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www.dgtr.gov.in
ADDITIONAL SECRETARY & DIRECTOR GENERAL
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF TRADE REMEDIES
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
NEW DELHI

FOREWORD

The Directorate of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties, now


restructured as Directorate General of Trade Remedies, is the nodal
agency for Trade Remedial Actions in India under Article VI of the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT 1947) on Anti-Dumping,
Countervailing Duties and Safeguard Duties.
The legal text of the National Legislation and the GATT Agreement
was earlier published by the Directorate in 2004 for easy reference
of the investigators. There have been several amendments since then,
therefore, it was felt appropriate to publish this edition thereby making
available a revised updated ready reckoner of all the relevant legislation,
namely the Customs Tariff Act (Sections 9A, 9B, 9C for Anti-Dumping;
Sections 9, 9B, 9C for Countervailing Duties; Sections 8B for Safeguard
Duty); Foreign Trade Development and Regulation Act 1992 amended
in 2010 (Section 9A -Chapter IIIA on Quantitative Restrictions) and
the applicable Rules along with the relevant extracts from the GATT
Agreement.
The details of formats, questionnaires and notifications concerning
respective investigations are available on the website www.dgtr.gov.in

(SUNIL KUMAR)
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF TRADE REMEDIES
4th FLOOR, JEEVAN TARA BUILDING,
5, PARLIAMENT STREET
NEW DELHI
www.dgtr.gov.in

INDEX

Serial No. Subject Page No.


A Customs Tariff Act, 1975 1

B The Foreign Trade (Development &Regulation) 21


Amendment Act, 2010

C Customs Tariff Rules, 1995 (AD Rules) 25

D Customs Tariff Rules, 1995 (CVD Rules) 65

E Customs Tariff Rules, 1997 (Safeguard Rules) 117

F Quantitative Restrictions Rules, 2012 131

G Article VI of GATT, 1994 149

H Article XIX of GATT, 1994 255


A

CUSTOMS TARIFF ACT, 1975

vii
viii
CUSTOMS TARIFF ACT, 1975

1. Short title, extent and commencement

(1) This Act may be called the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.

(2) It extends to the whole of India.

(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

2. Duties specified in the Schedules to be levied  

The rates at which duties of customs shall be levied under the Customs Act, 1962 (52
of 1962), are specified in the First and Second Schedules.

3. ......

4. ......

5. ......

6. ......

7. ......

8. ......

8A. Emergency power of Central Government to increase import duties  

(1) Where in respect of any article included in the First Schedule, the Central
Government is satisfied that the import duty leviable thereon under section
12 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) should be increased and that
circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action, it
may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct an amendment of that
Schedule to be made so as to provide for an increase in the import duty
leviable on such article to such extent as it thinks necessary:

1
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

Provided that the Central Government shall not issue any notification
under this sub-section for substituting the rate of import duty in respect
of any article as specified by an earlier notification issued under this sub-
section by that Government before such earlier notification has been
approved with or without modifications under sub-section (2).

(2) The provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4) of section 7 shall apply to any
notification issued under sub-section (1) as they apply in relation to any
notification increasing duty issued under sub-section (2) of section 7.

8B. Power of Central Government to impose safeguard duty.—

(1) If the Central Government, after conducting such enquiry as it deems fit, is
satisfied that any article is imported into India in such increased quantities
and under such conditions so as to cause or threatening to cause serious
injury to domestic industry, then, it may, by notification in the Official
Gazette, impose a safeguard duty on that article:

Provided that no such duty shall be imposed on an article originating


from a developing country so long as the share of imports of that article
from that country does not exceed three per cent or where the article is
originating from more than one developing countries, then, so long as the
aggregate of the imports from developing countries each with less than
three per cent import share taken together does not exceed nine percent of
the total imports of that article into India:

Provided further that the Central Government may, by notification in the


Official Gazette, exempt such quantity of any article as it may specify in
the notification, when imported from any country or territory into India,
from payment of the whole or part of the safeguard duty leviable thereon.

(2) The Central Government may, pending the determination under sub-
section (1), impose a provisional safeguard duty under this sub-section
on the basis of a preliminary determination that increased imports have
caused or threatened to cause serious injury to a domestic industry:

2
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

Provided that where, on final determination, the Central Government is


of the opinion that increased imports have not caused or threatened to
cause serious injury to a domestic industry, it shall refund the duty so
collected:

Provided further that the provisional safeguard duty shall not remain
in force for more than two hundred days from the date on which it was
imposed.

(2A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) and sub-section


(2), a notification issued under sub-section (1) or any safeguard duty
imposed under sub-section (2) shall not apply to articles imported by a
hundred per cent. export-oriented undertaking or a unit in a free trade
zone or in a special economic zone unless,-

(i) specifically made applicable in such notifications or such impositions,


as the case may be; or

(ii) the article imported is either cleared as such into the domestic tariff
area or used in the manufacture of any goods that are cleared into the
domestic tariff area and in such cases safeguard duty shall be levied
on that portion of the article so cleared or used as was leviable when
t was imported into India.

Explanation. - For the purposes of this section, the expressions "hundred


per cent. export-oriented undertaking", and "special economic zone" shall
have the meanings assigned to them in Explanation 2 to sub-section (1) of
section 3 of Central Excise Act, 1944.

(3) The duty chargeable under this section shall be in addition to any other
duty imposed under this Act or under any other law for the time being in
force.

(4) The duty imposed under this section shall, unless revoked earlier, cease to
have effect on the expiry of four years from the date of such imposition:

3
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

Provided that if the Central Government is of the opinion that the domestic
industry has taken measures to adjust to such injury or threat thereof and it
is necessary that the safeguard duty should continue to be imposed, it may
extend the period of such imposition:

Provided further that in no case the safeguard duty shall continue to be


imposed beyond a period of ten years from the date on which such duty
was first imposed.

(4A) The provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) and the rules and
regulations made thereunder, including those relating to the date for
determination of rate of duty, assessment, non-levy, short levy, refunds,
interest, appeals, offences and penalties shall, as far as may be, apply to
the duty chargeable under this section as they apply in relation to duties
leviable under that Act.

(5) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,


make rules for the purposes of this section, and without prejudice to the
generality of the foregoing, such rules may provide for the manner in which
articles liable for safeguard duty may be identified and for the manner in
which the causes of serious injury or causes of threat of serious injury in
relation to such articles may be determined and for the assessment and
collection of such safeguard duty.

(6) For the purposes of this section, -

(a) "developing country" means a country notified by the Central


Government in the Official Gazette for the purposes of this section;

(b) "domestic industry" means the producers -

(i) as a whole of the like article or a directly competitive article in


India; or

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Customs Tariff Act, 1975

(ii) whose collective output of the like article or a directly


competitive article in India constitutes a major share of the
total production of the said article in India;

(c) "serious injury" means an injury causing significant overall


impairment in the position of a domestic industry;

(d) "threat of serious injury" means a clear and imminent danger of


serious injury.

(7) Every notification issued under this section shall, as soon as may be after
it is issued, be laid before each House of Parliament.

9. COUNTERVAILING DUTY ON SUBSIDIZED ARTICLES

(1) Where any country or territory pays, bestows, directly or indirectly, any
subsidy upon the manufacture or production therein or the exportation
therefrom of any article including any subsidy on transportation of
such article, then, upon the importation of any such article into India,
whether the same is imported directly from the country of manufacture,
production or otherwise, and whether it is imported in the same condition
as when exported from the country of manufacture or production or has
been changed in condition by manufacture, production or otherwise, the
Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, impose
a countervailing duty not exceeding the amount of such subsidy.

Explanation. - For the purposes of this section, a subsidy shall be deemed to


exist if –

(a) there is financial contribution by a Government, or any public body


1[in the exporting or producing country or territory], that is, where –

(i) a Government practice involves a direct transfer of funds


(including grants, loans and equity infusion), or potential
direct transfer of funds or liabilities, or both;

5
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

(ii) Government revenue that is otherwise due is foregone or not


collected (including fiscal incentives);

(iii) a Government provides goods or services other than general


infrastructure or purchases goods;

(iv) a Government makes payments to a funding mechanism, or


entrusts or directs a private body to carry out one or more of
the type of functions specified in clauses (i) to (iii) above which
would normally be vested in the Government and the practice
in, no real sense, differs from practices normally followed by
Governments; or

(b) a Government grants or maintains any form of income or price


support, which operates directly or indirectly to increase export of
any article from, or to reduce import of any article into, its territory,
and a benefit is thereby conferred.

(2) The Central Government may, pending the determination in accordance


with the provisions of this section and the rules made thereunder of the
amount of subsidy, impose a countervailing duty under this sub-section
not exceeding the amount of such subsidy as provisionally estimated by it
and if such countervailing duty exceeds the subsidy as so determined -

(a) the Central Government shall, having regard to such determination


and as soon as may be after such determination, reduce such
countervailing duty; and

(b) refund shall be made of so much of such countervailing duty which


has been collected as is in excess of the countervailing duty as so
reduced.

(3) Subject to any rules made by the Central Government, by notification in


the Official Gazette, the countervailing duty under sub-section (1) or sub-
section (2) shall not be levied unless it is determined that -

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Customs Tariff Act, 1975

(a) the subsidy relates to export performance;

(b) the subsidy relates to the use of domestic goods over imported goods
in the export article; or

(c) the subsidy has been conferred on a limited number of persons


engaged in manufacture, production or export of the articles;

(4) If the Central Government, is of the opinion that the injury to the domestic
industry which is difficult to repair, is caused by massive imports in a
relatively short period, of the article benefiting from subsidies paid or
bestowed and where in order to preclude the recurrence of such injury,
it is necessary to levy countervailing duty retrospectively, the Central
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, levy countervailing
duty from a date prior to the date of imposition of countervailing duty under
sub-section (2) but not beyond ninety days from the date of notification
under that sub-section and notwithstanding anything contained in any law
for the time being in force, such duty shall be payable from the date as
specified in the notification issued under this sub-section.

(5) The countervailing duty chargeable under this section shall be in addition
to any other duty imposed under this Act or any other law for the time
being in force.

(6) The countervailing duty imposed under this section shall, unless revoked
earlier, cease to have effect on the expiry of five years from the date of
such imposition:

Provided that if the Central Government, in a review, is of the opinion that


the cessation of such duty is likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of
subsidization and injury, it may, from time to time, extend the period of
such imposition for a further period of five years and such further period
shall commence from the date of order of such extension:

7
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

Provided further that where a review initiated before the expiry of the
aforesaid period of five years has not come to a conclusion before such
expiry, the countervailing duty may continue to remain in force pending
the outcome of such a review for a further period not exceeding one year.

(7) The amount of any such subsidy as referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-
section (2) shall, from time to time, be ascertained and determined by
the Central Government, after such inquiry as it may consider necessary
and the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
make rules for the identification of such article and for the assessment
and collection of any countervailing duty imposed upon the importation
thereof under this section.

(7A) The provisions of the Customs Act, 1962(52 of 1962) and the rules and
regulations made thereunder, including those relating to the date for
determination of rate of duty, assessment, non-levy, short-levy, refunds,
interest, appeals, offences and penalties shall, as far as may be, apply to
the duty chargeable under this section as they apply in relation relation to
duties leviable under that Act.].

(8) Every notification issued under this section shall, as soon as may be after
it is issued, be laid before each House of Parliament.

9A. ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ON DUMPED ARTICLES

(1) Where any article is exported by an exporter or producer from any


country or territory (hereinafter in this section referred to as the exporting
country or territory) to India at less than its normal value, then, upon the
importation of such article into India, the Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, impose an anti -dumping duty not
exceeding the margin of dumping in relation to such article.

Explanation. - For the purposes of this section, -

(a) “margin of dumping”, in relation to an article, means the difference


between its export price and its normal value;

8
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

(b) “export price”, in relation to an article, means the price of the article
exported from the exporting country or territory and in cases where
there is no export price or where the export price is unreliable
because of association or a compensatory arrangement between the
exporter and the importer or a third party, the export price may be
constructed on the basis of the price at which the imported articles
are first resold to an independent buyer or if the article is not resold
to an independent buyer, or not resold in the condition as imported,
on such reasonable basis as may be determined in accordance with
the rules made under sub-section (6);

(c) “normal value”, in relation to an article, means -

(i) the comparable price, in the ordinary course of trade, for the
like article when destined for consumption in the exporting
country or territory as determined in accordance with the rules
made under sub-section (6); or

(ii) when there are no sales of the like article in the ordinary
course of trade in the domestic market of the exporting
country or territory, or when because of the particular market
situation or low volume of the sales in the domestic market of
the exporting country or territory, such sales do not permit a
proper comparison, the normal value shall be either-

(a) comparable representative price of the like article when


exported from the exporting country or territory to an
appropriate third country as determined in accordance with the
rules made under sub-section (6); or

(b) the cost of production of the said article in the country of


origin along with reasonable addition for administrative,
selling and general costs, and for profits, as determined in
accordance with the rules made under sub-section(6):

9
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

Provided that in the case of import of the article from a country other than
the country of origin and where the article has been merely transhipped
through the country of export or such article is not produced in the country
of export or there is no comparable price in the country of export, the
normal value shall be determined with reference to its price in the country
of origin.

(1A) Where the Central Government, on such inquiry as it may consider


necessary, is of the opinion that circumvention of anti-dumping duty
imposed under sub-section (1) has taken place, either by altering
the description or name or composition of the article subject to such
anti-dumping duty or by import of such article in an unassembled or
disassembled form or by changing the country of its origin or export
or in any other manner, whereby the anti-dumping duty so imposed
is rendered ineffective, it may extend the anti-dumping duty to such
article or an article originating in or exported from such country, as
the case may be.

(2) The Central Government may, pending the determination in accordance


with the provisions of this section and the rules made thereunder of the
normal value and the margin of dumping in relation to any article, impose
on the importation of such article into India an anti-dumping duty on
the basis of a provisional estimate of such value and margin and if such
antidumping duty exceeds the margin as so determined:-

(a) the Central Government shall, having regard to such determination


and as soon as may be after such determination, reduce such anti-
dumping duty; and

(b) refund shall be made of so much of the anti-dumping duty which


has been collected as is in excess of the anti-dumping duty as so
reduced.

10
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

(2A) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) and sub-


section (2), a notification issued under sub-section (1) or any anti-
dumping duty imposed under sub-section(2), shall not apply to
articles imported by a hundred per cent, export-oriented undertaking
unless, —

(i) specifically made applicable in such notifications or such


impositions, as the case may be; or

(ii) the article imported is either cleared as such into the domestic
tariff area or used in the manufacture of any goods that are
cleared into the domestic tariff area, and in such cases anti-
dumping duty shall be levied on that portion of the article so
cleared or so used as was leviable when it was imported into
India.

Explanation. — For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression


“hundred per cent export-oriented undertaking” shall have the meaning
assigned to it in Explanation 2 to sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Central
Excise Act, 1944 (1 of 1944).

(3) If the Central Government, in respect of the dumped article under inquiry,
is of the opinion that -

(i) there is a history of dumping which caused injury or that the importer
was, or should have been, aware that the exporter practices dumping
and that such dumping would cause injury; and

(ii) the injury is caused by massive dumping of an article imported in a


relatively short time which in the light of the timing and the volume
of imported article dumped and other circumstances is likely to
seriously under-mine the remedial effect of the antidumping duty
liable to be levied, the Central Government may, by notification in
the Official Gazette, levy anti-dumping duty retrospectively from a
date prior to the date of imposition of anti-dumping duty under sub-

11
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

section (2) but not beyond ninety days from the date of notification
under that sub-section, and notwithstanding anything contained in
any law for the time being in force, such duty shall be payable at
such rate and from such date as may be specified in the notification.

(4) The anti-dumping duty chargeable under this section shall be in addition
to any other duty imposed under this Act or any other law for the time
being in force.

(5) The anti-dumping duty imposed under this section shall, unless revoked
earlier, cease to have effect on the expiry of five years from the date of
such imposition:

Provided that if the Central Government, in a review, is of the opinion that


the cessation of such duty is likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of
dumping and injury, it may, from time to time, extend the period of such
imposition for a further period of five years and such further period shall
commence from the date of order of such extension:

Provided further that where a review initiated before the expiry of the
aforesaid period of five years has not come to a conclusion before such
expiry, the anti-dumping duty may continue to remain in force pending
the outcome of such a review for a further period not exceeding one year.

(6) The margin of dumping as referred to in sub-section (1) or sub-section


(2) shall, from time to time, be ascertained and determined by the Central
Government, after such inquiry as it may consider necessary and the Central
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for
the purposes of this section, and without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing, such rules may provide for the manner in which articles liable
for any antidumping duty under this section may be identified, and for the
manner in which the export price and the normal value of, and the margin
of dumping in relation to, such articles may be determined and for the
assessment and collection of such anti-dumping duty.

12
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

(6A) The margin of dumping in relation to an article, exported by an exporter


or producer, under inquiry under sub-section (6) shall be determined on
the basis of records concerning normal value and export price maintained,
and information provided, by such exporter or producer :

Provided that where an exporter or producer fails to provide such records


or information, the margin of dumping for such exporter or producer shall
be determined on the basis of facts available.

(7) Every notification issued under this section shall, as soon as may be after
it is issued, be laid before each House of Parliament.

(8) The provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) and the rules and
regulations made thereunder, including those relating to the date for
determination of rate of duty, assessment, non-levy, short levy, refunds,
interest, appeals, offences and penalties shall, as far as may be, apply to
the duty chargeable under this section as they apply in relation to duties
leviable under that Act.

9AA. REFUND OF ANTI-DUMPING DUTY IN CERTAIN CASES

(1) Where upon determination by an officer authorised in this behalf by the


Central Government under clause (ii) of sub-section (2), an importer
proves to the satisfaction of the Central Government that he has paid anti-
dumping duty imposed under sub-section (1) of section 9A on any article,
in excess of the actual margin of dumping in relation to such article, the
Central Government shall, as soon as may be, reduce such anti-dumping
duty as is in excess of actual margin of dumping so determined, in relation
to such article or such importer, and such importer shall be entitled to
refund of such excess duty :

Provided that such importer shall not be entitled to refund of so much of


such excess duty under this sub-section which is refundable under sub-
section (2) of section 9A.

13
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

Explanation - For the purposes of this sub-section, the expressions, “margin


of dumping”, “export price” and “normal value” shall have the meanings
respectively assigned to them in the Explanation to sub-section (1) of section
9A.

(2) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,


make rules to -

(i) provide for the manner in which and the time within which the
importer may make application for the purposes of sub-section (1);

(ii) authorise the officer of the Central Government who shall dispose
of such application on behalf of the Central Government within the
time specified in such rules; and

(iii) provide the manner in which the excess duty referred to in sub –
section (1) shall be –

(A) determined by the officer referred to in clause (ii); and

(B) refunded by the Deputy Commissioner of Customs or Assistant


Commissioner of Customs, as the case may be, after such
determination.

9B. No levy under section 9 or section 9A in certain cases. –

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 9 or section 9A,-

(a) no article shall be subjected to both countervailing duty and anti


-dumping duty to compensate for the same situation of dumping or
export subsidization;

(b) the Central Government shall not levy any countervailing duty or
anti-dumping duty -

(i) under section 9 or section 9A by reasons of exemption of such


articles from duties or taxes borne by the like article when

14
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

meant for consumption in the country of origin or exportation


or by reasons of refund of such duties or taxes;

(ii) under sub-section (1) of each of these sections, on the import


into India of any article from a member country of the World
Trade Organisation or from a country with whom Government
of India has a most favoured nation agreement (hereinafter
referred as a specified country), unless in accordance with
the rules made under sub –section (2) of this section, a
determination has been made that import of such article into
India causes or threatens material injury to any established
industry in India or materially retards the establishment of any
industry in India; and

(iii) under sub-section (2) of each of these sections, on import


into India of any article from the specified countries unless in
accordance with the rules made under subsection (2) of this
section, a preliminary findings has been made of subsidy or
dumping and consequent injury to domestic industry; and a
further determination has also been made that a duty is necessary
to prevent injury being caused during the investigation:

Provided that nothing contained in sub-clauses (ii) and (iii) of clause (b)
shall apply if a countervailing duty or an anti-dumping duty has been
imposed on any article to prevent injury or threat of an injury to the
domestic industry of a third country exporting the like articles to India;

(c) the Central Government may not levy -

(i) any countervailing duty under section 9, at any time, upon receipt
of satisfactory voluntary undertakings from the Government of
the exporting country or territory agreeing to eliminate or limit
the subsidy or take other measures concerning its effect, or the
exporter agreeing to revise the price of the article and if the Central

15
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

Government is satisfied that the injurious effect of the subsidy is


eliminated thereby;

(ii) any anti-dumping duty under section 9A, at any time, upon receipt
of satisfactory voluntary undertaking from any exporter to revise its
prices or to cease exports to the area in question at dumped price
and if the Central Government is satisfied that the injurious effect of
dumping is eliminated by such action.

(2) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,


make rules for the purposes of this section, and without prejudice to the
generality of the foregoing, such rules may provide for the manner in
which any investigation may be made for the purposes of this section, the
factors to which regard shall be at in any such investigation and for all
matters connected with such investigation.

9C. APPEAL

(1) An appeal against the order of determination or review thereof regarding


the existence, degree and effect of any subsidy or dumping in relation
to import of any article shall lie to the Customs, Excise and Service Tax
Appellate Tribunal constituted under section 129 of the Customs Act,
1962 (52 of 1962) (hereinafter referred to as the Appellate Tribunal).

(1A) An appeal under sub-section (1) shall be accompanied by a fee of fifteen


thousand rupees.

(1B) Every application made before the Appellate Tribunal -

(a) in an appeal under sub-section (1), for grant of stay or for rectification
of mistake or for any other purpose; or

(b) for restoration of an appeal or an application, shall be accompanied


by a fee of five hundred rupees.

16
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

(2) Every appeal under this section shall be filed within ninety days of the
date of order under appeal:

Provided that the Appellate Tribunal may entertain any appeal after the
expiry of the said period of ninety days, if it is satisfied that the appellant
was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time.

(3) The Appellate Tribunal may, after giving the parties to the appeal, an
opportunity of being heard, pass such orders thereon as it thinks fit,
confirming, modifying or annulling the order appealed against.

(4) The provisions of sub-sections (1), (2), (5) and (6) of section 129C of
the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) shall apply to the Appellate Tribunal
in the discharge of its function under this Act as they apply to it in the
discharge of its function under the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962).

(5) Every appeal under sub-section (1) shall be heard by a Special Bench
constituted by the President of the Appellate Tribunal for hearing such
appeals and such Bench shall consist of the President and not less than
two members and shall include one judicial member and one technical
member.

10: Rules to Be Laid Before Parliament

Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made,
before each House of Parliament, while it is in session for a total period of
thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive
sessions, and if before the expiry of the session immediately following the
session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any
modification in the rule, or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made,
the rule shall, thereafter, have effect only in such modified form or be of no
effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment
shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that
rule.

17
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

THE FOREIGN TRADE


(DEVELOPMENT
AND REGULATION) ACT, 1992

19
Customs Tariff Act, 1975

20
THE FOREIGN TRADE (DEVELOPMENT
AND REGULATION) ACT, 1992
Chapter III A1

9A (1) If the Central Government, after conducting such enquiry as it deems


fit, is satisfied that any goods are imported into India in such increased
quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause
serious injury to domestic industry, it may, by notification in the Official
Gazette, impose such quantitative restrictions on the import of such goods
as it may deem fit:

Provided that no such quantitative restrictions shall be imposed on any


goods originating from a developing country so long as the share of
imports of such goods from that country does not exceed three per cent
or where such goods originate from more than one developing country,
then, so long as the aggregate of the imports from all such countries taken
together does not exceed nine per cent of the total imports of such goods
into India.

(2) The quantitative restrictions imposed under this section shall, unless
revoked earlier, cease to have effect on the expiry of four years from the
date of such imposition.

Provided that if the Central Government is of the opinion that the domestic
industry has taken measures to adjust to such injury or threat thereof and
it is necessary that the quantitative restrictions should continue to be
imposed to prevent such injury or threat and to facilitate the adjustments,
it may extend the said period beyond four years:

Provided further that in no case the quantitative restrictions shall continue


to be imposed beyond a period of ten years from the date on which such
restrictions were first imposed.

1 Inserted (w.e.f. 27-8-2010 vide notification S.O. No. 2099(E), dated 27-8-2010) by Foreign Trade (Development
& Regulation) Amendment Act, 2010.

21
FTDR Act-Quantitative Restrictions

(3) The Central Government may, by rules provide for the manner in which
goods, the import of which shall be subject to quantitative restrictions
under this section, may be identified and the manner in which the causes
of serious injury or causes of threat of serious injury in relation to such
goods may be determined.

(4) For the purposes of this section –

(a) "developing country" means a country notified by the Central


Government in the Official Gazette, in this regard;

II. "domestic industry" means the producers of goods (including


producers of agricultural goods

(i) as a whole of the like goods or directly competitive goods in


India; or

(ii) whose collective output of the like goods or directly competitive


goods in India constitutes a major share of the total production
of the said goods in India;

III. "serious injury" means an injury causing significant overall


impairment in the position of a domestic industry;

IV. "threat of serious injury" means a clear and imminent danger of


serious injury".

22
FTDR Act-Quantitative Restrictions

C
CUSTOMS TARIFF (IDENTIFICATION,
ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION
OF ANTIDUMPING DUTY ON
DUMPED ARTICLES AND FOR
DETERMINATION OF INJURY)
RULES, 1995.

23
FTDR Act-Quantitative Restrictions

24
CUSTOMS TARIFF (IDENTIFICATION, ASSESSMENT AND
COLLECTION OF ANTIDUMPING DUTY ON DUMPED
ARTICLES AND FOR DETERMINATION OF INJURY) RULES, 1995.

Notification No. 2/95-Cus. (N.T.), dated 01.01.1995 as amended by Notification No.


44/95-Cus. (N.T.), dated 15.07.1999, Notification No. 28/2001-Cus. (N.T.), dated
13.05.2001, Notification No. 1/2002-Cus. (N.T.), dated 04.01.2002, Notification
No.101/2003-Cus. (N.T.), dated 10.11.2003, Notification No.15/2011-Cus. (N.T.),
dated 01.03.2011, Notification No.86/2011 -Cus. (N.T.), dated 01.12.2011 and
Notification No.6/2012-Cus. (N.T.), dated 19.01.2012.

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (6) of section 9A and sub-section


(2) of section 9B of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975) and in supersession of
the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Duty or Additional
Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1985, except as
respect things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central
Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:-

1. Short title and commencement.-

(1) These rules may be called the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment
and Collection of Anti-dumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for
Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995.

(2) They shall come into force on the 1st day of January 1995.

2. Definitions.- In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires-

(a) “Act” means the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975),

(b) “domestic industry” means the domestic producers as a whole engaged


in the manufacture of the like article and any activity connected therewith
or those whose collective output of the said article constitutes a major
proportion of the total domestic production of that article except when such

25
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

producers are related to the exporters or importers of the alleged dumped


article or are themselves importers thereof in such case the “domestic
industry” may be 1construed as referring the rest of the producers.2

Provided that in exceptional circumstances referred to in sub-rule (3) of Rule 11, the
domestic industry in relation to the article in question shall be deemed to comprise
two or more competitive markets and the producers within each of such market a
separate industry, if -

(i) the producers within such a market sell all or almost all of their production
of the article in question in that market; and

(ii) the demand in the market is not in any substantial degree supplied by
producers of the said article located elsewhere in the territory;
3
Explanation . - For the purposes of this clause,-

(i) producers shall be deemed to be related to exporters or importers only if,-

a) one of them directly or indirectly controls the other; or

b) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by a third person;


or

c) together they directly or indirectly control a third person subject to


the condition that are grounds for believing or suspecting that the
effect of the relationship is such as to cause the producers to behave
differently from non-related producers.

(ii) a producer shall be deemed to control another producer when the former
is legally or operationally in a position to exercise restraint or direction
over the latter.

(c) “interested party” includes -

1
Inserted vide Customs Notification No. 44/99-Cus(NT) dated 15.7.1999
2
Notification No. 86/2011-Customs (N.T.) dated 01.12.2011
3
Inserted vide Customs Notification No. 44/99-Cus(NT) dated 15.7.1999

26
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

(i) an exporter or a foreign producer or the importer of an article subject


to investigation for being dumped in India, or a trader or business
association a majority of the members of which are producers,
exporters or importers of such an article;

(ii) the government of the exporting country; and

(iii) a producer of the like article in India or a trade and business


association a majority of the members of which produce the like
article in India;

(d) “like article” means an article which is identical or alike in all respects
to the article under investigation for being dumped in India or in the
absence of such an article, another article which although not alike in all
respects, has characteristics closely resembling those of the articles under
investigation;

(e) “provisional duty” means an anti dumping duty imposed under sub-
section (2) of section 9A of the Act;

(f) “specified country” means a country or territory which is a member of


the World Trade Organization and includes the country or territory with
which the Government of India has an agreement for giving it the most
favoured nation treatment;

(g) all words and expressions used and not defined in these rules shall have
the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.

3. Appointment of designated authority. –

(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,


appoint a person not below the rank of a Joint Secretary to the Government
of India or such other person as that Government may think fit as the
designated authority for purposes of these rules.

27
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

(2) The Central Government may provide to the designated authority the
services of such other persons and such other facilities as it deems fit.

4. Duties of the designated authority. –

It shall be the duty of the designated authority in accordance with these rules-

(a) to investigate as to the existence, degree and effect of any alleged dumping
in relation to import of any article;

(b) to identify the article liable for anti-dumping duty;

(c) to submit its findings, provisional or otherwise to Central Government as


to-

(i) normal value, export price and the margin of dumping in relation to
the article under investigation, and

(ii) the injury or threat of injury to an industry established in India or


material retardation to the establishment of an industry in India
consequent upon the import of such article from the specified
countries.

(d) 4
to recommend to the Central Government –

(i) the amount of anti-dumping duty equal to the margin of dumping


or less, which if levied, would remove the injury to the domestic
industry, after considering the principles laid down in the Annexure
III to these rules5; and

(ii) the date of commencement of such duty;

(e) to review the need for continuance of anti-dumping duty.

4
Inserted vide Customs Notification No. 44/99-Cus(NT) dated 15.7.1999
5
Notification No.15/2011-Customs (N.T.) dated 01.03.2011

28
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

5. Initiation of investigation. –

(1) Except as provided in sub-rule (4), the designated authority shall initiate
an investigation to determine the existence, degree and effect of any
alleged dumping only upon receipt of a written application by or on behalf
of the domestic industry.

(2) An application under sub-rule (1) shall be in the form as maybe specified
by the designated authority and the application shall be supported by
evidence of –

(a) dumping

(b) injury, where applicable, and

(c) where applicable, a causal link between such dumped imports and
alleged injury.

(3) The designated authority shall not initiate an investigation pursuant to an


application made under sub-rule (1) unless –

(a) it determines, on the basis of an examination of the degree of


support for, or opposition to the application expressed by domestic
producers of the like product, that the application has been made by
or on behalf of the domestic industry:

Provided that no investigation shall be initiated if domestic


producers expressly supporting the application account for less than
twenty five per cent of the total production of the like article by the
domestic industry, and

(b) it examines the accuracy and adequacy of the evidence provided in


the application and satisfies itself that there is sufficient evidence
regarding -

(i) dumping,

29
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

(ii) injury, where applicable; and

(iii) where applicable, a causal link between such dumped


imports and the alleged injury, to justify the initiation of an
investigation.

Explanation. - For the purpose of this rule the application shall be deemed to
have been made by or on behalf of the domestic industry, if it is supported by
those domestic producers whose collective output constitute more than fifty per
cent of the total production of the like article produced by that portion of the
domestic industry expressing either support for or opposition, as the case may
be, to the application.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) the designated


authority may initiate an investigation suo moto if it is satisfied from
the information received from the Commissioner of Customs appointed
under the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) or from any other source that
sufficient evidence exists as to the existence of the circumstances referred
to in clause (b) of sub-rule (3).

(5) The designated authority shall notify the government of the exporting
country before proceeding to initiate an investigation.

6. Principles governing investigations.-

(1) The designated authority shall, after it has decided to initiate investigation
to determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged dumping of
any article, issue a public notice notifying its decision and such public
notice shall, inter alia, contain adequate information on the following:-

(i) the name of the exporting country or countries and the article
involved;

(ii) the date of initiation of the investigation;

(iii) the basis on which dumping is alleged in the application;

30
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

(iv) a summary of the factors on which the allegation of injury is based;

(v) the address to which representations by interested parties should be


directed; and

(vi) the time-limits allowed to interested parties for making their views
known.

(2) A copy of the public notice shall be forwarded by the designated authority
to the known exporters of the article alleged to have been dumped, the
Governments of the exporting countries concerned and other interested
parties.

(3) The designated authority shall also provide a copy of the application
referred to in sub-rule (1) of Rule 5 to -

(i) the known exporters or to the concerned trade association where the
number of exporters is large, and

(ii) the governments of the exporting countries:

Provided that the designated authority shall also make available a


copy of the application to any other interested party who makes a
request therefor in writing.

(4) The designated authority may issue a notice calling for any information, in
such form as may be specified by it, from the exporters, foreign producers
and other interested parties and such information shall be furnished by
such persons in writing within thirty days from the date of receipt of the
notice or within such extended period as the designated authority may
allow on sufficient cause being shown.

Explanation: For the purpose of this sub-rule, the notice calling for information
and other documents shall be deemed to have been received one week from
the date on which it was sent by the designated authority or transmitted to the
appropriate diplomatic representative of the exporting country.

31
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

(5) The designated authority shall also provide opportunity to the industrial
users of the article under investigation, and to representative consumer
organizations in cases where the article is commonly sold at the retail level,
to furnish information which is relevant to the investigation regarding
dumping, injury where applicable, and causality.

(6) The designated authority may allow an interested party or its representative
to present the information relevant to the investigation orally but such oral
information shall be taken into consideration by the designated authority
only when it is subsequently reproduced in writing.

(7) The designated authority shall make available the evidence presented to it
by one interested party to the other interested parties, participating in the
investigation.

(8) In a case where an interested party refuses access to, or otherwise does not
provide necessary information within a reasonable period, or significantly
impedes the investigation, the designated authority may record its findings
on the basis of the facts available to it and make such recommendations to
the Central Government as it deems fit under such circumstances.

7. Confidential information-

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rules (2), (3) and (7) of rule
6, sub-rule (2) of rule 12, sub-rule (4) of rule 15 and sub-rule (4) of rule
17, the copies of applications received under sub -rule (1) of rule 5, or any
other information provided to the designated authority on a confidential
basis by any party in the course of investigation, shall, upon the designated
authority being satisfied as to its confidentiality, be treated as such by it
and no such information shall be disclosed to any other party without
specific authorization of the party providing such information.

(2) The designated authority may require the parties providing information
on confidential basis to furnish non-confidential summary thereof and if,
in the opinion of a party providing such information, such information

32
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

is not susceptible of summary, such party may submit to the designated


authority a statement of reasons why summarisation is not possible.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (2), if the designated


authority is satisfied that the request for confidentiality is not warranted or
the supplier of the information is either unwilling to make the information
public or to authorize its disclosure in a generalized or summary form, it
may disregard such information.

8. Accuracy of the information. –

Except in cases referred to in sub-rule (8) of rule 6, the designated authority


shall during the course of investigation satisfy itself as to the accuracy of the
information supplied by the interested parties upon which its findings are based.

9. Investigation in the territory of other specified countries. –

The designated authority may carry out investigation in the territories of other
countries, if the circumstances of a case so warrant.

Provided that the designated authority obtains the consent of the person
concerned and notifies the representatives of the concerned government and the
concerned government does not object to such investigation.

10. Determination of normal value, export price and margin of dumping-

An article shall be considered as being dumped if it is exported from a country or


territory to India at a price less than its normal value and in such circumstances
the designated authority shall determine the normal value, export price and the
margin of dumping taking into account, inter alia, the principles laid down in
Annexure I to these rules.

11. Determination of injury. –

(1) In the case of imports from specified countries, the designated authority
shall record a further finding that import of such article into India causes or

33
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

threatens material injury to any established industry in India or materially


retards the establishment of any industry in India.

(2) The designated authority shall determine the injury to domestic industry,
threat of injury to domestic industry, material retardation to establishment
of domestic industry and a causal link between dumped imports and injury,
taking into account all relevant facts, including the volume of dumped
imports, their effect on price in the domestic market for like articles and
the consequent effect of such imports on domestic producers of such
articles and in accordance with the principles set out in Annexure II to
these rules.

(3) The designated authority may, in exceptional cases, give a finding as to


the existence of injury even where a substantial portion of the domestic
industry is not injured, if-

(i) there is a concentration of dumped imports into an isolated market,


and

(ii) the dumped articles are causing injury to the producers of all or
almost all of the production within such market.

12. Preliminary findings. –

(1) The designated authority shall proceed expeditiously with the conduct
of the investigation and shall, in appropriate cases, record a preliminary
finding regarding export price, normal value and margin of dumping,
and in respect of imports from specified countries, it shall also record
a further finding regarding injury to the domestic industry and such
finding shall contain sufficiently detailed information for the preliminary
determinations on dumping and injury and shall refer to the matters of fact
and law which have led to arguments being accepted or rejected. It will
also contain:-

34
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

(i) the names of the suppliers, or when this is impracticable, the


supplying countries involved;

(ii) a description of the article which is sufficient for customs purposes;

(iii) the margins of dumping established and a full explanation of


the reasons for the methodology used in the establishment and
comparison of the export price and the normal value;

(iv) considerations relevant to the injury determination; and

(v) the main reasons leading to the determination.

(2) The designated authority shall issue a public notice recording its
preliminary findings.

13. Levy of provisional duty –

The Central Government may, on the basis of the preliminary findings recorded
by the designated authority, impose a provisional duty not exceeding the margin
of dumping:

Provided that no such duty shall be imposed before the expiry of sixty days
from the date of the public notice issued by the designated authority regarding
its decision to initiate investigations:

Provided further that such duty shall remain in force only for a period not
exceeding six months which may upon request of the exporters representing
a significant percentage of the trade involved be extended by the Central
Government to nine months.

14. Termination of investigation. –

The designated authority shall, by issue of a public notice, terminate an


investigation immediately if -

35
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

(a) it receives a request in writing for doing so from or on behalf of the


domestic industry affected, at whose instance the investigation was
initiated;

(b) it is satisfied in the course of an investigation, that there is not sufficient


evidence of dumping or, where applicable, injury to justify the continuation
of the investigation;

(c) it determines that the margin of dumping is less than two per cent of the
export price;

(d) it determines that the volume of the dumped imports, actual or potential,
from a particular country accounts for less than three per cent of the imports
of the like product, unless, the countries which individually account for
less than three per cent of the imports of the like product, collectively
account for more than seven per cent of the import of the like product; or

(e) it determines that the injury where applicable, is negligible.

15. Suspension or termination of investigation on price undertaking–

(1) The designated authority may suspend or terminate an investigation if the


exporter of the article in question, -

(i) furnishes an undertaking in writing to the designated authority to


revise the prices so that no exports of the said article are made to
India at dumped prices, or

(ii) in the case of imports from specified countries undertake to revise


the prices so that injurious effect of dumping is eliminated and
the designated authority is satisfied that the injurious effect of the
dumping is eliminated:

Provided further that the designated authority shall complete the


investigation and record its finding, if the exporter so desires, or it
so decides.

36
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

(2) No undertaking as regards price increase under clause (ii) of the sub-rule
(1) shall be accepted from any exporter unless the designated authority
had made preliminary determination of dumping and the injury.

(3) The designated authority may, also not accept undertakings offered by any
exporter, if it considers that acceptance of such undertaking is impractical
or is unacceptable for any other reason.

(4) The designated authority shall intimate the acceptance of an undertaking


and suspension or termination of investigation to the Central Government
and also issue a public notice in this regard. The public notice shall,
contain inter alia, the non-confidential part of the undertaking.

(5) In cases where an undertaking has been accepted by the designated


authority the Central Government may not impose a duty under sub-section
(2) of section 9A of the Act for such period the undertaking acceptable to
the designated authority remains valid.

(6) Where the designated authority has accepted any undertaking under sub-
rule (1), it may require the exporter from whom such undertaking has
been accepted to provide from time to time information relevant to the
fulfilment of the undertaking and to permit verification of relevant data:

Provided that in case of any violation of an undertaking, the designated


authority shall, as soon as may be possible, inform the Central Government
of the violation of the undertaking and recommend imposition of
provisional duty from the date of such violation in accordance with the
provisions of these rules.

