HFC Blends: Commerce Begins Anti-Circ Inquiries on China, Malaysia and Turkey

The Commerce Department is beginning four anti-circumvention inquiries into allegations that imports of several blends of hydrofluorocarbons imported from China, Malaysia and Turkey are circumventing the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on hydrofluorocarbon blends from China (A-570-028), the agency said in a notice released July 6.

The inquiry on Chinese exports covers R-410B, R-407G, and a custom blend of 50% R-125 and 50% R-134a exported from China that are further processed in the U.S. into in-scope blends. The inquiry on Malaysia covers R-410A and R-407C from Malaysia that are completed in Malaysia using Chinese R-32 and R-125 (for R-410A), and R-32, R-125, and R134a (for R-407C), and subsequently exported from Malaysia to the U.S.

One inquiry on Turkish exports covers R-410B from Turkey that is completed in Turkey using Chinese R-32 and R-125 and subsequently exported to and further processed in the U.S. into an in-scope blend. The other covers R-410A from Turkey that is completed in Turkey using Chinese R-32 and R-125 and subsequently exported from Turkey to the U.S.

All of the anti-circumvention inquiries are country-wide, meaning they apply to all imports covered by the inquiry from the applicable country, rather than only certain companies.

Commerce’s preliminary determination in this anti-circumvention inquiry is due in 150 days. If Commerce finds circumvention in its preliminary determination, it may suspend liquidation and require cash deposits retroactive at least to the July 7 scheduled publication date of this initiation notice.