[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 160 (Tuesday, August 19, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 49837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21129]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


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.

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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:

 
                                                               FY 2004
                          Country                             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.
[FR Doc. 03-21129 Filed 8-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-P