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Notice2026-11000

N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-Sulfenamide From the People's Republic of China: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation

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Published
June 2, 2026

Issuing agencies

Commerce DepartmentInternational Trade Administration

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 105 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32941-32946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11000]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-570-234]


N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-Sulfenamide From the People's 
Republic of China: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.


DATES: Applicable May 27, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caroline Carroll, Office IX, AD/CVD 
Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-4948.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Petition

    On May 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) received 
an antidumping duty (AD) petition concerning imports of N-
Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-Sulfenamide (CBS) from the People's Republic 
of China (China), filed in proper form on behalf of LANXESS Corporation 
(the petitioner), a domestic producer of CBS.\1\ The AD Petition was 
accompanied by a countervailing duty (CVD) petition concerning imports 
of CBS from China.\2\
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    \1\ See Petitioner's Letter, ``Antidumping and Countervailing 
Duty Petitions,'' dated May 7, 2026 (Petition).
    \2\ Id.
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    Between May 13 and 20, 2026, Commerce requested supplemental 
information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petition in 
supplemental questionnaires.\3\ Between May 15 and 27, 2026, the 
petitioner filed timely responses to these requests for additional 
information.\4\
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    \3\ See Commerce's Letters, ``General Issues Supplemental 
Questions,'' dated May 13, 2026 (First General Issues 
Questionnaire); ``Supplemental Questions,'' dated May 13, 2026; 
``Second Antidumping Duties Supplement Questions,'' dated May 19, 
2026; ``Second General Issues Supplemental Questions,'' dated May 
20, 2026 (Second General Issues Questionnaire).
    \4\ See Petitioner's Letters, ``Response to General Issues 
Supplemental Questionnaire and Amendment to Volume I of the 
Petition,'' dated May 15, 2026 (First General Issues Supplement); 
``Antidumping Duty Supplemental Questionnaire Response,'' dated May 
15, 2026; ``Second General Issues Questionnaire Response,'' dated 
May 21, 2026 (Second General Issues Supplement); ``Second 
Antidumping Duty Supplemental Questionnaire Response,'' dated May 
21, 2026; ``Submission of Additional Materials to Second Antidumping 
Duty Supplemental Questionnaire Response,'' dated May 26, 2026; and 
``Errata to Submission of Additional Materials to Second Antidumping 
Duty Supplemental Questionnaire Response,'' dated May 27, 2026.

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[[Page 32942]]

    In accordance with section 732(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 
amended (the Act), the petitioner alleges that imports of CBS from 
China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the United States at less 
than fair value (LTFV) within the meaning of section 731 of the Act, 
and that imports of such products are materially injuring, or 
threatening material injury to, the CBS industry in the United States. 
Consistent with section 732(b)(1) of the Act, the Petition was 
accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioner 
supporting its allegations.
    Commerce finds that the petitioner filed the Petition on behalf of 
the domestic industry, because the petitioner is an interested party, 
as defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act. Commerce also finds that 
the petitioner demonstrated sufficient industry support for the 
initiation of the requested LTFV investigation.\5\
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    \5\ See section on ``Determination of Industry Support for the 
Petition,'' infra.
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Period of Investigation (POI)

    Because the Petition was filed on May 7, 2026, and because China is 
a non-market economy (NME) country pursuant to 19 CFR 351.204(b)(1), 
the POI for the LTFV investigation is October 1, 2025, through March 
31, 2026.

Scope of the Investigation

    The product covered by this investigation is CBS from China. For a 
full description of the scope of this investigation, see the appendix 
to this notice.

