Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate From Brazil, South Africa, and the Republic of Turkey: Affirmative Final Determinations of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Affirmative Final Determinations of Critical Circumstances for Brazil and the Republic of Turkey

Download PDF
Federal RegisterDec 5, 2016
81 Fed. Reg. 87544 (Dec. 5, 2016)

AGENCY:

Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce (the Department) determines that imports of certain carbon and alloy steel cut-to-length plate (CTL Plate) from Brazil, South Africa, and the Republic of Turkey (Turkey) are being, or likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is April 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016. The final estimated dumping margins of sales at LTFV are shown in the “Final Determinations” section of this notice.

DATES:

Effective December 5, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mark Kennedy at (202) 482-7883 (Brazil); Julia Hancock or Susan Pulongbarit at (202) 482-1394 or (202) 482-4031, respectively (South Africa); or Dmitry Vladimirov at (202) 482-0665 (Turkey), AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On September 7, 2016, and September 22, 2016, the Department published, respectively, the preliminary affirmative determinations of critical circumstances concerning Brazil and Turkey, and the preliminary affirmative determinations of sales at LTFV in the investigations of CTL Plate from Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey. We invited interested parties to comment on these preliminary determinations. We only received comments regarding the scope of these investigations. Additionally, no interested party requested a hearing.

See Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate From Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey; Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations: Preliminary Determinations of Critical Circumstances, 81 FR 61666 (September 7, 2016) (Preliminary Critical Circumstances Determinations); and Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate From Brazil, South Africa, and the Republic of Turkey: Affirmative Preliminary Determinations of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, 81 FR 65337 (September 22, 2016) (Preliminary LTFV Determinations).

Scope of the Investigations

The products covered by these investigations are CTL plate. For a full description of the scope of the Brazil and Turkey investigations, see the “Scope of the Investigations: Brazil and Turkey,” in Appendix I of this notice. For a full description of the scope of the South Africa investigation, see the “Scope of the Investigation: South Africa,” in Appendix II of this notice.

Prior to the Preliminary LTFV Determinations, the Department issued a Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum. Since the Preliminary LTFV Determinations, the Department issued an Additional Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum, which referenced several changes to the scope. Subsequently, various interested parties submitted case and rebuttal briefs concerning scope. The Department reviewed these briefs, considered the arguments therein, and is not making any additional changes to the scope of the investigations. For further discussion, see the Department's Final Scope Decision Memorandum. The Department is modifying the scope language as it appeared in the Preliminary LTFV Determinations to provide a precise reference, where applicable, to the existing hot-rolled flat-rolled steel antidumping duty orders. The scope in Appendix I and Appendix II reflects, respectively, the final scope language.

See Preliminary LTFV Determinations, 81 FR at 65337-38.

See Memorandum to Christian Marsh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations, “Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate From Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the People's Republic of China, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of South Africa, Taiwan, and Turkey: Additional Scope Comments Preliminary Decision Memorandum and Extension of Deadlines for Scope Case Briefs and Scope Rebuttal Briefs,” dated October 13, 2016 (Additional Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum).

These parties include Misumi USA, Inc., PCS Company, Hitachi Metals, Ltd., Friedr. Lohmann GmbH, AG der Dillinger Huettenwerke, Dillinger France S.A., voestalpine AG, voestalpine Grobblech GmbH, voestalpine Steel & Service Center GmbH, Bohler Bleche GmbH & Co KG, Bohler Uddeholm Corporation, Simonds International Holding, Inc., and The KnifeSource LLC.

These parties include ArcelorMittal USA LLC, Nucor Corporation, and SSAB Enterprises, LLC (collectively, the petitioners).

See Memorandum to Christian Marsh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations, “Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate From Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the People's Republic of China, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of South Africa, Taiwan, and Turkey: Final Scope Comments Decision Memorandum,” dated November 29, 2016 (Final Scope Decision Memorandum).

