Notice2026-18706
Certain Linear Hydraulic Cylinders and Parts Thereof From Canada, the People's Republic of China, India, the Republic of Korea, and Mexico: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations
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
September 14, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentInternational Trade Administration
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 176 (Monday, September 14, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 176 (Monday, September 14, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58060-58066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18706]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A-122-879, A-570-240, A-533-952, A-580-923, A-201-870]
Certain Linear Hydraulic Cylinders and Parts Thereof From Canada,
the People's Republic of China, India, the Republic of Korea, and
Mexico: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
DATES: Applicable September 8, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anjali Mehindiratta at (202) 482-9127
or Travis Hargett at (202) 482-4604 (Canada), Kate Fracke at (202) 482-
3299 (People's Republic of China (China)), Lingjun Wang at (202) 482-
2316 (India), Dmitry Vladimirov at (202) 482-0665 (Republic of Korea
(Korea)), and Brittany Bauer at (202) 482-3860 (Mexico), AD/CVD
Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Petitions
On July 29, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce)
received antidumping duty (AD) petitions concerning imports of certain
linear hydraulic cylinders and parts thereof (linear hydraulic
cylinders) from Canada, China, India, Korea, and Mexico filed in proper
form on behalf of the Hydraulic Cylinders Fair Trade Coalition and its
individual members, Aggressive Hydraulics Inc., Hol-Mac Corporation,
Ligon Hydraulics, Prince Manufacturing Corporation, PTC
[[Page 58061]]
Alliance LLC, Rosenboom Machine & Tool Inc., Scot Industries Inc.,
Stillwell Inc., and Texas Hydraulics Inc. (collectively, the
petitioners), domestic producers of linear hydraulic cylinders.\1\ The
Petitions were accompanied by countervailing duty (CVD) petitions
concerning imports of linear hydraulic cylinders from China, India, and
Mexico.\2\
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\1\ See Petitioners' Letter, ``Petitions for the Imposition of
Antidumping and Countervailing Duties,'' dated July 29, 2026
(Petitions).
\2\ Id.
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Between August 3 and September 2, 2026, Commerce requested
supplemental information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petitions
in supplemental questionnaires.\3\ Between August 6 and September 4,
2026, the petitioners filed timely responses to these requests for
additional information.\4\
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\3\ See Commerce's Letters, ``General Issues Supplemental
Questions,'' dated August 3, 2026 (First General Issues Supplemental
Questionnaire); First Country-Specific AD Supplemental
Questionnaires: China AD Supplemental, India AD Supplemental, Mexico
AD Supplemental, and Korea AD Supplemental, dated August 3, 2026;
Canada AD Supplemental, dated August 4, 2026; Second Country-
Specific AD Supplemental Questionnaires: Second Canada Supplemental,
Second India AD Supplemental and Second Korea AD Supplemental, dated
August 11, 2026; ``Second General Issues Supplemental Questions,''
dated September 2, 2026.
\4\ See Petitioners' Letters, ``Petitioners' Response to General
Issues Supplemental Questions,'' dated August 11, 2026 (First
General Issues Supplement); First Country-Specific AD Supplemental
Responses: China AD Supplement, and Mexico AD Supplement, dated
August 6, 2026; Canada AD Supplement, India AD Supplement, and Korea
AD Supplement dated August 7, 2026; Second Country-Specific AD
Supplemental Responses: Second Canada AD Supplement, Second India AD
Supplement and Second Korea AD Supplement, dated August 13, 2026;
``Response to Second General Issues Supplemental Questions,'' dated
September 4, 2026 (Second General Issues Supplement).