Comments on the Scope of the Investigation

    Between May 13 and 20, 2026, Commerce requested information and 
clarification from the petitioner regarding the proposed scope to 
ensure that the scope language in the Petition is an accurate 
reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is seeking 
relief.\6\ Between May 15 and 21, 2026, the petitioner provided 
clarifications and revised the scope.\7\ The description of merchandise 
covered by this investigation, as described in the appendix to this 
notice, reflects these clarifications.
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    \6\ See First General Issues Questionnaire; see also Second 
General Issues Questionnaire.
    \7\ See First General Issues Supplement 3-10; see also Second 
General Issues Supplement at 3-4.
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    As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are 
setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding 
product coverage (i.e., scope).\8\ Commerce will consider all scope 
comments received from interested parties and, if necessary, will 
consult with interested parties prior to the issuance of the 
preliminary determination. If scope comments include factual 
information, all such factual information should be limited to public 
information.\9\ Commerce requests that interested parties provide at 
the beginning of their scope comments a public executive summary for 
each comment or issue raised in their submission. Commerce further 
requests that interested parties limit their public executive summary 
of each comment or issue to no more than 450 words, not including 
citations. Commerce intends to use the public executive summaries as 
the basis of the comment summaries included in the analysis of scope 
comments. To facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce 
requests that scope comments be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time 
(ET) on June 16, 2026, which is 20 calendar days from the signature 
date of this notice. Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual 
information and should also be limited to public information, must be 
filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 26, 2026, which is 10 calendar days from 
the initial comment deadline.
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    \8\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule, 
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble); see also 19 CFR 
351.312.
    \9\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual 
information'').
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    Commerce requests that any factual information that parties 
consider relevant to the scope of this investigation be submitted 
during that period. However, if a party subsequently finds that 
additional factual information pertaining to the scope of the 
investigation may be relevant, the party must contact Commerce and 
request permission to submit the additional information. All scope 
comments must be filed simultaneously on the records of the concurrent 
LTFV and CVD investigations.

Filing Requirements

    All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via 
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty 
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception 
applies.\10\ An electronically filed document must be received 
successfully in its entirety by the time and date it is due.
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    \10\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: 
Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order 
Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011); see also Enforcement and 
Compliance; Change of Electronic Filing System Name, 79 FR 69046 
(November 20, 2014), for details of Commerce's electronic filing 
requirements, effective August 5, 2011. Information on using ACCESS 
can be found at <a href="https://access.trade.gov/help">https://access.trade.gov/help</a> and a handbook can be 
found at <a href="https://access.trade.gov/ACCESS%20Handbook%20on%20Electronic%20Filing%20Procedures_March2026.pdf">https://access.trade.gov/ACCESS%20Handbook%20on%20Electronic%20Filing%20Procedures_March2026.pdf</a>.
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Comments on Product Characteristics

    Commerce is providing interested parties an opportunity to comment 
on the appropriate physical characteristics of CBS to be reported in 
response to Commerce's AD questionnaires. This information will be used 
to identify the key physical characteristics of the subject merchandise 
in order to report the relevant factors of production (FOP) accurately, 
as well as to develop appropriate product comparison criteria.
    In order to consider the suggestions of interested parties in 
developing and issuing the AD questionnaires, all product 
characteristics comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 16, 
2026, which is 20 calendar days from the signature date of this notice. 
Any rebuttal comments must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 26, 2026, 
which is 10 calendar days from the initial comment deadline. All 
comments and submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically using 
ACCESS, as explained above, on the record of the LTFV investigation.

Determination of Industry Support for the Petition

    Section 732(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on 
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 732(c)(4)(A) of the Act 
provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic 
producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) at least 
25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and 
(ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like 
product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support 
for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 732(c)(4)(D) of 
the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of 
domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of 
the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce shall: (i) 
poll the industry or

[[Page 32943]]

