2011-21394. Heavy Forged Hand Tools (i.e., Axes & Adzes, Bars & Wedges, Hammers & Sledges, and Picks & Mattocks) From the People's Republic of China: 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 (“Department”) and the International Trade Commission (“ITC”) that revocation of the antidumping duty orders on heavy forged hand tools (i.e., Axes & Adzes, Bars & Wedges, Hammers & Sledges, and Picks & Mattocks) (“Hand Tools”) from the People's Republic of China (“PRC”) would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and of material injury to an industry in the United States, the Department is publishing a notice of continuation of the antidumping duty orders.

DATES:

Effective Date: August 22, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On January 3, 2011, the Department initiated the third sunset review of the antidumping duty orders on Hand Tools from the PRC pursuant to section 751(c)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“Act”). See Initiation of Five-Year (“Sunset”) Review, 76 FR 89 (January 3, 2011). 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 Heavy Forged Hand Tools (i.e., Axes & Adzes, Bars & Wedges, Hammers & Sledges, and Picks & Mattocks) From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Orders, 76 FR 24856 (May 3, 2011).

On August 10, 2011, the ITC determined, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act, that revocation of the antidumping duty orders on Hand Tools from the PRC would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States. See Heavy Forged Hand Tools From China, 76 FR 50755 (August 16, 2011), and USITC Publication 4250 (August 2011), Heavy Forged Hand Tools from China: Investigation Nos. 731-TA-457-A-D (Third Review).

Scope of the Orders

The products covered by these orders are Hand Tools comprising the following classes or kinds of merchandise: (1) Hammers and sledges with heads over 1.5 kg (3.33 pounds); (2) bars over 18 inches in length, track tools and wedges; (3) picks and mattocks; and (4) axes, adzes and similar hewing tools. Hand Tools include heads for drilling hammers, sledges, axes, mauls, picks and mattocks, which may or may not be painted, which may or may not be finished, or which may or may not be imported with handles; assorted bar products and track tools including wrecking bars, digging bars, and tampers; and steel wood splitting wedges. Hand Tools are manufactured through a hot forge operation in which steel is sheared to required length, heated to forging temperature, and formed to final shape on forging equipment using dies specific to the desired product shape and size. Depending on the product, finishing operations may include shot blasting, grinding, polishing and painting, and the insertion of handles for handled products. Hand Tools are currently provided for under the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States subheadings: 8205.20.60, 8205.59.30, 8201.30.00, and 8201.40.60. Specifically excluded from these orders are hammers and sledges with heads 1.5 kg. (3.33 pounds) in weight and under, hoes and rakes, and bars 18 inches in length and under. The tariff classifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes; however, the written description of the scope of the orders is dispositive.

Continuation of the Orders

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 Hand Tools from the PRC. 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 the 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 the orders no later than 30 days prior to the fifth anniversary of the effective date of continuation.

This five-year (sunset) review and this notice are in accordance with sections 751(c) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(f)(4).

Dated: August 16, 2011.

Christian Marsh,

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.