NTSF Seafoods Joint Stock Co. v. United States , 2020 CIT 180 ( 2020 )

Slip Op. 20-180
UNITED STATES COURT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
NTSF SEAFOODS JOINT STOCK
COMPANY and VINH QUANG
FISHERIES CORPORATION,
Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES,
Defendant,
Before: Jennifer Choe-Groves, Judge
and
Court No. 19-00063
CATFISH FARMERS OF AMERICA,
ALABAMA CATFISH INC.,
AMERICA’S CATCH, CONSOLIDATED
CATFISH COMPANIES LLC, DELTA
PRIDE CATFISH, INC., GUIDRY’S
CATFISH, INC., HEARTLAND
CATFISH COMPANY, MAGNOLIA
PROCESSING, INC., and SIMMONS
FARM RAISED CATFISH, INC.,
Defendant-Intervenors.
OPINION AND ORDER
[Sustaining in part and remanding in part the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final results in the
2016–2017 administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain frozen fish fillets
from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.]
Dated: December 21, 2020
Kenneth N. Hammer and Jonathan M. Freed, Trade Pacific, PLLC, of Washington, D.C., argued
for Plaintiffs NTSF Seafoods Joint Stock Company and Vinh Quang Fisheries Corporation.
With them on the brief was Robert G. Gosselink.
Kara M. Westercamp, Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, U.S. Department of
Justice, of Washington, D.C., argued for Defendant United States. With her on the brief were
Joseph H. Hunt, Assistant Attorney General, Jeanne E. Davidson, Director, and Patricia M.
McCarthy, Assistant Director. Of counsel on the brief was Ian A. McInerney, Attorney, Office
Court No. 19-00063 Page 2
of the Chief Counsel for Trade Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce.
Jonathan M. Zielinski, Cassidy Levy Kent (USA) LLP, of Washington, D.C., argued for
Defendant-Intervenors Catfish Farmers of America, Alabama Catfish Inc., America’s Catch,
Consolidated Catfish Companies LLC, Delta Pride Catfish, Inc., Guidry’s Catfish, Inc.,
Heartland Catfish Company, Magnolia Processing, Inc., and Simmons Farm Raised Catfish, Inc.
With him on the brief was James R. Cannon.
Choe-Groves, Judge: This case involves frozen fish fillets, including regular, shank, and
strip fillets and portions thereof, of the species Pangasius Bocourti, Panganius Hypophthalmus
(also known as Pangasius Pangasius) and Pangasius Micronemus. Plaintiffs NTSF Seafoods
Joint Stock Company (“NTSF”) and Vinh Quang Fisheries Corporation (“Vinh Quang”)
(collectively, “Plaintiffs”) bring this action challenging the final results of the U.S. Department
of Commerce (“Commerce”) in the 2016–2017 administrative review of the antidumping duty
order covering certain frozen fish fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (“Vietnam”).
See Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (“Final Results”), 84 Fed.
Reg. 18,007 (Dep’t Commerce Apr. 29, 2019) (final results of antidumping duty administrative
review; 2016–2017); see also Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam:
Issues and Decision Mem. for the Final Results of the Fourteenth Antidumping Duty Admin.
Review: 2016–2017 (Dep’t Commerce Apr. 19, 2019), ECF No. 24-3, PD 547 (“Final IDM”). 1
Before the court are Plaintiffs’ Motion for Judgment on the Agency Record Pursuant to Rules
56.1 and 56.2, ECF Nos. 35, 36, and Response to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Judgment on the Agency
Record and Motion to Partially Dismiss, ECF Nos. 44, 45 (“Def. Resp.”), filed by Defendant
United States (“Defendant”). For the following reasons, the court sustains in part and remands in
part the Final Results and denies the Motion to Partially Dismiss.
1
Citations to the administrative record reflect public record (“PD”) and confidential record
(“CD”) document numbers.
Court No. 19-00063 Page 3
ISSUES PRESENTED
The court reviews the following issues:
1. Whether Commerce’s selection of financial statements in its calculation of surrogate
financial ratios is supported by substantial evidence;
2. Whether Commerce’s calculation of surrogate values for NTSF’s fingerlings is
supported by substantial evidence; and
3. Whether Commerce’s denial of byproduct offsets for fish oil and fish meal is
supported by substantial evidence.
BACKGROUND
Commerce initiated the fourteenth administrative review of the antidumping duty order
of frozen fish fillets from Vietnam for the period covering August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017.
Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Admin. Reviews, 82 Fed. Reg. 48,051,
48,053 (Dep’t Commerce Oct. 16, 2017) (initiation notice). Commerce selected Hung Vuong
Group and NTSF as mandatory respondents for individual examination.2 See Fourteenth Admin.
