NOTICE OF A PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION IN AN ANTIDUMPING DUTY INVESTIGATION OF PURIFIED CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE ("CMC") FROM THE NETHERLANDS (A-421-811)

MESSAGE NO: 4363203 DATE: 12 28 2004 CATEGORY: ADA TYPE: PRE REFERENCE: REFERENCE DATE: CASES: A - 421 - 811 - - - - - - - - - - PERIOD COVERED: 12 27 2004 TO LIQ SUSPENSION DATE: TO: DIRECTORS OF FIELD OPERATIONS PORT DIRECTORS FROM: DIRECTOR, SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT RE: NOTICE OF A PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION IN AN ANTIDUMPING DUTY INVESTIGATION OF PURIFIED CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE ("CMC") FROM THE NETHERLANDS (A-421-811) 1. ON 12/27/2004, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WILL PUBLISH IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER ITS PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF SALES AT LESS THAN FAIR VALUE AND THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE FINAL DETERMINATION IN THE ANTIDUMPING DUTY INVESTIGATION OF PURIFIED CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE FROM THE NETHERLANDS (69 FR 77205). 2. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION, THE PRODUCTS COVERED ARE ALL PURIFIED CMC, SOMETIMES ALSO REFERRED TO AS PURIFIED SODIUM CMC,POLYANIONIC CELLULOSE, OR CELLULOSE GUM, WHICH IS A WHITE TO OFF-WHITE, NON-TOXIC, ODORLESS, BIODEGRADABLE POWDER, COMPRISING SODIUM CMC THAT HAS BEEN REFINED AND PURIFIED TO A MINIMUM ASSAY OF 90 PERCENT. PURIFIED CMC DOES NOT INCLUDE UNPURIFIED OR CRUDE CMC, CMC FLUIDIZED POLYMER SUSPENSIONS, AND CMC THAT IS CROSS-LINKED THROUGH HEAT TREATMENT. PURIFIED CMC IS CMC THAT HAS UNDERGONE ONE OR MORE PURIFICATION OPERATIONS WHICH, AT A MINIMUM, REDUCE THE REMAINING SALT AND OTHER BY-PRODUCT PORTION OF THE PRODUCT TO LESS THAN TEN PERCENT. THE MERCHANDISE SUBJECT TO THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLASSIFIED IN THE HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE OF THE UNITED STATES ("HTSUS") AT SUBHEADING 3912.31.00. THIS TARIFF CLASSIFICATION IS PROVIDED FOR CONVENIENCE AND CUSTOMS PURPOSES; HOWEVER, THE WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION IS DISPOSITIVE. 3. FOR FURTHER REPORTING PURPOSES THIS CASE HAS BEEN ASSIGNED INVESTIGATION NUMBER A-421-811. 4. FOR IMPORTS OF PURIFIED CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE, THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION ("CBP") SHALL SUSPEND LIQUIDATIONS OF SUCH SHIPMENTS ENTERED OR WITHDRAWN FROM WAREHOUSE, FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR AFTER 12/27/2004. EFFECTIVE 12/27/2004 CBP SHALL REQUIRE, FOR SUCH ENTRIES, A CASH DEPOSIT OR THE POSTING OF A BOND EQUAL TO THE MARGINS SHOWN BELOW: MANUFACTURER/PRODUCER/ CUSTOMS ID WEIGHTED-AVERAGE EXPORTER NUMBER MARGIN PERCENTAGE NOVIANT B.V. A-421-811-001 27.11 PERCENT AKZO NOBEL SURFACE CHEMISTRY B.V. A-421-811-002 12.04 PERCENT ALL OTHERS A-421-811-000 22.21 PERCENT 5. IN ACCORDANCE WITH T.D. 85-145, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CBP, CBP OFFICERS MAY ACCEPT EITHER A SINGLE-ENTRY BASIC IMPORTATION AND ENTRY BOND OR A CONTINUOUS BASIC IMPORTATION AND ENTRY BOND ONLY IF THE AMOUNT OF THE ESTIMATED ANTIDUMPING OR COUNTERVAILING DUTY IS LESS THAN FIVE PERCENT AD VALOREM (OR THE EQUIVALENT). OTHERWISE, WHERE THE IMPORTER HAS THE OPTION TO POST A BOND FOR ESTIMATED ANTIDUMPING OR COUNTERVAILING DUTIES, CBP OFFICERS MUST REQUIRE A SINGLE-ENTRY BASIC IMPORTATION AND ENTRY BOND PURSUANT TO T.D. 85-145. YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO ADHERE TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF T.D. 85-145 WITH RESPECT TO THESE BONDING REQUIREMENTS. 6. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS MATTER BY CBP OFFICERS, THE IMPORTING PUBLIC OR INTERESTED PARTIES, PLEASE CONTACT DAVINA HASHMI OR RON TRENTHAM AT OFFICE OF AD/CVD ENFORCEMENT, IMPORT ADMINISTRATION, INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, AT (202) 482-0984 OR (202) 482-3577 RESPECTIVELY (GENERATED BY O7:DK). 7. THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE RELEASE OF THIS INFORMATION. CATHY SAUCEDA