Investigation of Imposing Anti-dumping and Countervailing Measure to some sugar cane products from Thailand (AD13)

On September 21st 2020, the Minister of Ministry of Industry and Trade signed the Decision No. 2466/QD-BCT regarding the Investigation of imposing Anti-dumping and Countervailing measures to some sugar cane products from Thailand. Related parties may by themselves or authorize experienced law firms in Vietnam on international trade to work with Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV) to cooperate and respond.

1.Background

On August 08, 2020, Trade Remedies of authority of Vietnam (TRAV), Ministry of Industry and Trade received the dossiers on requesting the anti-dumping measure to some sugar cane from Thailand. The requester is 6 Companies representing for domestic industry being (i) Son La Sugar Joint Stock Company; (ii) Son Duong Sugar and Sugarcane Joint Stock Company; (iii) KCP VietNam Industries Limited; (iv) Can Tho sugar Joint stock Company; (v) The 333 Sugar Joint Stock Company; (vi) Soc Trang Sugar Corporation.

The requester provided the reasonable bases for calculation of dumping margin and acts of countervailing originated from Thailand. The requester provided the reasonable information to prove the significant damage of domestic industry. The requester’s dossier proved the existence of causal relationship between imported products and the significant damage of domestic industry.

Hence, TRAV determined the dossier of the requester satisfied the law of anti-dumping, countervailing and petition of the Minister of Ministry of Industry and Trade.

2.Investigation’s details

i) Products under investigation

Product’s name: Sugar cane

Scientific name: Sacarose sugar (sucrose)

Common name: include but not limited to sanding sugar, sugar cane, crystal sugar, raw sugar, white sugar, refined sugar.

Sugar cane products are classified under the following HS code: 1701.1300, 1701.1400, 1701.9910.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade may amend and supplement the list of HS codes of the product under investigation to be in accordance with the description of the product under investigation and other changes (if any).

ii) Originated of products under investigation: Thailand

iii) Period of investigation (POI)

-Period of investigation to determine the anti-dumping and countervailing action: from July 1st 2019 to June 30th 2020

-Period of investigation to determine the damage of domestic industry:

The first year: from July 1st 2017 to June 30th 2018

The second year: from July 1st 2017 to June 30th 2019

The third year: from July 1st 2017 to June 30th 2020

iv) Duty Levels Proposed by Requester:

The anti-dumping duty which is requested by the requester is 37,9%.

3.Register as related parties

Pursuant to Article 6 of Circular No. 37/2019/TT-BCT, organizations and individuals stipulated in Article 74 of Law on foreign trade management may register as related parties in this case with TRAV in order to access to publicly circulated information during the investigation process, send comments, information and evidence related to the investigation content within sixty (60) working days from the day on which the decision on investigation takes effect via post or email.

In order to ensure rights and interests, the investigating authority recommends that organizations and individuals which produce, import or use products under investigation register as related parties to carry out the right to access information, provide information and express opinions during the investigation process.

4.Investigation Questionnaire

Within 15 days after the issuance of the investigation decision of the Minister of Industry and Trade, the Investigating Authority shall send the investigation questionnaire to the Related Parties, including:

-The applicant requests for application of Anti-dumping and Countervailing measures;

-Other domestic manufacturers which Investigating Authority knows;

-Parties requesting for application investigation of anti-dumping and countervailing measures which Investigating Authority knows;

-Importers of products under investigation;

-Diplomatic authorities of the country where the origin of products under investigation;

-Other related

5.Cooperating in the investigation process

Any related party refuses to participate in the case or does not provide necessary evidence or significantly ​obstructs the completion of the investigation, the investigation conclusion regarding such relevant party shall be based on available information.

Any related party provides false or misleading evidence, such evidence shall not be reviewed and investigation conclusions regarding such relevant party shall be based on available information.

TRAV recommends that related parties participate and cooperate fully in the process in order to ensure legitimate rights and interests and avoid potential disputes.