19 USC 1677b - Normal value

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 06, 2025

§ 1677b.

Normal value

(a)

Determination

In determining under this subtitle whether subject merchandise is being, or is likely to be, sold at less than fair value, a fair comparison shall be made between the export price or constructed export price and normal value. In order to achieve a fair comparison with the export price or constructed export price, normal value shall be determined as follows:

(1)

Determination of normal value

(A)

In general

(B)

Price

The price referred to in subparagraph (A) is—

(i)

the price at which the foreign like product is first sold (or, in the absence of a sale, offered for sale) for consumption in the exporting country, in the usual commercial quantities and in the ordinary course of trade and, to the extent practicable, at the same level of trade as the export price or constructed export price, or

(ii)

in a case to which subparagraph (C) applies, the price at which the foreign like product is so sold (or offered for sale) for consumption in a country other than the exporting country or the United States, if—

(I)

such price is representative,

(II)

the aggregate quantity (or, if quantity is not appropriate, value) of the foreign like product sold by the exporter or producer in such other country is 5 percent or more of the aggregate quantity (or value) of the subject merchandise sold in the United States or for export to the United States, and

(III)

the administering authority does not determine that the particular market situation prevents a proper comparison with the export price or constructed export price.

(C)

Third country sales

This subparagraph applies when—

(i)

the foreign like product is not sold (or offered for sale) for consumption in the exporting country as described in subparagraph (B)(i),

(ii)

the administering authority determines that the aggregate quantity (or, if quantity is not appropriate, value) of the foreign like product sold in the exporting country is insufficient to permit a proper comparison with the sales of the subject merchandise to the United States, or

(iii)

the particular market situation in the exporting country does not permit a proper comparison with the export price or constructed export price.

For purposes of clause (ii), the aggregate quantity (or value) of the foreign like product sold in the exporting country shall normally be considered to be insufficient if such quantity (or value) is less than 5 percent of the aggregate quantity (or value) of sales of the subject merchandise to the United States.

(2)

Fictitious markets

(3)

Exportation from an intermediate country

Where the subject merchandise is exported to the United States from an intermediate country, normal value shall be determined in the intermediate country, except that normal value may be determined in the country of origin of the subject merchandise if—

(A)

the producer knew at the time of the sale that the subject merchandise was destined for exportation;

(B)

the subject merchandise is merely transshipped through the intermediate country;

(C)

sales of the foreign like product in the intermediate country do not satisfy the conditions of paragraph (1)(C); or

(D)

the foreign like product is not produced in the intermediate country.

(4)

Use of constructed value

(5)

Indirect sales or offers for sale

(6)

Adjustments

The price described in paragraph (1)(B) shall be—

(A)

increased by the cost of all containers and coverings and all other costs, charges, and expenses incident to placing the subject merchandise in condition packed ready for shipment to the United States;

(B)

reduced by—

(i)

when included in the price described in paragraph (1)(B), the cost of all containers and coverings and all other costs, charges, and expenses incident to placing the foreign like product in condition packed ready for shipment to the place of delivery to the purchaser,

(ii)

the amount, if any, included in the price described in paragraph (1)(B), attributable to any additional costs, charges, and expenses incident to bringing the foreign like product from the original place of shipment to the place of delivery to the purchaser, and

(iii)

the amount of any taxes imposed directly upon the foreign like product or components thereof which have been rebated, or which have not been collected, on the subject merchandise, but only to the extent that such taxes are added to or included in the price of the foreign like product, and

(C)

increased or decreased by the amount of any difference (or lack thereof) between the export price or constructed export price and the price described in paragraph (1)(B) (other than a difference for which allowance is otherwise provided under this section) that is established to the satisfaction of the administering authority to be wholly or partly due to—

(i)

the fact that the quantities in which the subject merchandise is sold or agreed to be sold to the United States are greater than or less than the quantities in which the foreign like product is sold, agreed to be sold, or offered for sale,

(ii)

the fact that merchandise described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 1677(16) of this title is used in determining normal value, or

(iii)

other differences in the circumstances of sale.

(7)

Additional adjustments

(A)

Level of trade

The price described in paragraph (1)(B) shall also be increased or decreased to make due allowance for any difference (or lack thereof) between the export price or constructed export price and the price described in paragraph (1)(B) (other than a difference for which allowance is otherwise made under this section) that is shown to be wholly or partly due to a difference in level of trade between the export price or constructed export price and normal value, if the difference in level of trade—

(i)

involves the performance of different selling activities; and

(ii)

is demonstrated to affect price comparability, based on a pattern of consistent price differences between sales at different levels of trade in the country in which normal value is determined.