Verification

Because the mandatory respondents in these investigations did not provide the information requested, the Department did not conduct verifications.

Analysis of Comments Received, Changes Since the Preliminary Determinations, and Use of Adverse Facts Available

As noted above, we received no comments pertaining to the Preliminary LTFV Determinations. As stated in the Preliminary LTFV Determinations, we found that the mandatory respondents in these investigations, Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) and Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA (Usiminas) (Brazil), Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corp. (Evraz Highveld) (South Africa) and Ereğli Demir ve Çelik Fabrikalari T.A.Ş. (Erdemir) (Turkey), did not cooperate to the best of their abilities and, accordingly, we determined it appropriate to apply facts otherwise available with adverse inferences, in accordance with section 776(a)-(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). For the purposes of the final determinations, the Department has made no changes to the Preliminary LTFV Determinations.

See Preliminary LTFV Determinations, 81 FR at 65338.

Final Affirmative Determinations of Critical Circumstances

For Brazil, in accordance with section 733(e) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206, we preliminarily found that critical circumstances exist with respect to the mandatory respondents, CSN and Usiminas, and the “All-Others” group.

See Preliminary Critical Circumstances Determinations.

For Turkey, in accordance with section 733(e) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206, we preliminarily found that critical circumstances exist with respect to the mandatory respondent, Erdemir, and the “All-Others” group.

Id.

As stated above, the Department did not receive any comments concerning the preliminary determinations. Thus, for these final determinations, we continue to find that, in accordance with section 735(a)(3) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206, critical circumstances exist for imports from all producers and exporters of CTL plate from Brazil and Turkey.

All-Others Rate

As discussed in the Preliminary LTFV Determinations, the Department based the selection of the “All-Others” rates in Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey, on the Petitions, in accordance with section 735(c)(5)(B) of the Act. We made no changes to the selection of these rates for these final determinations.

See Letter to the Secretary of Commerce from the petitioners, “Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the People's Republic of China, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, Taiwan, and Turkey—Petitions for the Imposition of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties,” dated April 8, 2016 (the Petitions).

See Preliminary LTFV Determinations, 81 FR at 65338.

Final Determinations

The final estimated weighted-average dumping margins are as follows:

Brazil

Exporter/producer Weighted- average dumping margin (percent)
Companhia Siderurgica Nacional 74.52
Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA 74.52
All Others 74.52

South Africa

Exporter/producer Weighted- average dumping margin (percent)
Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corp. 94.14
All Others 87.72

Turkey

Exporter/producer Weighted- average dumping margin (percent)
Ereğli Demir ve Çelik Fabrikalari T.A.Ş. 50.00
All Others 42.02

Continuation of Suspension of Liquidation

In accordance with section 735(c)(4)(A) of the Act, for these final determinations, we will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to continue to suspend liquidation of all entries of CTL Plate from Brazil and Turkey, as described in Appendix I of this notice, which were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after June 24, 2016 (90 days prior to the date of publication of the Preliminary LTFV Determinations) because we continue to find that critical circumstances exist with regard to imports from all producers and exporters of CTL Plate from Brazil and Turkey.

In accordance with section 735(c)(1)(B) of the Act, for this final determination, the Department will instruct CBP to continue to suspend liquidation of all entries of CTL Plate from South Africa, as described in Appendix II of this notice, which were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after September 22, 2016, the date of publication of the preliminary determination of the South Africa investigation in the Federal Register.

With respect to Brazil, pursuant to pursuant to section 735(c)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act, CBP shall require a cash deposit equal to the weighted-average amount by which normal value exceeds U.S. price, as follows: (1) For CSN and Usiminas, the cash deposit rate will be equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin which the Department determined in this final determination; (2) if the exporter is not a firm identified in this investigation but the producer is, then the cash deposit rate will be equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin established for the producer of the subject merchandise; (3) the cash deposit rate for all other producers or exporters will be 74.52 percent, as discussed in the “All Others Rate” section, above.

