G/SG/N/8/COL/1/Suppl.1  
G/SG/N/10/COL/1  
G/SG/N/11/COL/1/Suppl.3  
25 April 2014  
(14-2514)  Page: 1/5  
Committee on Safeguards  Original: Spanish  
 
  NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(B) OF THE AGREEMENT 
ON SAFEGUARDS ON FINDING SERIOUS INJURY 
OR THREAT THEREOF CAUSED 
BY INCREASED IMPORTS 
NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 12.1(C) 
OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS 
NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 9, FOOTNOTE 2, 
 OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS 
COLOMBIA  
(Steel Wire Rod) 
The following communication, dated 23 April 2014, is being circulated at the request 
of the delegation of Colombia.  
_______________ 
 Pursuant to Article 12.1(c) of the Agreement on Safeguards and Article 40(c) of Decree 152 
of 1999 (domestic legislation), Colombia hereby notifies the adoption of a definitive safeguard 
measure on imports of steel wire rod.  The notification under Article 12.1(b) of the Agreement on Safeguards of a finding of serious injury 
or threat thereof caused by increased imports of steel wire rod was made in document 
G/SG/N/8/COL/1 of 26 March 2014.  
1. Evidence of serious injury or threat thereof 
 Information was provided in the notification under  Article 12.1(b) of the Agreement on Safeguards 
of a finding of serious injury or threat thereof caused by increased imports of steel wire rod 
(document G/SG/N/8/COL/1 of 26 March 2014).  2. Provide information on whether there is an absolute increase in imports or an increase 
in imports relative to domestic production 
 Information was provided in the notification under  Article 12.1(b) of the Agreement on Safeguards 
of a finding of serious injury or threat thereof caused by increased imports of steel wire rod 
(document G/SG/N/8/COL/1 of 26 March 2014).  
3. Description of the product involved 
 The product affected by the definitive safeguard measure is steel wire rod, commercially known as "alambrón trefilable " (drawable wire rod), which is classi fied in the National Customs Tariff 
(Decree 4927 of 2011, as amended by Decree 3 32 of 19 February 2014) under tariff subheadings 
7213.91.10.10, 7213.91.90.10 and 7227.90.00.11.  G/SG/N/8/COL/1/Suppl.1 • G/SG/N/10/COL/1 • G/SG/N/11/COL/1/Suppl.3 
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  PRODUCTS SUBHEADING DESCRIPTION (ADAPTED TEXT) 
Steel wire 
rod 7213.91.10.10 Bars and rods, hot-rolled, in  irregularly wound coils, 
of iron or non-alloy steel, of circular cross-section measuring less 
than 14 mm in diameter, containi ng by weight le ss than 0.12% 
of chromium, nickel, copper and molybdenum taken together, 
and less than 0.45% of carbon. 
7213.91.90.10 Other bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, 
of iron or non-alloy steel, of circular cross-section measuring less than 14 mm in diameter, containi ng by weight le ss than 0.45% 
of carbon. 
7227.90.00.11 Other bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, 
of boron alloy steel, containing  by weight le ss than 0.45% 
of carbon. 
 
4. If the final measure replaces a provisional measure, or if a final measure is extended, a Member 
is encouraged to provide a written description of any part of the imported product that will no longer be subject to the measure and the Harmonized System numbers under which it enters at least at a 6-digit level, and at a sub-national level (e.g. 8-digit, 9-digit or 10-digit level) 
if practicable. 
 October 9 2013 saw the entry into force of Decree 2213, of 8 October 2013, adopting for a period 
of 200 calendar days a provisional safeguard measure of 21.29% on imports of steel wire rod 
classified under tariff subheadings 7213.20.00.00, 7213.91.10.00, 7213.91.90.00, 7213.99.00.10, 7213.99.00.90 and 7227.90.00.10. 
 
In view of the exclusion under Decree 046 of 20 14 of three of the six investigated subheadings 
(7213.20.00.00, 7213.99.00.10 and 7213.99.00.90), and the differentiation introduced under Decree 332 of 2014 with regard to the remaining three subheadings (7213.91.10.00, 
7213.91.90.00 and 7227.90.00.10), for purposes of the final stage of the investigation 
and for the adoption of the defi nitive safeguard measure, the following products were excluded: 
 