Review of Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Second Selection
of Resp’t for Individual Review at 4, PD 163 (Jan. 5, 2018); Fourteenth Admin. Review of
Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: 2nd Replacement Selection
of Resp’t for Individual Review at 4, PD 209 (Feb. 7, 2018). Commerce selected Indonesia as
2
Commerce selected Vinh Hoan Corporation and Bien Dong Seafood Company, Ltd. initially as
mandatory respondents. Fourteenth Admin. Review of Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Selection of Resp’ts for Individual Review at 6, PD 50 (Nov. 16,
2017). Both withdrew their requests for review. See Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam: Withdraw of Request for Admin. Review – Vinh Hoan Corporation, PD
132 (Dec. 26, 2017); Frozen Fish Fillets from Vietnam – Withdrawal of Request for Admin.
Review, PD 173 (Jan. 12, 2018) (withdrawal of Bien Dong Seafood Company, Ltd.); Certain
Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Partial Withdrawal of Request for
Admin. Review, PD 118 (Dec. 22, 2017); Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam: Partial Withdrawal of Request for Admin. Review, PD 175 (Jan. 12, 2018).
Commerce selected Hung Vuong Group and NTSF as replacement mandatory respondents.
Court No. 19-00063 Page 4
the primary surrogate country. See Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam: Decision Mem. for the Prelim. Results, Prelim. Determination of No Shipments, and
Partial Rescission of the 2016–2017 Antidumping Duty Admin. Review at 12, PD 478 (Dep’t
Commerce Sept. 13, 2018) (“Prelim. DM”).
Commerce assigned weighted-average dumping margins of $3.87 per kilogram to Hung
Vuong Group, $1.37 per kilogram to NTSF, and the all-others rate of $1.37 per kilogram to Vinh
Quang in the Final Results published on April 29, 2019. Final Results, 84 Fed. Reg. at 18,008.
Commerce applied the all-others rate to the separate rate-eligible respondents not selected for
individual examination based on NTSF’s calculated margin, including Vinh Quang. See id.;
Final IDM at 49. In accordance with Commerce’s policy, the Final Results included a statement
of Commerce’s “inten[t] to issue appropriate assessment instructions” to U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (“Customs”) fifteen days after the date of publication. Final Results, 84 Fed.
Reg. at 18,008.
Plaintiffs commenced this action on May 14, 2019. See Summons, ECF No. 1. The next
day, Commerce issued liquidation instructions to Customs, sixteen days after publication of the
Final Results. See Antidumping Duty Admin. Review of Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Official R. Addendum Docs. – NTSF Liquidation Instrs., CD 561
(Dec. 11, 2019) (“Liquidation Instructions”). Customs issued three Notices of Action (Form CF-
29): on May 29, 2019 as to one entry; on June 5, 2019 as to nineteen entries; and on June 5, 2019
as to forty-nine entries. See Mem. in Supp. of Mot. for J. Upon the Agency R. of Pls. NTSF
Seafood Joint Stock Co. & Vinh Quang Fisheries Corp. Attachs. 1–3, ECF Nos. 35-2, 36-2 (“Pls.
Br.”). All sixty-nine NTSF entries were liquidated on May 31, 2019, thirty-two days after
publication of the Final Results. Id. Attach. 4. Commerce did not issue liquidation instructions
for Vinh Quang’s entries. Defendant consented to Vinh Quang’s proposed order for a statutory
Court No. 19-00063 Page 5
injunction to enjoin liquidation of Vinh Quang’s entries. Form 24 Am. Order for Statutory Inj.
Upon Consent, ECF No. 12. The court entered a statutory injunction enjoining liquidation of
Vinh Quang’s entries pending resolution of this matter. Order for Statutory Inj. Upon Consent,
ECF No. 13. The court issued a letter on August 26, 2020 requesting that Defendant consider
restoring NTSF’s subject entries to unliquidated status. Letter, ECF No. 62. Defendant
consented. Def.’s Resp. to the Court’s Letter, ECF No. 63. The court ordered that NTSF’s
subject entries be restored to unliquidated status. Confidential Order, ECF No. 65; Order, ECF
No. 66.
In the final results of administrative reviews, Commerce publishes a statement of intent to
issue liquidation instructions to Customs fifteen days after publication. Announcement
Concerning Issuance of Liquidation Instrs. Reflecting Results of Admin. Reviews, International
Trade Administration (Nov. 9, 2010), https://enforcement.trade.gov/download/liquidation-
announcement-20101109.html (last visited Dec. 21, 2020); see Def. Resp. at 28. Parties are
afforded thirty days after publication of final results to file a summons and thirty days thereafter
to file a complaint to trigger the jurisdiction of this Court. 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(a)(2). Because
liquidation of entries is final and renders the administrative determination unreviewable by the
Court, Commerce’s liquidation instruction policy has the potential to cut the time that parties
have to file suit unreasonably short. The problem is not Commerce’s issuance of liquidation
instructions, it is the timing of the resulting liquidations.
