96-17160. Notice of Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review: Certain Welded Carbon Steel Pipe and Tube From Turkey  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 130 (Friday, July 5, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 35188-35193]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-17160]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    [A-489-501]
    
    
    Notice of Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative 
    Review: Certain Welded Carbon Steel Pipe and Tube From Turkey
    
    AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
    Department of Commerce.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (the Department) is conducting an 
    administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain welded 
    carbon steel pipe and tube from Turkey in response to a request by the 
    petitioners.\1\ This review covers shipments of this merchandise to the 
    United States during the period May 1, 1994, through April 30, 1995.
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        \1\ Allied Tube & Conduit and Wheatland Tube Company.
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        We have preliminarily determined that sales have been made below 
    normal value (NV). If these preliminary results are adopted in our 
    final results, we will instruct U.S. Customs to assess antidumping 
    duties equal to the differences between the United States price and NV.
        Interested parties are invited to comment on the preliminary 
    results. Parties who submit arguments are requested to submit with each 
    argument: (1) A statement of the issue; and (2) a brief summary of the 
    argument.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: July 5, 1996.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Stagner or Magd Zalok, Office 
    of Antidumping Investigations, Import Administration, International 
    Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
    Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230; telephone: (202) 
    482-1673 or (202) 482-4162, respectively.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Applicable Statute and Regulations
    
        Unless otherwise indicated, all citations to the statute are 
    references to the provisions effective January 1, 1995, the effective 
    date of the amendments made to the Tariff Act of 1930 (the Act) by the 
    Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA). In addition, unless otherwise 
    indicated, all citations to the Department's regulations are to the 
    current regulations, as amended by the interim regulations published in 
    the Federal Register on May 11, 1995 (60 FR 25130).
    
    Background
    
        On May 10, 1995 (60 FR 24831), the Department published in the 
    Federal Register a notice of ``Opportunity to Request an Administrative 
    Review'' of the antidumping duty order on Certain Welded Carbon Steel 
    Pipe and Tube from Turkey covering the period May 1, 1994, through 
    April 30, 1995 (58 FR 53709). In accordance with 19 CFR 353.22(a)(1), 
    in May 1995, the petitioners requested a review of the following 
    producers and exporters of certain welded carbon steel pipe and tube: 
    (1) The Borusan Group \2\ (Borusan); (2) Mannesmann-Sumerbank Boru 
    Industrisi T.A.S. (Mannesmann); (3) Yucelboru Ihracat, Ithalat ve 
    Pazarlama A.S./Cayirova Boru Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (Yucelboru); and 
    (4) Erbosan
    
    [[Page 35189]]
    
    Erviyas Boru Sanayii ve Ticaret A.S. (Erbosan). On June 15, 1995, the 
    Department published a notice of initiation of this antidumping duty 
    administrative review (60 FR 31447). The Department is conducting this 
    administrative review in accordance with section 751 of the Act.
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        \2\ Including Borusan Birlesik Boru Fabrikalar A.S., Kartal Boru 
    Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., and Borusan Ihracat Ithalat ve Dagitim A.S.
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        On June 30 and November 13, 1995, respectively, Yucelboru and 
    Mannesmann stated that they did not have any shipments during the 
    period of review (POR). In November 1995, Borusan and Erbosan submitted 
    responses to the Department's September 12, 1995, questionnaire. We 
    issued supplemental questionnaires to Borusan and Erbosan in May 1996. 
    Responses to these questionnaires were received in June 1996.
        On January 16, 1996, the petitioners alleged that Borusan made 
    sales at below its cost of production (COP). On May 3, 1996, we 
    initiated an investigation of sales below cost. In June 1996, Borusan 
    submitted a response to the Department's May 23, 1996, cost 
    questionnaire.
    
