USTR Announces Country Allocations for FY 2011 Sugar TRQs

(USTR explains that these TRQs allow countries to export specified quantities of product to the U.S. at a relatively low tariff; amounts over the specified quantities are subject to a higher tariff.)

FY 2011 Raw Cane Sugar TRQ and Country Allocations

The Secretary of Agriculture recently announced that the in-quota quantity for the TRQ on raw cane sugar for FY 2011 is 1,117,195 metric tons raw value (MTRV), which is the minimum amount to which the U.S. is committed under the World Trade Organization Uruguay Round Agreements.

USTR is allocating this raw cane sugar TRQ to the following countries in the quantities specified below (such sugar must be entered under HTS subheading 1701.11.10):

These allocations are based on the countries’ historical shipments to the U.S. The allocations of the raw cane sugar TRQ to countries that are net importers of sugar are conditioned on receipt of the appropriate verifications of origin, and certificates for quota eligibility must accompany imports from any country to which an allocation is provided.

FY 2011 Refined and Specialty Sugar TRQ

USTR notes that the U.S. Department of Agriculture also announced that the refined and specialty sugar¹ TRQ restraint limit is 99,111 MTRV and is for certain sugars, syrups, and molasses (collectively referred to as refined sugar) that must be entered under HTS subheadings 1701.12.10, 1701.91.10, 1701.99.10, 1702.90.10, or 2106.90.44.

This amount includes the minimum quantity to which the U.S. is committed under the WTO Uruguay Round Agreement. USTR is allocating a total of 10,300 MTRV of refined sugar to Canada, 2,954 MTRV of refined sugar to Mexico, and 7,090 MTRV of refined sugar to be administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Specialty Sugar Portion of Refined/Specialty Sugar TRQ Consists of 5 Tranches

The remaining quantity will be for specialty sugar and will be administered in five tranches, as follows:

• First tranche of 1,656 MTRV will open on October 20, 2010 for all types of specialty sugars;
• Second tranche of 27,500 MTRV will open on November 10, 2010;*
• Third tranche of 16,537 MTRV will open on January 12, 2011;*
• Fourth tranche of 16,537 MTRV will open on May 18, 2011;*
• Fifth tranche of 16,537 MTRV will open August 24, 2011.*

*The second, third, fourth, and fifth tranches will be reserved for organic sugar and other specialty sugars not currently produced commercially in the U.S. or reasonably available from domestic sources.

FY 2010 Sugar-Containing Products TRQ

The USTR states that with respect to the TRQ of 64,709 metric tons for certain sugar-containing products maintained under HTS Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 8, it is allocating 59,250 metric tons to Canada. The remainder is available for other countries on a first-come, first-served basis.

¹The sucrose content, by weight in the dry state, must have a polarimeter reading of 99.5 degrees or more.

The conversion factor is 1 metric ton = 1.10231125 short tons.

(See ITT’s Online Archives or 08/03/10 news, 10080321, for BP summary of USDA announcing the 2011 TRQs for raw, refined and specialty sugar.)