With respect to South Africa, pursuant to section 735(c)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act, CBP shall require a cash deposit equal to the weighted-average amount by which normal value exceeds U.S. price, as follows: (1) For Evraz Highveld, the cash deposit rate will be equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin which the Department determined in this final determination; (2) if the exporter is not a firm identified in this investigation but the producer is, then the cash deposit rate will be equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin established for the producer of the subject merchandise; (3) the cash deposit rate for all other producers or exporters will be 87.72 percent, as discussed in the “All Others Rate” section, above.

With respect to Turkey, pursuant to section 735(c)(1)(B)(ii) of the Act, CBP shall require a cash deposit equal to the weighted-average amount by which normal value exceeds U.S. price, as follows: (1) For Erdemir, the cash deposit rate will be equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin which the Department determined in this final determination; (2) if the exporter is not a firm identified in this investigation but the producer is, then the cash deposit rate will be equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin established for the producer of the subject merchandise; (3) the cash deposit rate for all other producers or exporters will be 42.02 percent, as discussed in the “All Others Rate” section, above.

These instructions suspending liquidation will remain in effect until further notice.

Disclosure

The weighted-average dumping margins assigned to the mandatory respondents in these investigations in the Preliminary LTFV Determinations were based on adverse facts available. As we made no changes to these margins since the Preliminary LTFV Determinations, no disclosure of calculations is necessary for these final determinations.

International Trade Commission Notification

In accordance with section 735(d) of the Act, we will notify the International Trade Commission (ITC) of the final affirmative determinations of sales at LTFV and final affirmative determinations of critical circumstances for Brazil and Turkey. Because the final determinations in these proceedings are affirmative, the ITC will make its final determinations as to whether the domestic industry in the United States is materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of imports of CTL Plate from Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey, in accordance with section 735(b)(2) of the Act. If the ITC determines that such injury does not exist, these proceedings will be terminated and all securities posted will be refunded or canceled. If the ITC determines that such injury exists, the Department will issue antidumping duty orders directing CBP to assess, upon further instruction by the Department, antidumping duties on all imports of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the effective date of the suspension of liquidation.

Notification Regarding Administrative Protective Orders

This notice serves as a reminder to parties subject to an administrative protective order (APO) of their responsibility concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return or destruction of APO materials, or conversion to judicial protective order, is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and the terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation.

These determinations are issued and published in accordance with sections 735(d) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(c).

Dated: November 29, 2016.

Paul Piquado,

Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix I—Scope of the Investigations: Brazil and Turkey

The products covered by these investigations are certain carbon and alloy steel hot-rolled or forged flat plate products not in coils, whether or not painted, varnished, or coated with plastics or other non-metallic substances (cut-to-length plate). Subject merchandise includes plate that is produced by being cut-to-length from coils or from other discrete length plate and plate that is rolled or forged into a discrete length. The products covered include (1) Universal mill plates (i.e., flat-rolled products rolled on four faces or in a closed box pass, of a width exceeding 150 mm but not exceeding 1250 mm, and of a thickness of not less than 4 mm, which are not in coils and without patterns in relief), and (2) hot-rolled or forged flat steel products of a thickness of 4.75 mm or more and of a width which exceeds 150 mm and measures at least twice the thickness, and which are not in coils, whether or not with patterns in relief. The covered products described above may be rectangular, square, circular or other shapes and include products of either rectangular or non-rectangular cross-section where such non-rectangular cross-section is achieved subsequent to the rolling process, i.e., products which have been “worked after rolling” (e.g., products which have been beveled or rounded at the edges).

