03-21129. 2003-2004 Allocations of the Tariff-rate Quotas for Raw Cane Sugar, Refined Sugar, and Sugar-Containing Products

AGENCY:

Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of the country-by-country allocations of the in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quotas for imported raw cane sugar, refined sugar, and sugar-containing products for the period that begins October 1, 2003 and ends September 30, 2004.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

October 1, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Inquiries may be mailed or delivered to Sharon Sydow, Director of Agricultural Trade Policy, Office of Agricultural Affairs, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sharon Sydow, Office of Agricultural Affairs, 202-395-6127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Pursuant to Additional U.S. Note 5 to chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), the United States maintains tariff-rate quotas for imports of raw cane and refined sugar. Pursuant to additional U.S. Note 8 to chapter 17 of the HTS, the United States also maintains a tariff-rate quota for certain sugar-containing products.

Section 404(d)(3) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3601(d)(3)) authorizes the President to allocate the in-quota quantity of a tariff-rate quota for any agricultural product among supplying countries or customs areas. The President delegated this authority to the United States Trade Representative under Presidential Proclamation 6763 (60 FR 1007).

The in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota for raw cane sugar for the period October 1, 2003-September 30, 2004, has been established by the Secretary of Agriculture at 1,117,195 metric tons, raw value (1,231,497 short tons), the minimum to which the United States is committed under the World Trade Organization Agreement. The quantity of 1,117,195 metric tons, raw value is being allocated to the following countries:

Country	FY 2004 allocation
Argentina	45,281
Australia	87,402
Barbados	7,371
Belize	11,583
Bolivia	8,424
Brazil	152,691
Colombia	25,273
Congo	7,258
Cote d'Ivoire	7,258
Costa Rica	15,796
Dominican Republic	185,335
Ecuador	11,583
El Salvador	27,379
Fiji	9,477
Gabon	7,258
Guatemala	50,546
Guyana	12,636
Haiti	7,258
Honduras	10,530
India	8,424
Jamaica	11,583
Madagascar	7,258
Malawi	10,530
Mauritius	12,636
Mexico	7,258
Mozambique	13,690
Nicaragua	22,114
Panama	30,538
Papua New Guinea	7,258
Paraguay	7,258
Peru	43,175
Philippines	142,160
South Africa	24,220
St. Kitts & Nevis	7,258
Swaziland	16,849
Taiwan	12,636
Thailand	14,743
Trinidad-Tobago	7,371
Uruguay	7,258
Zimbabwe	12,636

These allocations are based on the countries' historical shipments to the United States. The allocations of the raw cane sugar tariff-rate quota to countries that are net importers of sugar are conditioned on receipt of the appropriate verifications of origin.

This allocation includes the following minimum quota-holding countries: Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Haiti, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Uruguay.

The in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota for refined sugar for the period October 1, 2003-September 30, 2004, has been established by the Secretary of Agriculture at 39,000 metric tons, raw value (42,990 short tons), of which the Secretary has reserved 18,656 metric tons (20,565 short tons) for specialty sugars. Of the quantity not reserved for specialty sugars, a total of 10,300 metric tons (11,354 short tons) is being allocated to Canada and 2,954 metric tons (3,256 short tons) is being allocated to Mexico. The remaining 7,090 metric tons (7,815 short tons) of the in-quota quantity not reserved for specialty sugars may be supplied by any country on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to any other provision of law. The 18,656 metric tons (18,360 short tons) reserved for specialty sugars is also not being allocated among supplying countries and is available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to any other provision of law.

With respect to the tariff-rate quota of 64,709 metric tons (71,329 short tons) for certain sugar-containing products maintained pursuant to additional U.S. Note 8 to chapter 17 of the HTS, 59,250 metric tons (65,312 short tons) of sugar-containing products is being allocated to Canada. The remaining in-quota quantity for this tariff-rate quota is available to other countries on a first-come, first-served basis.

Conversion factor: 1 metric ton=1.10231125 short tons.

Allen F. Johnson,

Chief Agricultural Negotiator.