Probe into seamless tube import

The anti-dumping investigations would help determine the existence, degree and effect of alleged dumping of the subject goods originating in or exported from the subject countries and the need to impose anti-dumping duties on these imports.

The association of seamless tubes manufacturers had filed a petition before the concerned designated authorities in accordance with the customs tariff (identification, assessment and collection of anti-dumping duty on dumped articles for determination of injury) rules 1995.The association identified Maharasthra Seamless Ltd, Kalyan Seamless Tubes Ltd, Indian Seamless Metal Tubes Ltd, Remi Metal Gujarat Ltd, Tata Iron and Steel Company and BHEL as producers who had the capacity to produce seamless tubes and who were affected by the imports.

The petitioners claimed that Remi Metal Gujarat Ltd and Tata Iron and Steel Co have suspended their production in view of the unremunerative operations. Remi Metals imported casing/tubing from Russia and was therefore excluded from the scope of the domestic industry. BHEL imports the subject goods primarily for captive consumption and is not a party to the present petition. The petitioners accounted for 88.28 per cent of the total Indian production and therefore satisfied the standing to the present petition on behalf of the domestic industry.

The notification said there was sufficient prima facie evidence that the normal value of the product in Austria, Czech Republic, Russia, Romania and Ukraine was significantly higher than the priceat which it had been exported to India indicating that the goods were being dumped. The designated authority invited the exporters to submit their views within 40 days of publication of the notification. In case, an interested party refused access to or did not provide necessary information with a reasonable period or significantly impeded investigations, the authority would report its findings on the basis of facts available to it and make recommendations to the Centre it deemed fit.