On July 21, 2016, the Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the initiation of antidumping duty (AD) investigations of imports of finished carbon steel flanges from India, Italy, and Spain, and a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of finished carbon steel flanges from India.
Alleged dumping margins are as follows: India 17.80 – 37.84 percent; Italy 15.76 – 204.53 percent; and
Spain 13.19 – 24.43 percent. The estimated subsidy rate for India is above de minimis (less than 1 percent for developed countries, less than 2 percent for developing countries).
Spain 13.19 – 24.43 percent. The estimated subsidy rate for India is above de minimis (less than 1 percent for developed countries, less than 2 percent for developing countries).
In 2015, imports of finished carbon steel flanges from India, Italy, and Spain were valued at an estimated $90.6 million, $31 million, and $26.8 million, respectively. The petitioners are Boltex Manufacturing Co., L.P. and Weldbend Corporation.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determinations on or before August 15, 2016. If the ITC determines that there is a reasonable indication that imports of finished carbon steel flanges from India, Italy, and/or Spain materially injure, or threaten material injury to, the domestic industry, the investigations will continue and the DOC will be scheduled to make its preliminary CVD determination in September 2016 and its preliminary AD determinations in December 2016, unless the statutory deadlines are extended. If the ITC’s preliminary determinations are negative, the investigations will be terminated.
Finished carbon steel flanges are currently classified under subheadings 7307.91.5010 and 7307.91.5050 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). They may also be entered under HTSUS subheadings 7307.91.5030 and 7307.91.5070.