    Scope of the Review
    
        The products covered by this review include circular welded non-
    alloy steel pipes and tubes, of circular cross-section, not more than 
    406.4 millimeters (16 inches) in outside diameter, regardless of wall 
    thickness, surface finish (black, galvanized, or painted), or end 
    finish (plain end, bevelled end, threaded and coupled). Those pipes and 
    tubes are generally known as standard pipe, though they may also be 
    called structural or mechanical tubing in certain applications. 
    Standard pipes and tubes are intended for the low pressure conveyance 
    of water, steam, natural gas, air, and other liquids and gases in 
    plumbing and heating systems, air conditioner units, automatic 
    sprinkler systems, and other related uses. Standard pipe may also be 
    used for light load-bearing and mechanical applications, such as for 
    fence tubing, and for protection of electrical wiring, such as conduit 
    shells.
        The scope is not limited to standard pipe and fence tubing, or 
    those types of mechanical and structural pipe that are used in standard 
    pipe application. All carbon steel pipes and tubes within the physical 
    description outlined above are included in the scope of this review, 
    except for line pipe, oil country tubular goods, boiler tubing, cold-
    drawn or cold-rolled mechanical tubing, pipe and tube hollows for 
    redraws, finished scaffolding, and finished rigid conduit.
        Imports of these products are currently classifiable under the 
    following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) 
    subheadings: 7306.30.10.00, 7306.30.50.25, 7306.30.50.32, 
    7306.30.50.40, 7306.30.50.55, 7306.30.50.85, and 7306.30.50.90.
        Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and 
    customs purposes, our written description of the scope of this 
    proceeding is dispositive.
    
    Facts Available
    
        In November 1995, we received a questionnaire response from 
    Erbosan. In addition, Erbosan responded to a supplemental questionnaire 
    in June 1996. In its responses, Erbosan did not provide: (1) The data 
    necessary for the Department to quantify the cost attributable to 
    physical differences in its U.S. and home market merchandise; (2) U.S. 
    and home market packing expenses; and (3) duty drawback amounts.
        Section 776(a)(1) states that if necessary information is not 
    available on the record, the Department ``shall, subject to section 
    782(d), use the facts otherwise available in reaching the applicable 
    determination under this title.'' Section 782(e) provides that the 
    Department shall not decline to consider information that is submitted 
    by an interested party and is necessary to the determination but does 
    not meet all the applicable requirements established by the Department 
    if: (1) The information is submitted by the deadline established for 
    its submission; (2) the information can be verified; (3) the 
    information is not so incomplete that it cannot serve as a reliable 
    basis for reaching the applicable determination; (4) the interested 
    party has demonstrated that it acted to the best of its ability in 
    providing the information and meeting the requirements established by 
    the Department with respect to the information; and (5) the information 
    can be used without undue difficulties. Accordingly, in using the facts 
    available, the Department may disregard information submitted by a 
    respondent if any of the five criteria has not been met.
        Due to the above-referenced omissions, we have determined that 
    Erbosan's response is so incomplete that it cannot serve as a reliable 
    basis for calculating dumping margins for these preliminary results 
    (section 782(e)(3) of the Act). Therefore, pursuant to section 776(a) 
    of the Act, we are using facts available to calculate a margin for 
    Erbosan.
        The Department must then determine whether an adverse inference is 
    warranted. Section 776(b) of the Act provides that, where the 
    Department ``finds that an interested party has failed to cooperate by 
    not acting to the best of its ability to comply with a request for 
    information from (the Department) * * * (the Department) may use an 
    inference that is adverse to the interests of that party in selecting 
    from among the facts otherwise available.''
        Despite there being insufficient information to calculate a 
    preliminary margin, we believe that Erbosan has cooperated to the best 
    of its ability in supplying the requested information in this review. 
    Therefore, we are not using an adverse inference in selecting from 
    among the facts otherwise available (see section 776(b) of the Act).
        Erbosan is a new respondent that has not been investigated before. 
    Therefore, its past entries have been subject to the ``All Others'' 
    rate from the original investigation. We have determined that continued 
    use of the rate is warranted as a cooperative facts available rate for 
    purposes of these preliminary results. Accordingly, we have assigned to 
    Erbosan a margin of 14.74 percent, the ``All Others'' rate from the 
    original investigation.
        Section 776(c) of the Act provides that the Department shall, to 
    the extent practicable, corroborate secondary information from 
    independent sources reasonably at its disposal. The Statement of 
    Administrative Action (SAA), provides that ``corroborate'' means simply 
    that the Department will satisfy itself that the secondary information 
    to be used has probative value (see H. Doc. 316, Vol. 1, 103d Cong., 2d 
    Sess. 870 (1996).
        To corroborate secondary information, the Department will, to the 
    extent practicable, examine the reliability and relevance of the 
    information to be used. However, unlike for other types of information, 
    such as input costs or selling expenses, there are no independent 
    sources for calculated dumping margins. Thus, in an administrative 
    review, if the Department chooses as facts available a calculated 
    dumping margin from a prior segment of the proceeding, it is not 
    necessary to question the reliability of the margin for that time 
    period. With respect to the relevance aspect of corroboration, however, 
    the Department will consider information reasonably at its disposal as 
    to whether there are circumstances that would render a margin not 
    relevant. Where circumstances indicate that the selected margin is not 
    appropriate as facts available, the Department will disregard the 
    margin and determine an appropriate margin (see, e.g., Fresh Cut 
    Flowers from Mexico: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative 
    Review (61 FR 6812, 6814, February 22, 1996)) (where the Department
    