(7) The designated authority shall, suo moto or on the basis of any request
received from exporters or importers of the article in question or any other
interested party, review from time to time the need for the continuance of
any undertaking given earlier.

37
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

16. Disclosure of information. –

The designated authority shall, before giving its final findings, inform all interested
parties of the essential facts under consideration which form the basis for its decision.

17. Final findings. –

(1) The designated authority shall, within one year from the date of
initiation of an investigation, determine as to whether or not the article
under investigation is being dumped in India and submit to the Central
Government its final finding –

(a) as to, -

(i) the export price, normal value and the margin of dumping of
the said article;

(ii) whether import of the said article into India, in the case of
imports from specified countries, causes or threatens material
injury to any industry established in India or materially retards
the establishment of any industry in India;

(iii) a causal link, where applicable, between the dumped imports


and injury;

(iv) whether a retrospective levy is called for and if so, the reasons
therefor and date of commencement of such retrospective
levy:

Provided that the Central Government may, in its discretion in


special circumstances6 extend further the aforesaid period of one
year by six months:

Provided further that in those cases where the designated authority


has suspended the investigation on the acceptance of a price
undertaking as provided in rule 15 and subsequently resumes the
6
Inserted vide Customs Notification No. 44/99-Cus(NT) dated 15.7.1999

38
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

same on violation of the terms of the said undertaking, the period


for which investigation was kept under suspension shall not be taken
into account while calculating the period of said one year,

(b) Recommending the amount of duty which, if levied, would


remove the injury where applicable, to the domestic industry after
considering the principles laid down in the Annexure III to rules7.

(2) The final finding, if affirmative, shall contain all information on the matter
of facts and law and reasons which have led to the conclusion and shall
also contain information regarding-

(i) the names of the suppliers, or when this is impracticable, the


supplying countries involved;

(ii) a description of the product which is sufficient for customs purposes;

(iii) the margins of dumping established and a full explanation of


the reasons for the methodology used in the establishment and
comparison of the export price and the normal value;

(iv) Considerations relevant to the injury determination; and

(v) the main reasons leading to the determination.

(3) The designated authority shall determine an individual margin of dumping


for each known exporter or producer concerned of the article under
investigation:

Provided that in cases where the number of exporters, producers, importers


or types of articles involved are so large as to make such determination
impracticable, it may limit its findings either to a reasonable number of
interested parties or articles by using statistically valid samples based on
information available at the time of selection, or to the largest percentage
of the volume of the exports from the country in question which can
7
Notification No.15/2011-Customs (N.T.) dated 01.03.2011

39
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

reasonably be investigated, and any selection, of exporters, producers,


or types of articles, made under this proviso shall preferably be made
in consultation with and with the consent of the exporters, producers or
importers concerned:

Provided further that the designated authority shall, determine an individual


margin of dumping for any exporter or producer, though not selected
initially, who submit necessary information in time, except where the
number of exporters or producers are so large that individual examination
would be unduly burdensome and prevent the timely completion of the
investigation.

(4) The designated authority shall issue a public notice recording its final
findings.

18. Levy of duty. –

(1) The Central Government may, within three months of the date of
publication of final findings by the designated authority under rule 17,
impose by notification in the Official Gazette, upon importation into
India of the article covered by the final finding, anti-dumping duty not
exceeding the margin of dumping as determined under rule 17.

(2) In cases where the designated authority has selected percentage of the
volume of the exports from a particular country, as referred to sub –rule
(3) of rule 17, any anti-dumping duty applied to imports from exporters or
producers not included in the examination shall not exceed -

(i) the weighted average margin of dumping established with respect to


the selected exporters or producers or,

(ii) where the liability for payment of anti-dumping duties is calculated


on the basis of a prospective normal value/ the difference between
the weighted average normal value of the selected exporters or

40
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

producers and the export prices of exporters or producers not


individually examined:

Provided that the Central Government shall disregard for the purpose of
this sub-rule any zero margin, margins which are less than 2 per cent
expressed as the percentage of export price and margins established in the
circumstances detailed in sub-rule (8) of rule 6. The Central Government
shall apply individual duties to imports from any exporter or producer not
included in the examination who has provided the necessary information
during the course of the investigation as referred to in the second proviso
to sub-rule (3) of rule 17.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), where a domestic


industry has been interpreted according to the proviso to sub -clause (b)
of rule 2, a duty shall be levied only after the exporters have been given
opportunity to cease exporting at dumped prices to the area concerned or
otherwise give an undertaking pursuant to rule 15 and such undertaking
has not been promptly given and in such cases duty shall not be levied only
on the articles of specific producers which supply the area in question.

(4) If the final finding of the designated authority is negative that is contrary
to the evidence on whose basis the investigation was initiated, the Central
Government shall, within forty-five days of the publication of final findings
by the designated authority under rule 17, withdraw the provisional duty
imposed, if any.

19. Imposition of duty on non-discriminatory basis. –

Any provisional duty imposed under rule 13 or an anti-dumping duty imposed


under rule 18 shall be on a non-discriminatory basis and applicable to all imports
of such articles, from whatever sources found dumped and, where applicable,
causing injury to domestic industry except in the case of imports from those
sources from which undertaking in terms of rule 15 has been accepted.

41
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

20. Commencement of duty. –

(1) The anti-dumping duty levied under rule 13 and rule 19 shall take effect
from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) -

(a) where a provisional duty has been levied and where the designated
authority has recorded a final finding of injury or where the
designated authority has recorded a final finding of threat of injury
and a further finding that the effect of dumped imports in the absence
of provisional duty would have led to injury, the anti-dumping duty
may be levied from the date of imposition of provisional duty;

(b) in the circumstances referred to in sub-section (3) of section 9A of


the Act, the antidumping duty may be levied retrospectively from
the date commencing ninety days prior to the imposition of such
provisional duty:

Provided that no duty shall be levied retrospectively on imports


entered for home consumption before initiation of the investigation:

Provided further that in the cases of violation of price undertaking


referred to in sub-rule (6) of rule 15, no duty shall be levied
retrospectively on the imports which have entered for home
consumption before the violation of the terms of such undertaking.
8
Provided also that notwithstanding anything contained in the
foregoing proviso, in case of violation of such undertaking, the
provisional duty shall be deemed to have been levied from the date of
violation of the undertaking or such date as the Central Government
may specify in each case.

8
Inserted vide Customs Notification No. 44/99-Cus(NT) dated 15.7.1999

42
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

21. Refund of duty. –

(1) If the anti-dumping duty imposed by the Central Government on the basis
of the final findings of the investigation conducted by the designated
authority is higher than the provisional duty already imposed and collected,
the differential shall not be collected from the importer.

(2) If, the anti-dumping duty fixed after the conclusion of the investigation
is lower than the provisional duty already imposed and collected, the
differential shall be refunded to the importer.

(3) If the provisional duty imposed by the Central Government is withdrawn


in accordance with the provisions of sub-rule (4) of rule 18, the provisional
duty already imposed and collected, if any, shall be refunded to the
importer.

21A Determination of amount paid in excess of actual margin of dumping.

(1) Where an importer is of the opinion that he has paid any anti -dumping duty
imposed under sub-sections (1) or sub-section (1A) of section 9A of the
Act on any imported goods, in excess of the actual margin of dumping in
relation to such goods, he may file an application for determination of the
actual margin of dumping in relation to such goods before the designated
authority in such form and accompanied by such documents as the said
authority may specify in this behalf.

(2) Where the application referred to in sub-rule (1) is found to be deficient


in any material particulars, the same shall be returned to the importer
pointing out deficiencies within one month of the receipt thereof and the
importer may, after making good the deficiencies, resubmit the application
to the designated authority within one month thereafter.

(3) On receipt of the application with complete information, the designated


authority shall initiate an investigation to determine the actual margin of
dumping in relation to such goods.

43
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

(4) In determining the actual margin of dumping, when the export price is
constructed in accordance with these rules, the designated authority shall
take into account any change in normal value, costs incurred between
importation and resale and any movement in the sale price which is duly
reflected in the subsequent selling price.

(5) While calculating constructed export price, referred to in sub -rule (4), no
deduction shall be made for the amount of anti-dumping duties paid when
conclusive evidence of the same is provided.

(6) Where the designated authority finds that there is change in, -

(a) costs incurred between importation and resale, and

(b) movement in the sale price which is duly reflected in the subsequent
selling price, the actual margin of dumping may be determined in
accordance with the provisions of sub-rules (4) and (5).

(7) The designated authority shall, after investigation under sub -rule (3),
determine the actual margin of dumping for the goods and if the anti
-dumping paid on the goods is in excess of the margin of dumping so
determined, the authority shall make recommendation to the Central
Government within nine months and in no case more than 12 months,
from the date of receipt of the application, complete in all respects, to
refund the difference between the two to the importer.

22. Margin of dumping, for exporters not originally investigated. –

(1) If a product is subject to anti-dumping duties, the designated authority shall


carry out a periodical review for the purpose of determining individual
margins of dumping for any exporters or producers in the exporting
country in question who have not exported the product to India during
the period of investigation, provided that these exporters or producers
show that they are not related to any of the exporters or producers in

44
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

the exporting country who are subject to the antidumping duties on the
product.

(2) The Central Government shall not levy anti-dumping duties under sub-
section (1) of section 9A of the Act, on imports from such exporters or
producers during the period of review as referred to in sub -rule (1) of this
rule:

Provided that the Central Government may resort to provisional assessment


and may ask a guarantee from the importer if the designated authority so
recommends and if such a review results in a determination of dumping
in respect of such products or exporters, it may levy duty in such cases
retrospectively from the date of the initiation of the review.

23. Review. –

(1) Any anti-dumping duty imposed under the provision of section 9A of


the Act, shall remain in force, so long as and to the extent necessary, to
counteract dumping, which is causing injury.
9
(1A) The designated authority shall review the need for the continued imposition
of any anti-dumping duty, where warranted, on its own initiative or
upon request by any interested party who submits positive information
substantiating the need for such review, and a reasonable period of time
has elapsed since the imposition of the definitive anti-dumping duty and
upon such review, the designated authority shall recommend to the Central
Government for its withdrawal, where it comes to a conclusion that the
injury to the domestic industry is not likely to continue or recur, if the
said anti -dumping duty is removed or varied and is therefore no longer
warranted.

(1B) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) or (1A), any definitive


antidumping duty levied under the Act, shall be effective for a period not
exceeding five years from the date of its imposition, unless the designated
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Notification No.15/2011-Customs (N.T.) dated 01.03.2011

45
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

authority comes to a conclusion, on a review initiated before that period


on its own initiative or upon a duly substantiated request made by or on
behalf of the domestic industry within a reasonable period of time prior to
the expiry of that period, that the expiry of the said anti-dumping duty is
likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury to the
domestic industry.

(2) Any review initiated under sub-rule (1) shall be concluded within a period
not exceeding twelve months from the date of initiation of such review.

(3) The provisions of rules 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 shall be
mutatis mutandis applicable in the case of review.

24. Dumping causing injury to a third country. –

(1) The designated authority may initiate investigation into any dumping
alleged to be taking place into India and causing injury to the domestic
industry of any third country which is a member of the World Trade
Organisation.

(2) The designated authority in such cases shall follow the procedures laid
down in Article 14 of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VI
of the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade, 1994, as contained in the
Final Act of Uruguay Round Multilateral Trade Negotiations.

25. Circumvention of anti dumping duty. –

(1) Where an article subject to anti dumping duty is imported into India
from any country including the country of origin or country of export
notified for the purposes of levy of anti dumping duty, in an unassembled,
unfinished or incomplete form and is assembled, finished or completed in
India or in such country, such assembly, finishing or completion shall be
considered to circumvent the anti dumping duty in force if, -

(a) the operation started or increased after, or just prior to, the anti
dumping investigations and the parts and components are imported

46
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

from the country of origin or country of export notified for purposes


of levy of anti -dumping duty; and

(b) the value consequent to assembly, finishing or completion operation


is less than thirty-five percent of the cost of assembled, finished or
complete article.

Explanation I. – ‘Value’ means the cost of assembled, complete or finished


article less value of imported parts or components

Explanation II. - For the purposes of calculating the ‘value’, expenses


on account of payments relating to intellectual property rights, royalty,
technical know- how fees and consultancy charges, shall not be taken into
account.

(2) Where an article subject to anti dumping duty is imported into India
from country of origin or country of export notified for the levy of anti-
dumping duty after being subjected to any process involving alteration of
the description, name or composition of an article, such alteration shall be
considered to circumvent the anti dumping duty in force if the alteration
of the description or name or composition of the article subject to anti
dumping duty results in the article being altered in form or appearance
even in minor forms regardless of the variation of tariff classification, if
any.

(3) Where an article subject to anti dumping duty is imported into India
through exporters or producers or country not subject to anti dumping
duty, such exports shall be considered to circumvent the anti dumping
duty in force if the exporters or producers notified for the levy of anti-
dumping duty change their trade practice, pattern of trade or channels
of sales of the article in order to have their products exported to India
through exporters or producers or country not subject to anti dumping
duty.

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Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

Explanation.- For the purposes of this sub-rule, it shall be established that


there has been a change in trade practice, pattern of trade or channels of
sales if the following conditions are satisfied, namely: -

(a) absence of a justification, economic or otherwise, other than


imposition of anti-dumping duty;

(b) evidence that the remedial effects of the anti-dumping duties are
undermined in terms of the price and or the quality of like products.

26. Initiation of investigation to determine circumvention. –

(1) Except as provided herein below, the designated authority may initiate
an investigation to determine the existence and effect of any alleged
circumvention of the anti dumping duty levied under section 9A of the
Act , upon receipt of a written application by or on behalf of the domestic
industry.

(2) The application shall, inter-alia, contain sufficient evidence as regards the
existence of the circumstances to justify initiation of an anti -circumvention
investigation.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), the designated


authority may initiate an investigation suo motu if it is satisfied from the
information received from the Commissioner of Customs appointed under
the Customs Act, 1962 ( 52 of 1962) or any other source that sufficient
evidence exists as to the existence of the circumstances pointing to
circumvention of anti dumping duty in force.

(4) The designated authority may initiate an investigation to determine the


existence and effect of any alleged circumvention of the antidumping duty
in force where it is satisfied that imports of the article circumventing an
anti dumping duty in force are found to be dumped:

Provided that, the designated authority shall notify the government of the
exporting country before proceeding to initiate such an investigation.

48
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

(5) The provisions regarding evidence and procedures under rule 6 shall
apply mutatis mutandis to any investigation carried out under this rule.

(6) Any such investigation shall be concluded within 12 months and in no


case more than 18 months of the date of initiation of investigation for
reasons to be recorded in writing by the designated authority.

27. Determination of circumvention.-

(1) The designated authority, upon determination that circumvention of anti


dumping duty exists, may recommend imposition of anti dumping duty
to imports of articles found to be circumventing an existing anti dumping
duty or to imports of article originating in or exported from countries
other than those which are already notified for the purpose of levy of the
antidumping duty and such levy may apply retrospectively from the date
of initiation of the investigation under rule 26.

(2) The designated authority shall issue a public notice recording its findings.

(3) The Central Government may, pursuant to the recommendations made


by the designated authority, extend the anti dumping duty to imports of
article including imports of such article from the date of initiation of the
investigation under rule 26 or such date as may be recommended by the
designated authority.

28. Review of circumvention.-

(1) The designated authority may review the need for the continued
imposition of the duty, where warranted, on its own initiative or provided
that a reasonable period of time has elapsed since the imposition of the
measures, upon request by any interested party which submits positive
information substantiating the need for the review.

(2) Any review initiated under sub-rule (1) shall be concluded within a period
not exceeding twelve months from the date of initiation of review.

49
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

ANNEXURE- I
(Refer Rule 8)

PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE DETERMINATION OF NORMAL


VALUE, EXPORT PRICE AND MARGIN OF DUMPING

The designated authority while determining the normal value, export price and margin
of dumping shall take into account inter alia, the following principles –

1. The elements of costs referred to in the context of determination of normal


value shall normally be determined on the basis of records kept by the exporter
or producer under investigation, provided such records are in accordance with
the generally accepted accounting principles of the exporting country, and such
records reasonably reflect the cost associated with production and sale of the
article under consideration.

2. Sales of the like product in the domestic market of the exporting country or
sales to a third country at prices below per unit (fixed and variable) costs of
production plus administrative, selling and general costs may be treated as
not being in the ordinary course of trade by reason of price. The designated
authority may disregard these sales, in determining normal value, provided it
has determined that-

(i) such sales are made within a reasonable period of time (not less than six
months) in substantial quantities, i.e. when the weighted average selling
price of the article is below the weighted average per unit costs or when
the volume of the sales below per unit costs represents not less than twenty
per cent of the volume sold in transactions under consideration, and

(ii) such sales are at prices which do not provide for the recovery of all costs
within a reasonable period of time. The said prices will be considered to
provide for recovery of costs within a reasonable period of time if they

50
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

are above weighted average per unit costs for the period of investigation,
even though they might have been below per unit costs at the time of sale.

3. (i) The said authority in the course of investigation shall consider all available
evidence on the proper allocation of costs, including that which is made
available by the exporter or producer provided that such allocation has been
historically utilized by the exporter or producer, in relation to establishing
appropriate amortization and depreciation periods and allowances for
capital expenditure and other development costs.

(ii) unless already reflected in allocation of costs referred to in clause (1) and
sub-clause (i) above, the designated authority, will also make appropriate
adjustments for those non-recurring items of cost which benefits further
and/or current production, or for circumstances in which costs during the
period of investigation are affected by start up operation.

4. The amounts for administrative, selling and general costs and for profits as
referred to in sub-section (1) of section 9A of the Act, shall be based on actual
data pertaining to production and sales in the ordinary course of trade, of the
like article by the exporter or producer under investigation. When such amounts
cannot be determined on this basis, the amounts may be determined on the basis
of:

(i) the actual amounts incurred and realized by the exporter or producer in
question, in respect of production and sales in the domestic market of the
country of origin of the same general category of article;

(ii) the weighted average of the actual amounts incurred and realized by other
exporters or producers subject to investigation in respect of production
and sales of the like article in the domestic market of the country of origin;
or

(iii) any other reasonable method, provided that the amount for profit so
established shall not exceed the profit normally realized by the exporters

51
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

or producers on sales of products of the same general category in the


domestic market of the country of origin.

5. The designated authority, while arriving at a constructed export price, shall


give due allowance for costs including duties and taxes, incurred between
importation and resale and for profits.

6. (i) While arriving at margin of dumping, the designated authority shall make a
fair comparison between the export price and the normal value. The comparison
shall be made at the same level of trade, normally at the ex-factory level, and
in respect of sales made at as nearly as possibly the same time. Due allowance
shall be made in each case, on its merits, for differences which affect price
comparability, including differences in conditions and in terms of sale, taxation,
levels of trade, quantities, physical characteristics, and any other differences
which are demonstrated to affect price comparability.

(ii) In the cases where export prices is a constructed one, the comparison shall
be made only after establishing the normal value at equivalent level of
trade.

(iii) When the comparison under this para requires a conversion of currencies,
such conversion should be made by using the rate of exchange on the date
of sale, provided that when a sale on foreign currency on forward markets
is directly linked to the export sale involved the rate of exchange in the
forward sale shall be used. Fluctuations in exchange rates shall be ignored
and in an investigation the exporters shall be given at least sixty days to
have adjusted their export prices to reflect the sustained movements in
exchange rates during the period of investigation.

(iv) Subject to the provisions governing comparison in this paragraph, the


existence of margin dumping during the investigation phase shall normally
be established on the basis of comparison of a weighted average normal
value and export prices on a transaction-to-transaction basis. A normal
value established on a weighted average basis may be compared to the

52
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

prices of the individual export transactions if it is found that the pattern


of export prices which differs significantly among different purchasers,
regions or time periods and if an explanation is provided as to why
such differences cannot be taken into account appropriately by the use
of weighted average - to-weighted average or transaction-to-transaction
comparison.

7. In case of imports from non-market economy countries, normal value shall


be determined on the basis if the price or constructed value in the market
economy third country, or the price from such a third country to other countries,
including India or where it is not possible, or on any other reasonable basis,
including the price actually paid or payable in India for the like product, duly
adjusted if necessary, to include a reasonable profit margin. An appropriate
market economy third country shall be selected by the designated authority in
a reasonable manner, keeping in view the level of development of the country
concerned and the product in question, and due account shall be taken of any
reliable information made available at the time of selection. Accounts shall
be taken within time limits, where appropriate, of the investigation made in
any similar matter in respect of any other market economy third country. The
parties to the investigation shall be informed without any unreasonable delay
the aforesaid selection of the market economy third country and shall be given
a reasonable period of time to offer their comments.10

8. (1) The term “non-market economy country” means any country which the
designated authority determines as not operating on market principles of
cost or pricing structures, so that sales of merchandise in such country
do not reflect the fair value of the merchandise, in accordance with the
criteria specified in sub-paragraph (3).

(2) There shall be a presumption that any country that has been determined
to be, or has been treated as, a non-market economy country for purposes
of an anti-dumping investigation by the designated authority or by the

10
Inserted vide Customs Notification No. 44/99-Cus(NT) dated 15.7.1999

53
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

competent authority of any WTO member country during the three year
period preceding the investigation is a nonmarket economy country.

Provided, however, that the non-market economy country or the concerned


firms from such country may rebut such a presumption by providing
information and evidence to the designated authority that establishes that
such country is not a non-market economy country on the basis of the
criteria specified in sub-paragraph (3).

(3) The designated authority shall consider in each case the following criteria
as to whether:

(a) the decisions of the concerned firms in such country regarding


prices, costs and inputs, including raw materials, cost of technology
and labour, output, sales and investment, are made in response to
market signals reflecting supply and demand and without significant
State interference in this regard, and whether costs of major inputs
substantially reflect market values;

(b) the production costs and financial situation of such firms are subject
to significant distortions carried over from the former non-market
economy system, in particular in relation to depreciation of assets,
other write-offs, barter trade and payment via compensation of
debts;

(c) such firms are subject to bankruptcy and property laws which
guarantee legal certainty and stability for the operation of the firms,
and

(d) the exchange rate conversions are carried out at the market rate.

Provided, however, that where it is shown by sufficient evidence in


writing on the basis of the criteria specified in this paragraph that market
conditions prevail for one or more such firms subject to anti-dumping
investigations, the designated authority may apply the principles set out

54
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

in paragraphs 1 to 6 instead of the principles set out in paragraph 7 and in


this paragraph.

(4) Notwithstanding, anything contained in sub-paragraph (2), the designated


authority may treat such country as market economy country which, on the
basis of the latest detailed evaluation of relevant criteria, which includes
the criteria specified in sub paragraph (3), has been, by publication of such
evaluation in a public document, treated or determined to be treated as a
market economy country for the purposes of anti dumping investigations,
by a country which is a Member of the World Trade Organization.”

55
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

ANNEXURE- II
[See Rule 11(2)]

PRINCIPLES FOR DETERMINATION OF INJURY

The designated authority while determining the injury or threat of material injury to
domestic industry or material retardation of the establishment of such an industry,
hereinafter referred to as “injury” and causal link between dumped imports and such
injury, shall inter alia, take following principles under consideration-

(i) A determination of injury shall involve an objective examination of both (a) the
volume of the dumped imports and the affect of the dumped imports on prices
in the domestic market for like article and (b) the consequent impact of these
imports on domestic producers of such products.

(ii) While examining the volume of dumped imports, the said authority shall consider
whether there has been a significant increase in the dumped imports, either in
absolute terms or relative to production or consumption in India. With regard to
the affect of the dumped imports on prices as referred to in sub-rule (2) of rule
18 the designated authority shall consider whether there has been a significant
price under cutting by the dumped imports as compared with the price of like
product in India, or whether the effect of such imports is otherwise to depress
prices to a significant degree or prevent price increase which otherwise would
have occurred, to a significant degree.

(iii) In cases where imports of a product from more than one country are being
simultaneously subjected to anti-dumping investigation, the designated authority
will cumulatively assess the effect of such imports, only when it determines
that (a) the margin of dumping established in relation to the imports from each
country is more than two per cent expressed as percentage of export price and
the volume of the imports from each country is three per cent of the import of
like article or where the export of individual countries less than three per cent,
the imports collectively accounts for more than seven per cent of the import of
like article and (b) cumulative assessment of the effect of imports is appropriate

56
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

in light of the conditions of competition between the imported article and the
like domestic articles.

(iv) The examination of the impact of the dumped imports on the domestic industry
concerned, shall include an evaluation of all relevant economic factors and
indices having a bearing on the state of the industry, including natural and
potential 11 decline in sales, profits, output, market share, productivity, return
on investments or utilization of capacity; factors affecting domestic prices; the
magnitude of the margin of dumping; actual and potential12 negative effects
on cash flow, inventories, employment, wages, growth, ability to raise capital
investments.

(v) It must be demonstrated that the dumped imports are, through the effects of
dumping, as set forth in paragraphs (ii) and (iv) above, causing injury to the
domestic industry. The demonstration of a causal relationship between the
dumped imports and the injury to the domestic industry shall be based on an
examination of relevant evidence before the designated authority. The designated
authority shall also examine any known factors other than the dumped imports
which at the same time are injuring the domestic industry, and the injury caused
by these other factors must not be attributed to the dumped imports. Factors
which may be relevant in this respect include, inter alia, the volume and prices
of imports not sold at dumping prices, contraction in demand or changes in the
patterns of consumption, trade restrictive practices of and competition between
the foreign and domestic producers, developments in technology and the export
performance and the productivity of the domestic industry.

(vi) The effect of the dumped imports shall be assessed in relation to the domestic
production of the like article when available data permit the separate
identification of that production on the basis of such criteria as the production
process, producers’ sales and profits. If such separate identification of that
production is not possible, the effects of the dumped imports shall be assessed by
the examination of the production of the narrowest group or range of products,
11
Inserted vide Customs Notification No. 44/99-Cus(NT) dated 15.7.1999
12
Inserted vide Customs Notification No. 44/99-Cus(NT) dated 15.7.1999

57
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

which includes the like product, for which the necessary information can be
provided.

(vii) A determination of a threat of material injury shall be based on facts and


not merely on allegation, conjecture or remote possibility. The change in
circumstances which would create a situation in which the dumping would
cause injury must be clearly foreseen and imminent. In making a determination
regarding the existence of a threat of material injury, the designated authority
shall consider, inter alia, such factors as:

(a) a significant rate of increase of dumped imports into India indicating the
likelihood of substantially increased importation;

(b) sufficient freely disposable, or an imminent, substantial increase in,


capacity of the exporter indicating the likelihood of substantially increased
dumped exports to Indian markets, taking into account the availability of
other export markets to absorb any additional exports;

(c) whether imports are entering at prices that will have a significant
depressing or suppressing effect on domestic prices, and would likely
increase demand for further imports; and

(d) inventories of the article being investigated.

58
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

13
ANNEXURE III
[See rule 17(1)]

PRINCIPLES FOR DETERMINATION OF NON-INJURIOUS PRICE

(1) The designated authority is required under sub-rule (1) of rule 17 to recommend
the amount of anti-dumping duty which, if levied, would remove the injury
where applicable to the domestic industry.

(2) For the purpose of making recommendation under clause (1), the designated
authority shall determine the fair selling (notional) price or non -injurious price
of the like domestic product taking into account the principles specified herein
under.

(3) The non-injurious price is required to be determined by considering the


information or data relating to cost of production for the period of investigation
in respect of the producers constituting domestic industry. Detailed analysis or
examination and reconciliation of the financial and cost records maintained by
the constituents of the domestic industry are to be carried out for this purpose.

(4) The following elements of cost of production are required to be examined for
working out the non-injurious price, namely: —

(i) The best utilisation of raw materials by the constituents of domestic


industry, over the past three years period and the period of investigation,
and at period of investigation rates may be considered to nullify injury,
if any, caused to the domestic industry by inefficient utilisation of raw
materials.

(ii) The best utilisation of utilities by the constituents of domestic industry,


over the past three years period and period of investigation, and at period
of investigation rates may be considered to nullify injury, if any, caused
to the domestic industry by inefficient utilization of utilities.

(iii) The best utilisation of production capacities, over the past three years
period and period of investigation, and at period of investigation rates
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59
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

may be considered to nullify injury, if any, caused to the domestic industry


by inefficient utilization of production capacities.

(iv) The Propriety of all expenses, grouped and charged to the cost of production
may be examined and any extra-ordinary or non-recurring expenses shall
not be charged to the cost of production and salary and wages paid per
employee and per month may also be reviewed and reconciled with the
financial and cost records of the company.

(v) To ensure the reasonableness of amount of depreciation charged to cost


of production, it may be examined that no charge has been made for
facilities not deployed on the production of the subject goods, particularly
in respect of multi-product companies and the depreciation of re-valued
assets, if any, may be identified and excluded while arriving at reasonable
cost of production.

(vi) The expenses to the extent identified to the product are to be directly
allocated and common expenses or overheads classified under factory,
administrative and selling overheads may be apportioned on reasonable
and scientific basis such as machine hours, vessel occupancy hours, direct
labour hours, production quantity, sales value, etc., as applied consistently
by domestic producers and the reasonableness and justification of various
expenses claimed for the period of investigation may be examined
and scrutinised by comparing with the corresponding amounts in the
immediate preceding year.

(vii) The expenses, which shall not to be considered while assessing non-
injurious price include,—

a) research and development Provisions (unless claimed and


substantiated as related to the product specific research);

b) since non-injurious price is determined at ex-factory level, the post


manufacturing expenses such as commission, discount, freight -
outward etc.at ex-factory level;

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Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

c) excise duty, sales tax and other tax levies on sales;

d) expenses on job work done for other units;

e) royalty, unless it is related to technical know-how for the product;

f) trading activity of product under consideration; or

g) other non-cost items like bad debts, donations, loss on sale of assets,
loss due to fire, flood, etc.

(viii) A reasonable return (pre-tax) on average capital employed for the product
may be allowed for recovery of interest, corporate tax and profit. The
average capital employed is the sum of “net fixed assets and net working
capital” which shall be taken on the basis of average of the same as on
the beginning and at the end of period of investigation. For assessment of
reasonable level of working capital requirement, all the elements of net
working capital shall be scrutinised in detail. The impact of revaluation of
fixed assets shall not be considered in the calculation of capital employed.
Interest is allowed as an item of cost of sales and after deducting the
interest, the balance amount of return is to be allowed as pre -tax profit to
arrive at the non- injurious price.

(ix) Reasonableness of interest cost may be examined to ensure that no


abnormal expenditure on account of interest has been incurred. Details
of term loans, cash credit limits, short term loans, deposits and other
borrowings taken by the company and interest paid thereon may be
examined in detail along with the details of assets deployed.

(x) In case there is more than one domestic producer, the weighted averages of
non-injurious price of individual domestic producers are to be considered.
The respective share of domestic production of the subject goods may be
taken as basis for computation of weighted average non -injurious price
for the domestic industry as a whole.

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Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

CUSTOMS TARIFF (IDENTIFICATION,


ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION
D
OF COUNTERVAILING DUTY ON
SUBSIDIZED ARTICLES AND FOR
DETERMINATION OF INJURY)
RULES, 1995

63
Anti Dumping Rules, 1995

64
CUSTOMS TARIFF (IDENTIFICATION, ASSESSMENT AND
COLLECTION OF COUNTERVAILING DUTY ON SUBSIDIZED
ARTICLES AND FOR DETERMINATION OF INJURY) RULES, 1995

1. Short title and commencement.-

(1) The Rule may be called Customs Tariff (Identification, assessment and
collection of countervailing duty on subsidies articles and for determination
injury) Rules, 1995.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official
Gazette.

2. Definitions.-

In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, -

(a) "Act" means the Customs Tariff Act,1975 (51 of 1975);

(b) "domestic industry" means the domestic producers as a whole of the


like article or domestic producers whose collective output of the said
article constitutes a major proportion of the total domestic production of
that article, except when such producers are related to the exporters or
importers of the alleged subsidised article, or are themselves importers
thereof, in which case such producers shall be deemed not to form part of
domestic industry:

Provided that in exceptional circumstances referred to in sub-rule (3) of


rule 13, the domestic industry in relation to the article in question shall be
deemed to comprise two or more competitive markets and the producers
within each of such market be deemed as a separate industry if, -

(i) the producers within such market sell all or almost all of their
production of the article in question in that market, and

65
CVD Rules, 1995

(ii) the demand in the market is not in any substantial degree supplied by
producers of the said article located elsewhere in the territory;

(c) "interested party" includes -

(i) an exporter or foreign producer or the importer of an article subject to


investigation for being subsidised or a trade or business association
a majority of the members of which are producers, exporters or
importers of such an article; and

(ii) a producer of the like article in India or a trade and business


association a majority of the members of which produce the like
article in India;

(d) "provisional duty" means a countervailing duty imposed under sub-section


(2) of section 9A of the Act;

(e) "specified country" means a country or territory which includes the


country or territory with which the Government of India has an agreement
for giving it the most favoured nation treatment;

(f) all words and expressions used in these rules, but not defined, shall have
the meaning respectively assigned to them in the Act.

3. Appointment of Designated Authority.-

(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,


appoint a person not below the rank of a Joint Secretary to the Government
of India or such other person as that Government may think fit as the
designated authority for purposes of these rules.

(2) The Central Government may provide to the designated authority the
services of such other persons and such other facilities as it deems fit.

4. Duties of the Designated Authority.-

It shall be the duty of the designated authority in accordance with these rules -

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(a) to investigate the existence, degree and effect of any subsidy in relation to
the import of an article;

(b) to identify the article liable for countervailing duty;

(c) to submit its findings, provisional or otherwise to the Central Government


as to -

(i) the nature and amount of subsidy in relation to an article under


investigation.

(ii) the injury or threat of injury to an industry established in India or


material retardation to the establishment of an industry in India
consequent upon the import of such articles from the specified
countries.

(d) to recommend the amount of countervailing duty, which if levied would


be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry and the date of
commencement of such duty; and

(e) to review the need for continuance of countervailing duty.

5. Decision as to country of origin.-

In cases where articles are not imported directly from the country of origin but
are imported from an intermediate country, the provisions of these rules shall be
fully applicable and any such transaction shall, for the purpose of these rules be
regarded as having taken place between the country of origin and the country of
importation.

6. Initiation of investigation.-

(1) Except as provided in sub-rule (4) the designated authority shall initiate
an investigation to determine the existence, degree and effect of alleged
subsidy only upon receipt of a written application by or on behalf of the
domestic industry.

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CVD Rules, 1995

(2) An application under sub-rule (1) shall be in the form as may be specified
by the designated authority in this behalf and the application shall be
supported by evidence of –

(a) subsidy and, if possible, its amount,

(b) injury where applicable, and

(c) where applicable, a causal link between such subsidized imports and
alleged injury.

(3) The designated authority shall not initiate an investigation pursuant to an


application made under sub-rule (1) unless -

(a) it determines, on the basis of an examination of the degree of


support for, or opposition to the application expressed by domestic
producers of the like article, that the application has been made by
or on behalf of the domestic industry:

Provided that no investigation shall be initiated if domestic


producers expressly supporting the application account for less than
twenty five per cent of the total production of the like product by the
domestic industry, and

(b) it examines the accuracy and adequacy of the evidence provided in


the application and satisfies itself that there is sufficient evidence
regarding -

(i) subsidy,

(ii) injury, where applicable; and

(iii) where applicable, a causal link between such subsidized


imports and the alleged injury, to justify the initiation of an
investigation.

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CVD Rules, 1995

Explanation. - For the purpose of this rule, the application shall be


considered to have been made "by or on behalf of domestic industry"
if it is supported by those domestic producers whose collective
output constitutes more than fifty per cent of the total production
of the like article produced by that portion of the domestic industry
expressing either support for or opposition as the case may be, to the
application.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), the designated


authority may initiate an investigation suo motu, if it is satisfied from the
information received from the Commissioner of Customs appointed under
the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) or any other source that sufficient
evidence exists as to the existence of the circumstances referred to in sub-
clause (b) of sub-rule (3).

(5) The designated authority shall notify the government of the exporting
country before proceeding to initiate an investigation.

7. Principles governing investigations.-

(1) The designated authority shall, after it has decided to initiate investigation
to determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged subsidization
of any article, issue a public notice notifying its decision. Public notice
regarding initiation of investigation shall, inter alia, contain adequate
information on the following:

(i) the name of the exporting countries and the article involved;

(ii) the date of initiation of the investigation;

(iii) a description of the subsidy practice or practices to be investigated;

(iv) a summary of the factors on which the allegation of injury is based;

(v) the address to which representations by interested countries and


interested parties should be directed; and

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CVD Rules, 1995

(vi) the time-limits allowed to interested countries and interested parties


for making their views known.

(2) A copy of the public notice shall be forwarded by the designated authority
to the known exporters of the article alleged to have been subsidized,
the government of the exporting country concerned and other interested
parties.

(3) The designated authority shall also provide a copy of the application
referred to in sub-rule (1) of rule 6 to –

(i) the known exporters or the concerned trade association where the
number of exporters is large, and

(ii) the government of the exporting country :

Provided that the designated authority shall also make available a copy of
the application, upon request in writing, to any other interested party.

(4) The designated authority may issue a notice calling for any information in
such form as may be specified by it from the exporters, foreign producers
and governments of interested countries and such information shall be
furnished by such persons in writing within thirty days from the date of
receipt of the notice or within such extended period as the designated
authority may allow on sufficient cause being shown.

Explanation. - For the purpose of this sub-rule the public notice and other
documents shall be deemed to have been received one week from the
date on which these documents were sent by the designated authority or
transmitted to the appropriate diplomatic representative of the exporting
country.

(5) The designated authority shall also provide opportunity to the industrial
users of the article under investigation, and to representative consumer
organisations in cases where the article is commonly sold at retail level,

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CVD Rules, 1995

to furnish information which is relevant to the investigation regarding


subsidization and where applicable injury and causality.

(6) The designated authority may allow an interested country or an


interested party or its representative to present information relevant to
the investigation orally also, but such oral information shall be taken into
consideration only when it is subsequently reproduced in writing.

(7) The designated authority shall make available the evidence presented by
one party to other interested parties participating in the investigation.

(8) In a case where an interested party refuses access to, or otherwise does not
provide necessary information within a reasonable period, or significantly
impedes the investigation, the designated authority may record its findings
on the basis of facts available to it and make such recommendations to the
Central Government as it deems fit under such circumstances.

8. Confidential informations.-

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), (2), (3) and (7) of rule
7, sub-rule (2) of rule 14, sub-rule (4) of rule 17 and sub-rule (3) of rule
19 copies of applications received under sub-rule (1) of rule 6 or any other
information provided to the designated authority on a confidential basis
by any party in the course of investigation, shall, upon the designated
authority being satisfied as to its confidentiality, be treated as such by
it and no such information shall be disclosed to any other party without
specific authorisation of the party providing such information.

(2) The designated authority may require the parties providing information
on confidential basis to furnish non-confidential summary thereof in
sufficient details to permit a reasonable understanding of the substance
of the confidential information and if, in the opinion of a party providing
such information, such information is not susceptible of summary, such
party may submit to the designated authority a statement of reasons why
summarisation is not possible.

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CVD Rules, 1995

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (2), if the designated


authority, is satisfied that the request for confidentiality is not warranted or
the supplier of the information is either unwilling to make the information
public or to authorise its disclosure in generalised or summary form, it
may disregard such information.

9. Accuracy of the information.-

Except in cases referred to in sub-rule (8) of rule 7 the designated authority


shall during the course of investigation satisfy itself as to the accuracy of the
information supplied by the interested parties upon which its findings are based.

10. Investigation in the territory of other specified countries.-

(1) The designated authority may carry out investigations in the territories of
other countries, in order to verify the information provided or to obtain
further details:

Provided that the designated authority notifies to such country in advance


and such country does not object to such investigation.

(2) The designated authority may also carry out investigations at the
premises of any commercial organisation and may examine its records
if such organisation agrees and if the country in whose territory the said
commercial organisation is situated, is notified and has not raised any
objection for the conduct of such investigation.