PRODUCT  SUBHEADING  DESCRIPTION (ADAPTED TEXT)  
Steel wire 
rod 7213.20.00.00 Bars and rods, hot-rolled, in  irregularly wound coils, 
of iron or non-alloy steel, of free-cutting steel. 
7213.91.10.20 Bars and rods, hot-rolled, in  irregularly wound coils, 
of iron or non-alloy steel, of circular cross-section measuring 
less than 14 mm in diameter, containing by weight less than 0.12% of chromium, nickel, copper and molybdenum taken 
together, and containing by weig ht 0.45% or more of carbon, 
but less than 0.6%. 
7213.91.10.30 Bars and rods, hot-rolled, in  irregularly wound coils, 
of iron or non-alloy steel, of circular cross-section measuring 
less than 14 mm in diameter, containing by weight less than 
0.12% of chromium, nickel, copper and molybdenum taken 
together, and containing by weig ht 0.6% or more of carbon. 
7213.91.90.20 Other bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, 
of iron or non-alloy steel, of circular cross-section measuring 
less than 14 mm in diameter, cont aining by weight 0.45% or more 
of carbon, but less than 0.6%. 
7213.91.90.30 Other bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, 
of iron or non-alloy steel, of circular cross-section measuring 
less than 14 mm, containing by we ight 0.6% or more of carbon. 
7213.99.00.10 Other bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, 
of iron or non-alloy steel, containing by weight less than 0.12% 
of chromium, nickel, copper and molybdenum taken together. 
7213.99.00.90 Other bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, 
of iron or non-alloy steel. 
7227.90.00.12 Other bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, 
of boron alloy steel, containing by  weight 0.45% or more but less 
than 0.6% of carbon. G/SG/N/8/COL/1/Suppl.1 • G/SG/N/10/COL/1 • G/SG/N/11/COL/1/Suppl.3 
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  PRODUCT  SUBHEADING  DESCRIPTION (ADAPTED TEXT)  
7227.90.00.13 Other bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, 
of boron alloy steel, containing by  weight 0.6% or more of carbon. 
7227.90.00.90 Other bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, 
of boron alloy steel. 
 
5. Description of the proposed measure  
The definitive safeguard measure is in the form of an annual quota of 174,452 tonnes. 
In-quota imports will be subject to the customs duty applicable in the country of origin, having regard to the international trade agreements in force. Over-quota imports will be subject 
to a customs duty of 21.29%. 
 
1. Eighty per cent of the quota will be distributed among traditional importers, according 
to their respective share of imports over the past three years under each of the tariff 
subheadings subject to the measure, and 20% will go to new importers. 
2. For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, traditional importers are understood 
to mean those with import performance in any of the years 2011, 2012 or 2013. 
New importers are those with no import performance in any of those years that have 
set up business before 31 March 2014 as undertakings in the sector subject to the safeguard measure. 
3. Three-twelfth (3/12) parts of the quota will be distributed for the first 
three (3) months. The remaining nine twelfths  (9/12) of the quota will be distributed 
as of the fourth month. 
 
Pursuant to Article 5 of the Agreement on Safeguards, the quota was calculated on the basis 
of average import performance over the past three years (2011 to 2013).  
6. Proposed date of introduction of the measure. 
 The measure is expected to enter into effect upon publication in the Official Journal and at the 
latest by 27 April 2014. 
 7. Expected duration of the measure  
The safeguard measure will remain in place for one (1) year as from the date of entry into force 
of the Decree under which it was adopted.  
8. For a measure with a duration of more th an three years, provide the proposed date 
for the review (under Article 7.4) to be held not later than the mid-term of the measure, if such a date for the review has already been scheduled. 
 
Not applicable.  9. If the expected duration is over one ye ar, provide expected timetable for progressive 
liberalization of the measure. 
 Not applicable. 
 
10. If the notification relates only to a finding of serious injury or threat thereof, and does 
not relate to a decision to apply to extend a safeguard measure: 
 
Not applicable. The notification of a finding of serious injury or threat thereof was made in document G/SG/N/8/COL/1 of 26 March 2014.  
11. If the measure is being extended, also provide: 
 Not applicable. 
 
i. evidence that the industry concerned is adjusting and that the safeguard measure 
continues to be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury; G/SG/N/8/COL/1/Suppl.1 • G/SG/N/10/COL/1 • G/SG/N/11/COL/1/Suppl.3 
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Not applicable. 
 
ii. reference to the WTO document that notified the initial application of the measure; 
 
Not applicable. 
 
iii. duration of the measure from initial application until the date on which it will 
be extended; and 
 
Not applicable. 
 
iv. a precise description of the measure in place prior to the date of extension 
(in this context, please note that the last sentence of Article 7.4 states that: 
"A measure extended under paragraph 2 shall not be more restrictive than it was at the 
end of the initial period, and should continue to be liberalized."). 
 
