Antidumping duty order on non-oriented electrical steel from Japan (A-588-872)

1. On 12/03/2014, Commerce published in the Federal Register its antidumping duty order on non-oriented electrical steel (NOES) from Japan (79 FR 71741). 2. The merchandise covered by this order consists of NOES, which includes cold-rolled, flat-rolled, alloy steel products, whether or not in coils, regardless of width, having an actual thickness of 0.20 mm or more, in which the core loss is substantially equal in any direction of magnetization in the plane of the material. The term “substantially equal” means that the cross grain direction of core loss is no more than 1.5 times the straight grain direction (i.e., the rolling direction) of core loss. NOES has a magnetic permeability that does not exceed 1.65 Tesla when tested at a field of 800 A/m (equivalent to 10 Oersteds) along (i.e., parallel to) the rolling direction of the sheet (i.e., B800 value). NOES contains by weight more than 1.00 percent of silicon but less than 3.5 percent of silicon, not more than 0.08 percent of carbon, and not more than 1.5 percent of aluminum. NOES has a surface oxide coating, to which an insulation coating may be applied. NOES is subject to this order whether it is fully processed (i.e., fully annealed to develop final magnetic properties) or semi-processed (i.e., finished to final thickness and physical form but not fully annealed to develop final magnetic properties). Fully processed NOES is typically made to the requirements of ASTM specification A 677, Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) specification C 2552, and/or International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specification 60404-8-4. Semi-processed NOES is typically made to the requirements of ASTM specification A 683. However, the scope of this order is not limited to merchandise meeting the ASTM, JIS and IEC specifications noted immediately above. NOES is sometimes referred to as cold-rolled non-oriented (CRNO), non-grain oriented (NGO), non-oriented (NO), or cold-rolled non-grain oriented (CRNGO) electrical steel. These terms are interchangeable. Excluded from the scope of this order are flat-rolled products not in coils that, prior to importation into the United States, have been cut to a shape and undergone all punching, coating, or other operations necessary for classification in Chapter 85 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) as a part (i.e., lamination) for use in a device such as a motor, generator, or transformer. The subject merchandise is provided for in subheadings 7225.19.0000, 7226.19.1000, and 7226.19.9000 of the HTSUS. Subject merchandise may also be entered under subheadings 7225.50.8085, 7225.99.0090, 7226.92.5000, 7226.92.7050, 7226.92.8050, 7226.99.0180 of the HTSUS. Although HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and Customs purposes, the written description of the scope is dispositive. 3. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) determined that critical circumstances do not exist with respect to NOES from Japan (see 79 FR 71446, dated 12/02/2014). As a result of the ITC's negative determination of critical circumstances, Commerce will direct CBP in separate instructions to refund all cash deposits collected on entries of NOES from Japan which were entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after 02/21/2014 and before 05/22/2014. The interest provisions of section 778 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, do not apply. 4. For imports of NOES from Japan, CBP shall suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after 12/02/2014 (date of publication of the ITC's final determination in the Federal Register, 79 FR 71446, 12/02/2014). Effective 12/02/2014, CBP shall require a cash deposit equal to the percentages identified below. Producer and/or Exporter: All Others Case Number: A-588-872-000 Cash Deposit Rate: 135.59% Producer and/or Exporter: JFE Steel Corporation Case number: A-588-872-001 Cash deposit rate: 204.79% Producer and/or Exporter: Sumitomo Corporation Case number: A-588-872-002 Cash deposit rate: 204.79% 5. 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 OIV:TEM) 6. There are no restrictions on the release of this information. Michael B. Walsh