[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2041-E2042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PROVIDING RELIEF FOR AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS

                                 ______


                          HON. CARDISS COLLINS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 25, 1995

  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing 
legislation on behalf of a company in my congressional district, Akzo 
Nobel Chemicals of Chicago, that seeks to provide Federal relief to 
them for their past overpayments of U.S. Customs import duties.
  In 1992, the Federal Government mistakenly collected excess import 
duties and Akzo Nobel has now exhausted all administrative remedies to 
recover money that rightfully is theirs. The U.S. Customs Service seems 
to agree with Akzo that the imported goods in question should have 
carried with them a lower duty 

[[Page E2042]]
rate, but at this point in time Customs' hands are tied, so to speak, 
in that the Service cannot refund the overpayments absent legislation 
requiring them to do so.
  Therefore, the bill I am introducing today provides for the 
reliquidation of relevant customs entries, which would ensure that Akzo 
Nobel will have paid only the duties required by law and will receive 
compensation only for the excess import duties mistakenly charged them.
  Last year the House Ways and Means Committee agreed to incorporate 
the language of my bill as an amendment to the GATT implementing 
legislation. Unfortunately, this language, along with other similar 
provisions, were not retained in the conference agreement.
  I want to strongly emphasize that this legislation is not a 
``gimme.'' This bill is intended to right a wrong done to my 
constituent: It is intended to refund excess import duties that Akzo 
Nobel paid due to a series of other people's errors, including errors 
by the U.S. Government.
  I am hopeful that my bill will move swiftly through the legislative 
process and finally rectify an unfortunate situation. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in support of this important and fair initiative.

                          ____________________