Handel i polityka gospodarcza · 08/06/2000

WTO Consultations Regarding Brazil Customs Valuation Regime

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice that on May 31, 2000, the United States requested WTO consultations with Brazil regarding its system for verification of the declared values of imported goods, such as textile products. Brazil uses minimum reference prices both as a requirement to obtain import licenses and/or as a base requirement for import. In practice, this system works to prohibit the import of products with declared values below established minimum prices, and, as such, appears to violate provisions of the Agreement on Customs Valuation; the GATT 1994; the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures; the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing; and the Agreement on Agriculture. Pursuant to Article 4.3 of the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding ("DSU"), such consultations are to take place within a period of 30 days from the date of the request, or within a period otherwise mutually agreed between the United States and Brazil. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.