E5-5791. Certain Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan; Continuation of Antidumping Duty Orders

AGENCY:

Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY:

As a result of the determinations by the Department of Commerce (the Department) and the International Trade Commission (ITC) that revocation of the antidumping duty orders on certain stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings (pipe fittings) from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and material injury to an industry in the United States, the Department is publishing this notice of continuation of these antidumping duty orders.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

October 20, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Dana Mermelstein, AD/CVD Operations, Office 6, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On February 2, 2005, the Department and the ITC instituted sunset reviews of the antidumping duty orders on pipe fittings from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act. See Initiation of Five-year (“Sunset”) Reviews, 70 FR 5415 (Feb. 2, 2005). As a result of its review, the Department found that revocation of the antidumping duty orders would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping, and notified the ITC of the magnitude of the margins likely to prevail were the orders to be revoked. See Certain Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan; Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Reviews of the Antidumping Duty Orders, 70 FR 53631 (Sept. 9, 2005). On October 3, 2005, the ITC determined, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act, that revocation of the antidumping duty orders on pipe fittings from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time. See USITC Publication 3801 (September 2005) and Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, Inv. Nos. 731-TA-376, 563, and 564 (Second Review) 70 FR 58748 (Oct. 7, 2005).

Scope of the Orders

Japan

The products covered by this order include certain stainless steel butt-weld pipe and tube fittings, or SSPFs. These fittings are used in piping systems for chemical plants, pharmaceutical plants, food processing facilities, waste treatment facilities, semiconductor equipment applications, nuclear power plants and other areas. This merchandise is classifiable under the Harmonized Tariff Schedules of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 7307.23.0000. While the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and for customs purposes, the written product description remains dispositive as to the scope of the product coverage.

South Korea

The products subject to this order are certain welded stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings (pipe fittings), whether finished or unfinished, under 14 inches in inside diameter.

Pipe fittings are used to connect pipe sections in piping systems where conditions require welded connections. The subject merchandise can be used where one or more of the following conditions is a factor in designing the piping system: (1) Corrosion of the piping system will occur if material other than stainless steel is used; (2) contamination of the material in the system by the system itself must be prevented; (3) high temperatures are present; (4) extreme low temperatures are present; (5) high pressures are contained within the system.

Pipe fittings come in a variety of shapes, and the following five are the most basic: “elbows,” “tees,” “reducers,” “stub ends,” and “caps.” The edges of finished fittings are beveled. Threaded, grooved, and bolted fittings are excluded from this review. The pipe fittings subject to this order are classifiable under subheading 7307.23.00 of the HTSUS.

Although the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, our written description of the scope of the order is dispositive.

Taiwan

The products subject to this order are certain stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings, whether finished or unfinished, under 14 inches inside diameter.

Certain welded stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings (pipe fittings) are used to connect pipe sections in piping systems where conditions require welded connections. The subject merchandise is used where one or more of the following conditions is a factor in designing the piping system: (1) Corrosion of the piping system will occur if material other than stainless steel is used; (2) contamination of the material in the system by the system itself must be prevented; (3) high temperatures are present; (4) extreme low temperatures are present; and (5) high pressures are contained within the system.

Pipe fittings come in a variety of shapes, with the following five shapes the most basic: “elbows,” “tees,” “reducers,” “stub ends,” and “caps.” The edges of finished pipe fittings are beveled. Threaded, grooved, and bolted fittings are excluded from this review. The pipe fittings subject to this order are classifiable under subheading 7307.23.00 of the HTSUS.

Although the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, our written description of the scope of the order is dispositive.

Determination

As a result of the determinations by the Department and the ITC that revocation of the antidumping duty orders would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and material injury to an industry in the United States, pursuant to section 751(d)(2) of the Act, the Department hereby orders the continuation of the antidumping duty orders on pipe fittings from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will continue to collect antidumping duty cash deposits at the rates in effect at the time of entry for all imports of subject merchandise.

The effective date of continuation of these orders will be the date of publication in the Federal Register of this Notice of Continuation. Pursuant to section 751(c)(2) of the Act, the Department intends to initiate the next five-year review of these orders not later than October 2010.

These five-year (sunset) reviews and notices are in accordance with section 751(c) of the Act and published pursuant to section 777(i)(1) of the Act.

Dated: October 14, 2005.

Joseph A. Spetrini,

Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.