Notice2024-17755
Certain Glass Wine Bottles From Mexico: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Preliminary Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 9, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentInternational Trade Administration
Abstract
The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that certain glass wine bottles (wine bottles) from Mexico are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 154 (Friday, August 9, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65317-65319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17755]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-201-862]
Certain Glass Wine Bottles From Mexico: Preliminary Affirmative
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Preliminary Negative
Determination of Critical Circumstances, Postponement of Final
Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily
determines that certain glass wine bottles (wine bottles) from Mexico
are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less than
fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is October 1,
2022, through September 30, 2023. Interested parties are invited to
comment on this preliminary determination.
DATES: Applicable August 9, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Bremer or Maria Teresa
Aymerich, AD/CVD Operations, Office IV, Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-4987
or (202) 482-0499, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section
733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce
published the notice of initiation of this investigation on January 25,
2024.\1\ On May 15, 2024, Commerce postponed the preliminary
determination of this investigation to July 26, 2024.\2\ On July 22,
2024, Commerce tolled certain deadlines in this administrative
proceeding by seven days.\3\ The deadline for the preliminary
determination is now August 2, 2024.
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\1\ See Certain Glass Wine Bottles from Chile, the People's
Republic of China, and Mexico: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value
Investigations, 89 FR 4911 (January 25, 2024) (Initiation Notice).
\2\ See Certain Glass Wine Bottles from Chile, the People's
Republic of China, and Mexico: Postponement of Preliminary
Determinations in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 89 FR
42426 (May 15, 2024).
\3\ See Memorandum, ``Tolling of Deadlines for Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Proceedings,'' dated July 22, 2024.
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For a complete description of the events that followed the
initiation of this investigation, see the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum.\4\ A list of topics included in the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum is included as Appendix II to this notice. The Preliminary
Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically
via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to
registered users at <a href="https://access.trade.gov">https://access.trade.gov</a>. In addition, a complete
version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly
at <a href="https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx">https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx</a>.
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\4\ See Memorandum, ``Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary
Affirmative Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation
of Certain Glass Wine Bottles from Mexico,'' dated concurrently
with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision
Memorandum).
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Scope of the Investigation
The products covered by this investigation are wine bottles from
Mexico. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation,
see Appendix I.
Scope Comments
In accordance with the preamble to Commerce's regulations,\5\ the
Initiation Notice set aside a period of time for parties to raise
issues regarding product coverage (i.e., scope).\6\ Certain interested
parties commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in
the Initiation Notice. For a summary of the product coverage comments
and rebuttal responses submitted to the record for this preliminary
determination, and accompanying discussion and analysis of all comments
timely received, see the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum.\7\
Commerce is not preliminarily modifying the scope language as it
appeared in the Initiation Notice. See the scope in Appendix I to this
notice.
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\5\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule,
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997).
\6\ See Initiation Notice.
\7\ See Memorandum, ``Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum,''
dated May 28, 2024 (Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum).
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Methodology
Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with
section 731 of the Act. Commerce has calculated export prices in
accordance with section 772(a) of the Act. Constructed export prices
have been calculated in accordance with section 772(b) of the Act.
Normal value is calculated in accordance with section 773 of the Act.
Furthermore, pursuant to section 776(a) and (b) of the Act, Commerce
has preliminarily relied upon facts otherwise available, with adverse
inferences for Glass & Glass S.A. de C.V., JOCOGLASS, and Pavisa Group.
For a full description of the methodology underlying the preliminary
determination, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
Preliminary Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances
In accordance with section 733(e) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206,
Commerce preliminarily finds that critical circumstances do not exist
for Fevisa Industrial S.A. de C.V. (Fevisa), Owens Am[eacute]rica S. de
R.L. de C.V. (Owens Am[eacute]rica), and the non-individually
investigated companies. For a full description of the methodology and
results of Commerce's critical circumstances analysis, see the
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
All-Others Rate
Sections 733(d)(1)(ii) and 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act provide that in
the preliminary determination Commerce shall determine an estimated
all-others rate for all exporters and producers not individually
examined. This rate shall be an amount equal to the weighted average of
the estimated weighted-average dumping margins established for
exporters and producers individually investigated, excluding any zero
and de minimis margins, and any margins determined entirely under
section 776 of the Act.
In this investigation, Commerce calculated estimated weighted-
average dumping margins for Fevisa and Owens Am[eacute]rica that are
not zero, de minimis, or based entirely on facts otherwise available.
