Restani, Judge:
This matter is before the court on plaintiff Ethan Allen Operations, Inc.'s ("Ethan Allen") motion for judgment upon the agency record pursuant to USCIT Rule 56.2. See Mem. of P. & A. in Supp. of Pl. Ethan Allen Operations, Inc.'s CIT Rule 56.2 Mot. for J. on the Agency R., ECF No. 29-2 ("Ethan Allen Br."). Ethan Allen challenges the United States Department of Commerce's ("Commerce") determination that certain chests imported by Ethan Allen fall within the antidumping duty order covering certain wooden bedroom furniture ("WBF") from the People's Republic of China ("PRC"). Id. at 11; see Commerce's Scope Ruling on Ethan Allen Operations Inc.'s Chests, PD 14 (May 27, 2014) ("Scope Ruling"); Final Results of Voluntary Redetermination Pursuant to Court Order, ECF No. 24 ("Remand Results"). Ethan Allen additionally challenges Commerce's instructions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("Customs") to "continue" to suspend liquidation of entries of the four chests. Ethan Allen Br. at 11-12. For the reasons stated below, Commerce's Scope Ruling and Remand Results are remanded.
Commerce issued an antidumping duty order on certain WBF from the PRC in January 2005. See Notice of Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Antidumping Duty Order: Wooden Bedroom Furniture from the People's Republic of China, 70 Fed. Reg. 329, 329 (Dep't Commerce Jan. 4, 2005) ("WBF Order"). The scope of the order described the covered merchandise as follows:
Id. (footnotes omitted). The WBF Order defined a "chest of drawers" as "typically a case containing drawers for storing clothing." Id. at 332 n.4. The WBF Order also contained a lengthy list of items that were specifically excluded from the scope of the order, including "other non-bedroom furniture, such as television cabinets, cocktail tables, end tables, occasional tables, wall systems, book cases, and entertainment systems." Id. at 332-33.
On February 19, 2014, Ethan Allen filed a scope ruling request, asking that Commerce determine that four models of wooden chests imported by Ethan Allen from the PRC are outside the scope of the WBF Order. Scope Ruling Request at 1, PD 1 (Feb. 19, 2014). Ethan Allen described the four models as follows:
Id. at 2-3. Ethan Allen further explained that none of the chests "is of the same style, material and/or finish as any coordinated bedroom group designed, manufactured or offered for sale by Ethan Allen." Id. at 3. Ethan Allen argued that the chests were outside of the order because they were not designed, manufactured, or offered for sale in coordinated bedroom sets in which all of the individual pieces of furniture are approximately the same style, finish, and/or material. See id. at 3-6. On March 11, 2014, defendant-intervenors American Furniture Manufacturers Committee for Legal Trade and Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Company, Inc. (collectively "AFMC") filed a letter with Commerce stating that they had no objection to Commerce finding the four chests to be
On April 15, 2014, Commerce placed on the record pictures from Ethan Allen's website that displayed the Vivica sofa table — one piece from the three-part Vivica coordinated living room set that includes the Vivica chest — in a bedroom setting. Information from Ethan Allen's Website at Attach. 1, PD 9 (Apr. 15, 2014). Ethan Allen responded that that particular picture came from Ethan Allen's New Eclecticism campaign, in which the company promotes the versatility of furniture and encourages consumers to use pieces of furniture in different rooms from the rooms for which the piece was originally designed. Letter Re: Ethan Allen's Chests at 2-4, PD 10 (Apr. 17, 2014).
In its Scope Ruling, Commerce determined that for all four chests "the fundamental elements of their design and dimensions... is entirely consistent with chests of drawers subject to the WBF Order." Scope Ruling at 6. In making this determination, Commerce analyzed the Marlene, Nadine, and Serpentine chests separately from the Vivica chest. Id. at 7. Commerce did so because Ethan Allen supposedly had argued that the first three chests had wooden finishes similar to that of bedroom furniture, but were sold as stand-alone accent pieces, whereas the Vivica chest had a mirrored surface and was marketed as part of a coordinated living room group. Id. Commerce concluded that these distinctions were relevant under the text of the WBF Order and warranted a separate analysis of the Vivica chest. Id.
