New Antidumping Petition on Certain 99-225cc Vertical Shaft Engines From China

Briggs & Stratton Corporation (petitioner), on March 18, 2020, filed antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions on imports of certain vertical shaft engines from 99cc up to 225cc, and parts thereof, from China.

The U.S. AD law imposes special tariffs to counteract imports that are sold in the United States at less than “normal value.” The U.S. CVD law imposes special tariffs to counteract imports that are sold in the United States with the benefit of foreign government subsidies. For AD/CVD duties to be imposed, the U.S. government must determine not only that dumping and/or subsidies are occurring, but also that there is “material injury” (or threat thereof) by reason of the dumped and/or subsidized imports. Importers are liable for any potential AD/CVD duties imposed. In addition, these investigations could impact purchasers by increasing prices and/or decreasing supply of certain vertical shaft engines and parts thereof.

Scope

Per the petition:

The merchandise covered by this investigation consist of spark-ignited, non-road, vertical shaft engines, whether finished or unfinished, whether assembled or unassembled, whether mounted or unmounted, primarily for walk-behind lawn mowers. Engines meeting this physical description may also be for other non-handheld outdoor power equipment, including but not limited to, pressure washers. The subject engines are spark ignition, single-cylinder, air cooled, internal combustion engines with vertical power take off shafts with a minimum displacement of 99 cubic centimeters (“cc”) and a maximum displacement of up to 225cc. Typically, engines with displacements of this size generate gross power of between 1.95 kilowatts (“kw”) to 4.75 kw.

Engines covered by this scope normally must comply with and be certified under Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air pollution controls title 40, chapter I, subchapter U, part 1054 of the Code of Federal Regulations standards for small non-road spark-ignition engines and equipment. Engines that otherwise meet the physical description of the scope but are not certified under 40 CFR part 1054 and are not certified under other parts of subchapter U of the EPA air pollution controls are not excluded from the scope of this proceeding. Engines that may be certified under both 40 CFR part 1054 as well as other parts of subchapter U remain subject to the scope of this proceeding.

Certain small vertical shaft engines, whether or not mounted on non-hand-held outdoor power equipment, including but not limited to walk-behind lawn mowers and pressure washers, are included in the scope. However, if a subject engine is imported mounted on such equipment, only the engine is covered by the scope. Subject merchandise includes certain small vertical shaft engines produced in the subject country whether mounted on outdoor power equipment in the subject country or in a third country. Subject engines are covered whether or not they are accompanied by other parts.

For purposes of this investigation, an unfinished engine covers at a minimum a sub-assembly comprised of, but not limited to, the following components: crankcase, crankshaft, camshaft, pistons(s), and connecting rod(s). Importation of these components together, whether assembled or unassembled, and whether or not accompanied by additional components such as a sump, carburetor spacer, cylinder head(s), valve train, or valve cover(s), constitutes an unfinished engine for purposes of this investigation. The inclusion of other products such as spark plugs fitted into the cylinder head or electrical devices (e.g., ignition coils) for synchronizing with the engine to supply tension current does not remove the product from the scope. The inclusion of any other components not identified as comprising the unfinished engine subassembly in a third-country does not remove the engine from the scope.

The engines subject to this investigation are predominantly classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheading 8407.90.1010. The engine subassemblies that are subject to this investigation enter under HTSUS 8409.91.9990. The mounted engines that are subject to this investigation enter under HTSUS 8433.11.0050, 8433.11.0060, and 8424.30.9000. Engines subject to this investigation may also enter under HTSUS 8407.90.1020, 8407.90.9040, and 8407.90.9060. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only, and the written description of the merchandise under investigation is dispositive.

Alleged Dumping Margins

The petitioner alleges a dumping margin of 466.01 to 548.74 percent.

Estimated Schedule of Investigations

• March 18, 2020 – Petition is filed
• April 7, 2020 – U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) initiates investigation
• April 8, 2020 – U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) staff conference
• May 4, 2020 – Deadline for ITC preliminary injury determinations
• June 11, 2020 – Deadline for DOC preliminary CVD determination, if not postponed
• August 17, 2020 – Deadline for DOC preliminary CVD determination, if fully postponed
• August 25, 2020 – Deadline for DOC preliminary AD determination, if not postponed
• October 14, 2020 – Deadline for DOC preliminary AD determination, if fully postponed
• February 26, 2021 – Deadline for DOC final AD and CVD determinations, if both preliminary and final determinations are fully postponed
• April 12, 2021 – Deadline for ITC final injury determinations, assuming fully postponed DOC deadlines

For further information, contact Douglas J. Heffner, Richard P. Ferrin, or any other member of the Customs and International Trade Team.