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On August 18, 2026, Commerce extended the initiation deadline by 20
days to poll the domestic industry in accordance with subsections
732(c)(1)(B) and (4)(D) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the
Act), because ``it is not clear from the Petitions whether the industry
support criteria have been met. . . .'' \5\
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\5\ See Notice of Extension of the Deadline for Determining the
Adequacy of the Antidumping Duty Petition: Certain Linear Hydraulic
Cylinders and Parts Thereof from Canada, the People's Republic of
China, India, the Republic of Korea, and Mexico, 91 FR 53848 (August
18, 2026) (Initiation Extension Notice). After extending the
initiation deadline by 20 days, the new deadline for initiation
falls on September 7, 2026, which is a federal holiday. Commerce's
practice dictates that where a deadline falls on a weekend or
federal holiday, the appropriate deadline is the next business day
(in this instance, September 8, 2026).
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In accordance with section 732(b) of the Act, the petitioners
allege that imports of linear hydraulic cylinders from Canada, China,
India, Korea, and Mexico 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 linear
hydraulic cylinders industry in the United States. Consistent with
section 732(b)(1) of the Act, the Petitions were accompanied by
information reasonably available to the petitioners supporting their
allegations.
Commerce finds that the petitioners filed the Petitions on behalf
of the domestic industry, because the petitioners are interested
parties, as defined in sections 771(9)(C) and (F) of the Act. Commerce
also finds that the petitioners demonstrated sufficient industry
support for the initiation of the requested LTFV investigations.\6\
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\6\ See section on ``Determination of Industry Support for the
Petitions,'' infra.
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Periods of Investigations (POI)
Because the Petitions were filed on July 29, 2026, pursuant to 19
CFR 351.204(b)(1), the POI for the Canada, India, Korea, and Mexico
LTFV investigations is July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Because
China is a non-market economy (NME) country, pursuant to 19 CFR
351.204(b)(1), the POI for the China LTFV investigation is January 1,
2026, through June 30, 2026.
Scope of the Investigations
The product covered by these investigations is linear hydraulic
cylinders from Canada, China, India, Korea, and Mexico. For a full
description of the scope of these investigations, see the appendix to
this notice.
Comments on the Scope of the Investigations
Between August 3 and September 2, 2026, Commerce requested
information and clarification from the petitioners regarding the
proposed scope to ensure that the scope language in the Petitions is an
accurate reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is
seeking relief.\7\ Between August 11 and September 4, 2026, the
petitioners provided clarifications and revised the scope.\8\ The
description of merchandise covered by these investigations, as
described in the appendix to this notice, reflects these
clarifications.
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\7\ See First General Issues Supplemental Questionnaire; see
also Second General Issues Supplemental Questionnaire.
\8\ See First General Issues Supplement at 3-20; see also Second
General Issues Supplement at 3-12.
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Commerce has concerns related to the administrability of certain
provisions in the proposed scope. For example, we find that the
language pertaining to the definition of covered steel barrels (i.e.,
''{c{time} overed steel barrels . . . have otherwise been processed to
the point of having as their sole or predominant use a barrel for an
in-scope hydraulic cylinder'' and ``the addition of any part of a
hydraulic cylinder to a barrel has thereby been processed to the point
of having its sole or predominant use as a barrel for an in-scope
hydraulic cylinder'') remains an outstanding issue. While Commerce has
adopted this language for purposes of initiation, we intend to continue
evaluating the scope of these investigations, with the possibility of
making additional modifications to further clarify what products are
covered or are not covered by the scope of these investigations. We
invite parties to this proceeding to comment on this language along
with their scope comments (as detailed below).
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).\9\ 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 determinations. If scope comments include factual
information, all such factual information should be limited to public
information.\10\ 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 September 28, 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
[[Page 58062]]
October 8, 2026, which is 10 calendar days from the initial comment
deadline.
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\9\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule,
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble); see also 19 CFR
351.312.
\10\ 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 these investigations be submitted
during that period. However, if a party subsequently finds that
additional factual information pertaining to the scope of the
investigations 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.\11\ An electronically filed document must be received
successfully in its entirety by the time and date it is due.
