Thermoformed Molded Fiber Products From the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations; Correction

<NOTICE> DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE <SUBAGY>International Trade Administration</SUBAGY> <DEPDOC>[A-570-182, A-552-845]</DEPDOC> <SUBJECT>Thermoformed Molded Fiber Products From the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations; Correction</SUBJECT> <HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD> Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. <HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD> Notice; correction. <SUM> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD> The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) published notice in the <E T="04">Federal Register</E> of November 4, 2024, in which Commerce initiated the less-than-fair-value (LTFV) investigations on thermoformed molded fiber products (molded fiber products) from the People's Republic of China (China) and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam). There was a typographical error in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings included in the scope of the investigations. </SUM> <FURINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD> Rebecca Trainor or Dennis McClure at (202) 482-4007 or (202) 482-5973, respectively (China), and Thomas Martin at (202) 482-3936 (Vietnam), AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. </FURINF> <SUPLINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD> <HD SOURCE="HD1">Background</HD> On November 4, 2024, Commerce published in the <E T="04">Federal Register</E> the initiation notice of the LTFV investigations on molded fiber products from China and Vietnam. <SU>1</SU> <FTREF/> In that notice, there was a typographical error in the HTSUS subheadings included in the scope of the investigations. <FTNT> <SU>1</SU>   <E T="03">See Thermoformed Molded Fiber Products from the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations,</E> 89 FR 87551 (November 4, 2024). </FTNT> <HD SOURCE="HD1">Correction</HD> In the <E T="04">Federal Register</E> of November 4, 2024, in FR Doc 2024-25562, <SU>2</SU> <FTREF/> on page 87556, in the first column, correct the first sentence of the last paragraph in this column to read as follows: <FTNT> <SU>2</SU>   <E T="03">Id.</E> </FTNT> “Thermoformed molded fiber products are classified under subheadings 4823.70.0020 and 4823.70.0040, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).” For a full description of the scope of these investigations, revised to reflect the correction specified above, <E T="03">see</E> the appendix to this notice. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Notice to Interested Parties</HD> This notice is issued and published in accordance with sections 732 and 777(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and 19 CFR 351.203(c). <SIG> <DATED>Dated: November 13, 2024.</DATED> <NAME>Abdelali Elouaradia,</NAME> Deputy Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. </SIG> <HD SOURCE="HD1">Appendix</HD> <EXTRACT> <HD SOURCE="HD1">Scope of the Investigations</HD> The merchandise subject to these investigations consists of thermoformed molded fiber products regardless of shape, form, function, fiber source, or finish. Thermoformed molded fiber products are formed with cellulose fibers, thermoformed using one or more heated molds, and dried/cured in the mold. Thermoformed molded fiber products include, but are not limited to, plates, bowls, clamshells, trays, lids, food or foodservice contact packaging, and consumer or other product packaging. Thermoformed molded fiber products are relatively dense, with a typical fiber density above 0.5 grams per cubic centimeter, and are generally characterized by relatively smooth surfaces. They may be derived from any virgin or recycled cellulose fiber source (including, but not limited to, those sourced from wood, woody crops, agricultural crops/byproducts/residue, and agricultural/industrial/other waste). They may have any weight, shape, dimensionality, design, or size, and may be bleached, unbleached, dyed, colored, or printed. They may include ingredients, additives, or chemistries to enhance functionality including, but not limited to, anti-microbial, antifungal, anti-bacterial, heat/flame resistant, hydrophobic, oleophobic, absorbent, or adsorbent. Thermoformed molded fiber products may also be subject to other processing or treatments, including, but not limited to, hot or after pressing, die-cutting, punching, trimming, padding, perforating, printing, labeling, dying, coloring, coating, laminating, embossing, debossing, repacking, or denesting. Thermoformed molded fiber products subject to these investigations may also have additional design features, including, but not limited to, tab closures, venting, channeling, or stiffening. Thermoformed molded fiber products remain covered by the scope of these investigations whether the subject product is encased by exterior packaging or whether the subject product forms the outer packaging for non-subject products. They also remain covered by the scope of these investigations whether imported alone, or in any combination of subject and non-subject merchandise ( <E T="03">e.g.,</E> a lid or cover of any type packaged with a molded fiber bowl, addition of any items to make the thermoformed molded fiber packaging suitable for end-use such as absorbent pads). When thermoformed molded fiber products are imported in combination with non-subject merchandise, only the thermoformed molded fiber products are subject merchandise. Excluded from the scope of these investigations are thermoformed molded fiber products imported as packaging material that enclose and/or surround non-subject merchandise prepackaged for final sale upon importation into the United States ( <E T="03">e.g.,</E> molded fiber packaging surrounding a cellular phone). Thermoformed molded fiber products include thermoformed molded fiber products matching the above description that have been finished, packaged, or otherwise processed in a third country by performing finishing, packaging, or processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of the thermoformed molded fiber products. Examples of finishing, packaging, or other processing in a third country that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of the thermoformed molded fiber products include, but are not limited to, hot or after pressing, die-cutting, punching, trimming, padding, perforating, printing, labeling, dying, coloring, coating, laminating, embossing, debossing, repacking, or denesting. Thermoformed molded fiber products are classified under subheadings 4823.70.0020 and 4823.70.0040, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Imports may also be classified under subheadings 4823.61.0020, 4823.61.0040, 4823.69.0020, 4823.69.0040, 4823.90.1000, HTSUS. References to the HTSUS classification are provided for convenience and customs purposes, and the written description of the merchandise under investigation is dispositive. </EXTRACT> </SUPLINF> <FRDOC>[FR Doc. 2024-26907 Filed 11-18-24; 8:45 am]</FRDOC> </NOTICE>