If Commerce were to act so quickly as to foreclose interested parties from obtaining
judicial review, Commerce’s actions would be unreasonable, as would have occurred in this case
absent the court’s intervention requesting Defendant’s consent to restoring unliquidated status.
The Court determines whether Commerce acted unreasonably on a case-by-case basis.
Commerce issued liquidation instructions for NTSF’s entries sixteen days after publication of the
Court No. 19-00063 Page 6
Final Results. See Liquidation Instructions. NTSF’s entries were liquidated thirty-two days
after publication of the Final Results, before expiration of the statutory period for filing a
complaint. See Pls. Br. Attach. 4. NTSF could potentially have been deprived of its right to
obtain judicial review. Defendant consented, however, to restoring NTSF’s entries to
unliquidated status, and Plaintiffs were able to obtain judicial review of the antidumping
determination. For these reasons, the court dismisses Defendant’s Motion to Partially Dismiss as
moot.
Because Commerce is best situated to consider the interests of all parties and avoid
unreasonably quick liquidations, the court advises Commerce to consider adopting changes to
the liquidation instruction policy to ensure that parties are not deprived of their right to judicial
review.
JURISDICTION AND STANDARD OF REVIEW
The court has jurisdiction pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1516a(a)(2)(B)(iii) and 28 U.S.C.
§ 1581(c). The court shall hold unlawful any determination found to be unsupported by
substantial evidence on the record or otherwise not in accordance with law. 19 U.S.C.
§ 1516a(b)(1)(B)(i).
DISCUSSION
I. Selection of Financial Statements in Calculation of Surrogate Financial
Ratios
The court first addresses the issue of whether Commerce’s selection of financial
statements in its calculation of surrogate financial ratios is supported by substantial evidence.
Plaintiffs challenge Commerce’s selection of the financial statements of Japfa Comfeed
Indonesia (“Japfa Comfeed”) as not representing the best available information to use in
calculating surrogate financial ratios. See Pls. Br. at 24–34. Commerce calculated surrogate
financial ratios for Plaintiffs’ profit, factory overhead, and selling, general, and administrative
Court No. 19-00063 Page 7
expenses based on the financial statements of two producers in the surrogate country of
Indonesia, PT Dharma Samudera Fishing Industries (“DSFI”) and Japfa Comfeed. Final IDM at
47–48; Prelim. DM at 16. Plaintiffs assert that DSFI, an Indonesian company that produced
primarily fish fillets, was the most comparable producer and that only DSFI’s financial
statements should have been used by Commerce as the best available information to calculate
surrogate financial ratios. Pls. Br. at 25–26, 32–34.
Plaintiffs fault Commerce’s selection of Japfa Comfeed’s financial statements as non-
comparable, based on Plaintiffs’ argument that aquaculture activities were not a significant
enough portion of Japfa Comfeed’s overall operations. Pls.’ Br. in Reply and in Resp. to Def.’s
Partial Mot. to Dismiss at 13, ECF No. 52 (“Pls. Reply”); see Pls. Br. at 29–32. The court
observes that Plaintiffs focus mainly on the assertion that aquaculture was a relatively small
portion of Japfa Comfeed’s overall businesses, even though Plaintiffs do not dispute that some
portion of Japfa Comfeed’s operations involved fish production and aquaculture. Plaintiffs argue
that Commerce’s use of Japfa Comfeed’s financial statements was contrary to Commerce’s
practice of selecting financial statements from a producer of primarily comparable merchandise.
Pls. Reply at 14; see Pls. Br. at 28–29. Plaintiffs acknowledge Commerce’s practice of relying
on financial statements from more than one producer to calculate surrogate financial ratios (and
do not dispute Commerce’s inclusion of DSFI’s financial data), but Plaintiffs argue that
Commerce’s use of Japfa Comfeed’s financial statements was unreasonable due to Commerce’s
failure to support with substantial evidence its inclusion of Japfa Comfeed’s data. Pls. Br. at 30–
34; Pls. Reply at 16.
Defendant and Defendant-Intervenors Catfish Farmers of America (“CFA”), Alabama
Catfish Inc., America’s Catch, Consolidated Catfish Companies LLC, Delta Pride Catfish, Inc.,
Guidry’s Catfish, Inc., Heartland Catfish Company, Magnolia Processing, Inc., and Simmons
Court No. 19-00063 Page 8
Farm Raised Catfish, Inc. (collectively, “Defendant-Intervenors”) respond that Commerce’s
inclusion of Japfa Comfeed’s financial statements is supported by substantial evidence and in
accordance with Commerce’s standard practices because Japfa Comfeed had fish production
businesses, including tilapia operations, during the relevant period of review. Def. Resp. at 18–
20; Resp. Br. of the Catfish Farmers of America & Individual U.S. Catfish Processors at 16–18,
ECF Nos. 46, 47 (“Def.-Intervs. Resp.”).