11. Nature of subsidy.-

(1) The designated authority while determining the subsidy shall ascertain as
to whether the subsidy under investigation -

(a) relates to export performance including those illustrated in Annexure


III to these rules, or;

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CVD Rules, 1995

(b) relates to the use of domestic goods over imported goods in the
export article, or

(c) it has been conferred on a limited number of persons, engaged in


manufacturing, producing or exporting the article unless such a
subsidy is for –

(i) research activities conducted by or on behalf of persons


engaged in the manufacture, production or export; or

(ii) assistance to disadvantaged regions within the territory of the


exporting country; or

(iii) assistance to promote adaptation of existing facilities to new


environmental requirements:

Explanation.- (1) For the purposes of sub-clause (i) of clause (c) the
term "subsidy for research activity" means assistance for research
activities conducted by commercial organisations or by higher education
or research establishments on a contract basis with the commercial
organisations if the assistance covers not more than seventy five per cent
of the costs of industrial research or fifty per cent of the costs of pre-
competitive development activity and provided that such assistance is
limited exclusively to -

(i) costs of personnel (researchers, technicians and other supporting


staff employed exclusively in the research activity);

(ii) costs of instruments, equipment, land and buildings used exclusively


and permanently (except when disposed of on a commercial basis)
for the research activity;

(iii) costs of consultancy and equivalent services used exclusively for the
research activity, including bought in research, technical knowledge,
patents, etc.;

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CVD Rules, 1995

(iv) additional overhead costs incurred directly as a result of the research


activity; and

(v) other running costs (such as those of materials, supplies and the
like), incurred directly as a result of the research activity.

(2) For the purposes of sub-clause (ii) of clause (c), the term "subsidy for
assistance to disadvantaged regions" means assistance to disadvantaged
regions within the territory of the exporting country given pursuant to a
general framework of regional development and such subsidy has not been
conferred on limited number of enterprises within the eligible region:

Provided that-

(a) each disadvantaged region must be a clearly designated contiguous


geographical area with a definable economic and administrative
identity;

(b) the region is considered as disadvantaged on the basis of neutral and


objective criteria, indicating that the region’s difficulties arise out of
more than temporary circumstances; such criteria must be clearly
spelled out in law, regulation, or other official document, so as to be
capable of verification;

(c) the criteria shall include a measurement of economic development


which shall be based on at least one of the following factors –

(i) one of either income per capita or household income per


capita, or Gross Domestic Product per capita, which must not
be above eighty five per cent of the average for the territory
concerned;

(ii) unemployment rate, which must be at least one hundred and ten
per cent of the average for the territory concerned, as measured
over a three-year period; such measurement, however, may be
a composite one and may include other factors.

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CVD Rules, 1995

(3) For the purposes of sub-clause (iii) of clause (c), "subsidy for assistance
to promote adaptation of existing facilities to new environmental
requirements" means assistance to promote adaptation of existing facilities
to new environmental requirements imposed by law and/or regulations
which result in greater constraints and financial burden on commercial
organizations :

Provided that the assistance –

(i) is a one-time non-recurring measure; and

(ii) is limited to twenty per cent of the cost of adaptation; and

(iii) does not cover the cost of replacing and operating the assisted
investment, which must be fully borne by commercial organizations;
and

(iv) is directly linked to and proportionate to a commercial organisation’s


planned reduction of nuisances and pollution, and does not cover
any manufacturing cost savings which may be achieved; and

(v) is available to all firms which can adopt the new equipment and/or
production processes.

(3) The designated authority while determining the subsidy of a kind as


referred to in sub-clause (c) to sub-rule (1) shall take into account, inter
alia the principles laid down in Annexure II to these rules.

12. Calculation of the amount of the countervailable subsidy

(1) For the purposes of these rules, the amount of countervailable subsidies,
shall be calculated in terms of the benefit conferred on the recipient which
is found to exist during the investigation period for subsidization

(2) As regards the calculation of benefit to the recipient, the following factors
shall apply, namely:-

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CVD Rules, 1995

(a) government provision of equity capital shall not be considered to


confer a benefit, unless the investment can be regarded as inconsistent
with the usual investment practice (including for the provision of
risk capital) of private investors in the territory of the country of
origin or export;

(b) a loan by a government shall not be considered to confer a benefit,


unless there is a difference between the amount that the firm receiving
the loan pays on the government loan and the amount that the firm
would pay for a comparable commercial loan which the firm could
actually obtain from the market and in that event the benefit shall be
the difference between these two amounts;

(c) a loan guarantee by a government shall not be considered to confer a


benefit, unless there is a difference between the amount that the firm
receiving the guarantee pays on a loan guaranteed by the government
and the amount that the firm would pay for a comparable commercial
loan in the absence of the government guarantee and in such case the
benefit shall be the difference between these two amounts, adjusted
for any differences in fees;

(d) the provision of goods or services or purchase of goods by a


government shall not be considered to confer a benefit, unless
the provision is made for less than adequate remuneration or the
purchase is made for more than adequate remuneration; whereas,
the adequacy of remuneration shall be determined in relation to
prevailing market conditions for the product or service in question
in the country of provision or purchase (including price, quality,
availability, marketability, transportation and other conditions of
purchase or sale).

(3) The amount of the countervailable subsidies shall be determined per unit
of the subsidised product exported to India and while establishing this
amount the following elements may be deducted from the total subsidy:

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CVD Rules, 1995

(a) any application fee, or other costs necessarily incurred in order to


qualify for, or to obtain, the subsidy;

(b) export taxes, duties or other charges levied on the export of the
product to India specifically intended to offset the subsidy and in
cases where an interested party claims a deduction, he must prove
that the claim is justified.

(4) Where the subsidy is not granted by reference to the quantities manufactured,
produced, exported or transported, the amount of countervailable subsidy
shall be determined by allocating the value of the total subsidy, as
appropriate, over the level of production, sales or exports of the products
concerned during the investigation period for subsidisation.

(5) Where the subsidy can be linked to the acquisition or future acquisition of
fixed assets, the amount of the countervailable subsidy shall be calculated
by spreading the subsidy across a period which reflects the normal
depreciation of such assets in the industry concerned and the amount
so calculated which is attributable to the investigation period, including
that which derives from fixed assets acquired before this period, shall
be allocated as described in sub-rule (4) and, where the assets are non-
depreciating, the subsidy shall be valued as an interest-free loan, and be
treated in accordance with clause (b) of sub-rule 2 (b) above.

(6) Where a subsidy cannot be linked to the acquisition of fixed assets, the
amount of the benefit received during the investigation period shall in
principle be attributed to this period, and allocated as described in sub-
rule (4), unless special circumstances justify its attribution over a different
period.

(7) The designated authority while calculating the amount of subsidy in


countervailing duty investigation shall take into account, inter-alia, the
guidelines laid down in Annexure IV to these rules.

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CVD Rules, 1995

13. Determination of injury.-

(1) In the case of imports from specified countries, the designated authority
shall give a further finding that the import of such article into India
causes or threatens material injury to any industry established in India, or
materially retards the establishment of an industry in India.

(2) Except when a finding of injury is made under sub-rule (3), the designated
authority shall determine the injury, threat of injury, material retardation to
the establishment of an industry and the causal link between the subsidised
import and the injury, taking into account inter alia, the principle laid
down in Annexure I to the rule.

(3) The designated authority may, in exceptional cases, give a finding as to


the existence of injury even where a substantial portion of the domestic
industry is not injured if –

(i) there is a concentration of subsidised imports into an isolated market,


and

(ii) the subsidised imports are causing injury to the producers of almost
all of the production within such market.

14. Preliminary findings.-

(1) The designated authority shall proceed expeditiously with the conduct
of the investigation and shall, in appropriate cases, record a preliminary
finding regarding existence of a subsidy and its nature and in respect of
imports from specified countries, it shall also record its preliminary finding
regarding injury to the domestic industry and such finding shall contain
sufficiently detailed explanation for the preliminary determination on the
existence of a subsidy and injury and shall refer to the matter of fact and
law which have led to arguments being accepted or rejected. Such finding
shall contain –

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CVD Rules, 1995

(i) the names of the suppliers or, when this is impracticable, the
supplying countries involved;

(ii) a description of the product which is sufficient for customs purposes;

(iii) the amount of subsidy established and the basis on which the
existence of a subsidy has been determined;

(iv) considerations relevant to the injury determination; and

(v) the main reasons leading to the determination.

(2) The designated authority shall issue a public notice recording its
preliminary findings.

15. Levy of provisional duty.-

The Central Government may, in accordance with the provisions of sub-


section (2) of section 9 of the Act, impose a provisional duty on the basis of the
preliminary findings recorded by the designated authority:

Provided that no such duty shall be imposed before the expiry of sixty days
from the date of issue of the public notice by the designated authority regarding
its decision to initiate investigations :

Provided further that such duty shall remain in force for a period not exceeding
four months.

16. Termination of investigation.-

(1) The designated authority shall, by issue of a public notice terminate an


investigation immediately if –

(a) it receives a request in writing for doing so from or on behalf of the


domestic industry affected, at whose instance the investigation was
initiated;

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CVD Rules, 1995

(b) it is satisfied in the course of an investigation, that there is no sufficient


evidence either for subsidisation or, where applicable, injury to justify
continuation of the investigation;

(c) it determines that the amount of subsidy is less than one per cent ad
valorem or in the case of a product originating from a developing country
the amount of subsidy is less than two per cent.

(d) it determines that the volume of the subsidized imports, actual or potential
or injury where applicable, is negligible or in the case of a product
originating in a developing country the volume of the subsidized imports
represents less than four per cent of the total imports of the like product
into India, unless imports from developing countries whose individual
shares of total imports represent less than four per cent collectively
account for more than nine per cent of the total imports of the like product
into India.

17. Suspension or termination of investigation on acceptance of price


undertaking.-

(1) The designated authority may suspend or terminate an investigation, if –

(a) the government of the exporting country –

(i) furnishes an undertaking that it would withdraw the subsidy.

(ii) in case of specified countries, undertakes to limit the quantum


of subsidy within reasonable limit, or to take other suitable
measures to neutralise the effect of such subsidy, provided that
the designated authority is satisfied that the injurious effect of
the subsidy is eliminated, or

(b) in case of specified countries the exporters concerned agree to revise


their prices so that injurious effect of subsidy is eliminated and
the designated authority is satisfied that the injurious effect of the
subsidy is eliminated:

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CVD Rules, 1995

Provided that increase in price as a result of this clause is not higher


than what is necessary to eliminate the amount of subsidy :

Provided further that the designated authority shall complete the


investigation and record its finding, if the Central Government so
desires or the government of the exporting country so decides.

(2) No undertaking as regards price increase under sub-rule (1) shall be accepted
unless the designated authority had made preliminary determination of
subsidization and the injury:

Provided that an undertaking from an exporter shall be accepted only


when the designated authority has also obtained the consent of the
exporting country.

(3) The designated authority, may also not accept undertakings offered by any
country or any exporter, if it considers the acceptance of such undertaking
as impracticable or as unacceptable for any other reason.

(4) The designated authority shall intimate the acceptance of an undertaking


and suspension or termination of investigation to the Central Government
and also issue a public notice in this regard. The public notice shall,
contain inter alia, the non-confidential part of the undertaking.

(5) In cases where an undertaking has been accepted by the designated


authority the Central Government may not impose a duty under sub-section
(2) of section 9 of the Act for such a period the undertaking acceptable to
the designated authority remains valid.

(6) Where the designated authority has accepted any undertaking under sub-
rule (1), it may require the government of the exporting country, or the
exporter from whom such undertaking has been accepted to provide from
time to time information relevant to the fulfilment of the undertaking and
to permit verification of relevant data:

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CVD Rules, 1995

Provided that in case of any violation of any undertaking, the designated


authority will intimate the Central Government and complete the
investigation expeditiously.

(7) The designated authority shall suo motu or on the basis of any request
received from exporters or importers of the article in question or any other
interested person review from time to time the need for the continuance of
any undertaking given earlier.

18. Disclosure of information.-

The designated authority, shall, before giving its final findings, inform
all interested parties and interested countries of the essential facts under
consideration which form the basis of its decision and permit the interested
parties to defend their interest.

19. Final findings.-

(1) The designated authority shall, within one year from the date of initiation
of an investigation determine as to whether or not the article under
investigation is being subsidized and submit to the Central Government
its final finding, as to –

(a) (i) the nature of subsidy being granted in respect of the article
under investigation and the quantum of such subsidy;

(ii) whether imports of such articles into India in the case of


imports from specified countries, cause or threaten material
injury to an industry established in India or materially retards
the establishment of any industry in India and a causal link
between the subsidized imports and such injury; and

(iii) Whether a retrospective levy is called for and if so, the reasons
therefor and the date of commencement of such levy.

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CVD Rules, 1995

(b) its recommendation as to the amount of duty which if levied, would


be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry:

Provided that the Central Government may in circumstances of


exceptional nature extend further the aforesaid period of one year by
six months:

Provided further that in those cases where the designated authority


has suspended the investigation on the acceptance of a price
undertaking as provided in rule 17 and subsequently resumes the
same on violation of the terms of the said undertaking, the period
for which investigation was kept under suspension shall not be taken
into account while calculating the said period of one year.

(2) The final finding if affirmative, shall contain all information on the matter
of facts and law and reasons which have led to the conclusion and shall
also contain information regarding –

(i) the names of the suppliers, or, when this is impractical, the supplying
countries involved;

(ii) a description of the product which is sufficient for customs purposes;

(iii) the amount of subsidy established and the basis on which the
existence of a subsidy has been determined;

(iv) considerations relevant to the injury determination; and

(v) the main reasons leading to the determination.

(3) The designated authority shall issue a public notice regarding its final
findings.

20. Levy of duty.-

(1) The Central Government may, within three months of the date of publication
of the final findings by the designated authority under rule 19, impose, by

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CVD Rules, 1995

notification in the Official Gazette, upon importation into India of the article
covered under the final finding, a countervailing duty not exceeding the
amount of subsidy as determined by the designated authority under rule 19 :
Provided that in case of imports from specified countries the amount
of duty shall not exceed the amount which has been found adequate to
remove the injury to the domestic industry.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) where a domestic


industry has been interpreted according to the proviso to clause (b) of
rule 2, a countervailing duty shall be levied only after the exporters have
been given opportunity to cease exporting at subsidized prices to the area
concerned or otherwise give an undertaking pursuant to rule 17 and such
undertaking has not been promptly given and in such cases duty cannot be
levied only on the product of specified producers which supply the area in
question.

(3) If the final finding of the designated authority is negative, that is contrary
to the prima facie evidence on whose basis the investigation was initiated,
the Central Government shall within forty five days of the publication
of final findings by the designated authority under rule 19, withdraw the
provisional duty, imposed if any.

21. Imposition of duty on non-discriminatory basis.-

Any countervailing duty imposed under rule 15 or 20 shall be on a non-


discriminatory basis and applicable to all imports of such article, if found to be
subsidised and where applicable, causing injury except in the case of imports
from those sources from which undertakings in terms of rule 17 have been
accepted.

22. Date of commencement of duty.-

(1) The countervailing duty levied under rules 15 and 20 shall take effect
from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette.

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CVD Rules, 1995

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) –

(a) where a provisional duty has been levied and where the designated
authority has recorded a finding of injury or where the designated
authority recorded a finding of threat of injury and a further finding
that the subsidised imports, in the absence of provisional duty would
have led to injury, the countervailing duty may be imposed from the
date of imposition of provisional duty:

(b) in the circumstances referred to in sub-section (4) of section 9 of the


Act, the countervailing duty may be levied retrospectively from the
date commencing ninety days prior to the imposition of provisional
duty:

Provided that in case of violation of an undertaking referred to in sub-rule (6)


of rule 17, no duty shall be levied retrospectively on imports which have entered
for home consumption before violation of such terms of the undertaking.

23. Refund of duty.-

(1) If the countervailing duty imposed by the Central Government on the


basis of the final findings of the investigation conducted by the designated
authority is higher than the provisional duty already imposed and collected
the differential shall not be collected from importer.

(2) If the countervailing duty fixed after the conclusions of the investigation
is lower than the provisional duty already imposed and collected, the
differential shall be refunded to the importer.

(3) If the provisional duty imposed by the Central Government is withdrawn


in accordance with the provisions of sub-rule (3) of rule 20, the provisional
duty already imposed and collected, if any shall be refunded to the
importer.

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CVD Rules, 1995

24. Review.-

(1) The designated authority shall, from time to time, review the need for
continued imposition of the countervailing duty and shall, if it is satisfied
on the basis of information received by it that there is no justification for
the continued imposition of such duty or additional duty, recommend to
the Central Government for its withdrawal.

(2) Any review initiated under sub-rule (1) shall be concluded within a period
not exceeding 12 months from the date of initiation of such review.

(3) The provisions of rules 6, 7,8, 9,10,11,12,13,16,17,18,19,20,22 and 23


shall mutatis mutandis apply in the case of review.

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CVD Rules, 1995

ANNEXURE I

PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE DETERMINATION OF INJURY

The designated authority shall take into account inter alia, the following principles
while determining injury :-

1. (1) A determination of injury for purposes of rule 13 shall be based on positive


evidence and involve an objective examination of both (a) the volume of
the subsidized imports and the effect of the subsidized imports on prices
in the domestic market for like products and (b) the consequent impact of
these imports on the domestic producers of such products.

(2) With regard to the volume of the subsidized imports, the designated
authority shall inter alia consider whether there has been a significant
increase in subsidized imports, either in absolute terms or relative to
production or consumption in India.

(3) With regard to the effect of the subsidized import on prices, the designated
authority shall, consider whether there has been a significant price
undercutting by the subsidized imports as compared with the price of a
like article in India, or whether the affect of such imports is otherwise to
depress prices to a significant degree or to prevent price increases, which
otherwise would have occurred, to a significant degree.

(4) Where imports of a product from more than one country are simultaneously
subject to countervailing duty investigations, the designated authority
may cumulatively assess the effect of such imports only if it determines
that (a) the amount of subsidization established in relation to the imports
from each country is more than one per cent ad valorem and the volume
of imports from each country is not negligible and (b) a cumulative
assessment of the effects of the imports is appropriate in light of the
conditions of competition between the imported products and the like
domestic product.

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(5) The designated authority while examining the impact of the subsidized
imports on the domestic industry shall include an evaluation of all relevant
economic factors and indices having a bearing on the state of the industry,
including actual and potential decline in output, sales, market share,
profits, productivity, return on investments, or utilization of capacity;
factors affecting domestic prices; actual and potential negative effects on
cash flow, inventories, employment, wages, growth, ability to raise capital
investments and, in the case of agriculture, whether there has been an
increased burden on government support programmes.

2. (1) It must be demonstrated that the subsidized imports are, through the effects
of subsidies, causing injury. The demonstration of a causal relationship
between the subsidized imports and the injury to the domestic industry shall
be based on an examination of all relevant evidence before the designated
authority. The designated authority shall also examine any known factors
other than the subsidized imports which at the same time are injuring the
domestic industry, and the injuries caused by these other factors must not
be attributed to the subsidized imports. Factors which may be relevant in
this respect include, inter alia, the volumes and prices on non-subsidized
imports of the product in question, contraction in demand or changes in
the patterns of consumption, trade restrictive practices of and competition
between the foreign and domestic producers, developments in technology
and the export performance and productivity of the domestic industry.

(2) The effect of the subsidized imports shall be assessed in relation to the
domestic production of the like product when available data permit the
separate identification of that production on the basis of such criteria
as the production process, producers sales and profits. If such separate
identification of that production is not possible, the effects of the subsidized
imports shall be assessed by the examination of the production of the
narrowest group or range of products, which includes the like product, for
which the necessary information can be provided.

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3. A determination of a threat of material injury shall be based on facts and


not merely on allegation, conjecture or remote possibility. The change in
circumstances which would create a situation in which the subsidy would
cause injury must be clearly foreseen and imminent. In making a determination
regarding the existence of a threat of material injury, the designated authority
shall consider, inter alia, such factors as :

(i) nature of the subsidy or subsidies in question and the trade effects likely
to arise therefrom;

(ii) a significant rate of increase of subsidized imports into the domestic


market indicating the likelihood of substantially increased importation;

(iii) sufficient freely disposable, or an imminent, substantial increase in,


capacity of the exporter indicating the likelihood of substantially increased
subsidized exports to Indian market, taking into account the availability
of other export markets to absorb any additional exports;

(iv) whether imports are entering at prices that will have a significant
depressing or suppressing effect on domestic prices, and would likely
increase demand for further imports; and

(v) inventories of the product being investigated.

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ANNEXURE II

PRINCIPLES FOR DETERMINATION OF SUBSIDY WHICH HAS BEEN


CONFERRED ON A LIMITED NUMBER OF PERSONS AS REFERRED TO
IN RULE 11

1. The designated authority in order to determine as to whether a subsidy has


been conferred on a limited number of persons engaged in the manufacture or
production of an article, shall take the following principles into consideration

(a) whether the granting authority or the legislation pursuant to which the
granting authority operates, explicitly limits access to a subsidy to certain
enterprises. However, where the granting authority, or the legislation
pursuant to which the granting authority operates, establishes objective
criteria or conditions governing the eligibility for, and the amount of, a
subsidy, such subsidy shall not be considered to have been conferred on
a limited number of persons engaged in the manufacture or production of
an article, provided that the eligibility is automatic and such criteria or
conditions are strictly adhered to and such criteria and conditions have
been clearly spelt out in the law, regulation or other official document of
the granting country or territory and are capable of verification.

Explanation: For the purposes of the above para objective criteria or conditions
mean criteria or condition which are neutral, which do not favour certain
enterprises over others, and which are economic in nature and horizontal in
application, such as number of employees or size of enterprises.

(b) Notwithstanding the determination that a subsidy is not being granted


to a limited number of enterprises in terms of the provisions contained
in para (a) above, if the designated authority has reason to believe that
the subsidy has in fact been conferred to a limited number of enterprises,
it may consider other factors like (1) use of a subsidy programme by a
limited number of certain enterprises or predominant use by certain

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enterprises (2) granting of disproportionately large amounts of subsidy to


certain enterprises and (3) manner in which discretion has been exercised
by the granting authority in decision to grant a subsidy, for determination
of subsidy. The designated authority, in applying this clause, shall take
into account, the extent of diversification of economic activities within
the jurisdiction of the granting authority, as well as the length of the time
during which the subsidy programme has been in operation.

(c) A subsidy which is limited to certain persons engaged in the manufacture


or production of an article located within a designated geographical region
within the jurisdiction of the granting authority shall be considered to have
been granting to a limited number of persons engaged in the manufacture
or production.

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ANNEXURE III

PART- 1

ILLUSTRATIVE LIST OF EXPORT SUBSIDIES

(a) The provision by governments of direct subsidies to a firm or an industry


contingent upon export performance.

(b) Currency retention schemes or any similar practices which involve a bonus on
exports.

(c) Internal transport and freight charges on export shipments, provided or mandated
by governments, on terms more favourable than for domestic shipments.

(d) The provision by governments or their agencies either directly or indirectly


through government-mandated schemes, of imported or domestic products or
services for use in the production of exported goods, on terms or conditions
more favourable than for provision of like or directly competitive products or
services for use in the production of goods for domestic consumption, if (in
the case of products) such terms or conditions are more favourable than those
commercially available on world markets to their exporters.

Explanation: The term "commercially available" means that the choice between
domestic and imported products is unrestricted and depends only on commercial
considerations.

(e) The full or partial exemption remission, or deferral specifically related to


exports, of direct taxes or social welfare charges paid or payable by industrial
or commercial enterprises.

Explanation: For the purpose of this paragraph:

(i) the term "direct taxes" shall mean taxes on wages, profits, interests, rents,
royalties, and all other forms of income, and taxes on the ownership of
real property;

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(ii) the term "import charges" shall mean tariffs, duties, and other fiscal
charges not elsewhere enumerated in this note that are levied on
imports;

(iii) the term "indirect taxes" shall mean sales, excise, turnover, value
added, franchise, stamp, transfer, inventory and equipment taxes,
border taxes and all taxes other than direct taxes and import charges;

(iv) "Prior-stage" indirect taxes are those levied on goods or services


used directly or indirectly in making the product;

(v) "Cumulative" indirect taxes are multi-stage taxes levied where there
is no mechanism for subsequent crediting of the tax if the goods
or services subject to tax at one stage of production are used in a
succeeding stage of production;

(vi) "Remission" of taxes includes the refund or rebate of taxes;

(vii) "Remission or drawback" includes the full or partial exemption or


deferral of import charges.

(f) The allowance of special deductions directly related to exports or export


performance, over and above those granted in respect to production for domestic
consumption, in the calculation of the base on which direct taxes are charged.

(g) The exemption or remission, in respect of the production and distribution of


exported products, of indirect taxes in excess of those levied in respect of the
production and distribution of like products when sold for domestic consumption.

(h) The exemption, remission or deferral of prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes


on goods or services used in the production of exported products in excess
of the exemption, remission or deferral of like prior-stage cumulative indirect
taxes on goods or services used in the production of like products when sold for
domestic consumption; provided, however, that prior-stage cumulative indirect
taxes may be exempted, remitted or deferred on exported products even when
not exempted, remitted or deferred on like products when sold for domestic

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consumption, if the prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes are levied on inputs that
are consumed in the production of the exported product (making normal allowance
for waste) and the item shall be interpreted in accordance with the guidelines on
consumption of inputs in the production process contained in Part -2 of this Annexure.
This paragraph does not apply to value-added tax systems and border-tax adjustment
in lieu thereof; the problem of the excessive remission of value-added taxes is
exclusively covered by paragraph (g).

(i) The remission or drawback of import charges in excess of those levied on


imported inputs that are consumed in the production of the exported product
(making normal allowance for waste); provided, however, that in particular
cases a firm may use a quantity of home market inputs equal to, and having
the same quality and characteristics as, the imported inputs as a substitute for
them in order to benefit from this provision if the import and the corresponding
export operations both occur within a reasonable time period, not to exceed
two years and the item shall be interpreted in accordance with the guidelines
on consumption of inputs in the production process contained in Part -2 of
this Annexure and the guidelines in the determination of substitution drawback
systems as export subsidies contained in Part -3 of this Annexure.

(j) The provision by governments (or special institutions controlled by governments)


of export credit guarantee or insurance programmes, of insurance or guarantee
programmes against increases in the cost of exported products or of exchange
risk programmes, at premium rates which are inadequate to cover the long-term
operating costs and losses of the programmes.

(k) The grant by governments (or special institutions controlled by or acting under
the authority of governments) of export credits at rates below those which they
actually have to pay for the funds so employed (or would have to pay if they
borrowed on international capital markets in order to obtain funds of the same
maturity and other credit terms and denominated in the same currency as the
export credit), or the payment by them of all or part of the costs incurred by

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exporters or financial institutions in obtaining credits, in so far as they are


used to secure a material advantage in the field of export credit terms.

Provided, that if a country is a party to an international undertaking


on official export credits to which at least twelve original World Trade
organisation Members are parties as of 1 January 1979 (or a successor
undertaking which has been adopted by those original Members), or if
in practice a country applies the interest rates provisions of the relevant
undertaking, an export credit practice which is in conformity with those
provisions shall not be considered an export subsidy prohibited by these
rules.

(l) Any other charge on the public account constituting an export subsidy in the
sense of Article XVI of GATT 1994.

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CVD Rules, 1995

PART-2

GUIDELINES ON CONSUMPTION OF INPUTS IN THE PRODUCTION


PROCESS

1. Indirect tax rebate schemes can allow for exemption, remission or deferral of
prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes levied on inputs that are consumed in
the production of the exported product (making normal allowance for waste).
Similarly, drawback schemes can allow for the remission or drawback of import
charges levied on inputs that are consumed in the production of the exported
product (making normal allowance for waste).

2. The Illustrative List of Export Subsidies in Part 1 of Annexure III of these rules
makes reference to the term "inputs that are consumed in the production of the
exported product" in paragraphs (h) and (i). Pursuant to paragraph (h), indirect
tax rebate schemes can constitute an export subsidy to the extent that they result
in exemption, remission or deferral of prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes in
excess of the amount of such taxes actually levied on inputs that are consumed
in the production of the exported product. Pursuant to paragraph (i), drawback
schemes can constitute an export subsidy to the extent that they result in a
remission or drawback of import charges in excess of those actually levied
on inputs that are consumed in the production of the exported product. Both
paragraphs stipulate that normal allowance for waste must be made in findings
regarding consumption of inputs in the production of the exported product.

II

1. Inputs consumed in the production process are inputs physically incorporated,


energy, fuels and oil used in the production process and catalysts which are
consumed in the course of their use to obtain the exported product. In examining
whether inputs are consumed in the production of the exported product, as part
of a countervailing duty investigation pursuant to these rules, the designated
authority should proceed on the following basis, namely:-

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(1) Where it is alleged that an indirect tax rebate scheme, or a drawback


scheme, conveys a subsidy by reason of over-rebate or excess drawback
of indirect taxes or import charges on inputs consumed in the production
of the exported product, the designated authority should first determine
whether the government of the exporting country has in place and
applies a system or procedure to confirm which inputs are consumed
in the production of the exported product and in what amounts. Where
such a system or procedure is determined to be applied, the designated
authority should then examine the system or procedure to see whether it
is reasonable, effective for the purpose intended, and based on generally
accepted commercial practices in the country of export. The designated
authority may it necessary if he considers carry out certain practical tests
in order to verify information or to satisfy themselves that the system or
procedure is being effectively applied.

(2) Where there is no such system or procedure, where it is not reasonable,


or where it is instituted and considered reasonable but is found not to
be applied or not to be applied effectively, a further examination by the
exporting country based on the actual inputs involved would need to be
carried out in the context of determining whether an excess payment
occurred. If the designated authority considers it necessary, a further
examination would be carried out in accordance with sub-paragraph 1
above.

2. The designated authority should treat inputs as physically incorporated if such


inputs are used in the production process and are physically present in the
product exported. An input need not be present in the final product in the same
form in which it entered the production process.

3. In determining the amount of a particular input that is consumed in the production


of the exported product, a "normal allowance for waste" should be taken into
account, and such waste should be treated as consumed in the production of
the exported product. The term "waste" refers to that portion of a given input

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which does not serve an independent function in the production process, is


not consumed in the production of the exported product (for reasons such as
inefficiencies) and is not recovered, used or sold by the same manufacturer.

4. The designated authority's determination of whether the claimed allowance for


waste is "normal" should take into account the production process, the average
experience of the industry in the country of export, and other technical factors,
as appropriate. The designated authority should bear in mind that an important
question is whether the authorities in the exporting country have reasonably
calculated the amount of waste, when such an amount is intended to be included
in the tax or duty rebate or remission.

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PART-3
GUIDELINES IN THE DETERMINATION OF SUBSTITUTION
DRAWBACK SYSTEMS AS EXPORT SUBSIDIES

Drawback systems can allow for the refund or drawback of import charges on inputs
which are consumed in the production process of another product and where the
export of this latter product contains domestic inputs having the same quality and
characteristics as those substituted for the imported inputs. Pursuant to paragraph
(i) of the Illustrative List of Export Subsidies in Part-1 of Annexure III substitution
drawback systems can constitute an export subsidy to the extent that they result in
an excess drawback of the import charges levied initially on the imported inputs for
which drawback is being claimed.

II

1. In examining any substitution drawback system as part of a countervailing duty


investigation pursuant to these rules, the designated authority should proceed
on the following basis, namely:-

(i) Paragraph (i) of the Illustrative List of Export Subsidies of Part -1 of


Annexure III stipulates that home market inputs may be substituted for
imported inputs in the production of a product for export provided such
inputs are equal in quantity to, and have the same quality and characteristics
as, the imported inputs being substituted. The existence of a verification
system or procedure is important because it enables the government of the
exporting country to ensure and demonstrate that the quantity of inputs
for which drawback is claimed does not exceed the quantity of similar
products exported, in whatever form, and that there is not drawback of
import charges in excess of those originally levied on the imported inputs
in question.

(ii) Where it is alleged that a substitution drawback system conveys a subsidy,


the designated authority should first proceed to determine whether the

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government of the exporting country has in place and applies a verification


system or procedure. Where such a system or procedure is determined to
be applied, the designated authority should then examine the verification
procedures to see whether they are reasonable, effective for the purpose
intended, and based on generally accepted commercial practices in the
country of export. To the extent that the procedures are determined to
meet this test and are effectively applied, no subsidy should be presumed
to exist. The designated authority may, if he considers necessary, carry
out certain practical tests in order to verify information or to satisfy
themselves that the verification procedures are being effectively applied.

(iii) Where there are no verification procedures, where they are not reasonable,
or where such procedures are instituted and considered reasonable but are
found not to be actually applied or not applied effectively, there may be
a subsidy. In such cases a further examination by the exporting country
based on the actual transactions involved would need to be carried out
to determine whether an excess payment occurred. If the investigating
authorities deemed it necessary, a further examination would be carried
out in accordance with sub-paragraph (ii) above of Part 3 of this Annexure.

(iv) The existence of a substitution drawback provision under which exporters


are allowed to select particular import shipments on which drawback is
claimed should not of itself be considered to convey a subsidy.

(v) An excess drawback of import charges in the sense of paragraph (i)


would be deemed to exist where governments paid interest on any monies
refunded under their drawback schemes, to the extent of the interest
actually paid or payable.

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ANNEXURE IV

GUIDELINES FOR THE CALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT OF SUBSIDY


IN COUNTERVAILING DUTY INVESTIGATIONS

A. CALCULATION OF SUBSIDY PER UNIT/AD VALOREM

The calculation of the benefit shall reflect the amount of subsidy found to exist during
the investigation period and not simply the face value of the amount at the time it is
transferred to the recipient or foregone by the government. Thus, the face value of
the amount of the subsidy should be transformed into the value prevailing during the
investigation period through the application of the normal commercial interest rate.
The objective of the calculation should be to arrive at the amount of subsidy per unit
of production during the investigation period. In the case of consumer products, such
as television sets, the appropriate unit would be each individual item. If bulk products,
such as fertilizers or chemicals, are involved, it would be appropriate to calculate the
subsidy, that is to say, per tonne, or other appropriate unit of measurement. The per
unit subsidy can be converted into an ad valorem rate by expressing the per unit
subsidy as a percentage of export price. This may be used to establish whether the
subsidy amount is de minimis, since this is expressed ad valorem (1 % for imports
from developed countries; 2 % for developing countries). In certain circumstances, it
may also be considered to be appropriate to express the countervailing duty on an ad
valorem basis.

B. CALCULATION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF SUBSIDY

(a) Grants

In the case of a grant (or equivalent) where none of the money is repaid, the
value of the subsidy should be the amount of the grant corrected for any
differences between the point in time of its receipt and the investigation
period, i.e. the period in which the production or sales are allocated.
Therefore, if the grant is expensed during the investigation period, (that is,
its amount is entirely allocated to production or sales during this period),
the interest that would have accrued during that period should normally

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be added. If however, the grant is allocated over a longer period than the
investigation period, the interest may be added as described in section C
(a)(ii).Any lump sum of revenue transferred or foregone (e.g. income tax
or duty exemption, rebates, money saved from preferential provision of
goods and services or gained from excessive prices for the purchase of
goods) should be considered as being equivalent to a grant.

(i) Direct transfer of funds

The amount of subsidy should be the amount received by the company


concerned (a subsidy to cover operating losses would fall into this
category).

(ii) Tax exemptions

The amount of subsidy should be the amount of tax that would have
been payable by the recipient company at the standard applicable tax rate
during the investigation period.

(iii) Tax reductions

The amount of subsidy should be the difference between the amount of


tax actually paid by the recipient company during the investigation period
and the amount that would have been paid at the normal rate of tax. (The
same method should be applied to all other exemptions and reduction of
obligation, e.g. import duties, social security contributions, redundancy
payments)

(iv) Accelerated depreciation

Accelerated depreciation of assets under a government agreed programme


should be considered as a tax reduction. The amount of subsidy should
be the difference between the amount of tax that would have been paid
during the investigation period under the normal depreciation schedule

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for the assets concerned, and the amount actually paid under accelerated
depreciation. To the extent that the accelerated depreciation results in a
tax saving for the company concerned during the investigation period,
there is a benefit.

(v) Interest rate subsidies

In the case of an interest rate subsidy, the amount of subsidy should be the
amount of interest saved by the recipient company during the investigation
period.

(b) Loans

(1) Basic methodology

(i) In the case of a loan from the government (where repayment


does take place) the subsidy should be the difference between
the amount of interest paid on the government loan and the
interest normally payable on a comparable commercial loan
during the investigation period.

(ii) A comparable commercial loan would normally be a loan of


a similar amount with a similar repayment period obtainable
by the recipient from a representative bank operating on the
domestic market.

(iii) In this regard, the commercial interest rate should preferably


be established on the basis of the rate actually paid by the
company concerned on comparable loans from banks. If this
is not possible, the investigation should consider the interest
paid on comparable loans to companies in a similar financial
situation in the same sector of the economy, or, if information
on such loans is not available, to any comparable loan made to
companies in a similar financial situation in any sector of the
economy.

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(iv) If there are no comparable commercial lending practices on the


domestic market of the exporting country, the interest rate on a
commercial loan may be estimated with reference to indicators
of the economic situation prevailing at the time, (notably the
inflation rate) and the situation of the company concerned.

(v) If all or part of a loan is forgiven or defaulted on, the amount


not re-paid should be treated as a grant depending on whether
there was a guarantee.

(2) Specific cases

(i) It should be noted that tax deferrals, or the deferral of any other
financial obligation, should be considered as interest-free loans and
the amount of subsidy calculated as above.

(ii) In the case of reimbursable grants, these should also be considered as


interest free loans until they are reimbursed. If they are not reimbursed,
in whole or in part, they should be considered as grants rather than
interest-free loans from the date on which non-reimbursement is
established. From this date, the normal grant methodology should
apply. In particular, if the grant is to be allocated over time, such
allocation would start on the established date of non-reimbursement.
The amount of subsidy should be the amount of the grant, minus any
repayments.

(iii) The same approach would apply to contingent-liability loans. To


the extent that such loans are given at a preferential rate of interest,
the subsidy should be calculated as in paragraph (i). However, if it
were to be determined that the loan would not be repaid, it should
be treated as a grant from the date on which non-repayment was
established. The amount of subsidy should be the amount of the
loan, less any repayments.

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(c) Loan guarantees

(i) In general, a loan guarantee, by eliminating to some extent the risk


of default by the borrower to the lender, will normally enable a firm
to borrow more cheaply than would otherwise be the case. If the
government provides the guarantee, the fact that loans are obtained
at a lower interest rate than would otherwise be the case does not
mean there is a subsidy, provided that the guarantee is financed on a
commercial basis, since the financing of such a viable guarantee by
the company would be assumed to offset any benefit of a preferential
interest rate.

(ii) In this situation, it is considered that there is no benefit to the


recipient if the fee which it pays to the guarantee programme is
sufficient to enable the programme to operate on a commercial
basis, i.e. to cover all its costs and to earn a reasonable profit
margin. In such a situation, it is presumed that the fee covers the risk
element involved in obtaining a lower interest rate. If the guarantee
programme is viable during the investigation period as a whole
and the recipient has paid the appropriate fee, there is no financial
contribution from the government and therefore no subsidy, even if
the recipient involved were to default on its loans during the period.
If the scheme is not viable, the benefit to the recipient should be the
difference between the fees actually paid and the fees which should
have been paid to make the programme viable, or the difference
between the amount the firm pays on the guaranteed loan and the
amount that it would pay for a comparable commercial loan in the
absence of the government guarantee, whichever is the lower.

(iii) In the case of ad hoc guarantees (i.e. not part of a programme), it


should first be ascertained whether the fees paid correspond to those
charged to other companies in a similar position which benefit from

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viable loan guarantee programmes. If so, there would normally be


no subsidy; if not, the method explained in (ii) above would apply.

(iv) If no fees are paid by the recipient, the amount of subsidy should be
the difference between the amount the firm pays on the guaranteed
loan and the amount that it would pay for a comparable commercial
loan in the absence of the government guarantee.

(v) The same calculation principles would apply to credit guarantees,


i.e., where the recipient is guaranteed against credit defaults by its
customers.

(d) Provision of goods and services by the government Principle

(i) The amount of subsidy as regards the provision of goods or services


by the government should be the difference between the price paid
by firms for the goods or service, and adequate remuneration for
the product or service in relation to prevailing market conditions, if
the price paid to the government is less than this amount. Adequate
remuneration should normally be determined in the light of prevailing
market conditions on the domestic market of the exporting country,
and the calculation of the subsidy amount must reflect only that part
of the purchases of goods or services which are used directly in
the production or sale of the like product during the investigation
period.

