ACTION AGAINST “DUMPING”

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27591, 23 February 1955, Page 10

ACTION AGAINST “DUMPING”

CLOTHING IMPORTED INTO N.Z. LIABILITY TO SPECIAL DUTY (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 22. Clothing imported into New Zealand at “dumped” prices would be liable to customs dumping duty, said the Minister of Customs (Mr D. J. Eyre) today. In some cases the Customs Department would take deposits equivalent to 50 per cent, of the declared value of the goods. At least one instance was known where women’s dresses had been imported from the United Kingdom at prices considerably lower than the cost of production, said Mr Eyre. A dumping duty may be imposed on goods imported into New Zealand (according to section 11 of the Customs Amendment Act, 1921) “if the actual selling price of the goods to an importer in New Zealand is, in the opinion of the Minister, less than the cost of production (including a reasonable profit) of similar goods in’the country of origin or the country of exportation to New Zealand.” The Minister determines the amount of the duty, but it must not exceed the difference between the actual selling price of the goods and the cost of production, including a reasonable profit. “The action provided by the legislation for the protection of the local industry will be taken on all future shipments of women’s and girls’ outer garments of woven fabrics imported under the conditions outlined above,” said Mr Eyre.

Deposits equal to 50 per cent, of the declared domestic value would be taken on all future shipments of such goods, unless it could be definitely established that the goods had been bought at regular prices and were not dumped within the meaning of the Customs Act, the Minister said. Inquiries would be made overseas in each instance to ascertain whether goods were being dumped. To avoid inconvenience to importers and delays

through overseas inquiries, this would not apply to goods already shipped, Mr Eyr.‘ said.

For iuti re shipments importers could arrange with their suppliers for evidence to show the Customs Department that the garments were being sold at reasonable prices and not being dumped. United Kingdom and Continental exporters coUld present this evidence to the official representative of the Customs Department in London. It was possible, said the Minister, that collectors of customs would then be able to calculate at time of entry of the goods the amount of dumping duty, if any, chargeable.