[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25136-25141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10241]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-201-838]


Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and Tube From Mexico: Preliminary 
Results of Antidumping Duty New Shipper Review

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (the Department) is conducting a 
new shipper review of the antidumping duty order on seamless refined 
copper pipe and tube from Mexico for the period November 22, 2010, 
through April 30, 2011, in response to a request from GD Affiliates S. 
de R.L. de C.V. (GD Affiliates).
    We preliminarily find that the U.S. sales of subject merchandise 
produced and exported by Golden Dragon \1\ were not sold below normal 
value (NV). If these preliminary results are adopted in our final 
results, the Department will instruct U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) to collect cash deposits of zero percent and to 
liquidate without regard to antidumping duties any entries for which 
the assessment rate is zero or de minimis. See the ``Assessment Rate'' 
section of this notice. Interested parties are invited to comment on 
these preliminary results. See the ``Preliminary Results of New Shipper 
Review'' section of this notice.
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    \1\ The Department uses the name Golden Dragon when we refer to 
the collective group of Golden Dragon companies, which includes GD 
Affiliates. See ``Corporate Structure'' section below.

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DATES: Effective Date: April 27, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis McClure or Joy Zhang, AD/CVD 
Operations, Office 3, Import Administration, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-
5973 or (202) 482-1168, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Department published the antidumping duty order on seamless 
refined copper pipe and tube from Mexico on November 22, 2010. See 
Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and Tube From Mexico and the People's 
Republic of China: Antidumping Duty Orders and Amended Final 
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value From Mexico, 75 FR 71070 
(November 22, 2010). On May 31, 2011, the Department received a request 
from GD Affiliates in accordance with 19 CFR 351.214(c), to conduct a 
new shipper review of the antidumping duty order on seamless refined 
copper pipe and tube from Mexico. The Department found that the request 
for review met the statutory and regulatory requirements for initiation 
in accordance with section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act) and 19 CFR 351.214(d), and initiated the review on 
June 30, 2011. See Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and Tube From Mexico: 
Notice of Initiation of Antidumping Duty New Shipper Review, 76 FR 
39850 (July 7, 2011).
    On July 1, 2011, the Department issued its new shipper 
questionnaire to GD Affiliates. On August 22, 2011, Golden Dragon 
submitted its section A through D response. On September 6, 2011, the 
petitioners \2\ filed a cost allegation. On October 6, 2011, the 
Department initiated a cost investigation. On September 21, 2011, the 
Department issued its first supplemental questionnaire for sections A 
through D, to Golden Dragon, for which a response was filed on October 
12, 2011. On October 26, 2011, the petitioners requested that the 
Department rescind the review, because GD Affiliates was neither the 
producer nor exporter of the subject merchandise, and the review was 
not requested by Golden Dragon's affiliate, Hong Kong GD Trading Co., 
Ltd., the affiliated

[[Page 25137]]

company that owns the subject merchandise, arranged for its production 
in Mexico, and sold it in the United States. On November 4, 2011, 
Golden Dragon responded to the petitioners' request that the Department 
rescind the review. Golden Dragon contended that the subject 
merchandise was produced in Mexico and was exported from Mexico by GD 
Affiliates. Golden Dragon also contended that there is 100 percent 
common ownership of all Golden Dragon companies involved in the 
production in Mexico of the subject merchandise sold in the United 
Sates.
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    \2\ The domestic interested parties for this proceeding are 
Cerro Flow Products, LLC, Wieland Copper Products, LLC, Mueller 
Copper Tube Products, Inc. and Mueller Copper Tube Company, Inc. 
(collectively, the petitioners).
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    The Department issued a second, third, and fourth supplemental 
questionnaire for section D, on December 21, 2011, January 30, 2012, 
and March 27, 2012. Golden Dragon submitted its responses to the 
section D supplemental on January 18, 2012, February 21, 2012, and 
April 6, 2012, respectively.
    On December 23, 2011, the Department extended the deadline for the 
preliminary results to April 23, 2012. See Seamless Refined Copper Pipe 
and Tube from Mexico: Extension of Time Limits for the Preliminary 
Results of Antidumping Duty New Shipper Review, 76 FR 80333 (December 
23, 2011).

