Anti-dumping measures for oil country tubular goods

Summary#

This Canada Gazette entry lists a group of trade and tribunal actions about imported steel pipe and some procurement complaints. It includes short-term steps by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and several findings and notices from the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) that could lead to provisional duties, full injury inquiries, or reviews of existing anti-dumping measures.

What it does#

• On September 28, 2021, the CBSA extended the preliminary stage of an anti-dumping investigation into certain oil country tubular goods from Austria from 90 days to 135 days, moving the decision deadline to November 19, 2021.
• Also on September 28, 2021, the CBSA made a preliminary determination of dumping for certain oil country tubular goods from Mexico. As a result:
  • Provisional duty is payable on subject goods released from the CBSA starting September 28, 2021 until the investigation ends, the CITT issues an order or finding, or an undertaking is accepted.
  • The notice listed a set of tariff classification numbers that cover both subject and non-subject goods.
  • The Customs Act rules apply to accounting, payment and interest on unpaid duties.
• The CITT made preliminary injury findings that there is a reasonable indication of injury from dumped oil country tubular goods:
  • originating in or exported from Mexico (decision dated August 30, 2021).
  • originating in or exported from Austria (decision dated September 7, 2021).
• The CITT rejected complaints by Heiltsuk Horizon Maritime Services Ltd. (decision dated September 24, 2021) about how a government solicitation for emergency towing vessels was re-evaluated.
• The CITT started an expiry review of its finding on welded large-diameter line pipe from the People’s Republic of China and Japan. Key timeline points:
  • The CBSA must decide whether dumping or subsidizing will likely continue or resume by February 24, 2022.
  • The CITT will issue its order and reasons by August 3, 2022.
  • Parties wishing to participate must file notices by March 11, 2022. A hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 24, 2022.
• The CITT decided to hold an inquiry into a procurement complaint by Orbis Risk Consulting Inc. (decision dated August 17, 2021) about a government solicitation for internal audit services.

Who's affected#

• Importers, exporters and distributors of oil country tubular goods (casing, tubing and green tubes) from Mexico and Austria. They may face provisional duties, classification checks, or longer investigations.
• Buyers and project owners who use large-diameter line pipe imported from China or Japan. An expiry review could change whether duties apply to future shipments.
• Companies that bid on federal contracts — especially firms involved in the emergency towing vessel contract and firms that tendered for internal audit services (including Heiltsuk Horizon Maritime Services Ltd. and Orbis Risk Consulting Inc.).
• Customs brokers and logistics providers who handle the affected shipments and need to manage provisional duty payments and paperwork.

Why it matters#

• If provisional duties become final, importers could face higher costs. That can raise prices or affect supply for oil and gas drilling, pipeline work, and related industries.
• Investigations and expiry reviews create uncertainty for businesses that buy or sell affected pipe products. Projects may be delayed while companies sort out duties and compliance.
• The tribunal decisions about procurement complaints show how government contracting disputes are reviewed. That can influence how firms prepare bids and respond to mandatory requirements in future federal solicitations.
• Key dates and filing deadlines are approaching for companies that want to participate in the expiry review or follow the investigations. If you are involved, check the CBSA and CITT notices for details.