Uncoated Paper: Commerce Finalizes AD/CV Duties on Sheeter Rolls From Brazil, China and Indonesia
The Commerce Department is finalizing antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of uncoated “sheeter” rolls that the agency says are circumventing antidumping and countervailing duties on uncoated paper from Brazil (A-351-842), China (A-570-022/C-570-023) and Indonesia (A-560-828/C-460-829), it said in a notice published Dec. 14 announcing the final determinations of its anti-circumvention inquiries.
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The agency made no changes to its preliminary determinations that Brazilian, Chinese and Indonesian sheeter rolls are being imported then processed into uncoated paper sheets in the U.S., which would be subject to AD/CV duties if imported from Brazil or Indonesia, respectively. Suspension of liquidation and cash deposit requirements apply on a country-wide basis, with an exception for importers that certify the rolls won’t be processed into sheets post-importation.
Only sheeter rolls that otherwise meet the scope requirements are covered, “i.e., paper that weighs at least 40 grams per square meter but not more than 150 grams per square meter; and that either is a white paper with a GE brightness level of 83 +/-1% or higher or is a colored paper,” Commerce said. The circumventing rolls are “converted into sheets of uncoated paper using specialized cutting machinery prior to printing, and are typically, but not exclusively, between 52 and 103 inches wide and 50 inches in diameter,” it said.
Importers of sheeter rolls that otherwise meet the physical scope requirements but aren’t further processed into uncoated paper sheets will not be subject to AD/CV duties, Commerce said. Importers of such merchandise will be required to certify and maintain their certifications and supporting documentation to provide to CBP or Commerce upon request.
As a result of these final determinations, Commerce will direct CBP to continue suspension of liquidation and the collection of cash deposits for entries subject to the AD duty orders on Brazil, China and Indonesia on or after Feb. 28, 2021, and for entries subject to the China and Indonesia CV duty orders on or after Dec. 31, 2020.
Some companies are not eligible for certification to receive an AD/CVD exemption, Commerce said. That includes, from Brazil: Ahlstrom Brasil Ltd., Ahlstrom-Munksjo Brasil Industria e Comercio de Papeis Especiais Ltda, and Ahlstrom-Munksjö Brasil Indústria e Comércio de Papéis Especiais LTDA; from China: Central National Asia Limited, Kingdecor (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd., Shandong Sun Paper Industry Joint Stock Co Ltd, Sun Paper (Hong Kong) Co., Limited, and Sunpack Paper Products Company; and from Indonesia: Advanced Paper Enterprises, Inc., Alliance Converting LLC, Case Paper Company Inc., LinkMax Paper, Midwest Converting, Mohawk Fine Papers Inc., and Northwoods Paper Converting.