Scope of the Order

    For the purpose of the order, the products covered are all seamless 
circular refined copper pipes and tubes, including redraw hollows, 
greater than or equal to 6 inches (152.4 mm) in length and measuring 
less than 12.130 inches (308.102 mm) (actual) in outside diameter (OD), 
regardless of wall thickness, bore (e.g., smooth, enhanced with inner 
grooves or ridges), manufacturing process (e.g., hot finished, cold-
drawn, annealed), outer surface (e.g., plain or enhanced with grooves, 
ridges, fins, or gills), end finish (e.g., plain end, swaged end, 
flared end, expanded end, crimped end, threaded), coating (e.g., 
plastic, paint), insulation, attachments (e.g., plain, capped, plugged, 
with compression or other fitting), or physical configuration (e.g., 
straight, coiled, bent, wound on spools).
    The scope of the order covers, but is not limited to, seamless 
refined copper pipe and tube produced or comparable to the American 
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) ASTM-B42, ASTM-B68, ASTM-B75, 
ASTM-B88, ASTM-B88M, ASTM-B188, ASTM-B251, ASTM-B251M, ASTM-B280, ASTM-
B302, ASTM-B306, ASTM-359, ASTM-B743, ASTM-B819, and ASTM-B903 
specifications and meeting the physical parameters described therein. 
Also included within the scope of the order are all sets of covered 
products, including ``line sets'' of seamless refined copper tubes 
(with or without fittings or insulation) suitable for connecting an 
outdoor air conditioner or heat pump to an indoor evaporator unit. The 
phrase ``all sets of covered products'' denotes any combination of 
items put up for sale that is comprised of merchandise subject to the 
scope.
    ``Refined copper'' is defined as: (1) Metal containing at least 
99.85 percent by weight of copper; or (2) metal containing at least 
97.5 percent by weight of copper, provided that the content by weight 
of any other element does not exceed the following limits:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Limiting
                                                               content
                          Element                            percent  by
                                                               weight
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ag--Silver................................................          0.25
As--Arsenic...............................................          0.5
Cd--Cadmium...............................................          1.3
Cr--Chromium..............................................          1.4
Mg--Magnesium.............................................          0.8
Pb--Lead..................................................          1.5
S--Sulfur.................................................          0.7
Sn--Tin...................................................          0.8
Te--Tellurium.............................................          0.8
Zn--Zinc..................................................          1.0
Zr--Zirconium.............................................          0.3
Other elements (each).....................................          0.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Excluded from the scope of the order are all seamless circular 
hollows of refined copper less than 12 inches in length whose OD 
(actual) exceeds its length. The products subject to the order are 
currently classifiable under subheadings 7411.10.1030 and 7411.10.1090 
of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). 
Products subject to the order may also enter under HTSUS subheadings 
7407.10.1500, 7419.99.5050, 8415.90.8065, and 8415.90.8085. Although 
the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs 
purposes, the written description of the scope of the order is 
dispositive.

Corporate Structure

    As the petitioners point out, this new shipper review was requested 
by GD Affiliates. In its initial questionnaire response, as the 
petitioners noted, GD Affiliates identified affiliated parties involved 
with the production and sale of subject merchandise from Mexico. 
Specifically, GD Affiliates identified the following affiliated 
parties, which are all wholly owned subsidiaries of Golden Dragon 
Precise Copper Tube Group, Inc., the corporate parent located in the 
People's Republic of China: (1) GD Copper Cooperatief U.A.; (2) Hong 
Kong GD Trading Co. Ltd.; (3) Golden Dragon Holding (Hong Kong) 
International, Ltd.; (4) GD Copper U.S.A. Inc.; (5) GD Affiliates 
Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V.; and (6) GD Affiliates. In questionnaire 
responses, these companies are collectively referred to as Golden 
Dragon.\3\
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    \3\ See Golden Dragon's August 22, 2011, section A response at 
A-5 through A-8 and Exhibit A-2; Golden Dragon's August 29, 2011, 
section D response at D-4 through D-5 and D-17.
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    In its responses, Golden Dragon explained that Hong Kong GD Trading 
Co. Ltd. buys the raw material on the world market and arranges to have 
it shipped to the production facility in Mexico, where it is converted 
to subject merchandise under consignment pursuant to a maquila 
agreement with GD Affiliates.\4\ Subsequently, finished merchandise is 
shipped to unaffiliated customers. The questionnaire responses set 
forth the various activities of each of these entities, showing they 
are operating as a single entity for purposes of the production and 
sale of subject merchandise from Mexico to the United States.\5\
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    \4\ Id.
    \5\ Id.
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    Based upon the record of this new shipper review, the Department 
preliminarily determines that Golden Dragon is the producer and 
exporter of subject merchandise and, therefore, is entitled to this new 
shipper review.

