[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 21, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 19550] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-9994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigations Nos. 731-TA-823-824 (Preliminary)] Certain Aperture Masks From Japan and Korea \1\ Determinations On the basis of the record 2 developed in the subject investigations, the United States International Trade Commission determines, pursuant to section 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. Sec. 1673b(a)), that there is no reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury, or that the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded, by reason of imports from Japan of certain aperture masks, provided for in subheading 8540.91.50 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that are alleged to be sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV).3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The products covered by these investigations are all aperture masks (also known as ``shadow masks'') made from aluminum- killed, open-coil annealed steel (decarburized) (known generally as ``AK steel'') for color picture tubes (``CPTs'') used in television sets. AK steel includes the following types of steel: low carbon, AF (annealing-free) steel, AK type A steel (commonly referred to as AKM steel), AK type B steel, and general AK steel. The aperture masks covered by the scope generally have a vertical pitch (distance between the centers of two apertures) of greater than 0.28 mm. Specifically excluded from the scope are the following products: (1) aperture masks made from FeNi 36 alloy (whether sold under the brand names Invar, Inovar or LLTE); (2) aperture masks that have a vertical pitch of less than 0.28 mm that are generally used for color display tubes (``CDTs'') used in computer monitors; and (3) grille masks (a grille mask replaces the slots in an aperture mask with an array of finely tensioned vertical wires). The merchandise subject to these investigations is provided for in subheading 8540.91.50 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS). Although the HTS subheading is provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive. \2\ The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR Sec. 207.2(f)). \3\ Commissioners Carol T. Crawford and Stephen Koplan dissenting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also, pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1677(24)(A), the Commission determines that the subject imports from Korea that are alleged to be sold at LTFV are negligible. The Commission's investigation with respect to Korea is thereby terminated pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)(1). Background On February 24, 1999, petitions were filed with the Commission and the Department of Commerce by BMC Industries, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, alleging that an industry in the United States is materially injured and threatened with material injury by reason of LTFV imports of certain aperture masks from Japan and Korea. Accordingly, effective February 24, 1999, the Commission instituted antidumping investigations Nos. 731-TA-823-824 (Preliminary). Notice of the institution of the Commission's investigations and of a public conference to be held in connection therewith was given by posting copies of the notice in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and by publishing the notice in the Federal Register of March 3, 1999 (64 FR 10316). The conference was held in Washington, DC, on March 17, 1999, and all persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in person or by counsel. The Commission transmitted its determinations in these investigations to the Secretary of Commerce on April 12, 1999. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 3185 (April 1999), entitled Certain Aperture Masks from Japan and Korea: Investigations Nos. 731-TA-823-824 (Preliminary). Issued: April 15, 1999. By order of the Commission. Donna R. Koehnke, Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-9994 Filed 4-20-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020-02-P