Anti-Dumping Protest on Imported Pipe Products

The directive applies because an Anti-Dumping protest was filed by Filipino Pipe and Foundry Corporation against importation by ASA Metal Products, Inc.
The imports covered are Hubless Cast Iron Soil Pipes and fittings, consisting of bends, cleanouts, plugs, reducers, coupling, elbows, wyes, hubs, crosses, tees, sweeps of all types and sizes.
The instruction is issued on the basis that a prima facie case of dumping exists, warranting a full investigation.

The hold applies to imports from Canada.
The products covered are specifically the hubless cast iron soil pipes and fittings enumerated in the circular.
The instruction covers both pending shipments and subsequent shipments of the covered articles from Canada.

The customs office must not release any pending or subsequent shipment of the covered articles from Canada.
The prohibition is tied to the anti-dumping protest and the existence of a prima facie case of dumping requiring full investigation.

Release is allowed only if a bond is provided in the required amount.
The bond amount must be equal to twice the estimated dutiable value of the covered articles.
The bond must be given in accordance with Section 301 (e) of the Tariff and Customs Code, as amended.
The circular treats the bond as the condition for release while the anti-dumping matter is under full investigation.

The circular references Canada as a member of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.
The hold-and-bond instruction operates notwithstanding the referenced trade framework status of the country of origin.

The customs office is directed to stop release of covered articles from the specified origin unless the required bond is posted.
The directive is operationally limited to the covered articles and Canada shipments described under the anti-dumping protest context.
The circular concludes with an instruction to be guided accordingly, binding the concerned customs offices to apply the specified hold and bond condition.