Comparison with private suppliers

(ii) As a first step, it must be established whether the same goods


or services involved are provided both by the government and
by private operators. If this is the case, the price charged by the
government body would normally constitute a benefit to the extent
that it is below the lowest price available from one of the private
operators to the company involved for a comparable purchase.
The amount of subsidy should be the difference between these two

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prices. If the company involved has not made comparable purchases


from private operators, details should be obtained of the price paid
by comparable companies in the same sector of the economy or, if
such data is not available, in the economy as a whole and the amount
of subsidy should be calculated as above.

Government monopoly suppliers

(iii) If, however, the government is the monopoly supplier of the goods
or services involved, they are considered to be provided for less than
adequate remuneration if certain enterprises or sectors benefit from
preferential prices. The amount of subsidy should be the difference
between the preferential price and the normal price.

If the goods and services in question are widely used in the economy,
a subsidy will only be specific or conferred on a limited number of
persons if there is evidence of preferential pricing to a particular
firm or sector. It may be that per unit prices charged vary according
to neutral and objective criteria, for example large consumers pay
less per unit than small ones, as sometimes happens in the provision
of gas and electricity. In such situations, the fact that certain
enterprises benefit from more favourable prices than others would
not mean that the provision in this case was necessarily made for
less than adequate remuneration, provided that the pricing structure
in question was generally applied throughout the whole economy,
without any preferential prices being given to specific sectors or
firms. The amount of subsidy should in principle be the difference
between the preferential price and the normal price charged to an
equivalent company, according to the normal structure.

(iv) However, if the normal price is insufficient to cover the supplier’s


average total costs plus a reasonable profit margin (based on sector
averages), the amount of subsidy should be the difference between

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the preferential price and the price which would be required to cover
the above costs and profit.

(v) If the government is the monopoly supplier of the goods or services


with a specific use, e.g. television tubes, the question of preferential
pricing does not arise, and the amount of subsidy should be the
difference between the price paid by the firm involved and the price
required to cover the supplier’s costs and profit margin.

(e) Purchase of goods by government

(i) In a situation where private operators purchase the kind of goods


in question as well as the government body, the amount of subsidy
should be the extent to which the price paid for the like product by
the government exceeds the highest price offered for a comparable
purchase of the same goods by the private sector.

(ii) If the company involved has not made comparable sales to private
operators, details should be obtained of the price paid by private
operators to comparable companies in the same sector of the
economy, or, if such data is not available, in the economy as a whole.
In such a case, the amount of subsidy should be calculated as above.

(iii) If the government has a monopoly for the purchase of the goods in
question, the amount of subsidy as regards the purchase of goods
by the government should be the extent to which the price paid for
the goods exceeds adequate remuneration. Adequate remuneration
in this situation is the average costs incurred by the firm selling the
product during the investigation period, plus a reasonable amount of
profit, which will have to be determined on a case-to-case basis.

The amount of subsidy should be the difference between the price


paid by the government and adequate remuneration as defined
above.

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(f) Government provision of equity capital

(i) Government provision of equity capital should not be considered as


conferring a benefit, unless the investment decision can be regarded
as inconsistent with the usual investment practice (including for
the provision of risk capital) of private investors in the exporting
country concerned.

(ii) Therefore, the provision of equity capital does not of itself confer
a benefit. The criterion should be whether a private investor would
have put money into the company in the same situation in which
the government provided equity. On the basis of this principle, the
matter has to be dealt with on a case-to-case basis.

(iii) If the government buys shares in a company and pays above the
normal market price for these shares (taking account of any other
factors which may have influenced a private investor), the amount
of subsidy should be the difference between the two prices.

(iv) As a general rule, in cases where there is no market in freely-traded


shares, the government’s realistic expectation of a return on the price
paid for equity should be considered. In this regard, the existence
of an independent study demonstrating that the firm involved is a
reasonable investment should be considered the best evidence; if this
is not present, the onus should be on the government to demonstrate
on what basis it can justify its expectation of a reasonable return on
investment.

(v) If there is no market price and the equity injection is made as part
of an ongoing programme of such investments by the government,
close attention should be paid not just to the analysis of the firm
in question, but to the overall record of the programme over the
last few years. If the records show that the programme has earned
a reasonable rate of return for the government, there should be a

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CVD Rules, 1995

presumption that the government is acting according to the usual


investment practice of private investors with regard to the case in
question. If the programme has not generated a reasonable return, the
onus should be put on the government to demonstrate on what basis
it can justify its expectation of a reasonable return on investment.

(vi) The existence of a subsidy should be determined by the information


available to the parties at the time the equity injection is made.
Thus, if an investigation considers an equity injection that was made
several years before, the fact that the company has performed less
well than expected should not mean that a subsidy exists, provided
that the expectation of a reasonable return was justified in the light
of the facts know at the time of the provision of equity.

On the other hand, a subsidy might exists even if a reasonable return


has been achieved, if at the equity injection the prospect of such a
return was so uncertain that no private party would have made the
investment.

(vii) In cases where there is no market price for the equity and there is a
subsidy and a benefit, i.e., the government has not acted according
to the usual investment practice of private investors, all or part of
the equity provided must be considered as a grant. A decision to
consider all of the equity a grant should be made only in extreme
cases where it is determined that the government had no intention
of receiving any return on its investment and was in effect giving a
disguised grant to the firm in question. A decision on what portion
of the equity to treat as a grant would depend on how near the
government has come to meeting the private investor standard. This
determination should be made on a case-to-case basis.

(g) Forgiveness of government-held debt

Forgiveness of debt held by government or government-owned banks relieves a


company of its repayment obligations and should therefore be treated as a grant.

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CVD Rules, 1995

If the subsidy is to be allocated, the allocation period should begin at the time
of the forgiveness of the debt. The amount of subsidy should be the outstanding
amount of the debt forgiveness (including any interest accrued).

C. INVESTIGATION PERIOD FOR SUBSIDY - CALCULATION OF


EXPENSE VERSUS ALLOCATION

The amount of subsidy should be established during an investigation period,


which should normally be the most recent financial year of the beneficiary
enterprise. Although any other period of six months prior to initiation may
be used, it is preferable to use the most recent financial year, since this will
enable all appropriate data to be verified on the basis of audited accounts.
As many subsidies have effects for a number of years, subsidies granted before
the investigation period should also be investigated in order to determine what
portion of such subsidy is attributable to the investigation period.

(i) If the subsidy is granted on a per unit basis, for example, an export rebate
granted per unit of product, the per unit calculation normally consists of
taking the weighted-average value of the rebate over the investigation
period;

(ii) Other kinds of subsidy are not readily expressed on a per unit basis, but
involve a global sum of money which has to be allocated to each unit of
product as appropriate. Two exercises may have to be carried out, in this
respect:

- Attribution to the investigation period of a portion of those subsidies


granted before the investigation period but whose effects extend
over a number of years.

- Allocation of the subsidy amount attributed to the investigation


period per unit of the like product. In this case, the appropriate
denominator for such allocation has to be selected.

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CVD Rules, 1995

(a) Attribution of a subsidy amount to the investigation period

(i) Many types of subsidy, e.g. tax incentives and preferential loans
are recurring and the effect is felt immediately after granting.
Thus, the amount granted to the beneficiary can be expensed in
the investigation period. The expensed amount should normally be
increased by the annual commercial interest rate, to reflect the full
benefit to the recipient, on the assumption that the beneficiary would
have had to borrow the money at the beginning of the period and
repay it at the end.
(ii) For non-recurring subsidies, which can be linked to the acquisition
of fixed assets, the total value of the subsidy should be spread
over the normal life of the assets. Therefore the amount of subsidy
from, for example, a grant (for which it is assumed that it is used
by the beneficiary to improve its competitiveness in the long term,
and thus to purchase product assets of one kind or another), can
be spread over the normal period used in the industry involved for
the depreciation of assets. This should normally be done using the
straight-line-method. For example, if the normal depreciation period
was five years, 20 % of the value of the grant should be allocated to
the investigation period.
The approach of allocating over time means that non-recurring
subsidies granted several years before the investigation period may
still be countervailed provided that they still have an effect during
the investigation period. This kind of allocation is equivalent to
a series of annual grants, each having en equal amount. In order
to determine the benefit to the recipient, the appropriate annual
commercial interest rate should be added to each grant, to reflect
the benefit of not having to borrow the money on the open market.
In addition, in order to reflect the full benefit to the recipient of
having a lump sum of money at its disposal from the beginning of
the allocation period, the amount of subsidy should be increased by

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CVD Rules, 1995

the average amount of interest which the recipient would expect to


earn on the non-depreciated amount of total grant over the whole
period of allocation.
(iii) As an exception to (ii), non-recurring subsidies which amount to less
than 1 % ad valorem may normally be considered to be expensed,
even if they are linked to the purchase of fixed assets.
(iv) In the case of recurring subsidies linked to the acquisition of fixed
assets, e.g. import duty exemptions on machinery, which date back to
before the investigation period, the benefits accruing from previous
years within the depreciation period should be taken into account
and the appropriate amount attributed to the investigation period.
(v) In addition, recurring subsidies granted in large, concentrated amounts
prior to the investigation period, may in certain circumstances be
allocated over time if it is determined that they are likely to be linked
to the purchase of fixed assets and still confer a benefit during the
investigation period.
(vi) In the case of subsidies expensed as in paragraphs (i) and (iii) no
subsidies granted before the investigation period should be taken
into account. For subsidies allocated over time, as in (ii), (iv), and
(v), subsidies granted prior to the investigation period must be
considered.
(b) Appropriate denominator for allocation of subsidy amount

Once the subsidy amount to be attributed to the investigation period has


been established, the per unit amount may be arrived at by allocating it
over the appropriate denominator, consisting of the volume of sales or
exports of a product concerned.

(i) As regards export subsidies the appropriate denominator for


allocation should be the export volume during the investigation
period, since such subsidies benefit only exports;

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CVD Rules, 1995

(ii) For non-export subsidies the total sales (domestic plus export) should
normally be used as the denominator, since such subsidies benefit both
domestic and export sales.

(iii) If the benefit of a subsidy is limited to a particular product, the denominator


should reflect only sales of that product. If this is not the case, the
denominator should be the recipient’s total sales.

D. DEDUCTION FROM AMOUNT OF SUBSIDY

1. Only the following may be deducted from the amount of subsidy:

(i) Any application fee, or other costs necessarily incurred in order to qualify
for, or to obtain, the subsidy
It is up to the exporter in the country concerned to claim a deduction; in the
absence of such a claim accompanied by verifiable proof, no deduction should
be granted. The only fees or costs that may normally be deducted are those
paid directly to the government in the investigation period. It must be shown
that such payment is compulsory in order to receive the subsidy. Neither
the payments made to private parties, e.g., lawyers, accountants, incurred in
applying for subsidies, nor the voluntary contributions the governments, for
example donations, are not deductible.

(ii) Export taxes, duties or other charges levied on the export of a product to
India specifically intended to offset the subsidy
Such claims for deductions should only be accepted if the charges involved were
levied during the investigation period, and it is established that they continue to
be levied at the time when definitive measures are recommended.

2. No other deductions can normally be made from the amount of subsidy. No


allowance can be made for any tax effects of subsidies or for any other economic
or time value effect beyond that which is specified in this communication.

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CVD Rules, 1995

CUSTOMS TARIFF (IDENTIFICATION


AND ASSESSMENT OF SAFEGUARD
DUTIES) RULES, 1997
E

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CVD Rules, 1995

116
CUSTOMS TARIFF (IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF
SAFEGUARD DUTIES) RULES, 1997

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (5) of section 8B of the Customs


Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975) the Central Government hereby makes the following
rules, namely:-

1. Short Title and Commencement

(i) These rules may be called the Customs Tariff (Identification and
Assessment of Safeguard Duty) Rules, 1997.

(ii) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the
Official gazette.

2. Definitions

In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) “Act” means the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975);

(b) “Critical circumstances” means circumstances in which there is clear


evidence that imports have taken place in such increased quantities and
under such circumstances as to cause or threaten to cause serious injury
to the domestic industry and delay in imposition of provisional safeguard
duty would cause irreparable damage to the domestic industry;

(c) “Increased quantity” includes increase in imports whether in absolute


terms or relative to domestic production;

(d) “Interested Party” includes

(i) any exporter or foreign producer or the importer of an article


subjected to investigation for purposes of imposition of safeguard

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

duty or a trade or business association, majority of the members of


which are producers, exporter or importers of such an article;

(ii) the government of the exporting country; and

(iii) a producer of the like article or directly competitive article in India


or a trade or business association, a majority of members of which
produce or trade the like article or directly competitive article in
India;

(e) “like article” means an article which is identical or alike in all respects to
the article under investigation;

(f) “Provisional Duty” means a safeguard duty imposed under sub-section


(2) of section 8B of the Act;

(g) “Specified Country” means a country or territory which is a member of


the World Trade Organisation and includes the country or territory with
which the Government of India has an agreement for giving it the most
favoured nation treatment;

(h) all words and expressions used and not defined in these rules shall have
the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.

3. Appointment of Director General (Safeguard)

(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the official Gazette,


appoint an officer not below the rank of a Joint Secretary to the Government
of India or such other officer as it may think fit as the Director General
(Safeguard) here in after referred to as the Director General for the
purposes of these rules.

(2) The Central Government may provide to the Director General the services
of such other persons and such other facilities at it deems fit.

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

4. Duties of the Director General

Subject to the provisions of these rules, it shall be the duty of the Director
General

(1) to investigate the existence of “serious injury" or "threat of serious injury”


to domestic industry as a consequence of increased import of an article
into India ;

(2) to identify the article liable for safeguard duty;

(3) to submit his findings, provisional or otherwise to the Central Government


as to the “serious injury" or "threat of serious injury” to domestic industry
consequent upon increased import of an article from the specified country.

(4) to recommend,

(i) the amount of duty which if levied would be adequate to remove the
injury or threat of injury to the domestic industry;

(ii) the duration of levy of safeguard duty and where the period so recommended
is more than a year, to recommend progressive liberalization adequate to
facilitate positive adjustment.

(5) to review the need for continuance of safeguard duty.

5. Initiation of Investigation

(1) Except as provided in sub-rule (4), The Director General shall, on


receipt of a written application by or on behalf of the domestic producer
of like article or directly competitive article, initiate an investigation to
determine the existence of “serious injury” or “threat of serious injury” to
the domestic industry, caused by the import of an article in such increased
quantities, absolute or relative to domestic production.

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

(2) An application under sub-rule (I) shall be in the form as may be specified
by the Director General in this behalf and such application shall be
supported by,

(a) evidence of, -

(i) increased imports;

(ii) serious injury or threat of serious injury to the domestic


industry;

(iii) a causal link between imports and the alleged serious injury or
threat of serious injury; and

(b) a statement on the efforts being taken, or planned to be taken, or


both, to make a positive adjustment to import competition.

(3) The Director General shall not initiate an investigation pursuant to an


application made under sub-rule (1) unless he examines the accuracy and
adequacy of the evidence provided in the application and satisfies himself
that there is sufficient evidence regarding-

(a) increased imports;

(b) serious injury or threat of serious injury; and

(c) a causal link between increased imports and alleged injury or threat
of serious Injury.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (I), the Director General


may initiate an investigation suo moto if he is satisfied with the information
received from any Commissioner of Customs appointed under the Customs
Act, 1962 (52 of 1962) or any other source that sufficient evidence exists
as referred to in clause (a), clause (b) and clause (c) of sub-rule (3).

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

6. Principles Governing Investigations

(1) The Director General shall, after he has decided to initiate investigation
to determine the serious injury or threat of serious injury to domestic
industry, consequent upon the increased import of an article into India,
issue a public notice notifying his decision there to. The public notice
shall, inter alia, contain adequate information on the following namely: -

(i) the name of the exporting countries and the article involved;

(ii) the date of initiation of the investigation;

(iii) a summary statement of the facts on which the allegation of serious


injury or threat of serious injury is based;

(iv) reasons for initiation of investigation.

(v) the address to which representations by interested parties should be


directed; and

(vi) the time-limits allowed to interested parties for making their views
known.

(2) A copy of the public notice shall be forwarded by the Director General to
the Central Government in the Ministry of Commerce and other Ministries
concerned, known exporters of the article the increased import of which
has been alleged to cause or threaten to cause serious injury to the
domestic industry, the governments of the exporting countries concerned
and other interested parties.

(3) The Director General shall also provide a copy of the application referred
to in sub-rule (1) of rule 5 to:

(i) the known exporters, or the concerned trade association,

(ii) the governments of the exporting countries; and

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

(iii) the Central Government in the Ministry of Commerce;

Provided that the Director General shall also make available a copy of the
application, upon request in writing, to any other interested party.

(4) The Director General may issue a notice-calling for any information in
such form as may be specified by him from the exporters, foreign producers
and governments of interested countries and such information shall be
furnished by such persons and governments in writing within thirty days
from the date of receipt of the notice or within such extended period as the
Director General may allow on sufficient cause being shown.

Explanation: For the purpose of this rule the public notice and other
documents shall be deemed to have been received one week after the date
on which these documents were sent by the Director General by registered
post or transmitted to the appropriate diplomatic representative of the
exporting country.

(5) The Director General shall also provide opportunity to the industrial
user of the article under investigation, and to representative consumer
organisations in cases where the article is commonly sold at retail level to
furnish information which is relevant to the investigation.

(6) The Director General may allow an interested party or its representative
to present the information relevant to investigation orally but such oral
information shall be taken into consideration by the Director General only
when it is subsequently submitted in writing.

(7) The Director General shall make available the evidence presented to him
by one interested party to the other interested parties, participating in the
investigation.

(8) In case where an interested party refuses access to or otherwise does not
provide necessary information within a reasonable period or significantly
impedes the investigation, the Director General may record his findings

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

on the basis of the facts available to him and make such recommendations
to the Central Government as he deems fit under such circumstances.

7. Confidential Information

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rules (1), (3) and (7) of rule 6,
sub-rule (2) of rule 9 and sub-rule (5) of rule 11, any information which is
by nature confidential or which is provided on a confidential basis shall,
upon cause being shown, be treated as such by the Director General and
shall not be disclosed without specific authorisation of the party providing
such information.

(2) The Director General may require the parties providing information on
confidential basis to furnish non confidential summary thereof and if, in
the opinion of the party providing such information, such information
cannot be summarised, such party may submit to the Director General a
statement of reasons why summarisation is not possible.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (2), if the Director


General is satisfied that the request for confidentiality is not warranted or
the supplier of the information is unwilling either to make the information
public or to authorise its disclosure in a generalized or summary form, he
may disregard such information unless it is demonstrated to his satisfaction
from appropriate sources that such information is correct.

8. Determination of Serious Injury or Threat of Serious Injury

The Director General shall determine serious injury or threat of serious injury
to the domestic industry taking into account, inter alia, the principles laid down
in Annex to these rules.

9. Preliminary Findings

(1) The Director General shall proceed expeditiously with the conduct of the
investigation and in critical circumstances, he may record a preliminary
finding regarding serious injury or threat of serious injury.

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

(2) The Director General shall issue a public notice regarding his preliminary
findings.

(3) The Director General shall send a copy of the public notice to the Central
Government in the Ministry of Commerce and in the Ministry of Finance.

10. Levy of Provisional Duty

The Central Government may in accordance with the provisions of sub-section


(2) of section 8B of the Act, impose a provisional duty on the basis of the
preliminary findings of the Director General:

Provided that such duty shall remain in force only for a period not exceeding
two hundred days from the date on which it was imposed.

11. Final Findings

(1) The Director General shall, within 8 months from the date of initiation of
the investigation or within such extended period as the Central Government
may allow, determine whether,

(a) the increased imports of the article under investigation has caused or
threatened to cause serious injury to the domestic industry, and

(b) a causal link exists between the increased imports and serious injury
or threat of serious injury.

(2) The Director General shall also give its recommendation regarding
amount of duty which, if levied, would be adequate to prevent or remedy
‘serious injury’ and to facilitate positive adjustment.

(3) The Director General shall also make his recommendations regarding the
duration of levy of duty:

Provided that where the period recommended is more than one year,
the Director General shall also recommend progressive liberalization
adequate to facilitate positive adjustment.

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

(4) The final findings if affirmative, shall contain all information on the matter
of facts and law and reasons which have led to the conclusion.

(5) The Director General shall issue a public notice recording his final
findings.

(6) The Director General shall send a copy of the public notice regarding his
final findings to the Central Government in the Ministry of Commerce
and in the Ministry of Finance.

12. Levy of Duty

(1) The Central Government may, impose by a notification in the Official


Gazette, upon importation into India of the product covered under the final
finding, a safeguard duty not exceeding the amount which has been found
adequate to prevent or remedy serious injury and to facilitate positive
adjustment.

(2) If the final finding of the Director General is negative, that is contrary to
the prima facie evidence on whose basis the investigation was initiated,
the Central Government shall within thirty days of the publication of final
findings by the Director General under rule 11, withdraw the provisional
duty imposed, if any.

13. Imposition of Duty on Non-discriminatory Basis

Any safeguard duty imposed under rule 10 or rule 12 shall be on a non-


discriminatory basis and applicable to all imports of such article, irrespective of
its source.

14. Date of Commencement of Duty

(1) The Safeguard duty levied under rule 10 or rule 12 shall take effect from
the date of publication of the notification, in the Official Gazette imposing
such duty.

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), where a provisional


duty has been levied and where the Director General has recorded a
finding that increased imports have caused or threaten to cause serious
injury to domestic industry, it shall be specified in the notification under
sub-rule (1) that such safeguard duty shall take effect from the date of levy
of provisional duty.

15. Refund of Duty

If the safeguard duty imposed after the conclusions of the investigations is


lower than the provisional duty already imposed and collected, the differential
shall be refunded to the importer.

16. Duration

(1) The duty levied under rule 12 shall be only for such period of time as may
be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury and to facilitate positive
adjustment.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) of this rule duty


levied under rule 12 shall, unless revoked earlier, cease to have effect on
the expiry of four years from the date of its imposition:

Provided that if the Central Government is of the opinion that the domestic
industry has taken measures to adjust to such injury or threat thereof and it
is necessary that the safeguard duty should continue to be imposed, it may
extend the period of such imposition;

Provided further that in no case the safeguard duty shall continue to be


imposed beyond a period of ten years from the date on which such duty
was first imposed.

17. Liberalization of Duty

If the duration of the duty levied under rule 12 exceeds one year, the duty shall be
progressively liberalized at regular intervals during the period of its imposition.

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

18. Review

(1) The Director General shall, from time to time, review the need for
continued imposition of the safeguard duty and shall, if he is satisfied on
the basis of information received to him that,

(i) safeguard duty is necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury and


there is evidence that the industry is adjusting positively, it may
recommend to the Central Government for the continued imposition
of duty;

(ii) there is no justification for the continued imposition of such duty;


recommend to the central Government for its withdrawal:

Provided that where the period of imposition of safeguard duty


exceeds three years the Director General shall review the situation
not later than the mid-term of such imposition, and, if appropriate,
recommend for withdrawal of such safeguard duty or for the increase
of the liberalization of duty.

(2) Any review initiated under sub-rule (1) shall be concluded within a period
not exceeding 8 months from the date of initiation of such review or within
such extended period as the Central Government may allow.

(3) The provisions of rules 5, 6, 7 and 11 shall mutates mutandis apply in the
case of review.

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

ANNEXURE
(See rule 8)

1. In the investigation to determine whether increased imports have caused or


are threatening to cause serious injury to a demonstrate industry, the Director
General shall evaluate all relevant factors of an objective and quantifiable
nature having a bearing on the situation of that industry, in particular, the rate
and amount of the increase in imports of the article concerned in absolute and
relative terms, the share of the domestic market taken by increased imports,
changes in the level of sales, production, productivity, capacity utilization,
profits and losses, and employment.

2. The determination referred to in paragraph (1) shall not be made unless the
investigation demonstrates, on the basis of objective evidence, the existence
of the causal link between increased imports of the article concerned and
serious injury or threat thereof. When factors other than increased imports are
causing injury to the domestic industry at the same time, such injury shall not
be attributed to increased imports. In such cases, the Director General may
refer the complaint to the authority for anti-dumping or countervailing duty
investigations, as appropriate.

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

SAFEGUARD MEASURES

(QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS)
RULES, 2012

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Safeguard Rules, 1997

130
SAFEGUARD MEASURES
(QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS) RULES, 2012

G.S.R. 381(E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section


9A of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act 1992 (22 of 1992), the
Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:

1. Short title and commencement. (1) These rules may be called the Safeguard
Measures (Quantitative Restrictions) Rules, 2012.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official
Gazette.

2. Definitions. (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Act" means the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act,
1992 (22 of 1992);

(b) "Authorised Officer" means the Authorised Officer designated as


such under sub-rule(1) of rule 3;

(c) "increased quantity" includes increase in import whether in absolute


terms or relative to domestic production;

(d) "interested party" includes

(i) an exporter or foreign producer or the importer of goods


(which is subject to investigation for purposes of imposition
of safeguard quantitative restrictions) or a trade or business
association, majority of the members of which are producers,
exporters or importers of such goods;

(ii) the Government of the exporting country; and

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Quantitative Restrictions Rules, 2012

(iii) a producer of the like goods or directly competitive goods in India


or a trade or business association, a majority of members of which
produce or trade the like goods or directly competitive goods in
India;

(e) "like goods" means goods which is identical or alike in all respects
to the goods under investigation, or in the absence of such goods,
other goods which has characteristics closely resembling those of
the goods under investigation;

(f) "quantitative restrictions" means any specific limit on quantity of


goods imposed as a safeguard measure under the Act;

(g) "specified country" means a country or territory which is a member


of the World Trade Organization and includes the country or territory
with which the Government of India has an agreement for giving it
the most favoured nation treatment;

(2) The words and expressions used herein and not defined, but defined in the
Act shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.

3. Responsibility of Authorised Officer for making enquiry in respect to


safeguard quantitative restrictions. (1) The Central Government shall, by
notification in the Official Gazette, designate an officer not below the rank
of Additional Director General of Foreign Trade as an Authorised officer for
making investigation for the purpose of these rules.

(2) The Authorised Officer shall be responsible for conducting investigation,


under subsection (1) of section 9A, for the purpose of imposition of
safeguard quantitative restrictions and making necessary recommendation
therein to the Central Government.

(3) The Directorate General of Foreign Trade shall provide secretarial support
and the services of such other persons and such other facilities as it deems
fit.

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Quantitative Restrictions Rules, 2012

4. Duties of Authorised Officer. It shall be the duty of the Authorised Officer;

(a) to investigate the existence of serious injury or threat of serious injury to


domestic industry as a consequence of increased import of a goods into
India;

(b) to identify the goods liable for quantitative restrictions as a safeguard


measure;

(c) to submit its findings, to the Central Government as to the serious injury
or threat of serious injury to domestic industry consequent upon increased
import of goods into India from the specified country;

(d) to recommend:

(i) the nature and extent of quantitative restrictions which, if imposed,


shall be adequate to remove the serious injury or threat of serious
injury to the domestic industry; and

(ii) the duration of imposition of safeguard quantitative restrictions


and where the period so recommended is more than one year, to
recommend progressive liberalisation adequate to facilitate positive
adjustment; and

(e) to review the need for continuance of the safeguard quantitative restrictions.

5. Initiation of investigation. (1) The Authorised Officer shall, on receipt of a


written application by or on behalf of the domestic producer of like goods or
directly competitive goods, initiate an investigation to determine the existence
of serious injury or threat of serious injury to the domestic industry, caused
by the import of a goods in such increased quantities, absolute or relative to
domestic production.

(2) The application referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be made in Form appended
to these rules and be supported with:

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Quantitative Restrictions Rules, 2012

(a) the evidence of:

(i) increased imports as a result of unforeseen development;

(ii) serious injury or threat of serious injury to the domestic


industry; and

(iii) a causal link between imports and the alleged serious injury or
threat of serious injury;

(b) a statement on the efforts being taken, or planned to be taken, or


both, to make a positive adjustment to increase in competition due
to imports; and

(c) a statement mentioning whether an application for the initiation of


a safeguard action on the goods under investigation has also been
submitted to the Director General of Safeguards, Department of
Revenue.

(3) The Authorised Officer shall not initiate an investigation pursuant to an


application made under sub-rule (1), unless, it examines the accuracy and
adequacy of the evidence provided in the application and satisfies himself
that there is sufficient evidence regarding:

(a) increased imports;

(b) serious injury or threat of serious injury; and

(c) a causal link between increased imports and alleged serious injury
or threat of serious Injury.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), the Authorised


Officer may initiate an investigation suo moto, if, it is satisfied with the
information received from any source that sufficient evidence exists as
referred to in clause (a), clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-rule (3).

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6. Principles governing investigations. (1) The Authorised Officer shall, after


it has decided to initiate investigation to determine serious injury or threat of
serious injury to domestic industry, consequent upon the increased import of a
goods into India, issue a public notice notifying its decision which, inter alia,
contain information on the following, namely:

(a) the name of the exporting countries, the goods involved and the
volume of import;

(b) the date of initiation of the investigation;

(c) a summary statement of the facts on which the allegation of serious


injury or threat of serious injury is based;

(d) reasons for initiation of the investigation;

(e) the address to which representations by interested parties should be


directed; and

(f) the time-limits allowed to interested parties for making their views
known.

(2) The Authorised Officer shall forward a copy of the public notice to the
Central Government in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and other
Ministries concerned, known exporters of the goods, the Governments of
the exporting countries concerned and other interested parties.

(3) The Authorised Officer shall also provide a copy of the application referred
to in sub-rule (1) of rule 5, to:

(a) the known exporters, or the concerned trade association;

(b) the Governments of the exporting countries; and

(c) the Central Government in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry:

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Provided that the Authorised Officer shall also make available a copy of
the application, upon request in writing, to any other interested person.

(4) The Authorised Officer may issue a notice calling for any information in
such form as may be specified in the notice from the exporters, foreign
producers and governments of exporting countries and such information
shall be furnished by such persons and governments in writing within
thirty days from the date of receipt of the notice or within such extended
period as the Authorised Officer may allow on sufficient cause being
shown.

Explanation. For the purpose of this rule, the public notice and other
documents shall be deemed to have been received one week after the date
on which these documents were put in the course of transmission to the
interested parties by the Authorised Officer.

(5) The Authorised Officer shall provide opportunity to the industrial


user of the goods under investigation and to representative consumer
organisations in cases where the goods is commonly sold at retail level to
furnish information which is relevant to the investigation including inter
alia, their views if imposition of safeguard quantitative restrictions is in
public interest or not.

(6) The Authorised Officer may allow an interested party or its representative
to present the information relevant to investigation orally but such oral
information shall be taken into consideration by the Authorised Officer
only when it is subsequently submitted in writing.

(7) The Authorised Officer shall make available the evidence presented to it
by one interested party to all other interested parties, participating in the
investigation.

(8) In case where an interested party refuses access to or otherwise does not
provide necessary information within a reasonable period or significantly
impedes the investigation, the Authorised Officer may record its findings

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on the basis of the facts available and make such recommendations to the
Central Government as it deems fit under such circumstances.

7. Confidential information. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-


rules (1), (3) and (7) of rule 6, and sub-rule (5) of rule 9, any information which
is by nature confidential or which is provided on a confidential basis shall, upon
cause being shown, be treated as such by the Authorised Officer and not be
disclosed without specific authorisation of the party providing such information.

(2) The Authorised Officer may require the parties providing information on
confidential basis to furnish non confidential summary thereof and if, in
the opinion of the party providing such information, such information
cannot be summarised, such party may submit to the Authorised Officer
a statement of reasons why summarisation of such information is not
possible.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (2), if the Authorised


Officer is satisfied that the request for confidentiality is not warranted or
the supplier of the information is unwilling either to make the information
public or to authorise its disclosure in a generalised or summary form, it
may disregard such information unless it is demonstrated to its satisfaction
from appropriate sources that such information is correct.

8. Determination of serious injury or threat of serious injury. The Authorised


Officer shall determine serious injury or threat of serious injury to the domestic
industry taking into account, inter alia, the following principles, namely:

(a) in the investigation to determine whether increased imports have caused


or are threatening to cause serious injury to a domestic industry, the
Authorised Officer shall evaluate all relevant factors of an objective and
quantifiable nature having a bearing on the situation of that industry, in
particular, the rate and amount of the increase in imports of the goods
concerned in absolute and relative terms, the share of the domestic market

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taken by increased imports, changes in the level of sales, production,


productivity, capacity utilisation, profits and losses, and employment; and

(b) the determination referred to in clause (a) shall not be made unless
the investigation demonstrates, on the basis of objective evidence, the
existence of the causal link between increased imports of the goods
concerned and serious injury or threat thereof:

Provided that when factors other than increased imports are causing injury
to the domestic industry at the same time, such injury shall not be attributed
to increased imports and in such cases, the Authorised Officer may refer
the complaint to the authority for anti-dumping or countervailing duty
investigations, as appropriate.

9. Final findings. (1) The Authorised Officer shall, within eight months from the
date of initiation of the investigation or within such extended period as the
Central Government may allow, determine whether, as a result of unforeseen
developments the increased imports of the goods under investigation has caused
or threatened to cause serious injury to the domestic industry, and a causal link
exists between the increased imports and serious injury or threat of serious
injury and recommend:

(i) the extent and nature of quantitative restrictions which, if imposed,


would be adequate to prevent or remedy ‘serious injury’ and to
facilitate positive adjustment, as the case may be;

(ii) the extent of quantitative restrictions so that the quantity of


imports is not reduced to the quantity of imports below the level
of a recent period which shall be the average of import in the last
three representative years for which statistics are available and
justification if a different level is necessary to prevent or remedy
serious injury;

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(iii) the quota to be allocated among the supplying countries, and the
allocation of shares in the quota for such specified countries which
have a substantial interest in supplying the goods;

(iv) the duration of imposition of quantitative restrictions and where the


duration of imposition of quantitative restrictions is more than one
year, the progressive liberalisation adequate to facilitate positive
adjustment.

(2) The final findings if affirmative shall contain all information on the matter
of facts and law and reasons which have led to the conclusion.

(3) The Authorised Officer shall issue a public notice recording his final
findings.

(4) The Authorised Officer shall send a copy of the public notice regarding
his final findings to the Central Government in the Ministry of Commerce
and Industry and a copy thereof to the interested parties

10. Imposition of safeguard quantitative restrictions. The Central Government


may based on the recommendation of the Authorised Officer, by a notification
in the Official Gazette, under subsection (I) of section 9A of the Act, impose
upon importation into India of the goods covered under the final determination,
a safeguard quantitative restrictions not exceeding the amount or quantity which
has been found adequate to prevent or remedy serious injury and to facilitate
adjustment.

11. Imposition of safeguard quantitative restrictions on non-discriminatory


basis. Any safeguard quantitative restrictions imposed on goods under these
rules shall be applied on a non-discriminatory basis to all imports of the goods
irrespective of its source.

12. Date of commencement of safeguard quantitative restrictions. The


safeguard quantitative restrictions levied under these rules shall take effect

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from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette, imposing
such quantitative restrictions.

13. Duration. (1) The safeguard quantitative restrictions imposed under rule 10
shall be for such period of time as may be necessary to prevent or remedy
serious injury and to facilitate adjustment.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), safeguard quantitative


restrictions imposed under rule 10 shall, unless revoked earlier, cease to
have effect on the expiry of four years from the date of its imposition:

Provided that if the Central Government is of the opinion that the domestic
industry has taken measures to adjust to such serious injury or threat
thereof and it is necessary that the safeguard quantitative restrictions
should continue to be imposed, to prevent such serious injury or threat
and to facilitate adjustments, it may extend the period beyond four years:

Provided further that in no case the safeguard quantitative restrictions


shall continue to be imposed beyond a period of ten years from the date
on which such restrictions were first imposed.

14. Liberalization of safeguard quantitative restrictions. - If the duration of the


safeguard quantitative restrictions imposed under rule 10 exceeds one year,
the restriction shall be progressively liberalised at regular intervals during the
period of its imposition.

15. Review. (1) The Authorised Officer shall, from time to time, review the need
for continued imposition of the safeguard quantitative restrictions and shall, if,
it is satisfied on the basis of information received that

(a) safeguard quantitative restrictions is necessary to prevent or remedy


serious injury and there is evidence that the industry is adjusting
positively, it may recommend to the Central Government for the
continued imposition of quantitative restrictions;

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(b) there is no justification for the continued imposition of such


restriction; recommend to the central Government for its withdrawal:

Provided that where the period of imposition of safeguard quantitative


restrictions exceeds three years, the Authorised Officer shall
review the situation not later than the midterm of such imposition,
and, if appropriate, recommend for withdrawal of such safeguard
quantitative restrictions or for the increase of the liberalisation of
quantitative restrictions.

(2) Any review initiated under sub-rule (1), shall be concluded within a period
not exceeding eight months from the date of initiation of such review or
within such extended period as the Central Government may allow.

(3) The provisions of rules 5, 6, 7 and 9 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply in the
case of review under this rule.

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FORM

(See rule 5(2))

Information to be provided by Applicant for Safeguard Investigation

Section 1 General Information


Section 2 Product in respect of which Increase in Imports Noticed
Section 3 Increased Imports
Section 4 Domestic Production
Section 5 Injury
Section 6 Cause of Injury
Section 7 Submissions
Section 8 Annexes

(1): General Information

1. Date of Application

2. Applicant(s) Provide name(s) and address (es) of the applicant(s)

3. Domestic Producers of the like or directly competitive products on whose


behalf the application is filed (Give details of all domestic producers who
support the application) along with their IEC, where applicable)

4. Information on production accounted for by the domestic producers of


the like or directly competitive products (in respect of those domestic
producers who support the application).

5. Information on the total domestic production of the product concerned


of the like or directly competitive products (in respect of all producers
whether they support the application or not).

(2): Product in respect of which increase in imports alleged

1. Name of the product

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2. Description: Provide full description of the product including chemical


formula, grade constituent materials / Components, process of manufacture
in brief, uses and inter-changeability of various grades, etc.

3. Tariff classification: Provide the classification of the product under the HS


classification as well as Indian customs Tariff Classification at 6/8/10 digit
level

4. Import Duty: Provide information relating to rates of import duty levied


during the past three years. If the product enjoys any concessional or
preferential treatment, provide details.

5. Country(ies) of Origin: Provide name(s) of country(ies) where the product


has originated (where the country of origin is different then the country of
export, the name of the country of origin should also be provided).

6. Provide a list of all known foreign producers, exporters & importers of


the imported product, country-wise, together with names and addresses of
concerned trade associations and user associations etc.

7. Information on major industrial users, organization of industrial users and


representative consumer organisations. (In case the product is commonly
sold at retail level).

8. Export Price: Details of export price of the imported Product exporter /


country-wise and the basis thereof (provide the f.o.b. / c.i.f. price at which
the goods enter into India).

(3): Increased Imports

1. Provide full and detailed information regarding the imports of the said
product in terms of quantity and value year wise for the last three years
(or longer).

2. Provide break up of (1) above country wise in absolute terms as well as a


percentage of the total imports of the said product.

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3. Provide full and detailed information on the share of the imported


products and the share of the domestic production of the like product and
the directly competitive products in the total domestic consumption for
the last three years (or longer) both in terms of quantity and value.

4. Provide information on factors that may be attributing to increased


imports.

(4): Domestic Production

1. Details of the like product end directly competitive products produced by


the domestic producers. Information similar to II above i.e.

i. Name

ii. Description

iii. Tariff classification both under the Central Excise Tariff as well as
under the Customs Tariff.

iv. Details of domestic producers

2. Names and addresses of all known domestic producers and concerned


trade associations and users associations etc.

3. Details of production accounted for by each of the producers at 2 above.

4. Details of total domestic production.

5. Installed capacity, capacity utilization and fall in capacity utilization etc.

(5): Injury or Threat of Injury

1. Impact of increased imports on Domestic Industry: Detailed information


on how the increased imports are causing serious injury or threat of
serious injury to the domestic industry. This should, inter alia, include
information on

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a. Sale volumes, total domestic consumption and how the market share
of domestic production has been affected.

b. Price undercutting / price depression / prevention of rise in prices.