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\11\ 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.aspx">https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx</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 linear hydraulic
cylinders 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) or costs of production (COP)
accurately, as well as to develop appropriate product comparison
criteria.
Interested parties may provide any information or comments that
they feel are relevant to the development of an accurate list of
physical characteristics. Specifically, they may provide comments as to
which characteristics are appropriate to use as: (1) general product
characteristics; and (2) product comparison criteria. We note that it
is not always appropriate to use all product characteristics as product
comparison criteria. We base product comparison criteria on meaningful
commercial differences among products. In other words, although there
may be some physical product characteristics utilized by manufacturers
to describe linear hydraulic cylinders, it may be that only a select
few product characteristics take into account commercially meaningful
physical characteristics. In addition, interested parties may comment
on the order in which the physical characteristics should be used in
matching products. Generally, Commerce attempts to list the most
important physical characteristics first and the least important
characteristics last.
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 September 28,
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 October 8, 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 each of the LTFV
investigations.
Determination of Industry Support for the Petitions
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 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,\12\ 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.\13\
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\12\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
\13\ 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 petitioners do not
offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope
of the investigations.\14\ Based on our analysis of the information
submitted on the record, we have determined that linear hydraulic
cylinders, as defined in the scope, constitute a single domestic like
product, and we have analyzed industry support in terms of that
domestic like product.\15\
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\14\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis as
applied to these cases and information regarding industry support,
see Checklists, ``Antidumping Duty Investigation Initiation
Checklists: Certain Linear Hydraulic Cylinders and Parts Thereof
from Canada, the People's Republic of China, India, the Republic of
Korea, and Mexico,'' dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by,
this notice (Country-Specific AD Initiation Checklists), at
Attachment II, Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Certain Linear Hydraulic
Cylinders and Parts Thereof from Canada, the People's Republic of
China, India, the Republic of Korea, and Mexico (Attachment II).
These checklists are on file electronically via ACCESS.
\15\ For further discussion, see Attachment II of the Country-
Specific AD Initiation Checklists.
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On August 18, 2026, after considering interested parties' comments
regarding industry support,\16\ Commerce extended the initiation
deadline by 20 days to poll the industry in accordance with section
732(c)(4)(D) of the Act, because it was ``not clear from the Petitions
[[Page 58063]]
whether the industry support criteria have been met. . . .'' \17\ On
August 20, 2026, Commerce issued polling questionnaires to all known
producers identified in the Petitions and by Commerce.\18\ We requested
that the companies complete the polling questionnaire and certify their
responses by the due date specified in the cover letter to the
questionnaire.\19\ The petitioners provided comments on the polling
questionnaire responses on August 31, 2026.\20\
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\16\ Id.
\17\ See Initiation Extension Notice, 91 FR at 53848.
\18\ See Commerce's Letter, ``Polling Questionnaire,'' dated
August 20, 2026.
\19\ Id.
\20\ See Petitioners' Letter, ``Petitioners' Comments on
Responses to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Polling
Questionnaire,'' dated August 31, 2026.
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Our analysis of the data we received in the polling questionnaire
responses indicates that the domestic producers and workers who support
the Petitions account for at least 25 percent of the total production
of the domestic like product and 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 Petitions.\21\
Accordingly, Commerce determines that the industry support requirements
of section 732(c)(4)(A) of the Act have been met and that the Petitions
were filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of
section 732(b)(1) of the Act.\22\
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\21\ See Attachment II of the Country-Specific AD Initiation
Checklists.
\22\ Id.
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Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation
The petitioners allege 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 petitioners allege 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 Country-Specific AD Initiation
Checklists at Attachment III, Analysis of Allegations and Evidence
of Material Injury and Causation for the Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Certain Linear Hydraulic
Cylinders and Parts Thereof from Canada, the People's Republic of
China, India, the Republic of Korea, and Mexico.