Not applicable. 
 12. If the notification relates to a decision  to apply or extend a safeguard measure, 
Members are encouraged to provide the following information: 
 
i. The major exporting Members of imports of the product involved. 
 
During the investigation period of analysis taken as the reference period, 
i.e. 2010-2011, Mexico accounted for an overwhelming share of the volume of imports (53.80%), followed by Brazil (21.75%), Venezuela (12.22%), Trinidad 
and Tobago (8.82%) and Spain (1.71%). During the period of serious injury, 
i.e. the first and second halves of 2012, the countries that accounted for the greatest share of imports were Mexico (50.26%), Trinidad and Tobago (23.12%), Brazil (9.43%), Venezuela (9.75%) and Spain (4.33%). 
 
ii. If there are any exporting Members to which the measure does not apply for any reason 
other than the application of Article 9.1, the names of such exporting Members 
and reasons for non-application of the measure. 
 
Imports originating in the United States and Canada are excluded from the measure 
under the free trade agreements in force between Colombia and those countries. 
These agreements provide for the maintenance of WTO rights and obligations as regards the application of general safeguard measures, but include an exclusion clause when the imports of the Parties are not a substantial cause of injury. 
 
In view of the foregoing, imports originating in the United States and Canada must be excluded from the measure, since the relevant analyses reveal that their share 
in total imports was 0.02% in the case of the United States and 0.00% in the case 
of Canada. Consequently, these imports do not constitute a substantial cause of the serious injury determined in the investigation. 
 
NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 9, FOOTNOTE 2, 
OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS 
 
Pursuant to Article 9.1, footnote 2, of the Agreement on Safeguards, Colombia hereby notifies 
the Committee on Safeguards of non-application of a definitive safeguard measure against imports of steel wire rod from developing countries, in conformity with Article 9.1 of the Agreement 
on Safeguards. 
 1. Description of the measure 
 
Establishment, for a period of one (1) year, of a definitive safeguard measure in the form of an annual quota of 174,452 tonnes. In-quota  imports will be subject to the customs duty 
applicable in the country of origin, having regard to the international trade agreements in force. 
Over-quota imports will be subject to a customs duty of 21.29%. G/SG/N/8/COL/1/Suppl.1 • G/SG/N/10/COL/1 • G/SG/N/11/COL/1/Suppl.3 
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1. Eighty per cent of the quota will be distributed among traditional importers, 
according to their respective share of imports over the past three years under each of the tariff subheadings subject to the measure, and 20% will go to new importers. 
2. For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, traditional importers are understood 
to mean those with import performance in any of the years 2011, 2012 or 2013. New importers are those with no import performance in any of those years that have 
set up business before 31 March 2014 as undertakings in the sector subject 
to the safeguard measure. 
3. Three-twelfth (3/12) parts of the quota will be distributed for the first three (3) 
months. The remaining nine twelfths (9/12) of the quota will be distributed as of the 
fourth month. 
 2. Product subject to the measure 
 
The product affected by the definitive safeguard measure is steel wire rod with a low carbon content, commercially known as "alambrón trefilable" (drawable wire rod), which is classified 
in the National Customs Tariff (Decree 4927 of 2011, as amended by Decree 332 
of 19 February 2014) under tariff subheadings 7213.91.10.10, 7213.91.90.10 and 7227.90.00.11.  
PRODUCT  SUBHEADING  DESCRIPTION (ADAPTED TEXT)  
Steel wire 
rod 7213.91.10.10 Bars and rods, hot-rolled, in  irregularly wound coils, 
of iron or non-alloy steel, of circular cross-section measuring 
less than 14 mm in diam eter, containing by weight less than 0.12% 
of chromium, nickel, copper and molybdenum taken together, 
and less than 0.45% of carbon. 
7213.91.90.10 Other bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, 
of iron or non-alloy steel, of circular cross-section measuring 
less than 14 mm in diam eter, containing by weight less than 0.45% 
of carbon. 
7213.90.00.11 Other bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, 
of boron alloy steel, containing  by weight le ss than 0.45% 
of carbon. 
 
3. Developing countries to which the measure is  not applied under Article 9.1 of the Agreement 
on Safeguards, and the import shares of th ese countries individually and collectively. 
 It should be noted that in accordance with Article 9.1 of the WTO Agreement on Safeguards, the individual shares of imports from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Costa Rica for the period 
2011-2013 were less than 3%, and collectively do not account for more than 9% of total imports 
of the product concerned.  
Thus, the measure would not apply to imports from the aforementioned countries, since they 
comply with the conditions set forth in Article 9 of the Agreement on Safeguards.  
__________