Bona Fides Analysis

    We preliminarily determine that these sales are bona fide. In 
considering the record of this review we find that there are a 
significant number of U.S. sales made to unaffiliated parties; these 
sales were made during and after the period of this review. In 
addition, there is no information indicating that sales are not 
commercially reasonable. See Tianjin Tiancheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 
v. United States, 366 F. Supp. 2d 1246, 1249 (CIT 2005). Because the 
information is business proprietary, see ``Bona Fides Analysis 
Memorandum'' dated April 23, 2012, for a detailed discussion. We will 
consider this matter further for the final results.

Period of Review

    The period of review (POR) for this new shipper review is November 
22, 2010, through April 30, 2011.

Fair Value Comparisons

    To determine whether Golden Dragon's sales of subject merchandise 
from Mexico were made in the United States at less than NV, we compared 
the monthly, weighted-average constructed export price (CEP) to the 
monthly, weighted-average NV, as described in

[[Page 25138]]

the ``U.S. Price'' and ``Normal Value'' sections of this notice. 
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.414(c)(1) and (d), we compared CEP to the NV of 
the foreign like product in the appropriate corresponding calendar 
month.\6\
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    \6\ In these preliminary results, the Department applied the 
weighted-average dumping margin calculation method adopted in 
Antidumping Proceedings: Calculation of the Weighted-Average Dumping 
Margin and Assessment Rate in Certain Antidumping Proceedings: Final 
Modification, 77 FR 8101 (February 14, 2012) (Final Modification for 
Reviews). In particular, the Department compared monthly weighted-
average export prices (or CEPs) with monthly weighted-average NVs 
and granted offsets for non-dumped comparisons in the calculation of 
the weighted-average dumping margin.
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Product Comparisons

    Pursuant to section 771(16)(A) of the Act, for purposes of 
determining appropriate product comparisons to the U.S. sales, the 
Department considers all products, as described in the ``Scope of the 
Order'' section of this notice above, that were sold in the comparison 
or third-country market in the ordinary course of trade. In accordance 
with sections 771(16)(B) and (C) of the Act, where there are no sales 
of identical merchandise in the comparison or third-country market made 
in the ordinary course of trade, we compared U.S. sales to sales of the 
most similar foreign like product based on the characteristics listed 
in sections B and C of our antidumping questionnaire: (1) Type and ASTM 
specification; (2) copper alloy unified number system; (3) outer 
diameter; (4) wall thickness; (5) physical form; (6) temper 
designation; (7) bore; (8) outer surface; and (9) attachments. We found 
that Golden Dragon had sales of foreign like product that were 
identical or similar in these respects to the merchandise sold in the 
United States, and therefore compared the U.S. product with identical 
or similar merchandise sold in the home market, based on the 
characteristics listed above, in that order of priority.