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The petitioners contend that the industry's injured condition is
illustrated by a significant increase in the volume of subject imports;
reduced market share; underselling and price depression and
suppression; lost sales and revenues; declines in U.S. shipments,
production, capacity utilization; and negative impact on financial
performance.\24\ We assessed the allegations and supporting evidence
regarding material injury, threat of material injury, causation,
cumulation, 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 LTFV investigations
of imports of hydraulic cylinders from Canada, China, India, Korea, and
Mexico. 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 Country-Specific AD Initiation Checklists.
U.S. Price
For Canada, China, India, Korea, and Mexico, the petitioners based
export price (EP) on pricing information for linear hydraulic cylinders
produced in each country and sold or offered for sale in the U.S.
market during the POI. For each country, the petitioners made certain
adjustments to U.S. price to calculate a net ex-factory U.S. price,
where applicable.\26\
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\26\ See Country-Specific AD Initiation Checklists.
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Normal Value <SUP>27</SUP>
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\27\ In accordance with section 773(b)(2) of the Act, for the
Canada, India, Korea, and Mexico investigations, Commerce will
request information necessary to calculate the constructed value
(CV) and COP to determine whether there are reasonable grounds to
believe or suspect that sales of the foreign like product have been
made at prices that represent less than the COP of the product.
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For Canada, India, Korea, and Mexico, the petitioners calculated NV
on home market pricing information obtained through market research for
linear hydraulic cylinders produced in and sold, or offered for sale,
in the respective countries during the POI.\28\ For Korea, the
petitioners provided information indicating that certain prices for
linear hydraulic cylinders sold or offered for sale in Korea were below
the COP.\29\ Therefore, for Korea, the petitioners also calculated NV
based on CV.\30\ For further discussion of CV, see the section ``Normal
Value Based on Constructed Value.''
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\28\ See Country-Specific AD Initiation Checklists.
\29\ See Korea AD Initiation Checklist.
\30\ Id.
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Commerce considers China to be an NME country.\31\ In accordance
with 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 this 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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\31\ 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 petitioners claim that Malaysia, Mexico, and the Republic of
T[uuml]rkiye (T[uuml]rkiye) are appropriate surrogate countries for
China because they are market economies that are at levels of economic
development comparable to that of China and are significant producers
of comparable merchandise.\32\ The petitioners provided publicly
available information from Mexico, Malaysia, and T[uuml]rkiye to value
all FOPs.\33\ Based on the information provided by the petitioners, we
believe it is appropriate to use Mexico, Malaysia, and T[uuml]rkiye as
surrogate countries for China to value all FOPs for initiation
purposes.
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\32\ See China AD Initiation Checklist.
\33\ 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
Malaysian, Mexican and Turkish producers/exporters were not reasonably
available, the petitioners used a U.S. producer's production experience
and product-specific consumption rates as a surrogate to value the
Chinese manufacturers' FOPs.\34\ Additionally, for China, the
petitioners calculated factory overhead, selling, general, and
administrative (SG&A) expenses, and profit based on the experiences of
Malaysian and Turkish producers of comparable merchandise.\35\
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\34\ Id.
\35\ Id.
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[[Page 58064]]
Normal Value Based on Constructed Value
As noted above for Korea, the petitioners provided information
indicating that certain prices for linear hydraulic cylinders sold or
offered for sale in Korea were below the COP. Therefore, for Korea, the
petitioners also calculated NV based on CV.\36\
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\36\ See Korea AD Initiation Checklist.
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Pursuant to section 773(e) of the Act, the petitioners calculated
CV as the sum of the cost of manufacturing, SG&A expenses, financial
expenses, and profit.\37\ For Korea, in calculating the cost of
manufacturing, the petitioners relied on a U.S. producer's production
experience and input consumption rates for linear hydraulic cylinders,
valued using publicly available information applicable to Korea.\38\ In
calculating SG&A expenses, financial expenses, and profit ratios, the
petitioners relied on the fiscal year 2025 financial statements of a
producer of comparable merchandise domiciled in Korea.
