Non-Malleable Cast Iron Pipe Fittings From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review

AGENCY:

Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of rescission of antidumping duty administrative review.

SUMMARY:

In response to a request from Anvil International, Inc. (Anvil) and Ward Manufacturing, Inc. (Ward), domestic producers of subject merchandise and interested parties in this proceeding, the Department of Commerce (the Department) initiated an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on non-malleable cast iron pipe fittings (pipe fittings) from the People's Republic of China (PRC). The period of review (POR) is April 1, 2003, through March 31, 2004. For the reason discussed below, we are rescinding this administrative review.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

August 6, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sam Zengotitabengoa or Mark Manning, Office 4, Office of AD/CVD Enforcement, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-4195 or (202) 482-5253, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Scope of the Order

For purposes of this review, the products covered are finished and unfinished non-malleable cast iron pipe fittings with an inside diameter ranging from 1/4 inch to 6 inches, whether threaded or un-threaded, regardless of industry or proprietary specifications. The subject fittings include elbows, ells, tees, crosses, and reducers as well as flanged fittings. These pipe fittings are also known as “cast iron pipe fittings” or “gray iron pipe fittings.” These cast iron pipe fittings are normally produced to ASTM A-126 and ASME B.l6.4 specifications and are threaded to ASME B1.20.1 specifications. Most building codes require that these products are Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certified. The scope does not include cast iron soil pipe fittings or grooved fittings or grooved couplings.

Fittings that are made out of ductile iron that have the same physical characteristics as the gray or cast iron fittings subject to the scope above or which have the same physical characteristics and are produced to ASME B.16.3, ASME B.16.4, or ASTM A-395 specifications, threaded to ASME B1.20.1 specifications and UL certified, regardless of metallurgical differences between gray and ductile iron, are also included in the scope of this petition. These ductile fittings do not include grooved fittings or grooved couplings. Ductile cast iron fittings with mechanical joint ends (MJ), or push on ends (PO), or flanged ends and produced to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) specifications AWWA C110 or AWWA C153 are not included.

Imports of covered merchandise are currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under item numbers 7307.11.00.30, 7307.11.00.60, 7307.19.30.60 and 7307.19.30.85. HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes. The written description of the scope of this proceeding is dispositive.

Background

On April 1, 2004, the Department published a notice of opportunity to request an administrative review of the antidumping order on pipe fittings from the PRC. See Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity To Request Administrative Review, 69 FR 17129 (April 1, 2004). On May 27, 2004, pursuant to a request made by Anvil and Ward, the Department initiated an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on pipe fittings from the PRC. See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Requests for Revocation in Part, 69 FR 30282 (May 27, 2004). On July 27, 2004, Anvil and Ward timely withdrew their request for an administrative review of pipe fittings from the PRC.

Rescission of Review

If a party that requested a review withdraws the request within 90 days of the date of publication of notice of initiation of the requested review, the Secretary will rescind the review pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1). In this case, Anvil and Ward withdrew their request for an administrative review within 90 days from the date of initiation. No other interested party requested a review and we have received no comments regarding Anvil and Ward's withdrawal of their request for a review. Therefore, we are rescinding the initiation of this review of the antidumping duty order on pipe fittings from the PRC.

Notification to Importers

This notice serves as a final reminder to importers of their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f) 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 subsequent assessment of double antidumping duties.

This notice also serves as a reminder to parties subject to 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/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.

This notice is in accordance with section 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 251.213(d)(4).