proprietary information, we find this 
rate to be the best proxy of the actual weighted-average margin 
determined for the mandatory respondents. See Ball Bearings and 
Parts Thereof from France, et al.: Final Results of Antidumping Duty 
Administrative Reviews, Final Results of Changed-Circumstances 
Review, and Revocation of an Order in Part, 75 FR 53661, 53663 
(September 1, 2010); see also Memorandum, ``Calculation of the 
Review-Specific Average Rate for the Preliminary Results,'' dated 
concurrently with this notice.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Dumping
                      Exporter/producer                         margin
                                                               (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AJU Besteel Co., Ltd........................................        3.99
BDP International, Inc......................................        3.99
Daewoo International Corporation............................        3.99
Dongbu Incheon Steel Co.....................................        3.99
Dongbu Steel Co., Ltd.......................................        3.99
Dongkuk Steel Mill..........................................        3.99
Dong Yang Steel Pipe........................................        3.99
EEW Korea Co., Ltd..........................................        3.99
HISTEEL Co., Ltd............................................        3.99
Husteel Co., Ltd............................................        3.99
Hyundai RB Co. Ltd..........................................        3.99
Hyundai Steel Company/Hyundai HYSCO.........................        3.99
Kelly Pipe Co., LLC.........................................        3.99
Keonwoo Metals Co., Ltd.....................................        3.99
Kolon Global Corp...........................................        3.99
Korea Cast Iron Pipe Ind. Co., Ltd..........................        3.99
Kurvers Piping Italy S.R.L..................................        3.99
MSTEEL Co., Ltd.............................................        3.99
Miju Steel MFG Co., Ltd.....................................        3.99
Poongsan Valinox (Valtimet Division)........................        3.99
POSCO.......................................................        3.99
POSCO Daewoo................................................        3.99
R&R Trading Co. Ltd.........................................        3.99
Sam Kang M&T Co., Ltd.......................................        3.99
Sin Sung Metal Co., Ltd.....................................        3.99
SK Networks.................................................        3.99
Soon-Hong Trading Company...................................        3.99
Steel Flower Co., Ltd.......................................        3.99
TGS Pipe....................................................        3.99
Tokyo Engineering Korea Ltd.................................        3.99
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assessment Rates

    Upon completion of this administrative review, Commerce shall 
determine, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shall assess, 
antidumping duties on all appropriate entries.
    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1), where NEXTEEL Co., Ltd. (NEXTEEL) 
reported the entered value of its U.S. sales, we calculated importer-
specific ad valorem duty assessment rates based on the ratio of the 
total amount of dumping calculated for the examined sales to the total 
entered value of the sales for which entered value was reported. SeAH 
Steel Corporation (SeAH) did not report actual entered value for all of 
its U.S. sales; in such instances, we calculated importer-specific per-
unit duty assessment rates by aggregating the total amount of 
antidumping duties calculated for the examined sales and dividing this 
amount by the total quantity of those sales. Where either the 
respondent's weighted-average dumping margin is zero or de minimis 
within the meaning of 19 CFR 351.106(c)(1), or an importer-specific 
rate is zero or de minimis, we will instruct CBP to liquidate the 
appropriate entries without regard to antidumping duties.
    For the companies which were not selected for individual review, we 
will assign an assessment rate based on the weighted-average \6\ of the 
cash deposit rates calculated for NEXTEEL and SeAH. The final results 
of this review shall be the basis for the assessment of antidumping 
duties on entries of merchandise covered by the final results of this 
review and for future deposits of estimated duties, where 
applicable.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ This rate was calculated as discussed in footnote 5, above.
    \7\ See section 751(a)(2)(C) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We intend to issue liquidation instructions to CBP 15 days after 
publication of the final results of this review.

Cash Deposit Requirements

    The following deposit requirements will be effective for all 
shipments of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date of the 
final results of this administrative review, as provided by section 
751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) The cash deposit rate for each specific 
company listed above will be that established in the final results of 
this review, except if the rate is less than 0.50 percent and, 
therefore, de minimis within the meaning of 19 CFR 351.106(c)(1), in 
which case the cash deposit rate will be zero; (2) for previously 
investigated companies not participating in this review, the cash 
deposit will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the 
most recently completed segment of this proceeding in which the company 
participated; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review, 
or the original less-than-fair-value (LTFV) investigation, but the 
manufacturer is, then the cash deposit rate will be the rate 
established for the most recent segment for the manufacturer of the 
merchandise; and (4) the cash deposit rate for all other manufacturers 
or exporters will continue to be 4.38 percent, the all-others rate 
established in the LTFV investigation.\8\ These deposit requirements, 
when imposed, shall remain in effect until further notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See Welded Line Pipe from the Republic of Korea and the 
Republic of Turkey: Antidumping Duty Orders, 80 FR 75056, 75057 
(December 1, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclosure and Public Comment

    Commerce intends to disclose the calculations performed in 
connection with these preliminary results to interested parties within 
five days after the date of publication of this notice.\9\ Interested 
parties may submit case briefs not later than seven days after the date 
on which the last verification report is issued in this proceeding.\10\ 
Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may be 
filed no later than five days after the time limit for filing case 
briefs.\11\ Parties who submit case briefs 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.\12\ Case and rebuttal briefs should be filed using 
ACCESS.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See 19 CFR 351.224(b).
    \10\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(ii).
    \11\ See 19 CFR 351.309(d)(1).
    \12\ See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2).
    \13\ See 19 CFR 351.303.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to 
request a hearing must submit a written request to the Assistant 
Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, filed electronically via 
ACCESS. An electronically-filed document must be received successfully 
in its entirety via ACCESS by 5 p.m. Eastern Time within 30 days after 
the

[[Page 7270]]

date of publication of this notice.\14\ Hearing 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 issues raised in the 
briefs. If a request for a hearing is made, parties will be notified of 
the time and date for the hearing to be held at the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ See 19 CFR 351.310(c).
    \15\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Commerce intends to issue the final results of this administrative 
review, including the results of its analysis raised in any written 
briefs, not later than 120 days after the publication of these 
preliminary results in the Federal Register, unless otherwise 
extended.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notification to Importers

    This notice also serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of 
their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f) 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.
    We are issuing and publishing these results in accordance with 
sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

    Dated: January 31, 2020.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix

List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum

I. Summary
II. Background
III. Scope of the Order
IV. Discussion of the Methodology
V. Recommendation

[FR Doc. 2020-02468 Filed 2-6-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P