January 22, 2007

US may cut anti-dumping duty on Asian shrimps
 

The US may reduce the anti-dumping duty it imposed on Asian shrimp exporters soon.

The US commerce department may reduce the current 10.17 percent duty to 7 percent, according to India's marine exporters. The new rates would be announced in August when the Commerce Department completes its review. 

In the first administrative review, the US commerce department has chosen three major Indian companies as mandatory respondents, Hindustan Lever, Liberty group and Falcon Marine. 

The current review is for shrimp exports between February 2005 and January 2006. The second administrative review for exports would be for exports between February 2006 and January 2007. 

The US-based Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA), which has accused Asian exporters of dumping shrimps in the US, is urging for an increase to the anti-dumping duty, saying it is not nearly enough.  

Asian shrimp exporters have to file applications for the review before February 28. 

Around 100 exporters have to file applications, while the US commerce department would shortlist four to five companies for the review according to their volume of exports. There will be five such reviews spread over 5 years before the final decision on the anti-dumping duty. 

Indian shrimp exports to the USA have fallen by a quarter since the anti-dumping duties were imposed.