WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SG/N/8/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
G/SG/N/10/DOM/2 
G/SG/N/11/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
3 November 2010 
 
 (10-5832) 
Committee on Safeguards Original:   Spanish 
 
 
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(b) OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS 
ON A FINDING OF SERIOUS INJURY OR THREAT THEREOF 
CAUSED BY INCREASED IMPORTS 
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(c) OF 
THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS 
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 9, FOOTNOTE 2, OF 
THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS 
 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 
 
(Certain Sports and Other Socks ) 
  
 The following communication, dated 27 October 2010, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of the Dominican Republic.  
_______________ 
  
 The Dominican Republic hereby notifies the attached Resolution No. CDC-RD-SG-092-2010, 
dated twenty-five (25) October 2010, whereby th e Regulatory Commission on Unfair Trade Practices 
and Safeguard Measures issued the final decisi on on a definitive gene ral safeguard measure 
pursuant to the investigation of Sports and Ot her Socks for Women, Men, Children and Babies, 
of Cotton or Synthetic Fibres, Excluding Woollen Socks, Panties, Support Socks for Varicose Veins 
and Other Socks Used in the Health Sector  in the Dominican Republic, classified under 
tariff subheadings 6115.95.00 and 6115.96.20 of th e Fourth Amendment to the Dominican Republic's 
Customs Tariff, and initiated by Resolution No. CDC-RD-SG-050-2010, of sixteen (16) February 
2010, submitted by Note No. MPRD -OMC-10-042 of 4 March 2010. 
 
 This notification, together with the annexes th ereto, is made under Article 12.1(b) and (c) of 
the WTO Agreement on Safeguards.  The Domini can Republic accordingly submits the following 
attached documents:   1. Notification by the Dominican Repub lic under Article 12.1(b) and (c) of the 
Agreement on Safeguards; 
 G/SG/N/8/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
G/SG/N/10/DOM/2 G/SG/N/11/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
Page 2 
  
   2. Resolution No. 
CDC-RD -SG-092-2010, dated 25 October 20101; 
  3. Two (2) Public Notices of R esolution No. CDC-RD-SG-092-2010, dated 
26 October 2010
1; 
  4. Notification under Article 9.1 of the Agreement on Safeguards. 
                                                     
 
1 Copies of Resolution No. CDC-RD-SG-092-2010 and of the notices (in Spanish only) have been 
submitted electronically.  In order to view these docume nts, please contact Ms Budd  (hilary.budd@wto.org) or 
Ms Naville (delphine.naville@wto.org) from the Rules Division.  G/SG/N/8/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
 G/SG/N/10/DOM/2 
 G/SG/N/11/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
 Page 3 
  
   
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(b) OF  THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS  
ON A FINDING OF SERIOUS INJURY OR THREAT THEREOF  
CAUSED BY INCREASED IMPORTS 
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(c) OF  
THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS 
  
1. Provide evidence, citing relevant data and the applicable period of investigation, of 
serious injury or threat thereof caused by increased imports 
 
 During the period of investigation, that is from 2006 to 2009, as well as in the most recent 
period, the domestic industry suffered injury caused by the entry into the country of the imports under 
investigation, as reflected in the negative perform ance of the main business financial indicators. 
  Specifically, the domestic industry saw a decline, inter alia , in output, sales, productivity, 
profits, and market share, as well as the loss of its main customers.  2. Provide information on whether there is an  absolute increase in imports or an increase 
in imports relative to domestic production  (please see also Article 2.1 for the context) 
 
 An analysis has been made of the increase in imports to the Dominican Republic of the 
products at issue, in both absolute and relative terms, over the period 2006-2009. 
 
