2015-30890. Welded Stainless Pressure Pipe From India: Postponement of Preliminary Determination of Countervailing Duty Investigation

AGENCY:

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

DATES:

Effective Date: December 8, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mandy Mallott, AD/CVD Operations, Office III, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On October 20, 2015, the Department of Commerce (“Department”) initiated a countervailing duty investigation on welded stainless pressure pipe from India.^[1] Currently the preliminary determination of this investigation is due no later than December 24, 2015.

Postponement of Preliminary Determination

Section 703(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“the Act”), requires the Department to issue the preliminary determination in a countervailing duty investigation within 65 days after the date on which the Department initiated the investigation. However, if the petitioner makes a timely request for a postponement, section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act allows the Department to postpone making the preliminary determination until no later than 130 days after the date on which the Department initiated the investigation.

On November 24, 2015, Petitioners ^[2] submitted a timely request pursuant to section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(e) to postpone the preliminary determination.^[3] For the reasons stated above and because there are no compelling reasons to deny the request, the Department, in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, is postponing the deadline for the preliminary determination to no later than 130 days after the day on which the investigation was initiated. Accordingly, the Department will issue the preliminary determination no later than February 27, 2016. However, because February 27, 2016, falls on a Saturday, the preliminary determination is now due no later than February 29, 2016.^[4] In accordance with section 705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the final determination of this investigation will continue to be 75 days after the date of the preliminary determination, unless postponed at a later date.

This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 703(c)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(1).

Dated: December 1, 2015.

Paul Piquado,

Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Footnotes

1.  See Welded Stainless Pressure Pipe from India: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation, 80 FR 65700 (October 27, 2015).

2.  Bristol Metals LLC, Felker Brothers Corporation, Marcegaglia USA, Inc., and Outokumpu Stainless Pipe, Inc. (collectively, “Petitioners”).

3.  See letter from Petitioners, “Welded Stainless Pressure Pipe from India: Request Extension for Preliminary Determination,” dated November 24, 2015.

4.  See Notice of Clarification: Application of “Next Business Day” Rule for Administrative Determination Deadlines Pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, As Amended, 70 FR 24533 (May 10, 2005).