Import Administration
Small Diameter Graphite Electrodes from People's Republic Of China (A-570-929)

Scope Description:

The merchandise covered by the order includes all small diameter graphite electrodes of any length, whether or not finished, of a kind used in furnaces, with a nominal or actual diameter of 400 millimeters (16 inches) or less, and whether or not attached to a graphite pin joining system or any other type of joining system or hardware. The merchandise covered by the order also includes graphite pin joining systems for small diameter graphite electrodes, of any length, whether or not finished, of a kind used in furnaces, and whether or not the graphite pin joining system is attached to, sold with, or sold separately from, the small diameter graphite electrode. Small diameter graphite electrodes and graphite pin joining systems for small diameter graphite electrodes are most commonly used in primary melting, ladle metallurgy, and specialty furnace applications in industries including foundries, smelters, and steel refining operations. Small diameter graphite electrodes and graphite pin joining systems for small diameter graphite electrodes that are subject to the order are currently classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings 8545.11.0010 (see footnote1), 3801.10 (see footnote 2), and 8545.11.0020 (see footnote 3). The HTSUS numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, but the written description of the scope is dispositive.

Footnote 1: The scope described in the order refers to the HTSUS subheading 8545.11.0000. We note that, starting in 2010, imports of small diameter graphite electrodes are classified in the HTSUS under subheading 8545.11.0010 and imports of large diameter graphite electrodes are classified under subheading 8545.11.0020.
Footnote 2: HTSUS subheading 3801.10 was added to the scope of the SDGE Order based on a determination in Small Diameter Graphite Electrodes From the People's Republic of China: Affirmative Final Determination of Circumvention of the Antidumping Duty Order, 77 FR 47596 (August 9, 2012) (first circumvention determination). The products covered by the first circumvention determination are SDGE (or graphite pin joining system) that were 1) produced by UK Carbon and Graphite Co., Ltd. (UKCG) from PRC-manufactured artificial/synthetic graphite forms, of a size and shape (e.g., blanks, rods, cylinders, billets, blocks, etc.), 2) which required additional machining processes (i.e., tooling and shaping) that UKCG performed in the United Kingdom (UK), and 3) were re-exported to the United States as UK-origin merchandise.
Footnote 3: HTSUS subheading 8545.11.0020 was added to the scope of the SDGE Order based on a determination in Small Diameter Graphite Electrodes from the People’s Republic of China: Affirmative Final Determination of Circumvention of the Antidumping Duty Order and Rescission of Later-Developed Merchandise Anticircumvention Inquiry, 78 FR 56864 (September 16, 2013) (second circumvention determination). The products covered by the second circumvention determination are SDGE produced and/or exported by Jilin Carbon Import and Export Company with an actual or nominal diameter of 17 inches.

Scope Rulings Made Between July 1, 2013, and September 30, 2013
Requestor: SGL Carbon LLC and Superior Graphite Co.; Imports from the People's Republic of China (PRC) of graphite electrodes, produced and/or exported by Sinosteel Jilin Carbon Co., Ltd. and Jilin Carbon Import & Export Company, with an actual or nominal diameter of 17 inches, and otherwise meeting the description of in-scope merchandise, constitute merchandise altered in form or appearance in such minor respects that it should be included within the scope of the order; September 16, 2013.

Scope Rulings Made Between July 1, 2012, and September 30, 2012
Requestor: SGL Carbon LLC and Superior Graphite Co.; certain small diameter graphite electrodes (``SDGE'') finished by UK Carbon and Graphite Co., Ltd from PRC-produced artificial graphite rod/unfinished SDGE component inputs are circumventing the antidumping duty order; July 31, 2012.