 As shown in the table below, the absolute vari ation in the volume of imports of socks in 2007 
compared with 2006 was in the amount of 441,980 pairs of socks;  for 2008 compared with 2007, the variation increased in volume to 1, 169,766.96 pairs of socks;  and in 2009 compared with 2008, the 
variation amounted to -770,236 pairs.  
 Finally, during the period 2006-2009, import volum e of socks showed an absolute variation of 
841,511 pairs.  
Absolute Increase in Imports of Socks 
 
Volume (units)  Absolute Increase  
2006 2007 2008 2009 2007/2006 2008/2007 2009/2008 2009/2006 
4,184,053.10 4,626,033.50 5,795, 800.46 5,025,564.27 441,980.40 1, 169,766.96 (770,236.19) 841,511 
Source : Compiled with information from the Directorate- General of Customs of the Dominican Republic. 
 
 The imports at issue showed a high growth rate  throughout the period of investigation.  For 
2006, the share of imports under investigation in re lation to production was 64.02 per cent.  That 
share reached 92.03 per cent in 2007 and 130.27 per cen t in 2008, while it fell slightly to 128.81 per 
cent in 2009 compared with the previous year.   G/SG/N/8/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
G/SG/N/10/DOM/2 G/SG/N/11/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
Page 4 
  
   
Relative Variation in Imports of Socks 
 
No. Indicators 2006 2007 2008 2009 
1 Volume of imports (units) 4,184,053.10 4,626,033.50 5 ,795,800.46 5,025,564.27
2 Production (units)2 6,535,296.00 5,026,740.00 4 ,449,192.00 3,901,476.00
3 Percentage share of th e imports under investigation 64.02% 92.03% 130.27% 128.81% 
Source : Compiled with information from the Directorate-Gene ral of Customs of the Dominican Republic and the  
Association of Textile Industries. 
 
3. Provide a precise description of the product involved 
 
 Sports and other socks of cotton or synthe tic fibres, entering under subheadings 6115.95.00 
and 6115.96.20 of the Harmonized Commodity Descr iption and Coding System, Spanish version, 
including its alignment with the Fourth Edition (HS 2007). 
 
4. Provide the Harmonized System numbers unde r which the product enters at least at a 
six-digit HS level, and at a sub-national leve l (e.g. 8-digit HS, 9-digit HS or 10-digit HS) 
if practicable.  (The HS codes will be provided for reference purposes only.) 
 
Product Tariff Item No. 
Of cotton 6115.95.00 
Other socks 6115.96.20 
 
5. If the final measure replaces a provisional me asure, 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.3 
 
 Not applicable. 
 
6. Provide precise description of the proposed measure 
 
 The definitive safeguard measure is an ad valorem  tariff of the order of forty per cent (40%) 
on imports of sports and other socks of co tton or synthetic fibres, corresponding to 
subheadings 6115.95.00 and 6115.96.20 of the Fourth Amendment to the Dominican Republic's 
Customs Tariff.  It will be applied for a period of th ree (3) years, as of six (6) December 2010, subject 
to a tariff phasing-out schedule.  
                                                     
 
2 Information supplied by the Dominican Association of Textile Industries (ADITEX), by 
communication dated 5 February 2010. 
3 The HS codes will be provided for reference purposes only.  G/SG/N/8/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
 G/SG/N/10/DOM/2 
 G/SG/N/11/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
 Page 5 
  
  7. Provide the proposed date of introduction of the measure 
The proposed date of introduction of the de finitive measure is six (6) December 2010. 
 8. Provide the expected duration of the measure 
The expected duration of the definitive measu re adopted will be three (3) years, from 
six (6) December 2010 to nine (9) December 2013. 
 
9. For a measure with a duration of more than 3 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. 
 
10. If the expected duration is over one year, provide the expected timetable for progressive 
liberalization of the measure. 
 
