Japan Large Diameter Pipe: Ferritic Alloy Pipe Imported by U.S. Metals Not Covered by AD Duties

Ferritic alloy steel pipe imported by U.S. Metals is not subject to duties on large diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line and pressure pipe (over 4 1/2 inches) from Japan (A-588-850), said the Commerce Department in a scope ruling issued July 24. The ferritic alloy pipe meets the scope’s exemption for ASTM A-335 pipe that is not intended for an application that would normally utilize pipe produced to ASTM A-106 specifications, said Commerce. Pipe produced to A-106 standards can only withstand temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees, said Commerce. The ferritic alloy pipe imported by U.S. Metals can withstand much higher temperatures, and is meant for applications in power plants and oil refineries that require its higher temperature tolerance, said Commerce. Additionally, the pipe is 50-100% more expensive than A-106 pipe, making it uneconomical to use the A-335 pipe imported by U.S. Metals for A-106 applications, said Commerce.