    [[Page 35190]]
    
    disregarded the highest margin as adverse best information available 
    because the margin was based on another company's uncharacteristic 
    business expense resulting in an unusually high margin). In this case 
    there are no circumstances present to indicate that the selected margin 
    is not appropriate to use as facts available.
        Although we are using facts available for the preliminary results, 
    we intend to provide Erbosan an opportunity to submit the missing 
    information referenced above as part of a response to another 
    supplemental questionnaire. If Erbosan's reported information is 
    accurate, complete and verified, we will use such information in the 
    final results.
    
    Product Comparisons
    
        In accordance with section 777A(d)(2) of the Act, we calculated for 
    Borusan transaction-specific Export Prices (EPs) for comparison to 
    either weighted-average NVs or constructed values. The EPs and NVs were 
    calculated and compared by product characteristics and levels of trade. 
    For price to price comparisons, we compared identical merchandise, 
    where possible. Where there were no sales of identical merchandise in 
    the home market to compare to U.S. sales, we made similar comparisons 
    based on the characteristics listed in the Department's antidumping 
    questionnaire. We excluded certain products in the home market from our 
    analysis because there were either missing values or because the 
    merchandise was not part of the foreign like product.
    
    Level of Trade
    
        As set forth in section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act and in the SAA 
    accompanying the URAA, at 829-831, to the extent practicable, the 
    Department will calculate normal value based on sales at the same level 
    of trade as the U.S. sales. When the Department is unable to find sales 
    in the comparison market at the same level of trade as the U.S. 
    sale(s), the Department may compare sales in the U.S. and foreign 
    markets at different levels of trade (see also, Final Determination of 
    Sales at Less Than Fair Value: Certain Pasta from Italy (61 FR 30326, 
    June 14, 1996) (Pasta from Italy)).
        In accordance with section 773(a)(7)(A) of the Act, if sales at 
    different levels of trade are compared, the Department will adjust the 
    normal value to account for the difference in level of trade if two 
    conditions are met. First, there must be differences between the actual 
    selling functions performed by the seller at the level of trade of the 
    U.S. sale and the level of trade of the normal value sale. Second, the 
    differences must affect price comparability as evidenced by a pattern 
    of consistent price differences between sales at the different levels 
    of trade in the market in which normal value is determined.
        In implementing these principles in this case, the Department's 
    first task was to obtain information about the selling activities of 
    the producers/exporters. Information relevant to level of trade 
    comparisons and adjustments was requested of Borusan in our May 1996 
    supplemental questionnaire. We asked Borusan to establish any claimed 
    levels of trade based on the selling functions provided to each 
    proposed customer group, and to document and explain any claims for a 
    level of trade adjustment.
        Our review of Borusan's submission shows that it has identified 
    levels of trade based on its selling activities by customer categories 
    and channels of distribution. In order to confirm whether separate 
    levels of trade actually existed within or between the U.S. and home 
    markets, we reviewed the selling functions attributable to the levels 
    of trade claimed by Borusan. Pursuant to section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the 
    Act, and the SAA at 827, in identifying levels of trade for directly 
    observed export price and normal value sales, we considered the selling 