Commerce concluded that the Marlene, Nadine, and Serpentine chests were covered by the WBF Order after analyzing the criteria listed in 19 C.F.R. § 351.225(k)(1) (2014) ("(k)(1) factors"). Id. at 8-9. Commerce reasoned that although the chests contained certain decorative aspects, they were made substantially of wood and that "the fundamental elements of their design and dimensions — three or four parallel horizontal drawers stacked one above another in a frame, providing, ... adequate storage space for clothing — is entirely consistent with chests of drawers subject to the WBF Order." Scope Ruling at 6. Commerce explained that because of the "generally, but not exclusively" language of the scope and as evidenced by prior scope rulings, the chests did not have to be designed, manufactured, and sold as part of a coordinated bedroom in order to be covered by the order. Id. at 7-8. Commerce noted that the scope specifically identified wooden chests and chests of drawers as within the scope of the order, and that the Marlene, Nadine, and Serpentine chests were "physically consistent with chests of drawers and similar items of wooden bedroom furniture identified in the scope." Id. at 8.
Commerce concluded that the Vivica chest was covered by the order after analyzing the criteria listed in 19 C.F.R. § 351.225(k)(2) ("(k)(2) factors"). Commerce concluded that an analysis of the (k)(2) factors was necessary because the sources listed in the (k)(1) factors, specifically the International Trade Commission's ("Commission") investigation and Commerce's prior scope determinations, "do not contain sufficient information to determine whether a chest designed, manufactured, and marketed as part of a living room set ... should be considered subject to the WBF Order." Id. at 10. Commerce ultimately concluded, under the (k)(2) factors, that the physical characteristics, ultimate use, and customer expectations weighed in favor of the Vivica chest falling within the scope of the WBF Order, and determined that the channels of trade
On June 5, 2014, Commerce instructed Customs to continue to suspend liquidation of entries of the four chests. Customs Instructions Message No. 4156302, ECF No. 46. Ethan Allen subsequently filed a complaint, challenging Commerce's ruling that the four chests fall within the scope of the WBF Order, Commerce's reliance on the (k)(2) factors in deciding whether the Vivica chest is within the scope of the WBF Order without initiating a proper scope inquiry, and Commerce's instructions to Customs to "continue" to suspend liquidation. Compl., ECF No. 8. Shortly thereafter, the court granted defendant the United States's ("the government") consent motion for a remand so that Commerce could perform a scope inquiry regarding the Vivica chest in accordance with the procedures established by Commerce's regulations for conducting an analysis pursuant to 19 C.F.R. § 351.225(k)(2). See Order on Consent Mot. to Remand, ECF No. 22; see also 19 C.F.R. § 351.225(e)-(f).
During the remand proceedings, Commerce placed five images taken from Ethan Allen's Facebook page showing the Vivica chest in three bedroom settings on the record. Remand Results at 3. No party commented on this evidence. Id. Commerce issued its Remand Results on November 26, 2014, again determining that the Vivica chest was within the scope of the WBF Order, indicating that all five (k)(2) factors weighed in favor of including the Vivica chest within the scope. See id. at 26-27. Commerce again determined that the Vivica chest "is a chest of drawers and has a design consistent with bedroom chests that serve as storage for clothing." Id. at 10. Commerce cited the images from the Facebook page as supporting its conclusion, explaining that the images were relevant to the marketing and advertising of the Vivica chest, as well as customer expectations and ultimate use. See id. at 22-26. Commerce also rejected arguments that it had violated its regulations by retroactively suspending liquidation of the four chests when it instructed Customs to "continue" suspending liquidation of entries of the chests. See id. at 15-19.
Before the court, Ethan Allen challenges Commerce's determinations pursuant to the (k)(1) factors that the Marlene, Nadine, and Serpentine chests are covered by the WBF Order, Commerce's determination pursuant to the (k)(2) factors that the Vivica chest is covered by the WBF Order, and Commerce's instructions to Customs to "continue" to suspend liquidation of entries of the four chests.
The court has jurisdiction over Ethan Allen's challenge regarding the merits of the Scope Ruling and Remand Results pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1581(c) (2012). In ruling on these challenges, "[t]he court shall hold unlawful any determination, finding, or conclusion 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).
