On October 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its preliminary findings regarding the antidumping duty administrative review of heavy walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes imported from the Republic of Korea. This review covers the period from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023. The findings indicate that these products were not sold in the U.S. at prices below what is considered normal value, reflecting a commitment to maintaining fair trade practices.
The administrative review process began with a notice published on September 6, 2023, inviting requests for reviews of the HWRPT order, which had been established in 2016. The initial review included three producers and exporters, but shortly thereafter, NEXTEEL Co., Ltd. and Dong-A-Steel Co., Ltd. withdrew their requests for review. This left HiSteel Co., Ltd. as the sole company under examination for this review period, which further streamlined the process.
As part of the review, Commerce assessed whether HiSteel Co., Ltd. had engaged in selling its products at unfairly low prices in the U.S. market. The preliminary results confirmed that the company’s weighted-average dumping margin is 0.00%. This outcome signifies that HiSteel's pricing practices are in alignment with fair market values, which is critical for fostering trust in international trade.
The scope of the order specifically includes certain heavy walled rectangular welded steel pipes and tubes. These products are essential in various industries, including construction and manufacturing, where structural integrity is crucial. The confirmation that these products were not sold below normal value supports the competitive landscape for domestic manufacturers in the U.S.
The methodology used by Commerce for this review adheres to the provisions outlined in the Tariff Act of 1930. This includes calculating normal value and constructed export price based on relevant data, which helps determine whether dumping has occurred. By following these established procedures, Commerce ensures that its findings are based on reliable and systematic analysis.
In addition to confirming the fair pricing of HiSteel's products, the review also included a partial rescission regarding the two companies that withdrew their requests. Since NEXTEEL and Dong-A-Steel had no further interest in the review, it allowed Commerce to focus solely on HiSteel, simplifying the review process and providing clearer results.
