NEW GSL TARIFF FEES' NEGATIVE BUT MINIMAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 COLOMBO 001951 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT PASS TO USTR FOR JROSENBAUM, USDA FOR JARGUETE; COMMERCE FOR A.STERN; NEW DELHI FOR CRUSSELL E.O 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD CE ECONOMICS SUBJECT: NEW GSL TARIFF FEES' NEGATIVE BUT MINIMAL IMPACT ON US EXPORTS TO SRI LANKA REF: A) COLOMBO 1858 B) COLOMBO 1905 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: As recently reported (Reftels), the GSL has imposed new tariff surcharges on non- essential items, though many agricultural, food, household and other consumer products are affected. The new levy ranges from 10-20 percent and does not affect the bulk of US exports to Sri Lanka. This levy is one more example of the current Government's desire to pursue import substitution policies and revert to protectionist measures in an effort to spur local production and raise revenue. End summary. ¶2. (U) As previously reported (Ref A),the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) has introduced a new import duty, by way of an Export Development Board (EDB) levy (a "cess" in local terminology) on selected imports with effect from November 4, 2004. The levy ranges from 10 to 20 percent. It will be in addition to the normal import tariff, apply to imports from all sources (irrespective of preferential trade agreements),and will be charged on c.i.f. value. The levy will not apply to imports for export industries, which are generally exempted from import duties. Most of the top US exports to Sri Lanka will not be affected, as they are not captured under any categories subject to the new tax. These unaffected US exports include electrical machinery and equipment, machinery, wheat, medical equipment, cotton, yarn, textile fabric, paperboard, medicine and pharmaceutical products. ¶3. (U) The tax will, however, affect a number of other US imports from perfumes to food products (see para 8). Since the Most Favored Nation (MFN) import duty on most of these items is already at 28 percent, the levy will increase the effective import duty to over 48 percent (except on items which have preferential duties under trade agreements including the Indo-Lanka FTA, where the new levy will be assessed on the lower, preferential duty rate). ¶4. (U) In addition to the EDB levy, several other taxes have also been changed and increased recently. The value added tax (VAT) on non-essentials was increased from 15 to 18 pct. The import duty structure was changed from 6 bands to 5 bands, and the highest band was increased from 27.5 pct to 28 pct. A ports and airport levy (PAT) was increased from 1 pct to 1.5 pct of c.i.f. price. ¶5. (SBU) According to US trade data, total value of imports affected by the EDB levy could be around US$5 million, out of a total of approximately US$143 million annual US exports to Sri Lanka. Total effect on US exports could be much higher as US sourced products sent via other trading hubs, or manufactured by US entities abroad, are not captured in the US export data used to compile this analysis. Most of the companies we talked to, such as Gillete and Proctor and Gamble, export their products from ports and plants outside the US. ¶6. (SBU) The Embassy has begun to receive complaints from affected US exporters regarding the new "prohibitive" tariff regime. For example, Commercial Links, which exports apples, grapes and pulses to Colombo, said their fruit exports have stopped completely due to the new tariff structure, which has increased the duty paid price of these items by 30 to 40 percent. Pulses are not affected, as the levy is not imposed on "essential" food items. Both Gillette and Proctor and Gamble are facing increased tariffs on their toiletries and cosmetics. According to Gillette, their main problem is with "Oral B" toothbrushes which have been levied a piece rate duty of Rs 10 (about 10 US cents),prompting the company to consider pulling its Oral B range off the market. "Pringles" potato chips sold by P&G has been levied a 20 percent or Rs 15 per kg duty. P&G has been forced to hold several containers of goods, thus incurring demurrage charges. ¶7. Comment: The US exports outlined below are affected by the new levy. Post has raised its concerns about these changes with the Government. Given the fact that the levy has been charged on other, larger trading partners, the wobbly state of GSL finances, and the general protectionist sentiment of the current Government, it is unlikely we will see much relief. Nonetheless, we will continue to press both from the perspective of harm done to US products, as well as the overall opportunity costs to the economy from moving in the wrong direction on trade liberalization. End comment. ¶8. The following lists US exports to Sri Lanka (2003 figures) that would be subject to the new levy: -------------- -------------- HS Number-- Product US export- ---New Levy(d) Value USD -------------- -------------- -------------- Food Products -------------- 0805 Oranges 223,100(a) 20pct or Rs 15/kg 0806 Grapes 712,000 20pct or Rs 15/kg 0808 Apples 196,000 15pct 200520 Potatos preserved 189,400 20pct or Rs 15/kg 2009 Fruit Juice 69,600 20pct or Rs 15/kg 2103 Sauces 115,200 10pct or Rs 15/kg 2104 Soups 25,000 10pct or Rs 15/kg 2106 Other food preparations (nes) 147,000 15pct or Rs 25/kg 2209 Vinegar 59,000(a) 15pct or Rs 10/kg 1902 Pasta 21,400 10pct or Rs 10/kg 1905 Biscuits, cakes, bread 11,500 10pct or Rs 10/kg 0207 Meat of poultry (chicken, turkey) 193,000 15pct or Rs 50/kg 1602 Prepared meat49,300 15pct or Rs 15/kg 0406 Cheese 30,200 15pct 0404 Whey 6,700 15pct or Rs 20/kg 1806 Chocolate and other food with cocoa 65,000 15pct or Rs 15/kg -------------- Other items -------------- 3303 Perfumes and toilet waters 213,800 20pct or Rs 25/kg 3304,3305,3307 Hair, beauty preparations 78,000 20pct or Rs 25/kg 391810 Floor or wall coverings of PVC 8,400 20pct or Rs 20/kg 392490 Toilet articles of plastic 157,000 20pct or Rs 20/kg 401110 Tires for motor cars 27,300 10pct or Rs 15/unit 4203 to 05 Leather clothes 17,500 20pct or Rs 20/kg 4202 Leather travel goods, bags 33,200(a) 20pct or Rs 20/kg 6505 Headgear 380,000(a) 15pct 69 Ceramic ware 54,800 20pc 7013 Glassware 38,600(a) 10pct or Rs 10/kg 7018 Glassbeads 34,400 10pct or Rs 10/kg 841510 Air conditioners 77,600(b) 10pct 841451 Fans 22,000 10pct 8418210090 refrigerators 31,000(a) 10pct 852431 Disks for laser reading systems 522,000 1pct 852430 Discs for laser reading systems 128,200 1pct 9603 Toothbrushes (C) 10pct or Rs 10/unit 960810 Ball point pens, fountain pens, felt pens 189,000 10pct or Rs 10/unit -------------- -------------- (a) Jan-Sept 2004 (b) 2002 (C) Indirect imports from Gillette nes, not elsewhere specified (d) When there is a specific duty and an ad valorem duty, the higher absolute duty will apply. Source: GSL Ministry of Finance and USITC LUNSTEAD