Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

Ref : EIC 230/6/19

9 January 2008

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 26/2008

Russia : Initiation of a Safeguard Proceeding Concerning Certain Stainless Steel Tubes and Pipes

The Ministry for Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation (the Ministry) has announced the initiation of a safeguard proceeding on imports of certain stainless steel tubes and pipes, irrespective of their country of origin.

DETAILS

Salient points regarding the safeguard proceeding are set out below -

(a) Date of Initiation

11 December 2007

(b) Product Coverage

Stainless steel tubes and pipes of an external diameter not exceeding 426mm, of alloy steel containing 1.2% of weight or less of carbon and 10.5% of weight or more of chromium with other elements or not, classified according to Russian Trade Nomenclature codes 7304 11 100 1, 7304 11 100 2, 7304 11 100 9, 7304 11 300 1, 7304 11 300 2, 7304 11 300 9, 7304 11 900 1, 7304 11 900 2, 7304 11 900 9, 7304 41 000 1, 7304 41 000 9, 7304 49 100 0, 7304 49 920 0, 7304 49 990 0, 7306 11 110 0, 7306 11 190 0, 7306 11 900 0, 7306 40 200 1, 7306 40 200 9 and 7306 40 800 9 (these codes are given for general information and reference only).

Interested parties should submit their written opinion (in Russian) to the Ministry within 120 days from 11 December 2007. They can also request an oral hearing within 60 days from 11 December 2007. The written opinion and request should be sent to :

Ministry for Economic Development
and Trade of the Russian Federation
1-st Tverskaya-Yamskaya Str. b.1,3,
125993, GSP-3, Moscow, A-47,
Russia

BACKGROUND

The Ministry initiated the proceeding on the basis of a complaint lodged by the four biggest Russian manufacturers representing 88.8% of the Russian production of certain stainless steel tubes and pipes. It is alleged that imports of the products concerned have increased significantly and seriously damaged the Russian industry.

ENQUIRIES

For enquiries concerning the contents of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5351.

Yours faithfully,

(TANG Yu Him)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note ：

(1) While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.

(2) The biweekly newsletter "Business Alert - EU" of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council provides up-to-date information on the latest developments in EU trade policy and trade regulations. The newsletter is available for free e-subscription and can be accessed through
http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/eualert.htm.