No Renewal of Taiwan’s Dumping Duties

PARIS, France (November 26th) - The anti-dumping duties on Taiwan made bicycles will be lifted on the 26th of February 2004. The European bicycle makers had until today to request for a renewal of these dumping duties but have not submitted such a request. This was confirmed today by Chairman Brian Montgomery of the European Bicycle Manufacturers' Association (EBMA). Asked why the EBMA didn't apply for a renewal, Montgomery said that the applied duties already were at a minimum and that he did not like to discuss the reasons behind this EBMA decision. Currently all Taiwan producers are subject to anti-dumping duties. However, individual companies are obliged to pay different dumping duties rates. Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd has 2.4% duty, while Merida Industry Co. Ltd. and Ming Cycle Int. have 2.5%. 33 Taiwan bike makers are ordered to pay a 5.4% dumping duty levy. Next to them the Fritz Jou Manufacturing Co. is subject to a 10.2% duty. All other Taiwanese bike makers fall into the category of producers that are subject to 18.2% dumping duty. The European bicycle makers had until November 26, 2003 to request for a renewal of the anti-dumping duties which they didn't. The EU fifteen member states imported about 2,075,000 bicycles from Taiwan in 2002; up 17.2% on the 1,770.000 imported in 2001. According to Eurostat, the average value of a Taiwan made bicycle imported into the EU in 2002 was € 109.93; down 20.9% to the € 139 average value in 2001. (JO)