Defendant asserts that the relevant statute allows Commerce to select data from
companies that produce identical or comparable merchandise and that Commerce is not required
to choose companies that primarily produce comparable merchandise. Def. Resp. at 20 (citing
19 U.S.C. § 1677b(c)(2)(A); 19 C.F.R. § 351.408(c)(4)). Defendant states that Commerce is not
required to match the merchandise production of the comparison companies with the exact
production experience of Plaintiffs. Id. (quoting Final IDM at 48); see Def.-Intervs. Resp. at 18
(noting that Commerce has broad discretion in selecting the financial statements upon which to
rely and that there is no minimum threshold of similar production experience required).
Defendant notes that Commerce cited record evidence of Japfa Comfeed’s articles of association,
financial statements, and website to support Commerce’s determination that Japfa Comfeed
produced comparable merchandise and that its data was appropriate to use in the calculation of
surrogate financial ratios. Def. Resp. at 18–19. Defendant argues that Commerce’s selection of
Japfa Comfeed’s and DSFI’s financial statements together, as a basis for the surrogate financial
ratio calculations, was in accordance with Commerce’s standard practices because Commerce
prefers to rely on financial statements from multiple producers to normalize any potential
distortions that may arise from using a single producer. Id. at 18, 21–22 (citing Final IDM at 47–
48). Defendant contends that Commerce’s use of Japfa Comfeed’s financial statements fell
Court No. 19-00063 Page 9
within Commerce’s wide discretion when selecting sources used to calculate surrogate financial
ratios. Id. at 21.
In antidumping proceedings involving non-market economies, the relevant statute
authorizes Commerce to calculate normal value using the best available information in a market
economy country or countries considered to be appropriate by Commerce to value factors of
production and other costs and expenses. 19 U.S.C. § 1677b(c)(4). When merchandise is
exported from a non-market economy and Commerce determines that available information does
not permit the normal value of subject merchandise to be determined using sales in the home
market, Commerce determines normal value based on the value of the factors of production
utilized in the production of the merchandise. Id. § 1677b(c)(1). The statute provides that
Commerce shall value factors of production based on the best available information from a
surrogate market economy country or countries. Id. When calculating surrogate financial ratios,
Commerce “normally will use non-proprietary information gathered from producers of identical
or comparable merchandise in the surrogate country.” 19 C.F.R. § 351.408(c)(4); see Weishan
Hongda Aquatic Food Co. v. United States (“Weishan”), 917 F.3d 1353, 1365 (Fed. Cir. 2019).
The court notes that neither the statute nor the relevant regulations require that the comparable
production be primarily similar; the inquiry focuses on whether the producers in the surrogate
country produce identical or comparable merchandise. Commerce has broad discretion to
determine what constitutes the best available information. Weishan, 917 F.3d at 1364–65.
The court finds that Commerce supported its selection of Japfa Comfeed’s financial data
with substantial evidence on the record. Commerce determined that both DSFI and Japfa
Comfeed were producers of comparable merchandise, including fisheries operations and
aquaculture. Final IDM at 47–48. Commerce cited evidence on the record, including Japfa
Comfeed’s articles of association, financial statements, and website, which indicated that Japfa
Court No. 19-00063 Page 10
Comfeed was involved in fisheries operations and produced comparable merchandise such as
frozen tilapia fillets. Id. (citing Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam: [Defendant-Intervenors’] Submission of Proposed Factor Values Ex. I-10F, PD 262–
319 (Mar. 22, 2018) (“Def.-Intervs. Mar. 22, 2018 Letter”)) (stating that frozen tilapia deep
skinned fillets were “available in ‘3-5, 5-7, 7-9, 9-11 oz.’ individually quick frozen (IQF) or
vacuum pack”). Commerce noted that Japfa Comfeed’s website stated that its “tilapia operation
[was] . . . the largest of its kind in Indonesia.” Id. at 47. In addition, the evidence cited by
Commerce indicated that Japfa Comfeed’s aquaculture activities were its third highest revenue
source among its lines of business. See id. n.337 (citing Def.-Intervs. Mar. 22, 2018 Letter Exs.
I-10A, I-10F).
Plaintiffs do not contest that Japfa Comfeed produced comparable merchandise. See Pls.
