Document headings vary by document type but may contain
                    the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document
the number of the CFR title and the number of each part
                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly
                      related to
the agency docket number / agency internal file number
the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in
                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory
                      Actions See the
                    Document Drafting Handbook
                    for more details.
 Department of Commerce International Trade Administration [C-533-931]
 AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
 SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of certain high chrome cast iron grinding media (grinding media) from India. The period of investigation is April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.
 DATES: Applicable October 4, 2024.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Crespo or Gorden Struck, AD/CVD Operations, Office II, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3693 or (202) 482-8151, respectively.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section 703(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce published the notice of initiation of this investigation on May 23, 2024.[1]
                    
                     On July 10, 2024, Commerce postponed the preliminary determination of this investigation.[2]
                    
                     On July 22, 2024, Commerce tolled certain deadlines in this administrative proceeding by seven days.[3]
                    
                     The deadline for the preliminary determination is now September 30, 2024. For a complete description of the events that followed the initiation of this investigation, 
                    *see*
                     the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.[4]
                    
                     A list of topics discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is included as Appendix II in this notice. The Preliminary Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at 
                    *https://access.trade.gov.*
                     In addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at 
                    *https://access.trade.gov/​public/​FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.* Scope of the Investigation The product covered by this investigation is grinding media from India. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, 
                    *see*
                     Appendix I. Scope Comments In accordance with the preamble to Commerce's regulations,[5]
                    
                     in the 
                    *Initiation Notice*
                     Commerce set aside a period of time for parties to raise issues regarding product coverage, (
                    *i.e.,*
                     scope).[6]
                    
                     Certain interested parties commented on the scope of the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations as it appeared in the 
                    *Initiation Notice.*
                     Commerce intends to issue its preliminary decision regarding the scope of the AD and CVD investigations on or before the preliminary determination of the companion AD investigation. Methodology Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with section 701 of the Act. For each of the subsidy programs found countervailable, Commerce preliminarily determines that there is a subsidy, 
                    *i.e.,*
                     a financial contribution by an “authority” that gives rise to a benefit to the recipient, and that the subsidy is specific.[7]
                    
                     For a full description of the methodology underlying our preliminary determination, 
                    *see*
                     the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. Alignment In accordance with section 705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(4), Commerce is aligning the final CVD determination in this investigation with the final determination in the concurrent less than fair value (LTFV) investigation of grinding media from India, based on a request made by the petitioner.[8]
                    
                     Consequently, the final CVD determination will be issued on the same date as the final LTFV determination, which is currently scheduled to be issued no later than February 12, 2025, unless postponed. All-Others Rate Sections 703(d) and 705(c)(5)(A) of the Act provide that in the preliminary determination, Commerce shall determine an estimated all-others rate for companies not individually examined. This rate shall be an amount equal to the weighted average of the estimated subsidy rates established for those companies individually examined, excluding any zero and 
                    *de minimis*
                     rates and any rates based entirely under section 776 of the Act. In this investigation, Commerce preliminarily calculated an individual estimated countervailable subsidy rate for AIA Engineering Limited (AIA) and its affiliates Vega Industries (Middle East) F.Z.C (Vega) and Welcast Steels Ltd. (Welcast), the only individually examined exporter/producer in this investigation, which is not zero, 
                    *de minimis,*
                     or based entirely on facts otherwise available. The countervailable subsidy rate calculated for AIA, Vega, and Welcast is the rate assigned to all-other producers and exporters, pursuant to section 705(c)(5)(A)(i) of the Act. Preliminary Determination Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated countervailable subsidy rates exist: [9] Company
Subsidy
                             rate  
                             (percent 
                             
                                *ad valorem*)AIA Engineering Limited; Vega Industries (Middle East) F.Z.C; Welcast Steels Ltd
3.36All Others
3.36
 Disclosure Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis performed to 
                    ( print page 80866)
                    interested parties in this preliminary determination within five days of its public announcement, or if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b). Consistent with 19 CFR 351.224(e), Commerce will analyze and, if appropriate, correct any timely allegations of significant ministerial errors by amending the preliminary determination. However, consistent with 19 CFR 351.224(d), Commerce will not consider incomplete allegations that do not address the significance standard under 19 CFR 351.224(g) following the preliminary determination. Instead, Commerce will address such allegations in the final determination together with issues raised in the case briefs or other written comments. Suspension of Liquidation In accordance with section 703(d)(1)(B) and (d)(2) of the Act, Commerce will direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise as described in the scope of the investigation entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of publication of this notice in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                    . Further, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.205(d), Commerce will instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the rates indicated above. Verification As provided in section 782(i)(1) of the Act, Commerce intends to verify the information relied upon in making its final determination. Public Comment Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than seven days after the date on which the last verification report is issued in this investigation. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may be filed not later than five days after the date for filing case briefs.[10]
                    
