# Oil Country Tubular Goods From the People's Republic of China: Notice of Covered Merchandise Referral and Initiation of Covered Merchandise Inquiry
**AGENCY:**
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
**SUMMARY:**
The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has received a covered merchandise referral from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in connection with a CBP investigation concerning alleged evasion of the antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) orders on oil country tubular goods (OCTG) from the People's Republic of China (China). Commerce is initiating a covered merchandise inquiry to determine whether the merchandise described in the referral is subject to the AD/CVD orders on OCTG from China. Interested parties are invited to comment and submit factual information addressing this initiation.
**DATES:**
Applicable December 31, 2025.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Harrison Tanchuck, AD/CVD Operations, Office VI, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: (202) 482-7421.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
**Background**
Section 517(b)(4)(A)(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), provides a procedure whereby if, during the course of an Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) investigation, CBP is unable to determine whether the merchandise at issue is covered merchandise within the meaning of section 517(a)(3) of the Act, it shall refer the matter to Commerce to make such a determination. Section 517(a)(3) of the Act defines covered merchandise as merchandise that is subject to an AD order issued under section 736 of the Act or a CVD order issued under section 706 of the Act. Section 517(b)(4)(B) of the Act states that Commerce, after receiving a covered merchandise referral from CBP, shall determine whether the merchandise is covered merchandise and promptly transmit its determination to CBP. Commerce's regulations at 19 CFR 351.227 establish procedures for covered merchandise referrals that Commerce receives from CBP in connection with an EAPA investigation. [^1]
[^1]*See Regulations to Improve Administration and Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Laws,* 86 FR 52300, 52354-62 (September 20, 2021) (final rule promulgating the regulation establishing procedures for covered merchandise referrals).
On December 1, 2025, Commerce received a sufficient covered merchandise referral from CBP regarding CBP EAPA Investigation No. 8143 [^2] which concerns the AD/CVD orders on OCTG from China. [^3] Specifically, CBP explained that an allegation was filed by the U.S. OCTG Manufacturers Association alleging that U.S. importers Commercial Steel Products LLC (CSP) and JOL Tubular, Inc. (JOL Tubular) evaded the *AD/CVD Orders* on OCTG from China by entering covered merchandise into the United States without declaring it as subject to the *AD/CVD Orders* on OCTG from China and paying the applicable AD/CVD duties. CBP informed Commerce that CBP is unable to determine whether certain merchandise is covered merchandise subject to the *AD/CVD Orders* on OCTG from China. Thus, CBP has requested that Commerce issue a determination as to whether the OCTG produced by Boly Pipe Co., Ltd. (Boly Pipe) in Thailand out of steel billets [^4] from China is subject to the *AD/CVD Orders* on OCTG from China.
[^2]*See* CBP's Letter, “Covered Merchandise Referral Request for EAPA Investigation 8143 Involving the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders on Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from the People's Republic of China,” dated December 1, 2025 (Covered Merchandise Referral Letter). The covered merchandise referral and any supporting documents will be made available on Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at *https://access.trade.gov.*
[^3]*See Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from the People's Republic of China: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination, Final Negative Critical Circumstances Determination,* 74 FR 64045 (December 7, 2009), as amended in *Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from the People's Republic of China: Amended Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Countervailing Duty Order,* 75 FR 3203 (January 20, 2010) ( *CVD Order* ); *see also Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from the People's Republic of China: Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Affirmative Final Determination of Critical Circumstances and Final Determination of Targeted Dumping,* 75 FR 20335 (April 19, 2010), as amended in *Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from the People's Republic of China: Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Antidumping Duty Order,* 75 FR 28551 (May 21, 2010) ( *AD Order* ) (collectively, *AD/CVD Orders* ).
[^4]*See* Covered Merchandise Referral Letter at 2. “A steel billet is a cylindrical steel bar that does not have a hole in it.”
**Initiation of Covered Merchandise Inquiry**
In accordance with 19 CFR 351.227(b)(1), Commerce is hereby notifying interested parties that it is initiating a covered merchandise inquiry to determine whether the merchandise subject to the referral is covered merchandise within the meaning of section 517(a)(3) of the Act. Additionally, Commerce intends to provide interested parties with the opportunity to participate in this segment of the proceeding, including through the submission of comments and factual information, and, if appropriate, verification. In accordance with 19 CFR 351.227(m)(2), Commerce is initiating a single inquiry regarding the merchandise described in the covered merchandise referral on the record of the AD proceeding. Upon issuance of a final covered merchandise determination, Commerce will include a copy of the determination on the record of the CVD proceeding.
