New AD/CVD Requested on Tungsten Shot From China

A U.S. producer seeks the imposition of new antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of tungsten shot from China, it said in petitions filed July 9 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations, which could result in the imposition of permanent AD/CVD orders on tungsten shot.

Tungsten shot is an increasingly "popular choice for the production of shotgun shot, as the heavier metal results in tight patterns and greater range," said Tungsten Parts Wyoming, which filed the petition.

Proposed Scope

The petition proposes the following scope for the investigations:

"The merchandise covered by the investigations is certain tungsten spheres or balls, also known as shot, that are 92.6 percent or greater tungsten by weight. In scope shot have a diameter ranging from 1.5 mm to 10.0 mm. Subject shot can be referred to as 'Tungsten Super Shot.' Merchandise is covered regardless of the combination of compounds that comprise the non-tungsten material and whether or not the tungsten shot is additionally coated with another material, including but not limited to copper, nickel, iron or metallic alloys.

"Tungsten shot subject to the investigations may be classified under the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading: 8101.99.8000. Merchandise may also be entered under HTS subheadings 8482.91.0020 or 9306.21.0000. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of the investigations 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 July 23.