The US grants anti-dumping duty exemptions to 7 Vietnamese pangasius exporters

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) on June 23 announced that the US Department of Commerce (DOC) had released the final results of the 20th administrative review (POR20) on anti-dumping duties for frozen Vietnamese pangasius fillets exported to the US for the period from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023.

Accordingly, seven Vietnamese pangasius exporters have been granted a 0 per cent anti-dumping duty, an increase of six companies compared to the previous review (POR19). The six newly exempted companies include Can Tho Import-Export Seafood JSC (CASEAMEX), Dai Thanh Seafood Co Ltd, Dong A Seafood Co Ltd., Hung Ca 6 JSC, Nam Viet Corporation, and NTSF Seafoods JSC.

The 0 per cent anti dumping duty for these exporters is based on the rate assigned to Bien Dong Seafood Co Ltd, which served as the mandatory respondent in the review.

Meanwhile, other companies which could not demonstrate that they were not dumping or did not qualify for separate rate treatment are subject to the default national anti-dumping duty of $2.39 per kilogram. This is the highest rate and is intended as a deterrent for non-cooperative or non-transparent respondents.

Notably, Vinh Hoan Corporation is not on the exemption list this time because it had already been excluded from the scope of the anti-dumping duty in previous reviews.

This outcome stems from a bilateral settlement between Vietnam and the US linked to a dispute at the World Trade Organization (case DS5368), which officially concluded on January 17. As a result, Vinh Hoan is no longer subject to anti-dumping duties and continues to enjoy a 0 per cent rate under a separate mechanism.

Pangasius is one of Vietnam's key seafood export products, generating billions of dollars in revenue. Fillets account for around 80 per cent of Vietnam’s total pangasius export volume. The US remains one of the top markets for Vietnamese pangasius.

According to data from the Vietnam Customs, in the first five months of this year, Vietnam's pangasius exports to the US reached $142 million, a 7 per cent increase year-on-year. In May alone, pangasius exports to the US hit $41 million, marking a 35 per cent surge year on year.