In accordance with 19 CFR 351.227(d)(1), within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice, interested parties are permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual information addressing the initiation. Within 14 days of the filing of such comments, any interested party is permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual information to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information submitted by the other interested parties.
In accordance with 19 CFR 351.227(d)(2), following initiation of a covered merchandise inquiry, Commerce may also issue questionnaires and verify submissions received, where appropriate. Commerce may limit issuance of questionnaires to a reasonable number of respondents. Questionnaire responses are due on the date specified by Commerce. Within 14 days after a questionnaire response has been filed with Commerce, an interested party other than the original submitter is permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual information to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information contained in the questionnaire response. Within seven days of the filing of such rebuttal, clarification, or correction, the original submitter is permitted one opportunity to submit comments and factual information to rebut, clarify, or correct factual information submitted in the interested party's rebuttal, clarification, or correction.
In certain circumstances, Commerce may issue a preliminary determination as to whether there is a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that the product that is subject to the covered merchandise inquiry is covered by the scope of the AD/CVD orders. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.227(c), Commerce intends to issue a final determination within 120 days of the publication of this notice (this deadline may be extended if Commerce determines that good cause exists to warrant an extension). Promptly after publication of Commerce's final determination, Commerce will convey a copy of the final determination in the manner prescribed by section 516A(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Act to all parties to the proceeding and Commerce will transmit its final determination to CBP in accordance with section 517(b)(4)(B) of the Act. [^5]
[^5]*See also* 19 CFR 351.227(e)(2).
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.227(d)(5), during the pendency of this proceeding, Commerce may rescind, in whole or in part, a covered merchandise inquiry. Situations in which Commerce may rescind a covered merchandise inquiry include if CBP withdraws its covered merchandise referral or if Commerce determines that it can address CBP's covered merchandise referral in another segment of the proceeding. In accordance with 19 CFR 351.227(c)(3), Commerce may align the deadlines of this covered merchandise inquiry with the deadlines of another segment of the proceeding if it determines it is appropriate to do so.
Parties are hereby notified that this may be the only notice that Commerce publishes in the *Federal Register* concerning this covered merchandise referral. Except as indicated below, interested parties that wish to participate in this segment of the proceeding and receive notice of the final determination, must submit their letters of appearance as discussed below. Further, any representative of an interested party desiring access to business proprietary information in this segment of the proceeding must file an application for access to business proprietary information under administrative protective order (APO), as discussed below.
**Scope of the AD/CVD Orders**
The merchandise covered by the *AD/CVD Orders* are certain OCTG, which are hollow steel products of circular cross-section, including oil well casing and tubing, of iron (other than cast iron) or steel (both carbon and alloy), whether seamless or welded, regardless of end finish ( *e.g.,* whether or not plain end, threaded, or threaded and coupled) whether or not conforming to American Petroleum Institute (API) or non-API specifications, whether finished (including limited service OCTG products) or unfinished (including green tubes and limited service OCTG products), whether or not thread protectors are attached. The scope of the *AD/CVD Orders* also covers OCTG coupling stock. Excluded from the scope of the *AD/CVD Orders* are casing or tubing containing 10.5 percent or more by weight of chromium; drill pipe; unattached couplings; and unattached thread protectors.
The merchandise covered by the *AD/CVD Orders* is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under item numbers: 7304.29.10.10, 7304.29.10.20, 7304.29.10.30, 7304.29.10.40, 7304.29.10.50, 7304.29.10.60, 7304.29.10.80, 7304.29.20.10, 7304.29.20.20, 7304.29.20.30, 7304.29.20.40, 7304.29.20.50, 7304.29.20.60, 7304.29.20.80, 7304.29.31.10, 7304.29.31.20, 7304.29.31.30, 7304.29.31.40, 7304.29.31.50, 7304.29.31.60, 7304.29.31.80, 7304.29.41.10, 7304.29.41.20, 7304.29.41.30, 7304.29.41.40, 7304.29.41.50, 7304.29.41.60, 7304.29.41.80, 7304.29.50.15, 7304.29.50.30, 7304.29.50.45, 7304.29.50.60, 7304.29.50.75, 7304.29.61.15, 7304.29.61.30, 7304.29.61.45, 7304.29.61.60, 7304.29.61.75, 7305.20.20.00, 7305.20.40.00, 7305.20.60.00, 7305.20.80.00, 7306.29.10.30, 7306.29.10.90, 7306.29.20.00, 7306.29.31.00, 7306.29.41.00, 7306.29.60.10, 7306.29.60.50, 7306.29.81.10, and 7306.29.81.50.
