The Hindu Business Line : Shrimp dumping duty: US to review 313 exporters

Kochi April 26 The US Department of Commerce has decided to initiate administrative review of 313 Indian shrimp exporters for anti-dumping duty. However, only 74 Indian companies are now exporting shrimp to the US markets after the imposition of anti-dumping duty and a matching amount that was to be remitted as bond.

The US Department of Commerce has officially notified the decision in the Federal Registry, leaving out 28 firms, which were included in the review last time. The decision to drop review of these firms was because most of these firms are now non-existent, the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) said. The notices sent to these firms during the first review last year were returned.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) that had originally petitioned the case for anti-dumping duty had sought review of 265 firms, tactfully leaving out the request against 17 firms and hoped that their duty would be retained at 82.3 per cent since they had not submitted details during the previous review, the SEAI pointed out.

The SSA had also reached out-of-court settlements with some Indian companies and had withdrawn review request against them. In order to prevent a repeat of this performance, the Louisiana Shrimp Association has sought review against 337 Indian shrimp exporters, including several that would be out of business.

Only 44 out of the 74 active firms have exported to the US during the review period from February 1, 2006, to January 31, 2007. These firms, which would constitute around 80 per cent of the US exports worth $251.6 million had voluntarily filed requests for review.

After examining the requests for review, the US Department of Commerce had finally decided to review 313 Indian exporters and by April 23 they would have to reply to queries from the department.

The preliminary determination under the first review had raised the duty from 10.17 per cent to 10.54 per cent and the final findings were expected by September. By that time, the second review process would also be nearly over, the SEAI said.

New shipper reviews

Meanwhile, the US Department of Commerce has initiated new shipper reviews for three Vietnam-based basa and tra producers and later ordered review against a fourth shipper as well. The department had levied anti-dumping duties against basa and tra producers from Vietnam after US catfish producers complained they were selling their products in the US market at below market value prices.

A preliminary determination from the new review is due in about six months with a final review due in nine months, the US Department of Commerce has said.

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