Notice of preliminary determination in the antidumping duty investigation of certain iron mechanical transfer drive components from the People's Republic of China (the “PRC”) (A-570-032)

1. On 06/08/2016, Commerce published in the Federal Register (81 FR 36876) its preliminary determination of sales at less than fair value and the postponement of the final determination in the antidumping duty investigation of certain iron mechanical transfer drive components from the PRC. 2. The products covered by this investigation are iron mechanical transfer drive components, whether finished or unfinished (i.e., blanks or castings). Subject iron mechanical transfer drive components are in the form of wheels or cylinders with a center bore hole that may have one or more grooves or teeth in their outer circumference that guide or mesh with a flat or ribbed belt or like device and are often referred to as sheaves, pulleys, flywheels, flat pulleys, idlers, conveyer pulleys, synchronous sheaves, and timing pulleys. The products covered by this investigation also include bushings, which are iron mechanical transfer drive components in the form of a cylinder and which fit into the bore holes of other mechanical transfer drive components to lock them into drive shafts by means of elements such as teeth, bolts, or screws. Iron mechanical transfer drive components subject to this investigation are those not less than 4.00 inches (101 mm) in the maximum nominal outer diameter. Unfinished iron mechanical transfer drive components (i.e., blanks or castings) possess the approximate shape of the finished iron mechanical transfer drive component and have not yet been machined to final specification after the initial casting, forging or like operations. These machining processes may include cutting, punching, notching, boring, threading, mitering, or chamfering. Subject merchandise includes iron mechanical transfer drive components as defined above that have been finished or machined in a third country, including but not limited to finishing/machining processes such as cutting, punching, notching, boring, threading, mitering, or chamfering, or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the iron mechanical transfer drive components. Subject iron mechanical transfer drive components are covered by the scope of the investigation regardless of width, design, or iron type (e.g., gray, white, or ductile iron). Subject iron mechanical transfer drive components are covered by the scope of the investigation regardless of whether they have non-iron attachments or parts and regardless of whether they are entered with other mechanical transfer drive components or as part of a mechanical transfer drive assembly (which typically includes one or more of the iron mechanical transfer drive components identified above, and which may also include other parts such as a belt, coupling and/or shaft). When entered as a mechanical transfer drive assembly, only the iron components that meet the physical description of covered merchandise are covered merchandise, not the other components in the mechanical transfer drive assembly (e.g., belt, coupling, shaft). For purposes of this investigation, a covered product is of “iron” where the article has a carbon content of 1.7 percent by weight or above, regardless of the presence and amount of additional alloying elements. Excluded from the scope are finished torsional vibration dampers (TVDs). A finished TVD is an engine component composed of three separate components: an inner ring, a rubber ring and an outer ring. The inner ring is an iron wheel or cylinder with a bore hole to fit a crank shaft which forms a seal to prevent leakage of oil from the engine. The rubber ring is a dampening medium between the inner and outer rings that effectively reduces the torsional vibration. The outer ring, which may be made of materials other than iron, may or may not have grooves in its outer circumference. To constitute a finished excluded TVD, the product must be composed of each of the three parts identified above and the three parts must be permanently affixed to one another such that both the inner ring and the outer ring are permanently affixed to the rubber ring. A finished TVD is excluded only if it meets the physical description provided above; merchandise that otherwise meets the description of the scope and does not satisfy the physical description of excluded finished TVDs above is still covered by the scope of the investigation regardless of end use or identification as a TVD. The scope also excludes light-duty, fixed-pitch, non-synchronous sheaves (“excludable LDFPN sheaves”) with each of the following characteristics: made from grey iron designated as ASTM (North American specification) Grade 30 or lower, GB/T (Chinese specification) Grade HT200 or lower, DIN (German specification) GG 20 or lower, or EN (European specification) EN-GJL 200 or lower; having no more than two grooves; having a maximum face width of no more than 1.75 inches, where the face width is the width of the part at its outside diameter; having a maximum outside diameter of not more than 18.75 inches; and having no teeth on the outside or datum diameter. Excludable LDFPN sheaves must also either have a maximum straight bore size of 1.6875 inches with a maximum hub diameter of 2.875 inches; or else have a tapered bore measuring 1.625 inches at the large end, a maximum hub diameter of 3.50 inches, a length through tapered bore of 1.0 inches, exactly two tapped holes that are 180 degrees apart, and a 2.0-inch bolt circle on the face of the hub. Excludable LDFPN sheaves more than 6.75 inches in outside diameter must also have an arm or spoke construction. Further, excludable LDFPN sheaves must have a groove profile as indicated in the table below: Size (belt profile) Outside Diameter Top Width Range of Each Groove Maximum Height Angle MA/AK (A, 3L, 4L) < 5.45 in. 0.484 – 0.499 in. 0.531 in. 34o MA/AK (A, 3L, 4L) >5.45 in. but < 18.75 in. 0.499 – 0.509 in. 0.531 in. 38o MB/BK (A, B, 4L, 5L) < 7.40 in. 0.607 – 0.618 in. 0.632 in. 34o MB/BK (A, B, 4L, 5L) >7.40 in. but < 18.75 in. 0.620 – 0.631 in. 0.635 in. 38o In addition to the above characteristics, excludable LDFPN sheaves must also have a maximum weight (pounds-per-piece) as follows: for excludable LDFPN sheaves with one groove and an outside diameter of greater than 4.0 inches but less than or equal to 8.0 inches, the maximum weight is 4.7 pounds; for excludable LDFPN sheaves with two grooves and an outside diameter of greater than 4.0 inches but less than or equal to 8.0 inches, the maximum weight is 8.5 pounds; for excludable LDFPN sheaves with one groove and an outside diameter of greater than 8.0 inches but less than or equal to 12.0 inches, the maximum weight is 8.5 pounds; for excludable LDFPN sheaves with two grooves and an outside diameter of greater than 8.0 inches but less than or equal to 12.0 inches, the maximum weight is 15.0 pounds; for excludable LDFPN sheaves with one groove and an outside diameter of greater than 12.0 inches but less than or equal to 15.0 inches, the maximum weight is 13.3 pounds; for excludable LDFPN sheaves with two grooves and