Information on costs of production and how the increased imports
have affected the prices of domestic production needs to be provided.

c. Any significant idling of production facilities in the industry


including data indicating plant closure or fall in normal production
capacity utilization.

d. Loss of employment

e. Financial situation

Full information on the financial situation of the domestic industry


including information on decline in sales, growing inventory,
downward trend in production, profits, productivity or increasing
unemployment needs to be provided.

2. Other Factors of Injury: Provide details of any other factors that may
be attributing to the injury to the domestic industry and an explanation
that injury caused by these other factors is not attributed to injury caused
by increased imports. (Information on injury caused due to dumping or
subsidization, if any, needs to be specifically provided here. Also mention
if any application for anti-dumping or countervailing duty investigation
has been filed).

(6): Cause of Injury

Please provide an analysis of data presented above bringing out a nexus between
the increased imports, either actual or relative to domestic production, and the
injury or threat of injury caused to the domestic industry and the basis for a
request for initiation of safeguards investigation under Safeguard Measures
(Quantitative Restrictions) Rules, 2012.

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(7): Submission

a. A statement describing the measure requested including: • Nature and quantum


of safeguard quantitative restriction requested.

• Purpose of seeking the relief and how such objective will be achieved.

• Duration for which imposition of safeguard quantitative restriction is


requested and the reasons therefore.

b. If the safeguard measures are requested to be imposed for more than one year,
details on efforts being taken and planned to be taken or both to make a positive
adjustment to import competition with details of progressive liberalization
adequate to facilitate positive adjustment of the industry.

Section 8: Annexes

All supporting information can be provided as annexes to the application. (The main
information must be provided at the appropriate places. The details of the information
can be provided in annexes).

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AGREEMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION
OF ARTICLE VI

OF THE

GENERAL AGREEMENT

ON

TARIFFS AND TRADE, 1994

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Quantitative Restrictions Rules, 2012

148
AGREEMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE VI
OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON
TARIFFS AND TRADE 1994

Members hereby agree as follows:

PART I

Article 1

Principles

An antidumping measure shall be applied only under the circumstances provided for
in Article VI of GATT 1994 and pursuant to investigations initiated and conducted
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. The following provisions
govern the application of Article VI of GATT 1994 in so far as action is taken under
antidumping legislation or regulations.

Article 2

Determination of Dumping

2.1 For the purpose of this Agreement, a product is to be considered as being


dumped, i.e. introduced into the commerce of another country at less than its
normal value, if the export price of the product exported from one country to
another is less than the comparable price, in the ordinary course of trade, for the
like product when destined for consumption in the exporting country.

2.2 When there are no sales of the like product in the ordinary course of trade in
the domestic market of the exporting country or when, because of the particular
market situation or the low volume of the sales in the domestic market of the
exporting country, such sales do not permit a proper comparison, the margin of
dumping shall be determined by comparison with a comparable price of the like
product when exported to an appropriate third country, provided that this price

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

is representative, or with the cost of production in the country of origin plus a


reasonable amount for administrative, selling and general costs and for profits.

2.2.1 Sales of the like product in the domestic market of the exporting country
or sales to a third country at prices below per unit (fixed and variable)
costs of production plus administrative, selling and general costs may be
treated as not being in the ordinary course of trade by reason of price and
may be disregarded in determining normal value only if the authorities
determine that such sales are made within an extended period of time
in substantial quantities and are at prices which do not provide for the
recovery of all costs within a reasonable period of time. If prices which
are below per unit costs at the time of sale are above weighted average per
unit costs for the period of investigation, such prices shall be considered
to provide for recovery of costs within a reasonable period of time.

2.2.1.1 For the purpose of paragraph 2, costs shall normally be


calculated on the basis of records kept by the exporter or
producer under investigation, provided that such records are in
accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles
of the exporting country and reasonably reflect the costs
associated with the production and sale of the product under
consideration. Authorities shall consider all available evidence
on the proper allocation of costs, including that which is
made available by the exporter or producer in the course of
the investigation provided that such allocations have been
historically utilized by the exporter or producer, in particular
in relation to establishing appropriate amortization and
depreciation periods and allowances for capital expenditures
and other development costs. Unless already reflected in the
cost allocations under this subparagraph, costs shall be adjusted
appropriately for those nonrecurring items of cost which
benefit future and/or current production, or for circumstances

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

in which costs during the period of investigation are affected


by start-up operations.

2.2.2 For the purpose of paragraph 2, the amounts for administrative,


selling and general costs and for profits shall be based on actual data
pertaining to production and sales in the ordinary course of trade
of the like product by the exporter or producer under investigation.
When such amounts cannot be determined on this basis, the amounts
may be determined on the basis of:

(i) the actual amounts incurred and realized by the exporter or


producer in question in respect of production and sales in the
domestic market of the country of origin of the same general
category of products;

(ii) the weighted average of the actual amounts incurred and


realized by other exporters or producers subject to investigation
in respect of production and sales of the like product in the
domestic market of the country of origin;

(iii) any other reasonable method, provided that the amount for
profit so established shall not exceed the profit normally
realized by other exporters or producers on sales of products
of the same general category in the domestic market of the
country of origin.

2.3 In cases where there is no export price or where it appears to the authorities
concerned that the export price is unreliable because of association or a
compensatory arrangement between the exporter and the importer or a third
party, the export price may be constructed on the basis of the price at which the
imported products are first resold to an independent buyer, or if the products are
not resold to an independent buyer, or not resold in the condition as imported,
on such reasonable basis as the authorities may determine.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

2.4 A fair comparison shall be made between the export price and the normal value.
This comparison shall be made at the same level of trade, normally at the ex-
factory level, and in respect of sales made at as nearly as possible the same
time. Due allowance shall be made in each case, on its merits, for differences
which affect price comparability, including differences in conditions and terms
of sale, taxation, levels of trade, quantities, physical characteristics, and any
other differences which are also demonstrated to affect price comparability.
In the cases referred to in paragraph 3, allowances for costs, including duties
and taxes, incurred between importation and resale, and for profits accruing,
should also be made. If in these cases price comparability has been affected,
the authorities shall establish the normal value at a level of trade equivalent to
the level of trade of the constructed export price, or shall make due allowance
as warranted under this paragraph. The authorities shall indicate to the parties
in question what information is necessary to ensure a fair comparison and shall
not impose an unreasonable burden of proof on those parties.

2.4.1 When the comparison under paragraph 4 requires a conversion of


currencies, such conversion should be made using the rate of exchange on
the date of sale, provided that when a sale of foreign currency on forward
markets is directly linked to the export sale involved, the rate of exchange
in the forward sale shall be used. Fluctuations in exchange rates shall
be ignored and in an investigation the authorities shall allow exporters
at least 60 days to have adjusted their export prices to reflect sustained
movements in exchange rates during the period of investigation.

2.4.2 Subject to the provisions governing fair comparison in paragraph 4, the


existence of margins of dumping during the investigation phase shall
normally be established on the basis of a comparison of a weighted
average normal value with a weighted average of prices of all comparable
export transactions or by a comparison of normal value and export prices
on a transaction to transaction basis. A normal value established on a
weighted average basis may be compared to prices of individual export
transactions if the authorities find a pattern of export prices which differ

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

significantly among different purchasers, regions or time periods, and if


an explanation is provided as to why such differences cannot be taken
into account appropriately by the use of a weighted average to weighted
average or transaction to transaction comparison.

2.5 In the case where products are not imported directly from the country of origin
but are exported to the importing Member from an intermediate country, the
price at which the products are sold from the country of export to the importing
Member shall normally be compared with the comparable price in the country
of export. However, comparison may be made with the price in the country
of origin, if, for example, the products are merely transshipped through the
country of export, or such products are not produced in the country of export,
or there is no comparable price for them in the country of export.

2.6 Throughout this Agreement the term "like product" ("produit similaire") shall
be interpreted to mean a product which is identical, i.e. alike in all respects to
the product under consideration, or in the absence of such a product, another
product which, although not alike in all respects, has characteristics closely
resembling those of the product under consideration.

2.7 This Article is without prejudice to the second Supplementary Provision to


paragraph 1 of Article VI in Annex I to GATT 1994.

Article 3

Determination of Injury

3.1 A determination of injury for purposes of Article VI of GATT 1994 shall be


based on positive evidence and involve an objective examination of both (a) the
volume of the dumped imports and the effect of the dumped imports on prices
in the domestic market for like products, and (b) the consequent impact of these
imports on domestic producers of such products.

3.2 With regard to the volume of the dumped imports, the investigating authorities
shall consider whether there has been a significant increase in dumped imports,

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

either in absolute terms or relative to production or consumption in the


importing Member. With regard to the effect of the dumped imports on prices,
the investigating authorities shall consider whether there has been a significant
price undercutting by the dumped imports as compared with the price of a
like product of the importing Member, or whether the effect of such imports
is otherwise to depress prices to a significant degree or prevent price increases,
which otherwise would have occurred, to a significant degree. No one or several
of these factors can necessarily give decisive guidance.

3.3 Where imports of a product from more than one country are simultaneously
subject to antidumping investigations, the investigating authorities may
cumulatively assess the effects of such imports only if they determine that (a)
the margin of dumping established in relation to the imports from each country
is more than de minimis as defined in paragraph 8 of Article 5 and the volume of
imports from each country is not negligible and (b) a cumulative assessment of
the effects of the imports is appropriate in light of the conditions of competition
between the imported products and the conditions of competition between the
imported products and the like domestic product.

3.4 The examination of the impact of the dumped imports on the domestic industry
concerned shall include an evaluation of all relevant economic factors and
indices having a bearing on the state of the industry, including actual and
potential decline in sales, profits, output, market share, productivity, return on
investments, or utilization of capacity; factors affecting domestic prices; the
magnitude of the margin of dumping; actual and potential negative effects on
cash flow, inventories, employment, wages, growth, ability to raise capital or
investments. This list is not exhaustive, nor can one or several of these factors
necessarily give decisive guidance.

3.5 It must be demonstrated that the dumped imports are, through the effects of
dumping, as set forth in paragraphs 2 and 4, causing injury within the meaning
of this Agreement. The demonstration of a causal relationship between the
dumped imports and the injury to the domestic industry shall be based on an

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

examination of all relevant evidence before the authorities. The authorities shall
also examine any known factors other than the dumped imports which at the
same time are injuring the domestic industry, and the injuries caused by these
other factors must not be attributed to the dumped imports. Factors which may
be relevant in this respect include, inter alia, the volume and prices of imports
not sold at dumping prices, contraction in demand or changes in the patterns
of consumption, trade restrictive practices of and competition between the
foreign and domestic producers, developments in technology and the export
performance and productivity of the domestic industry.

3.6 The effect of the dumped imports shall be assessed in relation to the domestic
production of the like product when available data permit the separate
identification of that production on the basis of such criteria as the production
process, producers' sales and profits. If such separate identification of that
production is not possible, the effects of the dumped imports shall be assessed by
the examination of the production of the narrowest group or range of products,
which includes the like product, for which the necessary information can be
provided.

3.7 A determination of a threat of material injury shall be based on facts and


not merely on allegation, conjecture or remote possibility. The change in
circumstances which would create a situation in which the dumping would
cause injury must be clearly foreseen and imminent. In making a determination
regarding the existence of a threat of material injury, the authorities should
consider, inter alia, such factors as:

(i) a significant rate of increase of dumped imports into the domestic market
indicating the likelihood of substantially increased importation;

(ii) sufficient freely disposable, or an imminent, substantial increase in,


capacity of the exporter indicating the likelihood of substantially increased
dumped exports to the importing Member's market, taking into account
the availability of other export markets to absorb any additional exports;

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

(iii) whether imports are entering at prices that will have a significant
depressing or suppressing effect on domestic prices, and would likely
increase demand for further imports; and

(iv) inventories of the product being investigated.

No one of these factors by itself can necessarily give decisive guidance but the
totality of the factors considered must lead to the conclusion that further dumped
exports are imminent and that, unless protective action is taken, material injury
would occur.

3.8 With respect to cases where injury is threatened by dumped imports, the
application of antidumping measures shall be considered and decided with
special care.

Article 4

Definition of Domestic Industry

4.1 For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "domestic industry" shall be
interpreted as referring to the domestic producers as a whole of the like products
or to those of them whose collective output of the products constitutes a major
proportion of the total domestic production of those products, except that:

(i) when producers are related to the exporters or importers or are themselves
importers of the allegedly dumped product, the term "domestic industry"
may be interpreted as referring to the rest of the producers;

(ii) in exceptional circumstances the territory of a Member may, for the


production in question, be divided into two or more competitive markets
and the producers within each market may be regarded as a separate
industry if (a) the producers within such market sell all or almost all of their
production of the product in question in that market, and (b) the demand
in that market is not to any substantial degree supplied by producers
of the product in question located elsewhere in the territory. In such
circumstances, injury may be found to exist even where a major portion of

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

the total domestic industry is not injured, provided there is a concentration


of dumped imports into such an isolated market and provided further that
the dumped imports are causing injury to the producers of all or almost all
of the production within such market.

4.2 When the domestic industry has been interpreted as referring to the producers
in a certain area, i.e. a market as defined in paragraph 1(ii), antidumping duties
shall be levied only on the products in question consigned for final consumption
to that area. When the constitutional law of the importing Member does not
permit the levying of antidumping duties on such a basis, the importing Member
may levy the antidumping duties without limitation only if (a) the exporters
shall have been given an opportunity to cease exporting at dumped prices to the
area concerned or otherwise give assurances pursuant to Article 8 and adequate
assurances in this regard have not been promptly given, and (b) such duties
cannot be levied only on products of specific producers which supply the area
in question.

4.3 Where two or more countries have reached under the provisions of paragraph
8(a) of Article XXIV of GATT 1994 such a level of integration that they have
the characteristics of a single, unified market, the industry in the entire area of
integration shall be taken to be the domestic industry referred to in paragraph 1.

4.4 The provisions of paragraph 6 of Article 3 shall be applicable to this Article.

Article 5

Initiation and Subsequent Investigation

5.1 Except as provided for in paragraph 6, an investigation to determine the


existence, degree and effect of any alleged dumping shall be initiated upon a
written application by or on behalf of the domestic industry.

5.2 An application under paragraph 1 shall include evidence of (a) dumping, (b)
injury within the meaning of Article VI of GATT 1994 as interpreted by this
Agreement and (c) a causal link between the dumped imports and the alleged

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injury. Simple assertion, unsubstantiated by relevant evidence, cannot be


considered sufficient to meet the requirements of this paragraph. The application
shall contain such information as is reasonably available to the applicant on the
following:

(i) the identity of the applicant and a description of the volume and value
of the domestic production of the like product by the applicant. Where
a written application is made on behalf of the domestic industry, the
application shall identify the industry on behalf of which the application
is made by a list of all known domestic producers of the like product (or
associations of domestic producers of the like product) and, to the extent
possible, a description of the volume and value of domestic production of
the like product accounted for by such producers;

(ii) a complete description of the allegedly dumped product, the names of the
country or countries of origin or export in question, the identity of each
known exporter or foreign producer and a list of known persons importing
the product in question;

(iii) information on prices at which the product in question is sold when


destined for consumption in the domestic markets of the country or
countries of origin or export (or, where appropriate, information on the
prices at which the product is sold from the country or countries of origin
or export to a third country or countries, or on the constructed value of the
product) and information on export prices or, where appropriate, on the
prices at which the product is first resold to an independent buyer in the
territory of the importing Member;

(iv) information on the evolution of the volume of the allegedly dumped


imports, the effect of these imports on prices of the like product in the
domestic market and the consequent impact of the imports on the domestic
industry, as demonstrated by relevant factors and indices having a bearing
on the state of the domestic industry, such as those listed in paragraphs 2
and 4 of Article 3.

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5.3 The authorities shall examine the accuracy and adequacy of the evidence
provided in the application to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to
justify the initiation of an investigation.

5.4 An investigation shall not be initiated pursuant to paragraph 1 unless the


authorities have determined, on the basis of an examination of the degree of
support for, or opposition to, the application expressed by domestic producers
of the like product, that the application has been made by or on behalf of the
domestic industry. The application shall be considered to have been made "by
or on behalf of the domestic industry" if it is supported by those domestic
producers whose collective output constitutes more than 50 per cent of the total
production of the like product produced by that portion of the domestic industry
expressing either support for or opposition to the application. However, no
investigation shall be initiated when domestic producers expressly supporting
the application account for less than 25 per cent of total production of the like
product produced by the domestic industry.

5.5 The authorities shall avoid, unless a decision has been made to initiate an
investigation, any publicizing of the application for the initiation of an
investigation. However, after receipt of a properly documented application and
before proceeding to initiate an investigation, the authorities shall notify the
government of the exporting Member concerned.

5.6 If, in special circumstances, the authorities concerned decide to initiate an


investigation without having received a written application by or on behalf of
a domestic industry for the initiation of such investigation, they shall proceed
only if they have sufficient evidence of dumping, injury and a causal link, as
described in paragraph 2, to justify the initiation of an investigation.

5.7 The evidence of both dumping and injury shall be considered simultaneously
(a) in the decision whether or not to initiate an investigation, and (b) thereafter,
during the course of the investigation, starting on a date not later than the earliest
date on which in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement provisional
measures may be applied.

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5.8 An application under paragraph 1 shall be rejected and an investigation shall


be terminated promptly as soon as the authorities concerned are satisfied
that there is not sufficient evidence of either dumping or of injury to justify
proceeding with the case. There shall be immediate termination in cases where
the authorities determine that the margin of dumping is de minimis, or that
the volume of dumped imports, actual or potential, or the injury, is negligible.
The margin of dumping shall be considered to be de minimis if this margin is
less than 2 per cent, expressed as a percentage of the export price. The volume
of dumped imports shall normally be regarded as negligible if the volume of
dumped imports from a particular country is found to account for less than 3 per
cent of imports of the like product in the importing Member, unless countries
which individually account for less than 3 per cent of the imports of the like
product in the importing Member collectively account for more than 7 per cent
of imports of the like product in the importing Member.

5.9 An antidumping proceeding shall not hinder the procedures of customs


clearance.

5.10 Investigations shall, except in special circumstances, be concluded within one


year, and in no case more than 18 months, after their initiation.

Article 6

Evidence

6.1 All interested parties in an antidumping investigation shall be given notice of the
information which the authorities require and ample opportunity to present in
writing all evidence which they consider relevant in respect of the investigation
in question.

6.1.1 Exporters or foreign producers receiving questionnaires used in an


antidumping investigation shall be given at least 30 days for reply. Due
consideration should be given to any request for an extension of the 30day
period and, upon cause shown, such an extension should be granted
whenever practicable.

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6.1.2 Subject to the requirement to protect confidential information, evidence


presented in writing by one interested party shall be made available
promptly to other interested parties participating in the investigation.

6.1.3 As soon as an investigation has been initiated, the authorities shall provide
the full text of the written application received under paragraph 1 of Article
5 to the known exporters and to the authorities of the exporting Member
and shall make it available, upon request, to other interested parties
involved. Due regard shall be paid to the requirement for the protection of
confidential information, as provided for in paragraph 5.

6.2 Throughout the antidumping investigation all interested parties shall have a full
opportunity for the defence of their interests. To this end, the authorities shall,
on request, provide opportunities for all interested parties to meet those parties
with adverse interests, so that opposing views may be presented and rebuttal
arguments offered. Provision of such opportunities must take account of the
need to preserve confidentiality and of the convenience to the parties. There
shall be no obligation on any party to attend a meeting, and failure to do so shall
not be prejudicial to that party's case. Interested parties shall also have the right,
on justification, to present other information orally.

6.3 Oral information provided under paragraph 2 shall be taken into account by the
authorities only in so far as it is subsequently reproduced in writing and made
available to other interested parties, as provided for in subparagraph 1.2.

6.4 The authorities shall whenever practicable provide timely opportunities for all
interested parties to see all information that is relevant to the presentation of
their cases, that is not confidential as defined in paragraph 5, and that is used by
the authorities in an antidumping investigation, and to prepare presentations on
the basis of this information.

6.5 Any information which is by nature confidential (for example, because its
disclosure would be of significant competitive advantage to a competitor or
because its disclosure would have a significantly adverse effect upon a person

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supplying the information or upon a person from whom that person acquired
the information), or which is provided on a confidential basis by parties to an
investigation shall, upon good cause shown, be treated as such by the authorities.
Such information shall not be disclosed without specific permission of the party
submitting it.

6.5.1 The authorities shall require interested parties providing confidential


information to furnish non confidential summaries thereof. These
summaries shall be in sufficient detail to permit a reasonable understanding
of the substance of the information submitted in confidence. In exceptional
circumstances, such parties may indicate that such information is not
susceptible of summary. In such exceptional circumstances, a statement
of the reasons why summarization is not possible must be provided.

6.5.2 If the authorities find that a request for confidentiality is not warranted and
if the supplier of the information is either unwilling to make the information
public or to authorize its disclosure in generalized or summary form, the
authorities may disregard such information unless it can be demonstrated
to their satisfaction from appropriate sources that the information is
correct.

6.6 Except in circumstances provided for in paragraph 8, the authorities shall


during the course of an investigation satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the
information supplied by interested parties upon which their findings are based.

6.7 In order to verify information provided or to obtain further details, the


authorities may carry out investigations in the territory of other Members as
required, provided they obtain the agreement of the firms concerned and notify
the representatives of the government of the Member in question, and unless
that Member objects to the investigation. The procedures described in Annex
I shall apply to investigations carried out in the territory of other Members.
Subject to the requirement to protect confidential information, the authorities
shall make the results of any such investigations available, or shall provide

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disclosure thereof pursuant to paragraph 9, to the firms to which they pertain


and may make such results available to the applicants.

6.8 In cases in which any interested party refuses access to, or otherwise does not
provide, necessary information within a reasonable period or significantly
impedes the investigation, preliminary and final determinations, affirmative or
negative, may be made on the basis of the facts available. The provisions of
Annex II shall be observed in the application of this paragraph.

6.9 The authorities shall, before a final determination is made, inform all interested
parties of the essential facts under consideration which form the basis for the
decision whether to apply definitive measures. Such disclosure should take
place in sufficient time for the parties to defend their interests.

6.10 The authorities shall, as a rule, determine an individual margin of dumping for
each known exporter or producer concerned of the product under investigation.
In cases where the number of exporters, producers, importers or types of
products involved is so large as to make such a determination impracticable,
the authorities may limit their examination either to a reasonable number of
interested parties or products by using samples which are statistically valid on
the basis of information available to the authorities at the time of the selection,
or to the largest percentage of the volume of the exports from the country in
question which can reasonably be investigated.

6.10.1 Any selection of exporters, producers, importers or types of products


made under this paragraph shall preferably be chosen in consultation with
and with the consent of the exporters, producers or importers concerned.

6.10.2 In cases where the authorities have limited their examination, as provided
for in this paragraph, they shall nevertheless determine an individual
margin of dumping for any exporter or producer not initially selected
who submits the necessary information in time for that information to be
considered during the course of the investigation, except where the number
of exporters or producers is so large that individual examinations would be

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unduly burdensome to the authorities and prevent the timely completion


of the investigation. Voluntary responses shall not be discouraged.

6.11 For the purposes of this Agreement, "interested parties" shall include:

(i) an exporter or foreign producer or the importer of a product subject to


investigation, or a trade or business association a majority of the members
of which are producers, exporters or importers of such product;

(ii) the government of the exporting Member; and

(iii) a producer of the like product in the importing Member or a trade and
business association a majority of the members of which produce the like
product in the territory of the importing Member.

This list shall not preclude Members from allowing domestic or foreign
parties other than those mentioned above to be included as interested
parties.

6.12 The authorities shall provide opportunities for industrial users of the product
under investigation, and for representative consumer organizations in cases
where the product is commonly sold at the retail level, to provide information
which is relevant to the investigation regarding dumping, injury and causality.

6.13 The authorities shall take due account of any difficulties experienced by
interested parties, in particular small companies, in supplying information
requested, and shall provide any assistance practicable.

6.14 The procedures set out above are not intended to prevent the authorities of a
Member from proceeding expeditiously with regard to initiating an investigation,
reaching preliminary or final determinations, whether affirmative or negative,
or from applying provisional or final measures, in accordance with relevant
provisions of this Agreement.

Article 7

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Provisional Measures

7.1 Provisional measures may be applied only if:

(i) an investigation has been initiated in accordance with the provisions


of Article 5, a public notice has been given to that effect and interested
parties have been given adequate opportunities to submit information and
make comments;

(ii) a preliminary affirmative determination has been made of dumping and


consequent injury to a domestic industry; and

(iii) the authorities concerned judge such measures necessary to prevent injury
being caused during the investigation.

7.2 Provisional measures may take the form of a provisional duty or, preferably,
a security by cash deposit or bond equal to the amount of the antidumping
duty provisionally estimated, being not greater than the provisionally estimated
margin of dumping. Withholding of appraisement is an appropriate provisional
measure, provided that the normal duty and the estimated amount of the
antidumping duty be indicated and as long as the withholding of appraisement
is subject to the same conditions as other provisional measures.

7.3 Provisional measures shall not be applied sooner than 60 days from the date of
initiation of the investigation.

7.4 The application of provisional measures shall be limited to as short a period as


possible, not exceeding four months or, on decision of the authorities concerned,
upon request by exporters representing a significant percentage of the trade
involved, to a period not exceeding six months. When authorities, in the course
of an investigation, examine whether a duty lower than the margin of dumping
would be sufficient to remove injury, these periods may be six and nine months,
respectively.

7.5 The relevant provisions of Article 9 shall be followed in the application of


provisional measures.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

Article 8

Price Undertakings

8.1 Proceedings may be suspended or terminated without the imposition of


provisional measures or antidumping duties upon receipt of satisfactory
voluntary undertakings from any exporter to revise its prices or to cease exports
to the area in question at dumped prices so that the authorities are satisfied
that the injurious effect of the dumping is eliminated. Price increases under
such undertakings shall not be higher than necessary to eliminate the margin
of dumping. It is desirable that the price increases be less than the margin
of dumping if such increases would be adequate to remove the injury to the
domestic industry.

8.2 Price undertakings shall not be sought or accepted from exporters unless the
authorities of the importing Member have made a preliminary affirmative
determination of dumping and injury caused by such dumping.

8.3 Undertakings offered need not be accepted if the authorities consider their
acceptance impractical, for example, if the number of actual or potential
exporters is too great, or for other reasons, including reasons of general policy.
Should the case arise and where practicable, the authorities shall provide to
the exporter the reasons which have led them to consider acceptance of an
undertaking as inappropriate, and shall, to the extent possible, give the exporter
an opportunity to make comments thereon.

8.4 If an undertaking is accepted, the investigation of dumping and injury shall


nevertheless be completed if the exporter so desires or the authorities so
decide. In such a case, if a negative determination of dumping or injury is
made, the undertaking shall automatically lapse, except in cases where such
a determination is due in large part to the existence of a price undertaking.
In such cases, the authorities may require that an undertaking be maintained
for a reasonable period consistent with the provisions of this Agreement. In
the event that an affirmative determination of dumping and injury is made, the

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undertaking shall continue consistent with its terms and the provisions of this
Agreement.

8.5 Price undertakings may be suggested by the authorities of the importing


Member, but no exporter shall be forced to enter into such undertakings. The
fact that exporters do not offer such undertakings, or do not accept an invitation
to do so, shall in no way prejudice the consideration of the case. However,
the authorities are free to determine that a threat of injury is more likely to be
realized if the dumped imports continue.

8.6 Authorities of an importing Member may require any exporter from whom an
undertaking has been accepted to provide periodically information relevant to
the fulfilment of such an undertaking and to permit verification of pertinent data.
In case of violation of an undertaking, the authorities of the importing Member
may take, under this Agreement in conformity with its provisions, expeditious
actions which may constitute immediate application of provisional measures
using the best information available. In such cases, definitive duties may be
levied in accordance with this Agreement on products entered for consumption
not more than 90 days before the application of such provisional measures,
except that any such retroactive assessment shall not apply to imports entered
before the violation of the undertaking.

Article 9

Imposition and Collection of Anti Dumping Duties

9.1 The decision whether or not to impose an antidumping duty in cases where all
requirements for the imposition have been fulfilled, and the decision whether
the amount of the antidumping duty to be imposed shall be the full margin of
dumping or less, are decisions to be made by the authorities of the importing
Member. It is desirable that the imposition be permissive in the territory of all
Members, and that the duty be less than the margin if such lesser duty would be
adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry.

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9.2 When an antidumping duty is imposed in respect of any product, such


antidumping duty shall be collected in the appropriate amounts in each case,
on a non-discriminatory basis on imports of such product from all sources
found to be dumped and causing injury, except as to imports from those sources
from which price undertakings under the terms of this Agreement have been
accepted. The authorities shall name the supplier or suppliers of the product
concerned. If, however, several suppliers from the same country are involved,
and it is impracticable to name all these suppliers, the authorities may name the
supplying country concerned. If several suppliers from more than one country
are involved, the authorities may name either all the suppliers involved, or, if
this is impracticable, all the supplying countries involved.

9.3 The amount of the antidumping duty shall not exceed the margin of dumping as
established under Article 2.

9.3.1 When the amount of the antidumping duty is assessed on a retrospective


basis, the determination of the final liability for payment of antidumping
duties shall take place as soon as possible, normally within 12 months,
and in no case more than 18 months, after the date on which a request for
a final assessment of the amount of the antidumping duty has been made.
Any refund shall be made promptly and normally in not more than 90
days following the determination of final liability made pursuant to this
subparagraph. In any case, where a refund is not made within 90 days, the
authorities shall provide an explanation if so requested.

9.3.2 When the amount of the antidumping duty is assessed on a prospective


basis, provision shall be made for a prompt refund, upon request, of any
duty paid in excess of the margin of dumping. A refund of any such duty
paid in excess of the actual margin of dumping shall normally take place
within 12 months, and in no case more than 18 months, after the date on
which a request for a refund, duly supported by evidence, has been made
by an importer of the product subject to the antidumping duty. The refund

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

authorized should normally be made within 90 days of the above-noted


decision.

9.3.3 In determining whether and to what extent a reimbursement should be


made when the export price is constructed in accordance with paragraph
3 of Article 2, authorities should take account of any change in normal
value, any change in costs incurred between importation and resale, and
any movement in the resale price which is duly reflected in subsequent
selling prices, and should calculate the export price with no deduction for
the amount of antidumping duties paid when conclusive evidence of the
above is provided.

9.4 When the authorities have limited their examination in accordance with the
second sentence of paragraph 10 of Article 6, any antidumping duty applied to
imports from exporters or producers not included in the examination shall not
exceed:

(i) the weighted average margin of dumping established with respect to the
selected exporters or producers or,

(ii) where the liability for payment of antidumping duties is calculated on the
basis of a prospective normal value, the difference between the weighted
average normal value of the selected exporters or producers and the export
prices of exporters or producers not individually examined,

provided that the authorities shall disregard for the purpose of this
paragraph any zero and de minimis margins and margins established under
the circumstances referred to in paragraph 8 of Article 6. The authorities
shall apply individual duties or normal values to imports from any
exporter or producer not included in the examination who has provided the
necessary information during the course of the investigation, as provided
for in subparagraph 10.2 of Article 6.

9.5 If a product is subject to antidumping duties in an importing Member, the


authorities shall promptly carry out a review for the purpose of determining

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

individual margins of dumping for any exporters or producers in the exporting


country in question who have not exported the product to the importing Member
during the period of investigation, provided that these exporters or producers
can show that they are not related to any of the exporters or producers in the
exporting country who are subject to the antidumping duties on the product. Such
a review shall be initiated and carried out on an accelerated basis, compared to
normal duty assessment and review proceedings in the importing Member. No
antidumping duties shall be levied on imports from such exporters or producers
while the review is being carried out. The authorities may, however, withhold
appraisement and/or request guarantees to ensure that, should such a review
result in a determination of dumping in respect of such producers or exporters,
antidumping duties can be levied retroactively to the date of the initiation of the
review.

Article 10

Retroactivity

10.1 Provisional measures and antidumping duties shall only be applied to products
which enter for consumption after the time when the decision taken under
paragraph 1 of Article 7 and paragraph 1 of Article 9, respectively, enters into
force, subject to the exceptions set out in this Article.

10.2 Where a final determination of injury (but not of a threat thereof or of a material
retardation of the establishment of an industry) is made or, in the case of a final
determination of a threat of injury, where the effect of the dumped imports
would, in the absence of the provisional measures, have led to a determination
of injury, antidumping duties may be levied retroactively for the period for
which provisional measures, if any, have been applied.

10.3 If the definitive antidumping duty is higher than the provisional duty paid or
payable, or the amount estimated for the purpose of the security, the difference
shall not be collected. If the definitive duty is lower than the provisional duty

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paid or payable, or the amount estimated for the purpose of the security, the
difference shall be reimbursed or the duty recalculated, as the case may be.

10.4 Except as provided in paragraph 2, where a determination of threat of injury


or material retardation is made (but no injury has yet occurred) a definitive
antidumping duty may be imposed only from the date of the determination of
threat of injury or material retardation, and any cash deposit made during the
period of the application of provisional measures shall be refunded and any
bonds released in an expeditious manner.

10.5 Where a final determination is negative, any cash deposit made during the
period of the application of provisional measures shall be refunded and any
bonds released in an expeditious manner.

10.6 A definitive antidumping duty may be levied on products which were entered
for consumption not more than 90 days prior to the date of application of
provisional measures, when the authorities determine for the dumped product
in question that:

(i) there is a history of dumping which caused injury or that the importer
was, or should have been, aware that the exporter practises dumping and
that such dumping would cause injury, and

(ii) the injury is caused by massive dumped imports of a product in a relatively


short time which in light of the timing and the volume of the dumped
imports and other circumstances (such as a rapid build-up of inventories
of the imported product) is likely to seriously undermine the remedial
effect of the definitive antidumping duty to be applied, provided that the
importers concerned have been given an opportunity to comment.

10.7 The authorities may, after initiating an investigation, take such measures as
the withholding of appraisement or assessment as may be necessary to collect
antidumping duties retroactively, as provided for in paragraph 6, once they have
sufficient evidence that the conditions set forth in that paragraph are satisfied.

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10.8 No duties shall be levied retroactively pursuant to paragraph 6 on products


entered for consumption prior to the date of initiation of the investigation.

Article 11

Duration and Review of AntiDumping Duties and Price Undertakings

11.1 An antidumping duty shall remain in force only as long as and to the extent
necessary to counteract dumping which is causing injury.

11.2 The authorities shall review the need for the continued imposition of the duty,
where warranted, on their own initiative or, provided that a reasonable period
of time has elapsed since the imposition of the definitive antidumping duty,
upon request by any interested party which submits positive information
substantiating the need for a review. Interested parties shall have the right to
request the authorities to examine whether the continued imposition of the duty
is necessary to offset dumping, whether the injury would be likely to continue
or recur if the duty were removed or varied, or both. If, as a result of the review
under this paragraph, the authorities determine that the antidumping duty is no
longer warranted, it shall be terminated immediately.

11.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, any definitive


antidumping duty shall be terminated on a date not later than five years from
its imposition (or from the date of the most recent review under paragraph 2
if that review has covered both dumping and injury, or under this paragraph),
unless the authorities determine, in a review initiated before that date on their
own initiative or upon a duly substantiated request made by or on behalf of
the domestic industry within a reasonable period of time prior to that date, that
the expiry of the duty would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of
dumping and injury. The duty may remain in force pending the outcome of such
a review.

11.4 The provisions of Article 6 regarding evidence and procedure shall apply to
any review carried out under this Article. Any such review shall be carried out

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expeditiously and shall normally be concluded within 12 months of the date of


initiation of the review.

11.5 The provisions of this Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to price undertakings
accepted under Article 8.

Article 12

Public Notice and Explanation of Determinations

12.1 When the authorities are satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to justify the
initiation of an antidumping investigation pursuant to Article 5, the Member
or Members the products of which are subject to such investigation and other
interested parties known to the investigating authorities to have an interest
therein shall be notified and a public notice shall be given.

12.1.1 A public notice of the initiation of an investigation shall contain, or


otherwise make available through a separate report, adequate information
on the following:

(i) the name of the exporting country or countries and the product
involved;

(ii) the date of initiation of the investigation;

(iii) the basis on which dumping is alleged in the application;

(iv) a summary of the factors on which the allegation of injury is based;

(v) the address to which representations by interested parties should be


directed;

(vi) the time limits allowed to interested parties for making their views
known.

12.2 Public notice shall be given of any preliminary or final determination, whether
affirmative or negative, of any decision to accept an undertaking pursuant to

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Article 8, of the termination of such an undertaking, and of the termination of


a definitive antidumping duty. Each such notice shall set forth, or otherwise
make available through a separate report, in sufficient detail the findings and
conclusions reached on all issues of fact and law considered material by the
investigating authorities. All such notices and reports shall be forwarded to the
Member or Members the products of which are subject to such determination or
undertaking and to other interested parties known to have an interest therein.

12.2.1 A public notice of the imposition of provisional measures shall set


forth, or otherwise make available through a separate report, sufficiently
detailed explanations for the preliminary determinations on dumping and
injury and shall refer to the matters of fact and law which have led to
arguments being accepted or rejected. Such a notice or report shall, due
regard being paid to the requirement for the protection of confidential
information, contain in particular:

(i) the names of the suppliers, or when this is impracticable, the


supplying countries involved;

(ii) a description of the product which is sufficient for customs purposes;

(iii) the margins of dumping established and a full explanation of


the reasons for the methodology used in the establishment and
comparison of the export price and the normal value under Article 2;

(iv) considerations relevant to the injury determination as set out in


Article 3;

(v) the main reasons leading to the determination.

12.2.2 A public notice of conclusion or suspension of an investigation in the case


of an affirmative determination providing for the imposition of a definitive
duty or the acceptance of a price undertaking shall contain, or otherwise
make available through a separate report, all relevant information on the
matters of fact and law and reasons which have led to the imposition of

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final measures or the acceptance of a price undertaking, due regard being


paid to the requirement for the protection of confidential information. In
particular, the notice or report shall contain the information described in
subparagraph 2.1, as well as the reasons for the acceptance or rejection of
relevant arguments or claims made by the exporters and importers, and
the basis for any decision made under subparagraph 10.2 of Article 6.

12.2.3 A public notice of the termination or suspension of an investigation


following the acceptance of an undertaking pursuant to Article 8 shall
include, or otherwise make available through a separate report, the non-
confidential part of this undertaking.

12.3 The provisions of this Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the initiation and
completion of reviews pursuant to Article 11 and to decisions under Article 10
to apply duties retroactively.

Article 13

Judicial Review

Each Member whose national legislation contains provisions on antidumping


measures shall maintain judicial, arbitral or administrative tribunals or procedures
for the purpose, inter alia, of the prompt review of administrative actions relating to
final determinations and reviews of determinations within the meaning of Article 11.
Such tribunals or procedures shall be independent of the authorities responsible for
the determination or review in question.

Article 14

Anti Dumping Action on Behalf of a Third Country

14.1 An application for antidumping action on behalf of a third country shall be


made by the authorities of the third country requesting action.

14.2 Such an application shall be supported by price information to show that the
imports are being dumped and by detailed information to show that the alleged

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dumping is causing injury to the domestic industry concerned in the third


country. The government of the third country shall afford all assistance to the
authorities of the importing country to obtain any further information which the
latter may require.

14.3 In considering such an application, the authorities of the importing country


shall consider the effects of the alleged dumping on the industry concerned as
a whole in the third country; that is to say, the injury shall not be assessed in
relation only to the effect of the alleged dumping on the industry's exports to the
importing country or even on the industry's total exports.

14.4 The decision whether or not to proceed with a case shall rest with the importing
country. If the importing country decides that it is prepared to take action, the
initiation of the approach to the Council for Trade in Goods seeking its approval
for such action shall rest with the importing country.

Article 15

Developing Country Members

It is recognized that special regard must be given by developed country Members to the
special situation of developing country Members when considering the application of
antidumping measures under this Agreement. Possibilities of constructive remedies
provided for by this Agreement shall be explored before applying antidumping duties
where they would affect the essential interests of developing country Members.

PART II

Article 16

Committee on AntiDumping Practices

16.1 There is hereby established a Committee on AntiDumping Practices (referred to


in this Agreement as the "Committee") composed of representatives from each

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of the Members. The Committee shall elect its own Chairman and shall meet
not less than twice a year and otherwise as envisaged by relevant provisions of
this Agreement at the request of any Member. The Committee shall carry out
responsibilities as assigned to it under this Agreement or by the Members and
it shall afford Members the opportunity of consulting on any matters relating to
the operation of the Agreement or the furtherance of its objectives. The WTO
Secretariat shall act as the secretariat to the Committee.

