2004-2005 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, 2004 and ends September 30, 2005.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

October 1, 2004.

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, 2004-September 30, 2005, 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:

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, 2004-September 30, 2005, has been established by the Secretary of Agriculture at 43,000 metric tons, raw value (47,399 short tons), of which the Secretary has reserved 22,656 metric tons (24,974 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 22,656 metric tons (24,974 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.