Br. at 25–32. Plaintiffs argue that Japfa Comfeed’s financial statements were not the best
available information for Commerce to use because Japfa Comfeed did not primarily produce
comparable merchandise. See id. at 25–26; Pls. Reply at 13. As stated previously, Commerce is
not required under the law to select financial statements from a producer that primarily produces
comparable merchandise, but is required only to gather information from producers of identical
or comparable merchandise in the surrogate country. See 19 U.S.C. § 1677b(c)(1); 19 C.F.R.
§ 351.408(c)(4); see also Weishan, 917 F.3d at 1365. The court concludes that Commerce’s
determination that Japfa Comfeed produced comparable merchandise in the business areas of
fisheries operations and aquaculture is reasonable and supported by substantial evidence.
Plaintiffs argue that Commerce should have used only DSFI’s financial statements, rather
than a combination of DSFI’s and Japfa Comfeed’s information. Pls. Br. at 32–34. The parties
agree that Commerce’s standard practice is to use multiple financial statements to calculate
surrogate financial ratios when possible. See id. at 32; Def. Resp. at 21. “Generally, if more
Court No. 19-00063 Page 11
than one producer’s financial statements are available, Commerce averages the financial ratios
derived from all the available financial statements.” Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade Action Comm. v.
United States, 618 F.3d 1316, 1320 (Fed. Cir. 2010) (citing Dorbest Ltd. v. United States, 604
F.3d 1363, 1368 (Fed. Cir. 2010)). Commerce explained that it prefers to use multiple financial
statements in order to normalize any potential distortions that may arise from using the
statements of a single producer. Final IDM at 48. In accordance with its standard practice,
Commerce selected two producers of comparable merchandise, Japfa Comfeed and DSFI, and
averaged their financial ratios. See id. at 47–48. The court concludes that Commerce’s use of
Japfa Comfeed’s financial statements together with DSFI’s financial statements in order to
normalize any potential distortions that could arise when calculating an average surrogate
financial ratio is in accordance with the law.
Because the court concludes that Commerce’s determination that Japfa Comfeed’s
financial statements should be included in the best available information is supported by
substantial evidence, and Commerce’s calculation of average surrogate financial ratios using the
financial statements of both DSFI and Japfa Comfeed is in accordance with the law, the court
sustains Commerce’s use of Japfa Comfeed’s and DSFI’s financial statements together to
calculate surrogate financial ratios for NTSF.
II. Calculation of Surrogate Values for NTSF’s Fingerlings
The second issue considered by the court is whether Commerce’s surrogate value
calculation for NTSF’s fish fingerlings is supported by substantial evidence. Commerce
calculated surrogate values for NTSF’s fingerlings using data provided by the Indonesian
Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (“IMMAF”). See Final IDM at 44–46; Fourteenth
Admin. Review of Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Surrogate
Court No. 19-00063 Page 12
Values for the Prelim. Results at 3, PD 487 (Dep’t Commerce Sept. 4, 2018) (“Prelim. Surrogate
Values Mem.”).
Plaintiffs challenge Commerce’s selection of data provided by the IMMAF as not
representing the best available information to use in calculating surrogate values for NTSF’s
fingerlings. Pls. Br. at 11–21. Plaintiffs argue that the fingerlings per kilogram conversion ratio
included in the 2012 data from the IMMAF (“2012 Data”) was inaccurate and contradicted by
other record evidence. Id. at 16–18; Pls. Reply at 3–8. Plaintiffs assert that Commerce should
have used different data, such as NTSF’s own data that it provided to Commerce, to calculate
surrogate values. Pls. Br. at 16–18. Plaintiffs contend that Commerce’s application of a
conversion ratio intended for 5–6 inch fingerlings to NTSF’s fingerlings larger than 6 inches
conflicted with Commerce’s standard practice of using size-specific conversion ratios. Id. at 18–
21; see Pls. Reply at 2, 9.
Defendant responds that mixing data from Vietnam, the location of NTSF’s products, and
from the surrogate country of Indonesia would result in distortions in the surrogate values. Def.
Resp. at 15. Defendant argues that the 2012 Data is the best available information to calculate
surrogate values for fingerlings over 5 inches and that Commerce’s surrogate value calculation is
supported by substantial evidence. Id. at 14.
Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1677b(c), Commerce calculates normal value for subject
merchandise using the best available information from surrogate countries to value production
factors. 19 U.S.C. § 1677b(c). The court does not evaluate whether the information Commerce
used was the best available, but rather whether a reasonable mind could conclude that Commerce
chose the best available information. Downhole Pipe & Equip., L.P. v. United States, 776 F.3d
1369, 1379 (Fed. Cir. 2015).