Commerce calculated the all-others rate using a weighted average of the
estimated weighted-average dumping margins calculated for the examined
respondents using each company's publicly-ranged values for the
merchandise under consideration.\8\
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\8\ See Memorandum, ``All-Others Rate Calculation,'' dated
concurrently with this notice (All-Others Rate Calculation
Memorandum). With two respondents under examination, Commerce
normally calculates: (A) a weighted-average of the estimated
weighted-average dumping margins calculated for the examined
respondents; (B) a simple average of the estimated weighted-average
dumping margins calculated for the examined respondents; and (C) a
weighted-average of the estimated weighted-average dumping margins
calculated for the examined respondents using each company's
publicly-ranged U.S. sales values for the merchandise under
consideration. Commerce then compares (B) and (C) to (A) and selects
the rate closest to (A) as the most appropriate rate for all other
producers and exporters. See, e.g., Ball Bearings and Parts Thereof
from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom: Final
Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Reviews, Final Results of
Changed-Circumstances Review, and Revocation of an Order in Part, 75
FR 53661, 53662 (September 1, 2010), and accompanying Issues and
Decision Memorandum at Comment 1. As complete publicly ranged sales
data were available, Commerce based the all-others rate on the
publicly ranged sales data of the mandatory respondents. For a
complete analysis of the data, see the All-Others Rate Calculation
Memorandum.
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Preliminary Determination
Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated
weighted-average dumping margins exist:
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\9\ Commerce preliminarily determines that the following
companies are a single entity: Fevisa Industrial S.A. de C.V.;
Fevisa Comercial S.A. de C.V.; Fabrica de Envases de Vidrio S.A. de
C.V.; and Fabrica de Envases de Vidrio del Potosi, S.A. de C.V. See
the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
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Estimated weighted-
Exporter and/or producer average dumping
margin (percent)
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Fevisa Industrial S.A. de C.V./Fevisa Comercial S.A. 14.96
de C.V./F[aacute]brica de Envases de Vidrio S.A. de
C.V./F[aacute]brica de Envases de Vidrio del
Potosi, S.A. de C.V. \9\...........................
Glass & Glass S.A. de C.V........................... * 96.95
JOCOGLASS........................................... * 96.95
Owens Am[eacute]rica S. de R.L. de C.V.............. 18.08
Pavisa Group........................................ *96.95
All Others.......................................... 15.96
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* Rate based on adverse facts available.
Suspension of Liquidation
In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, Commerce will
direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation
of entries of subject merchandise, as described in Appendix I, entered,
or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of
publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Further, pursuant
to section 733(d)(1)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(d), Commerce will
instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the estimated weighted-
average dumping margin or the estimated all-others rate, as follows:
(1) The cash deposit rate for the respondents listed above will be
equal to the company-specific estimated weighted-average dumping
margins determined in this preliminary determination; (2) if the
exporter is not a respondent identified above, but the producer is,
then the cash deposit rate will be equal to the company-specific
estimated weighted-average dumping margin established for that producer
of the subject merchandise; and (3) the cash deposit rate for all other
producers and exporters will be equal to the all-others estimated
weighted-average dumping margin.
These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect
until further notice.
Disclosure
Commerce intends to disclose its calculations and analysis
performed to interested parties in this preliminary determination
within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public
announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this
notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).
Consistent with 19 CFR 351.224(e), Commerce will analyze and, if
appropriate, correct any timely allegations of significant ministerial
errors by amending the preliminary determination. However, consistent
with 19 CFR 351.224(d), Commerce will not consider incomplete
allegations that do not address the significance standard under 19 CFR
351.224(g) following the preliminary determination. Instead, Commerce
will address such allegations in the final determination together with
issues raised in the case briefs or other written comments.
Verification
As provided in section 782(i)(1) of the Act, Commerce intends to
verify the information relied upon in making its final determination.
Public Comment
Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than seven
days after the date on which the last verification report is issued in
this investigation. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in the
case briefs, may be filed not later than five days after the date for
filing case briefs.\10\ Interested parties who submit case briefs or
rebuttal briefs in this proceeding must submit: (1) a table of contents
listing each issue; and (2) a table of authorities.\11\
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\10\ See 19 CFR 351.309(d); see also Administrative Protective
Order, Service, and Other Procedures in Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Proceedings, 88 FR 67069, 67077 (September 29,
2023) (APO and Service Final Rule).
\11\ See 19 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2).
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As provided under 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), in prior
proceedings we have encouraged interested parties to provide an
executive summary of their brief that should be limited to five pages
total, including footnotes. In this investigation, we instead request
that interested parties provide at the beginning of their briefs a
public, executive summary for each issue raised in their briefs.\12\
Further, we request that interested parties limit their executive
summary of each issue to no more than 450 words, not including
citations. We intend to use the executive summaries as the basis of the
comment summaries included in the issues and decision memorandum that
will accompany the final determination in this investigation. We
request that interested parties include footnotes for relevant
citations in the executive summary of each issue. Note that Commerce
has amended certain of its requirements pertaining to the service of
documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).\13\
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\12\ We use the term ``issue'' here to describe an argument that
Commerce would normally address in a comment of the Issues and
Decision Memorandum.
\13\ See APO and Service Final Rule.
