February 7, 2011

US tax renewal may hit shrimp exporters including Thailand

US parliamentarians from states near the Gulf of Mexico are pressing for an extension of the special levy imposed on shrimp imports from Thailand and other countries, up to 2016.

US lawmakers are pushing for a renewal of the special tariff imposed on shrimp imports, as an anti-dumping measure.

The state representatives made their call during a public hearing session organised by the United States International Trade Commission.

The commission, as an independent trade agency that has the authority to deliberate on the matter, is expected to make its final decision in mid-March.

The special tax has been in use since 2005, as a measure in response to the alleged dumping of cheap shrimp imports.

Thailand is the largest exporter of shrimp to the US.

Despite the enormous tariff, the country still exported more than 180 billion kilogrammes of shrimp to the US market during the first 11 months of 2010.