# Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From Egypt: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
**AGENCY:**
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
**SUMMARY:**
The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) from Egypt is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.
**DATES:**
Applicable March 13, 2026.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Ajay Menon or Anne Entz, AD/CVD Operations, Office IX, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-0208 or (202) 482-3845, respectively.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
**Background**
This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce published the notice of initiation of this investigation on June 30, 2025. [^1] Due to the lapse in appropriations and Federal Government shutdown, on November 14, 2025, Commerce tolled all deadlines in administrative proceedings by 47 days. [^2] Additionally, due to a backlog of documents that were electronically filed via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS) during the Federal Government shutdown, on November 24, 2025, Commerce tolled all deadlines in administrative proceedings by an additional 21 days. [^3] On January 8, 2026, Commerce postponed the preliminary determination of this investigation until March 9, 2026. [^4]
[^1]*See Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Algeria, Bulgaria, Egypt, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations,* 90 FR 27846 (June 30, 2025) ( *Initiation Notice* ).
[^2]*See* Memorandum, “Deadlines Affected by the Shutdown of the Federal Government,” dated November 14, 2025.
[^3]*See* Memorandum, “Tolling of all Case Deadlines,” dated November 24, 2025.
[^4]*See Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Bulgaria, Egypt, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations,* 91 FR 696 (January 8, 2026).
For a complete description of the events that followed the initiation of this investigation, *see* the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. [^5] A list of topics included in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is included as Appendix II to this notice. The Preliminary Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via ACCESS. ACCESS is available to registered users at *https://access.trade.gov.* In addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at *https://access.trade.gov/public/FRNoticesListLayout.aspx.*
[^5]*See* Memorandum, “Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Affirmative Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation of Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Egypt” dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum).
**Scope of the Investigation**
The product covered by this investigation is rebar from Egypt. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, *see* Appendix I.
**Scope Comments**
In accordance with the *Preamble* to Commerce's regulations, [^6] the *Initiation Notice* set aside a period of time for parties to raise issues regarding product coverage ( *i.e.,* scope). [^7] No interested party commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the *Initiation Notice.* Therefore, Commerce is not preliminarily modifying the scope language as it appeared in the *Initiation Notice. See* the scope in Appendix I to this notice.
[^6]*See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule,* 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) ( *Preamble* ).
[^7]*See Initiation Notice,* 90 FR at 27846-7.
**Methodology**
Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with section 731 of the Act. Commerce has calculated export prices in accordance with section 772(a) of the Act. Normal value is calculated in accordance with section 773 of the Act. Furthermore, pursuant to sections 776(a) and (b) of the Act, Commerce has preliminarily relied upon facts otherwise available, with adverse inferences, for El Marakby Steel (El Marakby) and Suez Steel Company (Suez Steel). For a full description of the methodology underlying the preliminary determination, *see* the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
**All-Others Rate**
Sections 733(d)(1)(ii) and 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act provide that in the preliminary determination Commerce shall determine an estimated all-others rate for all exporters and producers not individually examined. This rate shall be an amount equal to the weighted average of the estimated weighted-average dumping margins established for exporters and producers individually investigated, excluding any zero and *de minimis* margins, and any margins determined entirely under section 776 of the Act.
In this investigation, Commerce has preliminarily assigned rates based entirely on facts available to El Marakby and Suez Steel. Therefore, the only rate that is not zero, *de minimis,* or based entirely on facts otherwise available is the rate calculated for Al-Ezz Dekheila Steel Alexandria Company S.A.E. (EZDK); Ezz Steel Company S.A.E. (ESR); Ezz Rolling Mills Company S.A.E. (ERM); and Al-Ezz Flat Steel Company S.A.E. (EFS) (collectively, the Ezz Group). [^8] Consequently, the rate calculated for the Ezz Group is also assigned as the rate for all other producers and exporters.
[^8] Commerce preliminarily determines that EZDK, ESR, ERM, and EFS should be collapsed and treated as a single entity. *See* Memorandum, “Preliminary Affiliation and Collapsing Analysis,” dated December 10, 2025.
**Preliminary Determination**
Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated weighted-average dumping margins exist:
| Exporter/producer | Estimated |
| --- | --- |
| Al-Ezz Dekheila Steel Alexandria Company S.A.E; Ezz Steel Company S.A.E.; Ezz Rolling Mills Company S.A.E.; and Al-Ezz Flat Steel Company S.A.E | 34.20 |
| El Marakby Steel | * 52.73 |
| Suez Steel Company | * 52.73 |
| All Others | 34.20 |
**Suspension of Liquidation**
In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, Commerce will direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise, as described in Appendix I, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of publication of this notice in the *Federal Register* . Further, pursuant to section 733(d)(1)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(d), Commerce will instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin or the estimated all-others rate, as follows: (1) the cash deposit rate for the respondents listed above will be equal to the company-specific estimated weighted-average dumping margins determined in this preliminary determination; (2) if the exporter is not a respondent identified above, but the producer is, then the cash deposit rate will be equal to the company-specific estimated weighted-average dumping margin established for that producer of the subject merchandise; and (3) the cash deposit rate for all other producers and exporters will be equal to the all-others estimated weighted-average dumping margin.
Commerce normally adjusts cash deposits for estimated antidumping duties by the amount of export subsidies countervailed in a companion countervailing duty (CVD) proceeding, when CVD provisional measures are in effect. Accordingly, where Commerce preliminarily made an affirmative determination for countervailable export subsidies, Commerce has offset the estimated weighted-average dumping margin by the appropriate CVD rate. However, in the companion CVD investigation, Commerce preliminarily found no export subsidies; accordingly, we did not make an export subsidy offset to the estimated weighted-average dumping margins in this preliminary determination. [^9] These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect until further notice.
