Washington: United States has imposed taxes ranging between 3.56 and 27.49 per cent on shrimp imports from India in the second phase of a probe into the petition alleging "dumping" at low prices.

Shrimp procured from Brazil, Ecuador and Thailand would also cost more after the US Commerce department yesterday (Jul 29, 2004) announced a preliminary decision to tax imports.

The agency said that a preliminary probe indicated imports from the four countries were sold "at less than fair value," opening the door to punitive tariffs.

The duties would range up to 67.80 per cent for Brazil, 6.08 to 9.35 per cent for Ecuador, and 5.56 to 10.25 percent for Thailand, the Commerce Department said.

Earlier this month, US had imposed duty on shrimp imports from China and Vietnam.

A separate investigation was used for the other four countries because they are considered market-based economies, unlike China and Vietnam.

The duties may be adjusted, but will be collected until a final ruling by the quasi-judicial International Trade Commission next January.

The Shrimp Task Force, representing grocers, restaurants, processors and distributors have criticised the decision to impose tax on shrimp imports.

"These four countries are not dumping shrimp in the US. They are efficiently producing a high-quality product, and the US industry has failed to compete effectively with these imports," said Wally Stevens, chairman of the Shrimp Task Force.