In determining whether a particular product falls within the scope of an antidumping duty order, Commerce employs a sequential analysis. At the outset, Commerce analyzes the language of the order
In reviewing Commerce's scope determinations, "the court will not re-weigh the evidence presented to Commerce" and will uphold decisions by Commerce when the agency "chooses from among the range of possible reasonable conclusions based on the record." OTR Wheel Eng'g v. United States, 901 F.Supp.2d 1375, 1380 (CIT 2013). Although the court grants significant deference to Commerce's interpretation of its own orders, Commerce "cannot `interpret' an antidumping order so as to change the scope of that order, nor can Commerce interpret an order in a manner contrary to its terms." See Walgreen Co. v. United States, 620 F.3d 1350, 1354 (Fed.Cir.2010) (quoting Duferco Steel, Inc. v. United States, 296 F.3d 1087, 1095 (Fed.Cir.2002)).
Ethan Allen argues that none of the three chests satisfies the supposed threshold requirements for WBF, namely that they be (1) designed, (2) manufactured, and (3) offered for sale in coordinated bedroom groups. Ethan Allen Br. at 16-20. Ethan Allen contends the three chests are non-subject merchandise because only furniture pieces that are "intrinsically and immutably bedroom furniture," such as beds, can be within the scope of the WBF Order when designed, manufactured, or offered for sale as a stand-alone piece. See id. at 17-18. Ethan Allen also argues that Commerce misstated record evidence when it determined that the Marlene, Nadine, and Serpentine chests should be treated differently from the Vivica Chest and that Commerce failed to consider record evidence that the three chests were not of the same style, material, and/or finish as any of Ethan Allen's coordinated bedroom groups.
AFMC agrees with the government that stand-alone chests may be included within the scope of the WBF Order. See AFMC's Resp. in Opp'n to Ethan Allen's Rule 56.2 Mot. for J. on the Agency R. 8-13, ECF No. 37 ("AFMC Br."). AFMC also argues that although the ability to hold clothing is a relevant factor (and not a dispositive factor) in Commerce's analysis, the proper inquiry should be the intended function of the product. Id. at 13-14.
The WBF Order does not exclude stand-alone pieces from the scope of the order. The court has previously recognized that stand-alone pieces of furniture may be included in the scope of the WBF Order because the order explicitly indicates that the furniture is "generally, but not exclusively,... offered for sale in coordinated groups." WBF Order, 70 Fed.Reg. at 332 (emphasis added); see, e.g., Acme Furniture Indus., Inc. v. United States, 825 F.Supp.2d 1353, 1356 (CIT 2012). Ethan Allen's argument improperly conflates two separate issues: whether a stand-alone piece may be included in the WBF Order and whether the merchandise at issue must be bedroom furniture to be included in the scope of the WBF Order. See Ethan Allen Br. at 17. The answer to both questions is yes. The text of the WBF Order does not bear any requirement that stand-alone pieces of furniture may be included within the order only if they are "intrinsically and immutably bedroom furniture." See Ethan Allen Br. at 17. Under that interpretation, many pieces of stand-alone furniture (e.g., chests, desks, book cases, armoires) could never be included in the scope of the WBF Order because, as a stand-alone piece of furniture, these pieces are not "intrinsically" or "immutably" bedroom furniture. Instead, the WBF Order can only include bedroom furniture, regardless of whether the item is stand-alone or sold in a coordinated set. As discussed below, however, the "generally,
In looking to the language of the WBF Order itself, Commerce's determination that the (k)(1) factors are dispositive and that the three chests are within the scope of the WBF Order is not supported by substantial record evidence. Commerce relies on the claim "that the Marlene, Nadine, and Serpentine chests have wooden finishes similar to that of bedroom furniture" to evaluate these three accent chests separately from the Vivica chest, but this statement is incorrect. See Scope Ruling at 7. Although Commerce alleges that Ethan Allen made this argument, id. Ethan Allen made precisely the opposite argument, see Scope Ruling Request at 7. As discussed below, all three of the chests have unique, decorative features, and there is no evidence on the record that these decorative features match that of other bedroom furniture sold by Ethan Allen. Id. at Ex. 1 (providing the declaration of Corey Whitely, which describes the unique decorative features of each chest). Commerce's misstatement of the record was central to its analysis and provides a sufficient reason to remand this decision to the agency for reconsideration.
