New Antidumping Petition on Strontium Chromate from Austria and France

Lumimove Inc., d.b.a. WPC Technologies (WPC), on September 5, 2018, filed an antidumping (AD) petition on imports of strontium chromate from Austria and France. Additionally, WPC alleges that the subject strontium chromate is transshipped via Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, and is labeled as a product of Austria or France.

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

Scope

The merchandise covered by this investigation is strontium chromate, regardless of form (including but not limited to, powder (sometimes known as granular), dispersions (sometimes known as paste), or in any solution). The chemical formula for strontium chromate is SrCrO4 and the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number is 7789-06-2.

Strontium chromate that has been blended with another product or products is included in the scope if the resulting mix contains 15 percent or more of strontium chromate by total formula weight. Subject merchandise includes strontium chromate from Austria or France in powder form that has been processed in a third country into a product that otherwise would be within the scope of this investigation, i.e., if any such further processing would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in Austria or France, it is included in the scope of the investigation.

The merchandise subject to this investigation is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheading 2841.50.9100. Subject merchandise may also enter under HTSUS subheading 3212.90.00 or other subheadings. While the HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry number are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of the merchandise is dispositive.

Alleged Dumping Margins

WPC alleges the following dumping margins:

• Austria: 82.6 percent
• France: 53.1 percent

Estimated Schedule of Investigations

• September 5, 2018 – Petition is filed
• September 25, 2018 – DOC initiates investigation
• September 26, 2018 – ITC staff conference
• October 22, 2018 – Deadline for ITC preliminary injury determinations
• February 12, 2019 – Deadline for DOC preliminary AD determination, if not postponed
• April 3, 2019 – Deadline for DOC preliminary AD determination, if fully postponed
• August 16, 2019 – Deadline for DOC final AD determination, if both preliminary and final determinations are fully postponed
• September 30, 2019 – Deadline for ITC final injury determinations, assuming fully postponed DOC deadlines

For further information, contact the authors below, or any other member of the Customs and International Trade Team.