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\37\ Id.
\38\ See Country-Specific AD Initiation Checklists.
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Fair Value Comparisons
Based on the data provided by the petitioners, there is reason to
believe that imports of linear hydraulic cylinders from Canada, China,
India, Korea, and Mexico are being, or are likely to be, sold in the
United States at LTFV. Based on comparisons of EP to NV in accordance
with sections 772 and 773 of the Act, the estimated dumping margins for
linear hydraulic cylinders for each of the countries covered by this
initiation are as follows: (1) Canada--248.33 to 744.85 percent; (2)
China (Malaysia Surrogate)--149.86 to 394.07 percent; China (Mexico
Surrogate)--103.05 to 197.07 percent; China (T[uuml]rkiye Surrogate)--
299.38 to 440.48 percent; (3) India--85.31 to 370.67 percent; (4)
Korea--73.09 to 158.74 percent; and (5) Mexico--56.79 to 157.12
percent.\39\
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\39\ Id.
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Initiation of LTFV Investigations
Based upon the examination of the Petitions and supplemental
responses, we find that these meet the requirements of section 732 of
the Act. Therefore, we are initiating LTFV investigations to determine
whether imports of linear hydraulic cylinders from Canada, China,
India, Korea, and Mexico 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 determinations no later than 140 days after the date of
this initiation.
Respondent Selection
Canada, India, Korea, Mexico
In the Petitions, the petitioners identified six companies in
Canada, 42 companies in India, 14 companies in Korea, and 55 companies
in Mexico as producers and/or exporters of linear hydraulic
cylinders.\40\ Following standard practice in LTFV investigations
involving market economy countries, in the event Commerce determines
that the number of companies is large, and it cannot individually
examine each company based on Commerce's resources, where appropriate,
Commerce intends to select mandatory respondents based on U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) data for imports under the appropriate
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings
listed in the ``Scope of the Investigations,'' in the appendix.
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\40\ See Petitions at Volume I (page 26 and Exhibit GEN-5); see
also First General Issues Supplement at 3 and Exhibit GEN-5-Supp.
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On September 8, 2026, Commerce released CBP data on imports of
linear hydraulic cylinders from Canada, India, Korea, and Mexico under
administrative protective order (APO) to all parties with access to
information protected by APO and indicated that interested parties
wishing to comment on CBP data and/or respondent selection must do so
within three business days of the publication date of the notice of
initiation of these investigations.\41\ Comments must be filed
electronically using ACCESS. An electronically filed document must be
received successfully in its entirety via ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. ET on the
specified deadline. Commerce will not accept rebuttal comments
regarding the CBP data or respondent selection.
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\41\ See Country-Specific Memoranda, ``Release of U.S. Customs
and Border Protection Entry Data,'' dated September 8, 2026.
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Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under
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>.
China
In the Petitions, the petitioner identified 38 companies in China
as producers and/or exporters of linear hydraulic cylinders.\42\ Our
standard practice for respondent selection in AD investigations
involving NME countries is to select respondents based on quantity and
value (Q&V) questionnaires in cases where Commerce has determined that
the number of companies 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 Petitions,
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 the largest producers and/or exporters in China
that are identified in the CBP POI entry data for which there is
complete address information on the record.\43\
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\42\ See Petitions at Volume I (page 26 and Exhibit GEN-5); see
also First General Issues Supplement at 3 and Exhibit GEN-5-Supp.
\43\ See Memorandum, ``Release of U.S. Customs and Border
Protection Entry Data,'' dated September 8, 2026.
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Commerce will post the Q&V questionnaire along with filing
instructions 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 linear hydraulic cylinders
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 must be submitted by the relevant Chinese producers/
exporters no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on September 22, 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
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). As stated above, 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
[[Page 58065]]
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.\44\ Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.108(d)(1), the separate rate
application will be due 21 days after publication of this initiation
notice.\45\ 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.\46\
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 status. Companies
not filing a timely Q&V questionnaire response will not receive
separate rate consideration.
