. /.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/VAL/M/24
3 January 2002
(02-0021)
Committee on Customs Valuation Original:  English
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 21 NOVEMBER 2001
Chairman: Mr. K. J. Weerasinghe (Sri Lanka)
The agenda proposed for the meeting, circulated in WTO/AIR/1670 and Corr.1 was adopted
as follows:
Table of Contents
1. Information on implementation and administration of the Agreement ..............................1
(a) Minimum valu e reserv ation ................................................................................................... .....1
2. Other business............................................................................................................... ............1
(a) Thailand – Statemen t on minimum values..................................................................................1
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1. Information on implementation and administration of the Agreement
(a) Minimum value reservation
- Guatemala
1.1 The Chairman recalled that he had sent a fax to all Members containing the draft Decision for
Guatemala's request for consideration at this meeting.   He informed Members that Guatemala needed
more time to complete their consultations on the matter.  He therefore proposed that the Committee
agree to suspend this meeting for a few days.  The Secretariat would inform Members of the date for
the reconvening.  In addition, any Decision reached on Guatemala's request when the Committee
reconvened would be reflected as of today's date.
1.2 The Committee so agreed.
2. Other business
(a) Thailand – Statement on minimum values
2.1 The representative of Thailand stated that at the last meeting of the Committee, his delegation
had raised concerns regarding Mexico's use of minimum value measures on canned pineapple and
reserved its rights to raise additional concerns, if necessary, on other products.  In the Official Gazette
of Mexico, dated 6 June 2001, it was announced that the minimum importation price of US$ 0.383 per
kilogram or the equivalent US$ 383.00 per metric ton had been imposed on imported long grain rice,
HS number 10063001.  This measure had adversely affected Thai rice exporters.  His delegationstressed that the customs value of imported goods must be consistent with the Agreement on Customs
Valuation, i.e. the transaction value, unless a reservation was made for the use of minimum values.G/VAL/M/24
Page 2
His delegation sought further clarification from the Mexican delegation on the following points:  what
was the basis for this estimation on rice, did the Mexican delegation maintain a reservation for
minimum values under Annex III, paragraph 2, did Me xico notify these measures, how long would
this minimum value continue to be imposed, how was the value calculated, and what were the
relevant regulations regarding this measure?  His delegation expected responses from Mexico as soonas possible on these points.
2.2 The representative of Mexico took note of the questions posed by the delegation of Thailand
and he was sure that his capital would respond in due course.2.3 The Committee took note of the statements made.
Resumption of the meeting on 27 November 2001-12-21
1.1 The Chairman recalled that the draft Decision for Guatemala's reservation for minimum
values, under Annex III, paragraph 2 was contained in a fax sent by the Chairman to all Members,
dated 20 November 2001.  He proposed that the Committee adopt this Decision.
1.2 The Committee adopted the Decision contained in the fax of 20 November 2001.
1.3 The meeting was adjourned.
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