16.2 The Committee may set up subsidiary bodies as appropriate.

16.3 In carrying out their functions, the Committee and any subsidiary bodies may
consult with and seek information from any source they deem appropriate.
However, before the Committee or a subsidiary body seeks such information
from a source within the jurisdiction of a Member, it shall inform the Member
involved. It shall obtain the consent of the Member and any firm to be consulted.

16.4 Members shall report without delay to the Committee all preliminary or final
antidumping actions taken. Such reports shall be available in the Secretariat for
inspection by other Members. Members shall also submit, on a semi-annual
basis, reports of any antidumping actions taken within the preceding six months.
The semi-annual reports shall be submitted on an agreed standard form.

16.5 Each Member shall notify the Committee (a) which of its authorities are
competent to initiate and conduct investigations referred to in Article 5 and
(b) its domestic procedures governing the initiation and conduct of such
investigations.

Article 17

Consultation and Dispute Settlement

17.1 Except as otherwise provided herein, the Dispute Settlement Understanding is


applicable to consultations and the settlement of disputes under this Agreement.

17.2 Each Member shall afford sympathetic consideration to, and shall afford
adequate opportunity for consultation regarding, representations made by

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another Member with respect to any matter affecting the operation of this
Agreement.

17.3 If any Member considers that any benefit accruing to it, directly or indirectly,
under this Agreement is being nullified or impaired, or that the achievement of
any objective is being impeded, by another Member or Members, it may, with
a view to reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution of the matter, request in
writing consultations with the Member or Members in question. Each Member
shall afford sympathetic consideration to any request from another Member for
consultation.

17.4 If the Member that requested consultations considers that the consultations
pursuant to paragraph 3 have failed to achieve a mutually agreed solution, and
if final action has been taken by the administering authorities of the importing
Member to levy definitive antidumping duties or to accept price undertakings,
it may refer the matter to the Dispute Settlement Body ("DSB"). When a
provisional measure has a significant impact and the Member that requested
consultations considers that the measure was taken contrary to the provisions of
paragraph 1 of Article 7, that Member may also refer such matter to the DSB.

17.5 The DSB shall, at the request of the complaining party, establish a panel to
examine the matter based upon:

(i) a written statement of the Member making the request indicating how
a benefit accruing to it, directly or indirectly, under this Agreement has
been nullified or impaired, or that the achieving of the objectives of the
Agreement is being impeded, and

(ii) the facts made available in conformity with appropriate domestic


procedures to the authorities of the importing Member.

17.6 In examining the matter referred to in paragraph 5:

(i) in its assessment of the facts of the matter, the panel shall determine whether
the authorities' establishment of the facts was proper and whether their

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evaluation of those facts was unbiased and objective. If the establishment


of the facts was proper and the evaluation was unbiased and objective,
even though the panel might have reached a different conclusion, the
evaluation shall not be overturned;

(ii) the panel shall interpret the relevant provisions of the Agreement in
accordance with customary rules of interpretation of public international
law. Where the panel finds that a relevant provision of the Agreement
admits of more than one permissible interpretation, the panel shall find
the authorities' measure to be in conformity with the Agreement if it rests
upon one of those permissible interpretations.

17.7 Confidential information provided to the panel shall not be disclosed without
formal authorization from the person, body or authority providing such
information. Where such information is requested from the panel but release
of such information by the panel is not authorized, a non-confidential summary
of the information, authorized by the person, body or authority providing the
information, shall be provided.

PART III

Article 18

Final Provisions

18.1 No specific action against dumping of exports from another Member can be
taken except in accordance with the provisions of GATT 1994, as interpreted by
this Agreement.

18.2 Reservations may not be entered in respect of any of the provisions of this
Agreement without the consent of the other Members.

18.3 Subject to subparagraphs 3.1 and 3.2, the provisions of this Agreement shall
apply to investigations, and reviews of existing measures, initiated pursuant to
applications which have been made on or after the date of entry into force for a
Member of the WTO Agreement.

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18.3.1 With respect to the calculation of margins of dumping in refund


procedures under paragraph 3 of Article 9, the rules used in the most
recent determination or review of dumping shall apply.

18.3.2 For the purposes of paragraph 3 of Article 11, existing antidumping


measures shall be deemed to be imposed on a date not later than the date
of entry into force for a Member of the WTO Agreement, except in cases
in which the domestic legislation of a Member in force on that date already
included a clause of the type provided for in that paragraph.

18.4 Each Member shall take all necessary steps, of a general or particular character,
to ensure, not later than the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement for
it, the conformity of its laws, regulations and administrative procedures with
the provisions of this Agreement as they may apply for the Member in question.

18.5 Each Member shall inform the Committee of any changes in its laws and
regulations relevant to this Agreement and in the administration of such laws
and regulations.

18.6 The Committee shall review annually the implementation and operation of this
Agreement taking into account the objectives thereof. The Committee shall
inform annually the Council for Trade in Goods of developments during the
period covered by such reviews.

18.7 The Annexes to this Agreement constitute an integral part thereof.

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ANNEX I

PROCEDURES FOR ONTHESPOT INVESTIGATIONS PURSUANT

TO PARAGRAPH 7 OF ARTICLE 6

1. Upon initiation of an investigation, the authorities of the exporting Member and


the firms known to be concerned should be informed of the intention to carry
out on the spot investigations.

2. If in exceptional circumstances it is intended to include nongovernmental


experts in the investigating team, the firms and the authorities of the exporting
Member should be so informed. Such nongovernmental experts should be
subject to effective sanctions for breach of confidentiality requirements.

3. It should be standard practice to obtain explicit agreement of the firms concerned


in the exporting Member before the visit is finally scheduled.

4. As soon as the agreement of the firms concerned has been obtained, the
investigating authorities should notify the authorities of the exporting Member
of the names and addresses of the firms to be visited and the dates agreed.

5. Sufficient advance notice should be given to the firms in question before the
visit is made.

6. Visits to explain the questionnaire should only be made at the request of an


exporting firm. Such a visit may only be made if (a) the authorities of the
importing Member notify the representatives of the Member in question and (b)
the latter do not object to the visit.

7. As the main purpose of the on-the-spot investigation is to verify information


provided or to obtain further details, it should be carried out after the response
to the questionnaire has been received unless the firm agrees to the contrary
and the government of the exporting Member is informed by the investigating
authorities of the anticipated visit and does not object to it; further, it should be
standard practice prior to the visit to advise the firms concerned of the general

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nature of the information to be verified and of any further information which


needs to be provided, though this should not preclude requests to be made on
the spot for further details to be provided in the light of information obtained.

8. Enquiries or questions put by the authorities or firms of the exporting Members


and essential to a successful on the spot investigation should, whenever possible,
be answered before the visit is made.

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ANNEX II

BEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN TERMS OF


PARAGRAPH 8 OF ARTICLE 6

1. As soon as possible after the initiation of the investigation, the investigating


authorities should specify in detail the information required from any interested
party, and the manner in which that information should be structured by the
interested party in its response. The authorities should also ensure that the
party is aware that if information is not supplied within a reasonable time,
the authorities will be free to make determinations on the basis of the facts
available, including those contained in the application for the initiation of the
investigation by the domestic industry.

2. The authorities may also request that an interested party provide its response
in a particular medium (e.g. computer tape) or computer language. Where
such a request is made, the authorities should consider the reasonable ability
of the interested party to respond in the preferred medium or computer
language, and should not request the party to use for its response a computer
system other than that used by the party. The authority should not maintain a
request for a computerized response if the interested party does not maintain
computerized accounts and if presenting the response as requested would result
in an unreasonable extra burden on the interested party, e.g. it would entail
unreasonable additional cost and trouble. The authorities should not maintain
a request for a response in a particular medium or computer language if the
interested party does not maintain its computerized accounts in such medium
or computer language and if presenting the response as requested would result
in an unreasonable extra burden on the interested party, e.g. it would entail
unreasonable additional cost and trouble.

3. All information which is verifiable, which is appropriately submitted so that it


can be used in the investigation without undue difficulties, which is supplied
in a timely fashion, and, where applicable, which is supplied in a medium or
computer language requested by the authorities, should be taken into account

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when determinations are made. If a party does not respond in the preferred
medium or computer language but the authorities find that the circumstances
set out in paragraph 2 have been satisfied, the failure to respond in the preferred
medium or computer language should not be considered to significantly impede
the investigation.

4. Where the authorities do not have the ability to process information if provided
in a particular medium (e.g. computer tape), the information should be supplied
in the form of written material or any other form acceptable to the authorities.

5. Even though the information provided may not be ideal in all respects, this
should not justify the authorities from disregarding it, provided the interested
party has acted to the best of its ability.

6. If evidence or information is not accepted, the supplying party should be


informed forthwith of the reasons therefor, and should have an opportunity
to provide further explanations within a reasonable period, due account being
taken of the time-limits of the investigation. If the explanations are considered
by the authorities as not being satisfactory, the reasons for the rejection of such
evidence or information should be given in any published determinations.

7. If the authorities have to base their findings, including those with respect
to normal value, on information from a secondary source, including the
information supplied in the application for the initiation of the investigation,
they should do so with special circumspection. In such cases, the authorities
should, where practicable, check the information from other independent
sources at their disposal, such as published price lists, official import statistics
and customs returns, and from the information obtained from other interested
parties during the investigation. It is clear, however, that if an interested party
does not cooperate and thus relevant information is being withheld from the
authorities, this situation could lead to a result which is less favourable to the
party than if the party did cooperate.

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AGREEMENT ON SUBSIDIES AND COUNTERVAILING MEASURES

Members hereby agree as follows:

PART I: GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Definition of a Subsidy

1.1 For the purpose of this Agreement, a subsidy shall be deemed to exist if:

(a)(1) there is a financial contribution by a government or any public body within


the territory of a Member (referred to in this Agreement as “government”),
i.e. where:

(i) a government practice involves a direct transfer of funds (e.g. grants,


loans, and equity infusion), potential direct transfers of funds or liabilities
(e.g. loan guarantees);

(ii) government revenue that is otherwise due is foregone or not collected


(e.g. fiscal incentives such as tax credits) 1;

(iii) a government provides goods or services other than general infrastructure,


or purchases goods;

(iv) a government makes payments to a funding mechanism, or entrusts or


directs a private body to carry out one or more of the type of functions
illustrated in (i) to (iii) above which would normally be vested in the
government and the practice, in no real sense, differs from practices
normally followed by governments;

or
1
In accordance with the provisions of Article XVI of GATT 1994 (Note to Article XVI) and the provisions of
Annexes I through III of this Agreement, the exemption of an exported product from duties or taxes borne by
the like product when destined for domestic consumption, or the remission of such duties or taxes in amounts
not in excess of those which have accrued, shall not be deemed to be a subsidy.

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(a)(2) there is any form of income or price support in the sense of Article XVI
of GATT 1994;

and

(b) a benefit is thereby conferred.

1.2 A subsidy as defined in paragraph 1 shall be subject to the provisions of Part II


or shall be subject to the provisions of Part III or V only if such a subsidy is
specific in accordance with the provisions of Article 2.

Article 2

Specificity

2.1 In order to determine whether a subsidy, as defined in paragraph 1 of Article


1, is specific to an enterprise or industry or group of enterprises or industries
(referred to in this Agreement as “certain enterprises”) within the jurisdiction of
the granting authority, the following principles shall apply:

(a) Where the granting authority, or the legislation pursuant to which the
granting authority operates, explicitly limits access to a subsidy to certain
enterprises, such subsidy shall be specific.

(b) Where the granting authority, or the legislation pursuant to which the
granting authority operates, establishes objective criteria or conditions2
governing the eligibility for, and the amount of, a subsidy, specificity shall
not exist, provided that the eligibility is automatic and that such criteria
and conditions are strictly adhered to. The criteria or conditions must be
clearly spelled out in law, regulation, or other official document, so as to
be capable of verification.

(c) If, notwithstanding any appearance of non‑specificity resulting from


the application of the principles laid down in subparagraphs (a) and (b),
2
Objective criteria or conditions, as used herein, mean criteria or conditions which are neutral, which do not
favour certain enterprises over others, and which are economic in nature and horizontal in application, such as
number of employees or size of enterprise.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

there are reasons to believe that the subsidy may in fact be specific, other
factors may be considered. Such factors are: use of a subsidy programme
by a limited number of certain enterprises, predominant use by certain
enterprises, the granting of disproportionately large amounts of subsidy to
certain enterprises, and the manner in which discretion has been exercised
by the granting authority in the decision to grant a subsidy.3 In applying
this subparagraph, account shall be taken of the extent of diversification
of economic activities within the jurisdiction of the granting authority,
as well as of the length of time during which the subsidy programme has
been in operation.

2.2 A subsidy which is limited to certain enterprises located within a designated


geographical region within the jurisdiction of the granting authority shall be
specific. It is understood that the setting or change of generally applicable tax
rates by all levels of government entitled to do so shall not be deemed to be a
specific subsidy for the purposes of this Agreement.

2.3 Any subsidy falling under the provisions of Article 3 shall be deemed to be
specific.

2.4 Any determination of specificity under the provisions of this Article shall be
clearly substantiated on the basis of positive evidence.

3
In this regard, in particular, information on the frequency with which applications for a subsidy are refused or
approved and the reasons for such decisions shall be considered.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

PART II: PROHIBITED SUBSIDIES

Article 3

Prohibition

3.1 Except as provided in the Agreement on Agriculture, the following subsidies,


within the meaning of Article 1, shall be prohibited:

(a) subsidies contingent, in law or in fact4, whether solely or as one of several


other conditions, upon export performance, including those illustrated in
Annex I5;

(b) subsidies contingent, whether solely or as one of several other conditions,


upon the use of domestic over imported goods.

3.2 A Member shall neither grant nor maintain subsidies referred to in paragraph 1.

Article 4

Remedies

4.1 Whenever a Member has reason to believe that a prohibited subsidy is


being granted or maintained by another Member, such Member may request
consultations with such other Member.

4.2 A request for consultations under paragraph 1 shall include a statement of


available evidence with regard to the existence and nature of the subsidy in
question.

4.3 Upon request for consultations under paragraph 1, the Member believed to be
granting or maintaining the subsidy in question shall enter into such consultations

4
This standard is met when the facts demonstrate that the granting of a subsidy, without having been made legally
contingent upon export performance, is in fact tied to actual or anticipated exportation or export earnings. The
mere fact that a subsidy is granted to enterprises which export shall not for that reason alone be considered to
be an export subsidy within the meaning of this provision.
5
Measures referred to in Annex I as not constituting export subsidies shall not be prohibited under this or any
other provision of this Agreement.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

as quickly as possible. The purpose of the consultations shall be to clarify the


facts of the situation and to arrive at a mutually agreed solution.

4.4 If no mutually agreed solution has been reached within 30 days6 of the request
for consultations, any Member party to such consultations may refer the matter
to the Dispute Settlement Body (“DSB”) for the immediate establishment of a
panel, unless the DSB decides by consensus not to establish a panel.

4.5 Upon its establishment, the panel may request the assistance of the Permanent
Group of Experts7 (referred to in this Agreement as the “PGE”) with regard
to whether the measure in question is a prohibited subsidy. If so requested,
the PGE shall immediately review the evidence with regard to the existence
and nature of the measure in question and shall provide an opportunity for the
Member applying or maintaining the measure to demonstrate that the measure
in question is not a prohibited subsidy. The PGE shall report its conclusions to
the panel within a time‑limit determined by the panel. The PGE’s conclusions
on the issue of whether or not the measure in question is a prohibited subsidy
shall be accepted by the panel without modification.

4.6 The panel shall submit its final report to the parties to the dispute. The report
shall be circulated to all Members within 90 days of the date of the composition
and the establishment of the panel’s terms of reference.

4.7 If the measure in question is found to be a prohibited subsidy, the panel shall
recommend that the subsidizing Member withdraw the subsidy without delay.
In this regard, the panel shall specify in its recommendation the time‑period
within which the measure must be withdrawn.

4.8 Within 30 days of the issuance of the panel’s report to all Members, the report
shall be adopted by the DSB unless one of the parties to the dispute formally
notifies the DSB of its decision to appeal or the DSB decides by consensus not
to adopt the report.

6
Any time‑periods mentioned in this Article may be extended by mutual agreement.
7
As established in Article 24.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

4.9 Where a panel report is appealed, the Appellate Body shall issue its decision
within 30 days from the date when the party to the dispute formally notifies its
intention to appeal. When the Appellate Body considers that it cannot provide
its report within 30 days, it shall inform the DSB in writing of the reasons for
the delay together with an estimate of the period within which it will submit its
report. In no case shall the proceedings exceed 60 days. The appellate report
shall be adopted by the DSB and unconditionally accepted by the parties to the
dispute unless the DSB decides by consensus not to adopt the appellate report
within 20 days following its issuance to the Members.8

4.10 In the event the recommendation of the DSB is not followed within the time‑period
specified by the panel, which shall commence from the date of adoption of the
panel’s report or the Appellate Body’s report, the DSB shall grant authorization
to the complaining Member to take appropriate9 countermeasures, unless the
DSB decides by consensus to reject the request.

4.11 In the event a party to the dispute requests arbitration under paragraph 6 of
Article 22 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (“DSU”), the arbitrator
shall determine whether the countermeasures are appropriate.10

4.12 For purposes of disputes conducted pursuant to this Article, except for
time‑periods specifically prescribed in this Article, time‑periods applicable
under the DSU for the conduct of such disputes shall be half the time prescribed
therein.

8
If a meeting of the DSB is not scheduled during this period, such a meeting shall be held for this purpose.
9
This expression is not meant to allow countermeasures that are disproportionate in light of the fact that the
subsidies dealt with under these provisions are prohibited.
10
This expression is not meant to allow countermeasures that are disproportionate in light of the fact that the
subsidies dealt with under these provisions are prohibited.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

PART III: ACTIONABLE SUBSIDIES

Article 5

Adverse Effects

No Member should cause, through the use of any subsidy referred to in


paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 1, adverse effects to the interests of other Members, i.e.:

(a) injury to the domestic industry of another Member11;

(b) nullification or impairment of benefits accruing directly or indirectly to


other Members under GATT 1994 in particular the benefits of concessions
bound under Article II of GATT 199412;

(c) serious prejudice to the interests of another Member.13

This Article does not apply to subsidies maintained on agricultural products as


provided in Article 13 of the Agreement on Agriculture.

Article 6

Serious Prejudice

6.1 Serious prejudice in the sense of paragraph (c) of Article 5 shall be deemed to
exist in the case of:

(a) the total ad valorem subsidization14 of a product exceeding 5 per cent15;

(b) subsidies to cover operating losses sustained by an industry;

11
The term “injury to the domestic industry” is used here in the same sense as it is used in Part V.
12
The term “nullification or impairment” is used in this Agreement in the same sense as it is used in the relevant
provisions of GATT 1994, and the existence of such nullification or impairment shall be established in
accordance with the practice of application of these provisions.
13
The term “serious prejudice to the interests of another Member” is used in this Agreement in the same sense as
it is used in paragraph 1 of Article XVI of GATT 1994, and includes threat of serious prejudice.
14
The total ad valorem subsidization shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of Annex IV.
15
Since it is anticipated that civil aircraft will be subject to specific multilateral rules, the threshold in this
subparagraph does not apply to civil aircraft.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

(c) subsidies to cover operating losses sustained by an enterprise, other


than one‑time measures which are non‑recurrent and cannot be repeated
for that enterprise and which are given merely to provide time for the
development of long‑term solutions and to avoid acute social problems;

(d) direct forgiveness of debt, i.e. forgiveness of government‑held debt, and


grants to cover debt repayment.16

6.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, serious prejudice shall not be


found if the subsidizing Member demonstrates that the subsidy in question has
not resulted in any of the effects enumerated in paragraph 3.

6.3 Serious prejudice in the sense of paragraph (c) of Article 5 may arise in any case
where one or several of the following apply:

(a) the effect of the subsidy is to displace or impede the imports of a like
product of another Member into the market of the subsidizing Member;

(b) the effect of the subsidy is to displace or impede the exports of a like
product of another Member from a third country market;

(c) the effect of the subsidy is a significant price undercutting by the subsidized
product as compared with the price of a like product of another Member
in the same market or significant price suppression, price depression or
lost sales in the same market;

(d) the effect of the subsidy is an increase in the world market share of
the subsidizing Member in a particular subsidized primary product or
commodity17 as compared to the average share it had during the previous
period of three years and this increase follows a consistent trend over a
period when subsidies have been granted.

16
Members recognize that where royalty‑based financing for a civil aircraft programme is not being fully repaid
due to the level of actual sales falling below the level of forecast sales, this does not in itself constitute serious
prejudice for the purposes of this subparagraph.
17
Unless other multilaterally agreed specific rules apply to the trade in the product or commodity in question.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

6.4 For the purpose of paragraph 3(b), the displacement or impeding of exports
shall include any case in which, subject to the provisions of paragraph 7, it has
been demonstrated that there has been a change in relative shares of the market
to the disadvantage of the non‑subsidized like product (over an appropriately
representative period sufficient to demonstrate clear trends in the development
of the market for the product concerned, which, in normal circumstances, shall
be at least one year). “Change in relative shares of the market” shall include
any of the following situations: (a) there is an increase in the market share of
the subsidized product; (b) the market share of the subsidized product remains
constant in circumstances in which, in the absence of the subsidy, it would
have declined; (c) the market share of the subsidized product declines, but at a
slower rate than would have been the case in the absence of the subsidy.

6.5 For the purpose of paragraph 3(c), price undercutting shall include any case in
which such price undercutting has been demonstrated through a comparison of
prices of the subsidized product with prices of a non‑subsidized like product
supplied to the same market. The comparison shall be made at the same level
of trade and at comparable times, due account being taken of any other factor
affecting price comparability. However, if such a direct comparison is not
possible, the existence of price undercutting may be demonstrated on the basis
of export unit values.

6.6 Each Member in the market of which serious prejudice is alleged to have arisen
shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph 3 of Annex V, make available to the
parties to a dispute arising under Article 7, and to the panel established pursuant
to paragraph 4 of Article 7, all relevant information that can be obtained as to
the changes in market shares of the parties to the dispute as well as concerning
prices of the products involved.

6.7 Displacement or impediment resulting in serious prejudice shall not arise under
paragraph 3 where any of the following circumstances exist18 during the relevant
period:
18
The fact that certain circumstances are referred to in this paragraph does not, in itself, confer upon them any
legal status in terms of either GATT 1994 or this Agreement. These circumstances must not be isolated, sporadic
or otherwise insignificant.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

(a) prohibition or restriction on exports of the like product from the


complaining Member or on imports from the complaining Member into
the third country market concerned;

(b) decision by an importing government operating a monopoly of trade or


state trading in the product concerned to shift, for non‑commercial reasons,
imports from the complaining Member to another country or countries;

(c) natural disasters, strikes, transport disruptions or other force majeure


substantially affecting production, qualities, quantities or prices of the
product available for export from the complaining Member;

(d) existence of arrangements limiting exports from the complaining Member;

(e) voluntary decrease in the availability for export of the product concerned
from the complaining Member (including, inter alia, a situation where
firms in the complaining Member have been autonomously reallocating
exports of this product to new markets);

(f) failure to conform to standards and other regulatory requirements in the


importing country.

6.8 In the absence of circumstances referred to in paragraph 7, the existence of


serious prejudice should be determined on the basis of the information submitted
to or obtained by the panel, including information submitted in accordance with
the provisions of Annex V.

6.9 This Article does not apply to subsidies maintained on agricultural products as
provided in Article 13 of the Agreement on Agriculture.

Article 7

Remedies

7.1 Except as provided in Article 13 of the Agreement on Agriculture, whenever a


Member has reason to believe that any subsidy referred to in Article 1, granted

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

or maintained by another Member, results in injury to its domestic industry,


nullification or impairment or serious prejudice, such Member may request
consultations with such other Member.

7.2 A request for consultations under paragraph 1 shall include a statement of


available evidence with regard to (a) the existence and nature of the subsidy in
question, and (b) the injury caused to the domestic industry, or the nullification
or impairment, or serious prejudice19 caused to the interests of the Member
requesting consultations.

7.3 Upon request for consultations under paragraph 1, the Member believed to be
granting or maintaining the subsidy practice in question shall enter into such
consultations as quickly as possible. The purpose of the consultations shall be
to clarify the facts of the situation and to arrive at a mutually agreed solution.

7.4 If consultations do not result in a mutually agreed solution within 60 days20,


any Member party to such consultations may refer the matter to the DSB for
the establishment of a panel, unless the DSB decides by consensus not to
establish a panel. The composition of the panel and its terms of reference shall
be established within 15 days from the date when it is established.

7.5 The panel shall review the matter and shall submit its final report to the parties
to the dispute. The report shall be circulated to all Members within 120 days of
the date of the composition and establishment of the panel’s terms of reference.

7.6 Within 30 days of the issuance of the panel’s report to all Members, the report
shall be adopted by the DSB21 unless one of the parties to the dispute formally
notifies the DSB of its decision to appeal or the DSB decides by consensus not
to adopt the report.

19
In the event that the request relates to a subsidy deemed to result in serious prejudice in terms of paragraph 1 of
Article 6, the available evidence of serious prejudice may be limited to the available evidence as to whether the
conditions of paragraph 1 of Article 6 have been met or not.
20
Any time‑periods mentioned in this Article may be extended by mutual agreement.
21
If a meeting of the DSB is not scheduled during this period, such a meeting shall be held for this purpose.

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7.7 Where a panel report is appealed, the Appellate Body shall issue its decision
within 60 days from the date when the party to the dispute formally notifies its
intention to appeal. When the Appellate Body considers that it cannot provide
its report within 60 days, it shall inform the DSB in writing of the reasons for
the delay together with an estimate of the period within which it will submit its
report. In no case shall the proceedings exceed 90 days. The appellate report
shall be adopted by the DSB and unconditionally accepted by the parties to the
dispute unless the DSB decides by consensus not to adopt the appellate report
within 20 days following its issuance to the Members.22

7.8 Where a panel report or an Appellate Body report is adopted in which it is


determined that any subsidy has resulted in adverse effects to the interests
of another Member within the meaning of Article 5, the Member granting or
maintaining such subsidy shall take appropriate steps to remove the adverse
effects or shall withdraw the subsidy.

7.9 In the event the Member has not taken appropriate steps to remove the adverse
effects of the subsidy or withdraw the subsidy within six months from the date
when the DSB adopts the panel report or the Appellate Body report, and in
the absence of agreement on compensation, the DSB shall grant authorization
to the complaining Member to take countermeasures, commensurate with the
degree and nature of the adverse effects determined to exist, unless the DSB
decides by consensus to reject the request.

7.10 In the event that a party to the dispute requests arbitration under paragraph 6 of
Article 22 of the DSU, the arbitrator shall determine whether the countermeasures
are commensurate with the degree and nature of the adverse effects determined
to exist.

22
If a meeting of the DSB is not scheduled during this period, such a meeting shall be held for this purpose.

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PART IV: NON‑ACTIONABLE SUBSIDIES

Article 8

Identification of Non‑Actionable Subsidies

8.1 The following subsidies shall be considered as non‑actionable23:

(a) subsidies which are not specific within the meaning of Article 2;

(b) subsidies which are specific within the meaning of Article 2 but which
meet all of the conditions provided for in paragraphs 2(a), 2(b) or 2(c)
below.

8.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of Parts III and V, the following subsidies shall
be non‑actionable:

(a) assistance for research activities conducted by firms or by higher education


or research establishments on a contract basis with firms if:24 ,25 ,26 the
assistance covers27 not more than 75 per cent of the costs of industrial

23
It is recognized that government assistance for various purposes is widely provided by Members and that the
mere fact that such assistance may not qualify for non‑actionable treatment under the provisions of this Article
does not in itself restrict the ability of Members to provide such assistance.
24
Since it is anticipated that civil aircraft will be subject to specific multilateral rules, the provisions of this
subparagraph do not apply to that product.
25
Not later than 18 months after the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement, the Committee on Subsidies
and Countervailing Measures provided for in Article 24 (referred to in this Agreement as “the Committee”) shall
review the operation of the provisions of subparagraph 2(a) with a view to making all necessary modifications to
improve the operation of these provisions. In its consideration of possible modifications, the Committee shall
carefully review the definitions of the categories set forth in this subparagraph in the light of the experience of
Members in the operation of research programmes and the work in other relevant international institutions.
26
The provisions of this Agreement do not apply to fundamental research activities independently conducted
by higher education or research establishments. The term “fundamental research” means an enlargement of
general scientific and technical knowledge not linked to industrial or commercial objectives.
27
The allowable levels of non‑actionable assistance referred to in this subparagraph shall be established by
reference to the total eligible costs incurred over the duration of an individual project.

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research28 or 50 per cent of the costs of pre‑competitive development


activity29, 30; and provided that such assistance is limited exclusively to:

(i) costs of personnel (researchers, technicians and other supporting


staff employed exclusively in the research activity);

(ii) costs of instruments, equipment, land and buildings used exclusively


and permanently (except when disposed of on a commercial basis)
for the research activity;

(iii) costs of consultancy and equivalent services used exclusively


for the research activity, including bought‑in research, technical
knowledge, patents, etc.;

(iv) additional overhead costs incurred directly as a result of the research


activity;

(v) other running costs (such as those of materials, supplies and the
like), incurred directly as a result of the research activity.

(b) assistance to disadvantaged regions within the territory of a Member


given pursuant to a general framework of regional development 31 and
non‑specific (within the meaning of Article 2) within eligible regions
provided that:
28
The term “industrial research” means planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new
knowledge, with the objective that such knowledge may be useful in developing new products, processes or
services, or in bringing about a significant improvement to existing products, processes or services.
29
The term “pre-competitive development activity” means the translation of industrial research findings into a
plan, blueprint or design for new, modified or improved products, processes or services whether intended for
sale or use, including the creation of a first prototype which would not be capable of commercial use. It may
further include the conceptual formulation and design of products, processes or services alternatives and initial
demonstration or pilot projects, provided that these same projects cannot be converted or used for industrial
application or commercial exploitation. It does not include routine or periodic alterations to existing products,
production lines, manufacturing processes, services, and other on-going operations even though those
alterations may represent improvements.
30
In the case of programmes which span industrial research and pre-competitive development activity, the
allowable level of non-actionable assistance shall not exceed the simple average of the allowable levels of non-
actionable assistance applicable to the above two categories, calculated on the basis of all eligible costs as set
forth in items (i) to (v) of this subparagraph.
31
A “general framework of regional development” means that regional subsidy programmes are part of an internally
consistent and generally applicable regional development policy and that regional development subsidies are
not granted in isolated geographical points having no, or virtually no, influence on the development of a region.

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(i) each disadvantaged region must be a clearly designated contiguous


geographical area with a definable economic and administrative
identity;

(ii) the region is considered as disadvantaged on the basis of neutral and


objective criteria32, indicating that the region’s difficulties arise out
of more than temporary circumstances; such criteria must be clearly
spelled out in law, regulation, or other official document, so as to be
capable of verification;

(iii) the criteria shall include a measurement of economic development


which shall be based on at least one of the following factors:

‑ one of either income per capita or household income per capita,


or GDP per capita, which must not be above 85 per cent of the
average for the territory concerned;

‑ unemployment rate, which must be at least 110 per cent of


the average for the territory concerned; as measured over a
three‑year period; such measurement, however, may be a
composite one and may include other factors.

(c) assistance to promote adaptation of existing facilities33 to new


environmental requirements imposed by law and/or regulations which
result in greater constraints and financial burden on firms, provided that
the assistance:

(i) is a one‑time non‑recurring measure; and

32
“Neutral and objective criteria” means criteria which do not favour certain regions beyond what is appropriate
for the elimination or reduction of regional disparities within the framework of the regional development
policy. In this regard, regional subsidy programmes shall include ceilings on the amount of assistance which
can be granted to each subsidized project. Such ceilings must be differentiated according to the different levels
of development of assisted regions and must be expressed in terms of investment costs or cost of job creation.
Within such ceilings, the distribution of assistance shall be sufficiently broad and even to avoid the predominant
use of a subsidy by, or the granting of disproportionately large amounts of subsidy to, certain enterprises as
provided for in Article 2.
33
The term “existing facilities” means facilities which have been in operation for at least two years at the time when
new environmental requirements are imposed.

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(ii) is limited to 20 per cent of the cost of adaptation; and

(iii) does not cover the cost of replacing and operating the assisted
investment, which must be fully borne by firms; and

(iv) is directly linked to and proportionate to a firm’s planned reduction


of nuisances and pollution, and does not cover any manufacturing
cost savings which may be achieved; and

(v) is available to all firms which can adopt the new equipment and/or
production processes.

8.3 A subsidy programme for which the provisions of paragraph 2 are invoked shall
be notified in advance of its implementation to the Committee in accordance
with the provisions of Part VII. Any such notification shall be sufficiently
precise to enable other Members to evaluate the consistency of the programme
with the conditions and criteria provided for in the relevant provisions of
paragraph 2. Members shall also provide the Committee with yearly updates of
such notifications, in particular by supplying information on global expenditure
for each programme, and on any modification of the programme. Other
Members shall have the right to request information about individual cases of
subsidization under a notified programme.34

8.4 Upon request of a Member, the Secretariat shall review a notification made
pursuant to paragraph 3 and, where necessary, may require additional
information from the subsidizing Member concerning the notified programme
under review. The Secretariat shall report its findings to the Committee. The
Committee shall, upon request, promptly review the findings of the Secretariat
(or, if a review by the Secretariat has not been requested, the notification itself),
with a view to determining whether the conditions and criteria laid down in
paragraph 2 have not been met. The procedure provided for in this paragraph
shall be completed at the latest at the first regular meeting of the Committee
following the notification of a subsidy programme, provided that at least two
34
It is recognized that nothing in this notification provision requires the provision of confidential information,
including confidential business information.

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months have elapsed between such notification and the regular meeting of the
Committee. The review procedure described in this paragraph shall also apply,
upon request, to substantial modifications of a programme notified in the yearly
updates referred to in paragraph 3.

8.5 Upon the request of a Member, the determination by the Committee referred to
in paragraph 4, or a failure by the Committee to make such a determination, as
well as the violation, in individual cases, of the conditions set out in a notified
programme, shall be submitted to binding arbitration. The arbitration body shall
present its conclusions to the Members within 120 days from the date when the
matter was referred to the arbitration body. Except as otherwise provided in this
paragraph, the DSU shall apply to arbitrations conducted under this paragraph.

Article 9

Consultations and Authorized Remedies

9.1 If, in the course of implementation of a programme referred to in paragraph 2


of Article 8, notwithstanding the fact that the programme is consistent with the
criteria laid down in that paragraph, a Member has reasons to believe that this
programme has resulted in serious adverse effects to the domestic industry of
that Member, such as to cause damage which would be difficult to repair, such
Member may request consultations with the Member granting or maintaining
the subsidy.

9.2 Upon request for consultations under paragraph 1, the Member granting
or maintaining the subsidy programme in question shall enter into such
consultations as quickly as possible. The purpose of the consultations shall
be to clarify the facts of the situation and to arrive at a mutually acceptable
solution.

9.3 If no mutually acceptable solution has been reached in consultations under


paragraph 2 within 60 days of the request for such consultations, the requesting
Member may refer the matter to the Committee.

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9.4 Where a matter is referred to the Committee, the Committee shall immediately
review the facts involved and the evidence of the effects referred to in
paragraph 1. If the Committee determines that such effects exist, it may
recommend to the subsidizing Member to modify this programme in such a way
as to remove these effects. The Committee shall present its conclusions within
120 days from the date when the matter is referred to it under paragraph 3. In the
event the recommendation is not followed within six months, the Committee
shall authorize the requesting Member to take appropriate countermeasures
commensurate with the nature and degree of the effects determined to exist.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

PART V: COUNTERVAILING MEASURES

Article 10

Application of Article VI of GATT 199435

Members shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the imposition of a
countervailing duty36 on any product of the territory of any Member imported into
the territory of another Member is in accordance with the provisions of Article VI
of GATT 1994 and the terms of this Agreement. Countervailing duties may only be
imposed pursuant to investigations initiated37 and conducted in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement and the Agreement on Agriculture.

Article 11

Initiation and Subsequent Investigation

11.1 Except as provided in paragraph 6, an investigation to determine the existence,


degree and effect of any alleged subsidy shall be initiated upon a written
application by or on behalf of the domestic industry.

11.2 An application under paragraph 1 shall include sufficient evidence of the


existence of (a) a subsidy and, if possible, its amount, (b) injury within the
meaning of Article VI of GATT 1994 as interpreted by this Agreement, and
(c) a causal link between the subsidized imports and the alleged injury. Simple
assertion, unsubstantiated by relevant evidence, cannot be considered sufficient
35
The provisions of Part II or III may be invoked in parallel with the provisions of Part V; however, with regard
to the effects of a particular subsidy in the domestic market of the importing Member, only one form of relief
(either a countervailing duty, if the requirements of Part V are met, or a countermeasure under Articles 4 or
7) shall be available. The provisions of Parts III and V shall not be invoked regarding measures considered
non‑actionable in accordance with the provisions of Part IV. However, measures referred to in paragraph 1(a)
of Article 8 may be investigated in order to determine whether or not they are specific within the meaning of
Article 2. In addition, in the case of a subsidy referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 8 conferred pursuant to a
programme which has not been notified in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 8, the provisions of Part III or
V may be invoked, but such subsidy shall be treated as non‑actionable if it is found to conform to the standards
set forth in paragraph 2 of Article 8.
36
The term “countervailing duty” shall be understood to mean a special duty levied for the purpose of offsetting
any subsidy bestowed directly or indirectly upon the manufacture, production or export of any merchandise, as
provided for in paragraph 3 of Article VI of GATT 1994.
37
The term “initiated” as used hereinafter means procedural action by which a Member formally commences an
investigation as provided in Article 11.

203
Article VI of GATT, 1994

to meet the requirements of this paragraph. The application shall contain such
information as is reasonably available to the applicant on the following:

(i) the identity of the applicant and a description of the volume and value
of the domestic production of the like product by the applicant. Where
a written application is made on behalf of the domestic industry, the
application shall identify the industry on behalf of which the application
is made by a list of all known domestic producers of the like product (or
associations of domestic producers of the like product) and, to the extent
possible, a description of the volume and value of domestic production of
the like product accounted for by such producers;

(ii) a complete description of the allegedly subsidized product, the names of


the country or countries of origin or export in question, the identity of
each known exporter or foreign producer and a list of known persons
importing the product in question;

(iii) evidence with regard to the existence, amount and nature of the subsidy in
question;

(iv) evidence that alleged injury to a domestic industry is caused by subsidized


imports through the effects of the subsidies; this evidence includes
information on the evolution of the volume of the allegedly subsidized
imports, the effect of these imports on prices of the like product in the
domestic market and the consequent impact of the imports on the domestic
industry, as demonstrated by relevant factors and indices having a bearing
on the state of the domestic industry, such as those listed in paragraphs 2
and 4 of Article 15.

11.3 The authorities shall review the accuracy and adequacy of the evidence provided
in the application to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to justify the
initiation of an investigation.

11.4 An investigation shall not be initiated pursuant to paragraph 1 unless the


authorities have determined, on the basis of an examination of the degree of

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

support for, or opposition to, the application expressed38 by domestic producers


of the like product, that the application has been made by or on behalf of the
domestic industry.39 The application shall be considered to have been made
“by or on behalf of the domestic industry” if it is supported by those domestic
producers whose collective output constitutes more than 50 per cent of the total
production of the like product produced by that portion of the domestic industry
expressing either support for or opposition to the application. However, no
investigation shall be initiated when domestic producers expressly supporting
the application account for less than 25 per cent of total production of the like
product produced by the domestic industry.

11.5 The authorities shall avoid, unless a decision has been made to initiate an
investigation, any publicizing of the application for the initiation of an
investigation.

11.6 If, in special circumstances, the authorities concerned decide to initiate an


investigation without having received a written application by or on behalf of a
domestic industry for the initiation of such investigation, they shall proceed only
if they have sufficient evidence of the existence of a subsidy, injury and causal
link, as described in paragraph 2, to justify the initiation of an investigation.

11.7 The evidence of both subsidy and injury shall be considered simultaneously
(a) in the decision whether or not to initiate an investigation and (b) thereafter,
during the course of the investigation, starting on a date not later than the earliest
date on which in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement provisional
measures may be applied.

