Strontium Chromate: New AD Duty Investigations Deadlines & Scope

The Commerce Department issued a notice in the Federal Register on its recently initiated antidumping duty investigations on strontium chromate from Austria (A-433-813) and France (A-427-830).

The International Trade Commission will conduct concurrent investigations to determine whether imports of dumped and illegally subsidized strontium chromate are injuring U.S. industry. If the ITC finds no injury in its preliminary injury determination, due Oct. 22, the investigations will immediately end. If Commerce finds dumping or illegal subsidization in the preliminary determinations of these investigations, currently due in February, it will set AD duty cash deposit requirements for imports of merchandise subject to the investigation. If both Commerce and the ITC reach affirmative final determinations, Commerce will issue AD duty orders making duties permanent and beginning a process of annual administrative reviews to set final assessments of AD duties on importers and potentially change AD duty cash deposit rates.

Respondent Selection

Commerce said it will pick respondents for its AD duty investigations based on CBP import data. CBP intends to finalize respondent selection by Oct. 22.

Scope of the AD/CVD Investigations

The merchandise covered by these investigations is strontium chromate, regardless of form (including but not limited to, powder (sometimes known as granular), dispersions (sometimes known as paste), or in any solution). The chemical formula for strontium chromate is SrCrO4 and the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number is 7789-06-2.

Strontium chromate that has been blended with another product or products is included in the scope if the resulting mix contains 15 percent or more of strontium chromate by total formula weight. Products with which strontium chromate may be blended include, but are not limited to, water and solvents such as Aromatic 100 Methyl Amyl Ketone (MAK)/2-Heptanone, Acetone, Glycol Ether EB, Naphtha Leicht, and Xylene. Subject merchandise includes strontium chromate that has been processed in a third country into a product that otherwise would be within the scope of these investigations if processed in the country of manufacture of the in-scope strontium chromate.

The merchandise subject to these investigations is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheading 2841.50.9100. Subject merchandise may also enter under HTSUS subheading 3212.90.0050. While the HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry number are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope is dispositive.

Comments on Scope Due Oct. 15

Participants in the AD/CV duty investigations may submit comments on product coverage under the scope of the investigations. Comments on the scope are due by Oct. 15.

Investigations Timetable

*If the ITC makes a negative determination of injury, the investigations are terminated.

†These deadlines may be extended under the governing statute.

‡This will take place only in the event of Commerce Department final affirmative determinations.

+This will take place only in the event of Commerce and ITC final affirmative determinations.

(See 1809110011 for a summary of the Commerce Department's receipt of the petition underlying the initiation of this investigation.)

The Commerce Department fact sheet on the initiation of these investigations is (here).

(Federal Register 10/02/18)