June 24, 2011
News Release 11-068
Inv. Nos. 701-TA-480 and 731-TA-1188 (P)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of high pressure steel cylinders from China that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on imports of these products from China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about August 4, 2011, and its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about October 18, 2011.

The Commission's public report High Pressure Steel Cylinders from China (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-480 and 731-TA-1188 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4241, July 2011) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after July 26, 2011, by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, calling 202-205-2000, or writing to the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: High pressure steel cylinders (HPSCs) are seamless, chromium-alloy steel containers designed specifically for transporting, storing, and dispensing compressed or liquefied gases. These cylinders are permanently impressed, either before or after importation, with the symbol of an U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)-approved producer, as well as a DOT specification 3A, 3AX, 3AA, 3AAX, 3B, 3E, 3HT, 3T, or DOT-E (followed by a specific exemption number) per 178.36 178.68 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended. HPSCs included in these investigations have water capacities up to 450 liters and gas capacity ranges of 8 702 cubic feet, regardless of service pressures, physical dimensions, finishes, or coatings. Excluded are HPSCs produced to UN-ISO-9809-1 and 2 specifications and permanently impressed with ISO or UN symbols; and acetylene cylinders permanently impressed with DOT specification 8A or 8AL.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2.  Petitioner:  Norris Cylinder Co., Longview, Texas.
3.  Preliminary investigations instituted by the USITC:  May 11, 2011.
4.  Commission's conference:  June 1, 2011.
5.  USITC vote:  June 24, 2011.
6.  USITC determinations to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  June 27, 2011.
7.  USITC views to the U.S. Department of Commerce:  July 5, 2011.

U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of producers in 2009:  One.
2.  Location of producers' plants:  Alabama and Texas.
3.  Employment of production and related workers in 2019: (1)
4.  Apparent U.S. consumption in 2010:  (1)
5.  Ratio of the value of total U.S. imports to total U.S. consumption in 2010:  (1)

U.S. Imports:

1.  From the subject countries during 2010:  (1)
2.  From other countries during 2010:  (1)
3.  Leading sources during 2010:  China, Canada, and Korea (in terms of quantities).

(1) Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.