Gas-fuelled, non-refillable pocket flint lighters, consigned from Vietnam, whether declared as originating in Vietnam or not, currently falling within CN codes ex 9613 10 00 (TARIC code 9613 10 00 12).

In order to obtain necessary information for the investigation, the Commission will send questionnaires to the known exporters/producers and associations of exporters/producers in Vietnam and the Mainland of China, to the known importers and associations of importers in the Union, and to the authorities of the Mainland of China and Vietnam. Information, as appropriate, may also be sought from the Union industry.

Interested parties should request a copy of the questionnaire from the Commission within 15 days from 26 June 2012.

All interested parties must make themselves known by contacting the Commission, present their views in writing, submit questionnaire replies or any other information and apply to be heard by the Commission within 37 days from 26 June 2012, unless otherwise specified.

Interested parties should make all submissions and requests in electronic format (non-confidential submissions via e-mail, confidential ones on CD-R/DVD), and must indicate their name, address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers. However, any powers of attorney, signed certifications, and any updates thereof, accompanying questionnaire replies must be submitted on paper, i.e. by post or by hand, at the address below. If an interested party cannot provide its submissions and requests in electronic format, it must immediately inform the Commission. For further information concerning correspondence with the Commission, interested parties may consult the relevant web page on the website of the Directorate-General for Trade (DG Trade):
http://ec.europa.eu/trade/tackling-unfair-trade/trade-defence/.

Commission address for correspondence:
European Commission
Directorate-General for Trade
Directorate H
Office: N105 4/92
1049 Brussels
Belgium

Fax +32 2 29 93988
E-mail: trade-lighters-circumvention@ec.europa.eu

Interested parties may request the intervention of the Hearing Officer of DG Trade, who acts as an interface between the interested parties and the Commission investigation services through reviewing requests for access to the file, disputes regarding the confidentiality of documents, requests for extension of time-limits and requests by third parties to be heard. The Hearing Officer may organise a hearing with an individual interested party and mediate to ensure that the interested parties' rights of defence are being fully exercised. A request for a hearing with the Hearing Officer should be made in writing and should specify the reasons for the request. For further information and contact details, interested parties may consult the Hearing Officer's web pages on the website of DG Trade
(http://ec.europa.eu/trade/tackling-unfair-trade/hearing-officer/index_en.htm).

With effect from 27 June 2012, imports of the products concerned are subject to registration by the EU's customs authorities. The registration shall expire nine months from 27 June 2012.

The registration is to ensure that should the investigation, which will be concluded within nine months from 26 June 2012, result in findings of circumvention, anti-dumping duties of an appropriate amount can be levied from the date on which registration of such imports consigned from Vietnam was imposed.

Imports of the products concerned may be exempted from registration or measures if such importation does not constitute circumvention. Producers in Vietnam requesting exemption from registration of imports or measures should submit a request duly supported by evidence within 37 days from 26 June 2012, unless otherwise specified.