China Steel Threaded Rod: Rods in Kits Still Covered by AD Duties, Commerce Says

Steel threaded rods included in “joint restraint kits” for connecting water and wastewater pipes are subject to antidumping duties on steel threaded rod from China (A-570-932), the Commerce Department said in a recent scope ruling. The importer, Star Pipe, acknowledged that the steel threaded rods would be covered by AD duties if imported on their own, but argued their inclusion in kits with other merchandise rendered them exempt. After performing a “mixed media analysis,” Commerce disagreed, finding no mention in the scope or other materials from the original investigation that steel threaded rod included in kits is not covered by AD duties. On the contrary, steel threaded rod is specifically mentioned as being used in waterworks applications and other systems, Commerce said.