Initiation of countervailing duty investigation of certain low speed personal transportation vehicles from the People's Republic of China (C-570-177)

1. On 07/16/2024, Commerce published in the Federal Register its initiation of the countervailing duty investigation of certain low speed personal transportation vehicles from the People's Republic of China (89 FR 57870). The effective date of this initiation is 07/10/2024 (the applicable date stated in the FR notice). 2. The merchandise covered by this investigation consists of certain low speed personal transportation vehicles (LSPTVs) and subassemblies thereof, whether finished or unfinished and whether assembled or unassembled, with or without tires, wheels, seats, steering columns and steering wheels, canopies, roofs, or batteries. LSPTVs meeting this description are generally open-air vehicles with a minimum of four wheels, a steering wheel, a traditional side-by-side or in-line row seating arrangement (i.e., non-straddle), foot operated accelerator and brake pedals, and a gross vehicle weight of no greater than 5,500 pounds. The main power source for subject LSPTVs is either an electric motor and battery (including but not limited to lithium-ion batteries, lithium phosphate batteries, lead acid batteries, and absorbed glass mat batteries) or a gas-powered internal combustion engine. Subject LSPTVs may be described as golf carts, golf cars, low speed vehicles, personal transportation vehicles, or light utility vehicles. LSPTVs subject to this investigation typically have a maximum top nameplate speed of no greater than 25 miles per hour as required by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Subject LSPTVs with a maximum top nameplate speed greater than 20 miles per hour normally must comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for Low-Speed Vehicles set forth in 49 CFR 571.500. LSPTVs that otherwise meet the physical description of this scope but are not certified under 49 CFR 571.500 and are not certified under other sections of subpart B of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (49 CFR part 571), are not excluded from this investigation. LSPTVs that are certified under both 49 CFR 571.500 and other sections of subpart B of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards remain subject to the scope of this investigation. Subject LSPTVs that have a maximum top nameplate speed of less than 25 miles per hour may be certified to the SAE International (SAE) standards SAE J2258 and SAE J2358. LSPTVs that have a maximum top nameplate speed of less than 20 miles per hour may also be certified to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) standards OPEI Z130.1 and OPEI Z135. An unfinished and/or unassembled LSPTV subject to this investigation covers at a minimum a subassembly, also known as a "rolling chassis," which is typically comprised of, but not limited to, a frame or body with front and/or rear suspension components (such as arms, springs, axles, spindles, and shafts) installed and powertrain components (including either an electric motor or a gas-powered internal combustion engine) installed or ready for installation. When imported together with a rolling chassis subject to this investigation, other LSPTV components, such as batteries, bumpers, wheel and tire assemblies, cowlings, fenders, grills, kick plates, steering column and steering wheel assemblies, dash assembly, seat assemblies, pedal assemblies, brake assemblies, canopy or roof assemblies, temporary rain enclosures, windshields, mirrors, headlights, taillights, lighting systems, or storage - whether assembled or unassembled, whether as part of a kit or not, and whether or not accompanied by additional components - constitute part of an unfinished and/or unassembled LSPTV that is subject to this investigation. The inclusion of other products, components, or assemblies not described here does not remove the product from the scope. Subject LSPTVs and subassemblies are covered by the scope of this investigation whether or not they are accompanied by other parts. This investigation covers all LSPTVs and subassemblies meeting the physical description of the scope, regardless of overall length, width, or height. Individual components that do not comprise a subject LSPTV or subassembly that are entered and sold by themselves are not subject to the investigation, but components entered with a LSPTV or subassembly, whether finished or unfinished and whether assembled or unassembled, are subject merchandise. LSPTVs and subassemblies subject to this investigation include those that are produced in the subject country whether assembled with other components in the subject country or in a third country. Processing or completion of finished and unfinished LSPTVs and subassemblies either in the subject country or in a third country does not remove the product from the scope. Specifically excluded from the scope of this investigation are all-terrain vehicles (which typically have straddle seating and are steered by handlebars), multipurpose off-highway utility vehicles (which typically have a maximum top nameplate speed of greater than 25 miles per hour), and recreational off-highway vehicles (which typically have a maximum top nameplate speed of greater than 30 miles per hour). Also excluded from the scope are go-karts, electric scooters, golf trolleys, and mobility aids (which include power wheelchairs and scooters which are used for the express purpose of enabling mobility for a person). The LSPTVs subject to the investigation are typically classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheading 8703.10.5030. LSPTVs subject to the investigation may also enter under HTSUS subheading 8703.90.0100. The LSPTV subassemblies that are subject to the investigation typically enter under HTSUS subheadings 8706.00.1540 and 8707.10.0040. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only, and the written description of the merchandise subject to the investigation is dispositive. 3. This proceeding has been assigned case number C-570-177. 4. 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:GHC.) 5. There are no restrictions on the release of this information. Alexander Amdur