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 Department of Commerce International Trade Administration [A-533-928]
 AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
 SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that ceramic tile from India is not being, or is not likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.
 DATES: Applicable December 2, 2024.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Baker or Theodora Mattei, AD/CVD Operations, Office IV, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-2924 or (202) 482-4834, respectively.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce published the notice of initiation of this investigation on May 16, 2024.[1]
                    
                     On July 22, 2024, Commerce tolled certain deadlines in this administrative proceeding by seven days.[2]
                    
                     On September 19, 2024, Commerce postponed the preliminary 
                    ( print page 95183)
                    determination of this investigation until November 22, 2024.[3] For a complete description of the events that followed the initiation of this investigation, 
                    *see*
                     the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.[4]
                    
                     A list of topics included in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is included as Appendix II to 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 ceramic tile 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 investigation as it appeared in the 
                    *Initiation Notice,*
                     as well as additional language proposed by Commerce. For a summary of the product coverage comments and rebuttal responses submitted to the record for this preliminary determination, and accompanying discussion and analysis of all comments timely received, 
                    *see*
                     the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum.[7]
                    
                     Commerce is not modifying the scope language as it appeared in the 
                    *Initiation Notice.*
                     In the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum, Commerce established deadlines for parties to submit scope case and rebuttal briefs as well as a deadline to request a hearing on issues raised in the scope briefs. Methodology Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with section 731 of the Act. Commerce calculated export price in accordance with section 772(a) of the Act. Normal value is calculated in accordance with section 773 of the Act. For a full description of the methodology underlying the preliminary determination, 
                    *see*
                     the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. Preliminary Determination For the period April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024, Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated weighted-average dumping margins exist: Exporter/producer
Weighted-
                             average 
                             dumping 
                             margin 
                             (percent)Antiqa Minerals/Antiqa Ceramic Pvt. Ltd./Shivam Enterprise/Antiek Vitrified LLP/Antique Non Woven Pvt. Ltd. (collectively, Antiqa Group) 8
0.00Win-Tel Ceramic Pvt.Ltd./Theos Tiles LLP (collectively Win-Tel Group) 9
0.00
 Consistent with section 733(b)(3) of the Act, Commerce disregards de minimis rates. Accordingly, Commerce preliminarily determines that Antiqa Group and Win-Tel Group, the two individually examined respondents, have not made sales of subject merchandise at LTFV. Consistent with section 733(d) of the Act, Commerce has not calculated an estimated weighted-average dumping margin for all other producers and exporters because it has not made an affirmative preliminary determination of sales at LTFV. Suspension of Liquidation Because Commerce has made a negative preliminary determination of sales at LTFV with regard to subject merchandise, Commerce will not direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to suspend liquidation or to require a cash deposit of estimated antidumping duties for entries of ceramic tile from India. Disclosure Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis performed in connection with this preliminary determination to interested parties within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication 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. Verification As provided in section 782(i)(1) of the Act, Commerce intends to verify the information relied upon in making its final determination for Antiqa Group and Win-Tel Group. Public Comment Case briefs or other written comments on non-scope issues 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.[10]
                    
                     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.[11]
                    
                     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.[12] 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.[13]
                    
                     Further, we request that 
                    ( print page 95184)
                    interested parties limit their public, executive summary of each issue to no more than 450 words, not including citations. We intend to use the public, 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).[14] 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 will inform parties of the time and date for the hearing. Postponement of Final Determination Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides that a final determination may be postponed until not later than 135 days after the date of the publication of the preliminary determination in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                     if, in the event of an affirmative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by exporters who account for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise, or in the event of a negative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by the petitioner. On November 1, 2024, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.210(e), the petitioner [15]
                    
                     requested that Commerce postpone the final determination.[16]
                    