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\44\ See Regulations Enhancing the Administration of the
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Trade Remedy Laws, 89 FR 101694,
101759-60 (December 16, 2024).
\45\ See 19 CFR 351.108(d)(1).
\46\ 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.\47\
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\47\ 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>.
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Distribution of Copies of the Petitions
In accordance with section 732(b)(3)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.202(f), copies of the public versions of the Petitions have been
provided to the governments of Canada, China, India, Korea, and Mexico
via ACCESS. To the extent practicable, we will attempt to provide
copies of the public versions of the Petitions to each exporter named
in the Petitions, 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 Determinations by the ITC
The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 25 days after the date
on which the Petitions were filed, whether there is a reasonable
indication that imports of linear hydraulic cylinders from Canada,
China, India, Korea, and/or Mexico are materially injuring, or
threatening material injury to, a U.S. industry.\48\ A negative ITC
determination for any country will result in the investigation being
terminated with respect to that country.\49\ Otherwise, these LTFV
investigations will proceed according to statutory and regulatory time
limits.
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\48\ See section 733(a) of the Act.
\49\ 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 \50\ 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.\51\ 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 these investigations.
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\50\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
\51\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
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Particular Market Situation Allegation
Section 773(e) of the Act addresses the concept of particular
market situation (PMS) for purposes of CV, stating that ``if a
particular market situation exists such that the cost of materials and
fabrication or other processing of any kind does not accurately reflect
the cost of production in the ordinary course of trade, the
administering authority may use another calculation methodology under
this subtitle or any other calculation methodology.'' When an
interested party submits a PMS allegation pursuant to section 773(e) of
the Act (i.e., a cost-based PMS allegation), the submission must be
filed in accordance with the requirements of 19 CFR 351.416(b), and
Commerce will respond to such a submission consistent with 19 CFR
351.301(c)(2)(v). If Commerce finds that a cost-based PMS exists under
section 773(e) of the Act, then it will modify its dumping calculations
appropriately.
Neither section 773(e) of the Act, nor 19 CFR 351.301(c)(2)(v),
sets a deadline for the submission of cost-based PMS allegations and
supporting factual information. However, in order to administer section
773(e) of the Act, Commerce must receive PMS allegations and supporting
factual information with enough time to consider the submission. Thus,
should an interested party wish to submit a cost-based PMS allegation
and supporting new factual information pursuant to section 773(e) of
the Act, it must do so no later than 20 days after submission of a
respondent's initial section D questionnaire response.
We note that a PMS allegation filed pursuant to sections
773(a)(1)(B)(ii)(III) or 773(a)(1)(C)(iii) of the Act (i.e., a sales-
based PMS allegation) must be filed within 10 days of submission of a
respondent's initial section B questionnaire response, in accordance
with 19 CFR 351.301(c)(2)(i) and 19 CFR 351.404(c)(2).
Extensions of Time Limits
Parties may request an extension of time limits before the
expiration of a
[[Page 58066]]
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.\52\ 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 these investigations.\53\
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\52\ 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>.
\53\ 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.\54\
Parties must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR
351.303(g).\55\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the
submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification
requirements.
