The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on April 9 its affirmative final determination in the antidumping duty investigation on imports of oil country tubular goods (OCTG) from P.R. China.
Commerce determined that Chinese producers/exporters have sold OCTG in the United States at margins ranging from 29.94 to 99.14%. Mandatory respondent Tianjin Pipe International Economic and Trading Corp. (TPCO) received a final dumping rate of 29.94%. Thirty-seven Chinese respondents qualified for a separate rate of 29.94%. All other Chinese exporters, including mandatory respondent Jiangsu Changbao Steel Tube Co., Ltd. (Changbao), are subject to the PRC-wide final dumping rate of 99.14%.
The final dumping margin for Changbao is based on adverse facts available as it failed to cooperate in the investigation. The company submitted documentation to Commerce that differed significantly from documentation in the possession of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
As a result of this final determination, Commerce will instruct CBP to collect a cash deposit or bond equal to the weighted-average dumping margins, adjusted for export subsidies found in the final determination of the companion countervailing duty investigation. TPCO received an export subsidy rate of 0.08%.
Accordingly, Commerce will instruct CBP to collect an antidumping duty cash deposit or bonding rate of 29.86% for TPCO; 29.91% for the separate-rate companies; and 99.14% for Changbao and all other exporters.
Critical circumstances were found with regard to the PRC-wide entity, including Changbao. Commerce will direct CBP to suspend liquidation of merchandise entered by all companies, other than TPCO, Changbao, and the separate-rate companies starting 90 days prior to the publication of the Preliminary Determination.
Because Changbao had a zero margin at the preliminary determination, Commerce did not instruct CBP to suspend liquidation of merchandise exported by Changbao. Consequently, Commerce will direct CBP to suspend liquidation of merchandise entered by Changbao 90 days prior to the publication of this final determination.
Petitioners for this investigation are Maverick Tube Corp.; United States Steel Corp.; TMK IPSCO; V&M Star LP; Wheatland Tube Corp.; Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel; and United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIOCLC.
The merchandise covered by this investigation consists of certain OCTG, which are hollow steel products of circular cross-section, including oil well casing and tubing. The scope also covers OCTG coupling stock. Excluded is casing or tubing containing 10.5% or more by weight of chromium, drill pipe, unattached couplings, and unattached thread protectors.
In 2009, imports of OCTG from China were valued at an estimated $1.1 billion.
As a result of this final determination, Commerce will instruct CBP to collect a cash deposit or bond based on the final margins.
The U.S. International Trade Commission is scheduled to issue its final injury determination on or before May 24, 2010.