For purposes of the width and thickness requirements referenced above, the following rules apply:

(1) Except where otherwise stated where the nominal and actual thickness or width measurements vary, a product from a given subject country is within the scope if application of either the nominal or actual measurement would place it within the scope based on the definitions set forth above unless the product is already covered by an order existing on that specific country (i.e., Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Flat Products From Australia, Brazil, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, the Republic of Turkey, and the United Kingdom: Amended Final Affirmative Antidumping Determinations for Australia, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Turkey and Antidumping Duty Orders, 81 FR 67962 (October 3, 2016)); and

(2) where the width and thickness vary for a specific product (e.g., the thickness of certain products with non-rectangular cross-section, the width of certain products with non-rectangular shape, etc.), the measurement at its greatest width or thickness applies.

Steel products included in the scope of the investigations are products in which:

(1) Iron predominates, by weight, over each of the other contained elements; and

(2) the carbon content is 2 percent or less by weight.

Subject merchandise includes cut-to-length plate that has been further processed in the subject country or a third country, including but not limited to pickling, oiling, levelling, annealing, tempering, temper rolling, skin passing, painting, varnishing, trimming, cutting, punching, beveling, and/or slitting, or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of these investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of the cut-to-length plate.

All products that meet the written physical description, are within the scope of these investigations unless specifically excluded or covered by the scope of an existing order. The following products are outside of, and/or specifically excluded from, the scope of these investigations:

(1) Products clad, plated, or coated with metal, whether or not painted, varnished or coated with plastic or other non-metallic substances;

(2) military grade armor plate certified to one of the following specifications or to a specification that references and incorporates one of the following specifications:

  • MIL-A-12560,
  • MIL-DTL-12560H,
  • MIL-DTL-12560J,
  • MIL-DTL-12560K,
  • MIL-DTL-32332,
  • MIL-A-46100D,
  • MIL-DTL-46100-E,
  • MIL-46177C,
  • MIL-S-16216K Grade HY80,
  • MIL-S-16216K Grade HY100,
  • MIL-S-24645A HSLA-80;
  • MIL-S-24645A HSLA-100,
  • T9074-BD-GIB-010/0300 Grade HY80,
  • T9074-BD-GIB-010/0300 Grade HY100,
  • T9074-BD-GIB-010/0300 Grade HSLA80,
  • T9074-BD-GIB-010/0300 Grade HSLA100, and
  • T9074-BD-GIB-010/0300 Mod. Grade HSLA115,

except that any cut-to-length plate certified to one of the above specifications, or to a military grade armor specification that references and incorporates one of the above specifications, will not be excluded from the scope if it is also dual- or multiple-certified to any other non-armor specification that otherwise would fall within the scope of this order;

(3) stainless steel plate, containing 10.5 percent or more of chromium by weight and not more than 1.2 percent of carbon by weight;

(4) CTL plate meeting the requirements of ASTM A-829, Grade E 4340 that are over 305 mm in actual thickness;

(5) Alloy forged and rolled CTL plate greater than or equal to 152.4 mm in actual thickness meeting each of the following requirements:

(a) Electric furnace melted, ladle refined & vacuum degassed and having a chemical composition (expressed in weight percentages):

  • Carbon 0.23-0.28,
  • Silicon 0.05-0.20,
  • Manganese 1.20-1.60,
  • Nickel not greater than 1.0,
  • Sulfur not greater than 0.007,
  • Phosphorus not greater than 0.020,
  • Chromium 1.0-2.5,
  • Molybdenum 0.35-0.80,
  • Boron 0.002-0.004,
  • Oxygen not greater than 20 ppm,
  • Hydrogen not greater than 2 ppm, and
  • Nitrogen not greater than 60 ppm;

(b) With a Brinell hardness measured in all parts of the product including mid thickness falling within one of the following ranges:

(i) 270-300 HBW,

(ii) 290-320 HBW, or

(iii) 320-350 HBW;

(c) Having cleanliness in accordance with ASTM E45 method A (Thin and Heavy): A not exceeding 1.5, B not exceeding 1.0, C not exceeding 0.5, D not exceeding 1.5; and

(d) Conforming to ASTM A578-S9 ultrasonic testing requirements with acceptance criteria 2 mm flat bottom hole;