11.8 In cases where products are not imported directly from the country of origin
but are exported to the importing Member from an intermediate country, the
provisions of this Agreement shall be fully applicable and the transaction or

38
In the case of fragmented industries involving an exceptionally large number of producers, authorities may
determine support and opposition by using statistically valid sampling techniques.
39
Members are aware that in the territory of certain Members employees of domestic producers of the like
product or representatives of those employees may make or support an application for an investigation under
paragraph 1.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

transactions shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be regarded as having


taken place between the country of origin and the importing Member.

11.9 An application under paragraph 1 shall be rejected and an investigation shall be


terminated promptly as soon as the authorities concerned are satisfied that there
is not sufficient evidence of either subsidization or of injury to justify proceeding
with the case. There shall be immediate termination in cases where the amount
of a subsidy is de minimis, or where the volume of subsidized imports, actual
or potential, or the injury, is negligible. For the purpose of this paragraph, the
amount of the subsidy shall be considered to be de minimis if the subsidy is less
than 1 per cent ad valorem.

11.10 An investigation shall not hinder the procedures of customs clearance.

11.11 Investigations shall, except in special circumstances, be concluded within one


year, and in no case more than 18 months, after their initiation.

Article 12

Evidence

12.1 Interested Members and all interested parties in a countervailing duty


investigation shall be given notice of the information which the authorities
require and ample opportunity to present in writing all evidence which they
consider relevant in respect of the investigation in question.

12.1.1 Exporters, foreign producers or interested Members receiving


questionnaires used in a countervailing duty investigation shall be given
at least 30 days for reply.40 Due consideration should be given to any
request for an extension of the 30‑day period and, upon cause shown, such
an extension should be granted whenever practicable.

40
As a general rule, the time‑limit for exporters shall be counted from the date of receipt of the questionnaire,
which for this purpose shall be deemed to have been received one week from the date on which it was sent to
the respondent or transmitted to the appropriate diplomatic representatives of the exporting Member or, in the
case of a separate customs territory Member of the WTO, an official representative of the exporting territory.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

12.1.2 Subject to the requirement to protect confidential information, evidence


presented in writing by one interested Member or interested party shall be
made available promptly to other interested Members or interested parties
participating in the investigation.

12.1.3 As soon as an investigation has been initiated, the authorities shall


provide the full text of the written application received under paragraph 1
of Article 11 to the known exporters41 and to the authorities of the exporting
Member and shall make it available, upon request, to other interested
parties involved. Due regard shall be paid to the protection of confidential
information, as provided for in paragraph 4.

12.2 Interested Members and interested parties also shall have the right, upon
justification, to present information orally. Where such information is
provided orally, the interested Members and interested parties subsequently
shall be required to reduce such submissions to writing. Any decision of the
investigating authorities can only be based on such information and arguments
as were on the written record of this authority and which were available to
interested Members and interested parties participating in the investigation, due
account having been given to the need to protect confidential information.

12.3 The authorities shall whenever practicable provide timely opportunities for all
interested Members and interested parties to see all information that is relevant to
the presentation of their cases, that is not confidential as defined in paragraph 4,
and that is used by the authorities in a countervailing duty investigation, and to
prepare presentations on the basis of this information.

12.4 Any information which is by nature confidential (for example, because its
disclosure would be of significant competitive advantage to a competitor or
because its disclosure would have a significantly adverse effect upon a person
supplying the information or upon a person from whom the supplier acquired
the information), or which is provided on a confidential basis by parties to an
41
It being understood that where the number of exporters involved is particularly high, the full text of the
application should instead be provided only to the authorities of the exporting Member or to the relevant trade
association who then should forward copies to the exporters concerned.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

investigation shall, upon good cause shown, be treated as such by the authorities.
Such information shall not be disclosed without specific permission of the party
submitting it.42

12.4.1 The authorities shall require interested Members or interested parties


providing confidential information to furnish non‑confidential summaries
thereof. These summaries shall be in sufficient detail to permit a
reasonable understanding of the substance of the information submitted
in confidence. In exceptional circumstances, such Members or parties
may indicate that such information is not susceptible of summary. In such
exceptional circumstances, a statement of the reasons why summarization
is not possible must be provided.

12.4.2 If the authorities find that a request for confidentiality is not warranted
and if the supplier of the information is either unwilling to make the
information public or to authorize its disclosure in generalized or
summary form, the authorities may disregard such information unless it
can be demonstrated to their satisfaction from appropriate sources that the
information is correct.43

12.5 Except in circumstances provided for in paragraph 7, the authorities shall


during the course of an investigation satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the
information supplied by interested Members or interested parties upon which
their findings are based.

12.6 The investigating authorities may carry out investigations in the territory of other
Members as required, provided that they have notified in good time the Member
in question and unless that Member objects to the investigation. Further, the
investigating authorities may carry out investigations on the premises of a firm
and may examine the records of a firm if (a) the firm so agrees and (b) the
Member in question is notified and does not object. The procedures set forth in
42
Members are aware that in the territory of certain Members disclosure pursuant to a narrowly-drawn protective
order may be required.
43
Members agree that requests for confidentiality should not be arbitrarily rejected. Members further agree that
the investigating authority may request the waiving of confidentiality only regarding information relevant to the
proceedings.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

Annex VI shall apply to investigations on the premises of a firm. Subject to the


requirement to protect confidential information, the authorities shall make the
results of any such investigations available, or shall provide disclosure thereof
pursuant to paragraph 8, to the firms to which they pertain and may make such
results available to the applicants.

12.7 In cases in which any interested Member or interested party refuses access to, or
otherwise does not provide, necessary information within a reasonable period
or significantly impedes the investigation, preliminary and final determinations,
affirmative or negative, may be made on the basis of the facts available.

12.8 The authorities shall, before a final determination is made, inform all interested
Members and interested parties of the essential facts under consideration which
form the basis for the decision whether to apply definitive measures. Such
disclosure should take place in sufficient time for the parties to defend their
interests.

12.9 For the purposes of this Agreement, “interested parties” shall include:

(i) an exporter or foreign producer or the importer of a product subject to


investigation, or a trade or business association a majority of the members
of which are producers, exporters or importers of such product; and

(ii) a producer of the like product in the importing Member or a trade and
business association a majority of the members of which produce the like
product in the territory of the importing Member.

This list shall not preclude Members from allowing domestic or foreign
parties other than those mentioned above to be included as interested
parties.

12.10 The authorities shall provide opportunities for industrial users of the product
under investigation, and for representative consumer organizations in cases
where the product is commonly sold at the retail level, to provide information

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

which is relevant to the investigation regarding subsidization, injury and


causality.

12.11 The authorities shall take due account of any difficulties experienced by
interested parties, in particular small companies, in supplying information
requested, and shall provide any assistance practicable.

12.12 The procedures set out above are not intended to prevent the authorities of a
Member from proceeding expeditiously with regard to initiating an investigation,
reaching preliminary or final determinations, whether affirmative or negative,
or from applying provisional or final measures, in accordance with relevant
provisions of this Agreement.

Article 13

Consultations

13.1 As soon as possible after an application under Article 11 is accepted, and in any
event before the initiation of any investigation, Members the products of which
may be subject to such investigation shall be invited for consultations with the
aim of clarifying the situation as to the matters referred to in paragraph 2 of
Article 11 and arriving at a mutually agreed solution.

13.2 Furthermore, throughout the period of investigation, Members the products


of which are the subject of the investigation shall be afforded a reasonable
opportunity to continue consultations, with a view to clarifying the factual
situation and to arriving at a mutually agreed solution.44

13.3 Without prejudice to the obligation to afford reasonable opportunity for


consultation, these provisions regarding consultations are not intended to
prevent the authorities of a Member from proceeding expeditiously with regard
to initiating the investigation, reaching preliminary or final determinations,

44
It is particularly important, in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph that no affirmative determination
whether preliminary or final be made without reasonable opportunity for consultations having been given. Such
consultations may establish the basis for proceeding under the provisions of Part II, III or X.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

whether affirmative or negative, or from applying provisional or final measures,


in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

13.4 The Member which intends to initiate any investigation or is conducting such an
investigation shall permit, upon request, the Member or Members the products
of which are subject to such investigation access to non‑confidential evidence,
including the non‑confidential summary of confidential data being used for
initiating or conducting the investigation.

Article 14

Calculation of the Amount of a Subsidy in Terms


of the Benefit to the Recipient

For the purpose of Part V, any method used by the investigating authority to
calculate the benefit to the recipient conferred pursuant to paragraph 1 of Article 1
shall be provided for in the national legislation or implementing regulations of the
Member concerned and its application to each particular case shall be transparent and
adequately explained. Furthermore, any such method shall be consistent with the
following guidelines:

(a) government provision of equity capital shall not be considered as conferring


a benefit, unless the investment decision can be regarded as inconsistent
with the usual investment practice (including for the provision of risk
capital) of private investors in the territory of that Member;

(b) a loan by a government shall not be considered as conferring a benefit,


unless there is a difference between the amount that the firm receiving the
loan pays on the government loan and the amount the firm would pay on a
comparable commercial loan which the firm could actually obtain on the
market. In this case the benefit shall be the difference between these two
amounts;

(c) a loan guarantee by a government shall not be considered as conferring


a benefit, unless there is a difference between the amount that the firm

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

receiving the guarantee pays on a loan guaranteed by the government and


the amount that the firm would pay on a comparable commercial loan
absent the government guarantee. In this case the benefit shall be the
difference between these two amounts adjusted for any differences in
fees;

(d) the provision of goods or services or purchase of goods by a government


shall not be considered as conferring a benefit unless the provision is
made for less than adequate remuneration, or the purchase is made for
more than adequate remuneration. The adequacy of remuneration shall
be determined in relation to prevailing market conditions for the good or
service in question in the country of provision or purchase (including price,
quality, availability, marketability, transportation and other conditions of
purchase or sale).

Article 15

Determination of Injury45

15.1 A determination of injury for purposes of Article VI of GATT 1994 shall be


based on positive evidence and involve an objective examination of both (a) the
volume of the subsidized imports and the effect of the subsidized imports on
prices in the domestic market for like products46 and (b) the consequent impact
of these imports on the domestic producers of such products.

45
Under this Agreement the term “injury” shall, unless otherwise specified, be taken to mean material injury to a
domestic industry, threat of material injury to a domestic industry or material retardation of the establishment
of such an industry and shall be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
46
Throughout this Agreement the term “like product” (“produit similaire”) shall be interpreted to mean a product
which is identical, i.e. alike in all respects to the product under consideration, or in the absence of such a
product, another product which, although not alike in all respects, has characteristics closely resembling those
of the product under consideration.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

15.2 With regard to the volume of the subsidized imports, the investigating authorities
shall consider whether there has been a significant increase in subsidized
imports, either in absolute terms or relative to production or consumption in
the importing Member. With regard to the effect of the subsidized imports
on prices, the investigating authorities shall consider whether there has been a
significant price undercutting by the subsidized imports as compared with the
price of a like product of the importing Member, or whether the effect of such
imports is otherwise to depress prices to a significant degree or to prevent price
increases, which otherwise would have occurred, to a significant degree. No
one or several of these factors can necessarily give decisive guidance.

15.3 Where imports of a product from more than one country are simultaneously
subject to countervailing duty investigations, the investigating authorities may
cumulatively assess the effects of such imports only if they determine that
(a) the amount of subsidization established in relation to the imports from each
country is more than de minimis as defined in paragraph 9 of Article 11 and the
volume of imports from each country is not negligible and (b) a cumulative
assessment of the effects of the imports is appropriate in light of the conditions
of competition between the imported products and the conditions of competition
between the imported products and the like domestic product.

15.4 The examination of the impact of the subsidized imports on the domestic industry
shall include an evaluation of all relevant economic factors and indices having
a bearing on the state of the industry, including actual and potential decline
in output, sales, market share, profits, productivity, return on investments, or
utilization of capacity; factors affecting domestic prices; actual and potential
negative effects on cash flow, inventories, employment, wages, growth, ability
to raise capital or investments and, in the case of agriculture, whether there has
been an increased burden on government support programmes. This list is not
exhaustive, nor can one or several of these factors necessarily give decisive
guidance.

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15.5 It must be demonstrated that the subsidized imports are, through the effects47
of subsidies, causing injury within the meaning of this Agreement. The
demonstration of a causal relationship between the subsidized imports and the
injury to the domestic industry shall be based on an examination of all relevant
evidence before the authorities. The authorities shall also examine any known
factors other than the subsidized imports which at the same time are injuring
the domestic industry, and the injuries caused by these other factors must not
be attributed to the subsidized imports. Factors which may be relevant in this
respect include, inter alia, the volumes and prices of non‑subsidized imports
of the product in question, contraction in demand or changes in the patterns
of consumption, trade restrictive practices of and competition between the
foreign and domestic producers, developments in technology and the export
performance and productivity of the domestic industry.

15.6 The effect of the subsidized imports shall be assessed in relation to the
domestic production of the like product when available data permit the
separate identification of that production on the basis of such criteria as the
production process, producers’ sales and profits. If such separate identification
of that production is not possible, the effects of the subsidized imports shall
be assessed by the examination of the production of the narrowest group or
range of products, which includes the like product, for which the necessary
information can be provided.

15.7 A determination of a threat of material injury shall be based on facts and


not merely on allegation, conjecture or remote possibility. The change in
circumstances which would create a situation in which the subsidy would cause
injury must be clearly foreseen and imminent. In making a determination
regarding the existence of a threat of material injury, the investigating authorities
should consider, inter alia, such factors as:

(i) nature of the subsidy or subsidies in question and the trade effects likely
to arise therefrom;
47
As set forth in paragraphs 2 and 4.

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(ii) a significant rate of increase of subsidized imports into the domestic


market indicating the likelihood of substantially increased importation;

(iii) sufficient freely disposable, or an imminent, substantial increase in,


capacity of the exporter indicating the likelihood of substantially increased
subsidized exports to the importing Member’s market, taking into account
the availability of other export markets to absorb any additional exports;

(iv) whether imports are entering at prices that will have a significant
depressing or suppressing effect on domestic prices, and would likely
increase demand for further imports; and

(v) inventories of the product being investigated.

No one of these factors by itself can necessarily give decisive guidance


but the totality of the factors considered must lead to the conclusion that
further subsidized exports are imminent and that, unless protective action
is taken, material injury would occur.

15.8 With respect to cases where injury is threatened by subsidized imports, the
application of countervailing measures shall be considered and decided with
special care.

Article 16

Definition of Domestic Industry

16.1 For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “domestic industry” shall, except
as provided in paragraph 2, be interpreted as referring to the domestic producers
as a whole of the like products or to those of them whose collective output of
the products constitutes a major proportion of the total domestic production
of those products, except that when producers are related48 to the exporters
48
For the purpose of this paragraph, producers shall be deemed to be related to exporters or importers only if (a)
one of them directly or indirectly controls the other; or (b) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled
by a third person; or (c) together they directly or indirectly control a third person, provided that there are
grounds for believing or suspecting that the effect of the relationship is such as to cause the producer concerned
to behave differently from non-related producers. For the purpose of this paragraph, one shall be deemed to
control another when the former is legally or operationally in a position to exercise restraint or direction over

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or importers or are themselves importers of the allegedly subsidized product


or a like product from other countries, the term “domestic industry” may be
interpreted as referring to the rest of the producers.

16.2 In exceptional circumstances, the territory of a Member may, for the production
in question, be divided into two or more competitive markets and the producers
within each market may be regarded as a separate industry if (a) the producers
within such market sell all or almost all of their production of the product in
question in that market, and (b) the demand in that market is not to any substantial
degree supplied by producers of the product in question located elsewhere in
the territory. In such circumstances, injury may be found to exist even where
a major portion of the total domestic industry is not injured, provided there is a
concentration of subsidized imports into such an isolated market and provided
further that the subsidized imports are causing injury to the producers of all or
almost all of the production within such market.

16.3 When the domestic industry has been interpreted as referring to the producers in
a certain area, i.e. a market as defined in paragraph 2, countervailing duties shall
be levied only on the products in question consigned for final consumption to
that area. When the constitutional law of the importing Member does not permit
the levying of countervailing duties on such a basis, the importing Member
may levy the countervailing duties without limitation only if (a) the exporters
shall have been given an opportunity to cease exporting at subsidized prices
to the area concerned or otherwise give assurances pursuant to Article 18, and
adequate assurances in this regard have not been promptly given, and (b) such
duties cannot be levied only on products of specific producers which supply the
area in question.

16.4 Where two or more countries have reached under the provisions of paragraph 8(a)
of Article XXIV of GATT 1994 such a level of integration that they have the
characteristics of a single, unified market, the industry in the entire area of
integration shall be taken to be the domestic industry referred to in paragraphs 1
and 2.
the latter.

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16.5 The provisions of paragraph 6 of Article 15 shall be applicable to this Article.

Article 17

Provisional Measures

17.1 Provisional measures may be applied only if:

(a) an investigation has been initiated in accordance with the provisions of


Article 11, a public notice has been given to that effect and interested
Members and interested parties have been given adequate opportunities
to submit information and make comments;

(b) a preliminary affirmative determination has been made that a subsidy


exists and that there is injury to a domestic industry caused by subsidized
imports; and

(c) the authorities concerned judge such measures necessary to prevent injury
being caused during the investigation.

17.2 Provisional measures may take the form of provisional countervailing duties
guaranteed by cash deposits or bonds equal to the amount of the provisionally
calculated amount of subsidization.

17.3 Provisional measures shall not be applied sooner than 60 days from the date of
initiation of the investigation.

17.4 The application of provisional measures shall be limited to as short a period as


possible, not exceeding four months.

17.5 The relevant provisions of Article 19 shall be followed in the application of


provisional measures.

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Article 18

Undertakings

18.1 Proceedings may49 be suspended or terminated without the imposition of


provisional measures or countervailing duties upon receipt of satisfactory
voluntary undertakings under which:

(a) the government of the exporting Member agrees to eliminate or limit the
subsidy or take other measures concerning its effects; or

(b) the exporter agrees to revise its prices so that the investigating authorities
are satisfied that the injurious effect of the subsidy is eliminated. Price
increases under such undertakings shall not be higher than necessary to
eliminate the amount of the subsidy. It is desirable that the price increases
be less than the amount of the subsidy if such increases would be adequate
to remove the injury to the domestic industry.

18.2 Undertakings shall not be sought or accepted unless the authorities of the
importing Member have made a preliminary affirmative determination of
subsidization and injury caused by such subsidization and, in case of undertakings
from exporters, have obtained the consent of the exporting Member.

18.3 Undertakings offered need not be accepted if the authorities of the importing
Member consider their acceptance impractical, for example if the number of
actual or potential exporters is too great, or for other reasons, including reasons
of general policy. Should the case arise and where practicable, the authorities
shall provide to the exporter the reasons which have led them to consider
acceptance of an undertaking as inappropriate, and shall, to the extent possible,
give the exporter an opportunity to make comments thereon.

18.4 If an undertaking is accepted, the investigation of subsidization and injury shall


nevertheless be completed if the exporting Member so desires or the importing
Member so decides. In such a case, if a negative determination of subsidization
49
The word “may” shall not be interpreted to allow the simultaneous continuation of proceedings with the
implementation of undertakings, except as provided in paragraph 4.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

or injury is made, the undertaking shall automatically lapse, except in cases


where such a determination is due in large part to the existence of an undertaking.
In such cases, the authorities concerned may require that an undertaking
be maintained for a reasonable period consistent with the provisions of this
Agreement. In the event that an affirmative determination of subsidization and
injury is made, the undertaking shall continue consistent with its terms and the
provisions of this Agreement.

18.5 Price undertakings may be suggested by the authorities of the importing


Member, but no exporter shall be forced to enter into such undertakings. The
fact that governments or exporters do not offer such undertakings, or do not
accept an invitation to do so, shall in no way prejudice the consideration of the
case. However, the authorities are free to determine that a threat of injury is
more likely to be realized if the subsidized imports continue.

18.6 Authorities of an importing Member may require any government or exporter


from whom an undertaking has been accepted to provide periodically information
relevant to the fulfilment of such an undertaking, and to permit verification
of pertinent data. In case of violation of an undertaking, the authorities of
the importing Member may take, under this Agreement in conformity with its
provisions, expeditious actions which may constitute immediate application
of provisional measures using the best information available. In such cases,
definitive duties may be levied in accordance with this Agreement on products
entered for consumption not more than 90 days before the application of such
provisional measures, except that any such retroactive assessment shall not
apply to imports entered before the violation of the undertaking.

Article 19

Imposition and Collection of Countervailing Duties

19.1 If, after reasonable efforts have been made to complete consultations, a Member
makes a final determination of the existence and amount of the subsidy and that,
through the effects of the subsidy, the subsidized imports are causing injury,

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

it may impose a countervailing duty in accordance with the provisions of this


Article unless the subsidy or subsidies are withdrawn.

19.2 The decision whether or not to impose a countervailing duty in cases where all
requirements for the imposition have been fulfilled, and the decision whether
the amount of the countervailing duty to be imposed shall be the full amount
of the subsidy or less, are decisions to be made by the authorities of the
importing Member. It is desirable that the imposition should be permissive in
the territory of all Members, that the duty should be less than the total amount
of the subsidy if such lesser duty would be adequate to remove the injury to
the domestic industry, and that procedures should be established which would
allow the authorities concerned to take due account of representations made by
domestic interested parties50 whose interests might be adversely affected by the
imposition of a countervailing duty.

19.3 When a countervailing duty is imposed in respect of any product, such


countervailing duty shall be levied, in the appropriate amounts in each case, on
a non‑discriminatory basis on imports of such product from all sources found
to be subsidized and causing injury, except as to imports from those sources
which have renounced any subsidies in question or from which undertakings
under the terms of this Agreement have been accepted. Any exporter whose
exports are subject to a definitive countervailing duty but who was not actually
investigated for reasons other than a refusal to cooperate, shall be entitled to an
expedited review in order that the investigating authorities promptly establish
an individual countervailing duty rate for that exporter.

19.4 No countervailing duty shall be levied51 on any imported product in excess of


the amount of the subsidy found to exist, calculated in terms of subsidization
per unit of the subsidized and exported product.

50
For the purpose of this paragraph, the term “domestic interested parties” shall include consumers and industrial
users of the imported product subject to investigation.
51
As used in this Agreement “levy” shall mean the definitive or final legal assessment or collection of a duty or tax.

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Article 20

Retroactivity

20.1 Provisional measures and countervailing duties shall only be applied to


products which enter for consumption after the time when the decision under
paragraph 1 of Article 17 and paragraph 1 of Article 19, respectively, enters into
force, subject to the exceptions set out in this Article.

20.2 Where a final determination of injury (but not of a threat thereof or of a material
retardation of the establishment of an industry) is made or, in the case of a final
determination of a threat of injury, where the effect of the subsidized imports
would, in the absence of the provisional measures, have led to a determination
of injury, countervailing duties may be levied retroactively for the period for
which provisional measures, if any, have been applied.

20.3 If the definitive countervailing duty is higher than the amount guaranteed by
the cash deposit or bond, the difference shall not be collected. If the definitive
duty is less than the amount guaranteed by the cash deposit or bond, the excess
amount shall be reimbursed or the bond released in an expeditious manner.

20.4 Except as provided in paragraph 2, where a determination of threat of injury


or material retardation is made (but no injury has yet occurred) a definitive
countervailing duty may be imposed only from the date of the determination
of threat of injury or material retardation, and any cash deposit made during
the period of the application of provisional measures shall be refunded and any
bonds released in an expeditious manner.

20.5 Where a final determination is negative, any cash deposit made during the
period of the application of provisional measures shall be refunded and any
bonds released in an expeditious manner.

20.6 In critical circumstances where for the subsidized product in question the
authorities find that injury which is difficult to repair is caused by massive
imports in a relatively short period of a product benefiting from subsidies

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paid or bestowed inconsistently with the provisions of GATT 1994 and of this
Agreement and where it is deemed necessary, in order to preclude the recurrence
of such injury, to assess countervailing duties retroactively on those imports,
the definitive countervailing duties may be assessed on imports which were
entered for consumption not more than 90 days prior to the date of application
of provisional measures.

Article 21

Duration and Review of Countervailing Duties and Undertakings

21.1 A countervailing duty shall remain in force only as long as and to the extent
necessary to counteract subsidization which is causing injury.

21.2 The authorities shall review the need for the continued imposition of the duty,
where warranted, on their own initiative or, provided that a reasonable period
of time has elapsed since the imposition of the definitive countervailing duty,
upon request by any interested party which submits positive information
substantiating the need for a review. Interested parties shall have the right
to request the authorities to examine whether the continued imposition of the
duty is necessary to offset subsidization, whether the injury would be likely to
continue or recur if the duty were removed or varied, or both. If, as a result of the
review under this paragraph, the authorities determine that the countervailing
duty is no longer warranted, it shall be terminated immediately.

21.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, any definitive


countervailing duty shall be terminated on a date not later than five years from
its imposition (or from the date of the most recent review under paragraph 2 if
that review has covered both subsidization and injury, or under this paragraph),
unless the authorities determine, in a review initiated before that date on their
own initiative or upon a duly substantiated request made by or on behalf of
the domestic industry within a reasonable period of time prior to that date, that
the expiry of the duty would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of

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subsidization and injury.52 The duty may remain in force pending the outcome
of such a review.

21.4 The provisions of Article 12 regarding evidence and procedure shall apply to
any review carried out under this Article. Any such review shall be carried out
expeditiously and shall normally be concluded within 12 months of the date of
initiation of the review.

21.5 The provisions of this Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to undertakings
accepted under Article 18.

Article 22

Public Notice and Explanation of Determinations

22.1 When the authorities are satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to justify the
initiation of an investigation pursuant to Article 11, the Member or Members
the products of which are subject to such investigation and other interested
parties known to the investigating authorities to have an interest therein shall be
notified and a public notice shall be given.

22.2 A public notice of the initiation of an investigation shall contain, or otherwise


make available through a separate report53, adequate information on the
following:

(i) the name of the exporting country or countries and the product involved;

(ii) the date of initiation of the investigation;

(iii) a description of the subsidy practice or practices to be investigated;

(iv) a summary of the factors on which the allegation of injury is based;

52
When the amount of the countervailing duty is assessed on a retrospective basis, a finding in the most recent
assessment proceeding that no duty is to be levied shall not by itself require the authorities to terminate the
definitive duty.
53
Where authorities provide information and explanations under the provisions of this Article in a separate
report, they shall ensure that such report is readily available to the public.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

(v) the address to which representations by interested Members and interested


parties should be directed; and

(vi) the time‑limits allowed to interested Members and interested parties for
making their views known.

22.3 Public notice shall be given of any preliminary or final determination, whether
affirmative or negative, of any decision to accept an undertaking pursuant to
Article 18, of the termination of such an undertaking, and of the termination of
a definitive countervailing duty. Each such notice shall set forth, or otherwise
make available through a separate report, in sufficient detail the findings and
conclusions reached on all issues of fact and law considered material by the
investigating authorities. All such notices and reports shall be forwarded to the
Member or Members the products of which are subject to such determination or
undertaking and to other interested parties known to have an interest therein.

22.4 A public notice of the imposition of provisional measures shall set forth, or
otherwise make available through a separate report, sufficiently detailed
explanations for the preliminary determinations on the existence of a subsidy
and injury and shall refer to the matters of fact and law which have led to
arguments being accepted or rejected. Such a notice or report shall, due regard
being paid to the requirement for the protection of confidential information,
contain in particular:

(i) the names of the suppliers or, when this is impracticable, the supplying
countries involved;

(ii) a description of the product which is sufficient for customs purposes;

(iii) the amount of subsidy established and the basis on which the existence of
a subsidy has been determined;

(iv) considerations relevant to the injury determination as set out in Article 15;

(v) the main reasons leading to the determination.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

22.5 A public notice of conclusion or suspension of an investigation in the case of


an affirmative determination providing for the imposition of a definitive duty
or the acceptance of an undertaking shall contain, or otherwise make available
through a separate report, all relevant information on the matters of fact and law
and reasons which have led to the imposition of final measures or the acceptance
of an undertaking, due regard being paid to the requirement for the protection
of confidential information. In particular, the notice or report shall contain the
information described in paragraph 4, as well as the reasons for the acceptance
or rejection of relevant arguments or claims made by interested Members and
by the exporters and importers.

22.6 A public notice of the termination or suspension of an investigation following


the acceptance of an undertaking pursuant to Article 18 shall include, or
otherwise make available through a separate report, the non‑confidential part of
this undertaking.

22.7 The provisions of this Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the initiation and
completion of reviews pursuant to Article 21 and to decisions under Article 20
to apply duties retroactively.

Article 23

Judicial Review

Each Member whose national legislation contains provisions on countervailing


duty measures shall maintain judicial, arbitral or administrative tribunals or procedures
for the purpose, inter alia, of the prompt review of administrative actions relating
to final determinations and reviews of determinations within the meaning of Article
21. Such tribunals or procedures shall be independent of the authorities responsible
for the determination or review in question, and shall provide all interested parties
who participated in the administrative proceeding and are directly and individually
affected by the administrative actions with access to review.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

PART VI: INSTITUTIONS

Article 24

Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures


and Subsidiary Bodies

24.1 There is hereby established a Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing


Measures composed of representatives from each of the Members. The
Committee shall elect its own Chairman and shall meet not less than twice a
year and otherwise as envisaged by relevant provisions of this Agreement at
the request of any Member. The Committee shall carry out responsibilities
as assigned to it under this Agreement or by the Members and it shall afford
Members the opportunity of consulting on any matter relating to the operation
of the Agreement or the furtherance of its objectives. The WTO Secretariat
shall act as the secretariat to the Committee.

24.2 The Committee may set up subsidiary bodies as appropriate.

24.3 The Committee shall establish a Permanent Group of Experts composed of


five independent persons, highly qualified in the fields of subsidies and trade
relations. The experts will be elected by the Committee and one of them will be
replaced every year. The PGE may be requested to assist a panel, as provided
for in paragraph 5 of Article 4. The Committee may also seek an advisory
opinion on the existence and nature of any subsidy.

24.4 The PGE may be consulted by any Member and may give advisory opinions
on the nature of any subsidy proposed to be introduced or currently maintained
by that Member. Such advisory opinions will be confidential and may not be
invoked in proceedings under Article 7.

24.5 In carrying out their functions, the Committee and any subsidiary bodies may
consult with and seek information from any source they deem appropriate.
However, before the Committee or a subsidiary body seeks such information

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from a source within the jurisdiction of a Member, it shall inform the Member
involved.

PART VII: NOTIFICATION AND SURVEILLANCE

Article 25

Notifications

25.1 Members agree that, without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 1 of


Article XVI of GATT 1994, their notifications of subsidies shall be submitted
not later than 30 June of each year and shall conform to the provisions of
paragraphs 2 through 6.

25.2 Members shall notify any subsidy as defined in paragraph 1 of Article 1, which
is specific within the meaning of Article 2, granted or maintained within their
territories.

25.3 The content of notifications should be sufficiently specific to enable other


Members to evaluate the trade effects and to understand the operation of notified
subsidy programmes. In this connection, and without prejudice to the contents
and form of the questionnaire on subsidies54, Members shall ensure that their
notifications contain the following information:

(i) form of a subsidy (i.e. grant, loan, tax concession, etc.);

(ii) subsidy per unit or, in cases where this is not possible, the total amount or
the annual amount budgeted for that subsidy (indicating, if possible, the
average subsidy per unit in the previous year);

(iii) policy objective and/or purpose of a subsidy;

(iv) duration of a subsidy and/or any other time‑limits attached to it;

(v) statistical data permitting an assessment of the trade effects of a subsidy.

54
The Committee shall establish a Working Party to review the contents and form of the questionnaire as
contained in BISD 9S/193‑194.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

25.4 Where specific points in paragraph 3 have not been addressed in a notification,
an explanation shall be provided in the notification itself.

25.5 If subsidies are granted to specific products or sectors, the notifications should
be organized by product or sector.

25.6 Members which consider that there are no measures in their territories requiring
notification under paragraph 1 of Article XVI of GATT 1994 and this Agreement
shall so inform the Secretariat in writing.

25.7 Members recognize that notification of a measure does not prejudge either
its legal status under GATT 1994 and this Agreement, the effects under this
Agreement, or the nature of the measure itself.

25.8 Any Member may, at any time, make a written request for information on the
nature and extent of any subsidy granted or maintained by another Member
(including any subsidy referred to in Part IV), or for an explanation of the
reasons for which a specific measure has been considered as not subject to the
requirement of notification.

25.9 Members so requested shall provide such information as quickly as possible


and in a comprehensive manner, and shall be ready, upon request, to provide
additional information to the requesting Member. In particular, they shall
provide sufficient details to enable the other Member to assess their compliance
with the terms of this Agreement. Any Member which considers that such
information has not been provided may bring the matter to the attention of the
Committee.

25.10 Any Member which considers that any measure of another Member having the
effects of a subsidy has not been notified in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph 1 of Article XVI of GATT 1994 and this Article may bring the matter
to the attention of such other Member. If the alleged subsidy is not thereafter
notified promptly, such Member may itself bring the alleged subsidy in question
to the notice of the Committee.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

25.11 Members shall report without delay to the Committee all preliminary or
final actions taken with respect to countervailing duties. Such reports shall
be available in the Secretariat for inspection by other Members. Members
shall also submit, on a semi‑annual basis, reports on any countervailing duty
actions taken within the preceding six months. The semi‑annual reports shall
be submitted on an agreed standard form.

25.12 Each Member shall notify the Committee (a) which of its authorities are
competent to initiate and conduct investigations referred to in Article 11
and (b) its domestic procedures governing the initiation and conduct of such
investigations.

Article 26

Surveillance

26.1 The Committee shall examine new and full notifications submitted under
paragraph 1 of Article XVI of GATT 1994 and paragraph 1 of Article 25 of this
Agreement at special sessions held every third year. Notifications submitted in
the intervening years (updating notifications) shall be examined at each regular
meeting of the Committee.

26.2 The Committee shall examine reports submitted under paragraph 11 of Article 25
at each regular meeting of the Committee.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

PART VIII: DEVELOPING COUNTRY MEMBERS

Article 27

Special and Differential Treatment of Developing Country Members

27.1 Members recognize that subsidies may play an important role in economic
development programmes of developing country Members.

27.2 The prohibition of paragraph 1(a) of Article 3 shall not apply to:

(a) developing country Members referred to in Annex VII.

(b) other developing country Members for a period of eight years from the
date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement, subject to compliance
with the provisions in paragraph 4.

27.3 The prohibition of paragraph 1(b) of Article 3 shall not apply to developing
country Members for a period of five years, and shall not apply to least developed
country Members for a period of eight years, from the date of entry into force of
the WTO Agreement.

27.4 Any developing country Member referred to in paragraph 2(b) shall phase out
its export subsidies within the eight‑year period, preferably in a progressive
manner. However, a developing country Member shall not increase the level
of its export subsidies55, and shall eliminate them within a period shorter than
that provided for in this paragraph when the use of such export subsidies is
inconsistent with its development needs. If a developing country Member deems
it necessary to apply such subsidies beyond the 8‑year period, it shall not later
than one year before the expiry of this period enter into consultation with the
Committee, which will determine whether an extension of this period is justified,
after examining all the relevant economic, financial and development needs
of the developing country Member in question. If the Committee determines
that the extension is justified, the developing country Member concerned shall
55
For a developing country Member not granting export subsidies as of the date of entry into force of the WTO
Agreement, this paragraph shall apply on the basis of the level of export subsidies granted in 1986.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

hold annual consultations with the Committee to determine the necessity of


maintaining the subsidies. If no such determination is made by the Committee,
the developing country Member shall phase out the remaining export subsidies
within two years from the end of the last authorized period.

27.5 A developing country Member which has reached export competitiveness in


any given product shall phase out its export subsidies for such product(s) over
a period of two years. However, for a developing country Member which is
referred to in Annex VII and which has reached export competitiveness in one
or more products, export subsidies on such products shall be gradually phased
out over a period of eight years.

27.6 Export competitiveness in a product exists if a developing country Member’s


exports of that product have reached a share of at least 3.25 per cent in world
trade of that product for two consecutive calendar years. Export competitiveness
shall exist either (a) on the basis of notification by the developing country
Member having reached export competitiveness, or (b) on the basis of a
computation undertaken by the Secretariat at the request of any Member. For
the purpose of this paragraph, a product is defined as a section heading of the
Harmonized System Nomenclature. The Committee shall review the operation
of this provision five years from the date of the entry into force of the WTO
Agreement.

27.7 The provisions of Article 4 shall not apply to a developing country Member
in the case of export subsidies which are in conformity with the provisions of
paragraphs 2 through 5. The relevant provisions in such a case shall be those of
Article 7.

27.8 There shall be no presumption in terms of paragraph 1 of Article 6 that a subsidy


granted by a developing country Member results in serious prejudice, as defined
in this Agreement. Such serious prejudice, where applicable under the terms of
paragraph 9, shall be demonstrated by positive evidence, in accordance with the
provisions of paragraphs 3 through 8 of Article 6.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

27.9 Regarding actionable subsidies granted or maintained by a developing country


Member other than those referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 6, action may
not be authorized or taken under Article 7 unless nullification or impairment
of tariff concessions or other obligations under GATT 1994 is found to exist as
a result of such a subsidy, in such a way as to displace or impede imports of a
like product of another Member into the market of the subsidizing developing
country Member or unless injury to a domestic industry in the market of an
importing Member occurs.

27.10 Any countervailing duty investigation of a product originating in a developing


country Member shall be terminated as soon as the authorities concerned
determine that:

(a) the overall level of subsidies granted upon the product in question does
not exceed 2 per cent of its value calculated on a per unit basis; or

(b) the volume of the subsidized imports represents less than 4 per cent of
the total imports of the like product in the importing Member, unless
imports from developing country Members whose individual shares of
total imports represent less than 4 per cent collectively account for more
than 9 per cent of the total imports of the like product in the importing
Member.

27.11 For those developing country Members within the scope of paragraph 2(b)
which have eliminated export subsidies prior to the expiry of the period of
eight years from the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement, and for
those developing country Members referred to in Annex VII, the number in
paragraph 10(a) shall be 3 per cent rather than 2 per cent. This provision shall
apply from the date that the elimination of export subsidies is notified to the
Committee, and for so long as export subsidies are not granted by the notifying
developing country Member. This provision shall expire eight years from the
date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement.

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27.12 The provisions of paragraphs 10 and 11 shall govern any determination of


de minimis under paragraph 3 of Article 15.

27.13 The provisions of Part III shall not apply to direct forgiveness of debts,
subsidies to cover social costs, in whatever form, including relinquishment of
government revenue and other transfer of liabilities when such subsidies are
granted within and directly linked to a privatization programme of a developing
country Member, provided that both such programme and the subsidies involved
are granted for a limited period and notified to the Committee and that the
programme results in eventual privatization of the enterprise concerned.

27.14 The Committee shall, upon request by an interested Member, undertake a


review of a specific export subsidy practice of a developing country Member
to examine whether the practice is in conformity with its development needs.

27.15 The Committee shall, upon request by an interested developing country Member,
undertake a review of a specific countervailing measure to examine whether it
is consistent with the provisions of paragraphs 10 and 11 as applicable to the
developing country Member in question.

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PART IX: TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Article 28

Existing Programmes

28.1 Subsidy programmes which have been established within the territory of any
Member before the date on which such a Member signed the WTO Agreement
and which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement shall be:

(a) notified to the Committee not later than 90 days after the date of entry into
force of the WTO Agreement for such Member; and

(b) brought into conformity with the provisions of this Agreement within
three years of the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement for such
Member and until then shall not be subject to Part II.

28.2 No Member shall extend the scope of any such programme, nor shall such a
programme be renewed upon its expiry.

Article 29

Transformation into a Market Economy

29.1 Members in the process of transformation from a centrally‑planned into a market,


free‑enterprise economy may apply programmes and measures necessary for
such a transformation.

29.2 For such Members, subsidy programmes falling within the scope of Article
3, and notified according to paragraph 3, shall be phased out or brought into
conformity with Article 3 within a period of seven years from the date of entry
into force of the WTO Agreement. In such a case, Article 4 shall not apply. In
addition during the same period:

(a) Subsidy programmes falling within the scope of paragraph 1(d) of Article 6
shall not be actionable under Article 7;

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(b) With respect to other actionable subsidies, the provisions of


paragraph 9 of Article 27 shall apply.