Court No. 19-00063 Page 13
Commerce used the 2016–2017 data from the IMMAF (“2016–2017 Data”) to calculate
surrogate values for NTSF’s fingerlings up to 5 inches in length. 3 See Prelim. Surrogate Values
Mem. at 3. The 2016–2017 Data included the number of fingerlings per kilogram for fingerlings
up to 6 inches but only stated a price for fingerlings up to 5 inches. See id. Attach. 1; Def.-
Intervs. Mar. 22, 2018 Letter Ex. I-3C. Commerce applied the 2012 Data to calculate surrogate
values for NTSF’s fingerlings over 5 inches, because only the 2012 Data included a price for 5–6
inch fingerlings. Final IDM at 45; see Def.-Intervs. Mar. 22, 2018 Letter Ex. I-3C. Commerce
used the most contemporaneous data from the surrogate country of Indonesia that provided both
fingerlings per kilogram and corresponding prices from the period of review. See Prelim.
Surrogate Values Mem. at 3, Attach. 1.
Plaintiffs do not challenge the source of the data, indicating that “use of [data provided by
the IMMAF] is not in and of itself so problematic.” Final IDM at 45. Plaintiffs challenge the
accuracy of the fingerling per kilogram conversion ratio within the 2012 Data and the application
of the 2012 Data to fingerlings over 6 inches. Pls. Br. at 15–16. The court observes that
Plaintiffs’ essential argument is that Commerce should have used NTSF’s own data rather than
the 2012 Data chosen by Commerce.
3
To value fingerlings from 0.5 to 5 inches in length, Commerce used 2016–2017 pricing from an
April 29, 2016 letter and 2017–2018 pricing from an August 1, 2018 letter from the IMMAF
General Secretariat, Statistical Data and Information Center. Prelim. Surrogate Value Mem. at 3,
Attach. 1; see also Def.-Intervs. Mar. 22, 2018 Letter Ex. I-3C, Attach. 2 (original letter listing
2014, 2015, and 2016 prices in various size bands ranging from 0.5–1.0 inch to 4–5 inches but
not including information for fingerlings larger than 5 inches in length); Certain Frozen Fish
Fillets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: CFA’s Pre-Preliminary Surrogate Value
Submission Ex. 3, Attach. 2, PD 445–60 (Aug. 3, 2018) (“Def.-Intervs. Aug. 3, 2018 Letter”)
(original letter listing 2016–2018 pricing in various size bands ranging from 0.5–1.0 inch to 4–5
inches but indicating that fingerlings larger than 5 inches in length are “rarely traded”).
Court No. 19-00063 Page 14
A. Accuracy of the 2012 Data
Plaintiffs argue that Commerce’s use of the 2012 Data’s conversion ratio is unsupported
by substantial evidence because there is differing data on the record regarding the number of 5–6
inch fingerlings per kilogram. Id. at 16–18. Plaintiffs point to no direct evidence, however,
showing that the 2012 Data’s conversion ratio of 100 5–6 inch fingerlings per kilogram is
inaccurate. See id. Plaintiffs cite merely to other record evidence indicating different numbers
of 5–6 inch fingerlings per kilogram. Id.; see also id. at 15 (fifty-six 5–6 inch fingerlings per
kilogram); Def.-Intervs. Aug. 3, 2018 Letter Ex. 3, Attach. 3 (fewer than seventy 5–6 inch
fingerlings per kilogram); Def.-Intervs. Aug. 3, 2018 Letter Ex. 3, Attach. 2 (seventy 5–6 inch
fingerlings per kilogram); Def.-Intervs. Mar. 22, 2018 Letter Ex. I-3C, Attach. 3 (one hundred 5–
6 inch fingerlings per kilogram). The court observes that a number of factors can affect the exact
ratio between length and weight. See Certain Frozen Fish Fillets from Vietnam: Surrogate
Values Attach. 4-F, PD 253–54 (Mar. 22, 2018) (stating that factors such as food, water
temperature, and disease can affect the fingerling length-to-weight ratio). As a result, the court
recognizes that variances in the exact number of 5–6 inch fingerlings per kilogram can occur.
Defendant explains that Commerce chose the 2012 Data because it was the only data set
from the surrogate country of Indonesia that contained both fingerlings per kilogram and price
for 5–6 inch fingerlings. Def. Resp. at 14–15. Commerce stated that it selected data that
included both quantity and price amounts to avoid potential distortions. Final IDM at 44–45. No
data from Indonesia, other than the 2012 Data, included both quantity and price. See Prelim.
Surrogate Values Mem. at 3, Attach. 1.
The court concludes that Commerce’s determination that the 2012 Data was the best
available information to calculate surrogate values for NTSF’s 5–6 inch fingerlings is supported
by substantial evidence, in light of Commerce’s explanation that it sought both quantity and
Court No. 19-00063 Page 15
price information to avoid potential distortions and the lack of contrary evidence from NTSF
when viewing the record as a whole. The court sustains Commerce’s application of the 2012
Data to calculate surrogate values for NTSF’s 5–6 inch fingerlings.
