Tyre exporters must provide timely and complete information to South Africa

The South African Trade Remedies Investigation Authority (ITAC) requires all Vietnamese enterprises that export or do not export the investigated product to South Africa during the investigation period to answer the Investigation Questionnaire.

The South African Trade Remedies Investigation Authority (ITAC) requires all Vietnamese enterprises that export or do not export the investigated product to South Africa during the investigation period to answer the Investigation Questionnaire.

Tire exporting enterprises to South Africa need to coordinate to provide timely and complete information to the South African Investigation Agency.

Enterprises exporting tires to South Africa need to coordinate to provide timely and complete information to the South African Investigation Agency.

The Trade Remedies Authority has issued a notice instructing relevant manufacturing and exporting enterprises on how to participate in the case of South Africa initiating an investigation against anti-dumping tax evasion on car, bus and truck tires originating or imported from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The above case was requested by the South African Plaintiff after South Africa imposed anti-dumping duties on similar products originating from China in July 2023.

After the imposition of tariffs, there was a decrease in exports of taxed products from China to South Africa, while exports of these products from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam to South Africa increased.

The plaintiffs alleged that Chinese enterprises had used their affiliates in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia to divert exports from Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia to South Africa (a form of “country hopping” - exporting through affiliates in third countries).

The South African Trade Remedies Investigation Authority (ITAC) requires all Vietnamese companies that export or do not export the investigated products to South Africa during the investigation period to answer the Investigation Questionnaire to provide information to ITAC, along with supporting documents to serve ITAC's investigation.

This response is the basis for ITAC to record in the case file. In case the company does not respond to the Questionnaire , the company will be considered non-cooperative and when exporting to South Africa in the future, it will be subject to the non-cooperative tax rate (usually very high) .

ITAC will calculate the anti-dumping duty separately for each company that answers the Questionnaire. Currently, the proposed duty rate for Vietnam is 84% , however the actual duty rate may vary depending on the data and the level of cooperation of each company.

This tax rate will be maintained for 05 years , unless the enterprise requests ITAC to conduct a change of circumstances review (after 01 year if there is a significant change of circumstances).

After receiving the Response from Vietnamese enterprises, ITAC may send requests for additional/clarification information.

The preliminary findings will be issued within 6 months of the initiation of the investigation, around 25 March 2025. Businesses may request that ITAC hold a public hearing to present their views on the case.

The final decision will normally be issued within a maximum of 12 months (extendable to 18 months), around September 2025.

According to the Vietnam Trade Defense Agency, there are currently 07 Vietnamese companies that have sent feedback/answers to the ITAC Questionnaire and some companies have requested an extension of the Questionnaire. ITAC has agreed to extend the deadline to November 11, 2024 (only for companies that have requested an extension), the remaining companies that have not sent an extension request will still be subject to the old deadline of October 28, 2024).

The agency recommends that relevant enterprises promptly respond and submit on time according to ITAC's instructions, in order to protect the interests of Vietnamese exporting enterprises; Regularly provide information and exchange information with the Trade Defense Department to receive timely support; Diversify export markets, in case of a decision to impose taxes by South Africa.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/doanh-nghiep-xuat-khau-lop-xe-phai-cung-cap-thong-tin-kip-thoi-day-du-cho-nam-phi-d228119.html