Notice of preliminary determination, affirmative critical circumstances determination, postponement of final determination, and extension of provisional measures in the antidumping duty investigation of certain paper shopping bags from Socialist Republic of Vietnam (A-552-836)

1. On 01/03/2024, Commerce published in the Federal Register (89 FR 321) its preliminary determination of sales at less than fair value, affirmative critical circumstances, postponement of final determination, and extension of provisional measures in the antidumping duty investigation of certain paper shopping bags from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam). 2. The merchandise covered by this investigation has changed. The products within the scope of this investigation are paper shopping bags with handles of any type, regardless of whether there is any printing, regardless of how the top edges are finished (e.g., folded, serrated, or otherwise finished), regardless of color, and regardless of whether the top edges contain adhesive or other material for sealing closed. Subject paper shopping bags have a width of at least 4.5 inches and depth of at least 2.5 inches. Paper shopping bags typically are made of kraft paper but can be made from any type of cellulose fiber, paperboard, or pressboard with a basis weight less than 300 grams per square meter (GSM). A non-exhaustive illustrative list of the types of handles on shopping bags covered by the scope include handles made from any materials such as twisted paper, flat paper, yarn, ribbon, rope, string, or plastic, as well as die-cut handles (whether the punchout is fully removed or partially attached as a flap). Excluded from the scope are: Paper sacks or bags that are of a 1⁄6 or 1⁄7 barrel size (i.e., 11.5-12.5 inches in width, 6.5-7.5 inches in depth, and 13.5-17.5 inches in height) with flat paper handles or die-cut handles; Paper sacks or bags with die-cut handles, a grams per square meter paper weight of less than 86 GSM, and a height of less than 11.5 inches; and Paper sacks or bags (i) with non-paper handles made wholly of woven ribbon or other similar woven fabric (Note: Paper sacks or bags with handles made of braided or twisted materials, such as rope or cord, do not qualify for this exclusion.) and (ii) that are finished with folded tops or for which tied knots or t-bar aglets (made of wood, metal, or plastic) are used to secure the handles to the bags. The above-referenced dimensions are provided for paper bags in the opened position. The height of the bag is the distance from the bottom fold edge to the top edge (i.e., excluding the height of handles that extend above the top edge). The depth of the bag is the distance from the front of the bag edge to the back of the bag edge (typically measured at the bottom of the bag). The width of the bag is measured from the left to the right edges of the front and back panels (upon which the handles typically are located). This merchandise is currently classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings 4819.30.0040 and 4819.40.0040. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only; the written description of the scope is dispositive. 3. This proceeding has been assigned case number A-552-836. 4. Suspension of Liquidation and Cash Deposit Requirements - Unless directed otherwise below, CBP shall suspend liquidation of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date(s) specified and collect for such entries the cash deposit identified below. On or after 10/05/2023, (90 days prior to the date of publication of the preliminary determination - Commerce determined that critical circumstances exist for imports of shipments from these exporter/producer combination(s) below): Exporter: Dong Sung Printing Co., Ltd. Producer: Dong Sung Vina Printing Co., Ltd. Case number: A-552-836-001 Cash deposit rate: 51.25% Note: Dong Sung is sometimes translated as one word "Dongsung." Exporter: Goldsun Packaging and Printing Joint Stock Company Producer: Goldsun Packaging and Printing Joint Stock Company Case number: A-552-836-002 Cash deposit rate: 51.25% Exporter: Khang Thanh Manufacturing Company Limited Producer: Khang Thanh Manufacturing Company Limited Case number: A-552-836-003 Cash deposit rate: 51.25% Exporter: Vietnam Red Star Industry Company Limited Producer: Vietnam Red Star Industry Company Limited Case number: A-552-836-004 Cash deposit rate: 51.25% Exporter: Vietnam-Wide Entity Case number: A-552-836-000 Cash deposit rate: 92.34% 5. For all other entries of certain paper shopping bags from Vietnam, the following cash deposit instructions apply: A. For all Vietnamese exporters of certain paper shopping bags from Vietnam which have not received their own exporter/producer combination rate, the cash deposit rate will be the Vietnam-wide rate. B. For all non-Vietnam exporters of certain paper shopping bags from Vietnam which have not received their own rate, the cash deposit rate will be the rate applicable to the exporter/producer combinations that supplied that non-Vietnam exporter, or, if the exporter/producer combinations do not have their own rate, the cash deposit rate will be the country-wide rate. 6. If there are any questions by the importing public regarding this message, please contact the Call Center for the Office of AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce at (202) 482-0984. CBP ports should submit their inquiries through authorized CBP channels only. (This message was generated by OVII:ML.) 7. There are no restrictions on the release of this information. Alexander Amdur