The following was a News & Insights report from the RV Industry Association (RVIA).
The Department of Commerce has announced preliminary antidumping margins for the 14 countries subject to the investigation on imports of aluminum extrusions. US Customs and Border Protections will begin collecting cash deposits on subject extrusions when the announcement is published in the Federal Register, which should be the week of May 5. The full announcement from Commerce, as well as the rates for each country, can be viewed here.
Commerce’s preliminary scope of investigation memo includes several RV products: RV ladders, Solid Step Premium RV steps, slide toppers, bed lifts, RV doors, RV windows, RV hydraulics and RV awning components. A condensed version of the memo highlighting RV implications can be viewed here.
The memo also requests additional information/guidance on whether part of a subassembly is necessary for the function of the larger product (the RV) or if it would be an optional accessory, as well as whether Commerce should take that information into consideration. Please note that the memo specifically highlights steps and slide toppers in this section. This opens the door to creating a standard that would expressly exclude products that are sold as finished post-sale optional equipment rather than deeming them to be in-scope subassemblies.
Commerce has opened a new public comment period regarding the scope language adopted in Preliminary Scope Memo I (published March 4) and this most recent preliminary scope determination memo. The text of the latter scope has been amended to better indicate what is covered and what is not.
Interested parties are invited to submit comments by 5 p.m. ET on May 22. Rebuttal comments without new factual information may be submitted no later than 5 p.m. ET on May 29.
Members with any questions can contact the RVIA’s Director of Federal Affairs Samantha Rocci at srocci@rvia.org.