US Department of Commerce has initiated Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty investigations on certain steel grating from the People Republic of China.

1. On June 19th the Department of Commerce announced its decision to initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on imports of certain steel grating from the People’s Republic of China.

2. Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than normal value. Subsidies are financial assistance from foreign governments that benefit the production, manufacture, or exportation of goods.

3. The petitioners for these investigations are Alabama Metal Industries Corp and Fisher & Ludlow, with US production facilities located in McKeesrock, PA and Litchfield, Illinois.

4. The products covered by these investigations are certain steel grating, consisting of two or more pieces of steel, including load-bearing pieces and cross pieces joined by any assembly process, regardless of size or shape, method of manufacture, metallurgy, profile of the bars and whether or not they are galvanized, painted, coated, clad or plated.

5. The products covered by these investigations are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States under item number: 7308.90.7000. While the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, Commerce’s written description of the subject merchandise governs the scope of these investigations.

6. From 2006 to 2008, imports of steel grating from China increased 538.44% by volume and were valued at an estimated USD 90.7 million in 2008.

7. The US International Trade Commission is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determination on or about July 13th.

8. If the ITC determines that there is a reasonable indication that imports are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the domestic industry, the investigations will continue, and Commerce will be scheduled to make its preliminary CVD determination on August 24th and its preliminary AD determination on November 5th.

Wednesday, 24 Jun 2009

Source: steelguru.com