US: DOC initiates AD investigation of diffusion annealed nickel plate

23/04/2013 12:00 - 435 Views

On April 17th 2013, the Department of Commerce announced the initiation of an antidumping duty investigation of imports of diffusion annealed, nickel plated flat-rolled steel products from Japan.

The AD law provides US businesses and workers with a transparent and internationally approved mechanism to seek relief from the market distorting effects caused by injurious dumping of imports into the United States, establishing an opportunity to compete on a level playing field.

For the purpose of AD investigations, dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than its fair value.

The petitioner for this investigation is Thomas Steel Strip Corporation.

The products covered by the scope of this investigation are flat rolled, cold reduced steel products, regardless of chemistry, whether or not in coils, either plated or coated with nickel or nickel based alloys and subsequently annealed, whether or not painted, varnished or coated with plastics or other metallic or nonmetallic substances and less than or equal to 2.0 mm in nominal thickness.

For purposes of this investigation, “nickel-based alloys” include all nickel alloys with other metals in which nickel accounts for at least 80% of the alloy by volume.

Imports of merchandise included in the scope of this investigation are classified primarily under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States subheadings 7212.50.0000 and 7210.90.6000 but may also be classified under HTSUS subheadings 7210.70.6090, 7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000, 7219.90.0020, 7219.90.0025, 7219.90.0060, 7219.90.0080, 7220.90.0010, 7220.90.0015, 7225.99.0090, or 7226.99.0180. The foregoing HTSUS subheadings are provided only for convenience and customs purposes. The written description of the scope is dispositive.

In 2012, imports of diffusion annealed, nickel plated flat rolled steel products from Japan were valued at an estimated USD 24.1 million.

NEXT STEPS:

The U.S International Trade Commission is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determination on or before May 13th 2013.

If the ITC determines that there is a reasonable indication that imports from Japan materially injure or threaten material injury to the domestic industry, the investigation will continue and Commerce will be scheduled to make its preliminary determination in September 2013 unless the statutory deadline is extended.

Friday, 19 Apr 2013

Source - Strategic Research Institute