The United States International Trade Commission determined that a US industry is materially injured by reason of imports of welded stainless steel pressure pipe from China that the US Department of Commerce has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the Department of Commerce will issue a countervailing duty order and an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China.

Department of Commerce determined on January 22nd 2009 that Chinese producers and exporters have sold stainless pressure pipe in the US from 10.53% to 55.21% less than normal value. In addition, it also determined that Chinese producers and exporters have received net countervail able subsidies ranging from 1.10% to 299.16%.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the Department of Commerce will issue a countervailing duty order and an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China.

Factual highlights

Product Description
The product covered by these investigations is circular, welded austenitic stainless steel pressure pipe (WSSPP) not greater than 14 inches in outside diameter, most commonly produced to ASTM A-312 or A-778 specifications. Subject imports are provided for under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States statistical reporting numbers 7306.40.5005, 7306.40.5040, 7306.40.5062, 7306.40.5064, and 7306.40.5085. They may also be imported under statistical reporting numbers 7306.40.1010, 7306.40.1015, 7306.40.5042, 7306.40.5044, 7306.40.5080, and 7306.40.5090. Specifically excluded are (1) welded stainless mechanical tubing; (2) boiler, heat exchanger, superheater, refining furnace, feedwater heater, and condenser tubing; and (3) other specialized tubing.

Status of Proceedings
1. Types of investigations: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners: Bristol Metals, Felker Brothers, Marcegaglia USA, Outokumpu Stainless Pipe, and the United Steel Workers.
3. Investigations instituted by USITC: January 30, 2008.
4. Hearing: January 13, 2009.
5. USITC vote: February 19, 2009.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: March 2, 2009.

U.S. Industry:
1. Number of U.S. firms involved in production of WSSPP in 2008: 8
2. Production volume is concentrated in Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.
3. Employment of production and related workers: (1)
4. U.S. producers' shipments in January-September 2008: 20,980 short tons.
5. U.S. apparent consumption in January-September 2008: 48,568 short tons.
6. Ratio of quantity of total imports to U.S. apparent consumption in January-September 2008:
56.8 percent.

U.S. Imports:
1. Quantity of subject imports: 30,371 short tons (2007); 6,700 short tons (January-September 2008).
2. Value of subject imports: $154.8 million (2007); $33.6 million (January-September 2008).