WTO finds against US bond requirement for shrimp exporters

The World Trade Organization's highest appeals court, the Appellate Body, has upheld a February ruling brought against the United States by both India and Thailand over a bond requirement for shrimp exports.

Exporters subject to anti-dumping duties are required to pay the Continuous Bond (C-Bond) - a guarantee to cover the full amount as security against the risk of default. According to the ruling, this contravenes global trading rules and imposed an excessive burden on exporters already paying the duties.

“United States — Measures Relating to Shrimp from Thailand”, (DS343) and on “United States — Customs Bond Directive for Merchandise Subject to Anti-Dumping/ Countervailing Duties” (DS345).

Findings and conclusions in pdf (4 pages, 35KB)

Full Appellate Body Report in Word (144 pages, 998KB)

Full Appellate Body Report in pdf (144 pages, 801KB)

Summary of the case DS343 (Thailand)

Summary of the case DS345 (India)