VietNamNet Bridge – The US Department of Commerce has decided to impose new anti-dumping taxes on tra (Pangasius) fish fillets imported from Vietnam.

Processing Pangasiius fillets for export at Vinh Hoan corporation.

Under the DOC’s recent 9th administrative review (POR 9), the Vietnamese fish products imported into the US from August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012 will be subject to high tax rates.

Notably, the rates increased almost double to US$0.42/kg for Vinh Hoan products and US$2.15/kg for Hung Vuong products.

Tien Giang-based Vinh Hoan Corporation and Dong Thap-based Hung Vuong Corporation are among the leading tra and basa fish processors in Vietnam.

High rates ranging from US$0.99/kg to US$2.11/kg will be also imposed on products of other Vietnamese tra fish businesses.

In an interview granted to a Washington DC-based Vietnam News Agency correspondent, a Vietnam Trade Office representative described the US sudden decision as inconsistent.

The DOC has decided to select Indonesia as a sole benchmark country to calculate and impose the anti-dumping rate on Vietnamese fish products, although Indonesia was not included in the list of countries subject to the rate announced by the DOC in November 2011.

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in the US, Indonesia cannot be used as a benchmark country because Vietnam and Indonesia have different economic conditions and tra fish farming and processing industries.

Vietnamese tra fish processors will have four months to consider the case and file petitions against the DOC.

Source: VOV