(6) Alloy forged and rolled steel CTL plate over 407 mm in actual thickness and meeting the following requirements:

(a) Made from Electric Arc Furnace melted, Ladle refined & vacuum degassed, alloy steel with the following chemical composition (expressed in weight percentages):

  • Carbon 0.23-0.28,
  • Silicon 0.05-0.15,
  • Manganese 1.20-1.50,
  • Nickel not greater than 0.4,
  • Sulfur not greater than 0.010,
  • Phosphorus not greater than 0.020,
  • Chromium 1.20-1.50,
  • Molybdenum 0.35-0.55,
  • Boron 0.002-0.004,
  • Oxygen not greater than 20 ppm,
  • Hydrogen not greater than 2 ppm, and
  • Nitrogen not greater than 60 ppm;

(b) Having cleanliness in accordance with ASTM E45 method A (Thin and Heavy): A not exceeding 1.5, B not exceeding 1.5, C not exceeding 1.0, D not exceeding 1.5;

(c) Having the following mechanical properties:

(i) With a Brinell hardness not more than 237 HBW measured in all parts of the product including mid thickness; and having a Yield Strength of 75ksi min and UTS 95ksi or more, Elongation of 18% or more and Reduction of area 35% or more; having charpy V at −75 degrees F in the longitudinal direction equal or greater than 15 ft. lbs (single value) and equal or greater than 20 ft. lbs (average of 3 specimens) and conforming to the requirements of NACE MR01-75; or

(ii) With a Brinell hardness not less than 240 HBW measured in all parts of the product including mid thickness; and having a Yield Strength of 90ksi min and UTS 110ksi or more, Elongation of 15% or more and Reduction of area 30% or more; having charpy V at −40 degrees F in the longitudinal direction equal or greater than 21 ft. lbs (single value) and equal or greater than 31 ft. lbs (average of 3 specimens);

(d) Conforming to ASTM A578-S9 ultrasonic testing requirements with acceptance criteria 3.2 mm flat bottom hole; and

(e) Conforming to magnetic particle inspection in accordance with AMS 2301;

(7) Alloy forged and rolled steel CTL plate over 407 mm in actual thickness and meeting the following requirements:

(a) Made from Electric Arc Furnace melted, ladle refined & vacuum degassed, alloy steel with the following chemical composition (expressed in weight percentages):

  • Carbon 0.25-0.30,
  • Silicon not greater than 0.25,
  • Manganese not greater than 0.50,
  • Nickel 3.0-3.5,
  • Sulfur not greater than 0.010,
  • Phosphorus not greater than 0.020,
  • Chromium 1.0-1.5,
  • Molybdenum 0.6-0.9,
  • Vanadium 0.08 to 0.12
  • Boron 0.002-0.004,
  • Oxygen not greater than 20 ppm,
  • Hydrogen not greater than 2 ppm, and
  • Nitrogen not greater than 60 ppm.

(b) Having cleanliness in accordance with ASTM E45 method A (Thin and Heavy): A not exceeding 1.0(t) and 0.5(h), B not exceeding 1.5(t) and 1.0(h), C not exceeding 1.0(t) and 0.5(h), and D not exceeding 1.5(t) and 1.0(h);

(c) Having the following mechanical properties: A Brinell hardness not less than 350 HBW measured in all parts of the product including mid thickness; and having a Yield Strength of 145ksi or more and UTS 160ksi or more, Elongation of 15% or more and Reduction of area 35% or more; having charpy V at −40 degrees F in the transverse direction equal or greater than 20 ft. lbs (single value) and equal or greater than 25 ft. lbs (average of 3 specimens);

(d) Conforming to ASTM A578-S9 ultrasonic testing requirements with acceptance criteria 3.2 mm flat bottom hole; and

(e) Conforming to magnetic particle inspection in accordance with AMS 2301.

