[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 29, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29086-29089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-13404]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-588-854]


Certain Tin Mill Products From Japan: Notice of Initiation of 
Changed Circumstances Review of the Antidumping Duty Order

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

ACTION: Notice of initiation of changed circumstances review.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with 19 CFR 351.216(b), Weirton Steel and the 
Independent Steelworkers Union, interested parties in this proceeding, 
requested a changed circumstances

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review pursuant to section 751(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended 
(``the Act''). In response to this request, the Department of Commerce 
is initiating a changed circumstances review on certain tin mill 
products from Japan.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 29, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen Kramer or Steve Bezirganian, 
Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-0405 or (202) 482-1131, 
respectively.

The Applicable Statute and Regulations

    Unless otherwise indicated, all citations to the Tariff Act of 
1930, as amended (the Act), are references to the provisions effective 
January 1, 1995, the effective date of the amendments made to the Act 
by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA). In addition, unless 
otherwise indicated, all citations to the Department of Commerce's (the 
Department's) regulations are to the regulations at 19 CFR part 351 
(2001).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 28, 2000, the Department published in the Federal 
Register (65 FR 52067) the antidumping duty order on certain certain 
tin mill products from Japan. On April 6, 2001, Weirton Steel and the 
Independent Steelworkers Union, petitioners in this proceeding, 
requested that the Department revoke in part the antidumping duty order 
on certain tin mill products from Japan. On May 3, 2001, petitioners 
submitted a change in the definition of the product for which they 
requested a changed circumstances review. Specifically, petitioners 
requested that the Department revoke the order with respect to imports 
of merchandise meeting the following specifications:

double reduced (CADR-8 temper) electrolytically chromium coated 
steel with chromium oxide at a level of 1.6 mg/sq. ft. 
(<plus-minus>0.9), having a base box weight of 60 pounds (nominal 
thickness of 0.0066 inch (<plus-minus>5% tolerance)), and a surface 
with a 7C stone finish, lubricated with butyl stearate oil (BSO) or 
dioctyl sebacate oil (DOS) with the level ranging from 0.22 to 0.32 
gm/base box. The material is 31\1/2\ inches in actual width (-0/+\ 
1/16\ inch width tolerance) and made from fully deoxidized (killed) 
continuous cast and continuous annealed steel that is free of 
detrimental non-metallic inclusions (i.e., clean steel) with earring 
hazard minimized. The maximum edge wave is \1/8\ inch, with crossbow 
controllable to less than 2 inches per sheet. The maximum camber per 
three feet is 0.020 inch, the maximum burr is 0.001 inch, and the 
maximum pinholes per coil is 0.2%. The maximum coil weight is 25,000 
pounds, with an interior coil diameter of 16 inches to 16\1/2\ 
inches, and an exterior coil diameter of 36 inches to 60 inches. 
When loaded for shipment, the coil is placed on the pallet with the 
eye of the coil standing vertical, with each side of the pallet 
being 60 inches having 4 x 4 runners, and outside runners placed a 
minimum of 37 inches apart.

    Weirton Steel, a domestic producer of the subject merchandise, 
together with the Independent Steelworkers Union and the United 
Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO, were the petitioners in the 
underlying sales at less-than-fair-value investigation. In their 
changed circumstances request, petitioners state that they have no 
interest in maintaining the antidumping duty order on certain tin mill 
products from Japan with respect to the specific merchandise identified 
in their request, and that they believe that none of the known 
producers of the subject merchandise have any interest in having the 
described merchandise remain within the scope of the antidumping order. 
However, the Department has no information on the record that the other 
known domestic producers of tin mill products, Bethlehem Steel Corp., 
National Steel Corp., Midwest Division, Ohio Coatings Co., U.S. Steel 
Group, a Unit of USX Corp., and USS-Posco Industries, Inc., have no 
interest in maintaining the antidumping duty order with respect to the 
specific merchandise described in Weirton's request. Therefore, we are 
not combining this initiation with the preliminary determination, which 
is our normal practice under section 351.221(c)(3)(ii).