    functions reflected in the starting price, before any adjustments. In 
    reporting selling functions, whenever sales within a level of trade 
    were made by or through an affiliated company or agent, Borusan 
    ``collapsed'' the affiliated parties before considering the functions 
    performed.
        The selling functions and activities examined for each reported 
    level of trade were: (1) Inventory maintenance; (2) technical services; 
    (3) warranty services; (4) customer advice and product information; (5) 
    agent coordination of production and delivery; (6) general vs. 
    speciality sales staff; (7) delivery arrangements; (8) sales from 
    warehouse vs. direct sales; and (9) direct advertising. We did not 
    consider trade discounts as a selling function (see Pasta from Italy).
        In reviewing the selling functions reported by Borusan for each 
    claimed level of trade, we considered all types of selling functions, 
    both claimed and unclaimed, that had been performed. Where possible, we 
    further examined whether the selling function was performed on a 
    substantial portion of sales within the relevant level of trade. In 
    analyzing whether separate levels of trade exist in this review, we 
    found that no single selling function in the pipe and tube industry was 
    sufficient to warrant a separate level of trade (see, Notice of 
    Proposed Rulemaking and Request for Public Comments (61 FR 7307, 7348, 
    February 27, 1996)).
        In determining whether separate levels of trade existed in or 
    between the U.S. and home markets, the Department considered the level 
    of trade claims of Borusan, but the ultimate decision was based on the 
    Department's analysis of the selling functions associated with the 
    levels of trade reported by Borusan.
        For Borusan, we determined that there is one U.S. level of trade 
    and three home market levels of trade, one of which we determined to be 
    identical in aggregate selling functions to that found in the United 
    States. We compared sales at the sole level of trade in the U.S. market 
    to sales at the identical home market level of trade. If no match was 
    available at the same level of trade, we compared sales at the sole 
    level of trade in the U.S. market to sales at the next most similar 
    home market level of trade. We then examined whether a level of trade 
    adjustment was appropriate for Borusan when comparing sales at its U.S. 
    level of trade to sales at the two non-identical home market levels of 
    trade.
        To determine whether a level of trade adjustment was necessary, we 
    examined, on a monthly basis, the prices of comparable product 
    categories, net of all adjustments, between sales at the one identical 
    home market level of trade and sales at each of the two non-identical 
    home market levels of trade. We found a consistent pattern of price 
    differences between sales at these levels of trade. Therefore, for non-
    identical level of trade matches, we made a level of trade adjustment 
    based on the weighted-average difference between the prices of the 
    product at the identical home market level of trade and each of the 
    products at the two non-identical home market levels of trade in the 
    given month. If no match was found, we compared EP to constructed 
    value.
    
    Fair Value Comparisons
    
        To determine whether sales of pipe and tube to the United States 
    were made at less than fair value, we compared the EP to the NV, as 
    described in the ``Export Price'' and ``Normal Value'' sections of this 
    notice.
        Turkey experienced an inflation rate of over 75 percent during the 
    POR, as measured by the wholesale price index published in 
    International Financial Statistics. Accordingly, to avoid the 
    distortions caused by the effects of this level of inflation on prices, 
    we limited our comparisons to sales in the same month and did not apply 
    the Department's 90/60 day rule.
    