rely on other information in order to determine if there is support for 
the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or (ii) determine 
industry support using a statistically valid sampling method to poll 
the ``industry.''
    Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the 
producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine 
whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute 
directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the 
domestic like product. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), 
which is responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry'' 
has been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like 
product in order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the 
ITC apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic like 
product,\11\ they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a 
separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce's determination 
is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may 
result in different definitions of the like product, such differences 
do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law.\12\
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    \11\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
    \12\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F.Supp 2d 1, 8 (CIT 
2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 688 F.Supp. 
639, 644 (CIT 1988), aff'd Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United 
States, 865 F.2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
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    Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a 
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in 
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation 
under this title.'' Thus, the reference point from which the domestic 
like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an 
investigation'' (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be 
investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the 
petition).
    With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioner does not 
offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope 
of the investigation.\13\ Based on our analysis of the information 
submitted on the record, we have determined that CBS, as defined in the 
scope, constitutes a single domestic like product, and we have analyzed 
industry support in terms of that domestic like product.\14\
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    \13\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as 
applied to this case and information regarding industry support, see 
Checklist, ``Antidumping Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist: N-
Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-Sulfenamide from the People's Republic of 
China,'' dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice 
(China AD Initiation Checklist), at Attachment II, ``Analysis of 
Industry Support for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Petitions Covering N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-Sulfenamide from the 
People's Republic of China'' (Attachment II). This checklist is on 
file electronically via ACCESS.
    \14\ For further discussion, see Attachment II of the China AD 
Initiation Checklist.
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    In determining whether the petitioner has standing under section 
732(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data 
contained in the Petition with reference to the domestic like product 
as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigation,'' in the appendix to 
this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioner provided its 
own 2025 production of the domestic like product.\15\ The petitioner 
identified itself as the only producer of CBS in the United States; 
therefore, the Petition is supported by 100 percent of the U.S. 
industry.\16\ We relied on data provided by the petitioner for purposes 
of measuring industry support.\17\
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    \15\ Id.
    \16\ Id.
    \17\ Id.
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    Our review of the data provided in the Petition, the First General 
Issues Supplement, and other information readily available to Commerce 
indicates that the petitioner has established industry support for the 
Petition.\18\ First, the Petition established support from domestic 
producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of the total 
production of the domestic like product and, as such, Commerce is not 
required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support 
(e.g., polling).\19\ Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have 
met the statutory criteria for industry support under section 
732(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers) 
who support the Petition account for at least 25 percent of the total 
production of the domestic like product.\20\ Finally, the domestic 
producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry 
support under section 732(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic 
producers (or workers) who support the Petition account for more than 
50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by 
that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, 
the Petition.\21\ Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petition 
was filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of 
section 732(b)(1) of the Act.\22\
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    \18\ See Attachment II of the China AD Initiation Checklist.
    \19\ Id.; see also section 732(c)(4)(D) of the Act.
    \20\ See Attachment II of the China AD Initiation Checklist.
    \21\ Id.
    \22\ Id.
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Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation

    The petitioner alleges that the U.S. industry producing the 
domestic like product is being materially injured, or is threatened 
with material injury, by reason of the imports of the subject 
merchandise sold at LTFV. In addition, the petitioner alleges that 
subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided for under 
section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\23\
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    \23\ For further discussion, see China AD Initiation Checklist 
at Attachment III, ``Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of 
Material Injury and Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing 
Duty Petitions Covering N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-Sulfenamide from 
the People's Republic of China.''
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    The petitioner contends that the industry's injured condition is 
illustrated by a significant increase in the volume of subject imports; 
reduced market share; lost sales and revenues; underselling and price 
depression and suppression; declines in production, capacity 
utilization, U.S. shipments, and employment variables; and negative 
impact on financial performance.\24\ We assessed the allegations and 
supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat of material 
injury, causation, as well as negligibility, and we have determined 
that these allegations are properly supported by adequate evidence, and 
meet the statutory requirements for initiation.\25\
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    \24\ Id.
    \25\ Id.
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Allegations of Sales at LTFV

    The following is a description of the allegations of sales at LTFV 
upon which Commerce based its decision to initiate an LTFV 
investigation of imports of CBS from China. The sources of data for the 
deductions and adjustments relating to U.S. price and normal value (NV) 
are discussed in greater detail in the China AD Initiation Checklist.

U.S. Price

    The petitioner based export price (EP) on pricing information for 
CBS produced in China and sold or offered for sale in the U.S. 
market.\26\ The petitioner conservatively did not make any adjustments 
to U.S. price to calculate a net ex-factory U.S. price.\27\
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    \26\ See China AD Initiation Checklist.
    \27\ Id.
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Normal Value

    Commerce considers China to be an NME country.\28\ In accordance 
with

[[Page 32944]]

