Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings Other Than Drain Bodies from China Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC

August 3, 2018
News Release 18-096
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-583 and 731-TA-1381 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today made its determinations in its final phase antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.

The Commission found two domestic like products and industries in these investigations. 

The Commission determined that a U.S. industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of drain bodies from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

The Commission further determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of all other cast iron soil pipe fittings from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the negative with respect to drain bodies and in the affirmative with respect to all other cast iron soil pipe fittings from China.

As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings other than drain bodies from China.  No antidumping or countervailing duty orders will be issued on imports of drain bodies from China.

The Commission also made a negative finding concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of cast iron soil pipe fittings other than drain bodies from China.  As a result, imports of this product from China will not be subject to retroactive antidumping duties.

The Commission’s public report Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-583 and 731-TA-1381 (Final), USITC Publication 4812, August 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by September 10, 2018; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-583 and 731-TA-1381 (Final)

Product Description:  The merchandise covered by this investigation is cast iron soil pipe fittings, finished and unfinished, regardless of industry or proprietary specifications, and regardless of size. Cast iron soil pipe fittings are nonmalleable iron castings of various designs and sizes, including, but not limited to, bends, tees, wyes, traps, drains, and other common or special fittings, with or without side inlets.  Cast iron soil pipe fittings are classified into two major types-hubless and hub and spigot. Hubless cast iron soil pipe fittings are manufactured without a hub, generally in compliance with Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute (CISPI) specification 301 and/or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specification A888. Hub and spigot pipe fittings have hubs into which the spigot (plain end) of the pipe or fitting is inserted. Cast iron soil pipe fittings are generally distinguished from other types of nonmalleable cast iron fittings by the manner in which they are connected to cast iron soil pipe and other fittings.  The subject imports are normally classified in subheading 7307.11.0045 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS): Cast fittings of nonmalleable cast iron for cast iron soil pipe. They may also be entered under HTSUS 7324.29.0000 and 7307.92.3010. The HTSUS subheading and specifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes only; the written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Final phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioners:  Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, Mundelein, Illinois.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Thursday, July 13, 2017.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  Tuesday, June 26, 2018.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Friday, August 3, 2018.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, August 20, 2018.

U.S. Industry in 2017:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  3.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
3.   Production and related workers:  ^[1]
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  ¹
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  ¹

U.S. Imports in 2017:

1.   Subject imports:  ¹
2.   Nonsubject imports:  ¹
3.   Leading import sources:  China.