Date of Sale

    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.401(i), the Department will normally use the 
date of invoice as the date of sale, unless a different date better 
reflects the date on which the material terms of sale are established. 
In its response to the Department's questionnaire, Golden Dragon 
reported the invoice date as the date of sale in both markets. However, 
in section A of Golden Dragon's response, Golden Dragon reported that 
the quantity of each transaction is not fixed until the shipment is 
made. In the case of consignment sales, when the product is withdrawn 
by a customer, the invoice date is the appropriate date of sale. See 
Golden Dragon's Section A response, dated August 22, 2011, at A-17. 
Golden Dragon also asserted that the Department should compare U.S. 
sales to home market sales with the same metal exchange and date, 
because the invoice date alone is not an appropriate basis to determine 
the transaction dates to be used in the dumping margin calculations. 
Golden Dragon argues that the price of copper can fluctuate sharply on 
a daily basis. See id. See also Golden Dragon's Section B response, 
dated August 22, 2011, at B-19-21. However, as noted below, we do not 
find that this case warrants special treatment of costs which warrants 
comparison of U.S. sales to home market sales by invoice date and the 
same metal exchange date. Accordingly, we preliminarily find invoice 
date to be the appropriate date of sale with respect to Golden Dragon's 
sales to the U.S. and home market. However, during the POR, shipment 
occurred prior to invoice date for certain sales. Therefore, consistent 
with the Department's practice, we used the shipment date as the date 
of sale where the shipment date occurs before the invoice date because 
the quantity is fixed at the time of shipment. See Stainless Steel 
Sheet and Strip in Coils from the Republic of Korea: Preliminary 
Results and Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative 
Review, 71 FR 18074, 18079-80 (April 10, 2006), unchanged in Stainless 
Steel Sheet and Strip in Coils from the Republic of Korea; Final 
Results and Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review in 
Part, 72 FR 4486 (January 31, 2007), and the accompanying Issues and 
Decision Memorandum at Comments 4 and 5.

U.S. Price

    Section 772(b) of the Act defines CEP as ``the price at which the 
subject merchandise is first sold (or agreed to be sold) in the United 
States before or after the date of importation by or for the account of 
the producer or exporter of such merchandise or by a seller affiliated 
with the producer or exporter, to a purchaser not affiliated with the 
producer or exporter,'' as adjusted under sections 772(c) and (d) of 
the Act. For purposes of this new shipper review, Golden Dragon 
classified its U.S. sales as CEP sales because Golden Dragon's U.S. 
affiliate is responsible for the sale to the unaffiliated customer. 
Since Golden Dragon's U.S. affiliate is responsible for the sale to the 
unaffiliated customer in the United States, we are treating Golden 
Dragon's U.S. sales as CEP sales. We calculated CEP using the price 
Golden Dragon charged its unaffiliated customer. We made deductions and 
adjustments, where appropriate, from the starting price for 
international freight, inland insurance, U.S. warehouse expenses, U.S. 
brokerage and handling expenses, credit expenses, inventory carrying 
costs incurred in the United States, and other indirect selling 
expenses in the United States associated with economic activity in the 
United States. See sections 772(c)(2)(A) and 772(d)(1) of the Act. 
Pursuant to section 772(d)(3) of the Act, we made an adjustment for CEP 
profit.
    Information about the specific adjustments and our analysis of the 
adjustments is business proprietary, and is detailed in the Memorandum 
to The File, through James Terpstra, Program Manager, from Dennis 
McClure, International Trade Analyst, Analysis Memorandum for Golden 
Dragon Affiliates S. de R.L. de C.V. for the Preliminary Results of the 
Antidumping Duty New Shipper Review of Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and 
Tube from Mexico, dated concurrently with this notice (Preliminary 
Analysis Memorandum).

Normal Value

A. Home Market Viability

    In order to determine whether there is a sufficient volume of sales 
in the home market to serve as a viable basis for calculating NV (i.e., 
the aggregate volume of home market sales of the foreign like product 
is five percent or more of the aggregate volume of U.S. sales), we 
compared the volume of Golden Dragon's home market sales of the foreign 
like product to the volume of its U.S. sale of subject merchandise, in 
accordance with section 773(a)(1)(B)(ii)(II) of the Act. Based on this 
comparison, we determined that Golden Dragon had sufficient sales in 
the home market to serve as a viable basis for calculating NV during 
the POR. See Golden Dragon's Section A response, dated August 22, 2011, 
at Exhibit A-1.

B. Level of Trade

    In accordance with section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Act, to the 
extent practicable, we determine NV based on sales in the comparison 
market at the same level of trade (LOT) as the export price or CEP 
sales in the U.S. market. For further discussion of our LOT analysis, 
see Preliminary Analysis Memorandum.
    After analyzing the information on the record with respect to the 
following selling activities: (1) Sales Forecasting;

[[Page 25139]]

(2) Strategic/Economic Planning; (3) Engineering Services; (4) 
Advertising; (5) Sales Promotion; (6) Packing; (7) Inventory 
Maintenance; (8) Order Input/Processing; (9) Direct Sales Personnel; 
(10) Sales/Marketing Support; (11) Technical Assistance; (12) Manage 
Cash Discounts; (13) Pay Commissions; (14) Provide After-Sales 
Services; (15) Arrange Freight and Delivery; and (16) Negotiate, Order, 
and Collect Payment, we preliminarily find that all reported sales are 
made at the same LOT. For a further discussion of LOT, see ``Level of 
Trade Analysis'' section in the Preliminary Analysis Memorandum.