The products subject to the investigations are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under item numbers: 7208.40.3030, 7208.40.3060, 7208.51.0030, 7208.51.0045, 7208.51.0060, 7208.52.0000, 7211.13.0000, 7211.14.0030, 7211.14.0045, 7225.40.1110, 7225.40.1180, 7225.40.3005, 7225.40.3050, 7226.20.0000, and 7226.91.5000.

The products subject to the investigations may also enter under the following HTSUS item numbers: 7208.40.6060, 7208.53.0000, 7208.90.0000, 7210.70.3000, 7210.90.9000, 7211.19.1500, 7211.19.2000, 7211.19.4500, 7211.19.6000, 7211.19.7590, 7211.90.0000, 7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000, 7212.50.0000, 7214.10.0000, 7214.30.0010, 7214.30.0080, 7214.91.0015, 7214.91.0060, 7214.91.0090, 7225.11.0000, 7225.19.0000, 7225.40.5110, 7225.40.5130, 7225.40.5160, 7225.40.7000, 7225.99.0010, 7225.99.0090, 7226.11.1000, 7226.11.9060, 7226.19.1000, 7226.19.9000, 7226.91.0500, 7226.91.1530, 7226.91.1560, 7226.91.2530, 7226.91.2560, 7226.91.7000, 7226.91.8000, and 7226.99.0180.

The HTSUS subheadings above are provided for convenience and customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of the investigations is dispositive.

Appendix II—Scope of the Investigation: South Africa

The products covered by this investigation are certain carbon and alloy steel hot-rolled or forged flat plate products not in coils, whether or not painted, varnished, or coated with plastics or other non-metallic substances (cut-to-length plate). Subject merchandise includes plate that is produced by being cut-to-length from coils or from other discrete length plate and plate that is rolled or forged into a discrete length. The products covered include (1) Universal mill plates (i.e., flat-rolled products rolled on four faces or in a closed box pass, of a width exceeding 150 mm but not exceeding 1250 mm, and of a thickness of not less than 4 mm, which are not in coils and without patterns in relief), and (2) hot-rolled or forged flat steel products of a thickness of 4.75 mm or more and of a width which exceeds 150 mm and measures at least twice the thickness, and which are not in coils, whether or not with patterns in relief. The covered products described above may be rectangular, square, circular or other shapes and include products of either rectangular or non-rectangular cross-section where such non-rectangular cross-section is achieved subsequent to the rolling process, i.e., products which have been “worked after rolling”, (e.g., products which have been beveled or rounded at the edges).

For purposes of the width and thickness requirements referenced above, the following rules apply:

(1) Except where otherwise stated where the nominal and actual thickness or width measurements vary, a product from a given subject country is within the scope if application of either the nominal or actual measurement would place it within the scope based on the definitions set forth above; and

(2) where the width and thickness vary for a specific product (e.g., the thickness of certain products with non-rectangular cross-section, the width of certain products with non-rectangular shape, etc.), the measurement at its greatest width or thickness applies.

Steel products included in the scope of the investigation are products in which: (1) Iron predominates, by weight, over each of the other contained elements; and (2) the carbon content is 2 percent or less by weight.

Subject merchandise includes cut-to-length plate that has been further processed in the subject country or a third country, including but not limited to pickling, oiling, levelling, annealing, tempering, temper rolling, skin passing, painting, varnishing, trimming, cutting, punching, beveling, and/or slitting, or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of this investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the cut-to-length plate.