    [[Page 35191]]
    
    Export Price
    
        For Borusan, we calculated EP in accordance with section 772(a) of 
    the Act, because the subject merchandise was sold directly to the first 
    unaffiliated purchaser in the United States prior to importation and 
    Constructed Export Price (CEP) methodology was not otherwise warranted 
    based on the facts of this investigation.
        We based EP on prices to unaffiliated purchasers in the United 
    States. We made deductions from the starting price (gross unit price), 
    where appropriate, for foreign inland freight, foreign inland 
    insurance, international freight and charges. We recalculated credit 
    expenses due to errors in Borusan's credit methodology. Additionally, 
    we added countervailing duties and duty drawback. We disallowed 
    Borusan's claimed value-added tax drawback because no statutory 
    authority exists for such an adjustment.
    
    Normal Value
    
        In order to determine whether there was a sufficient volume of 
    sales in the home market to serve as a viable basis for calculating NV, 
    we compared Borusan's volume of home market sales of the foreign like 
    product to the volume of its U.S. sales of the subject merchandise, in 
    accordance with section 773(a)(1)(C) of the Act. Since Borusan's 
    aggregate volume of home market sales of the foreign like product was 
    greater than five percent of its aggregate volume of U.S. sales for the 
    subject merchandise, we determined that the home market was viable. We 
    calculated NV as noted in the ``Price to Price Comparisons'' and 
    ``Price to CV Comparisons'' sections of this notice.
    
    Cost of Production Analysis
    
        Based on the petitioner's allegation, the Department found 
    reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that Borusan's sales in the 
    home market were made at prices below the cost of producing the 
    merchandise. As a result, the Department initiated an investigation to 
    determine whether Borusan made home market sales during the POR at 
    prices below its COP within the meaning of section 773(b) of the Act.
    
    A. Calculation of COP
    
        We calculated the COP based on the sum of Borusan's cost of 
    materials and fabrication for the foreign like product, plus amounts 
    for home market selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) 
    and packing costs in accordance with section 773(b)(3) of the Act. As 
    noted above, we determined that the Turkish economy experienced 
    significant inflation during the POR. Therefore, in order to avoid the 
    distortive effect of inflation on our comparison of costs and prices, 
    we requested that Borusan submit monthly production costs incurred 
    during each month of the POR. For a small number of sales, Borusan did 
    not report production costs. These sales were not matched to any U.S. 
    sales. We therefore excluded these sales from our analysis. We 
    calculated a simple-average cost for each product after indexing the 
    reported monthly costs of manufacturing during the POR to an equivalent 
    currency level using the wholesale price index for Turkey. The simple-
    average cost of manufacturing was then restated in the currency value 
    of each respective month and used to calculate monthly COP and CV for 
    each product. We relied on Borusan's submitted costs except in the 
    following specific instances where the reported costs were improperly 
    valued:
        (1) Borusan reduced its reported coil costs by inventory holding 
    gains. Our current cost methodology for economies with significant 
    inflation requires valuing any materials used to produce the subject 
    merchandise at the average purchase price of those materials during the 
    month of shipment. We therefore adjusted coil costs by removing these 
    holding gains.
        (2) Borusan reported interest expenses which reflect a deduction 
    for foreign exchange gains. We adjusted these interest expenses by 
    excluding the foreign exchange gains since Borusan did not describe the 
    nature of the transactions giving rise to the gains.
    
    B. Test of Home Market Prices
    
        We used Borusan's adjusted monthly COP amounts and the wholesale 
    price index from the government of Turkey's State Institute of 
    Statistics to compute an annual weighted average COP for the POR. We 
    compared the weighted-average COP figures to home market sales of the 
    foreign like product as required under section 773(b) of the Act, in 
    order to determine whether these sales had been made at prices below 
    the COP. On a product-specific basis, we compared the COP to the home 
    market prices, less any applicable movement charges, rebates, and 
    direct selling expenses.
    
