Continuation of Antidumping Finding: Polychloroprene Rubber From Japan

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-588-046]

Continuation of Antidumping Finding: Polychloroprene Rubber From

Japan

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration,

Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of continuation of antidumping finding: polychloroprene

rubber from Japan.

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SUMMARY: On December 8, 1998, the Department of Commerce (``the

Department''), pursuant to sections 751(c) and 752 of the Tariff Act of

1930, as amended (``the Act''), determined that revocation of the

antidumping finding on polychloroprene rubber from Japan would be

likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping (63 FR 67656

(December 8, 1998)). On July 30, 1999, the International Trade

Commission (``the Commission''), pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act,

determined that revocation of the antidumping finding on

polychloroprene rubber from Japan would be likely to lead to

continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the

United States within a reasonably foreseeable time (64 FR 41458 (July

30, 1999)). Therefore, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.218(f)(4), the Department

is publishing notice of the continuation of the antidumping finding on

polychloroprene rubber from Japan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott E. Smith or Melissa G. Skinner,

Office of Policy for Import Administration, International Trade

Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution

Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-6397 or (202) 482-

1560, respectively.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 6, 1999.

Background

On August 3, 1998, the Department initiated, and the Commission

instituted, a sunset review (63 FR 41227 and 63 FR 41284, respectively)

of the antidumping finding on polychloroprene rubber from Japan

pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act. As a result of its review, the

Department found that revocation of the antidumping finding would

likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and notified the

Commission of the magnitude of the margin likely to prevail were the

finding to be revoked. (See Final Results of Expedited Sunset Review:

Polychloroprene Rubber from Japan, 63 FR 67656 (December 8, 1998)).

On July 30, 1999, the Commission determined, pursuant to section

751(c) of the Act, that revocation of the antidumping finding on

polychloroprene rubber from Japan would be likely to lead to

continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the

United States within a reasonably foreseeable time. (See

Polychloroprene Rubber from Japan, 64 FR 41458 (July 30, 1999) and

USITC Pub. 3212, Inv. No. AA1921-129 (Review) (July 1999)).

Scope

The merchandise covered by this antidumping finding is imports of

polychloroprene rubber from Japan, an oil resistant synthetic rubber

also known as polymerized chlorobutadiene or neoprene, currently

classifiable under items 4002.42.00, 4002.49.00, 4003.00.00, 4462.15.21

and 4462.00.00. HTS item numbers are provided for convenience and for

customs purposes. The written descriptions remain dispositive.

Determination

As a result of the determinations by the Department and the

Commission that revocation of this antidumping finding would be likely

to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and material injury to

an industry in the United States, pursuant to section 751(d)(2) of the

Act, the Department hereby orders the continuation of the antidumping

finding on polychloroprene rubber from Japan. The Department will

instruct the U.S. Customs Service to continue to collect antidumping

duty deposits at the rate in effect at the time of entry for all

imports of subject merchandise. Pursuant to section 751(c)(6)(A)(iii)

of the Act, any subsequent five-year review of this finding will be

initiated not later than the fifth anniversary of the effective date of

continuation of this finding.

[[Page 47766]]

Normally, the effective date of continuation of a finding, order,

or suspension agreement will be the date of publication in the Federal

Register of the Notice of Continuation. As provided in 19 CFR

351.218(f)(4), the Department will issue its determination to continue

a finding, order, or suspended investigation not later than seven days

after the date of publication in the Federal Register of the

Commission's determination concluding the sunset review and immediately

thereafter will publish its notice of continuation in the Federal

Register. In the instant case, however, the Department's publication of

the Notice of Continuation was delayed. The Department has explicitly

indicated that the effective date of continuation of this finding is

August 6, 1999, seven days after the publication in the Federal

Register of the Commission's determination. As a result, pursuant to

sections 751(c)(2) and 751(c)(6)(A) of the Act, the Department intends

to initiate the next five-year review of this finding not later than

July 2004.

Dated: August 26, 1999.

Bernard T. Carreau,

Acting Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.

[FR Doc. 99-22792 Filed 8-31-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P