Federal Register: December 27, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 248)
DOCID: FR Doc E6-22185
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Trade Representative, Office of United States
Docket ID: [Docket No. WTO/DS345]
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: World Trade Organization:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-- Customs Bond Directive for Merchandise Subject to Anti-Dumping/ Countervailing Duties
DATES: Although USTR will accept any comments received during the course of the dispute settlement proceedings, comments should be submitted on or before February 28, 2006 to be assured of timely consideration by USTR.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on November 21, 2006, the Dispute Settlement Body, at India's request, established a panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement''). That request may be found at http://www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS345/6. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
SUMMARY:
Dispute settlement panel proceedings—; India; customs bond directive for merchandise subject to anti-dumping and countervailing duties,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Section 127(b) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (``URAA'') (19 U.S.C. 3537(b)(1)) requires that notice and opportunity for comment be provided after the United States submits or receives a request for the establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel. Consistent with this obligation, USTR is providing notice that a dispute settlement panel has been requested pursuant to the WTO Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (``DSU''). The panel will hold its meetings in Geneva, Switzerland. Note that some of the issues described below were also raised in a request for the establishment of a panel submitted by Thailand, see 71 FR 59542 (October 10, 2006).
Major Issues Raised by India
On February 1, 2005 the Department of Commerce published an antidumping duty order covering certain frozen warm water shrimp from India (70 FR 5147). In its request for establishment of a panel, India alleges that the United States has imposed on importers a requirement to maintain a continuous entry bond in the amount of the antidumping duty margin multiplied by the value of imports of frozen warmwater shrimp imported by the importer in the preceding year. It alleges that Customs Bond Directive 993510004, as amended on July 9, 2004 (and any clarifications and amendments thereof), as well as the laws and regulations of the United States pursuant to which the requirement was adopted (including 19 U.S.C. 1484, 1502, 1505, 1623, and 1673g, and 19 CFR 113.13, 113.40, 113.62, and 142.2) as such constitute specific action against dumping and subsidization not in accordance with Article
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Elissa Alben, Assistant General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508, (202) 3959622.