Initiation of Dumping Investigation Concerning Steel Heavy Plate
Date: May 28, 2020
Classification: Unclassified
Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes
Branch / Agency: CTB/CBSA
Issue: On May 27, 2020, the CBSA initiated an investigation into the alleged injurious dumping of certain hot-rolled carbon steel heavy plate and high-strength low-alloy steel heavy plate originating in or exported from the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), Germany, South Korea, Malaysia, and Turkey.
Proposed Response:
- The Canadian industry has the legislated right to be protected from unfairly priced imports.
- The CBSA is initiating this investigation in response to a complaint filed by Algoma Steel Inc. (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario).
- The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will conclude a preliminary inquiry into the question of injury to the Canadian industry by July 24, 2020.
- If the Canadian International Trade Tribunal determines that the evidence of injury warrants continuation of the investigation, the Canada Border Services Agency will decide by August 25, 2020, whether provisional duties will be levied.
Background:
On April 6, 2020, Algoma Steel Inc. (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) filed a complaint with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) concerning certain hot-rolled carbon steel heavy plate and high-strength low-alloy steel heavy plate. On April 27, 2020, the CBSA determined that the complaint was properly documented and as a result advised the Governments of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), Germany, South Korea, Malaysia, and Turkey.
The subject goods are defined as:
Hot-rolled carbon steel plate and high-strength low-alloy steel plate not further manufactured than hot-rolled, heat-treated or not, in cut lengths, in widths greater than 72 inches (+/- 1828 mm) to 152 inches (+/- 3,860 mm) inclusive, and thicknesses from 0.375 inches (+/- 9.525 mm) up to and including 4.5 inches (+/- 114.3 mm) (with all dimensions being plus or minus allowable tolerances contained in the applicable standards), but excluding:
- plate in coil form,
- plate having a rolled, raised figure at regular intervals on the surface (also known as floor plate), and
- plate originating in or exported from the Republic of Korea which is covered by the Tribunal’s Finding in NQ-2013-005
For greater certainty, the subject goods include steel plate which contains alloys greater than required by recognized industry standards, provided the steel does not meet recognized industry standards for an alloy-grade steel plate.
The Canadian market for heavy plate is estimated at approximately $600 million annually.
Dumping occurs when goods are sold to importers in Canada at prices that are less than the selling prices in the exporter’s domestic market or at unprofitable prices.
Analysis of the complaint and other available information indicates that there is sufficient evidence of dumping and resulting injury to the producers in Canada, to warrant the investigation. Accordingly, the investigation was initiated on May 27, 2020.
While the CBSA investigates the dumping of the goods, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will consider whether dumping has caused injury to Canadian production. The CITT must make a preliminary decision on injury within 60 days, that is, by July 24, 2020. If the CITT concludes that the evidence does not disclose a reasonable indication that the dumping has caused injury, the investigation will be terminated.
If the CITT makes a positive preliminary decision on injury, the CBSA will make a preliminary decision on whether there is dumping within 90 days of initiation, that is, by August 25, 2020, at which time provisional duties will be levied, if warranted.
Contacts:
Prepared by: Hugh Marcil, Manager, CTB, 613-954-7265
Approved by: Peter Hill, Vice-President, CTB, 613-952-2531
- Date modified: