1. ON 01/25/2012, COMMERCE PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER ITS INITIATION OF THE COUNTERVAILING DUTY INVESTIGATION OF STEEL WIRE HANGERS FROM THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM (77 FR 3737).

2. THE MERCHANDISE COVERED BY THE INVESTIGATION ARE STEEL WIRE GARMENT HANGERS, FABRICATED FROM CARBON STEEL WIRE, WHETHER OR NOT GALVANIZED OR PAINTED, WHETHER OR NOT COATED WITH LATEX OR EPOXY OR SIMILAR GRIPPING MATERIALS, AND/OR WHETHER OR NOT FASHIONED WITH PAPER COVERS OR CAPES (WITH OR WITHOUT PRINTING) AND/OR NONSLIP FEATURES SUCH AS SADDLES OR TUBES. THESE PRODUCTS MAY ALSO BE REFERRED TO BY A COMMERCIAL DESIGNATION, SUCH AS SHIRT, SUIT, STRUT, CAPED, OR LATEX (INDUSTRIAL) HANGERS.

SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED FROM THE INVESTIGATION OF THE ORDER ARE (A) WOODEN, PLASTIC, AND OTHER GARMENT HANGERS THAT ARE NOT MADE OF STEEL WIRE; (B) STEEL WIRE GARMENT HANGERS WITH SWIVEL HOOKS; (C) STEEL WIRE GARMENT HANGERS WITH CLIPS PERMANENTLY AFFIXED; AND (D) CHROME-PLATED STEEL WIRE GARMENT HANGERS WITH A DIAMETER OF 3.4MM OR GREATER.

THE PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO THE INVESTIGATION ARE CURRENTLY CLASSIFIED UNDER U.S. HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE ("HTSUS") SUBHEADINGS 7326.20.0020 AND 7323.99.9080. ALTHOUGH THE HTSUS SUBHEADINGS ARE PROVIDED FOR CONVENIENCE AND CUSTOMS PURPOSES, THE WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE MERCHANDISE IS DISPOSITIVE.

3. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN ASSIGNED INVESTIGATION NUMBER C-552-813.

4. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS MATTER BY CBP OFFICERS, THE IMPORTING PUBLIC OR INTERESTED PARTIES, PLEASE CONTACT DAVINA HASHMI OR RON TRENTHAM AT THE OFFICE OF AD/CVD OPERATIONS, IMPORT ADMINISTRATION, INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, AT (202) 482-0984 OR (202) 482-3577, RESPECTIVELY (GENERATED BY O3:JC).

5. THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE RELEASE OF THIS INFORMATION.

MICHAEL B. WALSH