Japan: Tariffs for Frozen Beef Rise as Special Safeguard is Applied

On August 1, 2017, the Japanese Ministry of Finance (MOF) raised the duty for U.S. frozen beef from 38.5 percent to 50 percent under Japan’s special safeguard (SSG) for frozen beef. The measure remains in effect until March 31, 2018, the end of Japanese fiscal year (JFY) 2017. As explained by the Government of Japan, the SSG measure is in keeping with its commitments under WTO rules and domestic provisions prescribed under Japan’s Temporary Customs Tariff Measures Act. The SSG measure will only apply to countries that do not have an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan. Australia, the largest supplier of frozen beef to Japan, will not be affected by the SSG measure, leaving Australia’s tariff at 27.2 percent. The SSG measure was last applied to U.S fresh/chilled beef in 2003, and several adjustments have been made to the triggering mechanism since that time. 

Japan: Tariffs for Frozen Beef Rise as Special Safeguard is Applied