U.S. CUSTOMS: AD/CVD CLAIMS TOP $200 MILLION IN FISCAL 2001

U.S. CUSTOMS: AD/CVD CLAIMS TOP $200 MILLION IN FISCAL 2001

   U.S. Customs said it has processed more than $200 million in antidumping and countervailing duty claims in fiscal 2001, ending Sept. 31.

   Customs will make the payments to domestic firms injured by foreign dumping and subsidies in compliance with the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act, also known as the “Byrd Amendment,” which was enacted on Oct. 28, 2000.

   Antidumping duties are imposed on imported goods that the Commerce Department has determined to be sold in the United States at less than fair'market value. Countervailing duties are imposed on imported goods that Commerce Department determines benefits from subsidies bestowed by foreign governments. In nearly all cases, the International Trade Commission determines if the imported goods cause injury or threaten to injury a domestic industry.

   Customs said the products subject to AD/CVD duties range from garlic and mushrooms to Dynamic Random Access Memories and flat panel displays.

   In line with the legislation’s timeframes, Customs has processed more than 900 claims. The agency has forwarded the payment information to the Treasury Department’s Financial Management Service, which will issue the checks.

   Customs said the claimants have been notified by mail that they will soon receive their checks. When the checks are issued and cleared, Customs will post a public notice containing a list of all recipients and the amounts they received on its Web site: http://www.customs.gov.