Cheap Taiwanese CD-R's will be more expensive in Europe these days. The European Union has orderded several CD-R makers to pay an extra additional fee to prevent dumping and to be sure there will still be a healthy market in Europe for CD-R's.
European CD-R producers are still not sure if the prices will really raise, most distributors have still large stocks of the cheap CD-R's.
Ritek and Prodisc have both been ordered to pay 18.8%, while CMC Magnetics, which did not send in EU's questionnaire before the deadline, must pay 39.5%. The new tariffs went into effect on December 19. |
The EU has decided the amount of tariffs based on information provided by each company. So far, 16 Taiwan-based companies have cooperated with EU officials. The rest will have to pay the highest percentage of 39.5% if they choose not to disclose the needed information.
According to EU regulations, companies can appeal within a month after the preliminary decision is announced. Taiwan concerns now have until January 21 to file an appeal. After the final decision is made, tariffs will stay fixed for a one-year observation period, after which the EU will review new requests for lower tariffs.
CMC Magnetics was previously sued for dumping magnetic discs, and is well aware that the cost of hiring a lawyer '“ possibly more than NT$50 million '“ is not as sensible as investing in overseas expansion. CMC has chosen not to respond to EU requests.
Ritek and Prodisc both depend heavily on their European customers. More than a quarter of their shipments go to Europe. Therefore, they have been very cooperative with the EU. Even Ritek subsidiary Auvistar Industry has been given the lowest tariff of 18.8%.
Source: Digitimes.com
