24 May 2005

At AAEI: New fight for U.S. goods

The following article is excerpted from the 24 May 2005 edition of “The Journal of Commerce”.

Countries are increasingly using non-tariff trade barriers to block U.S. exports, an official with the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration … told members of the American Association of Exporters and Importers.

Paul Dacher, director of European commercial policy, said that different countries within the European Union are using different tariff classifications for the same item, leading to differences in the duties paid. Exporters also should be aware that the EU may establish different standards in testing and labeling that are different from the U.S. …

Dacher said that of particular concern in Europe right now are proposed regulations of chemicals. The EU also is trying to regulate how and what products will be recycled, and is drafting regulations banning certain heavy metals like cadmium and lead from imports.

Exporters to Mexico also have to be aware of official standards, "Normas officiales mexicanas," or NOMs, that can impede trade at the border….

… [E]xporters should be aware of Mexican regulations concerning valuation, anti-dumping duties, and permits and prior notice. …