                     In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2)(i), because: (1) the preliminary determination is negative; (2) the petitioner has requested the postponement of the final determination; and (3) no compelling reasons for denial exist, Commerce is postponing the final determination. Accordingly, Commerce will make its final determination no later than 135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary determination. U.S. International Trade Commission Notification In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) of its preliminary determination. If the final determination is affirmative, the ITC will determine 75 days after the final determination whether these imports are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry. Notification to Interested Parties This preliminary determination is issued and published in accordance with sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.205(c). Dated: November 22, 2024. Abdelali Elouaradia, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
 Appendix I Scope of the Investigation The merchandise covered by this investigation is ceramic flooring tile, wall tile, paving tile, hearth tile, porcelain tile, mosaic tile, flags, decorative tile, finishing tile, and the like (hereinafter ceramic tile). Ceramic tiles are articles containing a mixture of minerals including clay (generally hydrous silicates of alumina or magnesium) that are fired so the raw materials are fused to produce a tile that is less than 3.2 cm in thickness, exclusive of decorative features. All ceramic tile is subject to the scope regardless of end use, surface area, and weight, regardless of whether the tile is glazed or unglazed, regardless of the water absorption coefficient by weight, regardless of the extent of vitrification, and regardless of whether or not the tile is on a backing. Subject merchandise includes ceramic tile “slabs” or “panels” (tiles that are larger than 1 meter2
                         (11 ft2
                        )). Subject merchandise includes ceramic tile that undergoes minor processing in a third country prior to importation into the United States. Similarly, subject merchandise includes ceramic tile produced that undergoes minor processing after importation into the United States. Such minor processing includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: beveling, cutting, trimming, staining, painting, polishing, finishing, additional firing, affixing a decorative surface to the tile, or any other processing that would otherwise not remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the in-scope product. Subject merchandise is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under the following subheadings of heading 6907: 6907.21.1005, 6907.21.1011, 6907.21.1051, 6907.21.2000, 6907.21.3000, 6907.21.4000, 6907.21.9011, 6907.21.9051, 6907.22.1005, 6907.22.1011, 6907.22.1051, 6907.22.2000, 6907.22.3000, 6907.22.4000, 6907.22.9011, 6907.22.9051, 6907.23.1005, 6907.23.1011, 6907.23.1051, 6907.23.2000, 6907.23.3000, 6907.23.4000, 6907.23.9011, 6907.23.9051, 6907.30.1005, 6907.30.1011, 6907.30.1051, 6907.30.2000, 6907.30.3000, 6907.30.4000, 6907.30.9011, 6907.30.9051, 6907.40.1005, 6907.40.1011, 6907.40.1051, 6907.40.2000, 6907.40.3000, 6907.40.4000, 6907.40.9011, and 6907.40.9051. Subject merchandise may also enter under subheadings of headings 6913, 6914, and 6905: 6913.90.2000, 6914.10.8000, 6914.90.8000, 6905.10.0000, and 6905.90.0050. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of the investigation is dispositive. Appendix II List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Period of Investigation IV. Affiliation and Single Entity Treatment V. Discussion of the Methodology VI. Currency Conversion VII. Recommendation


# Footnotes

1.
    
                         
                        *See Ceramic Tile from India: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation,*89 FR 42836 (May 16, 2024) (
                        *Initiation Notice*). Back to Citation
 2.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Memorandum, “Tolling of Deadlines for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings,” dated July 22, 2024. Back to Citation
 3.
    
                         
                        *See Ceramic Tile from India: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation,*89 FR 76794 (September 19, 2024). Back to Citation
 4.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Memorandum, “Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Affirmative Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation of Ceramic Tile 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). Back to Citation
 6.
    
                         
                        *See Initiation Notice.* Back to Citation
 7.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Memorandum, “Antidumping Duty Investigation and Countervailing Duty Investigation of Ceramic Tile from India: Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum,” dated concurrently with this notice (Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum). Back to Citation
 8.
    
                         Commerce preliminarily determines that Antiqa Minerals, Antiqa Ceramic Pvt. Ltd., Shivam Enterprise, Antiek Vitrified LLP, and Antique Non Woven Pvt. Ltd., are a single entity. 
                        *See*
                         Preliminary Decision Memorandum. 9.
    
                         Commerce preliminarily determines that Win-Tel Ceramics Pvt. Ltd. and Theos Tiles LLP are a single entity. 
                        *See*
                         Preliminary Decision Memorandum. Back to Citation
 10.
    
                         
                        *See*19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(i); 
                        *see also*19 CFR 351.303 (for general filing requirements). Back to Citation
 11.
    
                         
                        *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
 12.
    
                         
                        *See*19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2). Back to Citation
 13.
    
                         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
 14.
    
                         
                        *See APO and Service Final Rule.* Back to Citation
 15.
    
                         The petitioner is the Coalition for Fair Trade in Ceramic Tile. Back to Citation
 16.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Petitioners' Letter, “Request for Postponement of {Commerce}'s Final Determinations,” dated November 1, 2024. Back to Citation


[FR Doc. 2024-28158 Filed 11-29-24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P