C. Cost of Production Analysis

    In accordance with section 773(b)(2)(A) of the Act, to initiate a 
cost of production (COP) investigation the Department must have 
``reasonable grounds'' to believe or suspect that sales of the foreign 
like product under consideration for the determination of NV have been 
made at prices below the COP of that product. An allegation will be 
deemed to have provided reasonable grounds if: (1) A reasonable 
methodology is used in the calculation of the COP including the use of 
the respondent's actual data, if available; (2) using this methodology, 
sales are shown to be made at prices below the COP; and (3) the sales 
allegedly made at below cost are representative of a broader range of 
foreign models which may be used as a basis for NV. See section 
773(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Act and Notice of Preliminary Results of the New 
Shipper Review of the Antidumping Duty Order on Certain Hot-Rolled 
Flat-Rolled Carbon Quality Steel Products from Brazil, 70 FR 48668, 
48670 (August 19, 2005), unchanged in Notice of Final Results of New 
Shipper Review of the Antidumping Duty Order on Certain Hot-Rolled 
Flat-Rolled Carbon Quality Steel Products from Brazil, 70 FR 62297 
(October 31, 2005). The Department found that pursuant to 
773(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Act, the petitioners provided, in their 
September 6, 2011, sales-below-cost allegation, a reasonable basis to 
believe or suspect that Golden Dragon was selling seamless refined 
copper pipe and tube at below the COP in the home market. See 
Memorandum to Melissa Skinner from the Team, The Domestic Producers' 
Allegation of Sales Below the Cost of Production for GD Affiliates S. 
de R.L. de C.V., Golden Dragon Precise Copper Tube Group, Inc., and GD 
Copper (U.S.A.), dated October 6, 2011. As a result, the Department 
initiated an investigation to determine whether Golden Dragon made home 
market sales during the POR at prices below COP.

