Petition Filed for New AD/CVD on Slag Pots From China
A domestic producer recently filed a petition with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping and countervailing duties on slag pots from China. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations, which could result in the imposition of permanent AD/CVD orders and the assessment of AD and CVD on importers. WHEMCO-Steel Castings, Inc., requested the investigation.
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The petition describes slag pots as "large bowl-shaped containers used to collect high-temperature molten slag from the production of certain liquid metals, such as steel. Slag pots can be designed for handling refractory oxide waste generated by metal melting operations. In steel making facilities, the products capture slag. These high temperature slag products cool in contact with the slag pot vessel wall to form a glassy layer that insulates against further heat transfer until the molten slag can be transported to a remote disposal site. The slag pots must withstand elevated temperatures due to prolonged exposure to hot molten slag."
Proposed Scope
The petition proposes the following scope for the investigations:
"The merchandise covered by the investigation are slag pots with a nominal capacity of 65 cubic feet to 1200 cubic feet regardless of shape, form, or finish.
"Slag pots are load bearing devices typically formed as a curved shell designed to collect molten or solid slag generated during metallurgical or chemical processes. Slag pots are metallurgical goods typically produced either using a casting process or a fabrication process and may include a ceramic refractory coating, heat treatment or various finishes in order to handle high temperature slag. Slag pots are typically designed as lifting equipment and may include attachments to enable the transport of slag pots. Attachments may include 1) a connected stand 2) pivotal mounting hooks or brackets and 3) other attachments. The merchandise covered by this investigation includes all attachments of a fully assembled slag pot, regardless of whether shipped assembled or unassembled.
"Subject slag pots are included within the scope whether finished or unfinished, whether imported individually or with other subject or non-subject parts, whether assembled or unassembled, or if joined with non-subject merchandise. Finishing includes, but is not limited to, arc washing, welding, grinding, shot blasting, heat treatment, machining, and assembly of various parts.
"The country of origin for subject slag pots whether fully assembled, unfinished or finished, is the country where the subject slag pot was cast or forged. Subject merchandise includes slag pots that have been further processed or further assembled. Further processing includes, but is not limited to, arc washing, welding, grinding, shot blasting, heat treatment, painting, coating, priming, machining, and assembly of various parts. The inclusion, attachment, joining, or assembly of non subject parts with subject merchandise either in the country of manufacture of the in-scope product or in a third country does not remove the subject slag pots from the scope.
"Slag pots subject to the investigation are specified within the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheading 7309.00.0090. The HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of the investigations is dispositive."
ITC and Commerce to Accept Comments Before Initiating Investigation
The Commerce Department will accept comments on domestic industry support for the petitions to determine whether the petitions meet 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 petitions meet these requirements, among others, the ITC and Commerce will initiate AD/CVD investigations.