Petition Filed for New AD/CV Duties on Snow Throwers From China
A U.S. manufacturer seeks the imposition of new antidumping and countervailing duties on walk-behind snow throwers from China, it said in a petition filed with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission March 30. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations, which could result in the imposition of permanent AD/CV duty orders and the assessment of AD and CV duties on importers.
AD/CV duties sought by the petition, filed by MTD Products, would come on top of Section 301 tariffs imposed in September 2019 on imports of the product under subheading 8430.20.0060. Section 301 tariffs are also in place on various components used in the gas-powered snow throwers, including horizontal shaft engines under subheading 8407.90.10.
Proposed Scope
The petition proposes the following scope for the investigations:
The merchandise covered by this investigation consists of gas-powered, walk-behind snow throwers (also known as snow blowers), which are snow moving machines that are powered by internal combustion engines and primarily pedestrian-controlled. The scope of the investigation covers certain snow throwers, whether self-propelled or non-self-propelled, whether finished or unfinished, whether assembled or unassembled, and whether containing any additional features that provide for functions in addition to snow throwing.
Walk-behind snow throwers subject to the scope of this investigation are powered by internal combustion engines which are typically spark ignition, single or multiple cylinder, and air-cooled with power take off shafts.
For purposes of this investigation, an unfinished and/or unassembled snow thrower means at a minimum, a sub-assembly comprised of an engine, auger housing (i.e., intake frame), and an auger (or “auger paddle”) packaged or imported together. An intake frame is the portion of the snow thrower -- typically of aluminum or steel -- that houses and protects an operator from a rotating auger and is the intake point for the snow. Importation of the subassembly whether or not accompanied by, or attached to, additional components including, but not limited to, handle(s), impeller(s), chute(s), track tread(s), or wheel(s) constitutes an unfinished snow thrower for purposes of this investigation. The inclusion in a third-country of any components other than the snow thrower sub-assembly does not remove the snow thrower from the scope. A snow thrower is within the scope of this investigation regardless of the origin of its engine.
Specifically excluded is merchandise covered by the scope of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on Certain Vertical Shaft Engines Between 225cc and 999cc, and Parts Thereof from the People’s Republic of China, 86 FR 12623, 86 FR 12619 (March 4, 2021).
The snow throwers subject to this investigation are typically entered under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 8430.20.0060. Certain parts of snow throwers subject to this investigation may also enter under HTSUS 8407.90.9040, 8407.90.9060, 8431.49.9090, and 8431.49.9095. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only, and the written description of the merchandise under investigation is dispositive.
Commerce Accepting Comments on Petition Support
The Commerce Department is accepting comments on domestic industry support for the petitions to determine whether the petitions meet the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic-like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic-like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. If the petitions meet these requirements, among others, Commerce will initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. Comments are due on or about April 19.
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the petition.