Importers of cement are seeking reconsideration from government to suspend collection of anti-dumping duties on cement imported from Vietnam.
At a preliminary conference conducted by the Tariff Commission (TC) last Dec. 20, 2021, Napoleon Co representing Chaco Merchandising and Development Corp., asked if it was possible that the collection of the cash bond on imported cement be made when final determination of dumping is arrived at.
“The cash bond will tie our funds down,” Co said in a text message, noting this will cause irreparable injury to the importers.
Co said TC’s response was for the importers to direct their request to the DTI, which imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on specific Portland cement brands imported from Vietnam.
Acting on a petition filed by Republic Cement & Building Materials Inc. , CEMEX-Solid Cement Corp./ Apo Cement Corp. and Holcim Philippines Inc., the DTI slapped provisional anti-dumping duties on Type 1 cement ranging from $1.02 to $10.53 per metric ton or 2.69 to 31.87 percent of the export price. Provisional anti-dumping duties on Vietnam’s Type 1P cement exports range from $1.16 to $12.79/MT, or 3.8 to 29.2 percent of the export price.
These provisional duties are estimated to add P2.01 to P25.08 to the import cost of a 40-kilogram bag of cement.
