Argentina White Grape Juice Concentrate: New AD/CVD Investigations Deadlines & Scope

The Commerce Department issued notices in the Federal Register on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on white grape juice concentrate from Argentina (A-357-825/C-357-826). Both the AD and CV duty investigations cover entries Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2021.

The International Trade Commission will conduct a concurrent investigation to determine whether imports of dumped and illegally subsidized white grape juice concentrate from Argentina is injuring U.S. industry. If the ITC finds no injury in its preliminary injury determination, due May 16, the investigations will immediately end. If Commerce finds dumping or illegal subsidization in the preliminary determinations of these investigations, due in June for CV duties and September for AD duties, it will set AD and/or CV 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 an AD and/or CV duty order making duties permanent and beginning a process of annual administrative reviews to set final assessments of AD/CV duties on importers and potentially change AD/CV duty cash deposit rates.

AD/CVD Respondent Selection

Commerce intends to use CBP data to pick respondents to its AD and CV duty investigations. Comments are due May 2.

Scope of the AD/CVD Investigations

The scope of this investigation covers white grape juice concentrate with a Brix level of 65 to 68, whether in frozen or non-frozen forms. White grape juice concentrate is concentrated grape juice produced from grapes of the Vitis vinifera L. species with a white flesh, including fresh market table grapes and raisin grapes (e.g., Thompson Seedless), as well as several varietals of wine grapes (e.g., Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, etc.). The scope of this investigation covers white grape juice concentrate regardless of whether it has been certified as kosher, organic, or organic kosher. The white grape juice concentrate subject to this investigation consists of 100 percent grape juice with no other types of juice intermixed and no additional sugars or additives included.

The scope does not cover white grape juice concentrate produced from grapes of the Vitis labrusca species (e.g., Niagara).

The products covered by this investigation are currently classified under the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings: 2009.69.0040 and 2009.69.0060. The HTSUS subheadings and specifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope is dispositive.

Comments on the scope of these investigations are due by May 10.

Investigations Timetable

These deadlines may, and usually are, extended. The Commerce Department fact sheet on the initiation of these investigations is (here). See 2204050029 for a summary of the petition requesting these investigations.