[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 234 (Thursday, December 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 85219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26876]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-570-157]


Aluminum Lithographic Printing Plates From the People's Republic 
of China: Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the 
Countervailing Duty Investigation

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

DATES: Applicable December 7, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terre Keaton Stefanova, AD/CVD 
Operations Office IX, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-1280.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On October 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) 
initiated a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of 
aluminum lithographic printing plates (printing plates) from the 
People's Republic of China (China).\1\ Currently, the preliminary 
determination is due no later than December 22, 2023.
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    \1\ See Aluminum Lithographic Printing Plates from the People's 
Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation, 
88 FR 73313 (October 25, 2023).
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Postponement of Preliminary Determination

    Section 703(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), 
requires Commerce to issue the preliminary determination in a CVD 
investigation within 65 days after the date on which Commerce initiated 
the investigation. However, section 703(c)(1) of the Act permits 
Commerce to postpone the preliminary determination until no later than 
130 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation 
if: (A) the petitioner makes a timely request for a postponement; or 
(B) Commerce concludes that the parties concerned are cooperating, that 
the investigation is extraordinarily complicated, and that additional 
time is necessary to make a preliminary determination. Under 19 CFR 
351.205(e), the petitioner must submit a request for postponement 25 
days or more before the scheduled date of the preliminary determination 
and must state the reasons for the request. Commerce will grant the 
request unless it finds compelling reasons to deny the request.
    On November 27, 2023, Eastman Kodak Company (the petitioner) timely 
filed a request for Commerce to postpone the preliminary CVD 
determination.\2\ The petitioner requested postponement of the 
preliminary determination because Commerce needs additional time to 
collect and analyze questionnaire responses from the Government of 
China and the mandatory respondents in this investigation, and issue 
supplemental questionnaires.\3\
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    \2\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Petitioner's Request for 
Postponement of Preliminary Determination,'' dated November 27, 
2023.
    \3\ Id.
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    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner has stated the 
reasons for requesting a postponement of the preliminary determination, 
and Commerce finds no compelling reason to deny the request. Therefore, 
in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, Commerce is 
postponing the deadline for the preliminary determination to no later 
than 130 days after the date on which this investigation was initiated, 
i.e., February 26, 2024.\4\ Pursuant to section 705(a)(1) of the Act 
and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the final determination of 
this investigation will continue to be 75 days after the date of the 
preliminary determination.
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    \4\ Postponing the preliminary determination to 130 days after 
initiation would place the deadline on February 25, 2024, which is a 
Sunday. Commerce's practice dictates that, when a deadline falls on 
a weekend or federal holiday, the appropriate deadline is the next 
business day. See Notice of Clarification: Application of ``Next 
Business Day'' Rule for Administrative Determination Deadlines 
Pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, As Amended, 70 FR 24533 (May 10, 
2005).
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    This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 703(c)(2) 
of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(1).

    Dated: November 30, 2023.
Abdelali Elouaradia,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023-26876 Filed 12-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P