Furthermore, the description in the petition does not support Commerce's conclusion that the (k)(1) factors are dispositive. The petition recognizes a difference between wooden bedroom chests and wooden living room chests, noting that "[l]iving room chests are usually much more decorative ... and are typically not as deep as bedroom chests (because the primary purpose of bedroom chests, unlike living room chests, is for storage)." AFMC's Resp. to Ct.'s Req. 5, ECF No. 50 (hereinafter "WBF Petition" at 21). Commerce ultimately concluded, without providing explanation, that the three chests "do not have any unique physical or decorative characteristics that distinguish them from subject bedroom chests." Scope Ruling at 8; see also Gov. Br. at 16-17. Commerce's analysis, which ultimately focuses on the petition's language regarding a chests' ability to store clothing, either ignores, or fails to address, Ethan Allen's argument regarding the different decorative finishes of each of the three chests. Ethan Allen Br. at 15-16 (noting that the Marlene has a "careworn, markedly textured finish," the Nadine has "antiqued silver-leaf or Raven black finishes," and the Serpentine has a "black crackle canvas."). Moreover, as in Legacy Classic Furniture, Inc. v. United States, Commerce's reasoning, which inexplicably places more emphasis on the storage ability rather than the decorative aspects of the three chests, "could be employed to opposite effect." See 807 F.Supp.2d 1353, 1359 (CIT 2011) (finding that Commerce unlawfully determined that a storage bench was more similar to an in-scope bedroom chest than an out-of-scope bench, even though the storage bench had key features of both).
The court also agrees with AFMC's argument that the ability to hold clothing is a relevant factor for Commerce to consider, but should not be the dispositive factor. See AFMC Br. at 13-14. For example, simply because a wooden basket shoved under a bed is capable of storing clothing, this fact alone does not make the basket subject WBF. Instead, as AFMC notes, the proper inquiry should focus on the intended function of the product, i.e., whether it was intended and designed for use in the bedroom,
Regarding the Vivica chest, Ethan Allen again argues that it does not meet the threshold requirements for WBF, as it was not designed, manufactured, or offered for sale as part of a coordinated bedroom group. Ethan Allen Br. at 23. Ethan Allen urges that the record evidence shows that it was actually designed, manufactured, and offered for sale as part of a three-piece living room group. Id. Moreover, Ethan Allen argues that the WBF Order's "generally, but not exclusively" language "does not act to make the general requirements for `wooden bedroom furniture' superfluous." Id. at 18.
The government makes the same argument regarding the "threshold" features of WBF, asserting that Commerce reasonably interpreted the scope of the WBF Order to include pieces that are not part of a coordinated bedroom group. See Gov. Br. at 15-18. Commerce based its determination that the (k)(1) factors alone were not dispositive on its analysis that the Vivica chest "is a chest of drawers [that] has a design consistent with bedroom chests that serve as storage for clothing ... [and is] designed with a mirrored surface and features which it shared with other furniture in [a] living room set." Remand Results at 10.
Commerce improperly determined that the (k)(1) factors are non-dispositive because the (k)(1) factors show that Ethan Allen's Vivica chest is non-bedroom furniture. Admittedly, the WBF Order defines an in-scope chest of drawers as "typically a case containing drawers for storing clothing." WBF Order at 332 n.4. The sources in the (k)(1) factors also explain that "wooden bedroom furniture is generally, but not exclusively, designed, manufactured, and offered for sale in coordinated groups, or bedrooms, in which all of the individual pieces are of approximately the same style and approximately the same material and/or finish." Id. at 332. They also provide that WBF "are, overwhelmingly, designed, manufactured, and sold as suites ... the ultimate consumer typically sees these products as integrally-related products to be put to integrally-related uses." WBF Petition at 21 (emphasis added). Although the order's "generally, but not exclusively" language creates an exception that includes within the scope some stand-alone furniture, the petition makes clear that this exception is narrow. Not only is the Vivica chest not a part of a coordinated bedroom set, it is, in fact, part of a coordinated living room (i.e., non-bedroom) set and shares "antiquated mirrored glass surfaces, angled framing and wood molded top frames with distinctive mitered molding surrounding the top" with a coffee table and a sofa table. Scope Ruling Request at 2-3.