    C. Results of COP Test
    
        Pursuant to section 773(b)(2)(C)(i) of the Act, where less than 20 
    percent of a respondent's sales of a given product were at prices less 
    than the COP, we did not disregard any below-cost sales of that product 
    because we determined that the below-cost sales were not made in 
    ``substantial quantities.'' Where 20 percent or more of a respondent's 
    sales of a given product were at prices less than the COP, we 
    disregarded the below-cost sales where such sales were found to be made 
    at prices which would not permit the recovery of all costs within a 
    reasonable period of time (in accordance with section 773(b)(2)(D) of 
    the Act). Where all sales of a specific product were at prices below 
    the COP, we disregarded all sales of that product, and calculated NV 
    based on CV, in accordance with section 773(a) of the Act.
        We found that, for certain pipe and tube products, more than 20 
    percent of Borusan's home market sales were sold at below the COP. 
    Further, we did not find that the prices for these sales provided for 
    the recovery of costs within a reasonable period of time. We therefore 
    excluded these sales from our analysis and used the remaining above-
    cost sales as the basis for determining NV, in accordance with section 
    773(b)(1). For those pipe and tube products for which there were no 
    above-cost sales in the ordinary course of trade, we compared export 
    prices to CV.
    
    D. Calculation of CV
    
        In accordance with section 773(e)(1) of the Act, we calculated CV 
    based on the sum of Borusan's cost of materials, fabrication, SG&A and 
    U.S. packing costs as reported in the U.S. sales databases. In 
    accordance with section 773(e)(2)(A), we based SG&A and profit on the 
    actual amounts incurred and realized by Borusan in connection with the 
    production and sale of the foreign like product in the ordinary course 
    of trade, for consumption in the foreign country. We calculated CV 
    based on the methodology described in the calculation of COP above. For 
    selling expenses, we used the weighted-average home market selling 
    expenses.
    
    Price to Price Comparisons
    
        For those comparison products for which there were sales at prices 
    above the COP, we based NV on home market prices. For Borusan, we 
    calculated NV based on FOB mill/warehouse or delivered prices to 
    unaffiliated customers, or prices to affiliated customers which were 
    determined to be at arm's length (see discussion below regarding these 
    sales). We made deductions, where appropriate, from the starting price 
    for inland freight, pre-sale warehouse expense, discounts, and rebates. 
    We recalculated credit expenses to correct for missing payment dates.
        Additionally, we added late payment charges. In accordance with 
    section 773(a)(6) of the Act, we deducted home market packing costs and 
    added U.S. packing costs.
    
    [[Page 35192]]
    
        In addition, we adjusted for differences in the circumstances of 
    sale, in accordance with section 773 (a)(6)(C)(iii) of the Act. These 
    circumstances included differences in imputed credit expenses. We also 
    made adjustments, where appropriate, for physical differences in the 
    merchandise in accordance with section 773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act. We 
    calculated simple average variable and total costs of manufacturing by 
    product after indexing the reported monthly costs using the wholesale 
    price index for Turkey. We then indexed the average variable and total 
    costs of manufacturing to restate them in the currency value of each 
    respective month. The adjusted monthly variable costs of manufacturing 
    for U.S. and home market products were then compared to arrive at the 
    difference in merchandise adjustment. For a single U.S. product, where 
    no costs were reported, we assigned the highest reported U.S. variable 
    cost of manufacture as facts available. Where the difference in 
    merchandise adjustment for any product comparison exceeded 20 percent, 
    we based normal value on CV.
        To determine whether Borusan's affiliated sales were made at arm's 
    length, we compared the gross unit prices of sales to affiliated and 
    unaffiliated customers net of all movement charges, direct and indirect 
    selling expenses, and packing (see the Final Determination of Sales at 
    Less Than Fair Value; Certain Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products 
    from Argentina (58 FR 37062, 37077, July 9, 1993)). We included those 
    sales that passed the arm's length test in our analysis (see 19 CFR 
    353.45(a)).
    
    Price to CV Comparisons
    
        Where we compared CV to export prices, we deducted from CV the 
    weighted-average home market direct selling expenses and added the 
    weighted-average U.S. product-specific direct selling expenses.
    