29.3 Subsidy programmes falling within the scope of Article 3 shall be notified to the
Committee by the earliest practicable date after the date of entry into force of
the WTO Agreement. Further notifications of such subsidies may be made up
to two years after the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement.

29.4 In exceptional circumstances Members referred to in paragraph 1 may be given


departures from their notified programmes and measures and their time‑frame
by the Committee if such departures are deemed necessary for the process of
transformation.

PART X: DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

Article 30

The provisions of Articles XXII and XXIII of GATT 1994 as elaborated and applied by
the Dispute Settlement Understanding shall apply to consultations and the settlement
of disputes under this Agreement, except as otherwise specifically provided herein.

PART XI: FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 31

Provisional Application

The provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 6 and the provisions of Article 8 and


Article 9 shall apply for a period of five years, beginning with the date of entry into
force of the WTO Agreement. Not later than 180 days before the end of this period, the
Committee shall review the operation of those provisions, with a view to determining
whether to extend their application, either as presently drafted or in a modified form,
for a further period.

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Article 32

Other Final Provisions

32.1 No specific action against a subsidy of another Member can be taken except
in accordance with the provisions of GATT 1994, as interpreted by this
Agreement.56

32.2 Reservations may not be entered in respect of any of the provisions of this
Agreement without the consent of the other Members.

32.3 Subject to paragraph 4, the provisions of this Agreement shall apply to


investigations, and reviews of existing measures, initiated pursuant to
applications which have been made on or after the date of entry into force for a
Member of the WTO Agreement.

32.4 For the purposes of paragraph 3 of Article 21, existing countervailing measures
shall be deemed to be imposed on a date not later than the date of entry into force
for a Member of the WTO Agreement, except in cases in which the domestic
legislation of a Member in force at that date already included a clause of the
type provided for in that paragraph.

32.5 Each Member shall take all necessary steps, of a general or particular character,
to ensure, not later than the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement for
it, the conformity of its laws, regulations and administrative procedures with
the provisions of this Agreement as they may apply to the Member in question.

32.6 Each Member shall inform the Committee of any changes in its laws and
regulations relevant to this Agreement and in the administration of such laws
and regulations.

32.7 The Committee shall review annually the implementation and operation of this
Agreement, taking into account the objectives thereof. The Committee shall

56
This paragraph is not intended to preclude action under other relevant provisions of GATT 1994, where
appropriate.

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inform annually the Council for Trade in Goods of developments during the
period covered by such reviews.

32.8 The Annexes to this Agreement constitute an integral part thereof.

ANNEX I

ILLUSTRATIVE LIST OF EXPORT SUBSIDIES

(a) The provision by governments of direct subsidies to a firm or an industry


contingent upon export performance.

(b) Currency retention schemes or any similar practices which involve a bonus on
exports.

(c) Internal transport and freight charges on export shipments, provided or mandated
by governments, on terms more favourable than for domestic shipments.

(d) The provision by governments or their agencies either directly or indirectly


through government‑mandated schemes, of imported or domestic products or
services for use in the production of exported goods, on terms or conditions
more favourable than for provision of like or directly competitive products
or services for use in the production of goods for domestic consumption, if (in
the case of products) such terms or conditions are more favourable than those
commercially available57 on world markets to their exporters.

57
The term “commercially available” means that the choice between domestic and imported products is
unrestricted and depends only on commercial considerations.

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(e) The full or partial exemption remission, or deferral specifically related to


exports, of direct taxes58 or social welfare charges paid or payable by industrial
or commercial enterprises.59

(f) The allowance of special deductions directly related to exports or export


performance, over and above those granted in respect to production for domestic
consumption, in the calculation of the base on which direct taxes are charged.

(g) The exemption or remission, in respect of the production and distribution


of exported products, of indirect taxes58 in excess of those levied in respect
of the production and distribution of like products when sold for domestic
consumption.

(h) The exemption, remission or deferral of prior‑stage cumulative indirect taxes58


on goods or services used in the production of exported products in excess
of the exemption, remission or deferral of like prior‑stage cumulative indirect
taxes on goods or services used in the production of like products when sold for
domestic consumption; provided, however, that prior‑stage cumulative indirect
58
For the purpose of this Agreement:
The term “direct taxes” shall mean taxes on wages, profits, interests, rents, royalties, and all other forms of
income, and taxes on the ownership of real property;
The term “import charges” shall mean tariffs, duties, and other fiscal charges not elsewhere enumerated in this
note that are levied on imports;
The term “indirect taxes” shall mean sales, excise, turnover, value added, franchise, stamp, transfer, inventory
and equipment taxes, border taxes and all taxes other than direct taxes and import charges;
“Prior‑stage” indirect taxes are those levied on goods or services used directly or indirectly in making the
product;
“Cumulative” indirect taxes are multi‑staged taxes levied where there is no mechanism for subsequent crediting
of the tax if the goods or services subject to tax at one stage of production are used in a succeeding stage of
production;
“Remission” of taxes includes the refund or rebate of taxes;
“Remission or drawback” includes the full or partial exemption or deferral of import charges.
59
The Members recognize that deferral need not amount to an export subsidy where, for example, appropriate
interest charges are collected. The Members reaffirm the principle that prices for goods in transactions between
exporting enterprises and foreign buyers under their or under the same control should for tax purposes be the
prices which would be charged between independent enterprises acting at arm’s length. Any Member may draw
the attention of another Member to administrative or other practices which may contravene this principle and
which result in a significant saving of direct taxes in export transactions. In such circumstances the Members
shall normally attempt to resolve their differences using the facilities of existing bilateral tax treaties or other
specific international mechanisms, without prejudice to the rights and obligations of Members under GATT
1994, including the right of consultation created in the preceding sentence.
Paragraph (e) is not intended to limit a Member from taking measures to avoid the double taxation of
foreign‑source income earned by its enterprises or the enterprises of another Member.

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taxes may be exempted, remitted or deferred on exported products even when


not exempted, remitted or deferred on like products when sold for domestic
consumption, if the prior‑stage cumulative indirect taxes are levied on inputs
that are consumed in the production of the exported product (making normal
allowance for waste).60 This item shall be interpreted in accordance with the
guidelines on consumption of inputs in the production process contained in
Annex II.

(i) The remission or drawback of import charges58 in excess of those levied on


imported inputs that are consumed in the production of the exported product
(making normal allowance for waste); provided, however, that in particular
cases a firm may use a quantity of home market inputs equal to, and having
the same quality and characteristics as, the imported inputs as a substitute for
them in order to benefit from this provision if the import and the corresponding
export operations both occur within a reasonable time period, not to exceed
two years. This item shall be interpreted in accordance with the guidelines on
consumption of inputs in the production process contained in Annex II and
the guidelines in the determination of substitution drawback systems as export
subsidies contained in Annex III.

(j) The provision by governments (or special institutions controlled by governments)


of export credit guarantee or insurance programmes, of insurance or guarantee
programmes against increases in the cost of exported products or of exchange
risk programmes, at premium rates which are inadequate to cover the long‑term
operating costs and losses of the programmes.

(k) The grant by governments (or special institutions controlled by and/or acting
under the authority of governments) of export credits at rates below those which
they actually have to pay for the funds so employed (or would have to pay if
they borrowed on international capital markets in order to obtain funds of the
same maturity and other credit terms and denominated in the same currency as
the export credit), or the payment by them of all or part of the costs incurred by
60
Paragraph (h) does not apply to value-added tax systems and border-tax adjustment in lieu thereof; the problem
of the excessive remission of value-added taxes is exclusively covered by paragraph (g).

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exporters or financial institutions in obtaining credits, in so far as they are used


to secure a material advantage in the field of export credit terms.

Provided, however, that if a Member is a party to an international undertaking


on official export credits to which at least twelve original Members to this
Agreement are parties as of 1 January 1979 (or a successor undertaking which
has been adopted by those original Members), or if in practice a Member
applies the interest rates provisions of the relevant undertaking, an export credit
practice which is in conformity with those provisions shall not be considered an
export subsidy prohibited by this Agreement.

(l) Any other charge on the public account constituting an export subsidy in the
sense of Article XVI of GATT 1994.

ANNEX II

GUIDELINES ON CONSUMPTION OF INPUTS


IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS61

1. Indirect tax rebate schemes can allow for exemption, remission or deferral of
prior‑stage cumulative indirect taxes levied on inputs that are consumed in
the production of the exported product (making normal allowance for waste).
Similarly, drawback schemes can allow for the remission or drawback of import
charges levied on inputs that are consumed in the production of the exported
product (making normal allowance for waste).

2. The Illustrative List of Export Subsidies in Annex I of this Agreement makes


reference to the term “inputs that are consumed in the production of the
exported product” in paragraphs (h) and (i). Pursuant to paragraph (h), indirect
tax rebate schemes can constitute an export subsidy to the extent that they
result in exemption, remission or deferral of prior‑stage cumulative indirect
taxes in excess of the amount of such taxes actually levied on inputs that are
61
Inputs consumed in the production process are inputs physically incorporated, energy, fuels and oil used in the
production process and catalysts which are consumed in the course of their use to obtain the exported product.

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consumed in the production of the exported product. Pursuant to paragraph (i),


drawback schemes can constitute an export subsidy to the extent that they result
in a remission or drawback of import charges in excess of those actually levied
on inputs that are consumed in the production of the exported product. Both
paragraphs stipulate that normal allowance for waste must be made in findings
regarding consumption of inputs in the production of the exported product.
Paragraph (i) also provides for substitution, where appropriate.

II

In examining whether inputs are consumed in the production of the exported


product, as part of a countervailing duty investigation pursuant to this Agreement,
investigating authorities should proceed on the following basis:

1. Where it is alleged that an indirect tax rebate scheme, or a drawback scheme,


conveys a subsidy by reason of over‑rebate or excess drawback of indirect taxes
or import charges on inputs consumed in the production of the exported product,
the investigating authorities should first determine whether the government of
the exporting Member has in place and applies a system or procedure to confirm
which inputs are consumed in the production of the exported product and in
what amounts. Where such a system or procedure is determined to be applied,
the investigating authorities should then examine the system or procedure to
see whether it is reasonable, effective for the purpose intended, and based
on generally accepted commercial practices in the country of export. The
investigating authorities may deem it necessary to carry out, in accordance with
paragraph 6 of Article 12, certain practical tests in order to verify information or
to satisfy themselves that the system or procedure is being effectively applied.

2. Where there is no such system or procedure, where it is not reasonable, or


where it is instituted and considered reasonable but is found not to be applied
or not to be applied effectively, a further examination by the exporting Member
based on the actual inputs involved would need to be carried out in the context
of determining whether an excess payment occurred. If the investigating

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authorities deemed it necessary, a further examination would be carried out in


accordance with paragraph 1.

3. Investigating authorities should treat inputs as physically incorporated if such


inputs are used in the production process and are physically present in the
product exported. The Members note that an input need not be present in the
final product in the same form in which it entered the production process.

4. In determining the amount of a particular input that is consumed in the production


of the exported product, a “normal allowance for waste” should be taken into
account, and such waste should be treated as consumed in the production of
the exported product. The term “waste” refers to that portion of a given input
which does not serve an independent function in the production process, is
not consumed in the production of the exported product (for reasons such as
inefficiencies) and is not recovered, used or sold by the same manufacturer.

5. The investigating authority’s determination of whether the claimed allowance


for waste is “normal” should take into account the production process, the
average experience of the industry in the country of export, and other technical
factors, as appropriate. The investigating authority should bear in mind that
an important question is whether the authorities in the exporting Member have
reasonably calculated the amount of waste, when such an amount is intended to
be included in the tax or duty rebate or remission.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

ANNEX III

GUIDELINES IN THE DETERMINATION OF SUBSTITUTION


DRAWBACK SYSTEMS AS EXPORT SUBSIDIES

Drawback systems can allow for the refund or drawback of import charges on
inputs which are consumed in the production process of another product and where
the export of this latter product contains domestic inputs having the same quality and
characteristics as those substituted for the imported inputs. Pursuant to paragraph (i)
of the Illustrative List of Export Subsidies in Annex I, substitution drawback systems
can constitute an export subsidy to the extent that they result in an excess drawback
of the import charges levied initially on the imported inputs for which drawback is
being claimed.

II

In examining any substitution drawback system as part of a countervailing duty


investigation pursuant to this Agreement, investigating authorities should proceed on
the following basis:

1. Paragraph (i) of the Illustrative List stipulates that home market inputs may
be substituted for imported inputs in the production of a product for export
provided such inputs are equal in quantity to, and have the same quality and
characteristics as, the imported inputs being substituted. The existence of a
verification system or procedure is important because it enables the government
of the exporting Member to ensure and demonstrate that the quantity of inputs
for which drawback is claimed does not exceed the quantity of similar products
exported, in whatever form, and that there is not drawback of import charges in
excess of those originally levied on the imported inputs in question.

2. Where it is alleged that a substitution drawback system conveys a subsidy,


the investigating authorities should first proceed to determine whether the
government of the exporting Member has in place and applies a verification system
or procedure. Where such a system or procedure is determined to be applied,

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

the investigating authorities should then examine the verification procedures to


see whether they are reasonable, effective for the purpose intended, and based
on generally accepted commercial practices in the country of export. To the
extent that the procedures are determined to meet this test and are effectively
applied, no subsidy should be presumed to exist. It may be deemed necessary
by the investigating authorities to carry out, in accordance with paragraph 6
of Article 12, certain practical tests in order to verify information or to satisfy
themselves that the verification procedures are being effectively applied.

3. Where there are no verification procedures, where they are not reasonable, or
where such procedures are instituted and considered reasonable but are found
not to be actually applied or not applied effectively, there may be a subsidy. In
such cases a further examination by the exporting Member based on the actual
transactions involved would need to be carried out to determine whether an
excess payment occurred. If the investigating authorities deemed it necessary,
a further examination would be carried out in accordance with paragraph 2.

4. The existence of a substitution drawback provision under which exporters are


allowed to select particular import shipments on which drawback is claimed
should not of itself be considered to convey a subsidy.

5. An excess drawback of import charges in the sense of paragraph (i) would be


deemed to exist where governments paid interest on any monies refunded under
their drawback schemes, to the extent of the interest actually paid or payable.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

ANNEX IV

CALCULATION OF THE TOTAL AD VALOREM SUBSIDIZATION


(PARAGRAPH 1(A) OF ARTICLE 6)62

1. Any calculation of the amount of a subsidy for the purpose of paragraph 1(a) of
Article 6 shall be done in terms of the cost to the granting government.

2. Except as provided in paragraphs 3 through 5, in determining whether the


overall rate of subsidization exceeds 5 per cent of the value of the product, the
value of the product shall be calculated as the total value of the recipient firm’s63
sales in the most recent 12-month period, for which sales data is available,
preceding the period in which the subsidy is granted.64

3. Where the subsidy is tied to the production or sale of a given product, the value
of the product shall be calculated as the total value of the recipient firm’s sales
of that product in the most recent 12-month period, for which sales data is
available, preceding the period in which the subsidy is granted.

4. Where the recipient firm is in a start‑up situation, serious prejudice shall be


deemed to exist if the overall rate of subsidization exceeds 15 per cent of the
total funds invested. For purposes of this paragraph, a start‑up period will not
extend beyond the first year of production.65

5. Where the recipient firm is located in an inflationary economy country, the


value of the product shall be calculated as the recipient firm’s total sales (or
sales of the relevant product, if the subsidy is tied) in the preceding calendar
year indexed by the rate of inflation experienced in the 12 months preceding the
month in which the subsidy is to be given.

62
An understanding among Members should be developed, as necessary, on matters which are not specified in
this Annex or which need further clarification for the purposes of paragraph 1(a) of Article 6.
63
The recipient firm is a firm in the territory of the subsidizing Member.
64
In the case of tax‑related subsidies the value of the product shall be calculated as the total value of the recipient
firm’s sales in the fiscal year in which the tax‑related measure was earned.
65
Start-up situations include instances where financial commitments for product development or construction of
facilities to manufacture products benefiting from the subsidy have been made, even though production has not
begun.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

6. In determining the overall rate of subsidization in a given year, subsidies given


under different programmes and by different authorities in the territory of a
Member shall be aggregated.

7. Subsidies granted prior to the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement,
the benefits of which are allocated to future production, shall be included in the
overall rate of subsidization.

8. Subsidies which are non‑actionable under relevant provisions of this Agreement


shall not be included in the calculation of the amount of a subsidy for the purpose
of paragraph 1(a) of Article 6.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

ANNEX V

PROCEDURES FOR DEVELOPING INFORMATION


CONCERNING SERIOUS PREJUDICE

1. Every Member shall cooperate in the development of evidence to be examined


by a panel in procedures under paragraphs 4 through 6 of Article 7. The parties
to the dispute and any third‑country Member concerned shall notify to the DSB,
as soon as the provisions of paragraph 4 of Article 7 have been invoked, the
organization responsible for administration of this provision within its territory
and the procedures to be used to comply with requests for information.

2. In cases where matters are referred to the DSB under paragraph 4 of Article 7,
the DSB shall, upon request, initiate the procedure to obtain such information
from the government of the subsidizing Member as necessary to establish the
existence and amount of subsidization, the value of total sales of the subsidized
firms, as well as information necessary to analyze the adverse effects caused
by the subsidized product.66 This process may include, where appropriate,
presentation of questions to the government of the subsidizing Member and
of the complaining Member to collect information, as well as to clarify and
obtain elaboration of information available to the parties to a dispute through
the notification procedures set forth in Part VII.67

3. In the case of effects in third-country markets, a party to a dispute may collect


information, including through the use of questions to the government of the
third-country Member, necessary to analyse adverse effects, which is not
otherwise reasonably available from the complaining Member or the subsidizing
Member. This requirement should be administered in such a way as not to
impose an unreasonable burden on the third‑country Member. In particular,
such a Member is not expected to make a market or price analysis specially for
that purpose. The information to be supplied is that which is already available
or can be readily obtained by this Member (e.g. most recent statistics which
66
In cases where the existence of serious prejudice has to be demonstrated.
67
The information‑gathering process by the DSB shall take into account the need to protect information which is
by nature confidential or which is provided on a confidential basis by any Member involved in this process.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

have already been gathered by relevant statistical services but which have not
yet been published, customs data concerning imports and declared values of the
products concerned, etc.). However, if a party to a dispute undertakes a detailed
market analysis at its own expense, the task of the person or firm conducting
such an analysis shall be facilitated by the authorities of the third‑country
Member and such a person or firm shall be given access to all information
which is not normally maintained confidential by the government.

4. The DSB shall designate a representative to serve the function of facilitating


the information‑gathering process. The sole purpose of the representative shall
be to ensure the timely development of the information necessary to facilitate
expeditious subsequent multilateral review of the dispute. In particular, the
representative may suggest ways to most efficiently solicit necessary information
as well as encourage the cooperation of the parties.

5. The information‑gathering process outlined in paragraphs 2 through 4 shall be


completed within 60 days of the date on which the matter has been referred to
the DSB under paragraph 4 of Article 7. The information obtained during this
process shall be submitted to the panel established by the DSB in accordance
with the provisions of Part X. This information should include, inter alia, data
concerning the amount of the subsidy in question (and, where appropriate, the
value of total sales of the subsidized firms), prices of the subsidized product,
prices of the non‑subsidized product, prices of other suppliers to the market,
changes in the supply of the subsidized product to the market in question and
changes in market shares. It should also include rebuttal evidence, as well as
such supplemental information as the panel deems relevant in the course of
reaching its conclusions.

6. If the subsidizing and/or third‑country Member fail to cooperate in the


information‑gathering process, the complaining Member will present its case
of serious prejudice, based on evidence available to it, together with facts and
circumstances of the non-cooperation of the subsidizing and/or third‑country
Member. Where information is unavailable due to non-cooperation by the

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

subsidizing and/or third‑country Member, the panel may complete the record as
necessary relying on best information otherwise available.

7. In making its determination, the panel should draw adverse inferences from
instances of non- cooperation by any party involved in the information‑gathering
process.

8. In making a determination to use either best information available or adverse


inferences, the panel shall consider the advice of the DSB representative
nominated under paragraph 4 as to the reasonableness of any requests for
information and the efforts made by parties to comply with these requests in a
cooperative and timely manner.

9. Nothing in the information‑gathering process shall limit the ability of the panel
to seek such additional information it deems essential to a proper resolution
to the dispute, and which was not adequately sought or developed during that
process. However, ordinarily the panel should not request additional information
to complete the record where the information would support a particular
party’s position and the absence of that information in the record is the result
of unreasonable non-cooperation by that party in the information‑gathering
process.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

ANNEX VI

PROCEDURES FOR ON‑THE‑SPOT INVESTIGATIONS PURSUANT TO


PARAGRAPH 6 OF ARTICLE 12

1. Upon initiation of an investigation, the authorities of the exporting Member and


the firms known to be concerned should be informed of the intention to carry
out on‑the‑spot investigations.

2. If in exceptional circumstances it is intended to include non‑governmental


experts in the investigating team, the firms and the authorities of the exporting
Member should be so informed. Such non‑governmental experts should be
subject to effective sanctions for breach of confidentiality requirements.

3. It should be standard practice to obtain explicit agreement of the firms concerned


in the exporting Member before the visit is finally scheduled.

4. As soon as the agreement of the firms concerned has been obtained, the
investigating authorities should notify the authorities of the exporting Member
of the names and addresses of the firms to be visited and the dates agreed.

5. Sufficient advance notice should be given to the firms in question before the
visit is made.

6. Visits to explain the questionnaire should only be made at the request of an


exporting firm. In case of such a request the investigating authorities may
place themselves at the disposal of the firm; such a visit may only be made if
(a) the authorities of the importing Member notify the representatives of the
government of the Member in question and (b) the latter do not object to the
visit.

7. As the main purpose of the on‑the‑spot investigation is to verify information


provided or to obtain further details, it should be carried out after the response
to the questionnaire has been received unless the firm agrees to the contrary
and the government of the exporting Member is informed by the investigating
authorities of the anticipated visit and does not object to it; further, it should be

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standard practice prior to the visit to advise the firms concerned of the general
nature of the information to be verified and of any further information which
needs to be provided, though this should not preclude requests to be made on
the spot for further details to be provided in the light of information obtained.

8. Enquiries or questions put by the authorities or firms of the exporting Members


and essential to a successful on‑the‑spot investigation should, whenever
possible, be answered before the visit is made.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

ANNEX VII

DEVELOPING COUNTRY MEMBERS REFERRED TO


IN PARAGRAPH 2(A) OF ARTICLE 27

The developing country Members not subject to the provisions of paragraph 1(a)
of Article 3 under the terms of paragraph 2(a) of Article 27 are:

(a) Least‑developed countries designated as such by the United Nations which are
Members of the WTO.

(b) Each of the following developing countries which are Members of the WTO
shall be subject to the provisions which are applicable to other developing
country Members according to paragraph 2(b) of Article 27 when GNP per capita
has reached $1,000 per annum68: Bolivia, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire,
Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, India, Indonesia,
Kenya, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Senegal, Sri Lanka
and Zimbabwe.

68
The inclusion of developing country Members in the list in paragraph (b) is based on the most recent data from
the World Bank on GNP per capita.

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Article VI of GATT, 1994

AGREEMENT
ON
SAFEGUARDS

253 H
Article VI of GATT, 1994

254
AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS

Members,

Having in mind the overall objective of the Members to improve and strengthen the
international trading system based on GATT 1994;

Recognizing the need to clarify and reinforce the disciplines of GATT 1994, and
specifically those of its Article XIX (Emergency Action on Imports of Particular
Products), to re‑establish multilateral control over safeguards and eliminate measures
that escape such control;

Recognizing the importance of structural adjustment and the need to enhance rather
than limit competition in international markets; and

Recognizing further that, for these purposes, a comprehensive agreement, applicable


to all Members and based on the basic principles of GATT 1994, is called for;

Hereby agree as follows:

Article 1

General Provision

This Agreement establishes rules for the application of safeguard measures


which shall be understood to mean those measures provided for in Article XIX of
GATT 1994.

Article 2

Conditions

1. A Member1 may apply a safeguard measure to a product only if that Member has
determined, pursuant to the provisions set out below, that such product is being
1 A customs union may apply a safeguard measure as a single unit or on behalf of a member State. When a
customs union applies a safeguard measure as a single unit, all the requirements for the determination of serious
injury or threat thereof under this Agreement shall be based on the conditions existing in the customs union

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Article XIX of GATT

imported into its territory in such increased quantities, absolute or relative to


domestic production, and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause
serious injury to the domestic industry that produces like or directly competitive
products.

2. Safeguard measures shall be applied to a product being imported irrespective of


its source.

Article 3

Investigation

1. A Member may apply a safeguard measure only following an investigation by


the competent authorities of that Member pursuant to procedures previously
established and made public in consonance with Article X of GATT 1994. This
investigation shall include reasonable public notice to all interested parties and
public hearings or other appropriate means in which importers, exporters and
other interested parties could present evidence and their views, including the
opportunity to respond to the presentations of other parties and to submit their
views, inter alia, as to whether or not the application of a safeguard measure
would be in the public interest. The competent authorities shall publish a report
setting forth their findings and reasoned conclusions reached on all pertinent
issues of fact and law.

2. Any information which is by nature confidential or which is provided on


a confidential basis shall, upon cause being shown, be treated as such by
the competent authorities. Such information shall not be disclosed without
permission of the party submitting it. Parties providing confidential information
may be requested to furnish non‑confidential summaries thereof or, if such
parties indicate that such information cannot be summarized, the reasons why
a summary cannot be provided. However, if the competent authorities find

as a whole. When a safeguard measure is applied on behalf of a member State, all the requirements for the
determination of serious injury or threat thereof shall be based on the conditions existing in that member State
and the measure shall be limited to that member State. Nothing in this Agreement prejudges the interpretation
of the relationship between Article XIX and paragraph 8 of Article XXIV of GATT 1994.

256
Article XIX of GATT

that a request for confidentiality is not warranted and if the party concerned is
either unwilling to make the information public or to authorize its disclosure in
generalized or summary form, the authorities may disregard such information
unless it can be demonstrated to their satisfaction from appropriate sources that
the information is correct.

Article 4

Determination of Serious Injury or Threat Thereof

1. For the purposes of this Agreement:

(a) “serious injury” shall be understood to mean a significant overall


impairment in the position of a domestic industry;

(b) “threat of serious injury” shall be understood to mean serious injury that
is clearly imminent, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2. A
determination of the existence of a threat of serious injury shall be based
on facts and not merely on allegation, conjecture or remote possibility;
and

(c) in determining injury or threat thereof, a “domestic industry” shall


be understood to mean the producers as a whole of the like or directly
competitive products operating within the territory of a Member, or
those whose collective output of the like or directly competitive products
constitutes a major proportion of the total domestic production of those
products.

2. (a) In the investigation to determine whether increased imports have caused


or are threatening to cause serious injury to a domestic industry under
the terms of this Agreement, the competent authorities shall evaluate all
relevant factors of an objective and quantifiable nature having a bearing
on the situation of that industry, in particular, the rate and amount of the
increase in imports of the product concerned in absolute and relative terms,
the share of the domestic market taken by increased imports, changes in

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Article XIX of GATT

the level of sales, production, productivity, capacity utilization, profits


and losses, and employment.

(b) The determination referred to in subparagraph (a) shall not be made unless
this investigation demonstrates, on the basis of objective evidence, the
existence of the causal link between increased imports of the product
concerned and serious injury or threat thereof. When factors other than
increased imports are causing injury to the domestic industry at the same
time, such injury shall not be attributed to increased imports.

(c) The competent authorities shall publish promptly, in accordance with the
provisions of Article 3, a detailed analysis of the case under investigation
as well as a demonstration of the relevance of the factors examined.

Article 5

Application of Safeguard Measures

1. A Member shall apply safeguard measures only to the extent necessary to


prevent or remedy serious injury and to facilitate adjustment. If a quantitative
restriction is used, such a measure shall not reduce the quantity of imports below
the level of a recent period which shall be the average of imports in the last three
representative years for which statistics are available, unless clear justification
is given that a different level is necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury.
Members should choose measures most suitable for the achievement of these
objectives.

2. (a) In cases in which a quota is allocated among supplying countries, the


Member applying the restrictions may seek agreement with respect to
the allocation of shares in the quota with all other Members having a
substantial interest in supplying the product concerned. In cases in which
this method is not reasonably practicable, the Member concerned shall
allot to Members having a substantial interest in supplying the product
shares based upon the proportions, supplied by such Members during a
previous representative period, of the total quantity or value of imports

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Article XIX of GATT

of the product, due account being taken of any special factors which may
have affected or may be affecting the trade in the product.

(b) A Member may depart from the provisions in subparagraph (a) provided
that consultations under paragraph 3 of Article 12 are conducted under
the auspices of the Committee on Safeguards provided for in paragraph 1
of Article 13 and that clear demonstration is provided to the Committee
that (i) imports from certain Members have increased in disproportionate
percentage in relation to the total increase of imports of the product
concerned in the representative period, (ii) the reasons for the departure
from the provisions in subparagraph (a) are justified, and (iii) the conditions
of such departure are equitable to all suppliers of the product concerned.
The duration of any such measure shall not be extended beyond the initial
period under paragraph 1 of Article 7. The departure referred to above
shall not be permitted in the case of threat of serious injury.

Article 6

Provisional Safeguard Measures

In critical circumstances where delay would cause damage which it would be


difficult to repair, a Member may take a provisional safeguard measure pursuant to
a preliminary determination that there is clear evidence that increased imports have
caused or are threatening to cause serious injury. The duration of the provisional
measure shall not exceed 200 days, during which period the pertinent requirements
of Articles 2 through 7 and 12 shall be met. Such measures should take the form of
tariff increases to be promptly refunded if the subsequent investigation referred to in
paragraph 2 of Article 4 does not determine that increased imports have caused or
threatened to cause serious injury to a domestic industry. The duration of any such
provisional measure shall be counted as a part of the initial period and any extension
referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Article 7.

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Article XIX of GATT

Article 7

Duration and Review of Safeguard Measures

1. A Member shall apply safeguard measures only for such period of time as may
be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury and to facilitate adjustment.
The period shall not exceed four years, unless it is extended under paragraph 2.

2. The period mentioned in paragraph 1 may be extended provided that the


competent authorities of the importing Member have determined, in conformity
with the procedures set out in Articles 2, 3, 4 and 5, that the safeguard measure
continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury and that there is
evidence that the industry is adjusting, and provided that the pertinent provisions
of Articles 8 and 12 are observed.

3. The total period of application of a safeguard measure including the period of


application of any provisional measure, the period of initial application and any
extension thereof, shall not exceed eight years.

4. In order to facilitate adjustment in a situation where the expected duration of a


safeguard measure as notified under the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 12
is over one year, the Member applying the measure shall progressively liberalize
it at regular intervals during the period of application. If the duration of the
measure exceeds three years, the Member applying such a measure shall review
the situation not later than the mid‑term of the measure and, if appropriate,
withdraw it or increase the pace of liberalization. A measure extended under
paragraph 2 shall not be more restrictive than it was at the end of the initial
period, and should continue to be liberalized.

5. No safeguard measure shall be applied again to the import of a product which


has been subject to such a measure, taken after the date of entry into force of the
WTO Agreement, for a period of time equal to that during which such measure
had been previously applied, provided that the period of non‑application is at
least two years.

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Article XIX of GATT

6. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 5, a safeguard measure with a


duration of 180 days or less may be applied again to the import of a product if:

(a) at least one year has elapsed since the date of introduction of a safeguard
measure on the import of that product; and

(b) such a safeguard measure has not been applied on the same product more
than twice in the five‑year period immediately preceding the date of
introduction of the measure.

Article 8

Level of Concessions and Other Obligations

1. A Member proposing to apply a safeguard measure or seeking an extension of a


safeguard measure shall endeavour to maintain a substantially equivalent level
of concessions and other obligations to that existing under GATT 1994 between
it and the exporting Members which would be affected by such a measure, in
accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article 12. To achieve this
objective, the Members concerned may agree on any adequate means of trade
compensation for the adverse effects of the measure on their trade.

2. If no agreement is reached within 30 days in the consultations under paragraph 3


of Article 12, then the affected exporting Members shall be free, not later
than 90 days after the measure is applied, to suspend, upon the expiration of
30 days from the day on which written notice of such suspension is received
by the Council for Trade in Goods, the application of substantially equivalent
concessions or other obligations under GATT 1994, to the trade of the Member
applying the safeguard measure, the suspension of which the Council for Trade
in Goods does not disapprove.

3. The right of suspension referred to in paragraph 2 shall not be exercised for the
first three years that a safeguard measure is in effect, provided that the safeguard
measure has been taken as a result of an absolute increase in imports and that
such a measure conforms to the provisions of this Agreement.

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Article XIX of GATT

Article 9

Developing Country Members

1. Safeguard measures shall not be applied against a product originating in


a developing country Member as long as its share of imports of the product
concerned in the importing Member does not exceed 3 per cent, provided that
developing country Members with less than 3 per cent import share collectively
account for not more than 9 per cent of total imports of the product concerned.2

2. A developing country Member shall have the right to extend the period of
application of a safeguard measure for a period of up to two years beyond the
maximum period provided for in paragraph 3 of Article 7. Notwithstanding
the provisions of paragraph 5 of Article 7, a developing country Member shall
have the right to apply a safeguard measure again to the import of a product
which has been subject to such a measure, taken after the date of entry into
force of the WTO Agreement, after a period of time equal to half that during
which such a measure has been previously applied, provided that the period of
non‑application is at least two years.

Article 10

Pre‑existing Article XIX Measures

Members shall terminate all safeguard measures taken pursuant to Article XIX
of GATT 1947 that were in existence on the date of entry into force of the WTO
Agreement not later than eight years after the date on which they were first applied or
five years after the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement, whichever comes
later.

2
A Member shall immediately notify an action taken under paragraph 1 of Article 9 to the Committee on
Safeguards.

262
Article XIX of GATT

Article 11

Prohibition and Elimination of Certain Measures

1. (a) A Member shall not take or seek any emergency action on imports of
particular products as set forth in Article XIX of GATT 1994 unless such
action conforms with the provisions of that Article applied in accordance
with this Agreement.

(b) Furthermore, a Member shall not seek, take or maintain any voluntary
export restraints, orderly marketing arrangements or any other similar
measures on the export or the import side.3,4 These include actions taken
by a single Member as well as actions under agreements, arrangements
and understandings entered into by two or more Members. Any such
measure in effect on the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement
shall be brought into conformity with this Agreement or phased out in
accordance with paragraph 2.

(c) This Agreement does not apply to measures sought, taken or maintained by
a Member pursuant to provisions of GATT 1994 other than Article XIX, and
Multilateral Trade Agreements in Annex 1A other than this Agreement, or
pursuant to protocols and agreements or arrangements concluded within
the framework of GATT 1994.

2. The phasing out of measures referred to in paragraph 1(b) shall be carried out
according to timetables to be presented to the Committee on Safeguards by the
Members concerned not later than 180 days after the date of entry into force of
the WTO Agreement. These timetables shall provide for all measures referred to
in paragraph 1 to be phased out or brought into conformity with this Agreement
within a period not exceeding four years after the date of entry into force of the
WTO Agreement, subject to not more than one specific measure per importing
3
An import quota applied as a safeguard measure in conformity with the relevant provisions of GATT 1994 and
this Agreement may, by mutual agreement, be administered by the exporting Member.
4
Examples of similar measures include export moderation, export-price or import-price monitoring systems,
export or import surveillance, compulsory import cartels and discretionary export or import licensing schemes,
any of which afford protection.

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Article XIX of GATT

Member5, the duration of which shall not extend beyond 31 December 1999.
Any such exception must be mutually agreed between the Members directly
concerned and notified to the Committee on Safeguards for its review and
acceptance within 90 days of the entry into force of the WTO Agreement. The
Annex to this Agreement indicates a measure which has been agreed as falling
under this exception.

3. Members shall not encourage or support the adoption or maintenance by public


and private enterprises of non‑governmental measures equivalent to those
referred to in paragraph 1.

Article 12

Notification and Consultation

1. A Member shall immediately notify the Committee on Safeguards upon:

(a) initiating an investigatory process relating to serious injury or threat


thereof and the reasons for it;

(b) making a finding of serious injury or threat thereof caused by increased


imports; and

(c) taking a decision to apply or extend a safeguard measure.

2. In making the notifications referred to in paragraphs 1(b) and 1(c), the Member
proposing to apply or extend a safeguard measure shall provide the Committee
on Safeguards with all pertinent information, which shall include evidence of
serious injury or threat thereof caused by increased imports, precise description
of the product involved and the proposed measure, proposed date of introduction,
expected duration and timetable for progressive liberalization. In the case of
an extension of a measure, evidence that the industry concerned is adjusting
shall also be provided. The Council for Trade in Goods or the Committee on

5
The only such exception to which the European Communities is entitled is indicated in the Annex to this
Agreement.

264
Article XIX of GATT

Safeguards may request such additional information as they may consider


necessary from the Member proposing to apply or extend the measure.

3. A Member proposing to apply or extend a safeguard measure shall provide


adequate opportunity for prior consultations with those Members having
a substantial interest as exporters of the product concerned, with a view to,
inter alia, reviewing the information provided under paragraph 2, exchanging
views on the measure and reaching an understanding on ways to achieve the
objective set out in paragraph 1 of Article 8.

4. A Member shall make a notification to the Committee on Safeguards before


taking a provisional safeguard measure referred to in Article 6. Consultations
shall be initiated immediately after the measure is taken.

5. The results of the consultations referred to in this Article, as well as the results
of mid‑term reviews referred to in paragraph 4 of Article 7, any form of
compensation referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 8, and proposed suspensions
of concessions and other obligations referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 8,
shall be notified immediately to the Council for Trade in Goods by the Members
concerned.

6. Members shall notify promptly the Committee on Safeguards of their laws,


regulations and administrative procedures relating to safeguard measures as
well as any modifications made to them.

7. Members maintaining measures described in Article 10 and paragraph 1 of


Article 11 which exist on the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement
shall notify such measures to the Committee on Safeguards not later than
60 days after the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement.

8. Any Member may notify the Committee on Safeguards of all laws, regulations,
administrative procedures and any measures or actions dealt with in this
Agreement that have not been notified by other Members that are required by
this Agreement to make such notifications.

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Article XIX of GATT

9. Any Member may notify the Committee on Safeguards of any non‑governmental


measures referred to in paragraph 3 of Article 11.

10. All notifications to the Council for Trade in Goods referred to in this Agreement
shall normally be made through the Committee on Safeguards.

11. The provisions on notification in this Agreement shall not require any Member
to disclose confidential information the disclosure of which would impede law
enforcement or otherwise be contrary to the public interest or would prejudice
the legitimate commercial interests of particular enterprises, public or private.

Article 13

Surveillance

1. A Committee on Safeguards is hereby established, under the authority of


the Council for Trade in Goods, which shall be open to the participation of
any Member indicating its wish to serve on it. The Committee will have the
following functions:

(a) to monitor, and report annually to the Council for Trade in Goods on, the
general implementation of this Agreement and make recommendations
towards its improvement;

(b) to find, upon request of an affected Member, whether or not the procedural
requirements of this Agreement have been complied with in connection
with a safeguard measure, and report its findings to the Council for Trade
in Goods;

(c) to assist Members, if they so request, in their consultations under the


provisions of this Agreement;

(d) to examine measures covered by Article 10 and paragraph 1 of Article 11,


monitor the phase‑out of such measures and report as appropriate to the
Council for Trade in Goods;

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Article XIX of GATT

(e) to review, at the request of the Member taking a safeguard measure, whether
proposals to suspend concessions or other obligations are “substantially
equivalent”, and report as appropriate to the Council for Trade in Goods;

(f) to receive and review all notifications provided for in this Agreement and
report as appropriate to the Council for Trade in Goods; and

(g) to perform any other function connected with this Agreement that the
Council for Trade in Goods may determine.

2. To assist the Committee in carrying out its surveillance function, the Secretariat
shall prepare annually a factual report on the operation of this Agreement based
on notifications and other reliable information available to it.

Article 14

Dispute Settlement

The provisions of Articles XXII and XXIII of GATT 1994 as elaborated and
applied by the Dispute Settlement Understanding shall apply to consultations and the
settlement of disputes arising under this Agreement.

267

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