Tenaris, Vallourec, and USW filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions against imports of seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe from the following countries:
- Georgia
- India
Product Uses
Pressure pipes are used in industrial systems to carry water, steam, petrochemicals, chemicals, oil products, natural gas, and other fluids, and may do so at elevated pressures and temperatures. Standard pipes generally serve plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and sprinkler systems, carrying water, steam, natural gas, air, and similar fluids at lower temperatures and pressures. Line pipes carry oil, natural gas, and other fluids through pipelines, while water well pipe (ASTM A-589) and galvanized fire-protection pipe (ASTM A-795) are used to carry water. Pressure pipe is typically produced to ASTM A-106, the most common standard in the United States. Standard pipe is most commonly produced to ASTM A-53, and line pipe to API 5L. Because a single pipe can meet several specifications at once, manufacturers commonly certify it to three or four of them (typically ASTM A-106, ASTM A-53, API 5L-B, and API 5L-X42).
Import HTSUS Numbers
The products under investigation may be classified under the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) numbers. However, the written scope of the investigation takes precedence over these codes:
7304.19.1020, 7304.19.1030, 7304.19.1045, 7304.19.1060, 7304.19.5020, 7304.19.5050, 7304.31.6050, 7304.39.0016, 7304.39.0020, 7304.39.0024, 7304.39.0028, 7304.39.0032, 7304.39.0036, 7304.39.0040, 7304.39.0044, 7304.39.0048, 7304.39.0052, 7304.39.0056, 7304.39.0062, 7304.39.0068, 7304.39.0072, 7304.51.5005, 7304.51.5060, 7304.59.6000, 7304.59.8010, 7304.59.8015, 7304.59.8020, 7304.59.8025, 7304.59.8030, 7304.59.8035, 7304.59.8040, 7304.59.8045, 7304.59.8050, 7304.59.8055, 7304.59.8060, 7304.59.8065, and 7304.59.8070.
Proposed Scope Language
The merchandise covered by these petitions is seamless carbon and alloy steel (other than stainless steel) pipes and redraw hollows, less than or equal to 16 inches (406.4 mm) in nominal outside diameter, regardless of wall-thickness, manufacturing process (e.g., hot finished or cold-drawn), end finish (e.g., plain end, beveled end, upset end, threaded, or threaded and coupled), or surface finish (e.g., bare, lacquered or coated). Redraw hollows are any unfinished carbon or alloy steel (other than stainless steel) pipe or “hollow profiles” suitable for cold finishing operations, such as cold drawing, to meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or American Petroleum Institute (API) specifications referenced below, or comparable specifications. Specifically included within the scope are seamless carbon and alloy steel (other than stainless steel) standard, line, and pressure pipes produced to the ASTM A-53, ASTM A-106, ASTM A-333, ASTM A-334, ASTM A-589, ASTM A-795, ASTM A-1024, and the API 51 specifications, or comparable specifications, and meeting the physical parameters described above, regardless of application, with the exception of the exclusions discussed below.
Specifically excluded from the scope are (1) all pipes meeting aerospace, hydraulic, and bearing tubing specifications, including pipe produced to the ASTM A-822 standard; (2) all pipes meeting the chemical requirements of ASTM A-335, whether finished or unfinished; and (3) unattached couplings. Also excluded from the scope of the orders are (1) all mechanical, boiler, condenser and heat exchange tubing, except when such products conform to the dimensional requirements, i.e., outside diameter and wall thickness, of ASTM A53, ASTM A-106 or API 51 specifications. Also excluded from the scope of the orders are: (1) oil country tubular goods consisting of drill pipe, casing, tubing and coupling stock; (2) all pipes meeting the chemical requirements of ASTM A-335 regardless of their conformity to the dimensional requirements of ASTM A-53, ASTM A-106 or API 5L; and (3) the exclusion for ASTM A335 applies to pipes meeting the comparable specifications GOST 550-75.
Key Considerations
- The scope language is often drafted broadly and may be ambiguous. The language may also change based on developments during the investigation, such as interested party comments and arguments.
- For foreign producers, exporters, and U.S. importers participating in these investigations, the duty rates often end up much lower than the alleged rates, sometimes resulting in no duties imposed at all.
Alleged Dumping Margins and Subsidies
Dumping Margins
- Georgia: 113.87–281.24%
- India: 41.03–63.57%
Countervailable Subsidies
- India: Twenty-three subsidy programs
Focus of the Investigations
The petitions were filed with the two U.S. agencies involved in antidumping and countervailing duty investigations: the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC).
- The DOC will calculate the dumping margins and countervailable subsidy rates for foreign exporters of seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe products from these countries.
- The ITC will assess whether imports from these countries are causing material injury to the U.S. seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe industry.
Dumping occurs when foreign companies sell products in the United States at prices below their normal value (typically their home market price for Market Economy countries).
The ITC’s injury investigation will determine whether the U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by the allegedly dumped and subsidized imports.
Participation
The DOC is reviewing the petitions and is set to decide whether to officially launch the investigations by November 3, 2026. After the initiation, participation is critical for maintaining U.S. market share. In AD/CVD investigations, the DOC typically examines two companies from each country, usually the largest exporters to the U.S., to set the duty rates.
The ITC will have about 45 days to reach a preliminary determination. Companies involved can respond to ITC questionnaires and defend themselves against injury claims. The questionnaires will be issued soon and will be due shortly thereafter, with briefs and the hearing to follow soon after.
Retroactive duties may be imposed for merchandise currently in transit or expected to be shipped soon. The additional duties normally become effective when the DOC makes affirmative preliminary determinations. However, if the petitioners later allege critical circumstances and dumping or subsidization is determined, imports arriving up to 90 days before the DOC’s preliminary determination could face retroactive cash deposits.
Key Dates
- DOC Initiation: November 3, 2026
- ITC Preliminary Determination: November 30, 2026
- DOC CVD Preliminary Determination: January 7, 2027
- DOC AD Preliminary Determinations: March 23, 2027
- DOC CVD Final Determination: March 23, 2027
- DOC AD Final Determinations: June 6, 2027
- ITC Final CVD Determination: May 7, 2027
- ITC Final AD Determination: July 21, 2027
Note: The above deadlines are estimates and will likely be extended under certain circumstances.