Commerce, instead, improperly relied on the Vivica chest's potential ability to store clothing. The WBF Order specifically excludes "other non-bedroom furniture," WBF Order at 332-33, and the petition provides living room chests as an example of such non-bedroom furniture, WBF Petition at 21 (noting that living room chests "are usually much more decorative ... and are typically not as deep as bedroom chests (because the primary purpose of bedroom chests, unlike living room chests, is for storage)"). Commerce attempts to discredit the petition's language when it states that it did "not believe the Petitioner's
Ethan Allen also contests Commerce's liquidation instructions to Customs as impermissibly having retroactive effect. Ethan Allen Br. at 27-34. To arrive at this conclusion, Ethan Allen argues that the scope of the WBF Order is unclear and Commerce's Scope Ruling required an analysis of the (k)(1) and (k)(2) factors to clarify the scope. Id. at 29-34; see Reply in Supp. of Pl. Ethan Allen Operations, Inc.'s Rule 56.2 Mot. for J. on the Agency R. 7-11, ECF No. 41 ("Ethan Allen Reply") (arguing that "the retroactivity issue is triggered" whenever Commerce conducts a(k)(1) or(k)(2) analysis). Ethan
The government responds that Commerce's liquidation instructions were lawful. Gov. Br. at 25-33. The government argues that Ethan Allen improperly relies on the Federal Circuit's holding in AMS Assocs., Inc. v. United States, 737 F.3d 1338 (Fed.Cir.2013), arguing instead that the scope of the WBF Order was sufficiently clear. Gov. Br. at 28-33. The government also disagrees with Ethan Allen's argument that Commerce's scope Ruling constituted a "clarification" which expanded the scope of the WBF Order. Id. at 31. Instead, the government argues Commerce simply confirmed that Ethan Allen's chests were subject to the WBF Order. Id. at 31-33.
AFMC asserts that "bedroom chests are unambiguously included in the scope of the Order," but acknowledges that whether particular chest should be classified as bedroom furniture or living room furniture will require an analysis "of the purpose and use of the chest." AFMC Br. at 18. It contends that any importer of chests designed, marketed, and offered for sale might try to argue that an ambiguity exists as to the purpose and use of such chests to avoid duties, which is not the result intended by the Federal Circuit in AMS. Id.
When Commerce issues a preliminary scope ruling determining "that the product in question is included within the scope of the order, [then] any suspension of liquidation... will continue." 19 C.F.R. § 351.225(1)(2). "If liquidation [for the product in question] has not been suspended," however, Commerce may only suspend liquidation and collect cash deposits from "on or after the date of initiation of the scope inquiry." Id. The same rules apply to the final scope ruling at issue here. 19 C.F.R. § 351.225(l)(3).
In interpreting the lawfulness of Commerce's liquidation instructions, both parties cite to AMS, and Ugine & ALZ Belgium v. United States, 551 F.3d 1339 (Fed.Cir.2009).
Whatever occurred in this case, it is fair to say there is a genuine dispute as to whether the four chests at issue are within the scope of the order. It is possible that the retroactivity issue will be mooted, that is, all the chests may be found to be out-side the scope. Thus, the court need not finally resolve this, but it will require further facts, including information about Customs' treatment of Ethan Allen's chests subsequent to entry, before it decides whether relief is warranted.
Accordingly, Ethan Allen shall complete the record by establishing what Customs did upon receipt of Commerce's original instruction with respect to the merchandise. Ethan Allen, in particular, should submit information to Commerce as to whether or not there are live entries within a period in which there was no actual suspension of liquidation by Customs. On remand, Commerce should consider this newly submitted entry information to help evaluate whether Commerce's post-scope inquiry liquidation instructions were proper.
For the foregoing reasons, Commerce's Scope Ruling and Remand Results are remanded for Commerce to reconsider its decision regarding Ethan Allen's Marlene, Nadine, and Serpentine chests pursuant to the (k)(2) factors, and for Commerce to issue a determination consistent with this opinion regarding the Vivica chest. Commerce should reconsider its liquidation instructions as necessary. Commerce shall have until February 1, 2016, to file its remand results. The parties shall have until March 2, 2016, to file objections, and the government shall have until March 16, 2016, to file its response.
19 C.F.R. § 351.225(1)(1) (emphasis added).