On April 4, 2016, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced its affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of circular welded carbon quality steel pipe from Pakistan.
The DOC calculated a preliminary subsidy rate of 64.81 percent for the mandatory respondent, International Industries Limited. The preliminary subsidy rate is based on facts available and adverse inferences following Commerce’s preliminary determination that the mandatory respondent and the Government of Pakistan had not fully cooperated in the investigation. All other exporters/producers in Pakistan have also been assigned a preliminary subsidy rate of 64.81 percent.
The petitioners in this investigation are Bull Moose Tube Company, EXLTUBE, Wheatland Tube, and Western Tube & Conduit.
In 2014, imports of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from Pakistan were valued at an estimated $17 million.
The DOC is scheduled to announce its final determination in this investigation on August 16, 2016, unless the statutory deadline is extended.
The investigation covers welded carbon-quality steel pipes and tube, of circular cross-section, with an outside diameter (O.D.) not more than nominal 16 inches (406.4 mm), regardless of wall thickness, surface finish (e.g., black, galvanized, or painted), end finish (plain end, beveled end, grooved, threaded, or threaded and coupled), or industry specification (e.g., American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM), proprietary, or other), generally known as standard pipe, fence pipe and tube, sprinkler pipe, and structural pipe (although subject product may also be referred to as mechanical tubing).
The products subject to this investigation are currently classifiable in Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) statistical reporting numbers 7306.19.1010, 7306.19.1050, 7306.19.5110, 7306.19.5150, 7306.30.1000, 7306.30.5015, 7306.30.5020, 7306.30.5025, 7306.30.5032, 7306.30.5040, 7306.30.5055, 7306.30.5085, 7306.30.5090, 7306.50.1000, 7306.50.5030, 7306.50.5050, and 7306.50.5070.