All products that meet the written physical description, are within the scope of this investigation unless specifically excluded or covered by the scope of an existing order. The following products are outside of, and/or specifically excluded from, the scope of this investigation:

(1) Products clad, plated, or coated with metal, whether or not painted, varnished or coated with plastic or other non-metallic substances;

(2) military grade armor plate certified to one of the following specifications or to a specification that references and incorporates one of the following specifications:

  • MIL-A-12560,
  • MIL-DTL-12560H,
  • MIL-DTL-12560J,
  • MIL-DTL-12560K,
  • MIL-DTL-32332,
  • MIL-A-46100D,
  • MIL-DTL-46100-E,
  • MIL-46177C,
  • MIL-S-16216K Grade HY80,
  • MIL-S-16216K Grade HY100,
  • MIL-S-24645A HSLA-80;
  • MIL-S-24645A HSLA-100,
  • T9074-BD-GIB-010/0300 Grade HY80,
  • T9074-BD-GIB-010/0300 Grade HY100,
  • T9074-BD-GIB-010/0300 Grade HSLA80,
  • T9074-BD-GIB-010/0300 Grade HSLA100, and
  • T9074-BD-GIB-010/0300 Mod. Grade HSLA115,

except that any cut-to-length plate certified to one of the above specifications, or to a military grade armor specification that references and incorporates one of the above specifications, will not be excluded from the scope if it is also dual- or multiple-certified to any other non-armor specification that otherwise would fall within the scope of this order;

(3) stainless steel plate, containing 10.5 percent or more of chromium by weight and not more than 1.2 percent of carbon by weight;

(4) CTL plate meeting the requirements of ASTM A-829, Grade E 4340 that are over 305 mm in actual thickness;

(5) Alloy forged and rolled CTL plate greater than or equal to 152.4 mm in actual thickness meeting each of the following requirements:

(a) Electric furnace melted, ladle refined & vacuum degassed and having a chemical composition (expressed in weight percentages):

  • Carbon 0.23-0.28,
  • Silicon 0.05-0.20,
  • Manganese 1.20-1.60,
  • Nickel not greater than 1.0,
  • Sulfur not greater than 0.007,
  • Phosphorus not greater than 0.020,
  • Chromium 1.0-2.5,
  • Molybdenum 0.35-0.80,
  • Boron 0.002-0.004,
  • Oxygen not greater than 20 ppm,
  • Hydrogen not greater than 2 ppm, and
  • Nitrogen not greater than 60 ppm;

(b) With a Brinell hardness measured in all parts of the product including mid thickness falling within one of the following ranges:

(i) 270-300 HBW,

(ii) 290-320 HBW, or

(iii) 320-350 HBW;

(c) Having cleanliness in accordance with ASTM E45 method A (Thin and Heavy): A not exceeding 1.5, B not exceeding 1.0, C not exceeding 0.5, D not exceeding 1.5; and

(d) Conforming to ASTM A578-S9 ultrasonic testing requirements with acceptance criteria 2 mm flat bottom hole;

(6) Alloy forged and rolled steel CTL plate over 407 mm in actual thickness and meeting the following requirements:

(a) Made from Electric Arc Furnace melted, Ladle refined & vacuum degassed, alloy steel with the following chemical composition (expressed in weight percentages):

  • Carbon 0.23-0.28,
  • Silicon 0.05-0.15,
  • Manganese 1.20-1.50,
  • Nickel not greater than 0.4,
  • Sulfur not greater than 0.010,
  • Phosphorus not greater than 0.020,
  • Chromium 1.20-1.50,
  • Molybdenum 0.35-0.55,
  • Boron 0.002-0.004,
  • Oxygen not greater than 20 ppm,
  • Hydrogen not greater than 2 ppm, and
  • Nitrogen not greater than 60 ppm;

(b) Having cleanliness in accordance with ASTM E45 method A (Thin and Heavy): A not exceeding 1.5, B not exceeding 1.5, C not exceeding 1.0, D not exceeding 1.5;

(c) Having the following mechanical properties:

(i) With a Brinell hardness not more than 237 HBW measured in all parts of the product including mid thickness; and having a Yield Strength of 75ksi min and UTS 95ksi or more, Elongation of 18% or more and Reduction of area 35% or more; having charpy V at −75 degrees F in the longitudinal direction equal or greater than 15 ft. lbs (single value) and equal or greater than 20 ft. lbs (average of 3 specimens) and conforming to the requirements of NACE MR01-75; or

