Japanese tariffs hobble Vietnamese tuna exports
In this article (5)
Thai and Filipino tuna exporters have accessed the market tariff-free for years. Vietnam’s tuna exports to Japan have steadily declined since 2013 due to exceptionally high tariffs, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Following a bilateral trade deal, Japan scrapped tariffs on Thai canned skipjack tuna, which carried a 3.2 percent tariff in 2009 and 1.1 percent tariff in 2011. During the same time, Japan has maintained a 6.4 percent tariff on similar products from Vietnam, according to VASEP.
Japan extended the same policy to canned yellowfin tuna and frozen tuna loin, lifting duties entirely on Thai yellowfin imports in 2012 and Filipino imports the following year under the Generalised Systems of Preferences (GSP).
During that time, Japan levied a 9.6 percent tariff on canned yellowfin tuna from Vietnam, even after the Vietnam – Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA) came into effect in October 2009.
The two countries have yet to set a timeline on lifting tariffs on Vietnamese tuna exports, which generates between $450-550 million, annually.
Japan ranks among Vietnam’s top-eight tuna export markets and VASEP has called on the Ministry of Industry and Trade to negotiate a deal similar to the arrangement enjoyed by exporters in Thailand and the Philippines.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which other nations can export tuna to Japan without tariffs?
Which other nations can export tuna to Japan without tariffs?
Thai and Filipino tuna exporters have accessed the Japanese market tariff-free for years. Japan has lifted duties on Thai yellowfin imports and Filipino imports under the Generalised Systems of Preferences.
Q.How have tariffs on Vietnamese tuna changed over time?
How have tariffs on Vietnamese tuna changed over time?
Japan has maintained a 6.4 percent tariff on similar products from Vietnam since at least 2009. It levied a 9.6 percent tariff on canned yellowfin tuna from Vietnam even after the VJEPA came into effect.
Q.What is the total value of Vietnamese tuna exports affected by these tariffs?
What is the total value of Vietnamese tuna exports affected by these tariffs?
Vietnamese tuna exports to all markets generate between $450-550 million annually. Japan is one of Vietnam's top-eight tuna export markets, but the article does not specify Japan's share.
Q.What action is VASEP taking regarding these tariffs?
What action is VASEP taking regarding these tariffs?
VASEP has called on Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade to negotiate a deal similar to the arrangements enjoyed by exporters in Thailand and the Philippines. No timeline for lifting tariffs has been set.
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