Certain Tin Mill Products From Japan: Notice of Initiation of Changed Circumstances Review of the Antidumping Duty Order

AGENCY:

Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of initiation of changed circumstances review.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with 19 CFR 351.216(b), Weirton Steel and the Independent Steelworkers Union, interested parties in this proceeding, requested a changed circumstances review pursuant to section 751(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (“the Act”). In response to this request, the Department of Commerce is initiating a changed circumstances review on certain tin mill products from Japan.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

May 29, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Helen Kramer or Steve Bezirganian, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-0405 or (202) 482-1131, respectively.

The Applicable Statute and Regulations

Unless otherwise indicated, all citations to the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), are references to the provisions effective January 1, 1995, the effective date of the amendments made to the Act by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA). In addition, unless otherwise indicated, all citations to the Department of Commerce's (the Department's) regulations are to the regulations at 19 CFR part 351 (2001).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On August 28, 2000, the Department published in the Federal Register (65 FR 52067) the antidumping duty order on certain certain tin mill products from Japan. On April 6, 2001, Weirton Steel and the Independent Steelworkers Union, petitioners in this proceeding, requested that the Department revoke in part the antidumping duty order on certain tin mill products from Japan. On May 3, 2001, petitioners submitted a change in the definition of the product for which they requested a changed circumstances review. Specifically, petitioners requested that the Department revoke the order with respect to imports of merchandise meeting the following specifications:

double reduced (CADR-8 temper) electrolytically chromium coated steel with chromium oxide at a level of 1.6 mg/sq. ft. (±0.9), having a base box weight of 60 pounds (nominal thickness of 0.0066 inch (±5% tolerance)), and a surface with a 7C stone finish, lubricated with butyl stearate oil (BSO) or dioctyl sebacate oil (DOS) with the level ranging from 0.22 to 0.32 gm/base box. The material is 311/2 inches in actual width (−0/+ 1/16 inch width tolerance) and made from fully deoxidized (killed) continuous cast and continuous annealed steel that is free of detrimental non-metallic inclusions (i.e., clean steel) with earring hazard minimized. The maximum edge wave is 1/8 inch, with crossbow controllable to less than 2 inches per sheet. The maximum camber per three feet is 0.020 inch, the maximum burr is 0.001 inch, and the maximum pinholes per coil is 0.2%. The maximum coil weight is 25,000 pounds, with an interior coil diameter of 16 inches to 161/2 inches, and an exterior coil diameter of 36 inches to 60 inches. When loaded for shipment, the coil is placed on the pallet with the eye of the coil standing vertical, with each side of the pallet being 60 inches having 4 x 4 runners, and outside runners placed a minimum of 37 inches apart.

Weirton Steel, a domestic producer of the subject merchandise, together with the Independent Steelworkers Union and the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO, were the petitioners in the underlying sales at less-than-fair-value investigation. In their changed circumstances request, petitioners state that they have no interest in maintaining the antidumping duty order on certain tin mill products from Japan with respect to the specific merchandise identified in their request, and that they believe that none of the known producers of the subject merchandise have any interest in having the described merchandise remain within the scope of the antidumping order. However, the Department has no information on the record that the other known domestic producers of tin mill products, Bethlehem Steel Corp., National Steel Corp., Midwest Division, Ohio Coatings Co., U.S. Steel Group, a Unit of USX Corp., and USS-Posco Industries, Inc., have no interest in maintaining the antidumping duty order with respect to the specific merchandise described in Weirton's request. Therefore, we are not combining this initiation with the preliminary determination, which is our normal practice under section 351.221(c)(3)(ii).

Scope of Review

The products covered by this antidumping order are tin mill flat-rolled products that are coated or plated with tin, chromium or chromium oxides. Flat-rolled steel products coated with tin are known as tin plate. Flat-rolled steel products coated with chromium or chromium oxides are known as tin-free steel or electrolytic chromium-coated steel. The scope includes all the noted tin mill products regardless of thickness, width, form (in coils or cut sheets), coating type (electrolytic or otherwise), edge (trimmed, untrimmed or further processed, such and scroll cut), coating thickness, surface finish, temper, coating metal (tin, chromium, chromium oxide), reduction (single- or double-reduced), and whether or not coated with a plastic material.

