The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has announced even higher anti-dumping duties than expected for the most recent period of review, against certain Vietnamese pangasius exporters.

The DOC had given preliminary findings in September 2017, proposing that rates of $2.39 per kilogram be applied to each company which shipped to the US from Aug. 1 2015 to July 31, 2016, and that requested a DOC review -- or firms for which US "petitioners" requested a review.

However, the DOC's final decision -- seen by Undercurrent News -- has gone further. It sets a country-wide rate of $2.39/kg, and a duty of $3.87/kg to nine exporters (see table below), seemingly on a punitive basis.

Further still, the DOC has decided on a rate of $7.74/kg against two companies -- Cadovimex II Seafood Import-Export and Processing Joint Stock Company, and Hoang Long Seafood Processing Co -- as they were found to be engaged in a "duty reimbursement" scheme.

The companies receiving a $3.87/kg rate can be seen below. The higher-than-expected rate has been given based on a ruling of "adverse facts available", the DOC said.

This means the DOC judged the mandatory respondent for the period of review (Godaco Seafood Joint Stock Company) to have filed incomplete information, including in the briefings period held since it announced its preliminary findings.


Responding to that preliminary announcement, the Vietnamese Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (Vasep) described the rate as "punitive" and "unlawful".