    Currency Conversion
    
        The Department's preferred source for daily exchange rates is the 
    Federal Reserve Bank. However, the Federal Reserve Bank does not track 
    or publish exchange rates for the Turkish lira. Therefore, we made 
    currency conversions based on the daily exchange rates from the Dow 
    Jones Service, as published in the Wall Street Journal.
        Section 773A(a) directs the Department to use a daily exchange rate 
    in order to convert foreign currencies into U.S. dollars, unless the 
    daily rate involves a ``fluctuation.'' It is the Department's practice 
    to find that a fluctuation exists when the daily exchange rate differs 
    from a benchmark rate by 2.25 percent. The benchmark rate is defined as 
    the rolling average of the rates for the past 40 business days.
        However, we believe that it is appropriate in this case to use 
    actual daily exchange rates for currency conversion purposes, rather 
    than the benchmark rate. As noted in Policy Bulletin 96-1: Currency 
    Conversions (61 FR 9434, March 8, 1996), the Department is continuing 
    to examine the appropriateness of the currency conversion policy in 
    situations where the foreign currency depreciates substantially against 
    the dollar over the POI. In those situations, it may be appropriate to 
    rely on daily exchange rates. When the rate of domestic price inflation 
    is significant, as it is in this case, it is important that we use as a 
    basis for NV home market prices that are as contemporaneous as possible 
    with the date of the U.S. sale. This is to minimize the extent to which 
    calculated dumping margins are overstated or understated due solely to 
    price inflation that occurred in the intervening time period between 
    the U.S. and home market sales. For this reason, we have used the daily 
    exchange rates for currency conversion purposes.
        Further, section 773A(b) directs the Department to allow a 60 day 
    adjustment period when a currency has undergone a sustained movement. 
    Such an adjustment period is required only when the foreign currency is 
    appreciating against the U.S. dollar. No adjustment period is warranted 
    in this review, because the Turkish Lira generally remained constant or 
    depreciated against the dollar during the POR.
    
    Verification
    
        On June 7, 1996, the petitioners requested that the Department 
    conduct verification of all factual information submitted by the 
    respondents upon which the Department relies in its final results. 
    Although this request was untimely and therefore not in accordance with 
    19 CFR 351.307(v)(A), the petitioners stated that this request should 
    not be rejected due to the fact that: (1) No verification has been 
    conducted in a review of the order since the 1986-87 administrative 
    review; (2) a sales below cost of production investigation had only 
    recently been initiated; and (3) no response had been received on 
    petitioners' request for a verification of the 1993-94 administrative 
    review. The petitioners stated that the delay in the completion of the 
    1993-94 review had impeded their ability to timely assess the need for 
    verification in this review.
        Although the petitioners' request was untimely, we believe that in 
    this case, good cause for verification exists pursuant to 19 CFR 
    353.36(a)(iii) since: (1) No verification has been conducted since the 
    1986-87 administrative review; (2) we expect that there will be 
    significant post-preliminary results submissions of information; and 
    (3) this review includes a company (Erbosan) that has never been 
    subject to a verification. Therefore, pursuant to section 776(b) of the 
    Act and 19 CFR 353.36, we plan to verify the sales and cost response of 
    Borusan and the sales response of Erbosan (provided that Erbosan 
    responds in full to the next supplemental questionnaire) in this 
    administrative review.
    
