The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has initiated antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations on drill pipe from China.
On January 21, 2010, the DOC said in a fact sheet that the petitioners for these investigations are: VAM Drilling USA, Inc., Texas Steel Conversions, Inc, Rotary Drilling Tools, TMK IPSCO and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union. The petitioners have demanded AD duties ranging from 429 percent to 496 percent.
Drill pipe includes heavy weight drill pipe and drill collars of iron or steel, and is used in oil drilling applications.
The subject products are currently classified in the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) categories: 7304.22.0030, 7304.22.0045, 7304.22.0060, 7304.23.3000, 7304.23.6030, 7304.23.6045, 7304.23.6060, 8431.43.8040 and may also enter under 8431.43.8060, 8431.43.4000, 7304.39.0028, 7304.39.0032, 7304.39.0036, 7304.39.0040, 7304.39.0044, 7304.39.0048, 7304.39.0052, 7304.39.0056, 7304.49.0015, 7304.49.0060, 7304.59.8020, 7304.59.8025, 7304.59.8030, 7304.59.8035, 7304.59.8040, 7304.59.8045, 7304.59.8050, and 7304.59.8055.
From 2006 to 2008, US imports of drill pipe from China increased 106 percent by volume, the fact sheet said, adding that the combined imports of drill pipe and drill pipe with tool joints attached were valued at an estimated $195 million in 2008.
As the next step in the investigation, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determination on February 16, 2010.