The International Trade Administration made a preliminary negative countervailing duty determination that countervailable subsidies are not being provided to producers and exporters of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from Oman (C-523-802). The ITA preliminarily found de minimis CV rates for the single mandatory respondent and, consequently, "All-Others". As such, ITA will not direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to suspend liquidation of entries of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from the Oman, and, for the time being, there will be no CV cash deposit or bond requirements.
The International Trade Administration made a preliminary affirmative countervailing duty determination that countervailable subsidies are being provided to exporter/manufacturers of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from Vietnam (C-552-810). The ITA found preliminary CV rates of de minimis to 8.06%, which are effective on March 30, 2012. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is expected to implement these CV cash deposit/bond requirements soon.
The International Trade Administration announced its affirmative preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty investigations of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from India and Vietnam, and negative preliminary determinations in the CV duty investigations of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from Oman and the United Arab Emirates. According to the ITA’s fact sheet, producers/exporters of subject merchandise from (1) India and (2) Vietnam received preliminary CV rates of (1) 285.95%, and (2) de minimis to 8.06%, respectively. As a result of the preliminary affirmative determinations for India and Vietnam, the ITA will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect a cash deposit or bond based on these preliminary CV rates. Because of the negative preliminary determinations, no cash deposit or bond will be required for imports from Oman and the UAE.
The International Trade Administration issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on drawn stainless steel sinks from China (A-570-983 and C-570-984, respectively). The ITA will determine whether imports of stainless steel sinks from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value, and whether manufacturers, producers, or exporters of stainless steel sinks from China receive countervailable subsidies.
The International Trade Administration issued its final affirmative countervailing duty determination on bottom mount combination refrigerator-freezers from Korea (C-580-866) that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of subject merchandise. The ITA found CV rates of de minimis to 12.9%, which are officially effective as of March 26 for all firms. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is expected to implement these CV cash deposit/bond requirements soon.
The International Trade Administration has issued a fact sheet announcing its affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty investigations of bottom mount combination refrigerator-freezers from Korea and Mexico (A-580-865 and A-201-839, respectively), and the countervailing duty investigation of the same product from Korea (C-580-866), its finding of targeted dumping for two companies from Korea, and its finding of AD critical circumstances for one company from Mexico.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is seeking comments by April 6, 2012 on the country/tariff number pairs that could lose their Generalized System of Preferences duty-free treatment in the 2011 Annual Review if they exceed certain statutory thresholds or one or both Competitive Needs Limits (CNLs). Comments are also sought on the possible re-designation of articles currently ineligible for GSP. While 2011 full calendar data is available for all GSP-eligible tariff numbers, USTR has issued four lists that indicate the GSP changes for 156 tariff numbers that may take effect on July 1, 2012.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued an interim rule, effective March 15, 2012, that amends CBP regulations to implement the customs-related provisions of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KFTA). Comments must be received by May 18, 2012.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is asking for comments by April 6, 2012 on the competitive needs limits (CNLs) for the 2011 GSP Annual review and the potential revocation of GSP benefits for certain country/tariff number pairs, the possibility of de minimis waivers for other pairs slated to lose GSP, and the possible redesignation for pairs currently ineligible for GSP. The President's decisions regarding these potential actions are expected to take effect on July 1, 2012.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its instructions for the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), which takes effect for qualifying goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after March 15, 2012. The notice gives an overview of the KFTA rules of origin, as well as instructions for handling "WCO tariff number" discrepancies. CBP also provides information on its process for verifying importer claims, the SPI "KR", post-importation claims and protests, etc.