The OCTG coupling stock covered by the *AD/CVD Orders* may also enter under the following HTSUS item numbers: 7304.39.00.24, 7304.39.00.28, 7304.39.00.32, 7304.39.00.36, 7304.39.00.40, 7304.39.00.44, 7304.39.00.48, 7304.39.00.52, 7304.39.00.56, 7304.39.00.62, 7304.39.00.68, 7304.39.00.72, 7304.39.00.76, 7304.39.00.80, 7304.59.60.00, 7304.59.80.15, 7304.59.80.20, 7304.59.80.25, 7304.59.80.30, 7304.59.80.35, 7304.59.80.40, 7304.59.80.45, 7304.59.80.50, 7304.59.80.55, 7304.59.80.60, 7304.59.80.65, 7304.59.80.70, and 7304.59.80.80.
The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only, the written description of the scope of the *AD/CVD Orders* is dispositive.
**Merchandise Subject to the Covered Merchandise Inquiry**
The covered merchandise inquiry will address whether the scope covers the OCTG produced by Boly Pipe in Thailand out of steel billets [^6] from China. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.227(m)(1), Commerce will consider, based on the available record evidence, whether the final determination in the covered merchandise inquiry should be applied on a (i) producer-specific, exporter-specific, importer-specific basis, or some combination thereof; or (ii) on a country-wide basis, regardless of the producer, exporter, or importer, to all products from the same country with the same relevant physical characteristics as the product at issue.
[^6]*See* Covered Merchandise Referral Letter at 2. “A steel billet is a cylindrical steel bar that does not have a hole in it.”
**Filing Requirements**
All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via ACCESS, unless an exception applies. [^7] An electronically filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by the applicable deadline. Note that Commerce has temporarily modified certain of its requirements for serving documents containing business proprietary information until further notice. [^8] Each submission must be placed on the record of the segment of the proceeding for the *AD Order* ( *i.e.,* A-570-943), ACCESS Covered Merchandise Inquiry segment “CMI—CBP EAPA Inv. No. 8143.”
[^7]*See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order Procedures,* 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011), as amended in *Enforcement and Compliance; Change of Electronic Filing System Name,* 79 FR 69046 (November 20, 2014), for details of Commerce's electronic filing requirements, effective August 5, 2011. Information on help using ACCESS can be found at *https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx* and a handbook can be found at *https://access.trade.gov/help/Handbook%20on%20Electronic%20Filing%20Procedures.pdf.*
[^8]*See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements Due to COVID-19,* 85 FR 17006 (March 26, 2020); *see also Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements Due to COVID19; Extension of Effective Period,* 85 FR 41363 (July 10, 2020).
**Suspension of Liquidation**
In accordance with 19 CFR 351.227(l)(1), Commerce will notify CBP of the initiation of the covered merchandise inquiry and direct CBP to continue to suspend liquidation of entries of products subject to the covered merchandise inquiry that were already subject to the suspension of liquidation, and to apply the cash deposit rate that would be applicable if the product were determined to be covered by the scope of the *AD/CVD Orders.* Should Commerce issue preliminary or final covered merchandise determinations, Commerce will follow the suspension of liquidation rules under 19 CFR 351.227(l)(2)-(4). In accordance with 19 CFR 351.227(l)(5), nothing in this section affects CBP's authority to take any additional action with respect to the suspension of liquidation or related measures.
**Notification to Interested Parties**
Interested parties that wish to participate in this segment of the proceeding and be added to the public service list for this segment of the proceeding must file a letter of appearance in accordance with 19 CFR 351.103(d)(1), with one exception: the relevant parties to CBP's EAPA investigation publicly identified by CBP in the covered merchandise referral referenced above are not required to submit a letter of appearance and will be added to the public service list for this segment of the proceeding by Commerce.
Commerce placed an APO on the record on December 4, 2025. [^9] Commerce intends to place the business proprietary versions of the documents (if any) contained in the covered merchandise referral on the record of this proceeding in ACCESS.
[^9]*See* the Administrative Protective Order, “Request for Establishment of Administrative Protective Order Case Name from Country (A-570-943/C-570-944),” dated December 4, 2025.
Representatives of interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under the APO in accordance with the procedures outlined in Commerce's regulations at 19 CFR 351.305. Those procedures apply to this segment of the proceeding, with one exception: APO applicants representing the parties that have been identified by CBP as an importer in the covered merchandise referral (referenced above) are exempt from the additional filing requirements for importers pursuant to 19 CFR 351.305(d).
This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 517(b)(4) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.227(b).
Dated: December 22, 2025.
Scot Fullerton,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations.