HCMC – The United States Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the preliminary results of the 17th period of review (POR17) for the period from August 1, 2019, to July 31, 2020, for Vietnam’s tra and basa fish (pangasius) exported to the United States, following which a number of Vietnamese exporters were subject to anti-dumping tariffs of up to US$2.39 per kilogram.
According to the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, among 35 Vietnamese basa fish exporters that were examined during this period, the Nha Trang Seafood Joint Stock Company (NTSF) and the Bien Dong (East Sea) Seafood Joint Stock Company (ESS) were asked to answer the survey questionnaire.
Besides, the DOC determined that the Green Farms Seafood Joint Stock Company (Green Farms) was eligible for a separate tax rate.
The DOC’s preliminary results of POR17 showed that NTSF did not make sales of subject merchandise at prices below the normal value during the period of review so it would not be subject to anti-dumping tax.
The tax rate on the products of ESS was set at US$3.87 per kilogram because the DOC determined that the company had not fully cooperated with it, while the Green Farms Company was levied a tax rate of US$1.94 per kilogram.
The remaining companies among the 35 reviewed companies will continue to be taxed at US$2.39 per kilogram as in the previous years.
Ten large Vietnamese basa fish exporters such as the Vinh Hoan Joint Stock Company and the Nam Viet Joint Stock Company will not be subject to the anti-dumping tariff.
The DOC announced that the related parties may submit ideas or request a hearing within 30 days from the date of publication of the preliminary results. A final conclusion is expected to be issued by the DOC in January 2022.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade said it will continue to coordinate with the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, Vietnamese exporters and the U.S. side to protect the rights and interests of Vietnam basa fish exporters.
Vietnamese tra and basa fish has been subject to anti-dumping duties from the U.S. since 2003 and the tariffs have been reviewed annually since then.
Statistics from the General Department of Customs showed that Vietnam exported some 83,160 tons of tra and basa fish worth US$228.8 million to the U.S. last year.
From January to July 2021, Vietnam exported tra fish worth US$906.6 million to global markets, including US$202 million to the U.S., according to data of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.
By Trung Chanh