Volatility in Raw Materials

    Golden Dragon alleges that the volatility in daily commodity metal 
prices poses unique issues that the Department's traditional 
antidumping methodology does not adequately address.\7\ Golden Dragon 
asserts that because it has shown that the company goes to great 
lengths in the normal course of business to eliminate all risk 
associated with metal fluctuations, the Department should rely on 
Golden Dragon's reported day-specific \8\ metal costs, rather than POR 
weighted-average metal costs for purposes of its margin analysis, 
consistent with the Department's practice (see Brass Sheet and Strip 
from Germany: Amended Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative 
Review, 75 FR 66347 (October 28, 2010) and accompanying Issues and 
Decision Memorandum at Comment 1 (Brass Sheet and Strip)).
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    \7\ See, e.g., Golden Dragon's August 29, 2011 submission at A-
18.
    \8\ Day-specific costs reported by Golden Dragon include metal 
costs specific to a particular day, a week-long average, a monthly 
average, or an average of months. See, e.g., Golden Dragon's April 
6, 2012 submission at exhibit 1, data field ``METALDTH.''
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    Golden Dragon claims that because of the risks associated with 
fluctuating copper prices, the company has developed a business 
practice where Golden Dragon and its customers agree to fix the copper 
price component of the sales of seamless copper pipe and tube based on 
published prices from a global commodity futures exchange, such as the 
London Metals Exchange (LME).\9\ The prices that Golden Dragon 
subsequently invoices its customers are comprised of two components, 
the agreed upon fixed metal price and a fabrication charge, both of 
which are listed separately on the invoice for each sales 
transaction.\10\ Golden Dragon claims that this business model, and the 
company's metal hedging mechanism,\11\ allows Golden Dragon to shift 
the entire risk of fluctuating metal prices to its customers.\12\
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    \9\ See Golden Dragon's Section A response, dated August 22, 
2011, at A-17.
    \10\ See, e.g., Golden Dragon's January 18, 2012 submission at 
exhibit SSD-5.
    \11\ See Golden Dragon's January 18, 2012 submission at 8 for a 
description of the hedging mechanism.
    \12\ See Golden Dragon's Section D response, dated August 29, 
2011, at D-16.
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    In Brass Sheet and Strip, the Department found that the respondent 
obtained metal neutrality as a result of its business practice of 
purchasing the same quantity of metal at the same metal price (e.g., 
LME price) for the same day (``metal fixation day'') as the sale price 
of the metal agreed to with its customer (i.e., metal price reflected 
on the respondent's sales invoice to the customer). In those instances 
where the purchase quantity and sales quantity of metal differed on a 
given day (metal fixation date), the difference in quantity was hedged. 
Because the Department found that the respondent's sales and purchases 
were specifically linked on a daily basis through back-to-back physical 
purchases or hedging transactions in Brass Sheet and Strip, the 
Department determined that the reliance on the respondent's reported 
day-specific metal costs was warranted. As such, the Department 
departed from its normal practice of calculating a weighted-average POR 
metal cost and relied instead on the reported day-specific metal costs.
    In the instant case, Golden Dragon claims that Hong Kong GD Trading 
Co., Ltd.'s metal purchasing and hedging mechanism is identical to the 
Brass Sheet and Strip respondent's metal purchasing and hedging 
practices. As such, the Golden Dragon asserts that the Department 
should rely on Golden Dragon's reported day-specific metal costs 
consistent with Brass Sheet and Strip. We disagree. The record evidence 
submitted by Golden Dragon does not show that the quantities of metal 
reported for specific metal fixation dates for Golden Dragon's sales to 
customers in Mexico and the United States were specifically linked on a 
daily basis through back-to-back physical purchases or hedging 
transactions. For example, for home market and U.S. sales \13\ with 
metal fixation dates occurring on specific days within December 2010, 
we were unable to reconcile the sales quantities to the purchasing and 
hedging transaction information submitted by Golden Dragon for the 
month of December 2010.\14\ Because the record evidence in this case 
fails to demonstrate that Golden Dragon is able to maintain complete 
metal cost neutrality, similar to the respondent in Brass Sheet and 
Strip, we preliminarily find that the reliance on a daily metal cost 
methodology is not warranted. Therefore, we have relied on our normal 
practice of calculating a POR weighted-average cost of metal for our 
preliminary analysis.
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    \13\ See data file accompanying Golden Dragon's April 6, 2012 
submission titled ``GDCOPHM04'' and data file accompanying Golden 
Dragon's February 21, 2012 submission titled ``GDCOPUS02,'' 
respectively.
    \14\ See, e.g., Golden Dragon's February 21, 2012 submission at 
exhibits 3SD-3, 3SD-4, 3SD-5, and 3SD-6.1.

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[[Page 25140]]