B. Application of 2012 Data to Fingerlings Over 6 Inches
Plaintiffs argue that Commerce’s application of the 2012 Data to NTSF’s fingerlings
larger than 6 inches is unsupported by substantial evidence. Pls. Br. at 18–21. The record
reflects that NTSF reported fingerling consumption data as fingerlings per kilogram. Frozen
Fish Fillets from Vietnam – Resp. to Section D Suppl. Questionnaire at 1, PD 225 (Feb. 26,
2018) (“NTSF Suppl. Questionnaire Resp.”). NTSF converted this data to inches per piece,
determining that NTSF’s fingerlings ranged from 5.866 to 7.008 inches in length. See Frozen
Fish Fillets from Vietnam: Resp. to Req. for Surrogate Value Information Ex. SV-5, PD 320–33
(Mar. 22, 2018). For NTSF’s fingerlings that were 5–6 inches and larger, Commerce applied the
2012 Data to calculate surrogate values. Final IDM at 44.
The parties do not dispute that the number of fingerlings per kilogram decreases as the
size of the fingerlings increases. “[T]he relationship between fingerling lengths and weights [is]
not linear.” Id. at 45. Plaintiffs argue that Commerce’s use of the 2012 Data’s 5–6 inch
conversion ratio was less accurate when applied to larger-sized fingerlings. See Pls. Br. at 18–
21. Plaintiffs assert that the conversion rates provided in NTSF’s own data, by comparison, are
more accurate and should have been used by Commerce instead of the 2012 Data. Id. at 19–20.
Commerce’s surrogate value determination need not be exact. See Nation Ford Chem.
Co. v. United States, 166 F.3d 1373, 1377 (Fed. Cir. 1999) (citing Sigma Corp. v. United States,
117 F.3d 1401, 1407 (Fed. Cir. 1997)). Commerce explained that the 2012 Data was the best
available information to apply to NTSF’s fingerlings that were 5–6 inches and larger because the
2012 Data contained critical information regarding fingerling length, fingerlings per kilogram,
Court No. 19-00063 Page 16
and corresponding price. Final IDM at 44–45. Commerce noted that it selected the 2012 Data
for consistency, accuracy, and availability of conversion factors from the same credible
government source, the IMMAF. Id. at 45. In addition, Commerce explained that mixing
NTSF’s Vietnamese data with Indonesian surrogate values would be internally inconsistent and
would “distort the ending value.” Id. at 44.
The court concludes that Commerce’s selection of the 2012 Data as the best available
information to calculate surrogate values for NTSF’s fingerlings is supported by substantial
evidence and reasonable in light of Commerce’s justifications of consistency, accuracy, and
availability of comparable conversion factors from the same source and surrogate country. The
court sustains Commerce’s application of the 2012 Data to calculate surrogate values for NTSF’s
fingerlings that were 5–6 inches and larger.
III. Denial of Byproduct Offsets for Fish Oil and Fish Meal
The third issue considered by the court is whether Commerce’s denial of byproduct
offsets for fish oil and fish meal byproducts is supported by substantial evidence.
In calculating normal value for NTSF, Commerce granted offsets for fish head and bone
byproducts generated during the period of review, but denied offsets for fish oil and fish meal
byproducts. Final IDM at 52–53. Plaintiffs assert that the record evidence showed that NTSF
produced fish oil and fish meal byproducts through a tolling contract with a processor and sold
those byproducts. Pls. Br. at 23–24. Plaintiffs argue that Commerce’s denial of offsets for fish
oil and fish meal byproducts is unsupported by substantial evidence. Id. at 24. Defendant
responds that Commerce denied byproduct offsets for fish oil and fish meal correctly because
NTSF’s processing contract was for a sale of goods and was not a tolling contract. Oral Arg. Tr.
at 46; Def. Resp. at 17–18. Defendant argues that NTSF failed to provide enough information to
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warrant byproduct offsets for fish oil and fish meal and that Commerce’s denial of byproduct
offsets is supported by substantial evidence. Def. Resp. at 17–18.
Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1677b(c), Commerce calculates normal value for subject
merchandise using the best available information from surrogate countries to value production
factors. 19 U.S.C. § 1677b(c). Commerce examines the quantities of raw materials employed by
a company when calculating normal value. See id. § 1677b(c)(3)(B). As not all raw materials
are incorporated into the final product, Commerce provides offsets for byproducts generated
during the production process. See Arch Chems., Inc. v. United States, 33 CIT 954, 956 (2009);
Ass'n of Am. School Paper Suppliers v. United States, 32 CIT 1196, 1205 (2008); see also
Tianjin Magnesium Int'l Co. v. United States, 34 CIT 980, 993 (2010) (The antidumping statute
does not prescribe a method for calculating byproduct offsets, instead leaving the decision to
Commerce.). Commerce values byproduct offsets based on the best available information. See
19 U.S.C. § 1677b(c)(1); An Giang Fisheries Imp. & Exp. Joint Stock Co. v. United States, 41
CIT __, __, 203 F. Supp. 3d 1256, 1273 (2017). The producer bears the burden of substantiating
any byproduct offsets and must present Commerce with sufficient information to support its
claims for offsets. See Arch Chems., 33 CIT at 956. The producer must show that the byproduct
of the production of the subject merchandise “is either resold or has commercial value and re-
enters the [producer’s] production process.” Id.; see Am. Tubular Prods., LLC v. United States,
38 CIT __, __, Slip Op. 14-116 at 17 (Sept. 26, 2014).
Defendant and Defendant-Intervenors emphasize that NTSF failed to demonstrate that
NTSF actually sold fish oil and fish meal byproducts and that NTSF failed to reconcile its fish
waste production to its byproduct sales. Def. Resp. at 17–18; Def.-Intervs. Resp. at 15–16; see
also Final IDM at 52–53. The court observes, however, that record evidence may contradict
Defendant’s assertion that NTSF failed to show that it sold fish oil and fish meal byproducts
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during the period of review. Specifically, the court notes NTSF’s assertion that it provided
record evidence of fish oil and fish meal sales during the last three months of the period of
review and that it reconciled the total value of byproduct sales to its sales ledger, trial balance,
and audited financial statements. See, e.g., Frozen Fish Fillets from Vietnam – Section D Resp.
& Section D App. Resp. at D-16, Ex. D-13, CD 92–95 (Jan. 18, 2018); Frozen Fish Fillets from
Vietnam – NTSF’s Resp. to the Department’s Suppl. Sections C & D Questionnaire at Supp CD-
40, CD 179–97 (May 15, 2018) (“NTSF Suppl. Resp.”); Pls. Reply at 9–12.
Central to the parties’ dispute is whether NTSF’s contract with an unaffiliated processor
to process fish head and bone byproducts into fish oil and fish meal (“Processing Contract”) was
a sale of goods contract or a tolling contract. Oral Arg. Tr. at 46; see NTSF Suppl. Resp. Ex.
Supp CD-47. The court does not opine whether NTSF’s Processing Contract was a sale of goods
contract or a tolling contract, but notes generally that toll manufacturing is defined as “[a]n
arrangement under which a customer provides the materials for a manufacturing process and
receives the finished goods from the manufacturer. The same party owns both the input and the
output of the manufacturing process.” Toll Manufacturing, Black’s Law Dictionary (11th ed.
2019); see Atar, S.r.L. v. United States, 35 CIT 849, 850 (2011) (citing United States v. Eurodif
S. A., 555 U.S. 305, 312–13 (2009)) (“In a tolling arrangement, a producer employs a
subcontractor that provides processing services for, or material for incorporation into, the
merchandise that is sold by the producer.”); see also Mid Continent Steel & Wire, Inc. v. United
States, 42 CIT __, __, Slip Op. 18-56 at 4–6 (May 22, 2018).
The court concludes that Commerce’s denial of byproduct offsets for fish oil and fish
meal is unsupported by substantial evidence in light of potentially contradictory evidence on the
record and viewing the record as a whole. The court remands for Commerce to explain its
analysis of the record evidence cited by NTSF or otherwise change its determination.
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CONCLUSION
The court sustains Commerce’s use of Japfa Comfeed’s financial statements to calculate
surrogate financial ratios and Commerce’s use of the 2012 Data to calculate surrogate values.
The court remands Commerce’s denial of byproduct offsets for further consideration in
accordance with this opinion.
Accordingly, it is hereby
ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion to Partially Dismiss is denied; and it is further
ORDERED that the Final Results are remanded to Commerce for further proceedings
consistent with this opinion; and it is further
ORDERED that Commerce shall afford the parties at least twelve (12) business days to
comment on the draft remand results; and it is further
ORDERED that this action shall proceed according to the following schedule:
1. Commerce shall file the remand results on or before February 19, 2021;
2. Commerce shall file the administrative record on or before March 12, 2021;
3. Comments in opposition to the remand results shall be filed on or before April 9,
2021;
4. Comments in support of the remand results shall be filed on or before May 7, 2021;
and
5. The joint appendix shall be filed on or before May 28, 2021.
/s/ Jennifer Choe-Groves
Jennifer Choe-Groves, Judge
Dated: December 21, 2020
New York, New York