1. On 09/12/2019, Commerce published in the Federal Register its affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of ceramic tile from the People's Republic of China (China) (subject merchandise) (84 FR 48125). Additionally, Commerce has aligned the deadline for the final determination in the CVD investigation with the deadline for the final determination in the companion antidumping duty investigation of the same merchandise, currently scheduled to be issued no later than 01/21/2020.

2. The merchandise covered by this investigation is ceramic flooring tile, wall tile, paving tile, hearth tile, porcelain tile, mosaic tile, flags, finishing tile, and the like (hereinafter ceramic tile). Ceramic tiles are articles containing a mixture of minerals including clay (generally hydrous silicates of alumina or magnesium) that are fired so the raw materials are fused to produce a finished good that is less than 3.2 cm in actual thickness. All ceramic tile is subject to the scope regardless of end use, surface area, and weight, regardless of whether the tile is glazed or unglazed, regardless of the water absorption coefficient by weight, regardless of the extent of vitrification, and regardless of whether or not the tile is on a backing. Subject merchandise includes ceramic tile with decorative features that may in spots exceed 3.2 cm in thickness and includes ceramic tile “slabs” or “panels” (tiles that are larger than 1 meter2 (11 ft.2)).

Subject merchandise includes ceramic tile that undergoes minor processing in a third country prior to importation into the United States. Similarly, subject merchandise includes ceramic tile produced that undergoes minor processing after importation into the United States. Such minor processing includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: beveling, cutting, trimming, staining, painting, polishing, finishing, additional firing, or any other processing that would otherwise not remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the in-scope product.

Subject merchandise is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under the following subheadings of heading 6907: 6907.21.1005, 6907.21.1011, 6907.21.1051, 6907.21.2000, 6907.21.3000, 6907.21.4000, 6907.21.9011, 6907.21.9051, 6907.22.1005, 6907.22.1011, 6907.22.1051, 6907.22.2000, 6907.22.3000, 6907.22.4000, 6907.22.9011, 6907.22.9051, 6907.23.1005, 6907.23.1011, 6907.23.1051, 6907.23.2000, 6907.23.3000, 6907.23.4000, 6907.23.9011, 6907.23.9051, 6907.30.1005, 6907.30.1011, 6907.30.1051, 6907.30.2000, 6907.30.3000, 6907.30.4000, 6907.30.9011, 6907.30.9051, 6907.40.1005, 6907.40.1011, 6907.40.1051, 6907.40.2000, 6907.40.3000, 6907.40.4000, 6907.40.9011, and 6907.40.9051. Subject merchandise may also enter under subheadings of headings 6914 and 6905: 6914.10.8000, 6914.90.8000, 6905.10.0000, and 6905.90.0050. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only. The written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive.

3. This proceeding has been assigned case number C-570-109.

4. Commerce did not find critical circumstances for the producers and/or exporters identified below. Accordingly, CBP shall suspend liquidation of subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after 09/12/2019 (the date of publication of the preliminary determination), and shall require, for such entries, a cash deposit equal to the percentages of entered value for the producers and/or exporters listed below.

Producer and/or Exporter: Temgoo International Trading Limited
Case Number: C-570-109-001
Cash Deposit: 222.24 percent

Producer and/or Exporter: Foshan Sanfi Imp & Exp Co., Ltd. and its cross-owned company: Guangdong Sanfi Ceramics Group Co., Ltd.
Case Number: C-570-109-002
Cash Deposit: 103.77 percent

Producer and/or Exporter: All Others
Case Number: C-570-109-000
Cash Deposit Rate: 103.77 %

5. If there are any questions by the public regarding this message, please contact the Call Center for the Office of AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, at (202) 482-0984. CBP ports should submit their inquiries through authorized CBP channels only. (This message was generated by OVI:MYS.)

6. There are no restrictions on the release of this information.

Alexander Amdur