an outside diameter of greater than 12.0 inches but less than or equal to 15.0 inches, the maximum weight is 17.5 pounds; for excludable LDFPN sheaves with one groove and an outside diameter of greater than 15.0 inches but less than or equal to 18.75 inches, the maximum weight is 16.5 pounds; and for excludable LDFPN sheaves with two grooves and an outside diameter of greater than 15.0 inches but less than or equal to 18.75 inches, the maximum weight is 26.5 pounds. The scope also excludes light-duty, variable-pitch, non-synchronous sheaves with each of the following characteristics: made from grey iron designated as ASTM (North American specification) Grade 30 or lower, GB/T (Chinese specification) Grade HT200 or lower, DIN (German specification) GG 20 or lower, or EN (European specification) EN-GJL 200 or lower; having no more than 2 grooves; having a maximum overall width of less than 2.25 inches with a single groove, or of 3.25 inches or less with two grooves; having a maximum outside diameter of not more than 7.5 inches; having a maximum bore size of 1.625 inches; having either one or two identical, internally-threaded (i.e., with threads on the inside diameter), adjustable (rotating) flange(s) on an externally-threaded hub (i.e., with threads on the outside diameter) that enable(s) the width (opening) of the groove to be changed; and having no teeth on the outside or datum diameter. The scope also excludes certain IMTDC bushings. An IMTDC bushing is excluded only if it has a tapered angle of greater than or equal to 10 degrees, where the angle is measured between one outside tapered surface and the directly opposing outside tapered surface. The merchandise covered by this investigation is currently classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) subheadings 8483.30.8090, 8483.50.6000, 8483.50.9040, 8483.50.9080, 8483.90.3000, 8483.90.8080. Covered merchandise may also enter under the following HTSUS subheadings: 7325.10.0080, 7325.99.1000, 7326.19.0010, 7326.19.0080, 8431.31.0040, 8431.31.0060, 8431.39.0010, 8431.39.0050, 8431.39.0070, 8431.39.0080, and 8483.50.4000. These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes. The written description of the scope of the investigation is dispositive. 3. This investigation has been assigned investigation number A-570-032. 4. For imports of certain iron mechanical transfer drive components from the PRC, CBP shall suspend liquidation of such shipments entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after 06/08/2016. Effective 06/08/2016, CBP shall require, for entries of certain iron mechanical transfer drive components from the PRC from the exporter/producer combinations listed below, a cash deposit equal to the antidumping duty cash deposit(s) shown below: Exporter: PRC-Wide Entity Case number: A-570-032-000 Cash deposit rate: 401.68% Exporter: Powermach Import & Export Co., Ltd. (Sichuan) / Sichuan Dawn Precision Technology Co., Ltd. / Sichuan Dawn Foundry Co., Ltd. / Powermach Co., Ltd. Producer: Powermach Import & Export Co., Ltd. (Sichuan) / Sichuan Dawn Precision Technology Co., Ltd. / Sichuan Dawn Foundry Co., Ltd. / Powermach Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-001 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Fuqing Jiacheng Trading Corporation Limited Producer: Fuzhou Min Yue Mechanical & Electrical Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-002 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Haiyang Jingweida Gearing Co., Ltd. Producer: Haiyang Jingweida Gearing Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-003 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Shijiazhuang CAPT Power Transmission Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-004 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Shanghai CPT Machinery Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-005 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Yueqing Bethel Shaft Collar Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-006 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Kezheng (Fuzhou) Mechanical & Electrical Manufacture Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-007 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Handan Hengfa Transmission Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-008 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Shijiazhuang Lihua Mechanical Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-009 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Xingtai Shengjia Machinery and Equipment Factory Case number: A-570-032-010 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Shanghai Keli Machinery Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-011 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Jiangsu Zhengya Technology Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-012 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Taizhou Feiyang Metal Spinning Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-013 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Taizhou Pengxun Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-014 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Guangde Ronghua Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-015 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Qiuxian Hengxin Machinery Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-016 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Reach Machinery Enterprise Case number: A-570-032-017 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Chengdu Novo Machinery Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-018 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Hangzhou Powertrans Co., Ltd. Producer: Chengdu Leno Machinery Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-019 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Shijiazhuang CAPT Power Transmission Co., Ltd. Producer: Shijiazhuang CAPT Power Transmission Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-020 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Xinguang Technology Co. Ltd of Sichuan Province Producer: Sichuan Dawn Precision Technology Co., Ltd Case number: A-570-032-021 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Zhejiang Damon Industrial Equipment Co., Ltd. Producer: Zhejiang Damon Industrial Equipment Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-022 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% Exporter: Zhejiang Dongxing Auto Parts Co., Ltd. Producer: Zhejiang Dongxing Auto Parts Co., Ltd. Case number: A-570-032-023 Cash deposit rate: 2.17% 5. For all other entries of certain iron mechanical transfer drive components from the PRC, the following cash deposit instructions apply: A. For all PRC exporters of certain iron mechanical transfer drive components from the PRC which have not received their own rate, the cash deposit rate will be the PRC-wide rate. B. For all non-PRC exporters of certain iron mechanical transfer drive components from the PRC 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-PRC exporter. 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 OIV: KH.) 7. There are no restrictions on the release of this information. Alexander Amdur