Amount of measure/date of application Tariff item numbers to which 
the measure is to apply 
Definitive safeguard of forty per cent (40%) ad valorem  
from six (6) December 2010 to six (6) December 2011. Measure applicable to imports of tariff 
items 6115.95.00 and 6115.96.20. 
Definitive safeguard of twenty-seven per cent (27%) ad valorem  from seven (7) December 2011 to 
seven (7) December 2012. Measure applicable to imports of tariff 
items 6115.95.00 and 6115.96.20. 
Definitive safeguard of fourteen per cent (14%) ad valorem  
from eight (8) December 2012 to eight (8) December 2013. 
Where imports are subject to an  MFN tariff higher than the 
percentage rate of the definitive safeguard measure 
applicable as of eight (8) December 2012, the former will be applied.  (Imports under tariff subheadings 6115.95.00 and 
6115.96.20 are subject to an MFN tariff of 
20% , a rate 
which also applies to imports under these subheadings 
pursuant to the Agreements between Central America and 
the Dominican Republic and the EPA Agreement.  Under 
the Dominican Republic - Panama Agreement, imports of subheading 6115.95.00 are subject to an MFN tariff of 20%.  
In these cases, the MFN tariff will continue to be applied as 
of eight (8) December 2012). Measure applicable to imports of tariff 
items 6115.95.00 and 6115.96.20. G/SG/N/8/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
G/SG/N/10/DOM/2 G/SG/N/11/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
Page 6 
  
  Amount of measure/date of application Tariff item numbers to which 
the measure is to apply 
From nine (9) December 2013 , the definitive safeguard 
measure will be zero per cent (0%).  Where imports are 
subject to an MFN tariff higher than the percentage rate of 
the definitive safeguard measure applicable as of 
nine (9) December 2013, the former will be applied.  (Imports under tariff subheadings 6115.95.00 and 
6115.96.20 are subject to an MFN tariff of 20 per cent, a rate 
which also applies to imports under these subheadings pursuant to the Agreement between Central America and the 
Dominican Republic and the EPA Agreement.  In the 
specific case of the Dominican Republic – Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CA FTA), the corresponding 
tariffs will continue to be applied in accordance with the 
reduction schedule established for these tariff headings in the Agreement.  In the case of the Dominican Republic – 
Panama Agreement, imports under subheading 6115.95.00 
are subject to an MFN tariff of 20 per cent, while imports under subheading 6115.96.20 are subject to a tariff of 0 per 
cent.  Where applicable, and as from nine (9) December 
2013, the above-mentioned MFN tariff will continue to be applied). Measure applicable to imports under tariff 
subheadings 6115.95.00 and 6115.96.20. 
 
11. If the notification relates only to a finding  of serious injury or threat thereof, and does 
not relate to a decision to appl y or extend a safeguard measure: 
 
 Not applicable.   (i) Provide the deadlines for interested part ies to comment or any other procedures 
relevant to the decision to apply the measures;  and 
 
 (ii) provide information regarding pro cedures for prior consultation with those 
Members having a substantial interest as exporters of the product concerned. 
 
12. If the measure is being extended, also provide: 
 
 Not applicable.  
 (i) Evidence that the industry concerne d is adjusting and that the safeguard 
measure continues to be necessary to  prevent or remedy serious injury; 
 
  Not applicable.  
 (ii) reference to the WTO document that notified the initial application of the 
measure; 
 
  Not applicable.   G/SG/N/8/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
 G/SG/N/10/DOM/2 
 G/SG/N/11/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
 Page 7 
  
   (iii) duration of the measure from initial app lication until the date on which it will be 
extended;  and 
   N/A. 
 
 (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.  
13. 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. 
 
 Imports of the product at issue are chiefly from China;  Panama;  Hong Kong, China 
and the United States, with a percentage share during the period of investigation of 
74.32, 13.06, 5.95 and 1.33 per cent, respectively. 
 
 (ii) If there are any exporting Members to which the measure does not apply for any 
reason other than the application of Arti cle 9.1, the names of such exporting 
Members and reasons for non-application of the measure. 
 