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

• Single reduced electrolytically chromium coated steel with a thickness 0.238 mm (85 pound base box) (#10%) or 0.251 mm (90 pound base box) (#10%) or 0.255 mm (#10%) with 770 mm (minimum width) (#1.588 mm) by 900 mm (maximum length if sheared) sheet size or 30.6875 inches (minimum width) (#1/16 inch) and 35.4 inches (maximum length if sheared) sheet size; with type MR or higher (per ASTM) A623 steel chemistry; batch annealed at T2 1/2 anneal temper, with a yield strength of 31 to 42 kpsi (214 to 290 Mpa); with a tensile strength of 43 to 58 kpsi (296 to 400 Mpa); with a chrome coating restricted to 32 to 150 mg/m²; with a chrome oxide coating restricted to 6 to 25 mg/m² with a modified 7B ground roll finish or blasted roll finish; with roughness average (Ra) 0.10 to 0.35 micrometers, measured with a stylus instrument with a stylus radius of 2 to 5 microns, a trace length of 5.6 mm, and a cut-off of 0.8 mm, and the measurement traces shall be made perpendicular to the rolling direction; with an oil level of 0.17 to 0.37 grams/base box as type BSO, or 2.5 to 5.5 mg/m² as type DOS, or 3.5 to 6.5 mg/m² as type ATBC; with electrical conductivity of static probe voltage drop of 0.46 volts drop maximum, and with electrical conductivity degradation to 0.70 volts drop maximum after stoving (heating to 400 degrees F for 100 minutes followed by a cool to room temperature).
• Single reduced electrolytically chromium- or tin-coated steel in the gauges of 0.0040 inch nominal, 0.0045 inch nominal, 0.0050 inch nominal, 0.0061 inch nominal (55 pound base box weight), 0.0066 inch nominal (60 pound base box weight), and 0.0072 inch nominal (65 pound base box weight), regardless of width, temper, finish, coating or other properties.
• Single reduced electrolytically chromium coated steel in the gauge of 0.024 inch, with widths of 27.0 inches or 31.5 inches, and with T-1 temper properties.
• Single reduced electrolytically chromium coated steel, with a chemical composition of 0.005% max carbon, 0.030% max silicon, 0.25% max manganese, 0.025% max phosphorous, 0.025% max sulfur, 0.070% max aluminum, and the balance iron, with a metallic chromium layer of 70-130 mg/m 2 , with a chromium oxide layer of 5-30 mg/m², with a tensile strength of 260-440 N/mm², with an elongation of 28-48%, with a hardness (HR-30T) of 40-58, with a surface roughness of 0.5-1.5 microns Ra, with magnetic properties of Bm (KG) 10.0 minimum, Br (KG) 8.0 minimum, Hc (Oe) 2.5-3.8, and μ 1400 minimum, as measured with a Riken Denshi DC magnetic characteristic measuring machine, Model BHU-60.
• Bright finish tin-coated sheet with a thickness equal to or exceeding 0.0299 inch, coated to thickness of 3/4 pound (0.000045 inch) and 1 pound (0.00006 inch).
• Electrolytically chromium coated steel having ultra flat shape defined as oil can maximum depth of 5/64 inch (2.0 mm) and edge wave maximum of 5/64 inch (2.0 mm) and no wave to penetrate more than 2.0 inches (51.0 mm) from the strip edge and coilset or curling requirements of average maximum of 5/64 inch (2.0 mm) (based on six readings, three across each cut edge of a 24 inches (61 cm) long sample with no single reading exceeding 4/32 inch (3.2 mm) and no more than two readings at 4/32 inch (3.2 mm)) and (for 85 pound base box item only: crossbuckle maximums of 0.001 inch (0.0025 mm) average having no reading above 0.005 inch (0.127 mm)), with a camber maximum of 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) per 20 feet (6.1 meters), capable of being bent 120 degrees on a 0.002 inch radius without cracking, with a chromium coating weight of metallic chromium at 100 mg/square meter and chromium oxide of 10 mg/square meter, with a chemistry of 0.13% maximum carbon, 0.60% maximum manganese, 0.15% maximum silicon, 0.20% maximum copper, 0.04% maximum phosphorous, 0.05% maximum sulfur, and 0.20% maximum aluminum, with a surface finish of Stone Finish 7C, with a DOS-A oil at an aim level of 2 mg/square meter, with not more than 15 inclusions/foreign matter in 15 feet (4.6 meters) (with inclusions not to exceed 1/32 inch (0.8 mm) in width and 3/64 inch (1.2 mm) in length), with thickness/temper combinations of either 60 pound base box (0.0066 inch) double reduced CADR8 temper in widths of 25.00 inches, 27.00 inches, 27.50 inches, 28.00 inches, 28.25 inches, 28.50 inches, 29.50 inches, 29.75 inches, 30.25 inches, 31.00 inches, 32.75 inches, 33.75 inches, 35.75 inches, 36.25 inches, 39.00 inches, or 43.00 inches, or 85 pound base box (0.0094 inch) single reduced CAT4 temper in widths of 25.00 inches, 27.00 inches, 28.00 inches, 30.00 inches, 33.00 inches, 33.75 inches, 35.75 inches, 36.25 inches, or 43.00 inches, with width tolerance of #1/8 inch, with a thickness tolerance of #0.0005 inch, with a maximum coil weight of 20,000 pounds (9071.0 kg), with a minimum coil weight of 18,000 pounds (8164.8 kg) with a coil inside diameter of 16 inches (40.64 cm) with a steel core, with a coil maximum outside diameter of 59.5 inches (151.13 cm), with a maximum of one weld (identified with a paper flag) per coil, with a surface free of scratches, holes, and rust.
• Electrolytically tin coated steel having differential coating with 1.00 pound/base box equivalent on the heavy side, with varied coating equivalents in the lighter side (detailed below), with a continuous cast steel chemistry of type MR, with a surface finish of type 7B or 7C, with a surface passivation of 0.7 mg/square foot of chromium applied as a cathodic dichromate treatment, with coil form having restricted oil film weights of 0.3-0.4 grams/base box of type DOS-A oil, coil inside diameter ranging from 15.5 to 17 inches, coil outside diameter of a maximum 64 inches, with a maximum coil weight of 25,000 pounds, and with temper/coating/dimension combinations of : (1) CAT 4 temper, 1.00/.050 pound/base box coating, 70 pound/base box (0.0077 inch) thickness, and 33.1875 inch ordered width; or (2) CAT5 temper, 1.00/0.50 pound/base box coating, 75 pound/base box (0.0082 inch) thickness, and 34.9375 inch or 34.1875 inch ordered width; or (3) CAT5 temper, 1.00/0.50 pound/base box coating, 107 pound/base box (0.0118 inch) thickness, and 30.5625 inch or 35.5625 inch ordered width; or (4) CADR8 temper, 1.00/0.50 pound/base box coating, 85 pound/base box (0.0093 inch) thickness, and 35.5625 inch ordered width; or (5) CADR8 temper, 1.00/0.25 pound/base box coating, 60 pound/base box (0.0066 inch) thickness, and 35.9375 inch ordered width; or (6) CADR8 temper, 1.00/0.25 pound/base box coating, 70 pound/base box (0.0077 inch) thickness, and 32.9375 inch, 33.125 inch, or 35.1875 inch ordered width.
• Electrolytically tin coated steel having differential coating with 1.00 pound/base box equivalent on the heavy side, with varied coating equivalents on the lighter side (detailed below), with a continuous cast steel chemistry of type MR, with a surface finish of type 7B or 7C, with a surface passivation of 0.5 mg/square foot of chromium applied as a cathodic dichromate treatment, with ultra flat scroll cut sheet form, with CAT 5 temper with 1.00/0.10 pound/base box coating, with a lithograph logo printed in a uniform pattern on the 0.10 pound coating side with a clear protective coat, with both sides waxed to a level of 15-20 mg/216 sq. in., with ordered dimension combinations of (1) 75 pound/base box (0.0082 inch) thickness and 34.9375 inch x 31.748 inch scroll cut dimensions; or (2) 75 pound/base box (0.0082 inch) thickness and 34.1875 inch x 29.076 inch scroll cut dimensions; or (3) 107 pound/base box (0.0118 inch) thickness and 30.5625 inch x 34.125 inch scroll cut dimension.

