Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Investigations of High Pressure Steel Cylinders from the People Republic of China.

On May 31 2011, the Department of Commerce initiated AD and CVD investigations of imports of high pressure steel cylinders from China. For the purpose of AD investigations, dumping occurs when a foreign company sells a product in the United States at less than normal value. For the purpose of CVD investigations, subsidies are financial assistance from foreign governments that benefit the production, manufacture, or exportation of goods.

The petitioner for these investigations is Norris Cylinder Company. High pressure steel cylinders are typically used for storage or transport of compressed or liquefied gas. The merchandise covered by the scope of these investigations is seamless steel cylinders designed for storage or transport of compressed or liquefied gas. High pressure steel cylinders are fabricated of chrome alloy steel including, but not limited to, chromium-molybdenum steel or chromium magnesium steel and have permanently impressed into the steel, either before or after importation the symbol of a US.

Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration approved high pressure steel cylinder manufacturer, as well as an approved DOT type marking of DOT 3A, 3AX, 3AA, 3AAX, 3B, 3E, 3HT, 3T, or DOT-E in accordance with the requirements of sections 178.36 through 178.68 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any subsequent amendments thereof. High pressure steel cylinders covered by these investigations have a water capacity up to 450 liters, and a gas capacity ranging from 8 to 702 cubic feet regardless of corresponding service pressure levels and regardless of physical dimensions, finish or coatings.

Excluded from the scope of these investigations are high pressure steel cylinders manufactured to UN-ISO-9809-1 and 2 specifications and permanently impressed with ISO or UN symbols. Also excluded from these investigations are acetylene cylinders, with or without internal porous mass and permanently impressed with 8A or 8AL in accordance with DOT regulations.

Merchandise covered by these investigations is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States under subheading 7311.00.00.30. Subject merchandise may also enter under HTSUS subheadings 7311.00.0060 or 7311.00.00.90. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise under these investigations is dispositive.

In 2010, imports of high pressure steel cylinders from China were valued at an estimated UAS 48.8 million.