In a case described in the preceding sentence, the amount of the adjustment shall be based on the price differences between the two levels of trade in the country in which normal value is determined.

(B)

Constructed export price offset

(8)

Adjustments to constructed value

(b)

Sales at less than cost of production

(1)

Determination; sales disregarded

Whenever the administering authority has reasonable grounds to believe or suspect that sales of the foreign like product under consideration for the determination of normal value have been made at prices which represent less than the cost of production of that product, the administering authority shall determine whether, in fact, such sales were made at less than the cost of production. If the administering authority determines that sales made at less than the cost of production—

(A)

have been made within an extended period of time in substantial quantities, and

(B)

were not at prices which permit recovery of all costs within a reasonable period of time,

such sales may be disregarded in the determination of normal value. Whenever such sales are disregarded, normal value shall be based on the remaining sales of the foreign like product in the ordinary course of trade. If no sales made in the ordinary course of trade remain, the normal value shall be based on the constructed value of the merchandise.

(2)

Definitions and special rules

For purposes of this subsection—

(A)

Reasonable grounds to believe or suspect

(i)

Review

(ii)

Requests for information

(B)

Extended period of time

(C)

Substantial quantities

Sales made at prices below the cost of production have been made in substantial quantities if—

(i)

the volume of such sales represents 20 percent or more of the volume of sales under consideration for the determination of normal value, or

(ii)

the weighted average per unit price of the sales under consideration for the determination of normal value is less than the weighted average per unit cost of production for such sales.

(D)

Recovery of costs

(3)

Calculation of cost of production

For purposes of this part, the cost of production shall be an amount equal to the sum of—

(A)

the cost of materials and of fabrication or other processing of any kind employed in producing the foreign like product, during a period which would ordinarily permit the production of that foreign like product in the ordinary course of business;

(B)

an amount for selling, general, and administrative expenses based on actual data pertaining to production and sales of the foreign like product by the exporter in question; and

(C)

the cost of all containers and coverings of whatever nature, and all other expenses incidental to placing the foreign like product in condition packed ready for shipment.

For purposes of subparagraph (A), if the normal value is based on the price of the foreign like product sold for consumption in a country other than the exporting country, the cost of materials shall be determined without regard to any internal tax in the exporting country imposed on such materials or their disposition which are remitted or refunded upon exportation.

(c)

Nonmarket economy countries

(1)

In general

If—

(A)

the subject merchandise is exported from a nonmarket economy country, and

(B)

the administering authority finds that available information does not permit the normal value of the subject merchandise to be determined under subsection (a),

the administering authority shall determine the normal value of the subject merchandise on the basis of the value of the factors of production utilized in producing the merchandise and to which shall be added an amount for general expenses and profit plus the cost of containers, coverings, and other expenses. Except as provided in paragraph (2), the valuation of the factors of production shall be based on the best available information regarding the values of such factors in a market economy country or countries considered to be appropriate by the administering authority.

(2)

Exception

If the administering authority finds that the available information is inadequate for purposes of determining the normal value of subject merchandise under paragraph (1), the administering authority shall determine the normal value on the basis of the price at which merchandise that is—

(A)

comparable to the subject merchandise, and

(B)

produced in one or more market economy countries that are at a level of economic development comparable to that of the nonmarket economy country,

is sold in other countries, including the United States.

(3)

Factors of production

For purposes of paragraph (1), the factors of production utilized in producing merchandise include, but are not limited to—

(A)

hours of labor required,

(B)

quantities of raw materials employed,

(C)

amounts of energy and other utilities consumed, and

(D)

representative capital cost, including depreciation.

(4)

Valuation of factors of production

The administering authority, in valuing factors of production under paragraph (1), shall utilize, to the extent possible, the prices or costs of factors of production in one or more market economy countries that are—

(A)

at a level of economic development comparable to that of the nonmarket economy country, and

(B)

significant producers of comparable merchandise.

