70 FR 67451, November 7, 2005 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A-570-803] Heavy Forged Hand Tools (i.e., Axes & Adzes, Bars & Wedges, Hammers & Sledges, and Picks & Mattocks) from the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Orders AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: On July 1, 2005, the Department of Commerce (``the Department'') initiated a sunset review of the antidumping duty (``AD'') orders on Heavy Forged Hand Tools (i.e., Axes & Adzes, Bars & Wedges, Hammers & Sledges, and Picks & Mattocks) (``HFHTs'') from the People's Republic of China pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (``the Act''). On the basis of notices of intent to participate and adequate substantive responses filed on behalf of the domestic interested parties and lack of response from respondent interested parties, the Department conducted an expedited sunset review of the AD orders pursuant to section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and section 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(2) of the Department's regulations. As a result of this sunset review, the Department finds that revocation of the AD orders would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the levels indicated in the ``Final Results of Review'' section of this notice. EFFECTIVE DATE: November 7, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen Flannery, AD/CVD Operations, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3020. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On July 1, 2005, the Department initiated a sunset review of the AD [[Page 67452]] orders on HFHTs pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act. See Initiation of Five-year (Sunset) Reviews, 70 FR 38101 (July 1, 2005). The Department received notices of intent to participate from the following domestic parties within the deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(i): Ames True Temper (``Ames'') and Council Tool Company (``Council Tool'').\1\ These two parties claimed interested party status under section 771(9)(C) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.102(b), as domestic manufacturers and producers of the domestic like product. The Department received a substantive response from Ames and Council Tool (collectively ``the domestic interested parties'') within the 30-day deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(3)(i). The Department did not receive a substantive response from any of the respondent interested parties to these proceedings. As a result, pursuant to section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(2), the Department conducted an expedited sunset review of these AD orders. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Ames is the successor company to Woodings-Verona Tool Works, the petitioner in the original investigation. Council Tool is a U.S. producer of heavy forged hand tools, such as axes and adzes, bars and wedges, hammers and sledges, and picks and mattocks. For letters submitted by Ames and Council Tool, see the ``Background'' section of the accompanying ``Issues and Decision Memorandum for the Expedited Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Orders on Heavy Forged Hand Tools (i.e., Axes & Adzes, Bars & Wedges, Hammers & Sledges, and Picks & Mattocks) from the People's Republic of China: Final Results,'' from Stephen J. Claeys, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, to Joseph A. Spetrini, Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, dated October 31, 2005 (``Decision Memo''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scope of the Orders The products covered by these orders are HFHTs comprising the following classes or kinds of merchandise: (1) hammers and sledges with heads over 1.5 kg (3.33 pounds) (hammers/sledges); (2) bars over 18 inches in length, track tools and wedges (bars/wedges); (3) picks and mattocks (picks/mattocks); and (4) axes, adzes and similar hewing tools (axes/adzes). HFHTs include heads for drilling hammers, sledges, axes, mauls, picks and mattocks, which may or may not be painted, which may or may not be finished, or which may or may not be imported with handles; assorted bar products and track tools including wrecking bars, digging bars, and tampers; and steel woodsplitting wedges. HFHTs are manufactured through a hot forge operation in which steel is sheared to required length, heated to forging temperature, and formed to final shape on forging equipment using dies specific to the desired product shape and size. Depending on the product, finishing operations may include shot blasting, grinding, polishing and painting, and the insertion of handles for handled products. HFHTs are currently provided for under the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS'') subheadings: 8205.20.60, 8205.59.30, 8201.30.00, and 8201.40.60. Specifically excluded from these investigations are hammers and sledges with heads 1.5 kg. (3.33 pounds) in weight and under, hoes and rakes, and bars 18 inches in length and under. The Department has issued seven conclusive scope rulings regarding the merchandise covered by these orders: (1) On August 16, 1993, the Department found the ``Max Multi-Purpose Axe,'' imported by the Forrest Tool Company, to be within the scope of the axes/adzes order; (2) on March 8, 2001, the Department found ``18-inch'' and ``24-inch'' pry bars, produced without dies, imported by Olympia Industrial, Inc. and SMC Pacific Tools, Inc., to be within the scope of the bars/wedges order; (3) on March 8, 2001, the Department found the ``Pulaski'' tool, produced without dies by TMC, to be within the scope of the axes/adzes order; (4) on March 8, 2001, the Department found the ``skinning axe,'' imported by Import Traders, Inc., to be within the scope of the axes/ adzes order; (5) on December 9, 2004, the Department found the ``Scrapek MUTT,'' imported by Olympia Industrial, Inc., under HTSUS 8205.59.5510, to be within the scope of the axes/adzes order; (6) on May 23, 2005, the Department found 8 inch by 8 inch and 10 inch by 10 inch cast tampers, imported by Olympia Industrial, Inc. to be outside the scope of the orders; and (7) on October 14, 2005, the Department found the ``Mean Green Splitting Machine'' imported by Avalanche Industries to be within the scope of the bars/wedges order.\2\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ See ``Final Scope Ruling: Antidumping Duty Order on Heavy Forged Hand Tools, Finished or Unfinished, With or Without Handles, From the People's Republic of China,'' from James C. Doyle, Office Director, Office 9, Import Administration, to Gary Taverman, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration, dated October 14, 2005. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition, on September 22, 2005, the Court of International Trade sustained the Department's finding that cast picks are outside the scope of the picks/mattocks order. See Tianjin Machinery Import & Export Corporation v. United States and Ames True Temper, Slip Op. 05- 127, Court No. 03-00732 (September 22, 2005). These reviews cover imports from all manufacturers and exporters of axes and adzes, bars and wedges, hammers and sledges, and picks and mattocks from the PRC. Analysis of Comments Received All issues raised in these reviews are addressed in the Decision Memorandum, which is hereby adopted by this notice (see footnote 1). The issues discussed in the accompanying Decision Memorandum include the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and the magnitude of the dumping margin likely to prevail if the AD orders were revoked. Parties can find a complete discussion of all issues raised in these reviews and the corresponding recommendations in this public memorandum which is on file in the Central Records Unit, room B-099, of the main Commerce building. In addition, a complete version of the Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly on the Web at http://enforcement.trade.gov/frn. The paper copy and electronic version of the Decision Memorandum are identical in content. Final Results of Sunset Review The Department determines that revocation of the AD orders on HFHTs would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the rates listed below: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PRC-Wide Margin (percent) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Axes/Adzes.......................................... 15.02 percent Picks/Mattocks...................................... 50.81 percent Bars/Wedges......................................... 31.76 percent Hammers/Sledges..................................... 45.42 percent ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Notification regarding Administrative Protective Order This notice also serves as the only reminder to parties subject to administrative protective order (``APO'') of their responsibility concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Timely notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a violation which is subject to sanction. We are issuing and publishing these results and notice in accordance with sections 751(c), 752, and 777(i)(1) of the Act. Dated: October 31, 2005. Joseph A. Spetrini, Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. 05-22146 Filed 11-4-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S