                     Interested parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this proceeding must submit: (1) a table of contents listing each issue; and (2) a table of authorities.[11] As provided under 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), in prior proceedings we have encouraged interested parties to provide an executive summary of their brief that should be limited to five pages total, including footnotes. In this investigation, we instead request that interested parties provide at the beginning of their briefs a public, executive summary for each issue raised in their briefs.[12]
                    
                     Further, we request that interested parties limit their public executive summary of each issue to no more than 450 words, not including citations. We intend to use the executive summaries as the basis of the comment summaries included in the issues and decision memorandum that will accompany the final determination in this investigation. We request that interested parties include footnotes for relevant citations in the public executive summary of each issue. Note that Commerce has amended certain of its requirements pertaining to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).[13] Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to request a hearing, limited to issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice. Requests should contain the party's name, address, and telephone number, the number of participants, whether any participant is a foreign national, and a list of the issues to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is made, Commerce intends to hold the hearing at a time and date to be determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the hearing two days before the scheduled date. All submissions, including case and rebuttal briefs, as well as hearing requests, should be filed using ACCESS. An electronically-filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the established deadline. U.S. International Trade Commission Notification In accordance with section 703(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) of its determination. If the final determination is affirmative, the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after the final determination, whether imports of grinding media from India are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry. Notification to Interested Parties This determination is issued and published pursuant to sections 703(f) and 777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c). Dated: September 30, 2024. Ryan Majerus, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
 Appendix I Scope of the Investigation The scope of this investigation covers chrome cast iron grinding media in spherical (ball) or ovoid shape, with an alloy composition of seven percent or more (≥ 7 percent of total mass) chromium (Cr) content and produced through the casting method, with a nominal diameter of up to 127 millimeters (mm) and tolerance of plus or minus 10 mm. The products covered by the scope are currently classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 7325.91.0000. This HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and U.S. Customs purposes only. The written description of the scope is dispositive. Appendix II List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Injury Test IV. Subsidies Valuation V. Loan Benchmarks and Interest Rates VI. Analysis of Programs VII. Recommendation


# Footnotes

1.
    
                         
                        *See Certain High Chrome Cast Iron Grinding Media from India: Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation,*89 FR 45640 (May 23, 2024) (
                        *Initiation Notice*). Back to Citation
 2.
    
                         
                        *See Certain High Chrome Cast Iron Grinding Media from India: Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the Countervailing Duty Investigation,*89 FR 56731 (July 10, 2024). Back to Citation
 3.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Memorandum, “Tolling of Deadlines for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings,” dated July 22, 2024. Back to Citation
 4.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Memorandum, “Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Affirmative Determination of the Countervailing Duty Investigation of Certain High Chrome Cast Iron Grinding Media from India,” dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum). Back to Citation
 5.
    
                         
                        *See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule,*62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (
                        *Preamble*). Back to Citation
 6.
    
                         
                        *See Initiation Notice,*89 FR 45641. Back to Citation
 7.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         sections 771(5)(B) and (D) of the Act regarding financial contribution; section 771(5)(E) of the Act regarding benefit; and section 771(5A) of the Act regarding specificity. Back to Citation
 8.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Petitioner's Letter, “Request to Align the Final Determinations,” dated September 19, 2024. Back to Citation
 9.
    
                         As discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum, Commerce preliminarily finds AIA to be cross owned with the following companies: (1) Vega; and (2) Welcast. Back to Citation
 10.
    
                         
                        *See*19 CFR 351.309(d); 
                        *see also Administrative Protective Order, Service, and Other Procedures in Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings,*88 FR 67069, 67077 (September 29, 2023) (
                        *APO and Service Final Rule*). Back to Citation
 11.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         19 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2). Back to Citation
 12.
    
                         We use the term “issue” here to describe an argument that Commerce would normally address in a comment of the Issues and Decision Memorandum. Back to Citation
 13.
    
                         
                        *See APO and Service Final Rule.* Back to Citation


[FR Doc. 2024-22996 Filed 10-3-24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P