1. Calculation of Cost of Production
    In accordance with section 773(b)(3) of the Act, we calculated 
Golden Dragon's COP based on the sum of materials and conversion for 
the foreign like product, plus amounts for general and administrative 
expenses and interest expenses (see ``Test of Comparison Market Sales 
Prices'' section, below, for treatment of home market selling 
expenses). We revised Golden Dragon's reported metal costs to reflect 
the weighted-average metal consumption cost for the POR. We 
recalculated the per-unit cost of services provided to GD Affiliates by 
Hong Kong GD Trading Co., Ltd., and Golden Dragon Holding (Hong Kong) 
International, Ltd. by applying the reported services ratio to the per-
unit total cost of manufacturing rather than the per-unit direct 
material costs as reported by Golden Dragon. Details regarding the 
calculation of COP, including adjustments made to the COP reported by 
Golden Dragon, as well as other calculation details can be found in the 
Golden Dragon Preliminary Cost Memorandum. See Cost of Production and 
Constructed Value Calculation Adjustments for the Preliminary Results--
G.D. Affiliates S. de R.L. de C.V., Golden Dragon Precise Copper Tube 
Group, Inc., and GD Copper (USA) from LaVonne Clark to Neal Halper, 
dated concurrently with this notice.
2. Test of Comparison Market Sales Prices
    On a product-specific basis, pursuant to section 773(a)(1)(B)(i) of 
the Act, we compared the adjusted weighted-average COP to the home 
market sales prices of the foreign like product, in order to determine 
whether the sale prices were below the COP. For purposes of this 
comparison, we used COP exclusive of selling and packing expenses. The 
prices (inclusive of billing adjustments, where appropriate) were 
exclusive of any applicable movement charges, discounts, direct and 
indirect selling expenses, and packing expenses.
3. Results of the COP Test
    In determining whether to disregard home market sales made at 
prices below the COP, we examined, in accordance with sections 
773(b)(1)(A) and (B) of the Act whether: (1) within an extended period 
of time, such sales were made in substantial quantities; and (2) such 
sales were made at prices which permitted the recovery of all costs 
within a reasonable period of time in the normal course of trade. In 
accordance with sections 773(b)(2)(B) and (C) of the Act, where less 
than 20 percent of the respondent's home market sales of a given 
product are at prices less than the COP, we do not disregard any below-
cost sales of that product because we determine that in such instances 
the below-cost sales were not made within an extended period of time 
and in ``substantial quantities.'' Where 20 percent or more of a 
respondent's sales of a given product are at prices less than the COP, 
we disregard the below-cost sales when: (1) they were made within an 
extended period of time in ``substantial quantities,'' in accordance 
with sections 773(b)(2)(B) and (C) of the Act; and (2) based on our 
comparison of prices to the weighted-average COPs for the POR, they 
were at prices which would not permit the recovery of all costs within 
a reasonable period of time, in accordance with section 773(b)(2)(D) of 
the Act.
    We found that, for certain products, more than 20 percent of Golden 
Dragon's home market sales were at prices less than the COP and, in 
addition, such sales did not provide for the recovery of costs within a 
reasonable period of time. We therefore excluded these sales and used 
the remaining sales as the basis for determining NV, in accordance with 
section 773(b)(1) of the Act.

D. Calculation of Normal Value Based on Comparison Market Prices

    We calculated NV for Golden Dragon on the reported packed, 
delivered prices, FOB plant, or delivered to the customer's warehouse 
and sold on a consignment basis to comparison market customers. We made 
deductions from the starting price, where appropriate, for billing 
adjustments, early payment discounts, credit expenses, and inland 
freight, pursuant to section 773(a)(6)(B)(ii) of the Act.
    We added U.S. packing costs and deducted home market packing costs, 
in accordance with sections 773(a)(6)(A) and (B)(i) of the Act. We also 
made adjustments, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.410(e), for indirect 
selling expenses incurred in the home market or the United States where 
commissions were granted on sales in one market but not in the other, 
the ``commission offset.'' Specifically, where commissions are incurred 
in one market, but not in the other, we will limit the amount of such 
allowance to the amount of either the indirect selling expenses 
incurred in the one market or the commissions allowed in the other 
market, whichever is less.
    When comparing U.S. sales with comparison market sales of similar, 
but not identical, merchandise, we also made adjustments for physical 
differences in the merchandise in accordance with section 
773(a)(6)(C)(ii) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.411. We based this 
adjustment on the difference in the variable cost of manufacturing for 
the foreign like product and subject merchandise. See 19 CFR 
351.411(b).

Currency Conversion

    We made currency conversions into U.S. dollars in accordance with 
section 773A(a) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.415(a) based on the exchange 
rates in effect on the dates of the U.S. sales as certified by the 
Federal Reserve Bank.

Preliminary Results of New Shipper Review

    As a result of our review, we preliminarily find, in accordance 
with 19 CFR 351.214(i)(1), that the following weighted-average dumping 
percentage margin exists for Golden Dragon for the period November 22, 
2010, through April 30, 2011:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Weighted-
                                                                average
                    Manufacturer/exporter                       dumping
                                                                margin
                                                               (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Golden Dragon...............................................        0.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assessment Rate

    Upon completion of this new shipper review, the Department shall 
determine, and CBP shall assess, antidumping duties on all appropriate 
entries, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.212(b). The Department intends 
to issue assessment instructions for Golden Dragon directly to CBP 15 
days after the date of publication of the final results of this new 
shipper review.
    If Golden Dragon's weighted-average dumping margin is above de 
minimis in the final results of this review, we will calculate an 
importer-specific assessment rate on the basis of the ratio of the 
total amount of antidumping duties calculated for the importer's 
examined sales and the total entered value of the sales in accordance 
with 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1).\15\ We will instruct CBP to assess 
antidumping duties on all appropriate entries covered by this review if 
the importer-specific assessment rate calculated in the final results 
of this review is above de minimis (i.e., at or above 0.50 percent). 
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.106(c)(2), we intend to instruct CBP to 
liquidate