section 771(18)(C)(i) of the Act, any determination that a foreign 
country is an NME country shall remain in effect until revoked by 
Commerce. Therefore, we continue to treat China as an NME country for 
purposes of the initiation of the LTFV investigation. Accordingly, we 
base NV on FOPs valued in surrogate market economy countries in 
accordance with section 773(c) of the Act.
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    \28\ See, e.g., Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof 
from the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Affirmative 
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Preliminary 
Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, 88 FR 15372 
(March 13, 2023), and accompanying Preliminary Decision Memorandum 
at 5, unchanged in Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof 
from the People's Republic of China: Final Affirmative Determination 
of Sales at Less-Than-Fair Value and Final Affirmative Determination 
of Critical Circumstances, 88 FR 34485 (May 30, 2023).
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    The petitioner claims that Brazil, Malaysia, and Mexico are 
appropriate surrogate countries for China because they are market 
economy countries that are at a level of economic development 
comparable to that of China and are significant producers of comparable 
merchandise.\29\ The petitioner provided publicly available information 
from Brazil, Malaysia, and Mexico to value all FOPs.\30\ Based on the 
information provided by the petitioner, we believe it is appropriate to 
use Brazil, Malaysia, and Mexico as surrogate countries for China to 
value all FOPs for initiation purposes.
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    \29\ See China AD Initiation Checklist.
    \30\ Id.
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    Interested parties will have the opportunity to submit comments 
regarding surrogate country selection and, pursuant to 19 CFR 
351.301(c)(3)(i), will be provided an opportunity to submit publicly 
available information to value FOPs within 30 days before the scheduled 
date of the preliminary determination.

Factors of Production

    Because information regarding the volume of inputs consumed by 
Brazilian, Malaysian, and Mexican producers/exporters were not 
reasonably available, the petitioner used its own production experience 
and product-specific consumptions rates as a surrogate to value the 
Chinese manufacturers' FOPs.\31\ Additionally, the petitioner 
calculated factory overhead, selling, general, and administrative 
expenses, and profit based on the experiences of a Mexican producer of 
comparable merchandise.\32\
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    \31\ Id.
    \32\ Id.
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Fair Value Comparisons

    Based on the data provided by the petitioner, there is reason to 
believe that imports of CBS from China are being, or are likely to be, 
sold in the United States at LTFV. Based on comparisons of EP or NV in 
accordance with sections 772 and 773 of the Act, after accounting for 
certain revisions made by Commerce, the estimated dumping margins for 
CBS from China covered by this initiation are (1) China (Brazil 
surrogate)--338.51 percent; (2) China (Malaysia surrogate)--322.55 
percent; (3) China (Mexico surrogate)--285.94 percent.\33\
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    \33\ Id.
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Initiation of LTFV Investigation

    Based upon the examination of the Petition and supplemental 
responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 732 of 
the Act. Therefore, we are initiating an LTFV investigation to 
determine whether imports of CBS from China are being, or are likely to 
be, sold in the United States at LTFV. In accordance with section 
733(b)(1)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we 
will make our preliminary determination no later than 140 days after 
the date of this initiation.

Respondent Selection

    In the Petition, the petitioner identified six companies in China 
as producers and/or exporters of CBS.\34\ Our standard practice for 
respondent selection in an AD investigation involving an NME country is 
to select respondents based on quantity and value (Q&V) questionnaires 
in cases where Commerce has determined that the number is large, and it 
cannot individually examine each company based upon its resources. 
Therefore, considering the number of producers and/or exporters 
identified in the Petition, Commerce will solicit Q&V information that 
can serve as a basis for selecting exporters for individual examination 
in the event that Commerce determines that the number is large and 
decides to limit the number of respondents individually examined 
pursuant to section 777A(c)(2) of the Act. Given the number of 
producers and/or exporters identified in the Petition, Commerce has 
determined that it will issue Q&V questionnaires to each potential 
respondent for which there is complete address information on the 
record.
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    \34\ See Petition at Volume I (page 13 and Exhibit I-17); see 
also First General Issues Supplement at 2-3 and Exhibit I-Supp-1.
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    Commerce will post the Q&V questionnaires along with filing 
instruction on Commerce's website at <a href="https://www.trade.gov/ec-adcvd-qv-questionnaire">https://www.trade.gov/ec-adcvd-qv-questionnaire</a>. Producers/exporters of CBS from China that do not 
receive Q&V questionnaires may still submit a response to the Q&V 
questionnaire and can obtain a copy of the Q&V questionnaire from 
Commerce's website. Responses to the Q&V questionnaire may be submitted 
by the relevant Chinese producers/exporters no later than 5:00 p.m. ET 
on June 10, 2026, which is two weeks from the signature date of this 
notice. All Q&V questionnaire responses must be filed electronically 
via ACCESS. An electronically filed document must be received 
successfully in its entirety by ACCESS no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on 
the deadline noted above.
    Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under 
administrative protective order (APO) in accordance with 19 CFR 
351.305(b). Instructions for filing such applications may be found on 
Commerce's website at <a href="https://www.trade.gov/administrative-protective-orders">https://www.trade.gov/administrative-protective-orders</a>.

