The International Trade Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (hereinafter the "ITC of MOEA") on 4 January, 1999, made an affirmative preliminary determination in its injury investigation involving H-beam from Japan.
The affirmative preliminary determination means that the ITC found that there is a reasonable indication that a Taiwan industry is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of H-beam from Japan that are allegedly sold in Taiwan at less than normal value.
Under the jurisdiction set forth in the Implementing Regulation on the Imposition of Countervailing and Antidumping Duties, the MOEA shall make the investigation, conducted by the ITC, as to whether there is any injury to the ROC industry.
As a result of the MOEA's affirmative preliminary determination, the Ministry of Finance will continue to conduct an dumping investigation of imports of H-beam from Japan, with its preliminary determination within seventy-five days (if not extended) after the next day of receipt of a notice, made by MOEA on January 11, 1999, of the foregoing determination.
The public Chinese version of preliminary injury investigation report is expected to by available after January 20, 1999, from ITC, the Office of the Investigation Division. Should you need a copy of this report, please contact us.
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHT
Product Description:The imported subject to this investigation are H sections of iron or non-alloy steel which are generally used as piling for construction and civic work foundation, supporting member for basement and retaining wall, steel structure for building, bridge, overpass, subway etc.. The H-beam are manufactured to specifications such as JIS G3101 SS400 (or ASTM A36), JIS G3106 SM490 (ASTM A572). The height of the H-beam within the scope range generally from 80 mm to 800 mm The H-beam subject to this investigation is currently classifiable under subheadings 7216.33.00.10 and 7216.33.00.20 of the Customs Import Tariff and Classification of Import and Export Commodities of the Republic of China.
Status of Proceedings: 1. Type of investigation Preliminary antidumping. 2. Petitioner Tung Ho Steel Enterprise Corp. 3. Date of institution of preliminary investigation by the ITC: November 19, 1998. 4. Date of ITC preliminary conference: December 7, 1998. 5. Date of ITC vote: January 4, 1999. 6. Date of MOEA determination to the Ministry of Finance: January 11, 1999.
R.O.C. Industry: 1. Number of producer during January 1, 1997-September 30, 1998: one. 2. Location of producers" plants: Miaoli, Kaohsiung. 3. Employment of production and related workers during October 1, 1997-September 1998: between 500 and 600. 4. Apparent R.O.C. consumption during October 1, 1997-September 1998: between 0.8 and 0.9 million metric tons. 5. Market share held by the domestic like product during October 1, 1997-September 1998: three quarters by quantity.
R.O.C. Imports: 1. Subject imports from Japan during October 1, 1997-September 30, 1998: 133,417 M.T.. 2. Subject imports from third countries during October 1, 1997-September 30, 1998: 54,278 M.T.. 3. Leading import sources during January 1, 1997-September 30, 1998: Japan.