(5)

Discretion to disregard certain price or cost values

(d)

Special rule for certain multinational corporations

Whenever, in the course of an investigation under this subtitle, the administering authority determines that—

(1)

subject merchandise exported to the United States is being produced in facilities which are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a person, firm, or corporation which also owns or controls, directly or indirectly, other facilities for the production of the foreign like product which are located in another country or countries,

(2)

subsection (a)(1)(C) applies, and

(3)

the normal value of the foreign like product produced in one or more of the facilities outside the exporting country is higher than the normal value of the foreign like product produced in the facilities located in the exporting country,

it shall determine the normal value of the subject merchandise by reference to the normal value at which the foreign like product is sold in substantial quantities from one or more facilities outside the exporting country. The administering authority, in making any determination under this paragraph, shall make adjustments for the difference between the cost of production (including taxes, labor, materials, and overhead) of the foreign like product produced in facilities outside the exporting country and costs of production of the foreign like product produced in facilities in the exporting country, if such differences are demonstrated to its satisfaction. For purposes of this subsection, in determining the normal value of the foreign like product produced in a country outside of the exporting country, the administering authority shall determine its price at the time of exportation from the exporting country and shall make any adjustments required by subsection (a) for the cost of all containers and coverings and all other costs, charges, and expenses incident to placing the merchandise in condition packed ready for shipment to the United States by reference to such costs in the exporting country.

(e)

Constructed value

For purposes of this subtitle, the constructed value of imported merchandise shall be an amount equal to the sum of—

(1)

the cost of materials and fabrication or other processing of any kind employed in producing the merchandise, during a period which would ordinarily permit the production of the merchandise in the ordinary course of trade;

(2)

(A)

the actual amounts incurred and realized by the specific exporter or producer being examined in the investigation or review for selling, general, and administrative expenses, and for profits, in connection with the production and sale of a foreign like product, in the ordinary course of trade, for consumption in the foreign country, or

(B)

if actual data are not available with respect to the amounts described in subparagraph (A), then—

(i)

the actual amounts incurred and realized by the specific exporter or producer being examined in the investigation or review for selling, general, and administrative expenses, and for profits, in connection with the production and sale, for consumption in the foreign country, of merchandise that is in the same general category of products as the subject merchandise,

(ii)

the weighted average of the actual amounts incurred and realized by exporters or producers that are subject to the investigation or review (other than the exporter or producer described in clause (i)) for selling, general, and administrative expenses, and for profits, in connection with the production and sale of a foreign like product, in the ordinary course of trade, for consumption in the foreign country, or

(iii)

the amounts incurred and realized for selling, general, and administrative expenses, and for profits, based on any other reasonable method, except that the amount allowed for profit may not exceed the amount normally realized by exporters or producers (other than the exporter or producer described in clause (i)) in connection with the sale, for consumption in the foreign country, of merchandise that is in the same general category of products as the subject merchandise; and

(3)

the cost of all containers and coverings of whatever nature, and all other expenses incidental to placing the subject merchandise in condition packed ready for shipment to the United States.

For purposes of paragraph (1), if a particular market situation exists such that the cost of materials and fabrication or other processing of any kind does not accurately reflect the cost of production in the ordinary course of trade, the administering authority may use another calculation methodology under this part or any other calculation methodology. For purposes of paragraph (1), the cost of materials shall be determined without regard to any internal tax in the exporting country imposed on such materials or their disposition that is remitted or refunded upon exportation of the subject merchandise produced from such materials.

(f)

Special rules for calculation of cost of production and for calculation of constructed value

For purposes of subsections (b) and (e).— 1

 So in original. The period preceding the dash probably should not appear.

(1)

Costs

(A)

In general

(B)

Nonrecurring costs

(C)

Startup costs

(i)

In general

(ii)

Startup operations

Adjustments shall be made for startup operations only where—

(I)

a producer is using new production facilities or producing a new product that requires substantial additional investment, and

(II)

production levels are limited by technical factors associated with the initial phase of commercial production.

For purposes of subclause (II), the initial phase of commercial production ends at the end of the startup period. In determining whether commercial production levels have been achieved, the administering authority shall consider factors unrelated to startup operations that might affect the volume of production processed, such as demand, seasonality, or business cycles.

(iii)

Adjustment for startup operations

(2)

Transactions disregarded

(3)

Major input rule

(June 17, 1930, ch. 497, title VII, § 773, as added Pub. L. 96–39, title I, § 101, July 26, 1979, 93 Stat. 182; amended Pub. L. 98–573, title VI, §§ 615, 620(b), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3036, 3039; Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1886(a)(11), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2922; Pub. L. 100–418, title I, §§ 1316(a), 1318, 1319, Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1186, 1189; Pub. L. 103–465, title II, § 224, Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 4878; Pub. L. 114–27, title V, §§ 504(b), (c), 505, June 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 385.)

cite as: 19 USC 1677b

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