Duty on British Columbia-bound U.S. potatoes up for review

Over 20 years' worth of seasonal anti-dumping duties on U.S. potatoes imported into British Columbia are up for review yet again as the latest five-year duty comes due for expiry.

As has been the case every five years since 1990, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on Thursday launched an investigation of the most recent anti-dumping order back in September 2005.

CBSA's investigation is "to determine whether the expiry of the order is likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping of the goods."

CBSA's announcement follows the launch Wednesday of an expiry review by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT), which issued the 2005 order.

The duty applies to whole potatoes originating in or exported from the U.S. for use or consumption in B.C., but excluding imports to that province during the period from May 1 to July 31, inclusive, of each calendar year.

Also excluded are seed potatoes, red potatoes, yellow potatoes, exotic potato varieties and white and russet potatoes imported in 50-pound cartons in count sizes of 40, 50, 60 70 and 80.

CBSA is tasked with the enforcement of the CITT's findings of June 1984 and April 1986 regarding the whole potatoes in question. The CITT's orders were continued in 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005.

It's the potato importer's responsibility to calculate and declare anti-dumping duty liability, and to advise customs brokers that the potatoes are subject to anti-dumping measures.