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Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to
request a hearing, limited to issues raised in the case and rebuttal
briefs, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for
Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce, within 30 days
after the date
[[Page 65319]]
of publication of this notice. Requests should contain the party's
name, address, and telephone number, the number of participants,
whether any participant is a foreign national, and a list of the issues
to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is made, Commerce intends
to hold the hearing at a time and date to be determined. Parties should
confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the hearing two
days before the scheduled date.
Postponement of Final Determination and Extension of Provisional
Measures
Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides that a final determination
may be postponed until not later than 135 days after the date of the
publication of the preliminary determination if, in the event of an
affirmative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement
is made by exporters who account for a significant proportion of
exports of the subject merchandise, or in the event of a negative
preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by
the petitioner. Section 351.210(e)(2) of Commerce's regulations
requires that a request by exporters for postponement of the final
determination be accompanied by a request for extension of provisional
measures from a four-month period to a period not more than six months
in duration.
On July 24, 2024, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.210(e), Fevisa and Owens
Am[eacute]rica requested that Commerce postpone the final determination
and that provisional measures be extended to a period not to exceed six
months.\14\ In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because: (1) the preliminary determination is
affirmative; (2) the requesting exporter(s) account(s) for a
significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise; and (3)
no compelling reasons for denial exist, Commerce is postponing the
final determination and extending the provisional measures from a four-
month period to a period not greater than six months. Accordingly,
Commerce will make its final determination no later than 135 days after
the date of publication of this preliminary determination.
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\14\ See Fevisa's Letter, ``Request for Postponement of Final
Determination,'' dated July 24, 2024; and Owens Am[eacute]rica's
Letter, ``Glass Wine Bottles from Mexico--Owens Am[eacute]rica, S.
de R.L. de C.V.'s Request to Extend the Final Determination,'' dated
July 24, 2024.
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U.S. International Trade Commission Notification
In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify
the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) of its preliminary
determination. If the final determination is affirmative, the ITC will
determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this
preliminary determination or 45 days after the final determination
whether these imports are materially injuring, or threaten material
injury to, the U.S. industry.
Notification to Interested Parties
This determination is issued and published in accordance with
sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c).
Dated: August 2, 2024.
Ryan Majerus,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the
non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for
Enforcement and Compliance.
Appendix I
Scope of the Investigation
The merchandise covered by this investigation is certain narrow
neck glass bottles, with a nominal capacity of 740 milliliters
(25.02 ounces) to 760 milliliters (25.70 ounces); a nominal total
height between 24.8 centimeters (9.75 inches) to 35.6 centimeters
(14 inches); a nominal base diameter between 4.6 centimeters (1.8
inches) to 11.4 centimeters (4.5 inches); and a mouth with an outer
diameter of between 25 millimeters (.98 inches) to 37.9 millimeters
(1.5 inches); frequently referred to as a ``wine bottle.'' In scope
merchandise may include but is not limited to the following shapes:
Bordeaux (also known as ``Claret''), Burgundy, Hock, Champagne,
Sparkling, Port, Provence, or Alsace (also known as ``Germanic'').
In scope glass bottles generally have an approximately round base
and have shapes including but not limited to, straight-sided, a
tapered slope from shoulder (i.e., the sloping part of the bottle
between the neck and the body) to base, or a long neck with sloping
shoulders to a wider base. The scope includes glass bottles, whether
or not clear, whether or not colored, with or without a punt (i.e.,
an indentation on the underside of the bottle), and with or without
design or functional enhancements (including, but not limited to,
embossing, labeling, or etching). In scope merchandise is made of
non-``free blown'' glass, i.e., in scope merchandise is produced
with the use of a mold and is distinguished by mold seams, joint
marks, or parting lines. In scope merchandise is unfilled and may be
imported with or without a closure, including a cork, stelvin (screw
cap), crown cap, or wire cage and cork closure.
Excluded from the scope of this investigation are: (1) glass
containers made of borosilicate glass, meeting United States
Pharmacopeia requirements for Type 1 pharmaceutical containers; and
(2) glass containers without a ``finish'' (i.e., the section of a
container at the opening including the lip and ring or collar,
threaded or otherwise compatible with a type of closure, including
but not limited to a cork, stelvin (screw cap), crown cap, or wire
cage and cork closure).
Glass bottles subject to this investigation are specified within
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under
subheading 7010.90.5019. The HTSUS subheading is provided for
convenience and customs purposes only. The written description of
the scope of this investigation is dispositive.
Appendix II
List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum
I. Summary
II. Background
III. Period of Investigation
IV. Affiliation and Single Entity Treatment
V. Application of Facts Available and Use of Adverse Inference
VI. Discussion of the Methodology
VII. Preliminary Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances
VIII. Currency Conversion
IX. Recommendation
[FR Doc. 2024-17755 Filed 8-8-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
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