E7-21696. Continuation of Antidumping Duty Order on Certain Welded Large Diameter Line Pipe from Japan

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 order on certain welded large diameter line pipe (“welded large diameter pipe”) from Japan would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and of material injury to an industry in the United States, the Department is publishing this notice of continuation of this antidumping duty order.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

November 5, 2007.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On November 1, 2006, the Department initiated and the ITC instituted sunset reviews of the antidumping duty orders on welded large diameter pipe from Japan and Mexico, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“the Act”). See Initiation of Five-year (“Sunset”) Reviews, 71 FR 64242 (November 1, 2006). As a result of its sunset reviews, the Department found that revocation of the antidumping duty orders would be likely to 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 Welded Large Diameter Line Pipe from Japan and Mexico; Notice of Final Results of Five-year (“Sunset”) Reviews of Antidumping Duty Orders, 72 FR 10498 (March 8, 2007).

On October 16, 2007, the ITC determined that revocation of the antidumping duty order on welded large diameter pipe from Japan would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time. The ITC notified the Department on October 16, 2007, and published its decision on October 22, 2007. See Certain Welded Large Diameter Line Pipe from Japan and Mexico, 72 FR 59551 (October 22, 2007), and ITC Publication 3953 (October 2007), entitled Certain Welded Large Diameter Line Pipe from Japan and Mexico: Investigation Nos. 731-TA-919 and 920 (Review).

Scope of the Order

The product covered by this antidumping duty order is certain welded carbon and alloy line pipe, of circular cross section and with an outside diameter greater than 16 inches, but less than 64 inches, in diameter, whether or not stencilled. This product is normally produced according to American Petroleum Institute (“API”) specifications, including Grades A25, A, B, and X grades ranging from X42 to X80, but can also be produced to other specifications. Specifically not included within the scope of this investigation is American Water Works Association (“AWWA”) specification water and sewage pipe and the following size/grade combinations; of line pipe:

- Having an outside diameter greater than or equal to 18 inches and less than or equal to 22 inches, with a wall thickness measuring 0.750 inch or greater, regardless of grade.

- Having an outside diameter greater than or equal to 24 inches and less than 30 inches, with wall thickness measuring greater than 0.875 inches in grades A, B, and X42, with wall thickness measuring greater than 0.750 inches in grades X52 through X56, and with wall thickness measuring greater than 0.688 inches in grades X60 or greater.

- Having an outside diameter greater than or equal to 30 inches and less than 36 inches, with wall thickness measuring greater than 1.250 inches in grades A, B, and X42, with wall thickness measuring greater than 1.000 inches in grades X52 through X56, and with wall thickness measuring greater than 0.875 inches in grades X60 or greater.

- Having an outside diameter greater than or equal to 36 inches and less than 42 inches, with wall thickness measuring greater than 1.375 inches in grades A, B, and X42, with wall thickness measuring greater than 1.250 inches in grades X52 through X56, and with wall thickness measuring greater than 1.125 inches in grades X60 or greater.

- Having an outside diameter greater than or equal to 42 inches and less than 64 inches, with a wall thickness measuring greater than 1.500 inches in grades A, B, and X42, with wall thickness measuring greater than 1.375 inches in grades X52 through X56, and with wall thickness measuring greater than 1.250 inches in grades X60 or greater.

- Having an outside diameter equal to 48 inches, with a wall thickness measuring 1.0 inch or greater, in grades X80 or greater.

- In API grades X80 or above, having an outside diameter of 48 inches to and including 52 inches, and with a wall thickness of 0.90 inch or more.

- In API grades X100 or above, having an outside diameter of 48 inches to and including 52 inches, and with a wall thickness of 0.54 inch or more.

- An API grade X80 having an outside diameter of 21 inches and wall thickness of 0.625 inch or more.

The product currently is classified under U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (“HTSUS”) item numbers 7305.11.10.30, 7305.11.10.60, 7305.11.50.00, 7305.12.10.30, 7305.12.10.60, 7305.12.50.00, 7305.19.10.30. 7305.19.10.60, and 7305.19.50.00. Although the HTSUS item numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope is dispositive.

Continuation of Antidumping Duty Order

As a result of the determinations by the Department and the ITC that revocation of this antidumping duty order would be likely to 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 order on welded large diameter pipe from Japan. U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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 this order will be the date of publication in the Federal Register of this Notice of Continuation. Pursuant to sections 751(c)(2) and 751(c)(6) of the Act, the Department intends to initiate the next five-year review of this order not later than October 2012.

This notice also serves as the only reminder to parties subject to administrative protective order (“APO”) of their responsibility concerning the return/destruction or conversion to judicial protective order of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Failure to comply is a violation of the APO which may be subject to sanctions.

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

Dated: October 29, 2007.

Stephen J. Claeys,

Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.