June 24, 2005

US suspects illegal shrimp re-exports by Indonesian exporters

The US is investigating allegations that 10 Indonesian shrimp exporters re-exported shrimp imported from China or other countries affected by US anti-dumping import duties.

Indonesian shrimp exports to the US have soared over the past three years, raising suspicions that the country had re-exported shrimp imported from China.

The US considers the re-export of shrimp originating from those countries as a serious offence.

The Indonesian shrimp industry has questioned the relevance of the investigation because there was no clear US policy against re-exports of shrimp from countries affected by US anti -dumping import duties.

In view of the re-export claims, the Indonesian government has banned shrimp imports since late December last year.