    Preliminary Results of Review
    
        As a result of our review, we preliminarily determine that the 
    following margins exist for the period May 1, 1994, through April 30, 
    1995:
    
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Margin  
               Manufacturer/exporter              Review period    (percent)
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Borusan...................................    5/1/94-4/30/95        2.97
    Erbosan...................................    5/1/94-4/30/95       14.74
    Mannesmann................................    5/1/94-4/30/95     3 23.12
    Yucelboru.................................    5/1/94-4/30/95    4 28.28 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \3\ No shipments subject to the review. Rate is from the last relevant  
      segment of the proceeding in which the firm had shipments.            
    \4\ Ibid.                                                               
    
        Parties to the proceeding may request disclosure within 5 days of 
    publication of this notice. Any interested party may request a hearing 
    within 10 days of the date of publication. Any hearing, if requested, 
    will be held 44 days after the date of publication, or the first 
    workday thereafter. Interested parties may submit case briefs within 30 
    days of the date of publication. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues 
    raised in the case briefs, may be filed not later than 37 days after 
    the date of publication. The Department will publish a notice of the 
    final results of this administrative review, which will include the 
    results of its analysis of issues raised in any such written comments.
        The Department shall determine, and the U.S. Customs Service shall 
    assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate entries. Individual 
    differences between EP and NV may vary from the percentages stated 
    above. Upon completion of this review, the Department will issue 
    appraisement instructions directly to the U.S. Customs Service.
    
    [[Page 35193]]
    
        Furthermore, the following deposit rates will be effective upon 
    publication of the final results of this administrative review for all 
    shipments of pipe and tube from Turkey entered, or withdrawn from 
    warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date, as 
    provided by section 752(a)(2)(c) of the Act: (1) The cash deposit rates 
    for Borusan and Erbosan will be the rates established in the final 
    results of this review, except if the rate is less than 0.5 percent 
    and, therefore, de minimis within the meaning of section 733(b)(3) of 
    the Act, the cash deposit will be zero; (2) for previously reviewed or 
    investigated companies not listed above, the cash deposit rate will 
    continue to be the company-specific rate published for the most recent 
    period; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review, a 
    prior review, or the original less-than-fair-value (LTFV) 
    investigation, but the manufacturer is, the cash deposit rate will be 
    the rate established for the most recent period for the manufacturer of 
    the merchandise; and (4) if neither the exporter nor the manufacturer 
    is a firm covered in this or any previous review conducted by the 
    Department, the cash deposit rate will be the ``All Others'' rate, as 
    set forth below.
        On March 25, 1993, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT), in 
    Floral Trade Council v. United States, 822 F.Supp. 766 (CIT 1993), and 
    Federal-Mogul Corporation v. United States, 822 F.Supp. 782 (CIT 1993), 
    decided that once an ``All Others'' rate is established for a company, 
    it can only be changed through an administrative review. The Department 
    has determined that in order to implement this decision, it is 
    appropriate to reinstate the original ``All Others'' rate from the LTFV 
    investigation (or that rate as amended for correction of clerical 
    errors or as a result of litigation) in proceedings governed by 
    antidumping duty orders. In proceedings governed by antidumping 
    findings, unless we are able to ascertain the ``All Others'' rate from 
    the original investigation, the Department has determined that it is 
    appropriate to adopt the ``New Shipper'' rate established in the first 
    final results of administrative review published by the Department (or 
    that rate as amended for correction of clerical errors or as a result 
    of litigation) as the ``All Others'' rate for the purposes of 
    establishing cash deposits in all current and future administrative 
    reviews. Because this proceeding is governed by an antidumping duty 
    order, the ``All Others'' rate for the purposes of this review will be 
    14.74 percent, the ``All Others'' rate established in the LTFV 
    investigation.
        These cash deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in 
    effect until publication of the final results of the next 
    administrative review.
        This notice serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of their 
    responsibility under 19 CFR 353.26 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 the Secretary's presumption that 
    reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent 
    assessment of double antidumping duties.
        This administrative review and notice are in accordance with 
    section 751(a)(1) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1675(a)(1)) and 19 CFR 353.22.
    
        Date: June 27, 1996.
    Robert S. LaRussa,
    Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
    [FR Doc. 96-17160 Filed 7-3-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/5/1996
Published:
07/05/1996
Department:
Commerce Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
96-17160
Dates:
July 5, 1996.
Pages:
35188-35193 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
A-489-501
PDF File:
96-17160.pdf