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\54\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
\55\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2023) (Final Rule). Additional
information regarding the Final Rule is available at <a href="https://www.trade.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/FAQ%20for%20Certifications.pdf?v=1787683944756">https://www.trade.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/FAQ%20for%20Certifications.pdf?v=1787683944756</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 these investigations 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).\56\
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\56\ 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: September 8, 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 Investigations
The scope of these investigations covers certain linear acting
hydraulic cylinders (also known as hydraulic power engines) and
certain components thereof. Covered linear acting hydraulic
cylinders have barrels made of steel, a bore size (inner diameter)
of 25.4 mm (one inch) or more, and a return (retracted) length of
101.6 mm (four inches) or more (hydraulic cylinders). For purposes
of this scope, the return (retracted) length is the overall end-to-
end measurement of the hydraulic cylinder unit when in the retracted
position. The scope covers all hydraulic cylinders meeting the
physical description above, including but not limited to the
following hydraulic cylinder designs: tie-rod, welded body,
telescopic, plunger, rodless, differential, position sensing, single
acting, double acting, displacement, ram type, piggy-back, double
rod, rod-fed, and spring return hydraulic cylinders. All hydraulic
cylinders are hydraulically activated. The incorporation of a spring
into the design of a hydraulic cylinder otherwise meeting the
description above does not exclude a product from the scope.
The scope also covers the following components of hydraulic
cylinders: (1) steel barrels, (2) steel piston rods, and (3) any
part or component of a hydraulic cylinder that is attached to,
assembled with or shipped with a covered steel barrel or a covered
piston rod.
Covered steel barrels include processed welded or seamless steel
tubes four inches (101.6 mm) or more in length with an inner
diameter of one inch (25.4 mm) or more, that have had their inner
diameter precision machined (such as through honing or skiving and
burnishing), and have otherwise been processed to the point of
having as their sole or predominant use a barrel for an in-scope
hydraulic cylinder. Such processing may include but is not limited
to cutting-to-length, end finishing (e.g., machine-threading,
chamfering, etc.), port drilling, and the addition of any weldments,
ports, valves, sensors, end caps, gaskets, seals, rings, or any
other part, component or attachment for a hydraulic cylinder, or any
combination thereof. The addition of any part of a hydraulic
cylinder to a barrel has thereby been processed to the point of
having as its sole or predominant use as a barrel for an in-scope
hydraulic cylinder.
Covered piston rods are solid or hollow steel bars or steel
tubes at least four inches (101.6 mm) in length that have been hard
chrome plated or chrome coated, cut to length, and machined to be a
piston rod.
Included in the scope are any other attachments, parts, or
components that are imported with, attached to, or invoiced with a
hydraulic cylinder or covered barrel or rod, including but not
limited to cylinder mounting parts (e.g., flanges, trunnions,
clevises, lugs, etc.), connectors attached to pistons or piston
rods, pistons, rings, gaskets, seals, valves, sensors or hydraulic
tubing or hydraulic lines (regardless of material) such as for
connections to a hydraulic pump. The scope does not cover such
attachments, parts, or components when imported or invoiced
separately from a hydraulic cylinder.
Also included in the scope are any hydraulic cylinders and parts
meeting the physical description above attached to or imported with
any equipment or parts of equipment classified in Chapter 84 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). When a
hydraulic cylinder is attached to or imported with any equipment or
parts of equipment classified in Chapter 84 of the HTSUS, only the
hydraulic cylinder is covered by the scope. The covered hydraulic
cylinder in that regard includes everything in between and including
the mounting pins (e.g., cylinder pin and rod pin) on either end of
the cylinder.
Subject merchandise also includes covered hydraulic cylinders,
barrels and rods that undergo assembly or minor processing in a
third country in any manner that would not otherwise remove the
merchandise from the scope of these investigations if performed in
the country of manufacture of the in-scope hydraulic cylinder.
Subject merchandise also includes covered hydraulic cylinders,
barrels and rods that are attached to any imported equipment or
parts of equipment classified in Chapter 84, as discussed in the
immediately preceding paragraph, if such attachment occurs in a
third country.
The products subject to these investigations are currently
classified in the HTSUS under statistical reporting numbers
8412.21.0015, 8412.21.0030, 8412.21.0045, 8412.21.0060,
8412.21.0075, and 8412.90.9005. The HTSUS subheadings above are
provided for convenience and Customs purposes only. The written
description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.
[FR Doc. 2026-18706 Filed 9-11-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 14, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.