MESSAGE NO: 4026112 DATE: 01 26 1994
CATEGORY: ADA TYPE: FIN
REFERENCE: REFERENCE DATE:
CASES: A - 588 - 829 - -
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PERIOD COVERED: 01 13 1994 TO

LIQ SUSPENSION DATE: 08 24 1993

TO: REGIONAL DIRECTORS, COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS
DISTRICT DIRECTORS, AREA AND PORT DIRECTORS

FROM: DIRECTOR, IMPORT SPECIALIST DIVISION

RE: FINAL DETERMINATION IN THE ANTIDUMPING DUTY INVESTIGATION
OF DEFROST TIMERS FROM JAPAN


1. THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER
ON JANUARY 13, 1994, THE NOTICE OF THE FINAL DETERMINATION THAT
DEFROST TIMERS FROM JAPAN ARE BEING SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AT
LESS THAN FAIR VALUE.

2. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION, DEFROST TIMERS ARE
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC DEFROST TIMERS FOR RESIDENTIAL
REFRIGERATORS. ELECTRO-MECHANICAL DEFROST TIMERS ARE COMPRISED
OF SEVERAL COMPONENTS THAT MAKE OR BREAK ELECTRIC CIRCUITS BY
ACTIVATING TWO SETS OF ELECTRICAL CONTACT POINTS--ONE TO
DISCONNECT THE COMPRESSOR (THE COOLING MECHANISM) AND THE OTHER
TO CONNECT THE DEFROST HEATER. THE ARTICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A
SYNCHRONOUS OR SUBSYNCHRONOUS MOTOR. THE DEFROST TIMER
DISCONNECTS THE COMPRESSOR BY OPENING AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AFTER
THE COMPRESSOR ITSELF HAS RUN FOR A LENGTH OF TIME PREDETERMINED
BY THE MANUFACTURER DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE MODEL.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE COMPRESSOR RUN CYCLE (AND SIMULTANEOUSLY
WITH THE COMPRESSOR'S DISCONNECTION) THE DEFROST HEATER IS
ACTIVATED AND RUNS FOR A PRESET TIME (AGAIN DEPENDING ON THE
MODEL), AS PREDETERMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER. ELECTRONIC DEFROST
TIMERS HAVE A SIMILAR FUNCTION BUT OPERATE WITH GREATER
EFFICIENCY. THIS IS BECAUSE A MICROPROCESSOR IN THE DEVICE USES
INFORMATION GATHERED DURING THE DEFROSTS CYCLE TO ADJUST THE
COMPRESSOR RUN TIME. THIS SYSTEM DEFROST ONLY WHEN NEEDED,
THEREBY IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE REFRIGERATOR.


THE DEFROST TIMERS SUBJECT TO THIS INVESTIGATION ARE CURRENTLY
CLASSIFIABLE UNDER SUBHEADING 9107.00.4000 OF THE HARMONIZED
TARIFF SCHEDULE OF THE UNITED STAES (HTSUS). THE HTSUS
SUBHEADING IS PROVIDED FOR CONVENIENCE AND CUSTOMS PURPOSES. THE
WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THIS INVESTIGATION IS DISPOSITIVE.

3. FOR FURTHER REPORTING PURPOSES THIS CASE HAS BEEN ASSIGNED
INVESTIGATION NUMBER (A-588-829).

4. THE U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE SHALL CONTINUE TO SUSPEND
LIQUIDATION OF SUCH MERCHANDISE THAT IS ENTERED, OR WITHDRAWN
FROM WAREHOUSE, FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR AFTER AUGUST 24, 1993 AND
SHALL REQUIRE A CASH DEPOSIT OR POSTING OF A BOND EQUAL TO THE
ESTIMATED FINAL MARGIN PERCENTAGE BELOW:

MANUFACTURER/PRODUCER IDENTIFICATION NO. WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
EXPORTER MARGIN PERCENTAGE

SANKYO SEIKI A-588-829-001 83.67%
MANUFACTURING CO. LTD.

ALL OTHERS A-588-829-000 83.67%

5. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS MATTER BY CUSTOMS
OFFICERS, PLEASE CONTACT THE TRADE COMPLIANCE DIVISION,
ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY DIVISION BRANCH BY E-MAIL TO
ATTRIBUTE "HQ OAB". THE IMPORTING PUBLIC AND OTHER INTERESTED
PARTIES SHOULD CONTACT BILL CROW OR THE OFFICE OF ANTIDUMPING
INVESTIGATIONS, IMPORT ADMINISTRATION, INTERNATIONAL TRADE
ADMINISTRATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, TELEPHONE (202)
482-0116.

THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE RELEASE OF THIS INFORMATION.

NANCY MCTIERNAN