[^9] See Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Egypt: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination, and Alignment of Final Determination with Final Antidumping Duty Determination, 91 FR 1263 (January 13, 2026), and accompanying Preliminary Decision Memorandum.
**Disclosure**
Commerce intends to disclose to interested parties its calculations and analysis performed in connection with this preliminary determination within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public announcement, within five days of the date of publication of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).
Consistent with 19 CFR 351.224(e), Commerce will analyze and, if appropriate, correct any timely allegations of significant ministerial errors by amending the preliminary determination. However, consistent with 19 CFR 351.224(d), Commerce will not consider incomplete allegations that do not address the significance standard under 19 CFR 351.224(g) following the preliminary determination. Instead, Commerce will address such allegations in the final determination together with issues raised in the case briefs or other written comments.
**Verification**
As provided in section 782(i)(1) of the Act, Commerce intends to verify the information relied upon in making its final determination.
**Public Comment**
Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than seven days after the date on which the last verification report is issued in this investigation. [^10] A timeline for the submission of case briefs and written comments will be notified to interested parties at a later date. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in the case briefs, may be filed not later than five days after the date for filing case briefs. [^11] Interested parties who submit case or rebuttal briefs in this proceeding must submit: (1) a table of contents listing each issue; and (2) a table of authorities. [^12]
[^10]*See* 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(i); *see also* 19 CFR 351.303 (for general filing requirements).
[^11]*See* 19 CFR 351.309(d); *see also Administrative Protective Order, Service, and Other Procedures in Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings,* 88 FR 67069, 67077 (September 29, 2023) ( *APO and Service Final Rule* ).
[^12]*See* 19 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2).
As provided under 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2)(iii) and (d)(2)(iii), we request that interested parties provide at the beginning of their briefs a public, executive summary for each issue raised in their briefs. [^13] Further, we request that interested parties limit their public executive summary of each issue to no more than 450 words, not including citations. We intend to use the public executive summaries as the basis of the comment summaries included in the issues and decision memorandum that will accompany the final determination in this investigation. We request that interested parties include footnotes for relevant citations in the executive summary of each issue. Note that Commerce has amended certain of its requirements pertaining to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f). [^14]
[^13] We use the term “issue” here to describe an argument that Commerce would normally address in a comment of the Issues and Decision Memorandum.
[^14]*See APO and Service Final Rule.*
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to request a hearing, limited to issues raised in the case and rebuttal briefs, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce, within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice. Requests should contain (1) the party's name, address, and telephone number; (2) the number of participants, and whether any participant is a foreign national; and (3) a list of the issues to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is made, Commerce intends to hold the hearing at a time and date to be determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the date, time, and location of the hearing two days before the scheduled date.
All briefs and hearing requests must be filed electronically using ACCESS. [^15] An electronically filed document must be received successfully in its entirety in ACCESS by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the established deadline.
[^15]*See* 19 CFR 351.303.
**Postponement of Final Determination and Extension of Provisional Measures**
Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides that a final determination may be postponed until not later than 135 days after the date of the publication of the preliminary determination if, in the event of an affirmative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by exporters who account for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise, or in the event of a negative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by the petitioner. Section 351.210(e)(2) of Commerce's regulations requires that a request by exporters for postponement of the final determination be accompanied by a request for extension of provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not more than six months in duration.
On February 27, 2026, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.210(e), the Ezz Group requested that Commerce postpone the final determination and that provisional measures be extended to a period not to exceed six months. [^16] In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because: (1) the preliminary determination is affirmative; (2) the requesting exporter accounts for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise; and (3) no compelling reasons for denial exist, Commerce is postponing the final determination and extending the provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not greater than six months. Accordingly, Commerce will make its final determination no later than 135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary determination.
[^16]*See* Ezz Group's Letter, “Request for Postponement of Final AD Determination,” dated February 27, 2026.
**U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) Notification**
In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify the ITC of its preliminary determination. If the final determination is affirmative, the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after the final determination whether these imports are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry.
**Notification to Interested Parties**
This preliminary determination is issued and published in accordance with sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.205(c).
Dated: March 9, 2026.
Christopher Abbott,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
**Appendix I**
**Scope of the Investigation**
The merchandise subject to this investigation is steel concrete reinforcing bar imported in either straight length or coil form (rebar) regardless of metallurgy, length, diameter, or grade or lack thereof.
The subject merchandise includes rebar that has been further processed in the subject countries or a third country, including but not limited to cutting, grinding, galvanizing, painting, coating, or any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of these investigations if performed in the country of manufacture of the rebar.
Specifically excluded are plain rounds ( *i.e.,* nondeformed or smooth rebar).
The subject merchandise is classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) primarily under item numbers 7213.10.0000, 7214.20.0000, and 7228.30.8010. The subject merchandise may also enter under other HTSUS numbers including 7221.00.0017, 7221.00.0018, 7221.00.0030, 7221.00.0045, 7222.11.0001, 7222.11.0057, 7222.11.0059, 7222.30.0001, 7227.20.0080, 7227.90.6030, 7227.90.6035, 7227.90.6040, 7228.20.1000, and 7228.60.6000. HTSUS numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes; however, the written description of the scope remains dispositive.
**Appendix II**
**List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum**
I. Summary
II. Background
III. Period of Investigation
IV. Affiliation and Single Entity Treatment
V. Application of Facts available and Use of Adverse Inference
VI. Discussion of the Methodology
VII. Currency Conversion
VIII. Recommendation