Scope of Review

    The products covered by this antidumping order are tin mill flat-
rolled products that are coated or plated with tin, chromium or 
chromium oxides. Flat-rolled steel products coated with tin are known 
as tin plate. Flat-rolled steel products coated with chromium or 
chromium oxides are known as tin-free steel or electrolytic chromium-
coated steel. The scope includes all the noted tin mill products 
regardless of thickness, width, form (in coils or cut sheets), coating 
type (electrolytic or otherwise), edge (trimmed, untrimmed or further 
processed, such and scroll cut), coating thickness, surface finish, 
temper, coating metal (tin, chromium, chromium oxide), reduction 
(single- or double-reduced), and whether or not coated with a plastic 
material.
    All products that meet the written physical description are within 
the scope of this order unless specifically excluded. The following 
products, by way of example, are outside and/or specifically excluded 
from the scope of this order:
    <bullet> Single reduced electrolytically chromium coated steel with 
a thickness 0.238 mm (85 pound base box) (#10%) or 0.251 mm (90 pound 
base box) (#10%) or 0.255 mm (#10%) with 770 mm (minimum width) (#1.588 
mm) by 900 mm (maximum length if sheared) sheet size or 30.6875 inches 
(minimum width) (#\1/16\ inch) and 35.4 inches (maximum length if 
sheared) sheet size; with type MR or higher (per ASTM) A623 steel 
chemistry; batch annealed at T2 \1/2\ anneal temper, with a yield 
strength of 31 to 42 kpsi (214 to 290 Mpa); with a tensile strength of 
43 to 58 kpsi (296 to 400 Mpa); with a chrome coating restricted to 32 
to 150 mg/m\2\; with a chrome oxide coating restricted to 6 to 25 mg/
m\2\ with a modified 7B ground roll finish or blasted roll finish; with 
roughness average (Ra) 0.10 to 0.35 micrometers, measured with a stylus 
instrument with a stylus radius of 2 to 5 microns, a trace length of 
5.6 mm, and a cut-off of 0.8 mm, and the measurement traces shall be 
made perpendicular to the rolling direction; with an oil level of 0.17 
to 0.37 grams/base box as type BSO, or 2.5 to 5.5 mg/m\2\ as type DOS, 
or 3.5 to 6.5 mg/m\2\ as type ATBC; with electrical conductivity of 
static probe voltage drop of 0.46 volts drop maximum, and with 
electrical conductivity degradation to 0.70 volts drop maximum after 
stoving (heating to 400 degrees F for 100 minutes followed by a cool to 
room temperature).
    <bullet> Single reduced electrolytically chromium- or tin-coated 
steel in the gauges of 0.0040 inch nominal, 0.0045 inch nominal, 0.0050 
inch nominal, 0.0061 inch nominal (55 pound base box weight), 0.0066 
inch nominal (60 pound base box weight), and 0.0072 inch nominal (65 
pound base box weight), regardless of width, temper, finish, coating or 
other properties.
    <bullet> Single reduced electrolytically chromium coated steel in 
the gauge of 0.024 inch, with widths of 27.0 inches or 31.5 inches, and 
with T-1 temper properties.
    <bullet> Single reduced electrolytically chromium coated steel, 
with a chemical composition of 0.005% max carbon, 0.030% max silicon, 
0.25% max manganese, 0.025% max phosphorous, 0.025% max sulfur, 0.070% 
max aluminum, and the balance iron, with a metallic chromium layer of 
70-130 mg/m 2 , with a chromium oxide layer of 5-30 mg/m\2\, with a 
tensile strength of 260-440 N/mm\2\, with an elongation of 28-48%, with 
a hardness (HR-30T) of 40-58, with a surface roughness of 0.5-1.5 
microns Ra, with magnetic

[[Page 29088]]

properties of Bm (KG) 10.0 minimum, Br (KG) 8.0 minimum, Hc (Oe) 2.5-
3.8, and <greek-m> 1400 minimum, as measured with a Riken Denshi DC 
magnetic characteristic measuring machine, Model BHU-60.
    <bullet> Bright finish tin-coated sheet with a thickness equal to 
or exceeding 0.0299 inch, coated to thickness of \3/4\ pound (0.000045 
inch) and 1 pound (0.00006 inch).
    <bullet> Electrolytically chromium coated steel having ultra flat 
shape defined as oil can maximum depth of \5/64\ inch (2.0 mm) and edge 
wave maximum of \5/64\ inch (2.0 mm) and no wave to penetrate more than 
2.0 inches (51.0 mm) from the strip edge and coilset or curling 
requirements of average maximum of \5/64\ inch (2.0 mm) (based on six 
readings, three across each cut edge of a 24 inches (61 cm) long sample 
with no single reading exceeding \4/32\ inch (3.2 mm) and no more than 
two readings at \4/32\ inch (3.2 mm)) and (for 85 pound base box item 
only: crossbuckle maximums of 0.001 inch (0.0025 mm) average having no 
reading above 0.005 inch (0.127 mm)), with a camber maximum of \1/4\ 
inch (6.3 mm) per 20 feet (6.1 meters), capable of being bent 120 
degrees on a 0.002 inch radius without cracking, with a chromium 
coating weight of metallic chromium at 100 mg/square meter and chromium 
oxide of 10 mg/square meter, with a chemistry of 0.13% maximum carbon, 
0.60% maximum manganese, 0.15% maximum silicon, 0.20% maximum copper, 
0.04% maximum phosphorous, 0.05% maximum sulfur, and 0.20% maximum 
aluminum, with a surface finish of Stone Finish 7C, with a DOS-A oil at 
an aim level of 2 mg/square meter, with not more than 15 inclusions/
foreign matter in 15 feet (4.6 meters) (with inclusions not to exceed 
\1/32\ inch (0.8 mm) in width and \3/64\ inch (1.2 mm) in length), with 
thickness/temper combinations of either 60 pound base box (0.0066 inch) 
double reduced CADR8 temper in widths of 25.00 inches, 27.00 inches, 
27.50 inches, 28.00 inches, 28.25 inches, 28.50 inches, 29.50 inches, 
29.75 inches, 30.25 inches, 31.00 inches, 32.75 inches, 33.75 inches, 
35.75 inches, 36.25 inches, 39.00 inches, or 43.00 inches, or 85 pound 
base box (0.0094 inch) single reduced CAT4 temper in widths of 25.00 
inches, 27.00 inches, 28.00 inches, 30.00 inches, 33.00 inches, 33.75 
inches, 35.75 inches, 36.25 inches, or 43.00 inches, with width 
tolerance of #\1/8\ inch, with a thickness tolerance of #0.0005 inch, 
with a maximum coil weight of 20,000 pounds (9071.0 kg), with a minimum 
coil weight of 18,000 pounds (8164.8 kg) with a coil inside diameter of 
16 inches (40.64 cm) with a steel core, with a coil maximum outside 
diameter of 59.5 inches (151.13 cm), with a maximum of one weld 
(identified with a paper flag) per coil, with a surface free of 
scratches, holes, and rust.
    <bullet> Electrolytically tin coated steel having differential 
coating with 1.00 pound/base box equivalent on the heavy side, with 
varied coating equivalents in the lighter side (detailed below), with a 
continuous cast steel chemistry of type MR, with a surface finish of 
type 7B or 7C, with a surface passivation of 0.7 mg/square foot of 
chromium applied as a cathodic dichromate treatment, with coil form 
having restricted oil film weights of 0.3-0.4 grams/base box of type 
DOS-A oil, coil inside diameter ranging from 15.5 to 17 inches, coil 
outside diameter of a maximum 64 inches, with a maximum coil weight of 
25,000 pounds, and with temper/coating/dimension combinations of : (1) 
CAT 4 temper, 1.00/.050 pound/base box coating, 70 pound/base box 
(0.0077 inch) thickness, and 33.1875 inch ordered width; or (2) CAT5 
temper, 1.00/0.50 pound/base box coating, 75 pound/base box (0.0082 
inch) thickness, and 34.9375 inch or 34.1875 inch ordered width; or (3) 
CAT5 temper, 1.00/0.50 pound/base box coating, 107 pound/base box 
(0.0118 inch) thickness, and 30.5625 inch or 35.5625 inch ordered 
width; or (4) CADR8 temper, 1.00/0.50 pound/base box coating, 85 pound/
base box (0.0093 inch) thickness, and 35.5625 inch ordered width; or 
(5) CADR8 temper, 1.00/0.25 pound/base box coating, 60 pound/base box 
(0.0066 inch) thickness, and 35.9375 inch ordered width; or (6) CADR8 
temper, 1.00/0.25 pound/base box coating, 70 pound/base box (0.0077 
inch) thickness, and 32.9375 inch, 33.125 inch, or 35.1875 inch ordered 
width.
    <bullet> Electrolytically tin coated steel having differential 
coating with 1.00 pound/base box equivalent on the heavy side, with 
varied coating equivalents on the lighter side (detailed below), with a 
continuous cast steel chemistry of type MR, with a surface finish of 
type 7B or 7C, with a surface passivation of 0.5 mg/square foot of 
chromium applied as a cathodic dichromate treatment, with ultra flat 
scroll cut sheet form, with CAT 5 temper with 1.00/0.10 pound/base box 
coating, with a lithograph logo printed in a uniform pattern on the 
0.10 pound coating side with a clear protective coat, with both sides 
waxed to a level of 15-20 mg/216 sq. in., with ordered dimension 
combinations of (1) 75 pound/base box (0.0082 inch) thickness and 
34.9375 inch x 31.748 inch scroll cut dimensions; or (2) 75 pound/base 
box (0.0082 inch) thickness and 34.1875 inch x 29.076 inch scroll cut 
dimensions; or (3) 107 pound/base box (0.0118 inch) thickness and 
30.5625 inch x 34.125 inch scroll cut dimension.
    The merchandise subject to this order is classified in the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS''), under 
HTSUS subheadings 7210.11.0000, 7210.12.0000, 7210.50.0000, 
7212.10.0000, and 7212.50.0000 if of non-alloy steel and under HTSUS 
subheadings 7225.99.0090, and 7226.99.0000 if of alloy steel. Although 
the subheadings are provided for convenience and Customs purposes, our 
written description of the scope of this review is dispositive.

Initiation of Changed Circumstances Review

    Pursuant to section 751(d)(1) of the Act, the Department may 
partially revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order based on a 
review under section 751(b) of the Act (i.e., a changed circumstances 
review). Section 751(b)(1) of the Act requires a changed circumstances 
review to be conducted upon receipt of a request which shows changed 
circumstances sufficient to warrant a review. 19 CFR 351.222(g) 
provides that the Department will conduct a changed circumstances 
review under 19 CFR 351.216, and may revoke an order (in whole or in 
part), if it determines that (i) producers accounting for substantially 
all of the production of the domestic like product to which the order 
(or the part of the order to be revoked) pertains have expressed a lack 
of interest in the relief provided by the order, in whole or in part; 
or (ii) other changed circumstances sufficient to warrant revocation 
exist.
    The Department will publish in the Federal Register a notice of 
preliminary results of changed circumstances review, in accordance with 
19 CFR 351.221(c)(3)(i), which will set forth the factual and legal 
conclusions upon which our preliminary results are based, and a 
description of any action proposed based on those results. Interested 
parties may submit comments for consideration in the Department's 
preliminary results not later than 20 days after publication of this 
notice. Responses to those comments may be submitted not later than 10 
days following submission of the comments. All written comments must be 
submitted in accordance with 19 CFR 351.303, and must be served on all 
interested parties on the Department's service list in accordance with 
19 CFR 351.303. The Department will also issue its final results of 
review within 270

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days after the date on which the changed circumstances review is 
initiated, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.216(e), and will publish these 
results in the Federal Register.
    While the changed circumstances review is underway, the current 
requirement for a cash deposit of estimated antidumping duties on all 
subject merchandise, including the merchandise that is the subject of 
this changed circumstances review, will continue unless and until it is 
modified pursuant to the final results of this changed circumstances 
review.
    This notice is in accordance with sections 751(b)(1) and 777(i)(1) 
of the Act and 19 CFR 351.216 and 351.222.

    Dated: May 21, 2001.
Faryar Shirzad,
Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-13404 Filed 5-25-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P