 Not applicable.  The exporting Members to  which the measure will not apply will be 
exempt only under Article 9.1, and will be  the following:  Afghanistan, Albania, 
Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Ch ile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, East 
Africa, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guat emala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, 
Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Nauru, Pakistan , Peru, Philippines, Saint Martin, Syria, 
Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela and Viet Nam. G/SG/N/8/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
G/SG/N/10/DOM/2 G/SG/N/11/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
Page 8 
  
   
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 9, FOOTNOTE 2, 
OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS 
 
  Pursuant to Article 9.1, footnote 2, of th e Agreement on Safeguards, the Dominican Republic 
hereby notifies the Committee on Safeguards that it will not apply a definitive safeguard measure to 
imports of sports and other socks for women, men, children and babies, of cotton or synthetic fibres, 
from developing countries, in accordance with Article 9.1 of the Agreement on Safeguards. 
 
1. Specify the measure 
 
 The definitive safeguard measure is an ad valorem  tariff of the order of forty per cent (40%) 
applied for a period of three (3) years from six (6) December 2010, on the imports of sports and other 
socks, of cotton or synthetic fibres, corresponding  to subheadings 6115.95.00 and 6115.96.20 of the 
Fourth Amendment to the Dominican Republic's Customs Tariff.  
2. Specify the product subject to the measure 
  The imported products under investigation are s ports and other socks, of cotton or synthetic 
fibres, entering under tariff subheadings 6115.95.0 0 and 6115.96.20 of the Harmonized Commodity 
Description and Coding System, Spanish version, including its alignment with the Fourth Edition 
(HS 2007).  3. Specify the developing countries to which th e measure is not applied under Article 9.1 of 
the Agreement on Safeguards, and the import  shares of these countries individually and 
collectively. 
 
 
 2006-2009 
Country of origin Share (%) 
AFGHANISTAN 0,00% 
ALBANIA 0,00% 
ARGENTINA 0,00% 
BRAZIL 0,68% 
BULGARIA 0,00% 
CHILE 0,55% 
COLOMBIA 1,45% 
COSTA RICA 0,00% 
EAST AFRICA 0,00% 
EL SALVADOR 0,56% 
ETHIOPIA 0,00% 
GABON 0,01% 
GUATEMALA 0,64% 
HAITI 2,63% 
HONDURAS 0,00%  G/SG/N/8/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
 G/SG/N/10/DOM/2 
 G/SG/N/11/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
 Page 9 
  
   2006-2009 
Country of origin Share (%) 
INDIA 0,02% 
INDONESIA 0,00% 
ISRAEL 0.00% 
MALAYSIA 0.00% 
MEXICO 0.11% 
NAURU 0.11% 
PAKISTAN 0.09% 
PERU 0.00% 
PHILIPPINES 0.04% 
SAINT MARTIN 0.00% 
SYRIA 0.00% 
THAILAND 0.00% 
TURKEY 0.01% 
URUGUAY 0.31% 
VENEZUELA 0.04% 
VIET NAM 0.00% 
TOTAL 7.27% 
 
 
 January-June 2010 January-June 2010 
Country Quantity (units) Share (%) 
ARGENTINA  0.00% 
BANGLADESH 2,801 0.14% 
BRAZIL 35,297 1.82% 
CHILE 9,194 0.47% 
COLOMBIA 7,557 0.39% 
COSTA RICA  0.00% 
CYPRUS 60 0.00% 
GUATEMALA 34,322 1.77% 
HAITI 11,222 0.58% 
INDIA 120 0.01% 
MALAYSIA 576 0.03% 
MEXICO 6,480 0.33% 
PAKISTAN 20,391 1.05% 
PERU 72 0.00% 
PHILIPPINES 1,584 0.08% 
THAILAND 522 0.03% 
TURKEY 1,936 0.10% G/SG/N/8/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
G/SG/N/10/DOM/2 G/SG/N/11/DOM/2/Suppl.1 
Page 10 
  
   January-June 2010 January-June 2010 
Country Quantity (units) Share (%) 
URUGUAY 42,240 2.18% 
VENEZUELA  0.00% 
VIET NAM 2 0.00% 
Overall total 1,936,405.47 9.01% 
 
 
__________