DoC Reduces Import Tariffs on Vietnamese Catfish

The US Department of Commerce (DoC) has announced tax reductions on tra and basa catfish imported from Vietnam after reviews undertaken following a September 2005 request for closer scrutiny by the US’ Catfish Farmers of America (CFA).

 

Under the decision, Mekong Delta Dong Thap-based Vinh Hoan Ltd. Co. will receive reductions from 36.84 per cent to 6.81 per cent while companies that did not take part in the lawsuit would continue at 63.88 per cent. Taxes on Can Tho’s CATACO have increased to 80.88 per cent and the Phan Quan Company will pay 63.88 per cent

 

Vinh Hoan and CATACO are among the four official defendants in a dumping suit against Vietnamese tra and basa in 2002. Following the suit, six new tax rates were announced: 47.05 per cent for Agifish, 53.68 per cent for Nam Viet, 45.81 per cent for CATACO, 36.84 per cent for Vinh Hoan and 45.55 per cent for seven other small companies. Meanwhile, certain other companies that did not take part in the lawsuit were required to pay 63.88 per cent.

 

DoC carried out the review based on actual exports of Vietnamese companies from August 2004 to August 2005. It was the second such review into Vietnamese fish.