(ii) With a Brinell hardness not less than 240 HBW measured in all parts of the product including mid thickness; and having a Yield Strength of 90 ksi min and UTS 110 ksi or more, Elongation of 15% or more and Reduction of area 30% or more; having charpy V at −40 degrees F in the longitudinal direction equal or greater than 21 ft. lbs (single value) and equal or greater than 31 ft. lbs (average of 3 specimens);

(d) Conforming to ASTM A578-S9 ultrasonic testing requirements with acceptance criteria 3.2 mm flat bottom hole; and

(e) Conforming to magnetic particle inspection in accordance with AMS 2301;

(7) Alloy forged and rolled steel CTL plate over 407 mm in actual thickness and meeting the following requirements:

(a) Made from Electric Arc Furnace melted, ladle refined & vacuum degassed, alloy steel with the following chemical composition (expressed in weight percentages):

  • Carbon 0.25-0.30,
  • Silicon not greater than 0.25,
  • Manganese not greater than 0.50,
  • Nickel 3.0-3.5,
  • Sulfur not greater than 0.010,
  • Phosphorus not greater than 0.020,
  • Chromium 1.0-1.5,
  • Molybdenum 0.6-0.9,
  • Vanadium 0.08 to 0.12
  • Boron 0.002-0.004,
  • Oxygen not greater than 20 ppm,
  • Hydrogen not greater than 2 ppm, and
  • Nitrogen not greater than 60 ppm.

(b) Having cleanliness in accordance with ASTM E45 method A (Thin and Heavy): A not exceeding 1.0(t) and 0.5(h), B not exceeding 1.5(t) and 1.0(h), C not exceeding 1.0(t) and 0.5(h), and D not exceeding 1.5(t) and 1.0(h);

(c) Having the following mechanical properties: A Brinell hardness not less than 350 HBW measured in all parts of the product including mid thickness; and having a Yield Strength of 145ksi or more and UTS 160ksi or more, Elongation of 15% or more and Reduction of area 35% or more; having charpy V at −40 degrees F in the transverse direction equal or greater than 20 ft. lbs (single value) and equal or greater than 25 ft. lbs (average of 3 specimens);

(d) Conforming to ASTM A578-S9 ultrasonic testing requirements with acceptance criteria 3.2 mm flat bottom hole; and

(e) Conforming to magnetic particle inspection in accordance with AMS 2301.

The products subject to the investigation are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under item numbers: 7208.40.3030, 7208.40.3060, 7208.51.0030, 7208.51.0045, 7208.51.0060, 7208.52.0000, 7211.13.0000, 7211.14.0030, 7211.14.0045, 7225.40.1110, 7225.40.1180, 7225.40.3005, 7225.40.3050, 7226.20.0000, and 7226.91.5000.

The products subject to the investigation may also enter under the following HTSUS item numbers: 7208.40.6060, 7208.53.0000, 7208.90.0000, 7210.70.3000, 7210.90.9000, 7211.19.1500, 7211.19.2000, 7211.19.4500, 7211.19.6000, 7211.19.7590, 7211.90.0000, 7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000, 7212.50.0000, 7214.10.0000, 7214.30.0010, 7214.30.0080, 7214.91.0015, 7214.91.0060, 7214.91.0090, 7225.11.0000, 7225.19.0000, 7225.40.5110, 7225.40.5130, 7225.40.5160, 7225.40.7000, 7225.99.0010, 7225.99.0090, 7226.11.1000, 7226.11.9060, 7226.19.1000, 7226.19.9000, 7226.91.0500, 7226.91.1530, 7226.91.1560, 7226.91.2530, 7226.91.2560, 7226.91.7000, 7226.91.8000, and 7226.99.0180.

The HTSUS subheadings above are provided for convenience and customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of the investigation is dispositive.

[FR Doc. 2016-29071 Filed 12-2-16; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P