July 5, 2018
News Release 18-082
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-607 and 731-TA-1417 and 1419 (Preliminary)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
USITC Votes to Continue Investigations Concerning Steel Propane Cylinders from China and Thailand

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 steel propane cylinders from China and Thailand that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative.  Commissioner Jason E. Kearns did not participate in these investigations.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue with its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning imports of this product, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about August 15, 2018, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about October 29, 2018.

The Commission’s public report Steel Propane Cylinders from China and Thailand, Inv. Nos. 701-TA-607 and 731-TA-1417 and 1419 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4804, July 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available after August 3, 2018; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at:  http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.


UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436

FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Steel Propane Cylinders from China and Thailand
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-607 and 731-TA-1417 and 1419 (Preliminary)

Product Description:  Steel propane cylinders, used for the storage, transport, and dispensing of compressed or liquefied propane gas, are produced to meet the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Specifications 4B, 4BA, or 4BW; Transport Canada Specification 4BM, 4BAM, or 4BWM; or United Nations pressure receptacle standard ISO 4706. Steel propane cylinders range from 2.5 pound nominal gas capacity (approximate 6 pound water capacity and approximate 4–6 pound tare weight) to 42 pound nominal gas capacity (approximate 100 pound water capacity and approximate 2832 pound tare weight). Steel propane cylinders have two or fewer ports and may be imported assembled or unassembled (i.e., welded or brazed before or after importation), with or without all components (including collars, valves, gauges, tanks, foot rings, and overfill prevention devices), and coated or uncoated. Also included within the scope are drawn cylinder halves, unfinished propane cylinders, collars, and foot rings for steel propane cylinders.

Status of Proceedings:

1.   Type of investigation:  Preliminary countervailing duty and antidumping investigations.
2.   Petitioners:  Worthington Industries Inc., Columbus, Ohio; and Manchester Tank and Equipment, Franklin, Tennessee.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Tuesday, May 22, 2018.
4.   USITC Conference Date:  Tuesday, June 12, 2018.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Thursday, July 5, 2018.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Friday, July 6, 2018.

U.S. Industry in 2017:

1.   Number of U.S. producers:  2.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  California, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas.
3.   Production and related workers:   [1]
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  1
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  1
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  1

U.S. Imports in 2017:

1.   Subject imports:  1
2.   Nonsubject imports:  1
3.   Leading import sources:  Thailand and China.

 

[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

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