Separate Rates

    In order to obtain separate rate status in an NME investigation, 
exporters and producers must submit a separate rate application. The 
specific requirements for submitting a separate rate application in an 
NME investigation are outlined in detail in the application itself, 
which is available on Commerce's website at <a href="https://www.trade.gov/non-market-economy-separate-rate-applications-and-certifications">https://www.trade.gov/non-market-economy-separate-rate-applications-and-certifications</a>. Note that 
Commerce recently promulgated new regulations pertaining to separate 
rates, including the separate rate application deadline and eligibility 
for separate rate status, in 19 CFR 351.108.\35\ Pursuant to 19 CFR 
351.108(d)(1), the separate rate application will be due 21 days after 
publication of this initiation notice.\36\ Exporters and producers must 
file a timely separate rate application if they want to be considered 
for individual examination. In addition, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.108(e), 
exporters and producers who submit a separate rate application and have 
been selected as mandatory respondents will be eligible for 
consideration for separate rate status only if they fully respond to 
all parts of Commerce's AD questionnaire and participate in the LTFV 
proceeding as mandatory respondents.\37\ Commerce requires that 
companies from China submit a response to the Q&V questionnaire and a 
separate rate application by the respective deadlines to receive 
consideration for separate rate

[[Page 32945]]

status. Companies not filing a timely Q&V questionnaire response will 
not receive separate rate consideration.
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    \35\ See Regulations Enhancing the Administration of the 
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Trade Remedy Laws, 89 FR 101694, 
101759-60 (December 16, 2024).
    \36\ See 19 CFR 351.108(d)(1).
    \37\ See 19 CFR 351.108(e).
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Use of Combination Rates

    Commerce will calculate combination rates for certain respondents 
that are eligible for a separate rate in an NME investigation. The 
Separate Rates and Combination Rates Bulletin states:

    {w{time} hile continuing the practice of assigning separate 
rates only to exporters, all separate rates that {Commerce{time}  
will now assign in its NME investigation will be specific to those 
producers that supplied the exporter during the period of 
investigation. Note, however, that one rate is calculated for the 
exporter and all of the producers which supplied subject merchandise 
to it during the period of investigation. This practice applies both 
to mandatory respondents receiving an individually calculated 
separate rate as well as the pool of non-investigated firms 
receiving the {weighted average{time}  of the individually 
calculated rates. This practice is referred to as the application of 
``combination rates'' because such rates apply to specific 
combinations of exporters and one or more producers. The cash-
deposit rate assigned to an exporter will apply only to merchandise 
both exported by the firm in question and produced by a firm that 
supplied the exporter during the period of investigation.\38\
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    \38\ See Enforcement and Compliance's Policy Bulletin No. 05.1, 
regarding, ``Separate-Rates Practice and Application of Combination 
Rates in Antidumping Investigation involving NME Countries,'' (April 
5, 2005), at 6 (emphasis added), available on Commerce's website at 
<a href="https://www.trade.gov/enforcement-and-compliance-policy-bulletins-0">https://www.trade.gov/enforcement-and-compliance-policy-bulletins-0</a>.

Distribution of a Copy of the Petition

    In accordance with section 732(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.202(f), a copy of the public version of the Petition has been 
provided to the Government of China via ACCESS. To the extent 
practicable, we will attempt to provide a copy of the public version of 
the Petition to each exporter named in the Petition, as provided under 
19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).

ITC Notification

    Commerce will notify the ITC of our initiation, as required by 
section 732(d) of the Act.

