EU Requests WTO Consultations with Russia concerning Anti-Dumping Duties on Light Commercial Vehicles

The European Union today requested consultations with the Russian Federation in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) concerning anti-dumping duties imposed on imports of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) from Germany and Italy.

The EU believes the anti-dumping duties are incompatible with WTO law, both on procedural and on substantive grounds. WTO consultations will give the EU and Russia the opportunity to find a negotiated solution. If the consultations are not successful, after 60 days the EU can ask the WTO to establish a panel to rule on the case.

The duties of 23% to 29.6% imposed on European LCVs are significantly hampering access to the Russian market. The trade restrictions are incompatible with WTO law and mean that exports of LCVs from Germany and Italy have not benefitted from the concessions made by Russia in relation to its WTO accession in 2012. In 2012 EU LCVs exports to Russia were worth more than €100 million, but exports have been decreasing since Russia imposed a so-called 'recycling fee' in September 2012 on cars, trucks, buses and other motor vehicles just days after joining the WTO. The anti-dumping measures subject of today's panel request are further choking off EU exports of LCVs.

Background

The Eurasian Economic Commission imposed anti-dumping duties on 14 May last year on imports of light commercial vehicles from Germany, Italy and Turkey. Its decision (No. 113) covers the territory of the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. As Belarus and Kazakhstan are not WTO Members, the request for consultations was addressed to Russia only.

The product concerned is light commercial vehicles of gross vehicle weight from 2.8 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes, van-type bodies and diesel engines with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 3.000cm3, designed for the transport of cargo of up to two tonnes or for the combined transport of cargo and passengers (HS code ex 8704 21 310 0 and HS code ex 8704 21 910 0). The anti-dumping duties are 29.6% for imports from Germany, 23% for imports from Italy and 11.1% for imports from Turkey.

For further information

Dispute Settlement at the World Trade Organisation