On December 14, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the preliminary results of its antidumping (AD) duty order administrative review for circular welded non-alloy steel pipe from South Korea. The period of review covers from November 1, 2008, through October 31, 2009.
The review on the product was requested by South Korean producer/exporter SeAH Steel Corporation and local producer Wheatland Tube Company, both for SeAH, and by another local producer United States Steel Corporation for SeAH Steel Corporation; Hyundai HYSCO; Husteel Co Ltd.; Nexteel Co., Ltd.; Kumkang Industrial Co., Ltd.; and A-JU Besteel Co., Ltd. SeAH and Wheatland timely withdrew their requests earlier in the year, leaving the review with only US Steel's request.
The following preliminary AD margins have been determined as a result of the review: SeAH Steel Corporation - 6.24 percent; Husteel Co., Ltd - 2.15 percent; Nexteel Co., Ltd - 12.3 percent; Kumkang Industrial Co., Ltd - 8.88 percent; and A-JU Besteel Co., Ltd - 8.88 percent.
These compare with the following rates of a 1992 determination: SeAH Steel Corporation - 3.28 percent; Husteel Co., Ltd - 1.82 percent; Nexteel Co., Ltd - 3.28 percent; A-JU Besteel Co., Ltd - 3.28 percent; and all others - 4.8 percent.
The US DOC agreed that Hyundai HYSCO had no shipments during the period of the review. Therefore, this company will keep its prior AD duty rate of 0.84 percent.
Provided that the decision is adopted in the final results of the review, the duties will apply to the period of review and will also serve as the future deposit rate.
The merchandise subject to the order is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheadings: 7306.30.10.00, 7306.30.50.25, 7306.30.50.32, 7306.30.50.40, 7306.30.50.55, 7306.30.50.85 and 7306.30.50.90.