U.S. Companies File Antidumping Petition on Pressure Pipe from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam
Three U.S. companies filed petitions with the Commerce Department and International Trade Commission May 16, requesting antidumping duties be imposed on welded stainless pressure pipe from Malaysia (A-557-815), Thailand (A-549-830), and Vietnam (A-552-816). Bristol Metals, Felker Brothers, and Outokumpu Stainless Pipe allege that imports of the pipe, which is a commodity product used as a conduit for liquids or gases, are being sold at less than fair value in the U.S. According to the companies, the underselling is causing U.S. companies to lose market share, and is causing losses by U.S. companies that are trying to compete.
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According to the petitioners, domestic market share is falling in the U.S. welded stainless pressure pipe market, and imports of the product from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam accounted for most of the decline. Imports subject to the proposed antidumping investigation were valued at over 30% below their domestic counterparts between 2010 and 2012. The underselling is forcing U.S. producers to slash prices and overhead in order to compete. As a result, “U.S. producers lost money continuously from 2010 through 2012, and into 2013,” the petition said.
Suggested Scope
The petition suggests the following scope for the antidumping duty investigation:
“The products covered by this investigation are circular welded austenitic stainless pressure pipe ("WSPP") not greater than 14 inches in outside diameter. These stainless pipes normally meet the ASTM A-312 or A-778 specifications or comparable specifications (e.g., foreign specifications). See Exhibit 1-4 for the ASTM A-312 specification. WSPP is produced by forming stainless steel flat-rolled products into a tubular configuration and welding along the seam. WSPP is a commodity product generally used as a conduit for liquids or gases. Major applications for WSPP include, but are not limited to: digestor lines, blow lines, pharmaceutical lines, petrochemical lines, stock lines, brewery process and transport lines, general food processor lines, automotive paint lines and paper process machines. See Exhibit 1-4 for a description of the stainless steel flat-rolled, and WSPP manufacturing processes.
“Excluded from the scope are: (1) non-circular welded stainless pipe; (2) welded stainless mechanical tubing, such as ASTM A-554; and (3) boiler, heat exchanger, superheater and condenser tubing such as A-249, A-269, A-270, and A-688.
“The subject imports are normally classified in HTS categories 7306.40.5005, 7306.40.5040, 7306.40.5062, 7306.40.5064, and 7306.40.5085. They may also enter in HTS 7306.40.1010, 7306.40.1015, 7306.40.5042, 7306.40.5044, 7306.40.5080, and 7306.40.5090. HTS numbers are given for reference purposes only, and are not dispositive of the scope.”
Commerce Accepting Comments on Petition Support
The Commerce Department is accepting comments on domestic industry support for the petition to determine whether the petition meets the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic-like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. If the petition meets these requirements, among others, Commerce will initiate antidumping investigations of welded stainless pressure pipes from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The petitioners claim that they make up over 60% of U.S. production. Comments are due by about June 5.
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the petition.