The merchandise subject to this order is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”), under HTSUS subheadings 7210.11.0000, 7210.12.0000, 7210.50.0000, 7212.10.0000, and 7212.50.0000 if of non-alloy steel and under HTSUS subheadings 7225.99.0090, and 7226.99.0000 if of alloy steel. Although the subheadings are provided for convenience and Customs purposes, our written description of the scope of this review is dispositive.

Initiation of Changed Circumstances Review

Pursuant to section 751(d)(1) of the Act, the Department may partially revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order based on a review under section 751(b) of the Act (i.e., a changed circumstances review). Section 751(b)(1) of the Act requires a changed circumstances review to be conducted upon receipt of a request which shows changed circumstances sufficient to warrant a review. 19 CFR 351.222(g) provides that the Department will conduct a changed circumstances review under 19 CFR 351.216, and may revoke an order (in whole or in part), if it determines that (i) producers accounting for substantially all of the production of the domestic like product to which the order (or the part of the order to be revoked) pertains have expressed a lack of interest in the relief provided by the order, in whole or in part; or (ii) other changed circumstances sufficient to warrant revocation exist.

The Department will publish in the Federal Register a notice of preliminary results of changed circumstances review, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(i), which will set forth the factual and legal conclusions upon which our preliminary results are based, and a description of any action proposed based on those results. Interested parties may submit comments for consideration in the Department's preliminary results not later than 20 days after publication of this notice. Responses to those comments may be submitted not later than 10 days following submission of the comments. All written comments must be submitted in accordance with 19 CFR 351.303, and must be served on all interested parties on the Department's service list in accordance with 19 CFR 351.303. The Department will also issue its final results of review within 270 days after the date on which the changed circumstances review is initiated, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.216(e), and will publish these results in the Federal Register.

While the changed circumstances review is underway, the current requirement for a cash deposit of estimated antidumping duties on all subject merchandise, including the merchandise that is the subject of this changed circumstances review, will continue unless and until it is modified pursuant to the final results of this changed circumstances review.

This notice is in accordance with sections 751(b)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.216 and 351.222.