On August 3, 2017, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the initiation of antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China.
Alleged dumping margins are 92.48 percent, while estimated subsidy rates are above de minimis.
The petitioner is the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, whose members are AB&I Foundry, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, and Tyler Pipe.
The merchandise covered by these investigations is cast iron soil pipe fittings, finished and unfinished, regardless of industry or proprietary specifications, and regardless of size. Cast iron soil pipe fittings are nonmalleable iron castings of various designs and sizes, including, but not limited to, bends, tees, wyes, traps, drains, and other common or special fittings, with or without side inlets.
The subject imports are normally classified in subheading 7307.11.0045 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS): Cast fittings of nonmalleable cast iron for cast iron soil pipe. The HTSUS subheading and specifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes only; the written description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.
In 2016, imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China were valued at an estimated $8.6 million.
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its preliminary injury determinations on or before August 28, 2017. If the ITC determines that there is a reasonable indication that imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings from China materially injure, or threaten material injury to, the domestic industry in the United States, the investigations will continue, and the DOC will be scheduled to announce its preliminary CVD determination in October 2017 and its preliminary AD determination in December 2017, though these dates may be extended. If the ITC’s determinations are negative, the investigations will be terminated.