Preliminary Determination by the ITC

    The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date 
on which the Petition was filed, whether there is a reasonable 
indication that imports of CBS from China are materially injuring, or 
threatening material injury to, a U.S. industry.\39\ A negative ITC 
determination will result in the investigation being terminated.\40\ 
Otherwise, this LTFV investigation will proceed according to statutory 
and regulatory time limits.
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    \39\ See section 733(a) of the Act.
    \40\ Id.
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Submission of Factual Information

    Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i) 
evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence 
submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available 
information to value factors under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the 
adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence 
placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other than factual 
information described in (i)-(iv). Section 351.301(b) of Commerce's 
regulations requires any party, when submitting factual information, to 
specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information 
is being submitted \41\ and, if the information is submitted to rebut, 
clarify, or correct factual information already on the record, to 
provide an explanation identifying the information already on the 
record that the factual information seeks to rebut, clarify, or 
correct.\42\ Time limits for the submission of factual information are 
addressed in 19 CFR 351.301, which provides specific time limits based 
on the type of factual information being submitted. Interested parties 
should review the regulations prior to submitting factual information 
in this investigation.
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    \41\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
    \42\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
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Extensions of Time Limits

    Parties may request an extension of time limits before the 
expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as 
otherwise specified by Commerce. In general, an extension request will 
be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the time 
limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as otherwise specified by 
Commerce.\43\ For submissions that are due from multiple parties 
simultaneously, an extension request will be considered untimely if it 
is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date. Under certain 
circumstances, Commerce may elect to specify a different time limit by 
which extension requests will be considered untimely for submissions 
which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such a case, we 
will inform parties in a letter or memorandum of the deadline 
(including a specified time) by which extension requests must be filed 
to be considered timely. An extension request must be made in a 
separate, standalone submission; under limited circumstances we will 
grant untimely filed requests for the extension of time limits, where 
we determine, based on 19 CFR 351.302, that extraordinary circumstances 
exist. Parties should review Commerce's regulations concerning the 
extension of time limits and the Time Limits Final Rule prior to 
submitting factual information in this investigation.\44\
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    \43\ See 19 CFR 351.301; see also Extension of Time Limits; 
Final Rule, 78 FR 57790 (September 20, 2013 (Time Limits Final 
Rule)), available at <a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm">https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm</a>.
    \44\ See 19 CFR 351.302; see also, e.g., Time Limits Final Rule.
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Certification Requirements

    Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding 
must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.\45\ 
Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 
351.303(g).\46\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the 
submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification 
requirements.
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    \45\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
    \46\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import 
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty 
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (Final Rule). Additional 
information regarding the Final Rule is available at <a href="https://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf">https://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf</a>.
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Notification to Interested Parties

    Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under 
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Parties wishing to participate 
in this investigation should ensure that they meet the requirements of 
19 CFR 351.103(d) (e.g., by filing the required letter of appearance). 
Note that Commerce has amended certain of its requirements pertaining 
to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).\47\
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    \47\ See Administrative Protective Order, Service, and Other 
Procedures in Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings, 88 FR 
67069 (September 29, 2023).
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    This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 732(c)(2) 
and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

    Dated: May 27, 2026.
Christopher Abbott,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the 
non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix

Scope of the Investigation

    The product subject to this investigation is N-
Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-sulfenamide (CBS), an organic compound 
also known as N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide, N-(1,3-
benzothiazol-2-ylsulfanyl)

[[Page 32946]]

cyclohexanamine and N-cyclohexylbenzothiazol-2-sulphenamide. It may 
additionally be termed Accelerator CZ, CBTS, Thiohexam, HIP4, Curax, 
DURAX, Conaca, Conach, Conacs, or Celacs. A CBS assay or sample most 
commonly reflects a concentration of 94 to 99 percent.
    CBS is most commonly in the form of an off-white or light gray 
powder, oiled powder, or granule, though CBS imported in a different 
color or form is included in the scope. CBS typically has a melting 
point of 90 to 110[deg]C and a molecular weight of 264.4 g/mol. CBS 
may be imported in a solution of benzene, ethanol, or acetone. CBS 
has the chemical formula 
C<INF>13</INF>H<INF>16</INF>N<INF>2</INF>S<INF>2</INF> and is 
assigned the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry No. 95-33-0.
    The scope also includes CBS that is commingled with CBS from 
sources not subject to this investigation.
    CBS powder, oiled powder, and granules are classified under 
subheading 2934.20.8000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States (HTSUS). Imports of CBS may also be classified under 
subheadings 3812.10.1000 and 3812.10.5000, HTSUS. Although the HTSUS 
and CAS numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, 
the written description of the scope is dispositive.

[FR Doc. 2026-11000 Filed 6-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on June 2, 2026.

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