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Anti-Dumping Update - Commerce Finds Unfair Dumping of Steel Threaded Rod (February 23, 2009)

The Department of Commerce announced its affirmative final determination in the antidumping duty investigation on imports of steel threaded rod from the People’s Republic of China (China). Dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than normal value. 

As a result of this final determination, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect a cash deposit or bond based on the final rates.

The merchandise covered by this investigation includes steel threaded rod, which is certain threaded rod, bar, or studs, of carbon quality steel, having a solid, circular cross section, of any diameter, in any straight length, that have been forged, turned, cold-drawn, cold-rolled, machine straightened, or otherwise cold-finished, and into which threaded grooves have been applied. In addition, the steel threaded rod, bar, or studs subject to this investigation are non-headed and threaded along greater than 25 percent of their total length. A variety of finishes or coatings may be applied to the merchandise.

Steel threaded rod is classifiable under subheadings 7318.15.5050 and 7318.15.5090 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), as of July 1, 2008. Steel threaded rod was previously classifiable under HTS subheading 7315.15.5060. While the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, Commerce’s written description governs the scope of these investigations. Excluded from the scope of the investigation are: (a) threaded rod, bar, or studs which are threaded only on one or both ends and the threading covers 25 percent or less of the total length; and (b) threaded rod, bar, or studs made to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A193 Grade B7, ASTM A193 Grade B7M, ASTM A193 Grade B16, or ASTM A320 Grade L7.  

NEXT STEPS   The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to make its final determination on or before April 8.  If the ITC makes an affirmative determination that imports of steel rod from China materially injure to , the domestic industry, the Dept of Commerce will issue the anti-dumping order.  If the ITC makes a negative injury determination, this investigation will be terminated. The Department of Commerce determined that exporters/producers from China have sold steel threaded rod in the United States at 55.16 to 206.00 percent below normal value.