02-5208. Notice of Extension of Time Limit of the Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Stainless Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils from Italy

AGENCY:

Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of extension of time limit of the preliminary results of the antidumping duty administrative review of stainless steel sheet and strip in coils from Italy.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce (“the Department”) is extending the time limit of the preliminary results of the antidumping duty administrative review of stainless steel sheet and strip in coils from Italy.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

March 5, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Juanita H. Chen at 202-482-0409, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230.

Applicable Statute and Regulations

Unless otherwise indicated, all citations to the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“Act”), are references to the provisions effective January 1, 1995, the effective date of the amendments made to the Act by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (“URAA”). In addition, unless otherwise indicated, all citations to the Department's regulations are to the regulations codified at 19 C.F.R. Part 351 (2001).

Background

On July 2, 2001, the Department published a notice of opportunity to request an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on stainless steel sheet and strip in coils from Italy. See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity to Request Administrative Review, 66 FR 34910 (July 2, 2001). On July 31, 2001, Acciai Speciali Terni S.p.A. (“AST”), an Italian producer of subject merchandise, its affiliate, Acciai Speciali Terni USA, Inc. (“AST USA”), a U.S. importer of subject merchandise, and the petitioners from the original investigation requested the Department conduct an administrative review. On August 20, 2001, the Department published a notice of initiation of an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on subject merchandise, for the period July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001. See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Requests for Revocation in Part, 66 FR 43570 (August 20, 2001). The preliminary results of this administrative review are currently due no later than April 2, 2002.

Extension of Time Limit for Preliminary Results

Pursuant to section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act, and section 351.213(h)(2) of the Department's regulations, the Department may extend the deadline for completion of the preliminary results of a review if it determines that it is not practicable to complete the preliminary results within the statutory time limit of 245 days from the date on which the review was initiated. Due to the complexity of issues present in this administrative review, such as home market affiliated downstream sales, constructed export price versus export price, selling expenses, and complicated cost accounting issues, the Department has determined that it is not practicable to complete this review within the original time period provided in section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act and section 351.213(h)(2) of the Department's regulations. Therefore, we are extending the due date for the preliminary results by 90 days, until no later than July 1, 2002. The final results continue to be due 120 days after the publication of the preliminary results.

February 26, 2002

Joseph A. Spetrini,

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, Group III.