[[Page 25141]]

without regard to antidumping duties any entries for which the 
assessment rate is zero or de minimis (i.e., less than 0.50 percent). 
See 19 CFR 351.106(c)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ In these preliminary results, the Department applied the 
assessment rate calculation method adopted in Final Modification for 
Reviews, i.e. on the basis of monthly average-to-average comparisons 
using only the transactions associated with that importer with 
offsets being provided for non-dumped comparisons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash Deposit Requirements

    The following cash deposit requirements will be effective for all 
shipments of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the publication date of the 
final results of this new shipper review, as provided by section 
751(a)(2)(C) of the Act: (1) The cash deposit rate for subject 
merchandise that is manufactured by Golden Dragon and exported by 
Golden Dragon established in the final results of this new shipper 
review, except no cash deposit will be required if its weighted-average 
dumping margin is de minimis (i.e., less than 0.5 percent); (2) if the 
exporter is not a firm covered in this review, but was covered in a 
previous review or the original less-than-fair-value (LTFV) 
investigation, the cash deposit rate will continue to be the company-
specific rate published for the most recent period; (3) if the exporter 
is not a firm covered in this review, a previous review, or the 
original LTFV investigation, but the manufacturer is, the cash deposit 
rate will be the rate established for the most recent period for the 
manufacturer of the merchandise; and (4) the cash deposit rate for all 
other manufacturers and/or exporters of this merchandise, shall be 
26.03 percent, the all-others rate established in the LTFV 
investigation. See Seamless Refined Copper Pipe and Tube From Mexico 
and the People's Republic of China: Antidumping Duty Orders and Amended 
Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value From Mexico, 75 FR 
71070 (November 22, 2010). These requirements, when imposed, shall 
remain in effect until further notice.
    Further, effective upon publication of the final results, we intend 
to instruct CBP that importers may no longer post a bond or other 
security in lieu of a cash deposit on imports of seamless refined 
copper pipe and tube from Mexico, manufactured by Golden Dragon and 
exported by Golden Dragon. These cash deposit requirements, when 
imposed, shall remain in effect until further notice.

Disclosure and Public Hearing

    The Department will disclose to parties the calculations performed 
in connection with these preliminary results within five days of the 
date of public announcement. See 19 CFR 351.224(b). Unless notified by 
the Department, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(c)(ii), interested parties 
may submit cases briefs not later than 30 days after the date of 
publication of this notice. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised 
in the case briefs, may be filed not later than five days after the 
deadline for filing the case briefs. See 19 CFR 351.309(d). Parties who 
submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this proceeding are requested 
to submit with each argument: (1) A statement of the issue; (2) a brief 
summary of the argument; and (3) a table of authorities. Additionally, 
parties are requested to provide their case briefs and rebuttal briefs 
in electronic format (e.g., WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, 
etc.).
    Interested parties who wish to request a hearing or to participate 
if one is requested must submit a written request to the Assistant 
Secretary for Import Administration within 30 days of the date of 
publication of this notice. Requests should contain: (1) The party's 
name, address and telephone number; (2) the number of participants; and 
(3) a list of issues to be discussed. Issues raised in the hearing will 
be limited to those raised in the case and rebuttal briefs. See 19 CFR 
351.310(c).
    The Department will issue the final results of this review, 
including the results of its analysis of issues raised in any written 
briefs, within 90 days of signature of these preliminary results, 
unless the final results are extended. See section 751(a)(2)(B)(iv) of 
the Act.

Notification to Importers

    This notice serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of their 
responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate 
regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation 
of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply 
with this requirement could result in the Secretary's presumption that 
reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent 
assessment of double antidumping duties.
    This new shipper review is issued and published in accordance with 
sections 751(a)(2)(B)(iv) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, as well as 19 CFR 
351.214(i).

     Dated: April 23, 2012.
Paul Piquado,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
 [FR Doc. 2012-10241 Filed 4-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P