On March 30, 2021, MTD Products, Inc. (“Petitioner”), filed a petition for the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of certain walk-behind snow throwers from the People’s Republic of China.
SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION
The merchandise covered by this investigation consists of gas-powered, walk-behind snow throwers (also known as snow blowers), which are snow moving machines that are powered by internal combustion engines and primarily pedestrian-controlled. The scope of the investigation covers certain snow throwers, whether self-propelled or non-self-propelled, whether finished or unfinished, whether assembled or unassembled, and whether containing any additional features that provide for functions in addition to snow throwing.
Walk-behind snow throwers subject to the scope of this investigation are powered by internal combustion engines which are typically spark ignition, single or multiple cylinder, and air-cooled with power take off shafts.
For purposes of this investigation, an unfinished and/or unassembled snow thrower means at a minimum, a sub-assembly comprised of an engine, auger housing (i.e., intake frame), and an auger (or “auger paddle”) packaged or imported together. An intake frame is the portion of the snow thrower – typically of aluminum or steel – that houses and protects an operator from a rotating auger and is the intake point for the snow. Importation of the subassembly whether or not accompanied by, or attached to, additional components including, but not limited to, handle(s), impeller(s), chute(s), track tread(s), or wheel(s) constitutes an unfinished snow thrower for purposes of this investigation. The inclusion in a third-country of any components other than the snow thrower sub-assembly does not remove the snow thrower from the scope. A snow thrower is within the scope of this investigation regardless of the origin of its engine.
Specifically excluded is merchandise covered by the scope of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on Certain Vertical Shaft Engines Between 225cc and 999cc, and Parts Thereof from the People’s Republic of China, 86 FR 12623, 86 FR 12619 (March 4, 2021).
The snow throwers subject to this investigation are typically entered under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 8430.20.0060. Certain parts of snow throwers subject to this investigation may also enter under HTSUS 8407.90.9040, 8407.90.9060, 8431.49.9090, and 8431.49.9095. The HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes only, and the written description of the merchandise under investigation is dispositive.
PETITIONERS
MTD Products Inc.
5903 Grafton Road
Valley City, OH 44280
T: 1-800-269-6215
W: https://www.mtdproducts.com/
COUNSEL FOR PETITIONERS
Alexander H. Schaefer, Esq.
Crowell & Moring, LLP
1001 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 624-2500
NAMED PRODUCERS/EXPORTERS
For a list of foreign producers/exporters alleged by Petitioner, please see Attachment I.
NAMED IMPORTERS
For a list of importers alleged by Petitioner, please see Attachment II.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE
| Event | Earliest Date |
| Petition Filed | March 30, 2021 |
| DOC Initiation | April 19, 2021 |
| ITC Preliminary Investigation: | |
| Questionnaires Due | April 13, 2021 |
| Request to appear at hearing | April 19, 2021 |
| Hearing | April 20, 2021 |
| Briefs | April 26, 2021 |
| ITC Vote | May 14, 2021 |
| DOC Investigation Schedule: | |
| DOC Preliminary Antidumping Determination | September 6, 2021 |
| DOC Preliminary Countervailing Determination | June 23, 2021 |
| DOC Final Antidumping Determination | November 22, 2021 |
| DOC Final Countervailing Determination | September 6, 2021 |
| ITC Final Investigation: | |
| ITC Final AD Determination | January 4, 2022 |
| ITC Final CVD Determination | October 21, 2021 |
ALLEGED DUMPING MARGINS
China: 87.71%
ALLEGED SUBSIDIES
For a list of alleged countervailing duty programs, please see Attachment III.
IMPORTS OF SUBJECT MERCHANDISE
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |
| China | |||
| Quantity(Units) | 276,286 | 407,103 | 449,953 |
| Value ($) | 50,681,760 | 81,168,322 | 86,515,975 |
| AUV ($/Units) | 183.4 | 199.3 | 192.2 |
CONTACT US
For more information concerning this petition and how it may affect your business, please contact Jeffrey Neeley, Nithya Nagarajan, or Stephen Brophy.